Topic: Survival Mechanisms

Greg Carlwood and Olajeh discuss the psychological aspects of healing from ritual abuse, specifically the concept of talking to younger "parts" or alters of oneself. This therapeutic approach, often used in soul-centered healing, involves acknowledging the survival mechanisms developed during childhood. Olajeh confirms that her fractured parts often retain the perspective and age of when the trauma occurred.

The concept of "self-fashioning" in the Renaissance involved adopting a specific style and posture to survive the highly competitive and dangerous environment of the courts. Nicola III D'Este, for example, had children by many different women, leading to intense violence and competition among heirs. The Sola Busca deck's page cards reflect this poise of invincibility required for survival in such an unruly social structure.

Greg Carlwood suggests that many Americans suffer from a form of Stockholm Syndrome, continuing to support a system that offers them little freedom or financial security. Marie D. Jones attributes this to a lifetime of bombardment by rhetoric and media messages, resulting in total cognitive dissonance. This psychological state is described as a survival mechanism that allows individuals to function despite systemic abuse and constant surveillance.