Part 2: The River

You continue walking down

the road and you come to a
river that you have to cross.
The river is however you
imagine it. You may cross it
any way or manner that you
imagine crossing.

How do you cross the river?

The association of sex to water.
•Wherever water appears on the road
the unconscious is associating sex. The
river is a metaphor for sex and has
particular qualities such as force,
direction, and speed.
 Interview:

• How do you cross the river?

• How fast is the river flowing? What color is
the water?
• Is the water clear or murky?
• Is there anything in the water? If so, what?
The manner of crossing the river:
• As babies we are not afraid of
water and are natural swimmers.
Observe if the person makes
contact with the water. That
individual is trusting.
Manner of crossing the river:
Mild inhibition in crossing (on
rocks – the person is aware of
problems, on a log –
victimization, on horseback –
preocupation with a masculine
issue.
Manner of crossing the river:

• Moderate inhibition in crossing

(by boat, canoe …)
 Manner of crossing the river:
• Moderate inhibition if crossing (by bridge …).
Manner of crossing the river:

• Extreme inhibition in
crossing (jumping – this
person avoids intimacy ,
flying – even greater
avoidance of a sexual or
intimate situation).
 Color of the water:

The general meanings of the color of the

road also apply to the river, with these
feelings now describing sex or intimacy.
 Content of the water:
• Fish
– Gold fish – pleasure and materialism
– Piranha – victimization
– Trout – pleasure
 Contents of the water:
• Snake – victimization (a possible indicator
of sexual abuse)
• Crocodile, alligator – victimization
 Contents of the water:
• Branches, leaves – victimization
• Leeches – victimization
• Trash – unappreciation
 Speed of the river current:

The speed of the river current reflects the speed

of the person to get involved in intimate or sexual
relationships. The person with fast, white water
is most likely to become involved quickly in a
relationship in an intimate or sexual manner.