Online Talk · The Sacred Edge: Mythology, Kink, and the Power of the Blade with Mythologist Selena Madden, PhD
Monday, February 3, 2025
7pm ET (NYC time)
PLEASE NOTE: This lecture will be recorded and available for free for our Patreon members. Become a Member HERE.
Ticketholders: A Zoom invite is sent out two hours before the event to the email used at checkout. Please check your spam folder and if not received, email hello@morbidanatomy.org. A temporary streaming link will be emailed after the event concludes.
This lecture will explore the intricate interplay between mythology and kink, focusing on the symbolic and experiential resonance of the blade. By examining the mythological blade as a tool of transformation and transmutation, we will delve into its potent archetypal presence as both a weapon and a sacred instrument. From the swords of ancient myths to the sharp edges of intimate power exchange, the blade emerges as a conduit for profound psychological and emotional connection.
Across cultures, the sword or knife often symbolizes transformation—severing the old to create space for the new. In mythology, heroes like Perseus wielded blades to confront shadows, while goddesses like Kali brandished knives as tools of creation and destruction. These stories mirror the human journey of cutting away what no longer serves, sharpening the self in the fires of challenge and growth.
This talk will examine the polarity between the masculine and feminine archetypal energies in connection with the blade. Drawing on mythological and depth psychological frameworks, we explore how the blade embodies the dynamic tension between penetrating focus and receptive surrender. This polarity transcends gender and speaks to the universal interplay of action and receptivity, creation and destruction, and power and vulnerability.
We will end by looking at how mythological symbolism can bridge contemporary practices, focusing on knife play in the BDSM context. We will explore how this practice, when engaged with care and consent, channels the archetypal energy of the blade into an erotic art form. Knife play becomes a physical manifestation of trust, boundaries, and transformation, invoking the raw intensity of vulnerability and empowerment. We will consider how this intimate edge work mirrors mythological themes of transmutation and surrender, creating spaces for deep personal and relational discovery.
This lecture will invite you to see mythology and kink not as disparate realms but as interconnected expressions of the human experience. By understanding the mythological roots of symbols like the blade, we gain insight into the transformative power of kink practices, fostering a deeper appreciation for the sacred and the sensual in our lives. Whether you are drawn to mythology, kink, or both, this discussion promises to sharpen your understanding of the human psyche's depths.
Selena Madden, PhD is a dedicated mythologist, archetypal educator, and somatic muse. Her profound passion lies in the exploration and integration of diverse archetypes and mythic narratives, unraveling the mysteries of the human psyche. Her PhD in Mythological Studies with an emphasis in Depth Psychology, earned from Pacifica Graduate Institute, provides her with a rich and nuanced understanding of the archetypal landscape, empowering her to bring forth profound insights and guide others on their own mythic odysseys.
Monday, February 3, 2025
7pm ET (NYC time)
PLEASE NOTE: This lecture will be recorded and available for free for our Patreon members. Become a Member HERE.
Ticketholders: A Zoom invite is sent out two hours before the event to the email used at checkout. Please check your spam folder and if not received, email hello@morbidanatomy.org. A temporary streaming link will be emailed after the event concludes.
This lecture will explore the intricate interplay between mythology and kink, focusing on the symbolic and experiential resonance of the blade. By examining the mythological blade as a tool of transformation and transmutation, we will delve into its potent archetypal presence as both a weapon and a sacred instrument. From the swords of ancient myths to the sharp edges of intimate power exchange, the blade emerges as a conduit for profound psychological and emotional connection.
Across cultures, the sword or knife often symbolizes transformation—severing the old to create space for the new. In mythology, heroes like Perseus wielded blades to confront shadows, while goddesses like Kali brandished knives as tools of creation and destruction. These stories mirror the human journey of cutting away what no longer serves, sharpening the self in the fires of challenge and growth.
This talk will examine the polarity between the masculine and feminine archetypal energies in connection with the blade. Drawing on mythological and depth psychological frameworks, we explore how the blade embodies the dynamic tension between penetrating focus and receptive surrender. This polarity transcends gender and speaks to the universal interplay of action and receptivity, creation and destruction, and power and vulnerability.
We will end by looking at how mythological symbolism can bridge contemporary practices, focusing on knife play in the BDSM context. We will explore how this practice, when engaged with care and consent, channels the archetypal energy of the blade into an erotic art form. Knife play becomes a physical manifestation of trust, boundaries, and transformation, invoking the raw intensity of vulnerability and empowerment. We will consider how this intimate edge work mirrors mythological themes of transmutation and surrender, creating spaces for deep personal and relational discovery.
This lecture will invite you to see mythology and kink not as disparate realms but as interconnected expressions of the human experience. By understanding the mythological roots of symbols like the blade, we gain insight into the transformative power of kink practices, fostering a deeper appreciation for the sacred and the sensual in our lives. Whether you are drawn to mythology, kink, or both, this discussion promises to sharpen your understanding of the human psyche's depths.
Selena Madden, PhD is a dedicated mythologist, archetypal educator, and somatic muse. Her profound passion lies in the exploration and integration of diverse archetypes and mythic narratives, unraveling the mysteries of the human psyche. Her PhD in Mythological Studies with an emphasis in Depth Psychology, earned from Pacifica Graduate Institute, provides her with a rich and nuanced understanding of the archetypal landscape, empowering her to bring forth profound insights and guide others on their own mythic odysseys.
Monday, February 3, 2025
7pm ET (NYC time)
PLEASE NOTE: This lecture will be recorded and available for free for our Patreon members. Become a Member HERE.
Ticketholders: A Zoom invite is sent out two hours before the event to the email used at checkout. Please check your spam folder and if not received, email hello@morbidanatomy.org. A temporary streaming link will be emailed after the event concludes.
This lecture will explore the intricate interplay between mythology and kink, focusing on the symbolic and experiential resonance of the blade. By examining the mythological blade as a tool of transformation and transmutation, we will delve into its potent archetypal presence as both a weapon and a sacred instrument. From the swords of ancient myths to the sharp edges of intimate power exchange, the blade emerges as a conduit for profound psychological and emotional connection.
Across cultures, the sword or knife often symbolizes transformation—severing the old to create space for the new. In mythology, heroes like Perseus wielded blades to confront shadows, while goddesses like Kali brandished knives as tools of creation and destruction. These stories mirror the human journey of cutting away what no longer serves, sharpening the self in the fires of challenge and growth.
This talk will examine the polarity between the masculine and feminine archetypal energies in connection with the blade. Drawing on mythological and depth psychological frameworks, we explore how the blade embodies the dynamic tension between penetrating focus and receptive surrender. This polarity transcends gender and speaks to the universal interplay of action and receptivity, creation and destruction, and power and vulnerability.
We will end by looking at how mythological symbolism can bridge contemporary practices, focusing on knife play in the BDSM context. We will explore how this practice, when engaged with care and consent, channels the archetypal energy of the blade into an erotic art form. Knife play becomes a physical manifestation of trust, boundaries, and transformation, invoking the raw intensity of vulnerability and empowerment. We will consider how this intimate edge work mirrors mythological themes of transmutation and surrender, creating spaces for deep personal and relational discovery.
This lecture will invite you to see mythology and kink not as disparate realms but as interconnected expressions of the human experience. By understanding the mythological roots of symbols like the blade, we gain insight into the transformative power of kink practices, fostering a deeper appreciation for the sacred and the sensual in our lives. Whether you are drawn to mythology, kink, or both, this discussion promises to sharpen your understanding of the human psyche's depths.
Selena Madden, PhD is a dedicated mythologist, archetypal educator, and somatic muse. Her profound passion lies in the exploration and integration of diverse archetypes and mythic narratives, unraveling the mysteries of the human psyche. Her PhD in Mythological Studies with an emphasis in Depth Psychology, earned from Pacifica Graduate Institute, provides her with a rich and nuanced understanding of the archetypal landscape, empowering her to bring forth profound insights and guide others on their own mythic odysseys.