the virgins

Last week I went for a hike near Las Virgenes Canyon. I had a water bottle, camera, apple, and my mythology book in my backpack. I hiked for about an hour and then found a quiet spot to read. The story I chose was from "The Female Divine" chapter, titled "Callisto and Arcas," which is from Ovid's Metamorphoses. Well, was that a disturbing story, or what?! I was so unassuming when I started the story; just sitting alone, relaxed, ready to read a story of a powerful goddess. But all I got was a tale of rape. Lame and depressing. Callisto was raped by Jove and then banished by Diana. This story sucks, because as a hunter, Callisto was hunted by Jove, and then she was turned into a bear by jealous Juno and she was still hunted by man. The hunter becoming the hunted, how ironic.

Then I realized I was hiking around "Las Virgenes" (the virgins) which I found to be funny. So after that emotional journey, I learned something about mythology and constellations and my hike wasn't ruined after all.



This video contains a condensed version of the story. It seems someone posted it to promote some Third Eye Blind album, so just ignore the ending.

But I suggest you read "Callisto and Arcas" in the myth book. It is tragic.

If only I would think before I speak

I kinda want to take back something I said in the last class. When Professor Wexler asked us to come up with a modern day myth, I said that the movie Avatar could be one. But after thinking about it, I think Avatar is too modern. There is no history to it. It isn't something we have grown up with, it hasn't become part of our culture. Sure, it has some lessons or morals, but it is a story at this point, and not necessarily a myth.
So if I had to choose another mythological figure in our culture, I suppose Madonna could be considered mythological. She represents different values than other mythological women of the past, she reflects some values that our society holds. For example, female empowerment and sexual freedom. She is referenced and remade in other aspects of popular culture. I just watched an episode of Glee that kind of touched on her mythological, larger than life nature.
I feel a little better now.