Fairy tales, like myths and dreams, provide us with direct access to material arising from the collective unconscious. Through the fairy tale we can experience archetypal aspects (i.e. the witch, the innocent child, the old king etc) that reside in the unconscious of all of us. The value of accessing such material is that these motifs or archetypes find their way into the life of each of us, and we may find ourselves acting them out without awareness. By entering into such figures via the fairy tale, we can come to see how this energy is manifesting in our lives and the lives of our clients. With conscious awareness we reduce the possibility of it acting out through us unconsciously. Furthermore it often comes as a relief to see/feel these motifs are universal and that we are not alone in our suffering. They can help provide perspective and direction in life, both personally and in Clinical Practice.

Jungian analysts Brittain Garrett and Manita Beskow will be facilitating a series of three two hour fairy tale groups. The aim is not so much to dissect the tales, or even to interpret them, but to experience them and relate them to our own life.

Participants will be sent a copy of the Tale to be discussed. We will begin the year with the tale The Golden Tree