THE PSYCHOLOGY OF FAIRY TALES

I run small online groups exploring the archetypal and personal meaning of fairy tales through Jungian psychology.

Fairy tales enchant us—drawing us into the timeless realm of “once upon a time,” where anything is possible. Interpreting them respectfully can reveal profound insights and connect us with the wisdom and healing potential of the archetypal world.

Our next tale is The Goose Girl from the Brothers Grimm: a rich, layered story with rare motifs. A servant usurps a princess, who becomes the goose girl—reflecting the development of eros, the feminine principle in us all. Across three sessions, we will explore the emergence of the feminine and look at the feminine shadow. As with many tales, challenges and turning points open the way to renewal. 

Would you be interested in joining?

Dates:

Thursdays: 4th, 18th June & 2nd July 2026 — 4:00–6:00pm

Saturdays: 6th, 20th June & 4th July 2026 — 10:00am–12:00pm

(Mixing days is possible by arrangement.)

Fee:

£120 for three sessions

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF FAIRY TALES

Fairy tales often present the challenges that we face in life and show ways of overcoming struggles and uncertainties.  Working on a fairy tale is rewarding because, like a dream, it lifts a veil on what is not immediately obvious to the rational mind.  

The next fairy tale for the group is Brothers Grimm “THE WHITE SNAKE”.  This is a significant and satisfying tale.  Overcome with curiosity the ‘trusted servant’ lifts the lid of a hidden dish served daily to the wise King.  On the platter he finds and tastes the white snake; this gives him the ability to understand the language of animals.  With courage he sets out on an adventure and overcomes tasks along his path.   This story can be likened to following an inner imperative to move on. 

This fairy tale is packed with valuable images, symbols and meaning that we will carefully explore.   We will listen, like the ‘trusted servant’ to the promptings of the instincts, to the creative unconscious and the language of archetypes.

We will look at how the story maps the process of individuation, the urge toward psychological wholeness.  We will also look at our separation from the natural world.  During the three sessions, we will draw on the writings of C G Jung and Marie Louise von Franz.

There are two options to participate, either:

Thursdays: 5^th, 19^th February and 5^th March 2026 – 4.00pm to 6.00pm

Saturdays:  7^th, 21^st February and 7^th March 2026 – 10.00am to 12.00pm

If you would like to participate but are unable to attend a session it is possible by arrangement to mix Thursdays and Saturdays. 

The fee for the 3 sessions is £120.00. 

The Psychology of Fairy Tales

Fairy tales were originally told for adult entertainment.  A tale might start ‘once upon a time’ and this evokes a timeless quality.  This simple beginning serves to charm the imagination into another realm.  We are invited into a time and into no particular time – so this can be extended to mean that we are moving from our usual consciousness and place that we know.  We enter the archetypal realm of the collective unconscious.

The study of fairy tales belongs to the core of Jungian tradition.  We study the fairy tale to see what we can learn about the human psyche and to reveal their message of earthly instinctual wisdom.  

I run two online fairy tale groups.  My intention is that the groups are informative (supported by theory and writings of C G Jung and Marie Louise von Franz), creative and a place for good, enjoyable discussion.   

The next fairy tales for the end of 2025 and into 2026 will be The Goose Girl, Iron John and the White Snake.  A commitment to three sessions is required. 

Please get in touch if you are interested.