Analysis for Elizabeth B., 12 February 2004

This is how you described the room:

It is comfortably warm and a breeze blows from the big open windows. It is sunny outside but the room is shaded from direct light. The bed is wooden and low to the floor, with a deep purple blanket. There are comfy-looking old chairs made of dark wood.

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 depth of description tells us that the subject has strong memories of childhood.

You wanted to leave the room.

The subject wanted to become an adult.

This is how you described the forest:

The forest is fairly bright. The trees are spaced far apart, a mixture of palm trees and other subtropical varieties. The foliage is lush and green.

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 worn dirt path is clear. It is wide enough for two or three to talk side by side between the trees.

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 wide path indicates that the subject had numerous options for emotional growth at this time. That the path is free of obstructions indicates that the subject had no problems during adolescence.

This is how you described the water:

The path ends at a wide, deep pool surrounded by ferns and flowers. The pool is fed by a noisy waterfall, falling several yards from a slippery cliff above. The water is clean and clear, and inviting on this warm day.

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:

The round goblet is made of unusual deep blue glass that sparkles in the light. It feels light but strong.

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 left the cup behind.

The subject is not interested in marriage.

This is how you described the key:

The key resembles an ordinary house key. It is about two and a half inches long and made of faded brass. It is attached to a chain. Perhaps it unlocks the door beneath the bridge.

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 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.