psyke

transform yourself


Psyke (or psyche) means soul in Greek, as well as butterfly. Butterflies are symbols of metamorphosis and this blog, Psyke, is a journal of personal and social transformation.

Psyche is the Greek goddess of the soul, and her story is transformational. As a woman she is met by constant challenges that seem to condemn her to death, yet each time nature miraculously comes to her aid. At the end of her journey, she’s rewarded by becoming a goddess. Although in the midst of them we may feel as if we are doomed, often through our struggles we become transformed.

Themes of transformation are found throughout mythology and religion.

the brain by santiago ramon y cajal

We can think of our depression and other mental health struggles as our cocoons. Science has made leaps and bounds in identifying new methods for treating depression, from herbal medicine to psychedelics. Nature is making herself available to us; she wants us to transform ourselves. New ideas may flitter like serotonin at a synapse, or like brightly colored butterflies; catch them.

“Our strategy should be not only to confront empire, but to lay siege to it. To deprive it of oxygen. To shame it. To mock it. With our art, our music, our literature, our stubbornness, our joy, our brilliance, our sheer relentlessness – and our ability to tell our own stories. Stories that are different from the ones we’re being brainwashed to believe.

“The corporate revolution will collapse if we refuse to buy what they are selling – their ideas, their version of history, their wars, their weapons, their notion of inevitability.

“Remember this: We are many and they are few. They need us more than we need them.

“Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing.”

Arundhati Roy

By transforming the world we are transformed, and by transforming ourselves we transform the world.

Contact us psyke (at) psyke (dot) health

 

Tina Phillips

Writer, activist, social worker


Tina Phillips is a social worker from Berkeley, California where she lives with her wife and four furry children. Tina enjoys writing, activism, caregiving, nature, cooking, rock music, and fashion. Tina is a passionate and committed socialist feminist. Tina enjoys being loud, taking up space, and encouraging joy and liberation in others. Tina works as a medical social worker in home health and hospice.

Tina also edits and writes for a project called Everyday Socialism and recently managed a Mutual Aid Meals Project in her community in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Tina has a special interest in empowering oppressed people, advocacy, and education. 

 

 

 

 

Cane Kelly

Artist, writer, medium


Cane Kelly is a surrealist novelist, playwright, musician, & witch. An artist, Cane pays the bills as a content writer on health and tech topics, and creates artisan social media content.

From the mountains of Appalachia, Cane moves in the realms of spirit and intuition. She will rock (or plan) your next Samhain party. She’s also passionate about plant and natural medicines, the potential of psychedelics as healing agents, and mental health in general.

She studied at Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio, and holds an MFA in Creative Writing. 

She lives in rainy England with her beloved husband and dog.

 

 

 

 

Katalina Lourdes

Writer, editor, activist


Katalina spent her youth protesting war, immigration detention, free trade agreements, and other forms of capitalist aggression. Exhausted, she then tried to escape it. She still struggles against its expansive tentacles.

Katalina’s a socialist feminist into natural medicine, psychedelics, & psychoanalysis. She believes in both science & the sacred; materialism & subjectivity. She believes capitalism is poison to our well-being. Social justice can and should improve our mental health (& vice-versa, we should use our mental health to further social, economic, & environmental justice).

She sees Psyke as a space for people to share their ideas and stories, express themselves and connect with others.