Ancient ecstatic theater and Analytical Psychology: creating space for Dionysus

ABSTRACTThis paper explores links between the theatrical aspect of the Dionysian archetype and Analytical Psychology. It looks at some of the Dionysian elements in Jung’s published work and follows up with a brief exploration into how some of the potentially generative aspects of the archetype continue to be suspect in current clinical practice. Plutarch’s historic anecdote about the first actor, Thespis, and his dialogue with the Athenian Magistrate, Solon, will provide a focus with which to explore Dionysian elements within the Individuation process. A final section includes a short case history illustrating Dionysian elements unfolding in the theater of Jungian analysis.