Legend suggests that Merlin Emrys, man or myth, was Britain's first group consultant. In the 6th century, he provided guidance necessary for the generative matrix of the fragmented island, besieged from within and without, to transform into an integrated society. Critical aspects of psychotherapy groups and their leadership are explored by elaborating four myths characteristic of Merlin's life and amplifying the symbol of a tower central to each. The birth chamber; exploding fortress, windowed observatory, fellowship of the Round Table and the quest for the Holy Grail exemplify the group process.
Anthony, J.E.
(1993) `The Dilemma of Therapeutic Leadership: The Leader who Does not Lead', in S. Tuttman (ed.) Psychoanalytic Group Theory and Therapy. Madison, CT: International Universities Press.
2.
Beck, A.
(1981) `The Study of Group Phase Development and Emergent Leadership', Group5(4): 48-54.
3.
Begg, E.
and Rich, D. (1990) `Merlin and Jung: The Story of Our Time', Harvest36: 72-84.
4.
Bion, W.R.
(1961) Experiences in Groups and Other Papers. New York: Basic Books.
5.
Bion, W.R.
(1970) Attention and Interpretation: A Scientific Approach to Insight in Psychoanalysis and Groups. New York: Jason Aronson.
6.
Cohen, B.
and Ettin, M. (1999) `Self-structure and Self-transformation in Group Psychotherapy', International Journal of Group Psychotherapy49(1): 61-83.
7.
Colman, A.D.
(1995) Up from Scapegoating: Awakening Consciousness in Groups. Wilmette, IL: Chiron Publications.
8.
Cornwell, B.
(1995) The Winter King: A Novel of Arthur. New York: St Martin's Press.
9.
de Maré, P.
(1989) `The History of Large Group Phenomena in Relation to Group-Analytic Psychotherapy: The Story of the Median Group', Group13(3-4): 173-197.
10.
Ettin, M.
(1994) `Symbolic Representation and the Components of a Group-as-a-Whole Model', International Journal of Group Psychotherapy44(2): 209-231.
11.
Ettin, M.F.
(1999) Foundations and Applications of Group Psychotherapy: A Sphere of Influence. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
12.
Foulkes, S.H.
(1964) Therapeutic Group Analysis. London: Allen and Unwin.
13.
Jung, E.
and van Franz, M. (1971) The Grail Legend. London: Hodder and Stoughton.
14.
Kearney, H.
(1989) The British Isles: A History of Four Nations. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
15.
Lewis, C.S.
(1974) That Hideous Strength. New York: Scribner.
16.
Malory, T.
(1969) Le Morte d'Arthur, vols I and II. London: Penguin.
17.
Markale, J.
(1994) Merlin: Priest of Nature. Rochester, VT: Inner Traditions.
18.
Nitsun, M.
(1996) The Anti-Group: Destructive Forces in the Group and their Creative Potential. London: Routledge.
19.
Pines, M.
(1998) The Self as Group: The Group as Self', in I. Harwood and M. Pines (eds) Self-Experiences in Group. London: Jessica Kingsley.
20.
Rioch, M.
(1975) `"Are We all Like Sheep" (Isaiah 53:6): Followers and Leaders', in A. Colman and H. Bexton (eds) Group Relations Reader 1. Washington, DC: A.K. Rice Institute.
21.
Rosenfeld, D.
(1988) Psychoanalysis and Groups. London: Karnac Books.
22.
Rouchy, J.C.
(1995) `Identification and Groups of Belonging', Group Analysis26(2): 129-141.
23.
Schermer, V.L.
and Pines, M. (eds) (1994) Ring of Fire: Primitive Affects and Object Relations in Group Psychotherapy. London: Routledge.
24.
Stewart, M.
(1970) The Crystal Cave. New York: Fawcett Crest.
25.
Stewart, M.
(1973) The Hollow Hills. New York: Fawcett Crest.
26.
Stewart, M.
(1979) The Last Enchantment. New York: William Morrow and Co.
27.
Stewart, R.J.
(1992) The Complete Merlin Tarot. London: Aquarian Press.
28.
Stewart, R.J.
and Matthews, J. (eds) (1995) Merlin Through the Ages. London: Blansford.
29.
Tennyson, A.
(1961) Idylls of the King. New York: Penguin Books.
30.
Tolkien, J.R.R.
(1989) Lord of the Rings. New York: Ballantine Books.
31.
Tolstoy, N.
(1985) The Quest for Merlin. Boston: Little, Brown and Co.
32.
Tolstoy, N.
(1989) The Coming of the King: The First Book of Merlin. New York: Bantam Books.
33.
White, T.H.
(1958) The Once and Future King. New York: Ace.
34.
Wolfe, A.
(1996) The Arthurian Quest. St Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications.
35.
Yalom, I.
(1970) The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy. New York: Basic Books.
36.
Zinkin, L.
(1989) `The Grail and the Group', Journal of Analytical Psychology34(4), 371-386.
