THE TRIPLE SPIRAL: THE JOURNEY WITHIN
Journal of Sandplay Therapy, Volume 24, Number 2, 2015
Margaret Humphris
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
KEY WORDS: Sandplay therapy, clinical examples, woman, adult, female, symbol, spiral, triple spiral, labyrinth, three, triple, transcendent function, chronic depression, anger, grief, adoption, initiation Bipolar depression, therapeutic process.
ABSTRACT: This article explores the symbolism of the triple spiral which incorporates the single spiral, the number three, and the labyrinth image. The triple spiral has been expressed in the sandplay processes of three women, all of whom were working through different aspects of depression. The spiral may be one of humankind’s earliest motifs because it captures much of the natural world. Symbolically, the spiral alludes to the dynamic aspect of the life force, a sacred centering, a death/rebirth experience of the Great Mother, and to C.G. Jung’s description of the spiral as “the natural growth movement of the psyche” (1974, p.341). As proactive and balanced, the number three resolves the opposites and speaks of the transcendent function, of process with completion, of the analytic “third area,” uniting client, therapist, and containing field of resonance. When united, the spiral and the number three multiply the cyclical, creative unfolding of the earthy nature of the feminine, of transformative life energy. The article concludes with examples from the three clients utilizing the triple spiral symbol during times of heightened transition (inner and outer) in their lives.
IN GERMAN
DIE DREIFACH SPIRALE: EINE INNERE REISE.
Margaret Humphris.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA.
SCHLAGWÖRTER: Sandspieltherapie, klinische Fallbeispiele, Frau, Erwachsene, weiblich, Symbol, Spirale, dreifache Spirale, Labyrinth, drei, dreifach, Transzendente Funktion, chronische Depression, Ärger, Trauer, Adoption, Initiation, bipolare Depression, therapeutischer Prozeß.
ABSTRACT: Dieser Artikel erforscht die Symbolik der dreifachen Spirale, welche die einfache Spirale, die Nummer Drei und das Bild des Labyrinths einschliessen. Die dreifache Spirale wurde in den Sandspielprozessen von drei Frauen sichtbar, die alle durch verschiedene Formen der Depression arbeiteten.
IN SPANISH
LA ESPIRAL TRIPLE: EL VIAJE DENTRO.
Margaret Humphris.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, EEUU.
PALABRAS SIGNIFICATIVAS: Terapia sandplay, ejemplos clínicos, mujer, adulto, femenino, símbolo, espiral, espiral triple, laberinto, tres, triple función, trascendente, depresión crónica, ira, dolor, adopción, iniciación, depresión bipolar, proceso terapéutico.
IN FRENCH
THE TRIPLE SPIRAL: THE JOURNEY WITHIN.
Margaret Humphris.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA.
MOTS CLES: thérapie par le jeu de sable, exemples cliniques, femme, adulte, femelle, symbole, spirale, spirale triple, labyrinthe, trois, triple, fonction transcendante, dépression chronique, colère, deuil, adoption, initiation, dépression bipolaire, processus thérapeutique.