The Nymphs & Satyrs system, because it helps us determine how each of us is “wired,” can be useful in changing our society to suit us better. The system is predicated upon the fact that we evolved as hunter- gatherers, and in our hearts and minds we still are. So why not organize society around the things we evolved to enjoy and do well?
The basic creative activities undertaken in a Neolithic band are things that still need doing today. They include tasks of subsistence as well as expressions of the sacred, and fulfill both our physical and spiritual needs:
- Fighting: Assertive protection
- Hunting: Effective provision
- Dancing: Spiritual expression
- Painting: Meaningful representation
- Singing: Emotional celebration
- Crafting: Practical creation
- Gathering: Nourishing collection
- Tending: Nurturing supervision
As a template for society, this has a very different structure than what Americans are used to. It’s simply a list of responsibilities, not a hierarchy of status. Implicit in this structure is the recognition that all of these responsibilities are important, and that none should be preeminent.
The leadership provided by a Hot Fighting Satyr is important, while the care given by the Warm Tending Muse who raised him is just as important. The material wealth provided by a Hot Hunting Centaur is important, and the story of his “rainmaking” written by a Hot Painting Nymph is just as important.
By respecting our evolutionary past, could we create a blueprint forvbuilding a healthier and more satisfying society?
