Join Kristina Dryža and Asher Packman as they re-animate a six-part series hosted in the late 1990’s by poet Robert Bly and Jungian psychologist Marion Woodman, based on the ancient Russian folktale The Maiden King.

Together with a live audience, Bly and Woodman explored the relationship between the masculine and feminine with a common desire to rediscover a vision of a truly powerful feminine — an energy they felt contemporary society had not been able to either receive or sustain.

To embody the kind of realignment that this story demanded, Bly and Woodman said it would require “leaps of imagination beyond the limits of rationality and common sense”. Their intention was, as they put it, “to throw ourselves into the ocean of the story, and we would then all have to swim for our lives.”

They would go on to co-author a book in 1999 called The Maiden King: The Reunion of Masculine and Feminine.

At its essence, The Maiden King is a tale about the return of powerful feminine energy into the world. It is woven of an absent father, a possessive stepmother, a false tutor and a boy overwhelmed by a beautiful maiden. When the young man's response has her retreating in rage, he must go on a quest of self-discovery.

It is far from a hero’s journey, but rather one of failure and repair. We could say that it represents a map of the grief that many men and women feel today in relation to each other. The story provides a guide for reunion.

Bly called The Maiden King “perhaps the most magnificent story of all time.”

This series reprise will follow the same six-step path as Bly and Woodman first offered, with each of the sessions beginning with a screening of the original before a conversation with Kristina and Asher that deepens into the timeless wisdom while offering fresh perspectives.

In addition, there will be an introductory session where Asher will tell the story of The Maiden King in full. This will be followed by a discussion with filmmaker Haydn Reiss, who has lovingly brought this series back to life.

About Kristina and Asher:

Kristina Dryža is an author, dancer, TEDx speaker, archetypal consultant and member of the Joseph Campbell Foundation’s Editorial Advisory Group.

Asher Packman is a former president of Meditation Australia. He is a depth mentor, storyteller and Kundalini Yoga teacher. He has previously lectured on this series to the Jung Society of Melbourne.

Both have their ancestry firmly rooted in Slavic mythology with Kristina also currently based Vilnius, Lithuania.

Schedule:

Tues, June 4: Introduction and Story (with guest Haydn Reiss)
Tues, June 11: Session #1 (The Pin)
Tues, June 18: Session #2 (The Betrayal)
Tues, June 25: Session #3 (The Descent)
Tues, July 2: Session #4 (Baba Yaga)
Tues, July 9: Session #5 (The Firebird)
Tues, July 16: Session #6 (The Sacred Marriage)

All sessions via Zoom, beginning 7:30pm AEST and running approximately 90 minutes. Sessions will be recorded and available to registered participants for one month following event conclusion.

This event is open to members of The Fifth Direction at no cost. To join, visit here.

You can rent or buy all of Haydn’s films at vimeo.com/showcase/onpoetry.

The Fifth Direction is a welcome community for everyone. This includes people of all genders, faiths, backgrounds, orientations, ages and abilities.