Medina native writes book on mythology, activating the imagination

Joanna Gardner, a Medina native who now is a professor at Pacifica Graduate Institute in California, will be in Medina on Nov. 23 to discuss her book, The Practice of Enchantment.

MEDINA – With a lifelong interest in mythology and a sister who is a New York Times Best Selling author, it is no surprise Joanna Gardner’s first literary effort would be a book on mythology.

A Medina native and sister of Author’s Note owner Julie Berry, Gardner, a PhD, will visit Author’s Note on Nov. 23, where at 3 p.m. she will debut her first book, The Practice of Enchantment.

“I’ve been following in Joanna’s footsteps my whole life,” said Berry, who is four years younger than her sister. “She taught me to read before I ever entered school, and she taught me to love books and stories with my whole heart. She is an exemplary scholar, an inspiring educator and a true creative. I can’t wait to celebrate her new book at Author’s Note.”

Gardner will read from her book, discuss her research and insights and answer questions.

Like her sister, Gardner grew up in Medina and graduated from Medina High School. She now makes her home in Santa Barbara, Calif., where she is adjunct professor in Pacifica Graduate Institute’s Mythological Studies program, and is director of marketing and communications for the Joseph Campbell foundation. She is also the lead author of Goddesses: A Skeleton Key Study Guide, and co-founder of the Fates and Graces, hosting webinars and workshops for mythic readers and writers. More about her work can be found on her website at www.joannagardner.com.

Gardner said she has been interested in mythology since she was very young and was given the Big Golden Book of Mythology.

The Practice of Enchantment is published by the Joseph Campbell Foundation. Campbell was a renowned scholar and mythologist, best-known for his exploration of widespread themes in mythology and storytelling, particularly through his influential concept of the “Hero’s Journey” and his groundbreaking book, The Hero with a Thousand Faces.

During the Covid pandemic, Gardner wrote 14 essays, which she was inspired by Campbell’s work to compile into a book, The Practice of Enchantment. This volume demonstrates that applying the power of myth to the challenges of life can bring new perspectives to difficulty, and transform monotony into enchantment.

Gardner brings her expertise as a mythologist, writer and teacher to these essays, which explore myth as it intersects with life and creativity, Berry explained.

With essay topics including tricksters, dreams, goddesses and family, The Practice of Enchantment is perfect for lovers of myth and the classics, seekers of magic and wonder who may feel lost in the modern day, and any readers interested in expanding their lens of understanding our world.

“Writing these essays helped me experience imagination, metaphor, beauty and bliss, and helped me understand more fully that these abstract ideas are renewable resources,”

Gardner said. “I believe they surround us like radio waves of enchantment. The more I tune into them, the more the signal strengthens.

“My favorite thing about mythological stories is how they activate the imagination,” she said. “They are obviously not literally true, but you imagine, and that activates your imagination and makes it stronger for your creative.”

While this is Gardner’s first book, it won’t be her last.

“I have lots of ideas, but I don’t know yet what the next one will be,” she said. “But there will be another, and it’s a good chance it will be strongly influenced by mythology.”

She said she is so grateful to her sister for the event at 3 p.m. Nov. 23 at Author’s Note, and thrilled it gets to be in her home town.

The event is free and open to the public. Pre-ordering copies is recommended. For those unable to attend, signed books can be ordered at www.authorsnote.com. For more information, Author’s Note can be contacted at (585) 798-3642 or online at www.authorsnote.com/events.