today we talk about myth and the difference between a hero and a heroine’s journey. The traditional “superhero” archetype is often a lone (often white) male who is the savior of humankind. the question we toy with is do we need new heroes? Or do we need new myths? Or…do we need to revisit the old myths in new ways? Likely some combination of all three.

One of my favorite recent Marvel superhero narratives revolves around a teenage Pakistani American young woman who discovers an innate power inherited through her maternal line. Because she is a teenager, she wants to fit in, wants to be liked, and doesn’t really want to stick out. Of course, having a superpower in which you can shoot fractalized crystals out of your hands doesn’t really go unnoticed, and at first, her powers are a bit of a burden. The pivotal moment is when she learns to accept her powers, to bring forth what is within her to positively impact her Muslim community. She doesn’t go off to save the world; she stays where she is planted simply by bringing forth her greatest self. There’s so much to unpack in this pop-culture show!!

Also, in the hero’s journey, we’ve been taught that the “dark night” is the scariest, hardest part…I wonder if we could reframe this. Could the dark be a place of contemplation and creativity? Could it be the feminine energy that contains the whole process?

there is so much to deconstruct. What myth have you been taught that impacted you? if you read it again, does it have the same impact as when you first heard it, or does the meaning change for you?

Thanks for listening!