myth - a type of speech defined by its intention, not its literal sense
community / culture
which comes first?
    myth or community
functions of myth
    origin myths
        beginnings
    mores myths
        reflection of community / cultural values
    sacred geography
        association myths
            tying people and land together
        cosmological myth
            structure of the universe
            axis mundi
            order & chaos / the abyss
myth as mask
    metaphor
    Masks of Eternity
        Joseph Campbell
dynamic
    living / evolving
        changing with the culture / community
balance
    complements, not opposites
rendered with humor
ephemeral & eternal
microcosm
    the individual
mesocosm
    the society
macrocosm
    the universe
folktale / folklore
    Sir James Frazer
        rationalist
        his hidden agenda
mythic language
    catharsis [see Systems of Purity]
    poetry 
        metaphor [kenning] - a figurative or compound expression used in place of a noun or name
            implicit comparison
    storytelling
        interactive
        interactive learning [60 - 65 percent retention]
    song
    dance
        morris dancers
        ritual dance
    music
    art
        cave art
            Europe & Africa
        sand paintings
            Navaho
            Buddhist mandalas
    ritual [see Ritual & Theater]
    comedy [see Humor]
    clowning [see Clowns]
        sacred clowns
            fools
                deformity, difference or innocence
            jesters
                wit & satire
            Feast of Fools
                structure & anti-structure
                    temporary license
                    Lord of Misrule / King of Fools
                    scapegoat / hero [see Systems of Purity]
                    feted then sacrificed
            carnival
    masking
        mask
            from Latin, meaning specter, witch, mask
        not deception / disguise
        identification & assumption of attributes & powers
        participation
        re-enactment & reinforcement
        mummers
    Jack in the Green
        destruction & revival / rebirth
 
Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology and Legend
The Golden Bough - Sir James Frazer
Historical Atlas of World Mythology - Joseph Campbell [5 vols]
The Masks of God - ibid [4 vols]
The Power of Myth - Joseph Campbell, with Bill Moyers  
New Larousse Encyclopedia of Mythology