“Fairy tales are the purest and simplest expression of collective unconscious psychic processes. Therefore their value for the scientific investigation of the unconscious exceeds that of all other material. They represent the archetypes in their simplest, barest, and most concise form. In myths or legends, or any other more elaborate mythological material, we get at the basic patterns of the human psyche through an overlay of cultural material. But in fairy tales there is much less specific conscious material, and therefore they mirror the basic patterns of the psyche more clearly.” (Von Franz, 1996, p. 1)

These sessions deal with the powerful imagery of fairy tales and examines why their interpretation is such a crucial aspect of the Jungian tradition. Through fairy tales we access rich material from the collective unconscious, telling us how individuation may happen.

Who hasn’t remembered the experience of listening to a fairy tale as a child? Why were we so enthralled by these tales? Are these stories for adults or children? How do they differ from myths, legends and sagas?

In February 2007, I will be running more of these groups. See the workshops page for detailed information about dates/times etc. Please contact John at jbetts5@telus.net to reserve a place.

Fairy Tale Enactment Workshop

At the Zurich training institute, where students train to become Jungian Analysts, there is a series of extremely popular Fairy Tale enactment workshops. These workshops permit students to experience fairy tales through enacting them in psychodramas. Small groups of four students choose a Grimm's fairy tale, then act it out in a closed setting before two or three other small groups involved in the same workshop. Three to four enactments are made, one by each group.

The power of this workshop is in the experience of the archetypal characters of the fairy tale - for a short time you ARE the witch, or the evil king. Each group usually dresses up as actors in the tale, often with costumes, wigs and other props. The actors then enact the individual roles in the fairy tale, becoming the characters. After de-roling, each actor then speaks within the closed group about what it felt like to be in that role and how they experienced the other characters.

After this, the tale is interpreteted in the larger group. This is a profound way to grasp the power of the fairy tale and one which leaves us with a deeper appreciation of just how the psyche undergoes the individuation process.

A core issue in the workshop is that of complete confidentiality. Nothing from the experience of the group may be discussed outside of the group. This workshop is not about acting ability, but about the ability to experience your own and other's psyches.

Most of us acted out stories and tales as children - this is similar to that with two major differences - we fully become the archetypal character with intention, and we fully debrief the experience.

TO REGISTER: Call John at 360-2040 or email at jbetts5@telus.net