The Psychology of Fairy Tales

“… we interpret for the same reason as that for which fairy tales and myths were told: because it has a vivifying effect and this gives a satisfactory reaction and brings one into peace with one’s unconscious instinctive substratum, just as the telling for fairy tales always did”.  The Interpretation of Fairy Tales, Marie Louise von Franz 

The online fairy tale group continues with “The Handless Maiden”.  We will use theory, amplification of figures, motifs and symbols as well as discussion to explore and discover the messages that are hidden within this powerful story to uncover its wisdom.

The story begins with a ‘daughter’ on the cusp of maturity who is betrayed and suffers a brutal wounding inflicted by her ‘father’.  We will give attention to the characters in the story remembering that they do not depict humans but represent archetypes so we will look at what they mean psychologically.

The maiden is tested in encounters with the devil and must undertake her own journey to healing and independence.  

We don’t know for sure whether a fairy tale should be interpreted as an expression of the male or female psychic structure.  It is helpful to consider that the essential archetypal images within the tale reflect psychic components or structures common to all human beings.  

There are two options to participate:

• Thursdays: 25^th September, 9^th and 23^rd October 2025 – 4.00pm to 6.00pm

• Saturdays:  27^th September, 11^th and 25^th October 2025 – 10.00am to 12.00pm

The fee for the 3 sessions is £90.00

The Psychology of Fairy Tales

“Fairy tales are the simplest and purest expression of the collective unconscious and thus offer the clearest understanding of the basic patterns of the human psyche” – The Interpretation of Fairy Tales, Marie Louise von Franz

The study of fairy tales belongs to the core of Jungian tradition.  I am offering an online group to explore the fairy tale The Three Feathers.

We will begin with a brief presentation on C G Jung and Dr. von Franz and an introduction to some Jungian terms to get us started.

We will then explore the fairy tale the Three Feathers through a lens of depth psychology.  We will discuss parallels between this story and modern day struggles to reveal the timeless wisdom that the fairy tale holds for our contemporary world.  So, uncovering archetypal and personal significance of the fairy tale. 

There are two opportunities to participate: 

• Thursdays: 19^th June, 3^rd and 17^th July – between 4.00pm and 6.00pm 

• Saturdays: 21^st June, 5^th and 19^th July - between 10.00am and 12.00pm

There is flexibility to choose one of the sessions, if it is in the same week, from the other group eg. Thursday 19^th June, Saturday 5^th and 19^th July.  

The fee for the 3 sessions is £90.00.

The Guild of Pastoral Psychology

Makeda, the Black Queen of Sheba

Date: Saturday 22nd June 2024 Location: Online

Start time: 2:00pm End time: 3:45pm Type: Webinar

Speaker: Tricia Harragin

“I fell because of wisdom but was not destroyed: through her I dived into the great sea, and in those depths I seized a wealth bestowing pearl … I marvelled at that light and grasped it, and brought it up to the sun. I laid hold upon it and will not let it go.” Words spoken by Makeda the Queen of Sheba found in the Kebra Negast, the sacred text of Ethiopia.

Taking seriously the promptings of the unconscious as manifested in dreams, in particular one which was synchronous with the finding of an Ethiopian silk scarf, I began to research the Queen of Sheba. I had found a story and an archetype that I felt wanted attention.

The images of that scarf tell the story of the Queen of Sheba’s visit to the Court of King Solomon. In this presentation I will use the orientation of Jungian depth psychology to shed some lunar light into the Biblical, mythical and historical remoteness of this Queen. I hope to respectfully lift a veil and offer a hint of this feminine divine archetype.

The Queen of Sheba is described as an ‘explorer of heart’, it is clear from the story that she has the courage of a lion and yet there is also an obvious humbleness as she searches for wisdom.  I believe she underlies inner feminine nature of the heart’s desire and stirs the heart of both men and women therefore needs to be lovingly attended.

In the legend printed on the scarf the Queen of Sheba initiates a meeting with King Solomon, they meet as equals and from their union, a conjunction, new life is born.