Analysis for Ryan Partlan, 6 September 2000

This is how you described the room:

The room is rectangular with cold gray, stone walls. The bed is an antique style that looks to be from 18th century Europe with red linens and ornately carved posts. There is a fireplace in the corner with still warm embers that allow the temperature to drop below normal. The rool is rather cool, but still tolerable.

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 ahead of me is filled with old oak trees that seem to futilely trying to grab the clouds. They block out most of the sunlight from the sparse underbrush. There are a few places where light seems to cascade in like a waterfall giving off a dim light to the surrounding foliage.

The forest is growing up, and the trees are those adults with whom the subject interacted at that time. Average-sized trees imply the normal influence adults have on a child: neither insignificant nor impressive. 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 narrow path resembles that of a game trail more then a path. It looks like something the deer might frequent during certain times of the year. It goes through the forest in a zig-zag manner.

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:

The river I approach is one that is wider then I am tall at the narrowest point, and four to five times as wide as I am tall at its wider sections. The cold slow moving water signifies that it is spring fed. It picks up place near the edge of my vision to that of quick rapids and small waterfalls.

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:

The silver cup lies half buried in the mud. It looks that it has been there for many years as it has moss growing on the lip and is severely tarnished. When first created it must have cost a fortune, it might be able to be polished and sold to an antique store.

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 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:

It is a small bronze key that is heavier then it looks. It appears to open a three tumbler lock. The handle is ornately made by a master metalsmith with exquisite flower designs inlaid on them. It might have once been used to unlock a chest or a door belonging to a wealthy man.

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. Decorative keys suggest that the subject wants an attention-grabbing, one-of-a-kind 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.