Note 471 — Chapter V · SYMBOLISM OF THE MOTHER AND OF REBIRTH

Here I must again recall that I give to the word “incest” more significance than properly belongs to the term. Just as libido is the onward driving force, so incest is in some manner the backward urge into childhood. For the child, it cannot be spoken of as incest. Only for the adult who possesses a completely formed sexuality does the backward urge become incest, because he is no longer a child but possesses a sexuality which cannot be permitted a regressive application.