The Demons Within: Myth, Mental Illness, and the Stories We Tell
"The Claws of Despair"
Every great story is birthed in the twilight—a whisper from the unconscious, a flicker of light against the pitch-black unknown. Myths, for centuries, have been the campfire where humanity huddles to share its terrors and triumphs, its beauty and its brutal truths. At their core lies a shared understanding: the demons we battle are eternal, and the wounds we carry are universal. As an artist and storyteller, I’ve felt the pull of these truths, like the magnetic hum of something ancient, calling me to map the uncharted lands where myth and psyche collide.
The works of Joseph Campbell and Carl Jung have been my compass and lantern. Campbell, with his Hero’s Journey, unspooled the tapestry of every story—the call to adventure, the plunge into chaos, and the raw metamorphosis that comes from wrestling with the monstrous. Jung’s whisper was darker, deeper: a reminder that the Shadow, that buried and snarling part of us, holds both terror and treasure. Their wisdom didn’t just illuminate my art; it cracked open my soul, laying bare the demons I had long tried to bury.
The Symbolism of the Labyrinth
The labyrinth has long been a powerful symbol in myths and stories, representing the winding journey of self-discovery and transformation. Unlike a maze, which is designed to confuse and mislead, the labyrinth is a single, purposeful path. It winds and twists, often plunging into darkness, but it always leads to the center. The labyrinth is both a test and a guide, reflecting the convoluted paths we must take to face our innermost truths.
In Greek mythology, the labyrinth was the prison of the Minotaur, a beast that symbolized the chaos and savagery within us. To enter the labyrinth was to confront this monster, to face the untamed Shadow. For storytellers, the labyrinth is a metaphor for the creative process itself: a disorienting, often treacherous journey that demands both courage and clarity.
In my own storytelling, I see the labyrinth as a map of the psyche. Each twist and turn reflects the complexity of human experience, the interplay of light and dark, the conscious and unconscious. To walk its path is to engage deeply with the self, to uncover the archetypes and symbols that lie beneath the surface of our narratives.
“The Labyrinth Guardian”
Facing the Demons
Storytelling is not a gentle act. It’s a knife-edge walk through shadowed corridors, an uneasy truce with the beasts that gnash and howl within us. I remember a moment during the creation of The Chaos of Lucifer where a single line on the page—“he couldn’t face himself”—stopped me cold. It was not just a line for the character but a reflection of my own fears, staring back at me like an unflinching mirror.
My demons, however, are not simply conceptual; they are deeply personal. For years, I grappled with the chaos of mental illness. The highs of mania were dizzying and electric, as though I could touch the edge of the universe with my bare hands. But the depths of depression were something far darker—a shadowed abyss where demons whispered, clawing at my sanity. It felt as though they were plucking at my very soul, urging me to sink deeper, to let go, to drown in the blackness that surrounded me.
The descent into madness was not sudden but insidious, a slow unraveling of the threads that held me together. Mania would fling me into the heights of creation, where ideas and visions exploded like stars, blinding and chaotic. But the crash into depression would follow, dragging me into a suffocating void. The demons would gather there, circling, their voices both seductive and cruel: “Swim to the bottom,” they whispered, “you’ll find peace in the depths.”
Yet, amid the chaos, a flicker of something ancient and instinctual stirred within me—a call to journey deeper, to not turn away from the beast but to face it head-on. Jung’s concept of the Shadow became my lifeline. The idea that these dark, suppressed parts of ourselves are not enemies but unclaimed pieces of our wholeness offered me a framework to navigate the storm. And Campbell’s Hero’s Journey gave me a narrative to cling to: the descent into the abyss, the confrontation with the monster, and the promise of transformation waiting beyond the struggle. These ideas didn’t just inspire my art—they saved me.
Myth and Archetype in Creative Healing
Myths endure because they cut to the bone. They are the skeleton keys to the locked doors of our psyche, and Campbell’s Hero’s Journey is one such key—a map etched in fire and blood, charting the journey we all must take. The trials are universal, the struggles woven into the marrow of what it means to be human. To tell these stories is to hold up a mirror, offering readers a glimpse of their own battles and their own potential triumphs.
Jung’s archetypes, particularly the Shadow, take us further into the labyrinth. The Shadow is not merely the villain; it is the unspoken, the suppressed, the unwanted pieces of ourselves. It is raw and real and utterly vital. In my work, these archetypes breathe life into characters who are flawed, haunting, and deeply human. They remind us that light and dark are not enemies but partners in the dance of existence.
"The Light of Emergence" April Martin
Turning Pain into Purpose
The intersection of myth and psychology is not an abstract exercise for me; it’s where I live and create. When I crafted The Chaos of Lucifer, I wasn’t just spinning a story—I was exorcising ghosts. Betrayal, loss, redemption—these weren’t just themes; they were scars. The process of shaping them into narrative was both brutal and liberating, a way to wrestle meaning from chaos.
This is the alchemy of storytelling. It is the act of taking life’s sharpest edges and forging them into something that cuts, but also heals. By confronting the Shadow, by unearthing the buried, we craft stories that resonate beyond entertainment. They become maps, guiding others through their own dark forests, toward the flicker of light on the horizon.
Practical Tools for Your Journey
What stories lie coiled in your own depths? Here are some steps to help you begin your journey:
Write from the Shadow: Choose a memory you avoid revisiting. Write it as though you were the villain in your story. What does this reveal about your hidden desires or fears?
Walk a Labyrinth: If possible, find a labyrinth near you and physically walk its path, reflecting on a personal challenge as you move toward the center.
Journal the Hero’s Journey: Sketch your life’s narrative in the framework of Campbell’s Hero’s Journey. Where are you now? What’s your call to adventure? What demons guard the threshold?
An Invitation
Each of us walks a Hero’s Journey. Each of us carries a Shadow. The myths and archetypes are there, waiting, ready to guide us if we dare to look. Through storytelling, we can turn chaos into meaning, vulnerability into strength, and darkness into revelation.
What demons gnaw at your edges? What stories lie coiled, waiting in your depths? I invite you to step into the dance—to face your shadows, to let them shape you, and to craft something raw and true. The journey will not be easy. It is not meant to be. But in the end, your story might become the lifeline someone else needs, a reminder that even in the darkest corners, there is light to be found.
Joseph Campbell:
the American mythologist and writer
renowned for his exploration of
mythology and the human experience
The Hero with a Thousand Faces
In this seminal work, Campbell introduces the concept of the monomyth, or the Hero's Journey, exploring the universal patterns underlying heroic tales across cultures.
The Masks of God Series
A four-volume series comprising 'Primitive Mythology,' 'Oriental Mythology,' 'Occidental Mythology,' and 'Creative Mythology,' examining the evolution of myths throughout human history.
The Power of Myth
Based on the PBS series, this book captures conversations between Campbell and journalist Bill Moyers, discussing the enduring relevance of myths in modern society.
Myths to Live By
A collection of essays where Campbell explores how myths influence our lives and can provide meaning in contemporary times.
The Inner Reaches of Outer Space: Metaphor as Myth and as Religion
Campbell examines the role of metaphor in understanding the divine and the universe, bridging the gap between mythology and modern science.
Pathways to Bliss: Mythology and Personal Transformation
This work focuses on how individuals can use mythological themes to navigate personal development and self-realization.
Thou Art That: Transforming Religious Metaphor
Campbell delves into the symbolic meanings behind religious metaphors, encouraging a more profound understanding of spiritual texts.
Carl Gustav Jung:
the Swiss psychiatrist and
founder of analytical psychology
A great place to start
Trauma and the Soul by Donald Kalsched
Memories, Dreams, Reflections
An autobiographical exploration of Jung's personal and professional journey, delving into his development of key psychological concepts.
Man and His Symbols
Jung's final work, aimed at introducing his theories to the general public, focusing on the significance of symbols in the human psyche.
The Red Book (Liber Novus)
A previously unpublished manuscript containing Jung's explorations of his own unconscious through vivid illustrations and narratives.
Psychological Types
In this work, Jung introduces his theory of personality types, including the concepts of introversion and extraversion.
The Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious
Jung discusses universal, archaic symbols and images that derive from the collective unconscious.
Symbols of Transformation
A study of the symbolic processes that mediate between the unconscious and conscious mind.
Psychology and Alchemy
Jung explores the relationship between alchemical symbolism and the process of individuation.
Modern Man in Search of a Soul
A collection of essays reflecting on the spiritual problems facing modern individuals.
The Undiscovered Self
Jung addresses the importance of self-awareness in countering societal pressures and ideological conformity.
Answer to Job
An analysis of the biblical story of Job, explores the nature of God and the human condition.
Thank you for stopping by!
I hope that you enjoyed your stay.
April Martin is a writer, illustrator, and USAF veteran with a bachelor's degree in photography. Specializing in cerebral, emotionally charged storytelling, her work delves into the complex realms of mental health—including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and severe personality disorders—bringing a raw, unfiltered perspective to the human experience. With a background spanning from military service as a B1-Bomber crew chief to working closely with the neurally diverse community, April brings a unique depth to her narratives. Her current graphic novel project, The Chaos of Lucifer, is a testament to her commitment to creating gritty, resonant stories that explore the fragility and resilience of the human spirit.
Instagram: @purpleinkwellstudios
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Website: www.purpleinkwellstudios.com
