Analysis for Anonymous, 19 June 1999

This is how you described the room:

It is a cool room with the smell of rain in the air. The floor is of honey-colored hardwood, bare except for a couple of multicolored braided cotton rugs. There is a large, overstuffed sofa and chair, both with teal upholstery. There are large windows looking over a vast lawn with a pine forest in the distance.

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 room is neither comfortable nor uncomfortable; this suggests the subject had a bland, uninspiring childhood. 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 thick and contains mostly pine trees. The pine smell is crisp and pleasant. The trail is covered with a thick layer of fallen pine needles and cones. The trees above are so tall and lush it is difficult to see the sky.

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. Average lighting tells us that the subject received enough attention from the adults to be guided but not oppressed.

This is how you described the path:

The path is easily to follow, with gentle twists and turns (enough to be interesting without being confusing). The path is just wide enough for two people to walk comfortably side-by-side. It is a well-maintained trail, so it can be assumed that it is well-traveled.

Adolescence is represented by the path through the forest. The visibility of the path tells us that the subject had a good idea of what to expect from adolescence. A wide path indicates that the subject had numerous options for emotional growth at this time. The strong evidence of fellow travelers tells us that the subject received a lot of support from friends and family during that potentially troubling time. That the path is free of obstructions indicates that the subject had no problems during adolescence.

This is how you described the water:

At a point along the path, a small natural stream appears. It is shallow, only a foot or two deep, and the water is crystal-clear. Small fish and other water creatures can be seen beneath the water's surface. The edges of the stream are lined with small pebbles rounded by the force of the stream's flow.

The water is the subject’s sexuality. What interests us here is the clarity of the water (representing attitude) and its movement (representing libido). The movement of the water suggests a normal, average if somewhat playful sex drive. Clear water tells us that the subject has no issues regarding sex. The presence of life in or around the water indicates a strong desire for children.

When you came to the water, you crossed it.

The subject is open to new sexual experiences.

This is how you described the cup:

There is an empty soda can on the bank. It is a red Coca- Cola can, dented and empty except for a few drops. Yuck!

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. That the vessel is damaged and disgusting hints at a strong streak of misogamy.

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 like it goes to someone's car. It is small and silver.

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.

You avoided the bear.

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

When you came to the wall, you turned around and walked back along the path.

The wall represents death: by avoiding it altogether, the subject shows complete denial about the possibility of death.