Dragon Lore

I taught Dragon Lore at the Library in Woodburn Oregon last month, with my sister Jeannie. After learning about Dragons all over the world including Mexico and the USA, the teens created their own dragons on silk. We talked of several ways to deal with dragons including:

dancing and singing them to sleep (Medea in Jason and the Golden Fleece)

feeding them milk (works well with some Chinese dragons)

and staring them down (If you see the two headed horror Sisiutl, do not turn and run, for if you do, you will be spinning the rest of your life. Instead, stand firm and face the two heads until they turn toward each other, and Sisiutl will see his own face, will see truth, and will bless you.)

I love dragons. They are so deeply symbolic not only of our terrors, but also of ancient wisdom, power, and creativity.

I am particularly indebted to Anne Cameron's story of Sisiutl in Daughters of Copper Woman. I highly recommend it for those of us facing the fears of terrorism and economic disaster in these times.