Analysis for Jamie, 3 September 2000

This is how you described the room:

The room is chilly, and on the large side. It has light grey carpeting and green leather couches. No overhead lighting, but there are 2 lamps on either side of one of the couches, and some cheap-looking fake plants in the room. There's also one of those electric fireplaces. The walls are all white and there is a closed door behind me.

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 leave the room.

The subject wanted to become an adult.

This is how you described the forest:

The forest is thick, but not too thick. Patches of light show through the tops of the many different types of trees. The ground is a mixture of dirt, pine needles, and fallen brown leaves. There are birds above in trees singing and chirping, and an occasional cricket is chirping.

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 narrow, sometimes breaking off so its hard to find, sometimes splitting off into several directions with a few dead ends here and there. Its obvious it has been used, but not in awhile, and not by very many people.

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. A narrow path suggests that the subject had limited options for emotional growth at this time. The lack of evidence of fellow travelers suggests strong feelings of isolation at that time.

This is how you described the water:

Its a natural river, no deeper than waist-high with stones and sand in the bottom. Its a little murky from the quick current, but definitely not polluted. A few small fish dart around inside of it, and a turtle sun-bathes on a log halfway down.

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. Murky, dirty, or otherwise unclear water suggests that the subject has significant 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:

It is in the shape of a vase with a handle on either side, made of clay. Its about 12 inches high and 6 inches wide with a spout at the top. Its not painted or glazed.

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 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 black wrought iron key with 3 circles at the one end. It looks just like the key in "The Secret Garden." Perhaps it unlocks a gate.

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. 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 tried to go around it.

The wall represents death: by trying to walk around it, the subject shows an acknowledgment of death, but also a need for an alternative to its finality, such as an afterlife or reincarnation.