2024 Study Group
HKSTA holds monthly study groups for our members. Members get together to share their insights and experience surrounding Jungian Sandplay in form of book sharing, study of symbols and other topics relevant to becoming a Sandplay therapist.
If you would like to register for our study group, please join our membership. Attendance for our study group is free.
13 June 2024
The Nature of Evil in Analytical Psychology
The aim of this study group is to examine the nature of evil as taught in Analytical Psychology and, in particular, according to the insights of Carl Jung (1875-1961) and Marie-Louise von Franz (1915-1998). Based notably upon von Franz’s written work, especially her books The Feminine in Fairy Tales (1993), Shadow and Evil in Fairy Tales (1995), and The interpretation of fairy tales (1996), as well as Robert Johnson’s (1991) Owning your own shadow: Understanding the dark side of the psyche, Adrian will examine a rich array of images covering a range of insights into the nature of evil, including absolute evil, evil in Nature, two types of evil, the origin of evil, evil and sexuality, five indicators of evil, evil and the Shadow, and how to respond to evil:
five do’s and five don’t’s, ending with an analysis of a classic fairy tale on evil,
namely, Vasilisa the Beautiful.
Topic: The Nature of Evil in Analytical Psychology
Presenter: Dr. Adrian Davis (Art Therapist, HKAAT)
Date: 13 June 2024 (Thursday)
Format: Zoom online meeting
Time: 7pm – 9pm
Language: English
Online Registration: https://forms.gle/em3Hs7ujLStxvGux7
Deadline of registration: 10 June, 2024
15 May 2024
The Bench in the Park
In May’s study group, Siew Lin is going to share with us the symbolism of an ordinary object, the bench, and how this symbol provides her with uplifting energy from one of her personal sand trays.
A bench is an insignificant object where it was used without too much prior thought. It is a place of rest where individuals are more likely to focus on the surroundings than on it. It is free, public, available, heavy, unmoving that is being fixed on the ground and frequently has a connection with the nature surrounding.
The sharing will cover the history of the bench, its functions, their presence in religions, benches from cultural perspective, benches in fairy tales, and sandplay literature.
Topic: The Bench in the Park
Presenter: Goh Siew Lin (Counsellor)
Date: 15 May, 2024 (Wednesday)
Format: Zoom online meeting
Time: 7:30 - 9:00pm
Language: English
Online Registration: https://forms.gle/vrXUpdfUpmv9moDh6
Deadline of registration: 13 May, 2024
Source of this photo: Presenter
25 April 2024
A Glimpse into Japanese Folklore
Source: https://en.ac-illust.com
“Japanese folklore is heavily influenced by the two primary religions of Japan ------ Shinto and Buddhism. Japanese mythology is a complex system of beliefs that also embraces Shinto and Buddhist traditions as well as agriculture-based folk religion.” ~ New World Encyclopaedia
Japan has also been understood as the land of pantheism. Folklore seems to be the anciently inherited stories from the Japanese folks flavored by a wide variety of beliefs or religions within the overarching set of Japanese mythology.
In 2024 April’s study group, Kitty Liu, who ever since her teenage years, has had a keen interest in the Japanese culture due to her long years of Japanese language studies, will try to explore with the attendees the most heard folklore figures in Japan, like Momotaro (桃太郎), Urashima Taro (浦島太郎), Kappa (河童), etc. You are sincerely invited to have a time of freely associating with these figures and possibly share your unique understanding of some other figures from Japan which have spoken to you.
Topic: A Glimpse into Japanese Folklore
Presenter: Kitty Liu
Date: 25 April, 2024 (Thursday)
Format: Zoom online meeting
Time: 7:30 - 9:00pm
Language: Cantonese
Online Registration: https://forms.gle/xyiyCbDmEMYHqdiU6
Deadline of registration: 22 April, 2024
13 Mar 2024
The symbol of Swan
“Swan” usually signifies “a large, graceful bird that is usually white and has a long thin neck, living on or near water.” (Wehmeier & Ashby, 2000) It is well-known around the world as a symbol of beauty, elegance, grace, love, trust, and loyalty, and is usually linked to the inner beauty and self love, whereas a pair of swans together is usually used to represent soul mates for life. The picture above well presents the tender love that a mother swan gave to her offspring. However there are much more behind these scenes of perfection as its life begins in the form of an ugly duckling. During the presentation, there is also a case presentation showing how this symbol of “swan” accompanied a girl during the process of transformation in her life.
Topic: The symbol of Swan
Presenter: Gabbie Cheung
Date: 13 March, 2024 (Wednesday)
Format: Zoom online meeting
Time: 7:30 - 9:00pm (After AGM)
Language: Cantonese
Online Registration: https://forms.gle/ixCPSv86G1m2M92m6
Deadline of registration: 9 March, 2024
Source of this photo: lens.google.com
15 Feb 2024
The Heroine's Journey of Frozen 2
Source: Pinterest.com
We will explore the process of individuation in the recent famous movie, Frozen 2, during our February Study Group. Unlike the traditional hero's journey found in classic Disney films like Snow White and Cinderella from the 1940s and 50s, Frozen 2 represents a modern shift towards platonic "sisterly" love as the driving force behind the hero's journey. Elsa's heroine's journey begins with her response to a mystical voice, symbolizing the collective unconscious, and her willingness to take risks, ultimately leading to the completion of her individuation process.
Individuation, as described by C.G. Jung, refers to the psychological process of inner growth and self-discovery. Jung explains that it involves the centralization of the individual's own self and the development of their unique personality. It is a process of differentiation, aiming to separate the individual from the broader collective psychology.
In our discussion, we will focus on the distinctive aspects of the heroine's journey towards individuation and its symbolic representation in the movie, rather than the hero's journey's conventional pursuit of external objects.
Topic: The Heroine's Journey of Frozen 2
Presenter: May LIU
Date: 15 February, 2024 (Thursday)
Format: Zoom online meeting
Time: 7:00 - 8:30pm
Language: Cantonese
Note: Please watch the Movie Frozen 2 before attending the study group if possible
Online Registration: https://forms.gle/7Wm39J8Z9gqDurdh6
Deadline of registration: 9 February, 2024
24 Jan 2024
The symbol of Loong (dragon)
We shall be celebrating Chinese New Year and entering the year of Dragon very soon. The Eastern Dragon - 龍（Loong) is a completely different species from the Western dragon, which St George slew. Loong is sacred in the Chinese culture and the nation call ourselves "descendants of Loong" 龍的傳人。
In this study, we shall concentrate on the symbolism of Loong 龍, its calligraphic evolution, the position of Loong in the Chinese creation myth, and explore its relationship with us in the modern world.
Topic: The symbol of Loong (dragon)
Date : 24 January, 2024 (Wednesday)
Time: 7:00 to 8:30 pm HK time
Presenter: Jennifer Wong (Certified Counsellor)
Venue: Webinar via Zoom
Language: Cantonese
Online Registration: https://forms.gle/feDagtA2xXCVMbZZ6
Deadline of registration: 21 January, 2024
Source of photo: www.dreamstime.com
