The Enchantment of the Fairy Tale

Fairy tales and stories lead both children and adults toward the discovery of their identity and vocation, suggesting to the unconscious which experiences are necessary to develop one's character. They reassure us that a rewarding and full life is within everyone’s reach, despite adversity—provided we do not shy away from the risky struggles without which a true identity cannot be achieved. Fairy tales are precious; they show us that if we have the courage to embark on the journey, benevolent powers will intervene to help us, and we will succeed by learning to make choices while listening to our deepest nature. For it is not the destination that is the true source of joy, but the ability to cherish the entire path.

Fairy tales warn us: those who are too fearful, or who do not dare to risk themselves in this quest called life, must settle for a monotonous existence—unless an unexpected event arises to compel them to depart.

[Bruno Bettelheim]

Bruno Bettelheim was a psychoanalyst and an expert on the role of fairy tales in the psychological development of children and, consequently, adults. In his book "The Uses of Enchantment" (1976), Bettelheim explores the therapeutic power of stories, shedding light on how they guide children to understand and confront their emotional challenges. Fairy tales provide a protected space to face childhood fears and anxieties, while offering fertile ground for self-understanding and for reconnecting with the "inner child" later in life.

• Symbolism and Deep Meaning

  
  

Myths, legends, dreams, and fairy tales speak to us through a symbolic language: their metaphors reach those depths within us that escape reason. During the telling of a story, the conscious mind, the unconscious, and our yearning for ideals meet, making us aware of the plurality of voices that inhabit us. In a fairy tale, every character is indispensable, as each embodies a fundamental role within our inner world. Here, the psychological experiences we often neglect in the haste of daily life finally find the space to emerge. The fairy tale thus becomes an act of meditation: a place of reflection where the transformation required at a specific moment in life can take place.

• The Process of Identification

  
  

In a fairy tale, inner processes are revealed from the right distance: we can observe them from the outside and, simultaneously, experience them through the adventures of the protagonists. It is because of this nature that traditional Hindu medicine would assign a specific fairy tale to a psychologically disoriented individual—one that mirrored their particular conflict. By meditating on the story, the person found the time to observe both the nature of their difficulties and the path to overcoming them. Thanks to the variety of characters, the fairy tale offers ever-changing perspectives, leaving each reader free to embrace the one that best answers their current need.

[In using stories with both young people and adults, I have noticed that it is not always necessary to identify with the protagonist; often, it is the secondary characters who offer the support needed to evolve.]

• Therapeutic Action

  
  

The fairy tale is therapeutic because it allows everyone to find their own solutions, restoring trust in intuition. Its content does not concern external reality but speaks directly to internal conflicts which, if approached rationally, appear incomprehensible and unsolvable. For this reason, it is necessary to rely on the language of symbols rather than literal logic: in a fairy tale, even death or evil are not mere "news events," but images of the fragmentation and transformation of our identity. While children inhabit this symbolic world naturally, adults often struggle to accept what eludes reason. Yet, this very abstraction from reality is the fairy tale’s greatest merit: its purpose is not to provide information about the world, but to shed light on the secret processes occurring within us.

• Facing Fears

  
  

Finally, because the fairy tale always guarantees a happy ending, the reader can allow their unconscious to emerge without fear. Following the plot of the story, the reader knows that whatever truth they may discover within themselves, they will not only emerge unscathed but will have acquired new "superpowers" during the journey.

If something resonated with you, if you want to know more, or if you simply wish to share, write to me: lanottedigiorno@gmail.com

+39 340 575 2656

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