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The Roman god Janus had two faces. They looked in opposite directions, representing dualities, especially beginnings and endings, past and future. Psychotherapy often begins by facing the past and understanding its influence on the present. Belief in the past as unalterably determinative, however, can imply that personal history is a single, all-powerful god\u2014as if Janus fixed on yesterday. Jung took special interest in psyche\u2019s purposive and creative energy\u2014the face Janus turned toward the future. Incarnating our innate potential, which Jung termed the individuation process, is the process of engaging our capacity for growth and wholeness. Life\u2019s road ahead has new possibilities, which is why we launch the new year in honor of Janus, for it is he who presides over all new beginnings.\xa0

HERE\u2019S THE DREAM WE ANALYZE:

The Magic Gown

\u201cI\u2019m in a dress boutique, watching as teenage girls try on bright prom gowns. They giggle, twirl, and take selfies. I need a dress too because I\u2019ll be attending the prom as a chaperone. I go into a private changing room that doubles as a small bedroom. The dresses hanging for me to try on make me think of Little Bo Peep. Reluctantly, I select the least offensive option, a ribbony mauve number. I\u2019m sure it\u2019s going to look ridiculous, but when I step into it, it becomes bespoke black lace, elegant and perfect. I want to send a selfie to my husband. I try to frame my image in the full-length mirror, but a bed is in the way, and I can\u2019t move it or figure out the angles. Meanwhile, my husband texts sweet portraits of our dog who recently passed away.\u201d\xa0

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