This book investigates the role of symbolization in the development of the human mind, from prehistoric paintings until poetry of the 20th century. Case stories show that patients today feel not «devoured by the Sphinx», but by their work («burn out»), by annihilation anxiety, psychosomatic problems etc. But the «archaic mother never dies».

Sylvia Zwettler-Otte holds degrees in Latin, German and Psychology. She works in full-time private practice and is a training analyst of the Viennese Psychoanalytic Society, whose president she was from 2000 to 2004. She has published and edited several books in German and English.

Contents: Alain Gibeault: Preface – Sylvia Zwettler-Otte: Introduction – Stefano Bolognini: The «countertransferenceless» Sphinx: the narcissistic myth of impenetrability – Rainer Gross: The Sphinx as Oedipus’ other Mother – Sylvia Zwettler-Otte: Three balancing acts of the Sphinx.