Analysis for TopCat, 20 January 2004

This is how you described the room:

It is warm. There's a fireplace, with a fire burning. It is a room richly paneled with dark wood. There are comfortable chairs, finely upholstered, and fine tables of mahogany, most with beautiful lace table coverings. There is a built-in shelf of books on one wall, giving the room a sort of library feel. There are lamps and candles, some burning. It is a very warm, pleasant, comfortable room.

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:

There are trees, but they are spaced apart with undergrowth between them. Most of the trees are tall, but it must be early autumn because their leaves are changing color, and there are not as many leaves. There are also berry bushes,with fresh berries hanging from them. There are also many birds singing. It is bright, much sunlight penetrates because of the space between the trees, it is peaceful, and beautiful.

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. That the forest is very bright tells us that the subject had extensive freedom while growing up.

This is how you described the path:

The path is not narrow or wide. It is well-worn, and curvy, as though it is there to take in the sights of the forest. There are few obstructions.

Adolescence is represented by the path through the forest. 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. A few, scattered obstructions indicate the occasional problem in adolescence, but nothing consistent nor insurmountable.

This is how you described the water:

Its is a river, but it is near the mouth because I can see it opening up into the sea. It is beautiful, crystal clear, and flowing with a definite current. I can see many fish in the water because it is so clear. It is a rich environment.

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. 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 like a champagne flute, beautiful crystal, and very fragile. It needs to be treated gently and tenderly so as not to break it. But, it is very beautiful and glistens in the light.

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 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 an old-fashioned key, somewhat ornate. It looks like it unlocks a treasure chest!

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. 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.