Analysis for Christine, 1 May 2002

This is how you described the room:

This room is filled with muted colours lit with the early rays of the morning sun creeping through the open drapes. The room is warm yet a gently cool breeze moves over me. The furnishings are bare, few, mundane in colour, even though they are awash in the rosey glow of the sun. They are neither masculin or feminine; rather, they are functional, not decorative.

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. Few, simple furnishings tells us that the subject has few memories of that time.

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 sparsely populated with maple trees. The sun streams through the canopy and warms me. It feels protective, not smothering, as if it might harbour faeries.

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 well-lit forest tells us that the subject had considerable freedom at this time.

This is how you described the path:

A natural trail wends its way through them and on either side are bright pink-red huckleberry bushes. Although it looks well-travelled, the trail consists of many bumps and dips which necessitate careful steps.

Adolescence is represented by the path through the forest. A narrow path suggests that the subject had limited 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. Lots of obstructions on the path indicate many problems during adolescence.

This is how you described the water:

A natural shallow stream, not more than a trickle in some spots giggles over rocks and over fallen branches. The water is cool, but not cold. It is clear and is obviously home to fish.

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:

An old tattered leather flask is barely visible on the bank. Well-used and worn, the leather is a faded brown with a simple cork as a lid.

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 left the cup behind.

The subject is not interested in marriage.

This is how you described the key:

Dirt-encrusted, the pewter key looks as though it unlocks a patio door. It is thin yet sturdy. A skeleton key.

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 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.