Six Precautions
I recognize specific dangers to psychoanalytical work:
Dissolution: ego identification with the literal impulses of the unconscious — also known as psychosis
Depression: uncomfortable diminution of the ego
Inflation: identification of the ego with the literal characteristics of the Self
The archetypes make demands on consciousness; in order to maintain balance, an operator could ask what they can do for the archetype, to help it, or to pay for the information or advice. Then, the operator should honor the sacrifice.
Especially in transpersonal work, psychic demands are not always in the best interests of the host consciousness: the interests could in fact be of an evil nature, relative to the ego: so be very careful and selective about conjurations.
Many indigenous cultures recommend practicing the psychic hygiene of “masquerading” on journeys through identification with “power animals” and other such helpful identities. This is, on the one hand, in order that the agent differentiates between waking life and spiritual life (in order to prevent psychosis and inflation); it is also, on the other hand, said that this way “the spirits” cannot follow the active light back into waking consciousness.
