Analysis for Louis Camus, 2 April 1999

This is how you described the room:

The room has a chilled atmosphere from the cold tile floor. It is full of light from the large windows. Colored patterns reflect on the white walls from the beautiful stained glass hangings. There are shelves with leather bound books and eccentric trinkets. A large soft bed sits alone in the middle of the room.

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 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 damp and smells of pine and the cold. The trees are old and uniquely domineering. Their large green leaves filter golden light through and make patterns on the ground. All is quiet except for the rustling of the leaves and the sound of my footsteps.

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 semi-dark forest tells us that the subject felt somewhat oppressed by the attention the adults gave.

This is how you described the path:

The path is hidden by scattered leaves and winds through the forest in no particular direction. It seems to travel to certain landmarks or destinations and then goes on. It is not a well-kept path but not hard to travel along either.

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:

It is a small winding stream. It seems very natural to me. It carves along between the trees through the forest. The water is a very transparent green color you can see small colored rocks lying still on the bottom. It is refreshingly cold and I want to take my shoes off and wade in it.

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:

It is a canteen of some sort. Deep green in color and made of metal. It has a attachable strap to make it easy for carrying. The bottom part touching the ground is rusted. It looks like it has been there on the bank for awhile.

The vessel, or specifically the practicality of the vessel, is how the subject approaches marriage or bonding. A practical container indicates that the subject is pragmatic when it comes to questions of marriage.

You took the cup but left it empty.

The subject is interested in marriage, but sex won’t be a significant part of that relationship.

This is how you described the key:

The key looks as though it is brand new and has never been used. It is silver in color and the angle cuts are very distinct and sharp looking. I think that the key would probably unlock some sort of new house or car.

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). Having the key open a house, car, or other commonplace use tells us that the subject has no extraordinary expectations about a career. An ordinary-looking key suggests that the subject desires a nondescript career. That the key is so new might also suggest that the subject is looking for a “cutting-edge” career, a career relatively unpopulated.

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.