The Cassandra Complex is a result of the suppression of feminine intuition and its negative portrayal in patriarchal society, leading to unbelieved intuition experienced by women.
Healing the negative mother complex, which arises from the denigration of feminine experience and values, is crucial for overcoming the Cassandra Complex and achieving a balanced union of opposites.
Deep dives
The Cassandra Complex as a Study of Hysteria
In this podcast episode, Jungian analyst Lori Layton-Shapira discusses her book 'The Cassandra Complex,' which explores the experience of living with disbelief, focusing on the archetype of Cassandra from Greek mythology. The complex emerges from the suppression of feminine intuition and its negative portrayal in patriarchal society. Hysteria, historically considered a disease of women, takes different forms and manifests as an expression of overwhelming emotions and intuition that often goes unbelieved in our culture. The goal is for women to develop conscious awareness of their intuition and believe in their own experiences, expressing them in a way that is both understood and valued.
The Cassandra Complex and the Negative Mother Complex
The negative mother complex plays a significant role in the Cassandra Complex, as it arises from the denigration of feminine experience and values in patriarchal society. This denigration leads to a repression of feminine intuition, which manifests as the unbelieved intuition experienced by women with the Cassandra Complex. Healing the relationship with the feminine, both in the personal and collective sense, is crucial for overcoming the negative mother complex. While progress has been made, there is still a patriarchal backlash. However, the emergence of the feminine is a necessary step towards a more balanced and equal union of opposites.
Film and Teaching Career of Lori Layton-Shapira
In addition to her work as a Jungian analyst, Lori Layton-Shapira is also a filmmaker and teacher. She has made several films, including 'The Prophecy of the Cirrus,' which explores Norse mythology. As a teacher, she has been involved with the New York Jung Institute, teaching courses on Norse mythology and directing the Introduction to Jungian Clinical Process program. This program offers a pathway to individuals who do not have a mental health degree to pursue training in Jungian psychoanalysis. Additionally, the New York Jung Institute has a referral service that provides reduced-fee Jungian psychoanalytic psychotherapy.
Lori Layton-Shapira's Journey to Becoming a Jungian Analyst
Lori Layton-Shapira's interest in Jung began in the 1960s when she read his autobiography, Memory, Streams, and Reflections. Years later, while pursuing a master's degree in psychiatric mental health nursing, she discovered the possibility of becoming a Jungian analyst. After completing the necessary hours of Jungian analysis, she applied to the Jung Institute and was accepted. Since then, she has remained dedicated to Jung's work and has contributed to the field through her clinical practice, teaching, and filmmaking.
Jungian analyst and filmmaker Laurie Layton Schapira joins us from Brooklyn, New York to discuss the re-issue of her book, The Cassandra Complex: Living with Disbelief – A Modern Perspective on Hysteria, now back in print from Inner City Books. We also discuss her films, The Prophecy of the Seeress and Women in China: Up Against the Wall.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
