Analysis for Stephanie, 2 February 1999

This is how you described the room:

The room is quite large with a lavish bedspread of bright colors. The bed is extremely comfortable, not too firm, not too soft. The warmth of the room is apparent thru the sunlight of the open windows--a gentle breeze blows the creamy sheer drapes. A pillow-covered cushioned bench is near the window. The coals in the fireplace still glow.

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. This comfortable room suggests a childhood that was pleasant. The depth of description tells us that the subject has strong 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 filled with numerous types of straight tall pines, strong oaks, swaying birch and elm. The smell of sweet clean pine permeates the forest. The sunlight streams through the branches illuminating many wispy ferns, green grasses, and lush moss. The intriguing calls and delightful songs of many birds can be heard.

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 well-lit forest tells us that the subject had considerable freedom at this time.

This is how you described the path:

The path is barely discernible. I am able to walk wherever I want to go as it appears to melt into the grasses and moss of the ground. Very few creatures appear to have been here before. Despite this, I have no problems moving around the forest and I am able to guide myself with the few clues that lay ahead in the tiny overgrown path.

Adolescence is represented by the path through the forest. Poor visibility of the path tells us the subject was often confused by the changes brought on by adolescence. The lack of evidence of fellow travelers suggests strong feelings of isolation at that time. That the path is free of obstructions indicates that the subject had no problems during adolescence.

This is how you described the water:

Ahead is a fast moving and ice cold brook. The river is some 20 feet across but is very shallow. It is easy to see that it begins many miles from here at a mountain or a large freshwater lake. Many rocks protrude from the water's surface making crossing the brook a relatively easy challenge. The water is refreshing and very clean tasting.

The water is the subject’s sexuality. What interests us here is the clarity of the water (representing attitude) and its movement (representing libido). Fast-moving water indicates a strong, active 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:

The large clay vase is brightly painted with yellow and blue flowers, furry gray bunnies, and deer with large spiky antlers. It is very sturdy and contains no cracks or chips. It easy to see that it has been kept clean and handled with care for many many years.

The vessel, or specifically the practicality of the vessel, is how the subject approaches marriage or bonding. A container that is both decorative and practical indicates that the subject considers both romantic and pragmatic aspects of marriage.

You left the cup behind.

The subject is not interested in marriage.

This is how you described the key:

The key is made of a shiny silver and is double sided. It has many teeth on either side and is elongated. It could belong to either a car or a safety deposit box from the look of it. The engraving on the key is difficult to read to determine this exactly.

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 that allow access to treasure or other valuable things indicate that the subject is fixated on gaining wealth through a career. However if the key is indeed a car key, then the expectations about the career are more mundane. An ordinary-looking key suggests that the subject desires a nondescript career.

You confronted the bear.

In a crisis, the subject prefers the direct, no-nonsense 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.