The Wolf in Sandplay

Mariellen Griffith

Abstract

The wolf, as portrayed in two sandplay cases, is first defined in its natural instinctive state and later the archetypal significance. The wolf symbol can teach women to deal with their disowned savage side of nature and in the process find their soul. The primary case that is presented is of a 42-year-old married woman, Anna. The presenting problem was for her to resolve early childhood relationships and to seek her identity. The diagnosis is Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood (309.00). She completed 13 sandtrays using the wolf 8 times, illustrating the journey of soul making. She began with the mother wolf (goddess) to symbolize unconditional mother love. The last tray featured the instinctive mother wolf (goddess) transformed from being in animal form to human form as the Black Madonna. As a result of sandplay, Anna felt that she was coming to a sense of peace concerning her past disappointments, beginning to write poetry, and feeling that she is expressing her inner voice and soul.

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