Abstract
This article explores the transformative roles of place and art making in the development of a personal mythology related to a nature-based, kinship worldview. This exploration is grounded within terrapsychological inquiry, which is a qualitative methodology that seeks a deep understanding of the soulful connection between land/place and people. The specific research method was an autoethnography of the author’s experiences over a four-year period supported by personal journaling and artwork. The autoethnography is written via a series of three macrolevel metaphoric themes, the wording of which reveals changes in personal mythology: (a) from captivity to freedom; (b) from constraint to sovereignty; and (c) from alienation to connection. Within those metaphoric developments, the narrative weaves together insights related to themes such as landline, kithship, enchantment, deep play, animism, and kinship which emerged in the art, experiences, and personal myth development. Those diverse nature- and place-based themes relate to the practice of art therapy rooted in a diversity-honoring, kinship perspective.
Published Version
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