Mantis Weekend 2023 | Lecture 1: To Birth the Ancient in a New Time, is Creation

Lecture 1: Saturday 7 October at 09h00 (In-person or Online Attendance)

Zoom participants, please ensure you join the Zoom link at least 10 minutes prior to the lecture start time. The lectures will start promptly at their allotted times.

Abstract – To Birth the Ancient in a New Time, is Creation

The task of creative work entails weaving ‘something new and wonderful out of the tattered threads of culture and convention.’ ⁽³⁾  Inanna, paradoxical goddess of ancient Sumeria, has been making her appearance in the dreams of contemporary women. She mirrors the nature of human beings, the dualities within: ‘love/hate, compassion/indifference. She shows our oppositions in sharp relief… Wholeheartedly a goddess of war and destruction, she is equally a goddess of love.’ ⁽¹⁾

In this seminar, Renee Ramsden will reflect on what Inanna teaches us about what it means to be human, and on Jung’s prophecy of the birth of the new god – and wondering if this new god is not perhaps a rebirth of this ancient goddess. 

1) De Shong Meador, B. (2000) Inanna, Lady of the Largest Heart. C. G. Jung Foundation of New York
2) Jung, C. (2009) The Red Book. Philemon Foundation
3) Popova, M. Rilke on Inspiration and the Combinatorial Nature of Creativity. 

About the Presenter: 

Renee Ramsden has been working in private practice in Cape Town for  40 years. She is a founder member of the Southern African Association for Jungian Analysts (SAAJA) and a training analyst. She specialises in dream-analysis and has been teaching alchemy and psychology as presented by C.G. Jung to SAAJA candidates, the wider professional group and interested members of the public for 28 years. She has a long-standing interest in ancient lunar cultures who honored the goddess. She is currently serving on SAAJA’s Executive Committee as Vice-President. She is also co-facilitator of SAAJA’s Jung and Film events, and chair of SAAJA’s Media Committee.