The Guild of Pastoral Psychology
Boundary and Identity in Irish Myth
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Photo: Dunguaire Castle, Kinvara, Ireland, by Matteo Paonessa on UnsplashBy examining various stories from the Irish mythic tradition we can gain some insight into the structure of both the normal and neurotic psyche, and into the significance of boundaries in the creation of a true sense of identity, in line with what Jung defines as the Individuation process. Crossing this boundary into the Otherworld, as illustrated in the story of The Voyage of Bran son of Febal, illuminates for us the initiatory aspect of the confrontation with the unconscious, and the place of sacrifice in individuation.
The Boundary, whether in place or time, was of special significance for the ancient Irish, as we can see from their myths and legends. The boundary touched the Otherworld, a place of magic and paradox. By examining various stories from the Irish mythic tradition we can gain some insight into the structure of the psyche, and into the significance of boundaries in the creation of a true sense of identity, in line with what Jung defines as Individuation. A closer look at one such story, The Voyage of Bran, son of Febal, which tells of the crossing over into the Otherworld, illuminates for us the initiatory aspect of the confrontation with the unconscious, and the place of sacrifice in the individuation process.