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1) First I would do an initial run-through of the tape, backwards | METAPHORS: ARCHETYPES OF THE MIND? only, and prepare a preliminary transcript of the reverse phrases. Probably the most significant observation that was made as the 2) I would follow this with a second run-through of the tape book manuscript was being prepared was that concerning from beginning to end, checking for reversals as I went by rapidly metaphors. Ever since I began research in 1984 I had noted the switching between forwards and reverse directions. appearance of many unusual words and mythological motives in 3) A more detailed transcript would then be prepared, initial backwards phrases, including references to the Garden of Eden, reversals checked, more reversals found, and sections of the for- Camelot and Merlin, Satan and Lucifer, wolves and eagles, whirl- wards dialogue transcribed. winds and saucers, even Hitler and Nazis, to name just a few. 4) Then I would do a final, third run-through and check all my My first clue came from my historical research of music and results. radio broadcasts since the 1920s. Reversals that I found there 5) The transcripts would then be analysed and complementary indicated that these metaphors were not constant over the years relationships determined. but, rather, they seemed to ebb and flow with the changing tides 6) Finally, I would conduct a precise time-count of all reversals of history. For example, I frequently found the words "Jesus" or from the beginning of the tape to the end. "Lucifer" in the 1920s and '30s, and "Nazi" or "Hitler" in popular recordings from the 1940s and '50s. Then in the 1960s, '70s and THE RIGHT-BRAIN CONNECTION early '80s, new themes began to appear with Within a few months I had a sufficient words like "Satan" and "whirlwind". I cross-section of transcripts from different set- assumed it was these references that prompted tings to make some preliminary observations. H i some of the early religious hysteria. In normal, relaxed room settings, speech In its simplest form, I was faced with a new problem. What did reversals oveurred on u average “ one rer reverse speech these words mean’ i began my wert wh sal every 10 seconds of conversation. If you . religious writings and was eventually led to the were to add some emotion such as a heated functions as an works of Carl Jung who extensively explored argument, the reversal rate would go up rapid- . | mythology and metaphor in the early 20th cen- ly, sometimes as often as one reversal every audib e tury. I was particularly attracted to his work end ofthe sale in ctared setings such xs | WUER-etector, | ins. ind my own, The metaphors [wa lectures, the rate of reversal occurrence would discovering in reverse speech were also present drop to an average of one reversal every 30 to 60 seconds. Sometimes it would drop to as low as one reversal every one or two minutes if someone were reading without emotion from a prepared script. So consistent were these observations that I used to test myself by randomly picking up tapes and playing them backwards only. I could usually tell what type of conversation it was simply by the number of reversals occurring in any given minute of tape time. Soon I began to recognise other dif- ferences such as differing tonality and in other phenomena such as dreams. Jung the- orised that these words were archetypes of the mind. Although I didn't really know what that meant at the time, it put me on a new direction and I went back to the transcripts, seeking answers with a fresh approach. If a lie is spoken forwards, reverse speech will correct that lie and communicate the truth. REVERSE SPEECH: THE VOICE OF DEEP CONSCIOUSNESS In its simplest form, reverse speech functions as an audible truth-detector. If a lie is spoken forwards, reverse speech will correct that lie and communicate the expression in speech reversals. These truth. If someone leaves facts and details were determined not only by the type of out of their forwards speech, reverse conversation, but also by the topic being discussed at the time. speech may likewise communicate those facts. Speech reversals Thus another hypothesis was formed. This hypothesis stated speak about anything, any topic on the person's mind. They may that the amount of reversals occurring in any given conversation include the names of friends and lovers, events of the week or will be directly determined by the amount of emotion involved month, plans for the future, or real thoughts and real feelings. and the free-flowing, spontaneous nature of this conversation. If this were all there was to reverse speech, it would be enough The similarities of my observation compared to the functions of to cause major shock waves in our society all by itself. But there the right brain hemisphere are striking. The right brain is consid- is far more. On the deeper levels, reverse speech describes the ered to be highly emotional and creative. It is also believed to be structures and thought processes of deep consciousness. Using responsible for the tonal inflections or the emotional content of metaphor, it reveals the causes of behaviour and personality as the speech. The left brain hemisphere, on the other hand, is consid- many parts of the psyche communicate with each other. ered to be logical and ordered, responsible for the actual verbal Reverse speech is the voice of total consciousness, from the content of speech. unconscious mind to the collective unconscious and even the soul Given these comparisons, I theorised that forwards speech was itself. It can tell who we are, why we are here and how we work. coming from the left brain hemisphere, and reverse speech was It opens us up to the incredible wisdom buried deep within human coming from the right brain hemisphere. I noted further similari- consciousness. ties with other mental phenomena such as dyslexia. I found it fas- T have already used the information obtained in reverse to revo- cinating that vision was reversed before being processed by the lutionise my practice as a hypnotherapist. I have found that one brain and I wondered if there might be a connection between , . on onan Continued on page 81 these phenomena and reverse speech. 1) First I would do an initial run-through of the tape, backwards only, and prepare a preliminary transcript of the reverse phrases. 2) I would follow this with a second run-through of the tape from beginning to end, checking for reversals as I went by rapidly switching between forwards and reverse directions. 3) A more detailed transcript would then be prepared, initial reversals checked, more reversals found, and sections of the for- wards dialogue transcribed. 4) Then I would do a final, third run-through and check all my results. 5) The transcripts would then be analysed and complementary relationships determined. 6) Finally, I would conduct a precise time-count of all reversals from the beginning of the tape to the end. audible forwards, reverse speech will correct that lie and truth. 18 = NEXUS reverse speech functions as an truth-detector. If a lie is spoken communicate the Continued on page 81 OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 1997