Analysis for Anonymous, 18 October 2000

This is how you described the room:

It is a den, walls full of bookcases, floor of stone covered with a lush, green rug. There is a fire going in the fireplace, and the room is pleasantly warm. There are leather chairs in the middle of the room, facing the fireplace, throws over the backs of them.

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 significant detail in the description of the room tells us that the subject has rich, lasting 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:

Lush, green foliage surrounds me. The trees are immensely tall, branches far above me. The light filters through the tops of the trees down to the ground. Birds sing and dive through the trees; deer move quietly through the brush; squirrels hunt busily for nuts.

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 a narrow one, but easy to follow once found. Meant for walking only. Made only of dirt.

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 narrow path suggests that the subject had limited options for emotional growth at this time.

This is how you described the water:

It is a waterfall, of moderate portions. The path ends at the bottom of the fall. The water is clear and sparkling, and falls gently (for a waterfall). Minimal churning and slow eddies.

The water is the subject’s sexuality. What interests us here is the clarity of the water (representing attitude) and its movement (representing libido). Normally a waterfall indicates a violent, passionate libido; this one suggests a more playful 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 clay chalice. The clay from which it is made is a smoky blue, and the stem fits perfectly into my hand. There are intricate carvings worked into the clay--but it is overall a clean, tasteful piece. It is not dirty.

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 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:

It is a large, golden skeleton key, well hidden under the dirt of the path. Only by a chance glint of sunlight do I see it.

I do not know what it unlocks. Something precious.

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. The subject needed to find the key, possibly suggesting that the subject wants a career that is not necessarily available to anyone.

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.