I was drawn to your comment about the opening in the unformed child psyche for a transpersonal energy to step in as protector and persecutor. I've been wrestling with a suggestion that this figure is part of a self-constructed defence mechanism. I didn't think such a view recognized the Otherness of this figure, though I concede that its Otherness might well be due to it being split of from the conscious ego self. Notwithstanding, I have a strong sense that the figure is 'beyond' , perhaps that it contains content from the collective unconscious. And that's why it has such a strong often overwhelming numinosity about it.
It's hard to wrap one's mind around it completely, but my experience aligns with much of what Kalsched offers in his book. I think the structures of ego being so permeable and not fully formed make you susceptible to archetypal, collective unconscious forces. Paired with overwhelming experiences, these psychic dynamics really seem to take on a life of their own, carrying much more of that numinous quality than a standard complex does.
I have found with a mixture of Jungian and somatic work that these energies can be met and integrated further. It's taken a lot of trial and error along the way.
Thanks Alyssa. Your posts are evidence of that integration. Its one heck of a journey when you're in the midst of it and fearing the psychotic. I think its a case of small step after small step, with plenty of backward strides en route.
This is incredible. Thank you very much for offering me the opportunity to learn about the 'Death Mother'. I did not realize that this archetypal energy is very much present in my life.
I was drawn to your comment about the opening in the unformed child psyche for a transpersonal energy to step in as protector and persecutor. I've been wrestling with a suggestion that this figure is part of a self-constructed defence mechanism. I didn't think such a view recognized the Otherness of this figure, though I concede that its Otherness might well be due to it being split of from the conscious ego self. Notwithstanding, I have a strong sense that the figure is 'beyond' , perhaps that it contains content from the collective unconscious. And that's why it has such a strong often overwhelming numinosity about it.
It's hard to wrap one's mind around it completely, but my experience aligns with much of what Kalsched offers in his book. I think the structures of ego being so permeable and not fully formed make you susceptible to archetypal, collective unconscious forces. Paired with overwhelming experiences, these psychic dynamics really seem to take on a life of their own, carrying much more of that numinous quality than a standard complex does.
I have found with a mixture of Jungian and somatic work that these energies can be met and integrated further. It's taken a lot of trial and error along the way.
Thanks Alyssa. Your posts are evidence of that integration. Its one heck of a journey when you're in the midst of it and fearing the psychotic. I think its a case of small step after small step, with plenty of backward strides en route.
This is incredible. Thank you very much for offering me the opportunity to learn about the 'Death Mother'. I did not realize that this archetypal energy is very much present in my life.
You're welcome. Hope the article gave you some further ideas for how to work with it as well.