Subject: When history turns

Dear Friend,

Where do we start our stories?

The answers influence how we see ourselves and what solutions we attempt to create in the world.

The common story as to the origins of Climate change is the Industrial Revolution.

I (and many many others) say: go back further, to European colonization and the Doctrine of Discovery.

Once you get to that point, it doesn't take too long before you say, but what about before then? What led to the Christian Doctrine of Discovery?

This is both the challenge and the wonder of history: it keeps going. Our understanding of it keeps changing. As we change, our interpretation of the past and of Time itself changes. As our interpretation of the past changes, so too do we change.

I keep trying to come up with simplistic and complex heuristics to portray Time. It's an impossible task, especially on two dimensions such as paper and email. Time evades linearity, for all that the Western world tends to think of it that way. The space-time continuum both is and is not a spiral.

Here's a recent attempt, a vastly overly simplistic sketch, thinking about colonization and Christianity and Empires and the shape of Europe.

A critical historical point in this story is the shift from pre-Christian to Christian Europe.

It was a long moment - in many ways, it took centuries - and many, many stories. Some of those conversion stories are inspirational. Others are violent and horrifying. Collectively, they created the conditions for much of our modern world.

Our last podcast discussed some of this transition.

Our next course goes much deeper into this moment of historical turning. I encourage you to check it out. The course officially begins at the start of the next new moon - Aug 15 - but you can go ahead and sign up for it now. The course is filled with aspects of the transition from pre-Christian/indigenous Europe to Christian Europe as well as aspects of the Middle Ages that deeply influence who we are today, and why.

Unlike most of my courses, it's geared as primarily an audio experience, with an optional Zoom session for discussion in mid-October. I'm doing that because I don't think this material needs the same kind of close care as a lot of other courses I offer. Because I'm offering this at the height of summer, you might well want to spend your days picking blueberries or on long drives.... or in some other way, not on your screen.

So, for this offering, you don't have to be on your screen.

Great content. Super engaging and useful for your work in the world. No screens. Sounds like a cool summer offering, eh? :-) :-)

Wishing you all the best in your turnings of life, of seasons, and of the many ways we partake in this miracle that is history-in-the-making.

Best,

Sara Jolena

Upcoming Course:

An Update from The Middle Ages:

The Christianization of Europe and the loss of indigenous European traditions.

A 5- Session Summer Course, starting August 8.

This is an audio-only, self-study course. Engage with this important material at your own time and pace.

Learn more

New Podcast Episode:

Episode 29 - The shift from "paganism" to Christianity in Northern Europe: A Conversation with Prof Carole Cusack

Also available on Spotify, Apple Podcast and Google podcast

Listen now

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Subject: When history turns

Episode 29 - The shift from "paganism" to Christianity in Northern Europe: A Conversation with Prof Carole Cusack