What is the myth in which you live? (Jung)

The need for mythic statements is satisfied when we frame a view of the world which adequately explains the meaning of psychic wholeness, from the co-operation between conscious and unconscious.

A truly living symbol compels unconscious participation and has a life-giving and life-enhancing effect. Symbols of this kind, woven into a mythic structure are the functional motivators of culture. Symbols are truly symbols to those for whom they are alive. A symbol dies when the meaning of its referent has been fully apprehended by consciousness.

An expression that stands for a known thing remains a sign and is never a symbol. It is therefore quite impossible to create a living symbol, ie., one that is pregnant with meaning, from known associations. For what is thus produced never contains more than was put into it.

The source of a symbol is clearly and simply the unconscious. And this is no unwitting and unguided factor that produces symbols, for psyche is purposeful, goal-directed and symbols are its messages of guidance; hence his concern for dreams and their interpretation.
Architypal Process. David Ray Griffin