A Spiritual and Psychological Journey Through Middle-earth

Part 2 with Julian: The Inner Sauron – Power, Possession, and the Psyche In this episode, Julian and I dive deep into The Lord of the Rings through the lens of psychology, mythology, and IFS (Internal Family Systems). We explore the dark allure of Sauron—not just as a villain seeking domination through the One Ring, but as a metaphor for the exiled forces within us all. Julian draws powerful parallels between Sauron and the Aztec god Huitzilopochtli, both powerful spirits who reside in higher realms yet influence human behavior in devastating ways. We reflect on how these archetypes show up in our inner worlds—manipulating, isolating, and consuming us when left unseen. What if Sauron is an inner part we exile, giving it more power? And what if the One Ring acts like an unattached burden—seductive, cursed, and waiting to latch on to vulnerable parts of our psyche? We ask the big question: how do we care for our inner Sauron, and what choices emerge when we do? You can learn more about Julian’s work at https://www.psychedelic-integration.net