Provisional Analysis for Carol E., 11 May 2007

This is how you described the room:

it's a sparsely furnished livingroom in an old, 1920's house, inhabited by a bachelor. There is a futon used for a bed and a sound system against the wall. In spite of the lack of obvious decor, it has a warm feeling and is very welcoming.

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 (40.90%). The depth of description tells us that the subject has strong memories of childhood (27.26%).

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 not dark or forboding. There is a trail I can follow. Black walnut and sycamore trees are growing next to Norfolk pines.

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 (28.04%). Tall trees imply that the adults had a strong influence on the subject (53.78%).

This is how you described the path:

Except for the occasional fallen branch or overgrown foliage, the path is user friendly and has obviously been traveled. It is wide enough for two people to walk side by side. There are few holes, rocks or other obstacles on the path.

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 (60.27%). The lack of evidence of fellow travelers suggests strong feelings of isolation at that time (58.86%). The visibility of the path tells us that the subject had a good idea of what to expect from adolescence (52.27%). A narrow path suggests that the subject had limited options for emotional growth at this time (69.65%).

This is how you described the water:

It is a lake. The wind is rippling the water, giving me the illusion that is has a current and is moving. The water is dark green.

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 (89.65%). The movement of the water suggests a normal, average if somewhat playful sex drive (32.63%).

When you came to the water, you went around it.

The subject is not interested in new sexual experiences.

This is how you described the cup:

It's an old style canteen - with a covering of striped felt material on it. I can tell that it is partially filled by shaking it. I don't really want to open it.

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 (62.83%).

You took the cup but left it empty.

The subject is interested in marriage, but sex won’t be a significant part of that relationship.

This is how you described the key:

the key is an old style Honda key (smaller than the newer model keys, black plastic where you hold it). I believe it would unlock an 80's model Honda car.

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 (46.32%). Having the key open a house, car, or other commonplace use tells us that the subject has no extraordinary expectations about a career (54.62%).

You avoided the bear.

In a crisis, the subject prefers the indirect, non-confrontational approach.

When you came to the wall, you tried to go around it.

The wall represents death: by trying to walk around it, the subject shows an acknowledgment of death, but also a need for an alternative to its finality, such as an afterlife or reincarnation.