Psyche
‘The invisible animating principle or entity which occupies and directs the physical body.’ (Watkins Dictionary)
Etymological Arc: The breath. The butterfly. The soul. The mind.
A character in Greek Mythology whose beauty surpasses even the Goddess Aphrodite’s (which is impressive as her very name is synonymous with beauty). Beloved of the winged god of Love: Eros. Their love existed only in the darkness of night (dreamworld) until, after a series of trials, Psyche earns immortality, Aphrodite’s blessing and Eros’ hand in marriage.
Psychotherapy
Psychology is the pairing of Psyche with Logia; Soul and Story. In essence, Psychology is telling the story of the soul.
Psychotherapy adds Therapeia: service, attendance or care. Through psychotherapy we attend to the soul’s needs. We take care of her. We ask what ails her.
As a psychotherapist, the task is to meet Psyche on her own terms. Which often involves entering her story.
On the Soul’s Terms
On the Soul’s Terms is to attend to the needs of the soul as she manifests in each individual psyche, in her many forms, and through her many maladies.
As Psyche is imaginal, to connect to her we must make contact with the unseen: the felt, the implied, the ‘as if’ world.
Animate Astrology
Astrology is the same Logia (story) but now paired with Aster: the Stars.
Animate: Something that is alive or possessing life (adj). To give life to (v).
Animate Astrology is about entering the story of the stars in order to bring them to life.
On the Soul’s Terms Podcast
“Foolish the doctor who despises the knowledge acquired by the ancients”