In troubled times we are creating a culture of resistance and delight. This learning community on Dartmoor in the far west of the United Kingdom, believes that myth has something vital to say about the condition of both our lives and the earth. That certain stories we need right now arrived, perfectly on time, about five thousand years ago.

Central to this is the notion that culture and wildness have experienced an artificial separation, and that both initiation and myth can create what Shaw calls a Culture of Wildness. It is such a culture that the school and its scholars endeavour to raise up.

The Programme

The school is focused on The Programme, now in it’s 21st year, occurring over five weekends. For 2025/26 the programme has been revisioned, and each of the weekends will be bookable individually. Each weekend will entail the telling of myths or fairy tales by Dr. Martin Shaw, and then response and study to it.

Summer School

Alongside the flagship 5-weekend Programme there is also Summer School—a four-night residential which takes place each year in July.

Other Courses

From time to time there are standalone evening or day events. Keep an eye out for updates or sign up to the newsletter to receive the latest course news. Dr. Martin Shaw’s books can be found at his small publishing house Cista Mystica. Further inquiries can be sent to tina@schoolofmyth.com.