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The Watchword Technique 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 Watchword Keys
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.
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KEY
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PRINCIPLE
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GENERAL INDICATIONS
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GIANT
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Progression
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Driving forces. Dominant
motivation. Source of strength. Creative impulses. Necessary movement or development.
Features that are carrying you forward. Future possibility. Personal virtues.
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DWARF
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Regression
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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.
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SOUL
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Inwardness
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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.
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PERSONA
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Outwardness
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Basic outer
personality. Public or objective self. Mask or performances.
Social roles. Physical or social situation. Conscious attitudes or tendencies. Jungian
persona.
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GUIDE
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Inner progression
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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.
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IMAGO
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Outer progression
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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.
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SHADOW
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Inner regression
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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.
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SPECTRE
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Outer regression
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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.
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STATION
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Inner-outer balance or tension
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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.
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BATTLE
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Progressive-regressive balance or tension
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Personal task, quest or adventure. Field of conflict. Moral dilemma. Inner turmoil.
Spiritual crisis. Major cause of concern. Way forward.
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DESTINY
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Final resolution
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Realized Self.
Projected outcome of battle or quest. Ultimate goal or value. Personal transformation.
Jungian Self.
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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:
Click here for an Example of Interpretation
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