Sep 20, 2021
13 - The guidance of the hermit - conversation with medievalist Andrew Jotischky
Fleeing ‘power over’ to develop ‘power with’, aspiring for a lighter footprint by immersing in the wild, living off the grid in extreme weather, on top of a pole, on an island, in a tree, in a cave only eating raw lentils, walling yourself in, eating raw food, plants only, grazing like dear or having a pescatarian diet? Talking to birds, wolves, and having pet lyons carry stuff? These are all things hermits did.
That is why when you need advice, over and over, in folktale, and spirituality, you consult the hermit, or the crone (who is also a hermit). In this episode of Mother goose and other earth stories, medievalist Andrew Jotischky, author of the book A Hermit’s Cookbook. Monks, Food and Fasting in the Middle Ages gives us insight on the history of hermeticism and its discontent with dominant culture or quest for spiritual growth - in the middle east and europe. PS : Amending your garden with a grotto and an employed hermit was a thing.
Guest : Andrew Jotischky
Book referrer to A Hermit’s Cookbook. Monks, Food and Fasting in the Middle Ages, Andrew Jotischky
Music, Paul Husky
Violon: Lucy Petrou
Image : Layla visits Majnun in the wilderness surrounded by animals (IO Islamic 384, f. 42r)