Can Elves Help Us Heal? Why Medieval Literature Is Good For The Soul

In the aftermath of any crisis, tragedy, or sudden loss, we are confronted with the need to heal, and sometimes this entails healthy distraction. Rather than taking us away into a realm of impossible expectations and false hopes, therapeutic distraction helps us stop unnecessarily dwelling on our sorrow or problems, while it simultaneously keeps us in touch with meaningful insights into our own identity.

(PRWEB) September 15, 2005 -- In the aftermath of any crisis, tragedy, or sudden loss, we are confronted with the need to heal, and sometimes this entails healthy distraction. Rather than taking us away into a realm of impossible expectations and false hopes, therapeutic distraction helps us stop unnecessarily dwelling on our sorrow or problems, while it simultaneously keeps us in touch with meaningful insights into our own identity.

Watching hours of television may be an escape, for instance, but not necessarily healthy, whereas a movie with an underlying message of reassurance might be just what the doctor ordered. Ancient shamans, medicine men, and spiritual healers understood this concept. The Cherokee believe there are "Little People" who accompany us into the wilderness and provide guidance and wisdom so that we are never alone or helpless.

Similarly, story-telling and acting out scenes from our own experiences in a spontaneous way is a centuries-old tradition in Africa, and is now a modern technique for helping people deal with trauma through "interplay theatre" and other group therapy techniques involving improvised drama. In fact, the basis of our most improvised art form, jazz, derives from these African roots. Africans living as slaves in New Orleans transferred the idea to European musical instruments and this fusion gave birth to American jazz.

Claude Lévi-Strauss, a Belgian anthropologist, sociologist, and educator (who was apparently not related to the man who gave us blue jeans) viewed cultures as systems of communication and spent years studying the indigenous people in the rain forests of Brazil. He believed that the main force behind human behavior is structure, and that when our personal or social structures collapse, so do we. His academic work of the mid-20th century focused on language and myth as the main foundations for a stable social structure. Through his work and the work of others (like pioneering hypnotherapist Milton H. Erickson), the mysterious healing powers of storytelling, legend, myth, and the subconscious mind became established as part of the modern lexicon in the areas of mental health and psychology.

Contributing to this evolution, author Jude Hatcher Bangs has created an enchanting series of books that can best be described as "tales of Elvish legend and lore" for adults as well as children. A former antique dealer, the author was inspired by a visit to a medieval mansion in England, where memories of her recurring childhood dreams were reawakened. She began to write tales based on the ancient style of "faery tale" writing, and her fantasy books were well received by readers of all ages. Balancing mystical fiction with comforting, empowering insights about the mysteries and purposes of our complex lives proved to be a recipe for success, not only for the author but also for her grateful readers.

Paul W. Chapman, author of Medieval Letters and Poetry," said of Jude Hatcher Bangs "she talked about the world of Elves as if shes experienced it a whole new image has emerged from the reading of her Elf King series." Looking for some late summer reading for the beach, or for a more serious way to step into another world to help deal with the pressures of this one and its hard reality? Consider fairy tales as a solution. The magic wand of medieval literature may be your cup of 21st century chicken soup.

For a review copy of the book or to set up an interview with Jude Hatcher Bangs for a story, please contact Jay Wilke at 727-443-7115, ext. 223.

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