Vasilisa the Beautiful

What is the psychological significance of myths and fairytales?

Vasilisa the Beautiful is a fairytale of initiation that delves into the Heroine’s Journey and the transformations of the feminine principle. In this workshop, we consider the psychological and symbolic themes of Vasilisa’s quest as she contends with the archetype of the Great Mother, develops intuition, learns the mysteries of life and death, and confronts the shadow.

Topics include:

• The psychological significance of myths and fairytales from a Jungian perspective
• The motif of the heroine's journey
• Facets of the great mother archetype in Baba Yaga, Vasilisa’s mother and step-mother
• The symbolism of Vasilisa's initiation and trials
• Exercises and prompts to apply these archetypal themes to our own lives