Why We Tell Myths (And Why We Still Need Them)

By Scholarise IQ

We don’t just read stories. We enter them.

When a story is told well—rooted in something deeper than plot or productivity—it transcends our need to analyze and categorize. It bypasses our defenses and pulls us into another world. We walk in another’s skin. We feel with their heart. We see with their eyes. In that suspended space—between reality and imagination—we finally glimpse ourselves.

That’s the essence of storytelling. Especially through myth.

The Nature of Myths

Myths aren’t merely old tales. They are encoded memories. They serve as soul-software, crafted in a universal language: symbol, archetype, emotion, and transformation. Our ancestors grasped something we have nearly forgotten: lists may be lost and facts can be rewritten, but a story? Story is the form that memory chooses when it desires to survive. You don’t memorize a myth; you become it.

Throughout many myths, hidden in plain sight, lies what I call a soul key—a profound message ensconced in metaphor, bearing ancient wisdom and a vibrational frequency meant not just to inform the mind, but to tune the soul. Often, an image, a phrase, or a character’s choice resonates within you like a bell that was destined to ring. That’s the key turning, and it’s what remains long after the story concludes.

You live it forward. You inherit it. You pass it down. And if it holds genuine power—if it embodies the deep truth of a people—it won’t remain static. It will adapt. At times it may vanish, go underground, then reemerge, altered but still intact. It continues to pulse with the same heartbeat that first called it into existence.

Myths Across Cultures

This universality explains why we encounter similar stories in every culture. Not because we copied one another, but because truth rhymes. There are only a limited number of patterns our souls adopt on their journey of becoming. Hence, we find echoes: a flood story here, a descent into the underworld there, a miraculous birth, a betrayal, a return. Different faces reflect the same mirror.

In my own journey, particularly as I navigate the shifting sands of digital manipulation in a world that often rewrites history for the powerful, I’ve discovered an even deeper significance about myth. It’s not merely about memory—it’s a form of resistance. Myths preserve truths that colonizers, empires, and oppressive systems attempt to erase. They thrive in oral traditions, grandmothers' kitchens, songs, dreams, and art. Ultimately, they reside within us.

The Learning Power of Stories

We learn through stories because our bodies recognize them. They predate schools and books. They were shared around fires, under stars, when we needed to reconnect with who we were.

When you read a myth to your child—or encounter a story that stirs your spirit—it transcends mere entertainment. It acts as a remembrance, an initiation. It signifies your place in a lineage of storytellers that extends through time. Each storyteller whispers across generations: “Don’t forget. Don’t forget who you are.”

Conclusion

Myths serve a vital role in our lives. They not only connect us to our past but also empower us to navigate our futures. They are reminders of our identity, weaving a rich tapestry of culture and understanding that binds us together. Unlock the soul keys hidden in ancient tales, embracing the messages ingrained within them.

Want to unlock the soul keys hidden in ancient stories?

Join us in The Soul Garden, where myth, memory, and transformation come alive for a new generation of dreamers, healers, and keepers of the flame.

Let mythology illuminate your path and connect you to a legacy that is both timeless and ever-evolving. By understanding these narratives, we not only honor our history but also enrich our present and future. Let's continue to tell these powerful stories. Remember, it's not just about telling the myth; it's about becoming it. We'll carry the soul key forward.