Analysis for Anonymous, 8 June 2002

This is how you described the room:

The window is open and letting the cool spring breeze blow in. The crisp white curtains are gently blowing from the breeze outside and the hum of a fan is on low as it circulates the room. I hear the whistle of a train. The bed is soft and warm with cotton white sheets to cover up with.

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 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 with Aspen pine trees. The bright light is breaking through only in places. Soft green moss is on the ground with snow scattered in places. I hear the chopping of wood from afar.

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. The unusual introduction of an unseen woodcutter is more interesting. At the risk of digging too deep into the symbolism, we can still propose some theories. Was there something in the subject’s early life that was actively (if not insidiously) weakening the influence adults had on the child? Or were some of the adults so hated that the subject wanted them destroyed? 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 forest is accessible from any place. The forest is down in a valley. They are some big and small boulders and rocks. It is not well travelled.

Adolescence is represented by the path through the forest. The lack of evidence of fellow travelers suggests strong feelings of isolation at that time. Lots of obstructions on the path indicate many problems during adolescence.

This is how you described the water:

The stream is God made, with the clearest and purest of water. With ripples from the rocks and a small waterfall. The sound of the water is soft.

The water is the subject’s sexuality. What interests us here is the clarity of the water (representing attitude) and its movement (representing libido). Fast-moving water indicates a strong, active 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:

A old metal canteen with gray wool covering on the outside. It has a long leather strap. The metal top screws on to hold the cool water from the stream.

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:

The copper key is very old looking. It will unlock my grandmothers house.

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. This key is for a specific house. Perhaps the subject would like the career to follow in a family tradition? 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 jumped over it.

The wall represents death: by jumping over it, the subject not only acknowledges death but has come to accept its finality.