In This Issue:

Truth & Consequences



Your Personal Mythology

Who's Out There Doing What?

Articles / Books / Podcasts, Etc.

Coming Events

"TRUTH & CONSEQUENCES"

There is Truth.

There is un-truth. [Also known as lies.]  

Both have Consequences.

These have played out in myth and reality for aeons. Why then does it keep happening, that people think they can embrace and promote un-truths and escape the blowback that is inevitable?

Well, a number of reasons actually. Let’s look at some of the factors at play here.

Lots of times we just have to admit that with a lot of things-gone-wrong it’s just human nature.

Evolutionary biology and psychology go a long way to explain our inherent tribalism, a cooperative social structure seen in animal herds, packs, pods, flocks, etc. Tribalism can ensure survival…in a system that has no other impinging factors. That’s not how our world is today.

But about Tribalism, let’s look at one thing that supports it. I call it the “Cootie Factor”. Back when groups of people were physically separated from other groups, a stranger was seen as actual danger because they could bring in new germs – cooties. That was definitely a threat. Note that a significant majority of the indigenous peoples of the so-called New World were wiped out by germs carried in by conquistadors and colonizers from the Old World.

However, strangers could also bring in new genes, which was a plus. Yet our evolutionary biology and psychology pre-disposes us to the Cootie Factor mindset and those who know how to manipulate it can spur people into fear of the “Other” for their own divide-and-conquer agendas. Untruths can flourish, especially if they target and demean that Other.

So the best reply to “It’s just human nature”? Yes, it’s part of it. Our challenge is to rise above that and become more, to evolve into wider perspectives, to expand our recognition of and relationship with what Tribalism sees as “Other”.

It’s called civilization.

The Ageless Wisdom teaches that the evolution of humanity is from Tribal consciousness to Individual consciousness to Group consciousness. It’s inevitable, eventually. The question is how difficult or how easy are we going to make it whether individually, culturally, or species-wide?

I vote for easy and soon. Enlightenment and evolution sound like pretty fine ideas and ideals with positive results for all.

TRUTH

The Truth. The whole Truth. Nothing but the Truth.

What is Truth? Who gets to decide? Does real Truth change depending on one’s perspective?

Democritus observed in the 5^th century BCE: “Nothing exists except atoms and empty space; everything else is opinion.”

An interesting philosophical observation, but impractical in the real world. You can’t construct aqueducts or airplanes on opinions. You absolutely need facts, truths.

Why do people believe lies?

Sometimes because a grown-up or a person of supposed authority told them and they are not mature enough or brave enough to do their own thinking and exploration.

Some people embrace lies because their own reality is too uncomfortable and a falsehood offers comfort or validation or justification. 

“For it is a habit of humanity to entrust to careless hope what they long for, and to use sovereign reason to thrust aside what they do not fancy”. Thucydides

Spirituality explores universal Truths; religions bureaucratize and tend to be more about separatism and control (the Latin root word religare means ‘to bind’).

Remember that lion that used to sit beside the Pharoah’s throne and who could smell when someone told a lie? He’d pounce on them and devour them. We’re a bit beyond that, but don’t you sometimes wish we had better lie detectors than are being put to use these days?

LAWS, REGULATIONS, CODES

The desire and demand for Truth is usually embedded in the codes of conduct, laws, and regulations of many peoples, groups, organizations, religions, and governments. Some examples include --

·      Scouts’ Codes

·      Code of the Jungle - in Rudyard Kipling’s “JUNGLE BOOK”

·      “Do What Thou Wilt, an’ It Harm No One” – Magician’s/Pagan’s Code 

·      “First, do no harm.” - Hippocratic Oath for physicians 

·      "Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law." Emmauel Kant’s Categorical Imperative

·      "I shall not cause harm to any vehicle nor the personal contents thereof, nor through inaction let the personal contents thereof come to harm." - from the film ‘REPO MAN”

·      The Martian Creed – my proposed code for people on Mars. It’s in the Official Library of the Mars Society. http://www.marspapers.org/#/papers

On the larger organizational scale there are –

         Hammurabi’s Laws – He was king of Babylon in the 1900s BCE. The large black stele on which the laws are inscribed is in the Louvre, and I got to see it in person. Quite impressive.

         Confucianism – emphasized personal and governmental morality, correctness of social relationships, justice, kindness, and sincerity.

         The Ten Commandments – another set etched in stone.

         …and many others.

The Golden Rule has often been cynically explained as: Those who have the gold make the rules. Too often true.

The powerful have typically used the courts to legalize and justify their actions, which is why Blind Justice and across-the-board Fairness are so important. 

In Genghis Kahn’s reign it was said that a beautiful virgin carrying a bag of gold could walk from one end of the kingdom to the other and both would reach the destination untouched. One of his laws was that if you bore false witness the punishment was beheading. One presumes that cut down on a lot of lies.

Many mythologies have a Trickster god, a Joker, who delights in lies and subterfuge to the detriment and sometimes the devastation of the people.

Unfortunately Crime Pays – when there’s no system outlawing it, or if there are laws, they are not enforced. There is a rash of lawlessness across the world these days as rampant individualism, selective law enforcement, and manipulated divisiveness preclude what most people actually desire – civility, collaboration, and cooperation for both the individual and the greater good.

Invariably, Truth will out. The question is, how long will that take and how much damage will be incurred along the way?

CONSEQUENCES

Seriously, what did you think was going to happen?

It’s said that in Nature there is no Good or Bad, there are only Consequences.

But in human affairs…well, too often it’s quite a different story.

Consequences of being found out, of being exposed, of being called to task for one’s actions or inactions vary. Sometimes it’s just embarrassment or shame. Sometimes a slap on the wrist or a time-out in the corner. Sometimes a suspension or a firing. A divorce or loss of custody. A fine and draining of one’s resources. A lawsuit or court date. And sometimes – incarceration.

Or in the case of the many religious/mythic systems which have a Judgement, it can mean eternal fire, being cast into the outer darkness, being sent back onto the Wheel of Incarnation, and many more rather imaginative punishments for wrong-doers.   

Do the time. Do the crime. Right? Yeah, right…not always.

Consequences often depend on the nature of the power balance, or as is often the case, the imbalance of power. That’s how some people get away with murder and others go to prison for a slight infringement of the law, or for espousing opinions opposing the establishment.

Standing up and speaking out for Truth, Compassion, Justice and Fairness for all, Accountability and Responsibility is not Virtue Signaling – it’s Integrity.

It can also be dangerous for those holding wrong-doers to account. Yet there are serious deadly dangers in not doing so…as oppressive regimes and lawless individuals and mayhem have proven again and again.

From village councils to city courts to Federal courts, from the Nuremberg Trials to the Hague there are systems of Justice in place that should be used, not shirked or twisted. The Rule of Law informs and upholds civilizations.

“The True Administration of Justice is the Firmest Pillar of Good Government” - Inscribed above a New York City high court building.

Our world is obviously in the last throes of a failing system that is sliding precipitously, sometimes unconsciously but sometimes with grim determination, towards a suicide that is taking out not only the perpetrators but also those affected by their actions: AKA citizens, consumers, workers, distant bystanders, animal life, and Nature itself.

The Consequences of incorrect actions, of silence, of failure to or refusal to address the problems are already here.

It behooves us all to support the presentation, promotion and defense of actual real, factual Truth. Of personal and organizational accountability. Of the recognition and support of the interconnectedness of all Life. Of visionary collaboration to improve current situations and resolve ourselves to a greater, more just and equitable future.   

Our very lives depend on it.

MYTH TIPS

If you had Wonder Woman’s Lasso of Truth where would you use it?

Daniel Ellsberg was a high profile Whistleblower, a courageous and kind person dedicated to the ideals and implementation of Justice. We exchanged emails a few years ago when I was writing the article below for Rob Kall’s OpEdNews. It’s about the Consequences of the mythical Greek Tiresius telling the hard Truth before the Gods. 

http://www.opednews.com/articles/A-Mythic-Whistleblower-Who-by-Pamela-Jaye-Smith-130806-994.html

For a fun sophisticated film about Truth & Consequences watch the 1994 “TRUE LIES” starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jamie Lee Curtis.

Also along the lines of people braving the Consequences of revealing the Truth are SPOTLIGHT, THE INSIDER, ERIN BROKOVITCH, and SILKWOOD.

On a lighter note is the Jim Carrey film LIAR, LIAR. On the dimmer side, most sit-coms which revolve around someone practicing minor deceptions and trying not to get found out. Hilarity ensues.

Here’s our Newsletter dealing with similar situations – “Here Comes the Judge”.

https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Here-Comes-the-Judge---MYTHWORKS-September-2018.html?soid=1102200972776&aid=dsElnWTa_wM

Find our Newsletter Archive here --

http://pamelajayesmith.net/articles/newsletter-archive/

Your Personal Mythology

Who do you want to be?

TIRED OF BEING A HERMIT?

After years of pandemic isolation, many of us are.

Yet for those who were already somewhat introverted, it provided a no-excuses-necessary way to do what one preferred anyway.

Though sometimes it's difficult to break the insular patterns set by the health and safety needs during the pandemic, as we work to move out of that Hermit mode and into a renewed sense of who else we are and can become, we might also look at what we can learn from the recent imposed experiences.

An early aspect of the Clergy Path is that of the Hermit.

Recall the five ArchePaths of the Warrior, Magician, Scientist, Clergy, and Lover.

YOU & THE CLERGY ARCHEPATH

So what’s your own experience with the Clergy ArchePath?

Did you attend religious or spiritual services as a child? Have you been in service as an altar attendant, Sunday School teacher, church camp counselor? Volunteered for a charity or food bank? Are any relatives or friends officially on the Clergy Path? How about characters in books, movies/TV, or games? 

One summer between film jobs I served as the Church Secretary at the impressive Gothic Revival First Congregational Church here in Los Angeles. I left there to go work at the impressive Universal Studios. Some might have opined it was like leaving Heaven to go straight to Hell. Actually, it was more like moving from the Clergy Path back to the Magician Path. And though sometimes the media industry can be hellish, for me it’s always been a Heaven and I’m still thoroughly enjoying it. 

One needn’t wear a robe or a carry prayer beads to be on this particular Path. Anyone who is of service to others, who often puts others above self, who searches for the deeper meaning and the awe in life is aligning with the Clergy patterns.

As you observe the servers, the helpers, the ascetics, the devoted, note how posture and tone of voice can create a sense of safety and comfort for others.

Also, when people get into serious self-improvement regimens such as exercising and eating plans, the discipline of x many hours of x per day, that can resemble the austerities often found in religious practices.

Unfortunately, like with any of the ArchePaths, this one too has a Dark Side. It is too often used as justification for authoritarianism, repression, conquest, mayhem and murder.    

“People with convictions are convicts.

What you believe imprisons you.”

Robert Anton Wilson

Studying Comparative Mysticism one soon sees that a similarity of spirituality resides at the core of most religions, though bureaucracies, manipulation, and misguided fervor can obscure or twist those higher principles almost beyond recognition.

For everyone’s sake, it would be great to have more of us looking beyond the rituals and the hypocrisies of religions to try to reconnect with those more inclusive aspects of unity, love, true stewardship, kindness, and the vision of how we can bring greater good to more people in the here-and-now. And in the future well-being of all Life on all levels here on earth and as we expand off-planet, to the entire cosmos. A tall order, yes, but the Clergy Path is about Devotion to an Ideal.

Here are some things you might find helpful to connect you with the Clergy  ArchePath.

STEPS & GOALS - Novitiate... Monk/Nun... High Priest/ess

MISSION -     Release from the bonds of Matter

                       Identification with Spirit

KEYWORD - Purity

DESIRES - Purity, release from holds of the flesh and materialism, to know the Higher Self w/o the Lower Self

FEARS - Contamination, getting lost in materialism, sin, temptation, weakness

STRENGTHS - Fervent devotion to the Ideal, rigid determination, detachment

WEAKNESSES - Single-minded, fanaticism, withdrawn, damages own body & others

STYLES OF ACTION - Persistence, solitude, patience, graceful, loathe to touch things, looks up a lot, self-disciplined [dieter, chaste, recovering --], repetitive

STYLES OF SPEECH - Intonations, chant-like, ethereal, feelings & concepts not things. Words like purity, clarity, chastity, wholeness, cleanse, sacrifice, resist temptation, contamination, fallen

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“THE MASKS OF GOD” is Professor Joseph Campbell’s quartet of comparative mythologies throughout time and across the globe. A really fascinating read.

The great Alan Watts has many wise and entertaining presentations about different religions and spiritual systems. You can find a lot of the recordings here -- https://www.kpfk.org/on-air/alan-watts2/

According to Greek historian Polybius, 5^th century BCE

Athenian orator and politician Critias asserted that,

"Religion was a deliberate imposture devised by

some cunning man for political ends."

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A Personal Mythology Consultation can help identify your unique qualities and combinations along the ArchePaths and give you practical, enjoyable tools to enhance your natural tendencies – and your next steps.

Each of the Paths has 3 Levels [Beginner, Adept, Master]

Each has 3 Approaches [Emotional, Mental, Synthesized]

The Paths are gender-neutral and non-age-specific.

The state of the world today cries out for more individuals of integrity, balance, wisdom, courage, and compassion – all of which can be found on all of the ArchePaths.  

Better defining and aligning with your own ArchePaths can not only improve your life but it can inspire and inform those around you to more positive action for themselves and the rest of the planet.

Like the saying goes: Be the Change you Want to See.

Learn more about the ArchePaths here – http://pamelajayesmith.net/archepaths/

We offer a FREE 20-minute phone consultation to discuss how a Personal Mythology Consultation can best work for you.

Email pamelajayesmith@gmail.com to schedule your call. 

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 BRAINSTORMING SESSIONS

 “A body at rest tends to stay at rest.

A body in motion tends to stay in motion.”

          Isaac Newton’s 1^st Law of Motion

Can’t move forward?

Everyone’s got a great idea but we often don’t know how to get started.

Having a mythic framework can really help.

Or maybe you’ve reached a point where you don’t know what to do next with the plot.

A fresh pair of eyes plus time-proven mythic structure using Mythic Themes, Archetypes, and Symbols can offer choices aligned with your vision and goals – and that can help you advance your project on a global scale.

Want to develop out that great idea you've either come up with or have had for a long time now?

Our Brainstorming Session can help you solidify your inspiration and sort all those great ideas into workable form.

“Suffice it to say, if you’re on a quest to bring your work to the next level and then get it out to the world in the most appealing (buyable) way, make sure Pamela Jaye Smith is on your brainstorming team from the beginning!” Reece Michaelson

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PITCHPROXY for Your Project

Got a story almost ready to pitch?

Besides recent requests from a couple of well-known production companies for the proposal and scripts, we've recently submitted the Pilot Script to two companies for our TV series proposal "Operation Magic Fire", a limited series inspired by Norse myths, set in Afghanistan.

“This is fantastic, Pamela Jaye, and just the kind of guidance and insight I so need. You got this concept instantly, and I have a perfect path forward. I am excited to start putting the ideas to work. This all has been fun, and anything from here is gravy.” RC Long

We can craft Pitch Materials for your projects, too. Plus give you guidance on Target Acquisition and Pitch Coaching. Or do it for you if you like.

-- As we totally support the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes we only submit through Pitch Portal companies that align with

the Guilds' guidelines, most of which do. --

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LINKS TO SERVICES

Creative Services - http://pamelajayesmith.net/services/

Personal & Organizational Mythology - http://pamelajayesmith.net/archepaths/

Pitch Materials - http://pamelajayesmith.net/services/pitch-package/

-- CUTTING THAT CORD --

Due to Facebook/Meta’s continuing and increasingly egregious breeches of privacy, inappropriate influencing, and unaccountability, including tax evasion, I will no longer be active on their system.

To keep up with MYTHWORKS you can find us on LinkedIn, Stage32, our website, and of course via the Newsletter.

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"Our lives begin to end the day

we become silent about things that matter."

Martin Luther King Jr.

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THE MEDIA AND ME – A Guide to Critical Media Literacy for Young People

A book plus a Teaching Guide.



https://www.project-censored.org/shop/p/the-media-and-me-a-guide-to-critical-media-literacy-for-young-people?ss_source=sscampaigns&ss_campaign_id=64c3388ce86e9212ee969182&ss_email_id=64c43b1bd3ea3d7147474d91&ss_campaign_name=The+Project+Censored+Newsletter%E2%80%94July+2023&ss_campaign_sent_date=2023-07-28T22%3A05%3A47Z

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LOS ANGELES WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL and TOWN HALL

https://www.youtube.com/c/LosAngelesWorldAffairsCouncilandTownHall/videos

In-person and on-line presentations by world leaders addressing the situations of today from politics to the environment.

We've seen and met some quite accomplished people at WAC, including Presidents and Prime Ministers, Diplomats and leaders in Intelligence...even a former head of the KGB. Plus the amazing Sir Edmund Hillary.

Councils are in many major US cities so there are always interesting events going on.

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Super-rich warned of ‘pitchforks and torches’ unless they tackle inequality.

Global elite told at London’s Savoy Hotel of real risk of ‘civil disruption’ if more is not done to help struggling millions

https://www.theguardian.com/news/2023/jun/30/uk-super-rich-beware-pitchforks-torches-unless-they-do-more

The Rich-Poor Gap is one of the 15 Global Challenges identified by the Millennium Project in association with the United Nations.

Our consulting program - “MYTHIC CHALLENGES: Create Stories that Change the World” – helps media and content creators address the 15 Challenges using the classic story tools of Mythic Themes, Archetypes, and Symbols.

Here are some of the student projects from our pilot program, which included the LA high school’s sister-schools in Afghanistan.

https://mythicchallenges.com/gallery/

Take advantage of our FREE 20-minute consultation to discuss how we might help with your particular story or project.

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THE AEROSPACE CORPORATION

https://aerospace.org/

Offers 1,000 Internships to students in various DEI categories. // And much more.

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AGAPI STASSINOPOLOUS

Wake Up to the Joy of You

https://wakeuptothejoyofyou.com/

Agapi is a bright Light of positivity and love on many levels. Some years ago I met her and was immediately impressed by what she does and gives.

There are a number of books, blogs, and more on her website.

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BOOKS TO CHANGE THE WORLD



https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/may/27/books-to-change-the-world-dua-lipa-sadiq-khan-sebastian-barry-and-more-share-their-picks

Includes Dr. Seuss’s THE LORAX and Euripides’ THE TROJAN WOMEN as well as Toltec Wisdom and many more recent writings.

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A TOUCH OF LIGHTNESS

TARTUFFE, OR, THE IMPOSTOR

Moliere

They try to outwit

  a self-righteous hypocrite –

     The first sitcom writ.

From “Haiku U. – From Aristotle to Zola, 100 Great Books in 17 Syllables” by David M. Bader

https://www.hpb.com/products/haiku-u-9781592401284



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The Washington Post's Style Invitational also asked readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting or changing one letter, and supply a new definition. Here are some recent winners:

A) Sarchasm: The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the reader who doesn't get it.

B) Reintarnation: Coming back to life as a hillbilly.

C) Giraffiti: Vandalism spray-painted very high.

D) Foreploy: Any misrepresentation about yourself for the purpose of obtaining sex.

E) Inoculatte: To take coffee intravenously.

F) Osteopornosis: A degenerate disease.

G) Karmageddon: It's like, when everybody is sending off all these really bad vibes, right? And then, like, the Earth explodes and it's like a serious bummer.

H) Glibido: All talk and no action.

I) Dopeler effect: The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they come at you rapidly.

J) Intaxication: Euphoria at getting a refund from the IRS, which lasts until you realize it was your money to start with.

K) Ignoranus: A person who's both stupid AND an *sshole.

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“We cannot be sure how many others Nero murdered, since some of the stories are probably mere gossip. You know how it is. Once you kill a few people, you get a bad name. You’re blamed for every corpse that turns up for miles around and anything else that goes wrong.”

THE DECLINE AND FALL OF PRACTICALLY EVERYBODY – Will Cuppy

A pretty accurate historical book with a quite saucy sense of humor.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Cuppy

"He is a self-made man and worships his creator."

- John Bright 

I really enjoyed Paul Picerni’s book NEW POETRY. It’s a collection of poems that range from observations on love to wonder at Nature, from social commentary to questioning introspection. Like all good poets, Paul uses words to paint pictures -- “It has an iridescent sound”.

Open the book at random and always find something interesting, thought-provoking, and quite pleasing.

From Yorkshire Publishing you can find Paul’s latest book at --

https://www.amazon.com/New-Poetry-Paul-V-Picerni/dp/195409597X/ref=sr_1_9?crid=2F95N9EOZ2QRI&keywords=Paul+V.+Picerni&qid=1690736008&s=books&sprefix=paul+v.+picerni%2Cstripbooks%2C146&sr=1-9

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“Romantic Love May Have Evolved From Same-Sex Friendships”

University of Texas Anthropology Professor Aaron Sandel

The prevailing explanation of heterosexual pair bonding and romantic love in humans is that it evolved from the mother-infant bond present in many mammals. In a paper published in the journal Evolutionary Anthropology, anthropology professor Aaron Sandel cites primate research — including his own decadelong studies of chimpanzees in Kibale National Park, Uganda — to propose instead that this behavior evolved in humans from same-sex pair bonding already present in a common ancestor of humans and chimpanzees.

https://liberalarts.utexas.edu/news/romantic-love-in-humans-may-have-evolved-from-same-sex-friendship

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AMY FOURNIER

“Inspiring Holistic Fitness From The Inside Out”

https://amyfournier.com/podcast/

Amy’s many very interesting Podcasts cover a wide range of topics: inner wisdom, health and fitness, creativity, productivity, joy and more.

Do explore some and become more informed and inspired.

She and I recently talked and here’s our conversation.

155. Unleashing the Power of Mythology to Ignite Your Imagination & Tap into the Subconscious Patterns of Humanity with Pamela Jaye Smith

https://amyfournier.com/?s=Pamela+Jaye+Smith+

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Stressed out? Who isn't these days.

To find reliable relief from the stress, anxiety, and overwhelm that seem to be plaguing us all these days, check out Aurora J. Miller's neuro-physiology hacks at Instagram.com/aurorajmiller and on her website https://aurorajmiller.com/

Aurora always offers inspiring and practical advice that really has helped increase my own productivity.

Do check it out!

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Library Resource for Novels

https://multcolib.org/resource/novelist-plus

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The Royal Society Open Library

The independent scientific academy of the UK (the oldest one in continuous existence) is dedicated to promoting excellence in science for the benefit of humanity. An excellent source of authoritative information on anything science. 

https://royalsociety.org/

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Past MYTHWORKS newsletters available here –

http://pamelajayesmith.net/articles/newsletter-archive/

The KURULTAI Series

Pamela Jaye Smith

"We are all just dreamers, looking

for the right place to wake up."

History repeats itself so that everyone has the chance to be and do everything.

A group of souls intertwine lives through time and space in varying roles and relationships. Lovers now, warriors another time, parents now, siblings then, who kills whom, where is betrayal, where loyalty? 

And always the battle between the Darkness and the Light. How can you tell who's on which side when the players in the KURULTAI keep changing between lifetimes?

As these individuals reincarnate together again and again in diverse times and places, sometimes they can access their other past or future lives, but sometimes not. The mission of the KURULTAI is to help humanity evolve and save the world. 

But first they must wake up and realize that. Then they must find the means to overcome the Darkness...and those among them who serve it.

the 1st KURULTAI story now available from Pallas Press.

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$0.99 e-book download

https://pamelajayesmith.net/products/short-stories/amber-waves/

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A sample from the beginning of the story --

         "Very good. Pass on. And good luck on your upcoming Kurultai round. Who’s next?"

         "...Yes...?"

         "Warrior?"

         "Uh, maybe. There was a little mix-up in the manifestation mode, you see."

         "Hmmm. Clergy?"

         "Seemingly. For all intents and purposes, I should think. But that depends on how you define it. Probably more a monk than a full Clergy."

         "I see. Scientist?"

         "Oh, definitely. Without a doubt."

         "Thank goodness. Magician?"

         "Yes on that one. Quite well, actually. In fact -- "

         "That's all I need for now. Lover?"

         "Oh, indubitably. I really -- oh, right, you're not the one to tell, right?"

         "Check."

"So I can go on to my next round then? Thank you ever so much." 

"No, no, no. I'm afraid you'll need to check in with Quality Control. These rather dubious responses require a more in-depth analysis."

"Well, it isn't like I wasn't there and didn't do it, you know."

"Yes, but unless you really got the point and learned the lesson, it doesn't take."

"Shouldn't I be the judge of that?"

"You were. It's your responses we use to determine your next step."

"Bloody hell."

"Not likely, given your track record with the Kurultai. But do move on, please."

"Gatekeepers. You're all alike. Oh, very well, no need to get huffy.”

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Now this is just the sort of thing I wouldn't wish on anyone. All that snooping around in the lives you've just been leading. As if it were anyone's business but your own.

Alright, granted, it sort of is, us all being connected and all via the Kurultai. Yet you'd think they'd leave you alone your first bit of time in the upper dimensions. But no, it's "Did you this?" and "Have you that?" and "Are you a star?" until you just want to curl up into a ball and hurl yourself back into incarnation again if for no other reason than to foil these nosy-nelson analysts.

Did I complete a five-pointed star? 

Did I walk the five ArchePaths to enlightenment?

Did I experience fully and with total awareness a lifetime each as a Warrior, a Clergy, a Scientist, a Magician, and a Lover?

Yeah, well, sort of. Okay, so my answers were a little fuzzy. So were some of the lives. But hey, it's not easy being conscious of all this all-in-one one-in-all magnificence while you're in the middle of a single individual lifetime, you know.

         “What is it like?”, you ask. Well, let’s see.... Think of a dream, the kind so vivid and real it’s more real than your real life. Where you not only observe the characters in the dream but you simultaneously are one or more of the characters in the dream. And you know it’s both you and not-you. It’s rather like that.

         One thing I’ve always noticed, whether the ‘Me’ I’m being at the time is conscious of the other ‘Me’s or not, is the fierce sense of nostalgia. And no wonder, since there are other parts of the Self scattered hither and yon on the time line, which of course, as we know once we get just a smidgen above it, isn’t a line at all.

Perhaps it rages most fiercely in the troubled breasts that have not yet burst their boundaries and feel themselves so all alone. Whereas I, who consciously know, observe, experience, and muse on my many lives, have gotten beyond feeling myself so all alone. I know I am alone. But in a different, more conglomerate sense. In a different, more cosmic sense. It doesn’t make much sense, I know. But then, as some of my detractors have and no doubt will hasten to point out, I often don’t.

         If you’re sometimes walking along, going about your regular life and daily affairs and are struck by a sudden niggling sense of being slightly off....

         If you have this sneaky suspicion that you’re not living the right life, that someone else is living the life you should be living...you may bloody well be right.

         Here, I’ll show you why. Take a look if you will at some of my incarnations, some where I also knew and wore the golden butterfly of the Kurultai. Or multiple butterflies, as the level of awareness might warrant. And yes, there are some where I am clueless and obstinately ignored the signs and the intuitions and as you will see, paid dearly for my slumbering or at times, my obstinate refusal.

         The Cosmos is a curious old thing with a rather morbid sense of humour.

*****

$0.99 e-book download

https://pamelajayesmith.net/products/short-stories/amber-waves/

THE OOPSIE MEMOS

Kaye G. Gregory

** Read for FREE! **

http://pamelajayesmith.net/products/short-stories/the-oopsie-memos/

War-mongering, tribalism, profits over people, sexual oppression and rape culture, extraction capitalism, authoritarianism, ecological devastation….

Sometimes it seems like some people on this planet are of a totally different and thoroughly more dangerous species from the rest.

How did it come to this? Theories abound.

The Oopsie Memos explain how it really happened. 

One is a high-ranking diplomat, the other a much-decorated military commander. These two old girlfriends, both proud and headstrong, formerly very close but now estranged by time, distance and differences of opinion are forced together to resolve an extremely dangerous situation -- the wrong men in the wrong place at the wrong time.

It all started with a bureaucratic error….

Coming Events

To book Pamela Jaye for events or workshops, contact us.

Keynote, Seminars & Workshops, Festivals

Online Classes, Coaching, Retreats

Private Courses available with extensive feedback and one-on-one conversations via email, Zoom or phone.

Regular asynchronous group classes include feedback on exercises. 

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CSU Media Arts Festival

Once again I’ve been asked to be a finals jurist for California State University’s Media Arts Festival.

The schools have a comprehensive, wide-ranging offering in the arts and crafts of media creation. I’ve always been impressed with the student filmmakers’ imaginations and use of their craft.

It’s great to see that young content creators are being so well instructed and supported to bring their visions out to the world.

Thanks to Festival Director Shannon Pringle for the opportunity to once again participate.

https://www.calstate.edu/SummerArts/media-arts-festival/Pages/default.aspx

The Festival’s public screening is in the Fall and we’ll include that info in our Newsletter as it draws near.

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Aryan International Children’s Film Festival of Jaipur India  

The Festival is being organized in the Pink City, this August 24-26. JIFF notes, “The proposed films are for children only and will provide them moral education to become a good human being.”

https://filmfreeway.com/InternationalChildrenFilmFestivalofJaipur?fbclid=IwAR0yOYomV3XGmqFIDzTuIAgfEl7C1dCD6_zgr5aSqu7HTzeT3CYLUgMpbu0

I’m honored to be invited to be a Speaker (Offline and Online).

Since 2011 I have been a jurist for the Jaipur Intl. Film Festival, ranking both screenplays and films. And am also on the Board of Advisors for their Library Academy Awards, the WORLD’S LARGEST & MOST SECURE FILM LIBRARY by Jaipur International Film Festival Trust.

Their large International Film Festival is open to writers and filmmakers around the world, so do consider entering your media for upcoming events.

www.jiffindia.org

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STORYBOARD DEVELOPMENT GROUP

Ongoing monthly meetings.

After more than two decades, this is still my favorite writers group – always smart, always informative, always fun!

Hope you can join us on Zoom for some wide-ranging script development conversations.

I’ve spoken there a number of times and always look forward to doing so again.

[One of my faves was "Men in Black 3".]

https://storyboarddg.wordpress.com/

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ONLINE COURSES for Savvy Authors

·   CREATING GREAT VILLAINS

Fall dates TBA

·   SYMBOLS.IMAGES.CODES

10/16/23-11/12/23

My blogs for Savvy Authors -- 

Piloting the Planes of Story

Politics and Character Arcs

How Creativity Works

In Defense of Shallow Characters

LA WEBFEST

Was held May 4-5, 2023

Barnsdall Gallery Theatre

Hollywood, CA

It was a real success! And how lovely to see again creators who've been showing there for many years. Plus lots of new ones.

There will be more events coming up, which you can follow here.  

https://www.lawebfest.net/

Founded by the amazing Michael Ajakwe, the LA WEBFEST was the original and has inspired dozens more WebFests over the years around the world. With Michael’s passing the Fest was down, but is now back and going strong, thanks to Young Man Kang, Rich Halke, Jordan Love-Mitchell, and the Creative Team.

DOES YOUR STORY HAVE A PASSPORT?

Even if your story takes place in a remote village or on another planet or dimension, you can touch upon global issues and universal archetypes that readers in many other places can relate to - while still keeping your story unique to you.

So get your Story a Passport and give it wings to travel round the world!

Our Brainstorming Sessions can help you do just that.

https://pamelajayesmith.net/services/story-script-consultation/

PITCHING YOUR PROJECTS

There are lots of on-line PitchFests going on all the time, plus many listing services like Virtual Pitch Fest, InkTip, ISA, Stage32, Greenlight My Movie, and more.   

We totally support the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes and are only submitting to Pitch Portals that follow the Guild guidelines.

We can help you get your story ready to pitch, be it a Story Consultation, writing the Pitch Materials for you depending on your project -- [Logline, Pitch, Synopsis, Market Appeal, Series Bible, Pitch Deck], selecting the target companies most appropriate for your project, or Pitch Coaching by Zoom or in person.

 Email us for more details.   

Give us a call and use the Free 20 Minute Consultation to discuss how we might help you craft your own creative projects using Mythic Themes, Archetypes, and Symbols.

Mythic Tools work in any genre, any style, and any platform from novels to features to web series or XR, from fiction to non-fiction to message media.

Pamela Jaye & the MYTHWORKS Team

323-874-6447

email us at pamelajayesmith.com

MYTHWORKS

Mythic Challenges

Alpha Babe Academy