My Mythic Poem- White Deer: Rites of Passage
Animation test for the White Deer: Rites of Passage animated film.
We yearn to understand, and find meaning in the transitional periods of our life.
How imagination and ritual help us answer the question: "Who am I Becoming"?
A mythic poem is a type of story that usually draws on mythology. Tales of gods, goddesses, heroes, creation, and the supernatural, exploring deep cultural, spiritual, or existential themes. Symbolism and archetypes are used to ask big questions about human purpose, the universe, or timeless truths. White Deer: Rites of Passage reflects some of these facets, but it is also a type of new myth or myth-invocation. Fusing fairy tale like lore in the poem, with contemporary concerns like adolescence, serves as an allegory and a ritual.
I was surprised this prose manifested so quickly, along with an impulse to produce this as a multi-media production. A symbolic story of transition from childhood to adult was not on my list of things to do, but I listened to my intuition and dove in. Soon, the graphic novel started coming together, the music began taking shape, animation experiments were encouraging, new artwork was manifesting, along with other auspicious magical happenings.
Recently, I learned that the US is in the midst of a major mental health crisis, and it hits young girls the hardest.
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Depression rates are skyrocketing.
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Self-harm hospitalizations for girls aged 10–14 are increasing at an alarming rate.
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Suicide attempts by young girls have risen dramatically.
We have a strong indigenous presence here in New Mexico and I researched more about the history and psychological benefits of ritual specifically in these cultures. Initiation practices are used to create a safe and empowering space for life changes, for girls and boys around the planet, but have mostly been lost in modern societies. Rites of Passage are crafted to include the greater community, to widen the awareness, and produce a net of protection instilling more confidence in youth. Maybe modern life has lost the artful support of growing up?
The White Deer: Rites of Passage poem focuses on a young heroine’s challenge with growing up, but this journey mirrors transitions of all ages.
It asks the question: Who am I becoming?
How many of you have asked yourself this question in your entire life?
It is within this self inquiry that the poem becomes a ritual. Introspection begins the process of self realization.
I am more!
I am still forming.
I am unfolding my magnificence.
Innocence is not lost because of growth, it can transform into powerful intuition. Like the symbol of the White Deer this wisdom can guide us to see the sacred qualities that reside within us, and better understand our place in the world.
Animation test for the White Deer: Rites of Passage animated film.
WHITE DEER: RITES OF PASSAGE
by Greg Spalenka
At the heart of nature’s core
A truth awaits, forevermore
That life’s enchantment never ends
We evolve, transform, transcend
Innocence is a mystic trance
Childhood’s eternal dance
Where laughter echoes, free and bright
Hearts whispering with delight
Childhood Dream
I awoke, but my eyes were sleeping
Lucid, and yet still was dreaming,
There was a pond, an ancient mirror
A girl, then a ghost white deer
Startled by this vision,
An omen’s premonition
A message for me foretold
Be ready, be strong, be bold
Forever young, in morning light
Waxing old at twilight
Growing up is a heavy weight
The weary burden of our fate
This rite of passage – girl to crone
Ancient wisdom, we learn to own
This looming fate was much too near
I have no wish to face this fear
The sun, reborn in its glory
Renewed its symphonic story
My dream vanished like morning dew
Radiance lit a youthful view
Fauna played, birds alighted
Worlds of dark and light collided
While mushrooms rose in sodden nooks
Berries grew by babbling brooks
Innocence is a mystic trance
In light of day, where shadows dance
The gifts of nature can be found
In verdant woods of fabled ground
Maiden Dance
To enter this hallowed forest,
and feel one with nature’s chorus
I summon a story yet untold
Of love and courage, brave and bold
The ancient trees whispered tales
of triumphs, struggles, and travails
Then rustling leaves, a gentle voice
invited me to make a choice
With basket trembling in my hand
I ventured forth, a soul unplanned
Forgetting fears and doubts untold
Watching the forest’s heart unfold
In awe, I lingered at the sight,
Of Fae weaving a banquet bright
They beckoned with a loving plea:
“Seek our wonders, endlessly.”
As I journeyed through its core
the woodland whispered, evermore
of love and wisdom, intertwined
in every leaf, in every vine
The air pulsed with energy
A sweet glimpse of divinity
Amidst the singing Fae, I twirled
Turning gently between our worlds
No Escape
Then an apparition darted
Startling my heart unguarded
A shrouded specter very near
Bearing antlers sharp, severe
Dream and reality blended
A beast, full of grace descended
Stirring depths within the soul
It was time to fulfill my role
“No, no, no,” my veins pumped wildly
As I fled the forest blindly
Out of the trees I quickly raced
Escaping the threads of my fate
Over dark Arcadian hills
On ridges, veiled in misty chills
Sprinting, my breath a frantic breeze
Growing old is not for me
Behind me floats the ghostly terror
Chanting evolution’s error
A phantom presence, dark and light
Echoing like a stormy night
“I am you and you are me
This mortal dress of reality”
I ran from my future dreams
Through valleys, cliffs, turbulent streams
Then I halted, on a mossy slope
By a temple adorned with hope
Courage of Alchemy
Pillared arches made of antlers
Ancient sentinels of pure bleached bone
Marveling at this wondrous sight
I fell into its blinding light
On hands and knees within this hall
I am reduced to humbled awe
In the distance a ghostly cloud
A White Deer clan, royal, proud
Earth guardians steadfast and true
Protecting secrets, known by few
Between the columns majestic, timeless
Symbols of strength, resilience, grace
One stepped forward, eyes ablaze
A divine mystery displayed
White as the snow that gently falls,
Its coat aglow, like moonbeams
Bowing low in benediction
Its prayer revealed my afflictions
Opening these eyes to see
Fearless, is who I am to be
Phantom menace, White Deer call
The mind’s bright mirror reflects it all
A thousand lives illuminate
I watch the weave of time create
Facing the lightning, fierce and bright
Truth unveiled my inner light
Gone is dread, the shadows cunning
I am change that’s still becoming
“Awe” breaks the silent air
“Oh,” now truth is shining there
“Mmm…” the circle’s finally spun
In harmony, we merge as one
Again the noble sage bowed low
Then raised me high with its antlers
Upon its head I stood aloft
Exalted, I am a living crown
Courage and strength within me stirred
No longer a victim of destiny
I felt the surge of alchemy
A miracle, my body changed
The blood of passion awakened
My spirit no longer forsaken
I danced through the passing darkness
Igniting a sunrise within me
Human essence, animal lore
Revealed a truth forevermore
Immortal, full of grace am I
Fierce love with life’s battle cry
At this shrine, I found resolve
To face the future and evolve
A metamorphosis, strange and grand
An enchanted song in nature’s hand
Now I stand, symbol of the wild
Girl and woman reconciled
Not only Goddess, do I see
I am Sovereign, Eternal, Free