Myths and fairy tales give expression to unconscious processes, and their retelling causes the process to become alive again and be recollected, thereby re-establishing the connection between conscious and unconscious. (C.G.Jung, Collected Works, Vol. 9ii, §280)

This seminarwill explore the similarities and differences between the hero’s journey and the heroine’s journey as presented in two Russian fairy tales: Vasilisa the Beautiful/Prince Ivan, the Firebird and the Grey Wolf.  Irrespective of gender or gender identity, clients will often present with a particular style - an affinity for either the more active style of individuation journey, as typically pictured in tales involving a masculine hero who must fight or trick his way to the attainment of the treasure or the more passive style typified by the heroine who must endure, submit or employ patience in ordinary, mundane tasks if she is to accomplish the same ends. Using case material, we will look at how the use of fairy tales can deepen our understanding of our client work and breathe new life into situations that feel stuck and stagnant.    

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Heather Angel (GAP, IAAP,UKCP) is a Jungian analyst in private practice on a London houseboat, Lindisfarne, in Battersea. She has a special interest in myth and fairy tales and their application in clinical practice.

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EssentialReading:

Afanasʹev, A.N. et al. (2017) Russian fairy tales. New York: Pantheon Books. (Vasilisa the Beautiful/Prince Ivan, the Firebird and the Grey Wolf in any edition, including online)

Jung, C.G., The Collected Works,Vol. 9i The Phenomenology of the Spirit in Fairy Tales, §§ 384-455

FurtherReading:

Campbell, J. (1949), The hero with a thousand faces: A brilliant examination, through ancient hero myths, of man's eternal struggle fori dentity. Nueva York: Fontana Press, Boston and London: Shambhala (1992)

Estes, C.P. (1992), Women who run with Wolves. London: Rider.

Von Franz, M.-L. (1987), An introduction to the Interpretation of Fairy Tales. Dallas, TX: Spring Publications

Von Franz, M.-L. (1995), Shadow and evil in Fairy tales. Boston: Shambhala

Murdock,M. and Downing, C. (2020), The Heroine's Journey: Woman's Quest for Wholeness. Boulder CO: Shambhala