There have been many studies into archetypal themes in Celtic mythology and fairy tales. However, there are almost no studies into the archetypes within traditional song and music. This two-part seminar considers the rich archetypal elements embedded in Celtic songs and instrumental music. Music would have certainly accompanied many mythic retellings and ritual. These two seminars attempt to redress this imbalance. Presented by Stephen Bloch, with live performances by Caroline Blundell and Cathy Tuck

Abstract

There have been many studies into archetypal themes in Celtic mythology and fairy tales. However, there are almost no studies into the archetypes within traditional song and music. This two-part seminar considers the rich archetypal elements embedded in Celtic songs and instrumental music.

Part 1 – Archetypal Themes in Celtic Traditional Music: Traditional Song
Part 1 of the seminar explores traditional songs from England, Ireland, and Scotland, highlighting themes of Death-Rebirth, the imaginal realm, and the sacred union of opposites. These songs provide a unique lens through which we can understand enduring myths and archetypes.

Part 2 – Archetypal Themes in Celtic Traditional Music: Irish Traditional Instrumental Music
Part 2 of the seminar focuses on the distinctive qualities of Irish instrumental music, examining modes, rhythm, drones, and harmony, and their connection to psychotherapy and early mother-infant interactions.

This recording includes performances by two South African musicians deeply steeped in this musical tradition, namely Caroline Blundell and Cathy Tuck. They provide live performances of the material with psychological commentary by Stephen Bloch.

About the Presenter

Stephen Bloch is a clinical psychologist and Jungian analyst. He is a founding member of SAAJA and has served on many of its committees. He has presented seminars on a variety of subjects (including, among others, Ethics, Music and psychoanalysis, and psychoanalytic mysticism). He has co-edited two books Music and Psyche (with Paul Ashton, 2007) and Living Moments: Essays in Honour of Michael Eigen (with Loray Daws, 2015).

About the Artists

Caroline Blundell discovered the guitar and folk songs at the age of 11 and has never looked back. Her professional music career spans over 40 years – singing, song-writing, performing, and also teaching guitar, ukelele and banjo. Caroline has a pure voice that moves the soul, and her beautiful melodies and stories in song are a varied reflection of her journey through life. Since the 1980’s she has performed regularly in Folk Music Festivals, and at various popular acoustic music venues in the Cape. Caroline’s father, Keith Blundell, was a legendary figure in the South African folk scene and she now plays with her siblings in the band FINTRY. Her two albums of original material Flying Visits (2012) and Telling Tales (2017) are available on iTunes and Spotify. (http://www.carolineblundell.com)

Cathy Tuck is an Irish traditional fiddle player and singer who has been playing with The Cape Town Irish Session since 1996. She has a great love for Celtic cultural heritage, Celtic legends, songs and language. She plays with the Session weekly, at The Wild Fig restaurant in Cape Town, Thursday nights, from 6:30pm. As a Traditional Chinese Medical practitioner, she is able to draw unique parallels between Taoist cosmology and Celtic Archetypal imagery, bringing a different cultural perspective on universal themes. Her recording The Ruse (2015) is available on Spotify, Bandcamp (proceeds to Rape Crisis) and Apple Music (www.shiatsucapetown.com)