Description:
This workshop will explore an expanded view of Feminine and Masculine archetypal energies through the lens of myth and the sandplay therapy process.
Carl Jung died in 1961 leaving behind a far-reaching foundation to understand our human experience. Central to Jung’s approach is the concept of archetypes and archetypal energies. His work draws special attention to the idea of the Feminine and Masculine archetypes and more specifically, the anima and animus.
As Jung himself believed, the expression of an archetype is partially a reflection ofwhere a culture is at any moment. And as the human psyche ever grows, so must we. Now, sixty-five years later, it is time for us to re-imagine archetypal expression in today’s moment.
Our “re-search” begins with Jung’s understanding that an archetype is pure energy withno form. None of us ever sees an archetype. What we see is a cultural expression or what we might call a cultural “costuming” of the energy. These cultural expectations ofwhat has been considered masculine and feminine may have adverse and lasting effectson one’s mental health, identity development, and wellbeing.
Thus, the archetype of Feminine or Masculine, regardless of biology, is an energy field. And like all energy, the field moves between two charged poles. Within Feminine and Masculine, we might term these poles as lunar and solar. Understanding a lunar/solar dialectic within each ‘gender’ archetype will release us from a hidden dualism that sees“feminine” as only anima and “masculine” as only animus.
We will focus on two myths. First, is the “feminine” Sumerian tale of Inanna and hersister, Ereshkigal. Second is the ‘masculine” Diné Bahané, the Navaho Creation storywith its twin brothers, Monster Slayer and Born of Water.
Along with these, there will be a case presentation of a teenage male client strugglingwith his own sense of identity and self-control. We will observe how the archetypalenergies emerge in his Sandplay process. Join us for this vital enlivening discussion ofhis Sandplay process and our own life journey.