Analysis for Amy, 15 January 1999

This is how you described the room:

I am on a four-poster bed. I am wrapped in blankets because the room is cold. There are built in bookcases filled with books. The room is full, but neat.

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 (41.85%). The depth of description tells us that the subject has strong memories of childhood (27.50%).

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 made up mostly of evergreen trees, packed real close and thick. The woods are dark because the trees are so close together that no light can get in. The ground is covered with pine needles.

The forest is growing up, and the trees are those adults with whom the subject interacted at that time. A semi-dark forest tells us that the subject felt somewhat oppressed by the attention the adults gave (27.95%). Tall trees imply that the adults had a strong influence on the subject (52.73%).

This is how you described the path:

The path in the forest is narrow and cramped because the trees are so close. The path twists and turns as it goes into the forest. It is well traveled because it is good for wilderness hiking.

Adolescence is represented by the path through the forest. That the path is free of obstructions indicates that the subject had no problems during adolescence (60.07%). The lack of evidence of fellow travelers suggests strong feelings of isolation at that time (58.10%). The visibility of the path tells us that the subject had a good idea of what to expect from adolescence (53.78%). A narrow path suggests that the subject had limited options for emotional growth at this time (66.17%).

This is how you described the water:

The path ends at a stream. It does not move too fast but just flows along peacefully. The water is clear and cool. It is very refreshing.

The water is the subject’s sexuality. What interests us here is the clarity of the water (representing attitude) and its movement (representing libido). Clear water tells us that the subject has no issues regarding sex (88.83%). The movement of the water suggests a normal, average if somewhat playful sex drive (31.68%).

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 cup is made out of birch bark. It is white and smooth. It leaks, but holds enough water to satisfy a thirsty person.

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 (62.55%).

You left the cup behind.

The subject is not interested in marriage.

This is how you described the key:

The key is old fashioned with a long shaft. It has two circles at one end and a key part at the other end. I think the key unlocks the door to a cabin in the woods.

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). Old-fashioned keys suggest that the subject desires a traditional career (45.81%). Having the key open a house, car, or other commonplace use tells us that the subject has no extraordinary expectations about a career (53.98%).

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.