Sam: Mythologist

I am dying. So are you. We all are, from the moment we come into the world, we’re on our way back out. Just like solstice, the highest, brightest moment is, by definition, the start of the way back down into dark. Thich Nhat Hanh says we’re like the water in kettles, constantly turning into steam. Of course there’s a big plume at the end, but that doesn’t negate all the ‘steam-making’ which has gone on before. Bronnie Ware, in her now famous run down of ‘The Top 5 Regrets of the Dying’ cited that, right at the end, people most regretted not being themselves. The biggest regret is not being ourselves. That feels big. So what is it to be ourselves? I think it has a lot to do with seeing and hearing ourselves. In other words, before we can ‘be’ ourselves, I think we have to ‘meet’ ourselves. That’s one of the reasons I dedicate myself to story and myth. It’s a great source of reflective material. We can meet ourselves there. And it’s a more general enquiry too. If the work is to be myself, in what else can I see/hear/meet myself? The smiles of strangers. The impact I leave. Stopping for long enough to notice. Like looking back on the last year, since we last sat on this beach to watch the solstice sunset. How much have I made space to meet myself? It’s not a perfect thought, but it’s a thought. Happy solstice everyone.

The podcast is here. “Drop The Map”. Episode 1 is a story and a provocation: What are you busy dying for? Link in my bio and “Drop The Map” on Spotify. See you out there.

Scruffy? Out of choice?! What happens if your scruffy self comes out? Well, first if you’re accepting the premise then you’re already ahead of the curve. We are made of a thousand characters. Sometimes the old hag in us comes out and says something sassy but true. Sometimes the wild wolf snaps out of love, to defend the cubs. And sometimes the needling demon says something you wish you never let out. A little more acceptance that we’re made of a thousand characters is a step into seeing the complexity of everyone around. If you’re a thousand, so are they. And if our “strength” comes out, or “beauty”, maybe they’re closer to our masks than our true self. Sometimes helpful. Sometimes generative. Oftentimes not quite the truth. So if your scruffy self comes out… …the little tucked away part you think might be judged by the ones who iron their shirts and turn up 15 minutes early …the one who sounds a bit daft sometimes …the one who asks for help. Sometimes it lets other people come a bit closer. Just a thought.

Get a blast of ancient, time tested, universal wisdom in your life. recallingfire.com/events #mythformoderntimes #oraltradition

What stories shape the way we live? What happens when men come together to share them? A new six-month men’s group is starting at The Ladder — a space for connection, storytelling and honest conversation. Starting 20 May. Open to all men, the group is especially for anyone feeling isolated, low in confidence, or looking for deeper connection with others. Through shared stories, reflection and discussion, we’ll explore confidence, belonging, masculinity and the experiences that shape us. Led by storyteller and facilitator Sam Crosby and supported by Young People Cornwall, sessions take place twice a month in Redruth. You don’t need any experience. You don’t need to “perform.” Just come as you are. The programme runs in blocks of four sessions, so you can join without committing to the full six months. In a world that can feel disconnected and chaotic, we want to create space for men to listen, reflect, speak honestly and imagine healthier ways of being together. Interested? Sign up here or email [email protected] /events/mythosphere @cornwall_vsf

It’s getting closer, and spaces are limited. 9th-12th July, Walk The Way is a pilgrimage for men across Cornwall. Your time. Your questions. Your threshold between what is and what comes next (what will you let go of, what will you call in?), and all supported by Sam (@recallingfire ), Andy (@change.in.nature ), the other participants and a support vehicle for bags, bits and pieces. Come and join us. See what comes of dedicated time for your own personal story. Hold up the mirrors of ancient myth, ancient landscape and an ancient way of travelling… pilgrimage style. For dates and details, link in @change.in.nature bio. Questions? Be in touch. #pilgrimage #timeforyourself

Men! What’s it going to take? What matters most? What are you moving towards? What do you need to let go of? WALK THE WAY: A Pilgrimage For Men. 9th-12th July, Cornwall. I’ve been looking forward to working with Andy @change.in.nature again for a while. Something about our partnership flows easily, from reverence and quiet contemplation to belly laughing somewhere in big sky nature. I feel like I learn from him every day, and you will too. From 9th July we’re going on pilgrimage from Padstow to Helman Tor. Light walking, sleeping on hidden churches and sanctuaries, marking significant moments on the way and in our lives with thresholds. If you’re going through change, or you’re just feeling a call to be out of the everyday and into something bigger and more profound — among other men going through the same terrain — this is the moment. You don’t have to think about logistics, we’ll do that (with support from the stewards of the Pilgrim’s Way and our support car), so you can be fully present. Let time slip, let whatever needs to happen, happen. See what’s there beneath the buzz and busyness of daily life. Maybe you’ll walk in quiet contemplation, breathing in the quiet hum of the Cornish countryside. Maybe you’ll be bringing high spirit with you, saying yes to hidden valleys and sunrises and sudden flocks of birds. Maybe you’ll carry an image with you, a choice made or not made, maybe the image of a loved one. Whether you know this call is for you, or it’s a sense of something you wouldn’t normally do, you are welcome. We’ll share more over the coming weeks, but the short term energy is for early bird: a juicy discount for bookings made before 10th May. For event info and booking, visit the link in @change.in.nature bio. Otherwise, questions, thoughts, be in touch. WALK THE WAY: A Pilgrimage For Men. 9th-12th July, Cornwall. Padstow to Helman Tor. #pilgrimage #beneaththesurface

Who’s coming to Paradhis? I’ll be there on Friday, 4.30pm in the “Nature and Nurture” tent. Fill yourself up with one of the most powerful, brutal stories of all time, on the land it came up from. It’s not a distant-past thing either, it’s exactly the sort of stuff to meet us in the modern day. You might be surprised by how it helps you on your path (there’s a good reason some stories last for hundreds or thousands of years). As a lecturer once asked a class of anaesthetics students… What is the difference between a potion and a poison? I’ll drop the answer he gave in the comments. See you down the way! #tristanandisolde #mythologyforourtimes

No Trees No Seas! The @plant_one_cic campaign goes from strength to strength. Packed out evening at @verdantbrew with the ‘Flowscape Collective’, more amazing energy, hope, onwards type stuff. And, though you’ll hear me and the collective speaking effusively and powerfully about the work as time goes on, a quick way stop to celebrate the journey… damn if I haven’t reached the stage my kid self would be absolutely jumping for joy about… They call me ‘mythologist in residence’. It’s bloody fantastic to be involved in a project like this, in this way, forehead on the ground for the world beyond my human shape. And hands up, neck cricked to celebrate and offer a cheers the brilliant green man. And @ohmydays4sue what a pleasure! #mythologist #mythasactivism

Allowing for more time (for ourselves as well as participants), we have postponed May’s residential event. If you planned to join us, or already have your letter written, be in touch. #tristanandisolde #recallingfire

Who are you today? Who are you when the pressure is up? What is it to live a “life true to myself” and in service to future generations? Come and find out. Link in bio, or go to recallingfire.com.events

Moved by trends. Forgetting intuition when the data comes on strong. Or, worse, a gentle undertow of people pleasing. What needs to end in your life to step into the work? If you’re in service to future generations (or you’re making a shift towards that), we want to meet you. Clarity. Courage. Peace. Wisdom. Those are the gifts of extended time in nature, with facilitation and allies. Let us know by April 13th if you intend to join us. Link in bio, or go to recallingfire.com/events