In our second week we will explore aspects of the Shadow in mythology, social and political movements, individuation, and culture and media. We begin this week with the story of Medusa and the healing aspect of the shadow. We will examine the masculine shadow in “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” and how this archetype can serve as an initiator for young men. On the third day we branch out to shadow elements in collective movements such as #MeToo, MAGA and Black Lives Matter as appeals to be heard rather than despised. We then suggest ways to befriend the shadow and find soul. The week concludes with a look at “Utopia’s Shadow” and what Jung had to say about modern media and mass suggestion and “generalized media disorder.”
INTENSIVE PROGRAM 2: The Shadow
Monday, July 15
9:00– 10:00 am
Registration, Welcome and Orientation
10:00 am-12:30pm, 1:30-4:00 pm
Medusa, Shadow of the Victim
The story of Medusa, with its long history in film, psychology and mythological studies, has been seen as depicting feminine rage, the Nasty Woman, and a rape narrative. For this class, we will examine the story of Medusa as a tale that depicts the making and healing of an aspect of shadow. We will explore the meaning of shadow and its effects on our lives, especially on the psyche of the unconscious victim. The Medusa myth proves particular instructive in that it demonstrates the etiology and trajectory towards healing.
Instructor: Julie Bondanza, PhD
Tuesday, July 16
10:00 am-12:30pm, 1:30-4:00 pm
The Archetype of the Chthonic Masculine Shadow
in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a poem, a romance, a fairytale for adults that was written down around 1400 in England by an unknown author. The two main protagonists in this story are the youthful rising star, Sir Gawain, nephew of King Arthur, and champion of Queen Guinevere. The other is the Green Knight, a mysterious “marvel” from the Land of Fairie, the Otherworld. He is the initiating dark god, and comes with transformative potential for this youthful knight. Chthonic in nature, and originating from deep within the earth, he blows in like a mighty storm, and transforms life through shape shifting events. The Green Knight symbolizes masculine fertility and instinct. He is the indestructible life force. At the celebration of Mid-Winter he boldly rides on horseback into the court carrying a holy branch in one hand, and an axe in the other. From there he proceeds to challenge King Arthur to the “beheading game.” Silence fills the halls, as Sir Gawain steps forward to champion his king.
When this generative force of the Green Knight erupts into life something extraordinary and earth shaking is going to happen—something instinctive. The order of things-as-they-are is about to be brought down, reshaped, and recreated for the man or woman who is in its path. Gawain accepts the Fairie’s challenge. Little does he realize that he has just opened the door to the dark night of the soul, the night sea journey. From this point forward his identity and his assumptions about masculinity and manhood will be reshaped and transformed from the inside out.
What can we learn from Sir Gawain and the Green Knight about the chthonic masculine shadow as initiator and guide of men from youth into mature masculinity? Where do we find this fertilizing and generative archetype today? And once we have found it, how can we be creative and find ways to integrate it into our individual life and collective meaning system? During this workshop we use the trajectory of the story as our guide. In addition to this fairy tale we will work with other stories, dreams, current events, and personal experience to elaborate on this question.
Text: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Pearl and Sir Orfeo, translation by J. R. R. Tolkien.
Instructor: Bonnie Damron, PhD, LCSW
Wednesday, July 17
10:00 am – 12:30 pm & 1:30 – 4:00 pm
The Disruptive as Dialogue Partner
Arising into contemporary awareness, many collective movements present as “Shadow” longing to be heard rather than despised or identified with - #MeToo, MAGA, Yellow Vests, Black Lives Matter, Sexual Abuse Victims, Displaced Persons, Asian “non-recognition,” and so forth. We shall draw upon Jung and other theoretical perspectives on the “Shadow” so that we may enter more fully into a necessary “intergroup dialogue.” Location: TBA
Instructor: Harry W. Fogarty, PhD
Thursday, July 18
10:00 am – 12:30 pm, & 1:30 – 4:00 pm
Befriending the Shadow and Finding Soul
The drive to "know thyself" is hardwired into our very being. This journey with and to ourselves is what Jung called Individuation. Our life task is to confront ourselves as we explore our potentials, and our gifts, toward an experience of our soul. However, early life knocks us down with hurts and wounds block our way in this task. We hide parts or ourselves because it is safer. We deem certain parts unacceptable and we push them away. Part of our individuation journey to locate and recover these long-lost parts ourselves to rediscover life, and the experience of SOUL.
In this day-long interactive workshop, we will dive into the shadow and befriending the parts of ourselves that we have lost. In the honest and courage task of working with ourselves, we find life energy and our destiny. We will engage in practical exercises that will deepen student’s awareness of themselves and individuation journey. Students will be able to incorporate the material into their daily lives afterwards to live more authentic and compassionate lives.
Instructor: Christina Becker, MBA, RP
Student Dinner 5:00 – 7:00 pm:
Friday July 19
10:00 am – 12:30 pm, & 1:30 – 4:00 pm
Utopia’s Shadow, Inside the Wall and onto the Net:
Jung and the Mediated Spirit of Our Time
Jung was wary of “the most modern media of mass suggestion” because of his doubt about our inability to handle their effects: “We are the danger, psyche is the great danger!” With a concern for the eventual breakdown of the individual in our “society of the spectacle,” this class will explore Jung’s critique of “modern man,” and review psychotherapeutic treatment skills for the symptomatology of “generalized media disorder.”
Instructor: Royce Froehlich, PhD, MDiv, LCSW-R