The Role of the Dummling in Fairytales

Date & Time: Friday, March 14th, 2025 | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM (MT)

Location: Online - Zoom (Limited to 15 participants)

Speaker: Suzanne Musters, Jungian Analyst & Registered Psychotherapist

Event Description

In many fairy tales, the solar hero of rational consciousness sets out to claim the lost treasure—whether the water of life, the princess, or the hoard of gold—only to fail. When logic and conventional strength fall short, it is the dummling—the seemingly foolish, naïve, and most unlikely of heroes—who finds the way forward. He follows nature, leads with the heart rather than the head, and stumbles his way toward success.

Marie-Louise von Franz describes this archetypal figure as "the part of the personality or even of humanity which remains behind and therefore still has the original wholeness of nature." Through an in-depth exploration of the fairy tale "The Golden Goose," this seminar will examine the archetypal motif of the dummling and how his intuitive, open-hearted approach to life can serve as a guide on the individuation journey.

This interactive 2-hour seminar will be limited to 15 participants to encourage an in-depth discussion. In preparation, attendees are encouraged to read "The Golden Goose" beforehand, reflect on the major symbols and motifs in the fairy tale and come ready to share their insights.

Background Reading:

Marie-Louise von Franz, The Interpretation of Fairy Tales (Boulder: Shambhala)

About the Speaker – Suzanne Musters

Suzanne Musters is a Jungian Analyst and Registered Psychotherapist based in Toronto. She is a graduate and faculty member of the Ontario Association of Jungian Analysts (OAJA). Before training as an analyst, she worked as a process facilitator with school boards and boards of trustees across Ontario, as well as with small groups exploring spiritual and psychological growth through myths and dreams. She is also a trained labyrinth facilitator.

Suzanne brings her lifelong passion for dreams, fairy tales, and mythology into her work and enjoys sharing these timeless stories with others as a tool for personal and collective transformation.

Space is limited—reserve your spot today!