Sean Frey
- BFA (University of Concordia, 2007)
Topic
Reintegrating Darkness: An Exploration into Lived Experiences of Natural Darkness
School of Child and Youth Care
Date & location
- Wednesday, August 3, 2022
- 9:00 A.M.
- Virtual Defence
Reviewers
Supervisory Committee
- Dr. Nevin Harper, School of Child and Youth Care, University of Victoria (Supervisor)
- Dr. Tim Black, Department of Educational Psychology and Leadership Studies, UVic (Member)
External Examiner
- Dr. James Rowe, School of Environmental Studies, UVic
Chair of Oral Examination
- Dr. Daniel German, Department of Computer Science, UVic
Abstract
Background: With current environmental issues of light pollution as a point of departure, this thesis draws a link between Western society’s subjugation of darkness within personal and collective psyches, and the harmful impacts caused by the decline of Natural Darkness (ND) at night, via the use of artificial light.
Purpose of Research: Global and societal issues related to light pollution, viewed through a Jungian ecopsychological framework, led to the exploration of reintegrating ND within the human psyche through therapeutic practice in wilderness settings.
Methods Used: Semi-structured interviews were conducted via Zoom with eight participants who described their relationship with ND during overnight therapeutic wilderness experiences.
Findings: Participants assigned ND with characteristics including spaciousness, emptiness, magical, nurturing, and being cocoon-like; and described experiences of reduced boundaries, increased fear, feelings of interconnection, as well as greater connection to the spiritual realm and to unprocessed psychological material.
Conclusion: Findings suggest that, for this sample, engaging with ND provided the conditions for processing psychological material, closer proximity to increased danger, and supported spiritual connection.