|
tp | |||||
|
tp | |||||
Preliminary Comments |
||
Watchword is essentially a method of self-analysis in which it is important to interpret your own matrix. This is mainly because only you are aware of the full facts of your situation. Also the words you have written will often have very personal or private significance that will not be apparent to someone else. If you decide to show your matrix to others, you should exercise caution in accepting any interpretations they may suggest.
A full interpretation of the Watchword matrix involves a fairly complex sequence of procedures. These are all explained in detail in the book. On this page you will find simplified explanations that should allow you to decipher the most significant features of your matrix.
It is useful to begin by considering the main theme (if any) that is expressed in the matrix. To do this you should ask yourself what aspect of your life the eleven key words (those inside the central rectangle) seem to represent. The theme will usually give a good indication of your major current areas of concern.
Common themes are: Work, Family, Relationships, Health, Education, Ideology, Sport, Entertainment, and Feelings.
Often the personal or psychological meaning of the key words that appear in your matrix will be fairly clear to you. At other times, you may struggle to understand what a word might represent.
In order to assist the interpretation of a key word, it is often helpful, especially when the word has no obvious personal or psychological significance, to elaborate upon (or amplify) its meaning, This involves allowing a word to suggest other associations (especially ones that are personally or psychologically significant). For example, the word "RAIN" might suggest to you ideas of unhappiness, weeping, cold, dismay or, perhaps, refreshment and rebirth.
The Key Words are the eleven words inside the central rectangle of the matrix. Each of these is believed to have a specific psychological meaning that depends upon its position (location) within the matrix.
Very simply, the matrix is structured in terms of two main bipolar dimensions. Firstly there is the vertical dimension (up vs down), believed to represent the psychological polarities of PROGRESSIVE, SUPERIOR or DYNAMIC ("up") vs REGRESSIVE, INFERIOR or STATIC ("down"). Secondly, there is the horizontal dimension (left vs right), believed to represent the psychological polarities of INNER, UNCONSCIOUS or SUBJECTIVE ("left") vs OUTER, CONSCIOUS or OBJECTIVE ("right"). The central area of the matrix is believed to represent psychological principles of balance or tension between opposites, and ultimately the possibility of integration. The book explains and elaborates upon these principles of spatial metaphor in detail.
Below is a brief summary of the Watchword Keys, together with their principles and psychological indications.
I recommend that you study these carefully before you attempt to interpret your words.
| KEY | PRINCIPLE | GENERAL INDICATIONS |
| GIANT | Progression | Driving forces. Dominant motivation. Source of strength. Creative impulses. Necessary movement or development. Features that are carrying you forward. Future possibility. Personal virtues. |
| DWARF | Regression | Inertial tendencies. Source of weakness. Features that are holding you back. Characteristics that should be held in check or moderated. Earlier situation. Childhood. Immature impulses. Personal vices. |
| SOUL | Inwardness | Basic inner personality. Private or subjective self. Thoughts and feelings. Emotional situation. Unconscious or concealed tendencies. Attitude to the unconscious. Qualities that you attribute to the opposite sex. Jungian anima or animus. |
| PERSONA | Outwardness | Basic outer personality. Public or objective self. Mask or performances. Social roles. Physical or social situation. Conscious attitudes or tendencies. Jungian persona. |
| GUIDE | Inner progression | Higher self. Sense of inner teacher. Inner power or greatness. Intuitive insights. Dominant sense modality. Main source of inspiration or enjoyment. Inner qualities that need to be fully acknowledged or developed. Conscience. Moral principles. Ideology. Message from the unconscious. The direction of unconscious striving. Jungian mana personality. |
| IMAGO | Outer progression | Ego-ideals. Conscious values, goals and desires. Idealized image of the self. Imagined future situation or seemingly inevitable consequence of current trends. Physical, material or social need. |
| SHADOW | Inner regression | Repressed material. Dark or hidden side of your nature. Disliked characteristics that you are unwilling to recognise in the self and tend to project onto others. Features that you have failed consciously to acknowledge and develop. Irrational sensitivities. Complexes. Feelings of disgust. Inner weakness. Jungian shadow. |
| SPECTRE | Outer regression | Problems of living. Anxieties and fears. Areas where expression is difficult. Rejected values. Old preoccupations. Features that you are aware of in the self or situation, but which you dislike. Dread of becoming. Area where help is needed or sought. Escapist tendencies. Domineering force. |
| STATION | Inner-outer balance or tension | Sense of basic selfhood. Current status or essential personal situation. Basic quality in yourself. Continuing preoccupation. General emotional tone. Personal style. Identity problems. Jungian ego. |
| BATTLE | Progressive-regressive balance or tension | Personal task, quest or adventure. Field of conflict. Moral dilemma. Inner turmoil. Spiritual crisis. Major cause of concern. Way forward. |
| DESTINY | Final resolution | Realized Self. Projected outcome of battle or quest. Ultimate goal or value. Personal transformation. Jungian Self. |
To interpret the meaning of your own words you should try to relate your own key words (and their associations) to the Key Principles and Psychological Indications.
If you have difficulty interpreting a particular key, then an examination of the two words that were linked to form the key may help to establish its underlying meaning.
The recommended order in which the keys should be examined is as follows:
| 1. | GIANT | 7. | SHADOW |
| 2. | DWARF | 8. | SPECTRE |
| 3. | SOUL | 9. | STATION |
| 4. | PERSONA | 10. | BATTLE |
| 5. | GUIDE | 11. | DESTINY |
| 6. | IMAGO |
Click here for an Example of Interpretation
| Page contents © Michael Daniels, 1996-2008 |
