“As physics is a mental reconstruction of material processes, perhaps a physical reconstruction of psychic processes is possible in nature itself.”
— Marie-Louise von Franz
According to Marie-Louise Von Franz, ‘Individuation’ is a result of “making a mixtum compositum of many animal drives, both positive and destructive: -perhaps a magic horse?
In this lecture, Christina Thomas will discuss a Russian fairy tale called “The Magic Horse”. This is a story of a family of four men – and no women. This is a familiar start for a fairy tale. To illustrate its relevance in today’s gender focussed culture, we will explore in depth what can be achieved when a positive male energy, from the archetypal realm is harnessed for a valuable purpose – the activation of psychological growth.
There is also is a familiar theme for many of us: that of the unloved or unwanted child. The youngest of the farmer’s three sons is the ‘dimwit’, but as it turns out, he is also the character who redeems the psychological situation shown in The Magic Horse.
How can/ does the youngest son overcome his role as the family scapegoat, and ‘individuate’?