Analysis for MPinney, 20 November 1998

This is how you described the room:

The room is constructed of stone walls, much like that from a castle. The furnishings are old but elegant and the air is crisp with dew.

The initial room is the subject’s childhood. What interests us here is the general atmosphere of the room, in addition to the level of furnishings described by the subject. An uncomfortable room suggests a childhood that was devoid of happiness. The items in the room are average, which tells us that the subject has the normal memories of childhood.

You wanted to stay in the room.

The subject did not want to grow up.

This is how you described the forest:

The forest is dark and dense, the trees quite tall.

The forest is growing up, and the trees are those adults with whom the subject interacted at that time. Tall trees imply that the adults had a strong influence on the subject. A very dark forest tells us that the subject felt considerably oppressed by the attentions of the adults.

This is how you described the path:

A narrow path leads through the forest, branching off in many directions.

Adolescence is represented by the path through the forest. A narrow path suggests that the subject had limited options for emotional growth at this time.

This is how you described the water:

The path dead ends on to a stream, a stream like none ever seen before, as if pulled from the pages of a children's fairy tale. The clear, sparkling water flows gently against gray rounded stone. The grass surrounding the stream is a bright green and appears freshly cut.

The water is the subject’s sexuality. What interests us here is the clarity of the water (representing attitude) and its movement (representing libido). Slow, gently moving water suggests a passive, restrained, calm sex drive. Clear water tells us that the subject has no issues regarding sex.

When you came to the water, you crossed it.

The subject is open to new sexual experiences.

This is how you described the cup:

I stumble upon a silver and gold chalice left by the river bank.

The vessel, or specifically the practicality of the vessel, is how the subject approaches marriage or bonding. A decorative container indicates that the subject views marriage as a romantic adventure.

You took the cup and filled it.

The subject is interested in marriage, and sex will be a significant part of that relationship.

This is how you described the key:

A key is found. It is dark black, made or iron. It probably unlocks a large door leading into a castle or dungeon.

The key is the ideal career for the subject. What interests us here is how the key appears (representing how others view the career) and what it may open (representing the subject’s goals for the career). Keys to palaces, castles, and other fortifications are normally indicative of a desire for power. Old-fashioned keys suggest that the subject desires a traditional career.

You avoided the bear.

In a crisis, the subject prefers the indirect, non-confrontational approach.

When you came to the wall, you jumped over it.

The wall represents death: by jumping over it, the subject not only acknowledges death but has come to accept its finality.