Sharon Blackie On Parsifal, The Grail & The Post-Heroic Journey

The first in the series from A Gathering of Stories that explored The Soul of Masculinity.

Illustration generated with Dalle

Back in 2021, after a few years of publishing Mythic Masculine conversations for my podcast, I had the impulse to bring together several of my favourite storytellers & guests for a live series.

I called it ‘'A Gathering of Stories.’ The first edition focused on the theme of The Soul of Masculinity.

One of my featured guests was psychologist and mythologist Sharon Blackie, author of numerous books including If Women Rose Rooted and the more recent Hagitude.

She delivered a unique telling of the epic myth of Parsifal and the Grail.

Sharon differentiates her approach from Joseph Campbell’s "hero's journey," which she critiques for its individualism and lack of depth in understanding Celtic mythology. Instead, she introduces the concept of a "post-heroic" journey, emphasizing community, compassion, and the intertwining of masculine and feminine energies.

Sharon recounts the story of Parsifal, highlighting his transformation from an ignorant fool raised in isolation to a compassionate and wise Grail king. The narrative underscores the importance of asking the right questions, such as "What ails thee?" as a measure of character and empathy.

This question, Sharon explains, is central to the Grail mythology and reflects the Celtic tradition of valuing questions over answers.

Sharon elaborates on the significance of the Grail, tracing its origins to Celtic cauldrons of life and plenty. She contrasts this with the later Christianized version of the Grail as a symbol of eternal life, critiquing modern interpretations that focus on individual glory rather than communal well-being.

The conversation also touches on the cultural mythology that valorizes the hero archetype, which can leave those who don't fit this mold feeling inadequate.

Sharon advocates for recognizing and embracing a diversity of archetypes, such as the Smith, who represents creativity, transformation, and collaboration with nature. She encourages listeners to question cultural narratives and seek archetypes that resonate with their unique journeys and contributions to the world.

Paid Substack subscribers are welcome to enjoy the full video below as well as my rich conversation with Sharon after the telling.

I’ll be publishing a number of these recordings exclusively for my subscribers in the weeks and months to come. Consider becoming a supporter to gain access!