The Oral Art of Telling Myths, Legends,

Sagas, Parables, Fables and FolkTales

An Online Course with Iris Curteis, PhD

Myths, Legends, Sagas, Parables, Fables, & Folktales are often lumped together or confused. They really are very different; they have different relationships to what we could call the sacred-spiritual, they have different social functions, & they require different ‘ways of telling’.

This five-part online course is about getting to know these differences & building practical skills so you can confidently ‘tell the difference’ when you are telling a story. Whether you use storytelling in child or adult education, parenting, community building, social justice, caregiving, or are looking for creative ways to explore your cultural roots, this course will develop storytelling skills, inspire cultural insights and provide a clear, practical introduction to ‘liminal space’, the importance of story openings & closings, why we need them, & how they work.

Seminar Outline

Topic 1 – ‘Liminal Space’; the health and social benefits created through this space for people of all ages; opening and closing the liminal Space; a contract of trust

Topic 2 – Myths; ancient and timeless oral knowledge of beginnings: the sacred that creates the world; divine standards; the foundations of lore and law

Topic 3 – Legends and Saga/Folklore; Actions of demi-gods and human beings placed within human time; a sense of truth; embedded within the ‘culture of place’

Topic 4 – Fables & Parables; the educational, culturising or cautionary tale; the comparison – animals speaking and acting like humans or fictitious people; grasping the unfamiliar idea (compassion for your enemy)

Topic 5 – Folktales: our guide to new ways of thinking; a ‘living experience ‘of expanded reality’, meeting the challenges of the return journey, treasures and new wisdom are gifts gained for the community; wedding the land – the new ancient ecology

Dates

3.00 pm to 5.00 pm 26/8, 16/09, 07/10, 28/10, 18/11

Cost (inc. course material and zoom)

To book 

Book here!

Find out more

Please contact Iris Curteis 

About the presenter

Iris Curteis is a Storyteller and Speech Artist with 40 years of artistic experience. Her background includes studies in Visual Arts, Speech formation [Creative Speech] & Dramatic Arts (Europe), BA & BA hon. (Creative Writing) and a PhD on Storytelling and Community Building [Australia]. Anthroposophy has been her source of inspiration for 50 years.