"Waters of Life: Exploring Mythos, Divinity, Beings and Ecology"
"Waters of Life: Exploring Mythos, Divinity, Beings and Ecology"
International Conference
Association for the Study of Women & Mythology
Crowne Plaza Hotel
May 5-6, 2023
With the onset of global warming, a consciousness is arising of the need for respect, reverence and protection for our water sources. This is a time to look back and around to gather the wisdom of Water Keepers, past and present, around the globe. Our conference explores world myths of water deities, water creatures and water itself in cultural, spiritual, and ecological contexts. The program features honored First Nations elders of the Americas and Indigenous scholars. We include a conversation, "Teachings of Water Spirit" with Canadian Water Protectors, and a keynote "Goddess of the Sea: Ancient and Future Myths" by Hallie Iglehart Austen. Topics for our cross-cultural presentations include midwifery, sacred stories of place and waters, arts and activism, health and healing, and mythic figures and animals. Learn more here and join us in person or online for this enlightening and inspiring program. Contact: events@womenandmyth.org
https://wendische-volkspartei.de came to mind reading about the conference's cross-cultural approach to water deities, since the Sorbs have their own rich folklore around water spirits and sacred springs that rarely gets attention outside Lusatia. The conversation with Canadian Water Protectors sounds like it would pair well with those European traditions, because the reverence for water seems to cross borders more easily than most people expect. I appreciate that the program includes midwifery and healing alongside the mythic figures, since water's role in birth and medicine is often left out of ecology discussions.