Past Lectures and Workshops

This is a list of past lectures and workshops.

A Jungian Approach to the Interpretation of Fairy Tales

Fairy Tale as a mirror for the basic patterns of the psyche.

Fairy tales are the purest and simplest expression of collective unconscious psychic processes. They represent the archetypes in their simplest, barest and most concise form. This lecture deals with their powerful imagery and examines why their interpretation is so crucial to the Jungian tradition. Who hasn’t been enthralled as a child by these tales? Are these stories for adults or children? How do they differ from myths, legends and sagas? The Grimm’s ‘Nixie of the Millpond’ will be interpreted as an example of two core issues: the anima problem in the male psyche and the transmission of unresolved unconscious material from parent to child.

Lecture to the Comox Valley Jung Society

Friday, October 28th, 2011

Tyee Room, North Island College, Ryan Road

Fairy Tale Interpretation Workshop

The purpose of the workshop is to work through a Grimm’s Fairy Tale and complete a Jungian Interpretation of the material. The basis for the interpretation will be the practical guidelines developed from Marie-Louise von Franz’s ideas by Jungian Analyst Catherine Moreau. Members of the workshop will work on small groups (2 or 3) for part of the session. By the end of the workshop, all participants should have a solid understanding of the Jungian approach to the interpretation of fairy tales. Pre-registration is required. The fairy tale will be provided to you at the previous evening’s lecture.

Comox Valley Jung Society

Saturday 29th October, 2011

10:00 am to 5:00 pm

The Quest for the Grail : Jungian Perspectives on Arthurian Legend

As we head into the long dark nights of winter, like our people in the past, we draw ourselves closer to the fire and tell stories in the flickering light. The stories for this lecture are those of chivalry, heroism, damsels in distress, Merlin’s trickery, tales of valour, and the royal court of Arthur.

In this lecture I first want to outline the history of the Grail in terms of the Arthurian literature. It is Important for us to see how the origins of the Grail are understood from a variety of perspectives and yet ultimately coalesce around the theme of archetypes. What is the Grail a symbol of? How are the Grail, the lance and the Fisher King related? In the Celtic myth of Peredur, the Grail contains a severed head; in Chrétien de Troyes’ Perceval it contains the Host, yet in von Eschenbach’s Parsifal it is a stone. Why such a variation? The second core issue is to focus on the unasked questions of Perceval: Why does the lance bleed? Who is fed from the Grail? But most critically, and especially from a Jungian perspective: What ails Thee my King? This last question is one to which we all have to attend as part of our lifelong journey of individuation.

C. G. Jung Society of Vancouver

25th November, 2011

Museum of Vancouver Joyce Walley Learning Centre 1100 Chestnut St.

Jungian Dream Interpretation: An Approach to Working With The Symbolic Nature of Dreams

Presented to: Camosun Psychology Club

Young Building Rm: 216

Time: 19:00-20:45

Lecture material available at : www.youtube.com/user/Jungianpsychoanalyst

Tuesday, 27th September, 2011

Jungian Film Interpretation :  Del Toro’s “Pan’s Labyrinth”

“….the experience of film offers a special place where the psyche can come alive, be experienced and be commented upon.” (Hauke, 2002, p. 2)

Pan’s Labyrinth has been described as a modern day fairy tale. Whatever your perspective, the movie, like all forms of art, clearly demonstrates central ideas within Jungian theory.

First, we’ll all view the movie together.

After the movie is shown, the lecture will begin with a brief overview of core aspects of Jungian theory as applied to the interpretation of film.

Following this will be an open discussion of what the movie means to the viewer. The movie enables us appreciate ideas such as Archetypes, Shadow, Anima, Animus, Inflation, and Individuation.

Whether you have little knowledge of Jungian theory through to being a Jungian expert, you’ll find a commonality in the open discussion. We all enjoy and feel transformed by movies.

Presented to: Comox Valley Jung Society

Date:March 26, 2011
Movie / Lecture:2:00 p.m. –5:15 p.m.

Dinner:5:30 p.m.
Location:Fireplace RoomOcean Resort4384 South Island HwyCampbell River, BC V9H 1E8

JUNGIAN DREAM INTERPRETATION

An approach to working with the symbolic nature of dreams

Presented to: Camosun Psychology Club

Tuesday, 18th January, 2011

JUNGIAN DREAM INTERPRETATION PART II

What do animals mean in my dreams?
What are my dreams telling me?
Why do I get chased in dreams?
What does it mean to dream of a place we grew up in?
Why are dreams of animals seen as a comment on instincts?
What are the parts of the psyche that are represented by people?
What do we mean by dream- ego, shadow, anima, and animus?
What are the symbols of the Self in dreams?

In this lecture, part 2, of the dream series, we delve deeper into the mystery of dreams.  The aim of the lecture is to continue to learn how to interpret dreams using Carl Jung’s Analytical Psychology.  We’ll start with a review of the previous lecture on dreams (the dream represents the state of the psyche as it is now; compensation; teleology; the structure of dreams; why it is important to interpret dreams;  basic dream interpretation approach; objective and subjective interpretive approaches) then continue to work through a Jungian approach to dream interpretation.

C.G. Jung viewed the dream as offering a snapshot of our mental condition as it is now. This means that the dream tells us vital information regarding how we live our life, and alerts us to areas that we are neglecting or misunderstanding.

Date: Saturday, October 16, 2010

This lecture is presented on behalf of the Comox Valley Jung Society.

The Quest for the Grail : Jungian Perspectives on Arthurian Legend

As we head into the long, dark nights of Winter, we, like our people in the past, draw ourselves closer to the fire and tell stories in the flickering light. The stories for this lecture are those of chivalry, heroism, the royal court of Arthur, damsels in distress, Merlin’s trickery and tales of valour. In this lecture I first want to outline the history of the Grail in terms of the Arthurian literature. Important for us is to see how the origins of the Grail are understood from a variety of perspectives – yet ultimately coalesce around the theme of archetypes. What is the Grail a symbol of? How are the Grail, the lance and the Fisher King related? In the Celtic myth of Peredur, the Grail contains a severed head, in Chrétien de Troyes’ Perceval it contains the Host, yet in von Eschenbach’s Parsifal it is a stone – why such variation? The second core issue is to focus on the unasked questions of Perceval – “Why does the Lance bleed?” “Who is fed from the Grail?” but most critically, and especially from a Jungian perspective – “What ails Thee my King?” The last question is one to which we all have to attend as part of our lifelong journey of individuation.

Lecture: Oct. 29, 2010 7:30 – 9:45 PM

University of Victoria—David Strong Building, C116

Stress and Hypertension

In this lecture I cover the links between stress and hypertension. The literature demonstrates that acute stress is not a primary aetiological factor in the development of hypertension, however, chronic stress is a more likely factor. After a short section on the sympathetic nervous system and catecholamines, I explain Cannon’s Fight or Flight approach to stress. I examine the non-pharmaceutical approaches to stress management and review the research on the link between relaxation, autogenic training, meditiation, yoga breathing and hypertension. A review of the research regarding the impacts of stressful events and environmental stress to hypertension is also made. The lecture concludes with three basic stress reducing exercises participants can use on a daily basis. A link is also made between the Jungian motion of complexes and individual’s experience of ’stress.’

HealthPoint Clinic

Vancouver Island Health Authority

Victoria

23rd June, 2010

A Jungian Approach to the Interpretation of Dreams

In this single lecture I review the core issues involved in dream interpretation and link it to the semester lecture material on the ongoing course on the neurobiology of sleep that the University of Victoria class has already been provided by the Department of Psychology’s Dr. Kenneth Leslie. Critical in this lecture is the notion that we dream in an attempt to work through the conscious attitudes that we derive from our involvement in the intrapsychic and interpsychic worlds. The dream offers a commentary to our conscious attitude and is one of the primary pathways for the Self to direct the individuation process, the others being the expression of distress/disease through the body (somatic expression of anxiety and depression for example), and the object relationships we are involved in with external people.

University of Victoria

Neurobiology of Sleep semester course

March, 2010

Jungian Interpretation of Image : The Photography of Ansel Adams, Robert Frank & Loretta Lux

In this lecture I review a Jungian approach to the interpretation of images as well as a brief overview of the photograph as art. Understanding how Jung’s work has been used to interpret art (film, literature, pictures) is critical to our experience of images. After reviewing the specifics of the techniques of image interpretation, I introduce three very different photographic artists and their works. Ansell Adams is known for his advocacy of “straight photography” and lived and worked at a very dynamic period in the history of photography. His involvement with Stieglitz, Georgia O’Keeffe and Weston resulted in images of landscapes of North America that we still refer to in our idealized notion of nature, particularly federal parkland.Robert Frank, a Swiss émigré, completed a photo-essay in 1958 that resulted in a book called “The Americans”, adored in Europe yet panned by Americans at the time. Why was this so, and what can we understand through his images of ordinary post-War Americans?Loretta Lux, a German photographer, produces unsettling photomontages of digitally altered children embedded in often austere or institutional background settings. How can we understand her art? What is the message she conveys to us about herself as artist, and her perception of the developmental stage of early childhood? This lecture will be of value to those interested in art, and clinicians who deal with the projective artwork of their clients.

Lecture: Feb. 5, 2010 7:30 – 9:45 PM

University of Victoria—David Strong Building, C116

Jungian Film Interpretation :  Del Toro’s “Pan’s Labyrinth”

In this lecture we’ll watch the movie “Pan’s Labyrinth” first. Then I will give an overview of core concepts involved in a Jungian approach to film interpretation with particular emphasis on the difference between a symbol and a sign, and the nature of psychic reality in fairy tales and film. Once this work is completed, I will lead a group discussion into the film, demonstrating the link between the archetypal images or symbols del Toro uses, and their relationship to our notion of the psyche.

University of Victoria Student Psychoanalytic Society

University of Victoria

Venue: SUB A1038

Times: 19:00 – 22:00

Anxiety & Depression : Jungian Understanding of These Disorders in Elderly Populations

In this lecture I will review the central diagnostic structures involved in Affective Disorders. The prevalent forms of Affective Disorders will be examined and current models of understanding will be introduced. An emphasis will be placed on effective self-management of these states. The Jungian approach to seeing these disorders as attempts by the psyche to correct neurotic states will be explained.

HealthPoint,

Vancouver Island Health Authority

Venue: Wellness Centre

Date(s): May 27th, June 3rd, June 10th, 2009

The Mis-Reading of Jung—the New Age Hijack of Analytical psychology

I am interested in exploring how the New Age movement has embraced Jung with such intensity, yet has missed the central understanding of the individuation process. This is particularly so in the mis-reading of Jung, noticeably with respect to the notion of archetypes, the role of the unconscious, the interpretation of symbols, and the place of the ego in Analytical Psychology. The morphing of Analytical Psychology into a pop-culture consumerist “movement” is the result. This lecture is based on central ideas in David Tacey’s superb text “Jung and the New Age”

Date : Oct. 3, 2008

Time: 7:30 – 9:45 PM

Venue : Executive Eurostar Hotel

Where is God: A Panel Discussion between scholars of the Islamic, Jewish, Catholic and Anglican traditions

The Jung Society is extremely grateful to have five distinguished speakers address the question “Where is God?” in this panel discussion. On the panel is an Islamic scholar, a Jewish scholar, an Anglican priest, and a Catholic priest. The facilitator, Dr. Dirk Evers is a senior Jungian Psychoanalyst whose doctorate was earned in Theological Ethics.  The panel discussion was convened by John Betts.

University of Victoria

Lecture date: April 3rd, 2009

Towards a Jungian Understanding of Suicide

The Jungian community has not addressed the issue of suicide with the same rigour as it has the common clinical precursors of suicide, severe affective disorders. Jung made scant mention of suicide in his essays. Of the 32 paragraphs on suicide in the Collected Works, there are less than a dozen paragraphs which rely on a basic (simplistic) theme to explain client suicide– crudely put, the unconscious overwhelms the ego and the client kills him/herself to escape the pain. This seems far too basic a model to explain such a powerful act. In a career that spanned decades, witnessed a revolution in psychiatry and involved encounters with thousands of patients, Jung must have worked with clients who suicided. If he, like most clinicians, was galvanized and humbled by the actions of such clients, how could he have remained so aloof from the issue in terms of his writing? Why does he rarely refer to the clinical issues presented in these cases? What then, is a Jungian formulation of suicide, and, more critically, how could we develop a theoretically and clinically coherent model of such a powerful act?

Date : Oct. 5, 2007 7:30 – 9:45 PM

Venue: University of Victoria David Strong Building, Room C116

This lecture was also given to the Vancouver Jung Society

Fundamental Course in Analytical Psychology

The purpose of this nine session course is to introduce Jungian psychology to interested people. Jung’s work covers a vast area of the social sciences, notwithstanding psychology, yet is often quite challenging to integrate. By the end of this course you will have a good working knowledge of all of the core concepts of Jungian psychology. You will understand the need to experience your dreams and the symbols of in a deeper, richer and more meaningful way. This course will address the needs of the beginner and the professional individual in terms of their existing knowledge.

Presented by John Betts, Catherine Ellis & Jean Flannigan

Wednesdays, from 2nd March to 27th April, 2004

Fundamentals Course in Analytical Psychology

A 12 session course that runs over six weeks (i.e. two evenings per week), from 7pm-9pm, Tuesday and Thursday evenings, from Tuesday 4^th October to Thursday 10^th November. The purpose of this course is to introduce Analytical or Jungian psychology to interested people. By the end of our time together you will have a good working knowledge of the core concepts of Analytical psychology, be able to address specific questions theoretically (and clinically), and, experience your dreams and the symbols of life in a deeper, richer and more meaningful way. This course will address the needs of the beginner and the professional individual in terms of their existing knowledge.

The 12 lectures cover the following material:

Lecture 1 :             Introduction to course; About Jungian Analysis

Lecture 2 :             Biography & Model of the Psyche

Lecture 3 :             Collective Unconscious & Archetypes

Lecture 4 :             Ego, Shadow, Persona

Lecture 5 :             Complexes

Lecture 6 :             Typology I – Types

Lecture 7 :             Typology II – Inferior Function

Lecture 8 :             Anima

Lecture 9 :             Animus

Lecture 10 :             Interpretation of Dreams

Lecture 11 :             Interpretation of Fairy Tales

Lecture 12 :             Individuation process and Jungian Analysis

Presented by John Betts & Catherine Ellis

Dates : Tuesdays/Thursdays 4/10/2005-10/11/2005

Archetypes in opera

Co-presentation with Dr. Deborah Miller on central archetypal motifs in opera and song, specifically Rusalka, Tannhauser, the Kaddish, and Mignon

Presentation for the Victoria Jung Society

Date : 4th May, 2007

Intensive Fundamentals Course in Analytical Psychology

The purpose of this course is to introduce Analytical or Jungian psychology to interested people. By the end of our time together you will have a good working knowledge of the core concepts of Analytical psychology, be able to address specific questions theoretically (and clinically), and, experience your dreams and the symbols of life in a deeper, richer and more meaningful way. This course will be helpful for individuals who are new to Jungian theory as well as for those who have a working knowledge of Jungian concepts.

The lectures/ group experiences cover the following material:

Individuation & Model of the Psyche

Collective Unconscious & Archetypes

Ego, Shadow, Persona

Complexes

Anima / Animus

Interpretation of Dreams

Dream Groups

Dates:

Friday April 21^st, 2006 : 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.;

Saturday April 22^nd, 2006  : 8:45 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.;

Sunday April 23^rd, 2006 : 9:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Presented by John Betts & Catherine Ellis

Fathers, Sons and Daughters

In this lecture I examine the role of the father in our lives. I start with a few core ideas, such as: Fatherhood is a social construct; Society attempts to regulate fatherhood, as it does motherhood and the family; Biology is seen as the defining characteristic of motherhood, but not of fatherhood; and, No other field has influenced our notions of fatherhood to the extent that psychoanalysis has. I then examine the role of the father and the mother in the field of psychoanalysis; see how these ideas impact psychoanalysis’ ideas about child-rearing; discuss the role of the father through historical documents, from the 13^th to the 21^st century. Important for us today is to discuss how the 21^st century father is in flux – he has quite specific societal expectations regarding emotional expressivity. What is the impact of fatherless homes on children? Finally, I discuss the media portrayal of fathers and how this portrayal is often in conflict with the reality of fatherhood.

Presented to the Victoria Jung Society

Date: Friday 3rd November, 2006

Intensive Fundamentals Course in Analytical Psychology

The purpose of this course is to introduce Analytical or Jungian psychology to interested people. By the end of our time together you will have a good working knowledge of the core concepts of Analytical psychology, be able to address specific questions theoretically (and clinically), and, experience your dreams and the symbols of life in a deeper, richer and more meaningful way. This course will be helpful for individuals who are new to Jungian theory as well as for those who have a working knowledge of Jungian concepts.

The lectures/ group experiences cover the following material:

Model of the Psyche

Collective Unconscious & Archetypes

Ego, Shadow, Persona

Complexes

Anima / Animus

Typology

Interpretation of Dreams

Friday October 13^th, 2006 : 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.;

Saturday October 14^th, 2006  : 8:45 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.;

Sunday October 15^th, 2006 : 9:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

ADVANCED JUNGIAN COURSE

The focus of this course is an examination of advanced concepts in Jung’s Analytical Psychology.

MODULE 1 : THE PROCESS OF INDIVIDUATION

“Adaptation : Living Between one’s Inner Reality and the Worldly Imperative”

We all live between two equal and opposite psychological demands : to adapt to the structures and realities of the world we live in and to perceive and respond to the call to be who we truly are inside. How do we negotiate this as we mature? How do we find the right balance and how do we face the ethical dilemmas that arise? This seminar will examine the concepts of collectivity and individuation as they are understood by Jung, and will explore the process of adaptation.

“The Transcendent Function : Bridging the Tension of the Opposites”

The transcendent function is central to the theory of Analytical Psychology, particularly the process of individuation. Yet, Jung used the term in four distinctly different ways : as a method, as a process, as a function and as an effect. Post-Jungian theorists have focused on a fifth attribute – that of the analyst acting the transcendent function in the analytic encounter. Jung’s only exposition of the transcendent function, a short essay written in 1916 yet published decades later is a central aspect of his opus. This seminar traces the history of the development of the term; examines how it is used in Analytical Psychology and links this material to the process of individuation.

MODULE 2 : ADVANCED CLINICAL ISSUES

“Transference and Countertransference : The Central issues of Psychotherapy”

Both Jung and Freud struggled with the ideas of transference and countertransference throughout their clinical careers. At times they saw the issues as a hindrance to analysis or as the central aspect of analysis. Psychoanalytically-oriented therapist today view transference and countertransference as the vital, if not central component of the work. In this seminar we examine the various forms of transference and countertransference, drawing on the works of Jung, Freud, Bion and Balint. Each theorist’s approach to the issues will be explained. This seminar will be of benefit not only to clinicians but also to others interested in Jung as a great deal of his works on Analytical Psychology reference transference and countertransference.

“The Dream Ego : The “I” in the Dream Narrative”

This seminar will examine the element in the dream represented by the dreamer. What can this element contribute to an understanding of dreams? Various types of dreams with examples will be discussed. There will be a dream analysis exercise for participants

MODULE 3 : CONTROVERSIES IN ANALYTICAL PSYCHOLOGY

“The Anima and Animus : Core Challenges in Today’s World”

Jung relied on the ideas of the anima and the animus in the development of his work. Certain of his descriptions of people suffering the negative aspects of the contrasexual Other appear out of date in today’s reading of Jung. How have the post-Jungians dealt with these issues? How can we adapt Jung’s ideas to the 21^st Century man and woman? How do we deal with the challenges of the anima and the animus in gay and lesbian clients? This seminar will review the history of the use of the anima and the animus and offer perspectives on the post-Jungian re-visioning of the constructs.

Dates:   Saturday 29th September, 2007 : 0830 – 1800; Sunday 30th September, 2007 : 0930-1300

Venue: Dunsmuir Lodge, 1515 Mctavish Road, Sidney, B.C.

Course leaders:

John Betts, M.A. (Psych) is a Zurich-trained Jungian Psychoanalyst. He maintains a private practice in Victoria, BC. John delivers intensive courses in the Fundamentals of Jung as well as podcasting the “Jung Podcast”. John’s clinical interests involve the transcendent function and individuation, somatic illness, and art in analysis.

Karen Evers-Fahey, Ph.D., M.S.N., is a lecturer and Jungian analyst at ISAP Zurich in Zurich Switzerland as well as a Mental-Health Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. She lectures at the University of Basel’s Institut fuer Pflegewissenschaft and is an SGAP and ISAP training analyst. Her doctoral dissertation was titled “The Ego  Concept in the Works of CG Jung”. Her special interests are  individuation and neurosis, psychology and medical illness, psychotherapy and personality disorders. Karen has a private practice in Victoria, BC.

Jungian Dream Interpretation Group

The aim of this 7 session course is for a small group (max. 6) to learn how to interpret their dreams using Jung’s Analytical Psychology. We will start with a clear overview of approaches to a Jungian dream interpretation, and then work with our dreams in the group. The personal material presented is treated with respect and care, and participants can offer valuable insights into our dreams in this atmosphere. No previous experience is required.

Jung viewed the dream as offering a valid perspective on the psychic situation as it is now. The manner in which we interpret our dreams, and integrate them into our daily lives can provide us with powerful impetus for change. Working with dreams enables us to embrace the symbolic life and, hopefully, gain a deeper sense of meaning.

Dates : Wednesday evenings,  from 21^st April to 2^nd June, 2004

Wednesday evenings,  from 25^th August to 29^th September, 2004

Times : 18:00 – 21:00

Jungian Dream Art Interpretation Group

The aim of this seven session group is for advanced students of Jungian dream interpretation techniques to begin to use art in the interpretation of their own, and others’ dreams. In order to achieve this, each session will focus on two dreams. Group members will draw a series of images in response to hearing a dream read out loud. The dream material and the artwork will then be interpreted.

Wednesday evenings, 2004

Jungian Dream Interpretation: An Approach to Working With The Symbolic Nature of Dream Material

Presented to the C.G. Jung Society Victoria

Date: 5th September, 2007

Also presented to the Great Victoria Citizen’s Counselling Centre Volunteer Conference October, 2005

Grimm’s ‘The Nixie  of the Mill-Pond’

A Jungian Approach to the Interpretation of Fairy Tales

Presented to the Victoria Jung Society, 2001

Presented to the Vancouver Jung Society

Fairy Tale as a mirror for the basic patterns of the psyche.

Fairy tales are the purest and simplest expression of collective unconscious psychic processes. They represent the archetypes in their simplest, barest and most concise form. This lecture deals with their powerful imagery and examines why their interpretation is so crucial to the Jungian tradition. Who hasn’t been enthralled as a child by these tales? Are these stories for adults or children? How do they differ from myths, legends and sagas? The Grimm’s ‘Nixie of the Millpond’ will be interpreted as an example of two core issues: the anima problem in the male psyche and the transmission of unresolved unconscious material from parent to child.

Date: October 1, 2004

Presented to the C.G. Jung Society Victoria

Jungian Fairy Tale Enactment Workshop

WHAT HAPPENS IN A FAIRY TALE ENACTMENT?

Small groups of four people choose a Grimm’s fairy tale, then enact it in a closed setting before two or three other small groups involved in the same workshop. Three to four enactments are made, in the course of the workshop, one by each group. Each group usually dresses up as characters 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 interpreted in the larger group, using a Jungian Psychology approach.  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. 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.

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.

Next enactment workshop will be held on Saturday 26th November. There is a planning meeting that is held before this enactment, that of deciding on groups and tales. This meeting will be held on Friday 30th September.

DATES : group meeting Friday 30th September (7-9pm) ; Enactment Saturday 26th November. (9-12 am, 1-4pm)

A Jungian Interpretation of the Film “Big Fish”

Start the Christmas season with some laughter and some food for thought. John Betts will lead a discussion of archetypal themes explored in this comedy and what it means to live the symbolic life.

Presented to the C.G. Jung Society Victoria

Date: December 2nd, 2005

A Jungian Interpretation of the Film “O Brother Where Art Thou?”

Presented to the C.G. Jung Society Victoria

Jungian Fairy Tale Interpretation Group

These sessions deal with the powerful imagery of fairy tales and examine 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?

The course lasts for four sessions and is held on Monday evenings from the 6th to the 27th of September, 2004. The first session will involve the theory behind the Jungian interpretation of Fairy Tales. We will then interpret three Grimm’s tales in the remaining sessions.

Dates : Monday evenings,  from 6^th September to 27^th September

Times : 6:00p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Complexes—The Via Regia to the Unconscious

In this lecture we review a common reason why we act out when under stress – we “complex out.” Jung noted that we all have complexes, but what many of us fail to remember is that “complexes have us.” Why do we get upset when someone uses a particular tone with us? Why do we have problems doing our taxes? What makes communication with our spouse so problematic?

Lecture: May 5, 2006 7:30 – 9:45 PM

University of Victoria David Strong Building, Room C116

Complexes—The Via Regia to the Unconscious (Workshop)

Do you want to be able to be less prone to getting stuck in a complex? In this day-long workshop we will identify our core complexes in a safe and fun way, then find how to “de-potentiate” these structures. We’ll begin with the core complexes we all have to deal with – mother, father and money – then explore less common, but equally critical complexes such as perfection, competence, and education. Important in our time together is developing an approach to gaining insight into these complexes and, more importantly, learning how to de-potentiate them.

Workshop: May 6 10 AM – 3 PM

University of Victoria Continuing Education — 910 Government Street

Jungian Dream Interpretation

“So difficult is it to understand a dream that for a long

time I have made it a rule, when someone tells me a

dream and asks for my opinion, to say first of all to myself

: “I have no idea what the dream means.” After that I

can begin to examine the dream” (C. G. Jung, CW8, ¶. 533)

Jung viewed the dream as offering a valid perspective on the psychic situation as it is now. The manner in which we interpret our dreams, and integrate them into our daily lives can provide us with powerful impetus for change. Working with dreams enables us to embrace the symbolic life and, hopefully, gain a deeper sense of meaning.

The Lecture introduces basic ideas. The aim of the one-day workshop is to learn how to interpret dreams using Jung’s Analytical Psychology. We will start with a clear overview of Jung’s Analytical Psychology, then work through a Jungian approach to dream interpretation. Finally we can then work with our dreams in the group. No previous experience is required.

Date : Sept.9, 2005

Presented to the C.G. Jung Society Victoria