ABSTRACT

In psychodrama physical space is important. The sessions usually are held in rectangular rooms. The participants are seated in a circle that traces the boundaries of the ‘scenic space’ at the centre. Thus they form a kind of image that can be considered analogous to a yantra, the sacred diagram that is described by Eliade (Eliade 1991:15, 1963: 397ff.). The space that is formed like this can cover the same ground as the archetypal image of the sacred territory – the temenos, or temple where the ritual is performed. The scenic space in this temple is reserved for the gods. In the psychodrama groups these gods are psychic forces, as James Hillman understands them (Hillman 1979: 22-23). This is the place where these gods have the room to express themselves.