Margaret Humphris, LCSW-BACS, CST
Journal of Sandplay Therapy
Volume 24, Issue 2, 2015
Keywords
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 3, and the labyrinth image. The triple spiral has been expressed in the sandplay processes of 3 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.
German / Deutsch
Die Dreifach Spirale: Eine Innere Reise
ZUSAMMENFASSUNG: 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.
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
Spanish / Español
La Espiral Triple: El Viaje Dentro
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
French / Français
The Triple Spiral: The Journey Within
MOTS CLÉS: 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
Suggested Citation
Humphris, M. (2015). The triple spiral: The journey within. Journal of Sandplay Therapy, 24(2). https://doi.org/10.61711/jst.2015.24.2.052
