In a substantial number of female patients there seems to exist a primary identification with a maternal imago that is experienced only in extreme terms. The maternal imago epitomizes an omnipotent, all powerful, sublime, awe-inspiring, protective and sacred figure while it also personifies a vulnerable and pathetic figure, dominated by helplessness, sadness, illnesses and inhibitions. The unconscious memory of the subject’s connection and struggles with this primary imago of a mother/breast constitutes the (mythical) background against which later object relationships will have developed. They will be re-evoked, revisited and re-experienced subsequently in the situation of transference. Following on from Freud’s view in the Project, this constitutes a trauma that is only re-created, developed and understood après coup through the work of analysis.
Keywords: Transference, Primary identification, Maternal imago, Female patients, Trauma