Peggy,
I appreciate your response But I am so sad to know what I saw in the dream is true. But considering everything it is only predictable things would be this way. Without proper parenting, at least from one parent, what chance does one have to live a progressive life? I know some say such thinking is hogwash but the emotional life begins with the second breath. The first breath is to start the physical body to functioning, the second starts the psychological self to function. The primary expectation at birth is of proper nourishment and security. You had neither and the results are all too often predictable. Like parents like children.

As for the animus. I can give some advice to what to do to develop a proper animus but there are others more qualified to do so. I suggest looking to Marion Woodman for answers. She is a Jungian psychologist who works primarily with women's addictions and the results from them. Here is a link to Amazon.com that lists her many books {many are available on CD audio book}. Click on each listing and read the editorial and customer's reviews. They will provide a good description of what each book is about specifically. Get the one {or more} that fits best with your life. Once you get started with her books I believe you will read a great many more she has written.
I have learned so much from her about the feminine psyche and also dreams. She works with dreams in her therapy. A sage in our time. Her latest work 'The Crown of Age' is a wonderful book about the psychology of growing old. I have it on audio book.
Here is the link to the list, Marion Woodman Books at Amazon.

Addiction to Perfection is one that I read years ago I found to be most insightful, even for a man. Here is the review:

Through case studies, dreams, and myths, Woodman, a Jungian analyst explores the hidden causes of compulsion in the lives of men and women. At the root of eating disorders, substance abuse, and other addictive and compulsive behaviors, Woodman sees a hunger for spiritual fulfillment. The need to experience a sacred connection to an energy greater than their own drives people to search for an illusory ideal of perfection. Through discussions of parenthood, creativity, and body image, this presentation shows that freedom from addiction can be found by discovering the wisdom and power of the feminine principle.

The only advice beyond reading Woodman, and concerning the animus, is to learn to discipline yourself. Without discipline you will never get past the first steps in any endeavor in life. The hero/heroine journey in mythology is self discovery and then the discipline of staying the path. Most 'fall off the wagon' fairly early because they don't try hard enough. If know what the problem is, the next thing to do is to cease what is causing it. Physical addictions are hard but with great effort can be done {too many have succeeded}. Psychological addictions, which are often at the root of physical addictions, can be even harder but Woodman will lead you through that process. It will be the discipline to follow through that determines the end result.

I hope this provides what you need. There are many paths offered in therapy for addictions but like everything else in life it is all psychological first and foremost. If you have other dreams you need help with, well that is where I have some expertise.

Jerry

Age & Gender & Location {Required}: 63 Space Coast, Fla.

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