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Abstract
The Phoenix Engagement Cycle—a four-stage cycle of imagery frequently observed during dialogues with the unconscious—seems to present identifiable, sequential tasks for ego consciousness to undertake in order to develop a deeper, more collaborative relationship with the unconscious. Using her Vision Journey paintings to illustrate this cyclic pattern of imagery, the author shows how stage-specific images prepare ego consciousness to complete corresponding stage-specific tasks. Because task avoidance tends to stall the dialogue, attention to imagery stages may help with understanding and resolving such impasses. Applications to painting, psychotherapy, and cultural contexts are presented. The article concludes with a transformative dream that traverses one full turn of the Phoenix Engagement Cycle.
Key Words:
- 2001: A Space Odyssey
- Alice in Wonderland
- archetype
- Arrival images
- balancing
- collaboration
- cougar
- dancers
- depth psychotherapy
- dialogues with the unconscious
- Eden
- ego consciousness
- Engagement images
- Gatekeeper images
- healing
- Joseph Henderson
- imagery
- impasses
- individuation
- It's a Wonderful Life
- C. G. Jung
- mercurial figure
- patterns of imagery
- Phoenix Engagement Cycle
- serpent
- stage-specific images
- stage-specific tasks
- transformation
- Transcendent images
- tricksters
- unconscious
- Vision Journey paintings
- visionary art
- visions
- The Wizard of Oz
- wolf