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title:Alchemy:AnIntroductiontotheSymbolismandthePsychologyStudiesinJungianPsychology;5
author: Franz,Marie-Louisevon.publisher: InnerCityBooks
isbn10|asin: 091912304Xprintisbn13: 9780919123045ebookisbn13: 9780585147840
language: Englishsubject Alchemy.
publicationdate: 1980lcc: QD26.F7ebddc: 540/.1/12
subject: Alchemy.
Page1
Alchemy
Page2
Marie-LouisevonFranz,HonoraryPatron
StudiesinJungianPsychologybyJungianAnalysts
DarylSharp,GeneralEditor
Page3
AlchemyAnIntroductiontotheSymbolismandthePsychology
Marie-LouisevonFranz
Page4
CanadianCataloguinginPublicationData
Franz,Marie-Louisevon,1915-Alchemy
(StudiesinJungianPsychology;5)
Basedonaseriesoflecturesgivenin1959attheC.G.JungInstituteinZurich,Switzerland.IncludesIndex.
ISBN0-919123-04-X(pbk.)
1.Alchemy.2.Symbolism(Psychology)3.Dreams.4.Jung,C.G.(CarlGustav),1875-1961.I.Title.II.Series.
QD26.F73540'.1'12019C81-094010-8
Copyright©1980byMarie-LouisevonFranz.Allrightsreserved.
INNERCITYBOOKSBox1271,StationQ,Toronto,CanadaM4T2P4
HonoraryPatron:Marie-LouisevonFranz.PublisherandGeneralEditor:DarylSharp.EditorialBoard:FraserBoa,DarylSharp,MarionWoodman.
INNERCITYBOOKSisdevotedtothepublicationofStudiesinJungianPsychologybyJungianAnalysts.InquiriesregardingmanuscriptsmaybeaddressedtotheEditor.
Marie-LouisevonFranzisaJungianAnalystpractisinginKusnacht,Switzerland.
Cover:CrowneddragonasOuroboros,symbolofthealchemicalwork
asacircular,self-containedprocess.(SeeIllustration16)
SetinEnglishTimesbyAnnYeoman,Toronto.PrintedandboundinCanadabyUniversityofTorontoPressIncorporated
Page5
Contents
Acknowledgements 6
ListofIllustrationsandCredits 7
Lecture1.Introduction 13
Lecture2.GreekAlchemy 39
Lecture3.GreekAlchemy 65
Lecture4.Greek/ArabicAlchemy 93
Lecture5.ArabicAlchemy 125
Lecture6.ArabicAlchemy 155
Lecture7.Aururaconsurgens 177
Lecture8.Auroraconsurgens 207
Lecture9.Auroraconsurgens 241
Index 273
Pleaseseefinalpagesfor Catalogue
Page6
AcknowledgementsThisbookisbasedonthetranscriptionbyMissUnaThomasofthelectureseriespresentedbyDr.vonFranzattheC.G.JungInstitute,Zürich,in1959.TheauthorandpublisheraregratefultoMissThomasforherfaithfulpreparationoftheoriginalversion.ThetextinitspresentformwaseditedforpublicationbyDarylSharpandMarionWoodman.DarylSharpselectedtheillustrations,wrotethecaptions,andcompiledtheindex.
Thephilosophicaleggisbothbirthplaceof,andcontainerfor,thenewattitudessymbolisedbythealchemicalgoaloftheconiunctio,theunionofopposites(maleandfemale,consciousnessandtheunconscious,etc.).Herethatgoal
ispicturedashermaphroditeintriumphoverthedragonand
thewingedglobeofchaos,threateningfacesoftheunconscious.Thesevenplanetsrepresentdifferentaspectsof
thepersonalityandthesevenstagesoftransformation.Jamsthaler,Viatoriumspagyricum(1625).
Page7
ListofIllustrationsandCreditsCWreferstoCollectedWorksofC.G.Jung(BollingenSeriesXX),20vols.,transl.R.F.C.Hull,ed.H.Read,M.Fordham,G.Adler,Wm.McGuire,PrincetonU.P.,Princeton,1953-1979.
1.MountainoftheAdepts.Michelspacher,Cabala(1654).PhotoArchives,Marburg.
12
2.EagleasSymboloftheSpirit.HermaphroditischesSonn-undMondskind(1752),p.44.C.G.JungColl.(QuotefromMysteriumConiunctionis,CW14,par.673)
15
3.AlchemistandSororMystica.MutusLiber(1702),p.13,detail.MellonColl.,YaleUniv.Lib.
20
4.GodtheFather.WilliamBlakewoodcutfromTheBookofJob(1825),p.2,detail.BritishMuseum.
28
5.ReleasingtheSpiritfromMatter.ThomasAquinas(pseud.),Dealchimia,CodexVossianus29(16thcent.).LeidenUniv.Lib.,fol.60a,detail.
37
6.AlchemistandAssistantbytheFurnace.Mutusliber(1702),p.11,detail.MellonColl.,YaleUniv.Lib.
38
7.TheTail-EatingOuroboros.CodexMarcianus(11thcent.),Venice,fol.188v.
41
8.IsisSucklingHorus.FromE.A.WallisBudge,TheGodsoftheEgyptians,II,Dover,NewYork,1969,p.207.
45
9.PissingMannikin."Speculumveritatis,"CodexLatinus7286(17thcent.),fol.3,detail.VaticanLib.
49
10.TheTemptingofEve.Woodcutfromthe"Speculumhumanaesalvationis"(1470),inWorringer,DiealtdeutscheBuchillustration,Munich,1919.
51
11.TheConnectionBetweenInstinctandArchetype.OriginaldrawingbasedonJung'sremarksin"OntheNatureofthePsyche,"TheStructureandDynamicsofthePsyche,CW8,pars.417-420.
59
12.TheSunGodRawithhisAttributes.FromE.A.WallisBudge,TheGodsoftheEgyptians,II,Dover,NewYork,1969,p.7.
61
13.TheSeaofRenewalfromVirgin'sMilk.S.deStolcenberg,Viridariumchymicum(1624),fig.LXXXIII.PhotoJ.Jacobi.
63
Page8
14.CoronationofVirginMary.Rosariumphilosophorum(1550).C.G.JungColl.
64
15.TheSignoftheSecret.Mutusliber(1702),p.14,detail.MellonColl.,YaleUniv.Lib.
67
16.TheOuroborosasCrownedDragonandWingedandWinglessSerpents.Eleazar,UralteschymischesWerk(1760),PartII,nos.4and3.MellonColl.,YaleUniv.Lib.
70
17.DoubleLionwithSunDisc.FromE.A.WallisBudge,AmuletsandSuperstitions,Dover,NewYork,1978,p.134.
71
18.OsirisSproutingGrains.FromE.A.WallisBudge,Osiris,I,Dover,NewYork,1973,p.58.
73
19.AnubisAnointingOsiris.FromE.A.WallisBudge,Osiris,II,Dover,NewYork,1973,p.48.
74
20.TheResurrectionofOsiris.FromE.A.WallisBudge,Osiris,II,Dover,NewYork,1973,p.58.
74
21.AlchemicalLibraryandLaboratory.Maier,Tripusaureus(1618),titlepage.MellonColl.,YaleUniv.Lib.
83
22.OsirisinCedarCoffin.FromE.A.WallisBudge,Osiris,I,Dover,NewYork,1973,p.5.
85
23.MercuriusinSealedVessel.Barchusen,Elementachemiae(1718),fig.75.Nat.Lib.,Paris.
86
24.CreationofAdamfromClay.Schedel,DasBuchderChroniken(1493),p.V.J.JacobiColl.
89
25.OuroborosasSymboloftheAeon.Horapollo,Selecta 91
hieroglyphica(1597),p.5.C.G.JungColl.
26.TheFallenAdamasPrimaMateria."Miscellanead'alchimia,"MSAshburnham1166(14thcent.).MediciLib.,Florence.
92
27.SpiderastheMaya.DamagedBrahminicvignette,inMueller,Glauben,WissenundKunstderaltenHindus,Pl.I,fig.91.
99
28.WaterofLifeBetweenSunandMoon.Barchusen,Elementachemiae(1718),fig.9.Nat.Lib.,Paris.
100
29.UnionofWaterandFIRE.Indianpainting,inMueller,Glauben,WissenundKunstderaltenHindus,Pl.II,fig.17.
103
30.LionDevouringtheSun.Rosariumphilosophorum(1550).C.G.JungColl.
105
Page9
31.HermesTrismegistuswithTablet.Senior,Dechemia,inMangetus,Bibliothecachemicacuriosa(1702).MellonColl.,YaleUniv.Lib.
110
32.VolatileSpiritasEagleandSwan.Mylius,Philosophiareformata(1622),p.126,fig.13.C.G.JungColl.
115
33.RoastingtheSalamander.TheBookofLambspring,I,inA.E.Waite(ed.andtransl.),TheHermeticMuseumRestoredandEnlarged,I,p.295.
117
34.Cupid,Venus,andthePassionsofLove.Bronzino,1550-1555.Nat.Gallery,London.
119
35.TreeSpirit.ColourandpenandinkdrawingbyMargaretJacoby(1977).DarylSharpColl.
122
36.WingedandWinglessBirdsandJustandUnjustSuns.DetailofIllustration31.
124
37.LoonandFish.ColourprintbyJacksonBeardy,OjibwayIndian(1973).CanadianNativePrintsLtd.,Vancouver,B.C.
127
38.TransformationofMercurius.Barchusen,Elementachemiae(1718),fig.76.Nat.Lib.,Paris.
129
39.AlchemistWorshippingSulphur."Speculumveritatis,"CodexLatinus7286(17thcent.),fol.3.VaticanLib.
133
40.AlchemistConferringwithGod.Barchusen,Elementachemiae(1718),fig.2.Nat.Lib.,Paris.
141
41.UnionofOppositesasMonstrosity.Brant,Hexastichon(1503).C.G.JungColl.
145
42.JonahandLapisAngularis."Speculumhumanaesalvationis,"CodexLatinus512(15thcent.).Nat.Lib.,Paris.
148
43.PersonifiedUnionofSunandMoon.Rosariumphilosophorum(1550).C.G.JungColl.
151
44.MoonandSunFurnaces.Mutusliber(1702),p.14,detail.MellonColl.,YaleUniv.Lib.
153
45.MeetingofKingandQueen.Trismosin,"Splendorsolis,"MSHarley3469(1582).BritishMuseum.
154
46.SaturnDevouringhisChildren.Mutusliber(1702),p.7,detail.MellonColl.,YaleUniv.Lib.
157
47.PeacockRisingfromRetort.MS(18thcent.),inColl.Dr.C.Rusch,Appenzell.
158
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48.EnteringtheCitywithBliss-BestowingHands.''TheTenOx-herdingPictures,"Suzuki,ManualofZenBuddhism.
161
49.MooninShadow.Maier,Scrutiniumchymicum(1687),p.133.
163
50.MercuriusasDivineChild.Mutusliber(1702),p.11,detail.MellonColl.,YaleUniv.Lib.
168
51.DescentofHolyGhostasClovenTongues.MunichLectionary,CodexLatinus15713(12thcent.).MunichStateLib.,fol.37v.
173
52.FountainofLife.Rosariumphilosophorum(1550).C.G.JungColl.
175
53.UnionofOppositesasHermaphrodite.HermaphroditischesSonn-undMondskind(1752),p.16,detail.C.G.JungColl.
176
54.SapientiaasMotheroftheWise.ThomasAquinas(pseud,),Dealchimia,CodexVossianus29(16thcent.).LeidenUniv.Lib.,fol.53,detail.
183
55.GodasLogosCreatingZodiac.PeterLombard,"Desacramentis,"CodexVaticanusLatinus681(14thcent.).VaticanLib.
184
56.TheWisdomasTreeofLife.Reusner,Pandora(1588),p.225.C.G.JungColl.
188
57.FlamingHeart.JakobBoehme. 191
58.AlchemistandSororMysticaHoldingtheKeys.ThomasAquinas(pseud.),Dealchimia,CodexVossianus
195
29(16thcent.).LeidenUniv.Lib.,fol.99.(QuotefromMysteriumConiunctionis,CW14,par.738)
59.AlchemistasPriest.Maier,Symbolaaureaemensae(1617),p.509.MellonColl.,YaleUniv.Lib.
197
60.AndrogynousGod.LateBabyloniangem,fromLajard,"MémoiresurunereprésentationfiguréedelaVénusorientaleandrogyne,"inNouvellesannalesdel'Institutarchéologique,I,p.161,Paris,1836.
201
61.CloudofChaos.Marolles,TableauxdutempledesMuses(1655).BritishMuseum.
206
62.DepressionandConsciousConflict.Twopaintingsbywomaninanalysis(1976).DarylSharpColl.
209
63.TheNigredoasEthiopian.Trismosin,"Splendorsolis,"MSHarley3469(1582).BritishMuseum.
211
Page11
64.TheWisdomofGodasWorldSoul.EngravingbyJ.-T.deBry,fromFludd,Utriusquecosmi(1617),pp.4-5.
213
65.AssumptionofVirginMary.SpeculumTrinitatis,fromReusner,Pandora(1588),p.253.C.G.JungColl.
215
66.ImmersionintheBath.Rosariumphilosophorum(1550).C.G.JungColl.
221
67.AlchemistMeditatinginNigredo.Jamsthaler,Viatoriumspagyricum(1625),p.27.C.G.JungColl.
223
68.DevilasAerialSpirit.IllustrationbyEugèneDelacroix(1799-1863)forFaust,PartI.TheHeritageClub,NewYork.
226
69.AlchemistandSororMysticaFishing.Mutusliber(1702),fig.3.MellonColl.,YaleUniv.Lib.
231
70.TheReunionoftheSoulandtheBody.IllustrationtoBlair'sTheGrave(1808),drawnbyWilliamBlake,etchedbySchiavonetti.
233
71.Seven-PetalledFlower.Boschius,Symbolographia(1702).C.G.JungColl.
235
72.AlchemistsAtWork.Mutusliber(1702),p.6.MellonColl.,YaleUniv.Lib.
240
73.BirthoftheDragon.PenandinkdrawingbyMargaretJacoby(1977).DarylSharpColl.
243
74.AlchemicalTrinity.Lambspringk,"Figuraeetemblemata,"fig.XV,inMusaeumhermeticum(1678),p.371.MellonColl.,YaleUniv.Lib.
247
75.UnionofWingedKingandQueen.Rosariumphilosophorum(1550).C.G.JungColl.
251
76.MercurialSerpentDevouringitself.Barchusen,Elementachemiae(1718),figs.58-61.Nat.Lib.,Paris.
253
77.AlchemicalPelican.Rhenanus,Soliseputeo(1613). 257
78.SymbolofAlchemy.Eleazar,UralteschymischesWerk(1760),PartII,no.9.MellonColl.,YaleUniv.Lib.
259
79.AlchemicalFurnace.Geber,Dealchimia(1529),frontispiece.C.G.JungColl.
265
80.AlchemistenclosedinNigredo.Jamsthaler,Viatoriumspagyricum(1625),p.118.C.G.JungColl.
267
81.TheAnnunciation.MathisNithart(died1528).IsenheimAltar,Kolmar.(QuotefromunpublishedSeminarNotes,1925)
269
82.TheSymbolicProcess.BéroaldedeVerville,LeSongedePoliphile(1600).MellonColl.,YaleUniv.
271
Page12
1.Mountainoftheadepts.Theprocessofpsychologicaldevelopmentisanalogoustothestagesinthealchemicaltransformationofbasematterintogoldthephilosopher'sstonehererepresentedasa
"templeofthewise"buriedintheearth.Thephoenix,symboloftherenewedpersonality,straddlesthesunandmoon(theoppositesas
masculineandfeminine).Thezodiacinthebackgroundsymbolisesthedurationoftheprocess;thefourelementsindicatewholeness.Theblindfoldedmanrepresentsthestumblingsearchfortruth;therightwayisshownbytheinvestigatorpreparedtofollowhisnatural
instincts.
Page13
Lecture1IntroductionIhavegivenmuchthoughtastohowIshouldgivethiscourseintroducingyoutothesymbolismofalchemy,andhavedecidedonashortinterpretationofagoodmanytexts,insteadofonetextasatothertimes.Aswehaveninelectures,IthoughtIwouldgivethreelecturesonOldGreek,threeonArabic,andthreeonlaterEuropeanalchemy,sothatyoumayobtainatleastaglimpseofeveryphaseofthedevelopmentofthisscience.
Asyouknow,Dr.Junghasdevotedmanyyearsofstudytothissubject,whichhepracticallydugupfromthedunghillofthepast,foritwasaforgottenanddespisedfieldofinvestigationwhichhehassuddenlyrevived.Thefactthatnowthesmallestpamphletsellsforabout100Swissfrancs,whileabouttenyearsagoanexcellentbookonalchemycouldbeboughtfortwoorthreefrancs,isactuallyduetoDr.Jung,becauseexceptfortheinterestdisplayedbysomeFreemasoncircles,andlaterdevelopmentsbyRosicrucians,nobodyreallyknewanythingaboutthesubjectwhenhebeganhisworkonit.
Assoonaswegetintothetextsyouwillunderstand,tosomeextent,howalchemycametobeforgotten,andwhystill,eveninJungiancircles,manypeoplesaythattheycangoalongwithDr.Jungasfarasmythinterpretationisconcerned,andwithallelsehehaswritten,butthatwhenitcomestoalchemytheygiveup,andeitherdonotread,orgrumblewhilereadinghisbooksonthesubject.Thisisbecausealchemy,initself,istremendouslydarkandcomplex,andthetextsverydifficulttoread,sothatanenormouskindoftechnicalbackgroundofknowledgeisneededifyouwishtopenetrateintothisfield.Iamgivingthisintroductorycoursetostudentsinthehopethat
itmayenablethemtogetintothematerialbetter,sothatwhentheyreadDr.Jung'sbookstheywillhaveabackgroundofknowledgeandbeabletounderstandthem.
InPsychologyandAlchemy,Dr.Junghas,asitwere,introducedalchemyintopsychology,firstbypublishingaseriesofthedreamsofanaturalscientistwhichcontainagreatamountofalchemicalsymbolism,andthenbyquotingfromoldtexts,wherebyhehoped
Page14
toshowhowimportantandmodernthismaterialis,andhowmuchithastosaytomodernman.Hehimselfdiscoveredalchemyabsolutelyempirically.Heoncetoldmethathefrequentlycameacrosscertainmotifsinhispatients'dreamswhichhecouldnotunderstand,andthenonedayhestartedtolookatoldbooksonalchemyandnoticedaconnection.Forexample,awomanpatientdreamtthataneaglewasatfirstflyinguptothesky,andthensuddenly,turningrounditshead,begantoeatitsownwingsanddroppedbackontotheearth.Dr.Jungwasnaturallyabletounderstandthissymbolismwithouthistoricalparallelsthehighsoaringspirit,orthoughtbird,sotospeak.Thedreamindicatesasortofenantiodromia,thereversalofapsychicsituation.Allthesame,hewasverymuchstruckbythemotifwhichoneatoncerecognizesasarchetypalandwhichonefeelsconvincedmusthaveparallels;itstrikesoneasageneralmotif,yetitwasnowheretobefound.ThenonedayhediscoveredtheRipleyScroll,whichgivesaseriesofpicturesofthealchemicalprocesspartlypublishedinPsychologyandAlchemywherethereisaneaglewithaking'shead,whichturnsbackandeatsitsownwings.
Thecoincidencestruckhimveryforciblyandforyearshekeptitinmindandfeltthattherewasmoretoalchemyandthatheshouldgointothesubject,buthehesitatedtoattackthismostcomplexfield,realizinghowmuchworkitwouldinvolveandthatitwouldmeanrubbinguponhisGreekandLatinandreadingsomuch.Finally,however,hecametotheconclusionthatithadtobedone,thattherewastoomuchburiedinthesubjectwhichwasimportanttousforabetterunderstandingofthedreammaterialofmodernpeople.
ForDr.Jungitwasnotatheoreticalproblem,butastrikingparalleltothematerialwithwhichhewasdealing.Butnowwemightaskourselveswhyalchemicalsymbolismshouldbeclosertotheunconsciousproductofmanymodernpeoplethananyothermaterial.
Whywoulditnotsufficetostudycomparativemythology,fairytales,andthehistoryofreligions?Whyhasittobeparticularlyalchemy?
Therearevariousreasonsforthis.Ifwestudysymbolisminthecomparativehistoryofreligion,orinChristianityalltheallegoriesoftheVirginMary,forinstance,orthetreeoflife,orthecross,orthesymbolismofthedragoninChristianmedievalmaterial,andsoonorifwestudymythology,asweknowitforinstancefromthe
Page15
2.Eagleassymbolofthespirit,
bywhich,accordingtoJung,thealchemistsmeant"allthehighermentalfacultiessuchasreason,
insight,andmoraldiscrimination."
NorthAmericanIndiansthebeliefsoftheHopis,thesongoftheNavaho,etc.weareineachcasedealingwithmaterialformedincollectivityandhandedonbymoreorlessorganizedtradition.AmongtheNorthAmericanIndianstherearetraditionsofmedicinemenwhohandedonthesongsandritualstotheirpupils,whilecertainthingswereknownbythewholetribewhichparticipatedintherituals.ThesameholdsgoodforChristiansymbolism,forthatishandedoninthetraditionsoftheChurch,andthewholesymbolismoftheliturgyandoftheMass,withallitsmeaning,istransmittedbydoctrine,tradition,andhumanorganizations.TherearealsothedifferentEasternformsofYogaandotherformsofmeditation.Suchformedsymbolscertainlyoriginatedintheunconscious,buttheyhavesincebeenworkeduponthroughandbytradition.Onerepeatedlyseeshowanyonewhohashadoriginalandimmediateexperienceofunconscioussymbolsbeginsafterwardstoworkuponthem.
LetustakeasanexampleSt.NiklausvonderFlüe,theSwisssaint,
whohadavisionofawandereranddivinefigurewhichcametowardshimwearingashiningbearskin,andsingingasongofthreewords.FromtheoriginalreportitisobviousthatthesaintwasconvincedthateitherGod,orChrist,wasappearingtohim.Buttheoriginalreportgotlost,anduntilabouteightyyearsagotherewasonlyareportmadebyoneofhisearliestbiographers,whotoldthestorymoreorlesscorrectly,butomittedthebearskin!ThethreewordsofthesongrefertotheTrinity,thedivinewandererwouldbeChristvisitingthesaint,andsoon.Allthatthebiographer
Page16
mentioned,butwiththebearskinhecoulddonothingforwhyshouldChristwearabearskin?Sothatitemwasdroppedanditwasonlybythechancerediscoveryoftheoriginalreportofthevisionthatitwasafterwardsincluded.Thisiswhathappenstooriginalexperienceswhicharehandedon,foraselectionismadeandwhatfitsorcoincideswithwhatisalreadyknownishandedon,whileotherdetailstendtogetdropped,becausetheyseemstrangeandonedoesnotknowhowtodealwiththem.
Itseems,therefore,thatsymbolismhandedonbytraditionistoacertainextentrationalizedandpurgedofthescurrilitiesoftheunconscious,thefunnylittledetailswhichtheunconscioustagson,sometimescontradictionsanddirt.That,onasmallscale,happensevenwithinourselves.Ayoungdoctorsuddenlybecameveryscepticaloverthewaywewritedownourdreams,believingthatalotwasfalsifiedwhenonewrotedownone'sdreamsinthemorning.Soheputawirerecorderbyhisbedsideandwhenhewokeinthenight,evenifinahalfsleepystate,herecordedhisdreamandinthemorningwrotedownthedreamasheremembereditandcomparedthetwo.Hethendiscoveredthathissceptismwasexaggerated.Thereportswemakeofdreamsthenextmorningarealmostcorrect,butinvoluntarilyweintroduceorderintothem.Forinstance,hedreamtthatsomethinghappenedinahouseandthatthenafterwardshewentintothehouse.Inretellingthedreaminthemorninghecorrectedthetimesequenceandwrotedownthathewentintothehouseandthenexperiencedthisandthat.Actually,thedreamsrecordedatoncearemoreconfusedastotime,butotherwisetheyareprettycorrect.Thereforeevenwhenadreamcrossesthethresholdofconsciousness,consciousnessinreportingitdoessomethingtoit,amendsitandmakesitalittlemoreunderstandable.
Cumgranosalis,youcouldcomparetheabovetothewayinwhich
religiousexperiencesarehandedoninalivingreligioussystem,namelythatthepersonalimmediateexperienceisusuallypurified,clarified,andrevised.Forexample,inthehistoriesofthepersonalinnerlifeofCatholicsaints,mostofthesaintshadimmediateexperiencesoftheGodheadthatbelongsinthedefinitionofasaintorvisionsoftheVirginMary,orChrist,andsoon.ButtheChurchhasrarelypublishedanythingwithoutfirstexpurgatingwhatwasconsideredtobepersonalmaterial.Onlywhatfittedinwithtraditionwaschosen.
Page17
Thesamethinghappenseveninfreeprimitivecommunities.EventheNorthAmericanIndiansomitcertaindetails,consideringthemnotinterestingtocollectiveconsciousideas.Australianaboriginescelebrateafestivalcalled"Kunapipi,"whichgoesonforthirtyyears.Forthirtyyearscertainritualsareperformedatspecifiedtimesitisabigrebirthritualwhichlastsforawholegenerationandwhenthethirtyyearsareup,itstartsalloveragain.Theethnologistwhofirstdescribedittookthetroubletocollectthedreamsinthetribeswhichreferredtothefestival.Hediscoveredthatmembersofthetribeoftendreamtaboutit,andthatinthosedreams,asonewouldexpect,andaswouldhappentous,therewerevariationsinlittledetailswhichdidnotquitefitwithwhatactuallytookplace.Australianaboriginessaythatifadreamcontainedagoodidea,itwastoldtothetribeandadoptedasapartofthefestival,whichinthatwayvariedalittlesometimes,thoughinthemaintheykepttothetraditionwhichhadbeenhandedon.
WhenanalysingCatholics,Ihaveoftenseenthesamephenomenon,namelythattheydreamoftheMassbutsomethingspecialhappens,forinstancethepriestdistributeshotsoupinsteadoftheHost,orsomethinglikethat.Itisallquitecorrectexceptfortheonedetail.Irememberanun'sdreaminwhichinthemiddleoftheSanctus,thatisattheholiestmoment,justwhenthetransformationshouldtakeplace,theoldBishopwhowasreadingMasssuddenlystoppedandsaid:"Nowsomethingmoreimportantisfirstnecessary,"andthengaveasermonontheIncarnation.ThenhestoppedagainandsaidthatnowtheywouldgoonwiththeoldtraditionalMass,andhandedovertotwoyoungprieststofinishit.Apparentlythisnun,asisthecasewithmanyotherpeople,hadnotenoughrealunderstandingofthemysteryoftheMassitwastoherjustthemechanicalrepetitionofthemysteryandtherefore,beforethetransformationtookplace,thedreamshowed
thatoneshouldreallyexplaintopeoplewhatwashappening,becauseiftheydidnotparticipatewiththeirminds,itwasofnohelptothem,theywerejustbelievingwithoutcomprehension.SoinherdreamtheBishopgavealongexplanation,afterwhichtheclassicalMasscontinuedwithyoungerpriests,showingthatitwasarenewal.RenewaltakesplaceaccordingtothewayinwhichtheMassisunderstood,andheretheoldmanhandedovertothetwoyoungmen.Thisillustrateshowindividualexperienceofreligioussymbolsalwaysvariesalittlefromtheofficialformula,whichisonlyan
Page18
averagepattern.Thereisverylittleimmediatemanifestationoftheunconsciouseitherinhistoryorelsewhere.
Byobservingdreams,visions,andhallucinations,etc.,modernmancannowforthefirsttimelookinanunprejudicedwayatthephenomenaoftheunconscious.Whatcomesfromtheunconsciouscanbeobservedthroughindividuals.Thepasthashandedonsomerarereportsofindividualexperiences,butonthewhole,symbolsoftheunconsciousreachusinthemoretraditionalway,duetothefactthat,normally,mankindhasnotapproachedtheunconsciousindividually,but,withfewexceptions,hasrelatedtoitindirectlythroughreligioussystems.Thisobtainsgenerally,asfarasIcansee,exceptintheoldestandmostprimitivesocieties,andincertainotherbutalsoalreadycodifiedformsofapproachtotheunconscious.
InanumberofEskimotribestherearepracticallynocontentsofcollectiveconsciousness.TherearesomefewteachingsaboutcertainghostsandspiritsandgodsSila,thegodoftheair,Sedna,thegoddessofthesea,andsoonwhicharehandedonorallybycertainpeople,butonlypersonalexperiencesarehandedonbytheshamanormedicineman,whoarethereligiouspersonalitiesofsuchcommunities.TheEskimosleadsuchahardlifeandhavesuchdifficultyinsurviving,owingtotheterrificconditionsunderwhichtheylive,thatnormallyeverybodyconcentratesonlyonsurvival,withtheexceptionofsomefewchosenindividualswhohavesomecommercewithghostsandhaveinnerexperiencesanddreams,sothepeoplesimplyrelatetothosedreamsandhavetheirownthoughtsaboutthem,ratherlikeamodernpersoninanalysis.Theonlyguidancetheyreceiveisinmeetingothershamansandexchangingexperiences,sothattheymaynotbequitealonewiththeirinnerexperiences.Generally,theyoungeroneslookforoldershamans,beingafraidthatotherwisetheymightgomad,justaswewould.Inthatcasethereisaminimumofcollective
conscioustradition,andamaximumoftheimmediatepersonalexperienceofafewindividuals.
Ithinkitprobablethatthisrepresentstheremnantsofanoriginalcondition,because,accordingtoanthropologicalreflections,onecanassumethatmankindlivedoriginallyinlittletribalgroupsofabouttwentytothirtypeople,amongwhomtherewereusuallytwoorthreegiftedintrovertswhohadpersonalinnerexperiencesandwerethespiritualguides,whilethestronghuntersorfightersweretheearthlyguides.Insuchacasethereismaterialaboutimmediate
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innerexperiencesandverylittletradition.
Thentherearestillphenomenaofindividualsmeetingtheunconsciousimmediatelyintheorganizedinitiationexperiencesofcertainpeople.Forexample,inmanyoftheNorthAmericanIndiantribes,partoftheinitiationofayoungmedicinemanconsistsingoingtoamountainpeak,orintothedesertafterfastingandsometimesalsoaftertakingdrugs,andthereseekingavisionorhallucinationorexperience,whichhethenreportstohisMaster,hisInitiator.If,forexample,hesaysthathehasseenalizard,thenheistoldthathebelongstotheThunderbirdclanandwillhavetobecomesuchandsuchamedicineman.Buttheretheinterpretationoftheindividualexperienceisconnectedwithcollectiveconscioustraditionandanythingwhichiscompletelyindividual,anythingstrange,amedicinemanwouldjustomit.PaulRadinhaspublisheddreamsofIndiansshowinghowtheyinterpretthemandyouseethattheyjustskipwhattheydon'tunderstand.Theypickoutofthedreamwhatconnectswithcollectiveconsciousideas,andskipthefunnydetailsjustasbeginnersinJungiananalysisdowhentheybegintointerprettheirowndreams.Ifyousuggestthattheytrytheirhandatthat,theyusuallypickoutonemotifwhichseemstoconnectwithsomethingtheyunderstandandsaytheyknowwhatthatmeans,thatitreferstosuchandsuch,andthenIsaybutwhataboutthisdetailandthisother,whichtheytendtoomit.
Immediateexperiencesoftheunconsciousbycertainindividualsmayalsolaterbecodified,orinterpreted,orbuiltintoareligioussystem.Naturally,inallreligioussystemstherearesectswhichtendtorevivifyimmediateexperiences.Whereverareligionseemstobetoocodifiedacompensatorysectisusuallyformedtorevivifyindividualexperiences,andthisaccountsforthemanysplits.Forinstance,therearetheSunnitesandShi-itesinIslam,andsoon;ortheTalmudic
SchoolandtheKabbalaintheJewishMiddleAges,wherethecodifiedreligioussymbolsarehandedon.Thelattergrouptendstogivemorevaluetoindividualexperiences,theoneclaimingtobeorthodoxandtheotherclaimingtohavethelivingspirit,whichwouldalsobethecontrastbetweenextravertandintroverttypes.Buteveninthetraditionoftheintrovertwhoclaimstohavethelivingspirit,thereisverylittlerealpersonalexperienceoftheunconscious.Therearealwaysonlyafewindividualswhohavesuchexperiences,probablybecausetheyaresodangerousandfrighteningthatonlyrareandunusuallycourageouspeoplegothis
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3.Alchemistatworkwithhissorormystica(femaleassistant),representing
thecollaborationwithhisownfeminineside.
way,orfools,whodonotknowhowdangerousthethingis,andwhothereforearedrivenmadbyit.
InsomeofhisearlylecturesattheE.T.H.,thetechnicalcollegeinZürich,Dr.Jung,inordertoexemplifythesymbolismoftheprocessofindividuationandwhathemeantbyit,discussedaseriesofimagesinanEasternmeditationtextandthefamousspiritualexercises,theExercitiaSpiritualia,ofSt.IgnatiusofLoyola,aswellasHughdeSt.Victor'sBenjouminminor.Heshowedthatalltheseformsofcodifiedmeditationcontaintheessentialtheories,orsymbols,whichnormallyappearintheprocessofindividuationinindividuals.Butalltheseapproachestotheunconscious,andmostformsofEasternmeditationaswellasmedievalChristianforms,containaprogram.Forinstance,amanwhogoesthroughtheExercitiaofSt.IgnatiushasinthefirstweektoconcentrateonthesentenceHomocreatusest,thenextweekonthesufferingsofChrist,andsoon.Ifinthemiddleofhiscontemplationhethinksthathewouldlikesomecoffee,thatwouldbeaworldlydisturbancebythedevil,whichhehastorestrain.Buttheremightalsobeholydisturbances!Hemight,whenmeditatingonthecross,suddenlyseeabluelight,oracrownofrosesroundthecross,
butasthatdoesnotfitin,thatthoughtalsohastobebanishedthatwouldbethedevilfalsifyingtheprocess,forheshouldseethecross,notabunchofroses,orsomethingofthatsort.Heisthereforetaughttorejectthosespontaneousirruptionsoftheunconsciousandadherefanaticallytotheprogram.
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Naturally,heisstillconcentratingonsymbolsoftheunconscious,forthecrossisasymboloftheunconscious,buthismindisdirectedintoadefinitechannelgiventhroughcollectivetradition.IfhetellshisDirecteurdeConsciencehehasseenabathtubinsteadofthecross,hewillbetoldthathehasnotconcentratedproperly,hehasdeviated.Thesamethingappliestoacertaineasternmeditationform.IfbeautifuldevasandgoddessesappearandtrytodiverttheYoginfromhisgoal,hemustchasesuchthoughtsawayasdisturbingfactors.Thusintheseformsofapproachtotheunconscious,consciousdirectionandaprescribedway,orpath,mustbeconformedto,andcertainthoughtswhichcomeupignored.Forthisreasonthesymbolismwhichappearsinsuchformsisnotquiteofthesamekindasthatindreamsandactiveimagination,forwetellpeoplesimplytoobservewhatcomesup,whichnaturallyproducesslightlydifferentmaterial,sothatwecanonlycomparethetwoproductsrelatively.
Thealchemistswereinacompletelydifferentsituation.TheybelievedthattheywerestudyingtheunknownphenomenonofmatterthedetailsIwillgivelateronandtheyjustobservedwhatcameupandinterpretedthatsomehow,butwithoutanyspecificplan.Therewouldbealumpofsomestrangematter,butastheydidnotknowwhatitwastheyconjecturedsomethingorother,whichofcoursewouldbeunconsciousprojection,buttherewasnodefiniteintentionortradition.Thereforeonecouldsaythatinalchemy,projectionsweremademostnaivelyandunprogrammatically,andcompletelyuncorrected.
Imagineanoldalchemist'ssituation.Amaninacertainvillagewouldbuildanisolatedhutandcookthingswhichcausedexplosions.Quitenaturally,everyonecallshimawitchdoctor!Onedaysomeonecomesandsayshehasfoundaqueerpieceofmetalandwouldthealchemistbeinterestedinbuyingit?Thealchemistdoesnotknowthevalueof
themetal,butgivesthemansomemoneyataguess.Hethenputswhathasbeenbroughthiminhisstoveandmixesitwithsulphur,orsomethingsimilar,toseewhathappens,andifthemetalwaslead,hewouldbebadlypoisonedbythevapours.Heconcludes,therefore,thatthisparticularmattermakesonefeelsickifapproached,andnearlykillsyou,andthereforehesaysthatthereisademoninlead!Afterwards,whenhewriteshisrecipes,headdsafootnotesaying:''Bewareoflead,forinitisademonwhichwillkillpeopleandmakethemmad,"which
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wouldbequiteanobviousandreasonableexplanationforsomeoneofthattimeandlevel.Thereforeleadwasawonderfulsubjectfortheprojectionofdestructivefactors,sinceincertainconnectionsitseffectsarepoisonous.Acidsubstanceswerealsodangerous,but,ontheotherhand,beingcorrosiveandameansofdissolvingthings,werehighlyimportantforchemicaloperations.Thusifyouwishedtomeltsomethingorhaveitinliquidformitcouldbemeltedordissolvedinacidsolutions,andforthisreasontheprojectionwasthatacidwasthedangeroussubstancewhichdissolves,butwhichalsomakesitpossibletohandlecertainsubstances.Orelseitisamediumoftransformationyouopenup,sotospeak,ametalwithwhichyoucandonothingandmakeitaccessibletotransformationbytheuseofcertainliquids.ThealchemiststhereforewroteaboutitinthenaiveformwhichIamnowdescribinganddidnotnoticethatthatwasnotnaturalsciencebutcontainedalotofprojection,iflookedatfromamodernchemicalstandpoint.
Thusthereexistsinalchemyanastonishingamountofmaterialfromtheunconscious,producedinasituationwheretheconsciousminddidnotfollowadefiniteprogram,butonlysearched.Dr.Junghimselfapproachedtheunconsciousinasimilarmanner,andinanalysiswetootrytogetpeopletoadoptanattitudewheretheydonotapproachtheunconsciousaccordingtoaprogram.Wesimplysayforinstancethatthesituationlooksbad,thatthesubjectisinanunsatisfactorycondition,andthatweshouldlookatthatandatthelifephenomenonwhichwecalltheunconsciousandconsidertogetherwhatthatmightrepresent,orcouldbedrivingat.Suchaconsciouspointdedépart,whichcontainsaminimumofprograming,correspondstotheconsciouspointdeQdépartofthealchemist,sothattheunconsciousrespondsinlikemanner,andthatiswhyalchemicalwritingsareespeciallyhelpfulfortheunderstandingofmodernmaterial.
Question:InavolumeofancientdreammaterialbyOppenheimentitledTheInterpretationofDreamsintheAncientNearEast,onefeelsthatancientdreaminterpreterswerealsointerpretingonacollectivebasis.Doyouthinkthatisso?
Dr.vonFranz:Yes,inthattheyalsomadeselectionsfromthedreams,theytookwhatconnectedwithcollectivematerial.ThisappliesalsotoArtemidoros.Iknowonlyonedocumentfromantiquitywherethereisaseriesofdreamswhichhasnotbeen
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selected,andthatisinatextfromtheSerapeumofMemphis.AmancalledPtolemaeus(hispaperIthinkwaspublishedbyUlrichWilcken)gotintosometrouble,Ibelievefordebts,forwhichheshouldhavebeenimprisoned,butinsteadheelectedtobecomeaNovice,aKatochos,intheSerapeumofMemphistheSerapisSanctuaryofMemphis.Accordingtotheregulations,aKatochosmustwritedownhisdreamsandwehavePtolemaeus'spapyrusauniquepapyrusinHellenizedEgyptianGreekinwhichtherearethemostamazing"modern"dreams.Forexample,"ImetMr.So-and-So,andsaid...,"andthenwouldfollowsomebanalities,andhenthenameagain,andsoon,whichwouldbetypicalofourdreams.Itisimpossibletointerpretsuchadreamforonedoesnotknowtheassociations.Inaseriesofabouttwenty-sevendreams,therearetwoorthreeinwhichthegoddessIsis,forinstance,appears.Collectivedreamsinwhichcollectivefiguresappearwecanunderstand,buttheothersmustbedroppedbecausewehavenoassociations.Ptolemaeussays,forexample,thathemethisnephew,butnobodyknowswhatthenephewmeanttohim.
ThereissomethingelsewhichwasofgreatimportancetomewhenIdiscoveredthisdocument,namelythatthosepeopledreamtexactlyaswedo.IfyoureadtheBabyloniandreams,youfeelthattheydidnotdreamaswedo,forintheBabyloniandreammaterialdreamsareselectedtofitthetraditionalinterpretation.Forexample,todreamaboutablackgoatportendsbadluck.Hundredsofotherdreamsofthesamemanwhohadsuchadreamareignored,butbecauseincollectivetraditionablackgoatappearinginadreammeansbadluck,thatdreamwasrecorded.Thatisstillthecaseinourpeasantcountrieswherenobodytakesanynoticeofordinarydreams.Butifanybodydreamsaboutacoffin,orawedding,orasnake,thatisdiscussedandtheywonderifanyoneinthefamilyisgoingtodie;thatonlyapplies
totraditionalmotifs,alltheothermaterialgoesdownthedrain.
ButthefragmentsofthedreamsofPtolemaeusshowsomethingcompletelydifferentfromthedreamliteratureofantiquity,andonerealizesthatpeoplethendreamtjustaswedo,thoughdreamliteratureonlyrelatesthefewdreamswhichfittedtheirtheoriesifyoudreamtthehousewasonfire,thenyouwereinlove,etc.Youcanalwaysseehowtheyarrivedattheirinterpretations,whichwerenottoobad,foritisquitelikelythatsomeoneinlovewoulddreamofahouseonfire.Suchbooksarebuiltuponaverageexperiences,
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butallmedievaldreammaterial,aswellasthatofantiquity,isconcretistic.Thatis,ifsomebodyisgoingtodieyouwillhaveavisitorwhowillreceiveorlosemoney,andsoon.Adreamisnevertakenasaninnerthing,oraninnerprocess,butisalwaysprojectedontotheouterworld.
EvennowadayssimplepeoplehereinSwitzerlandoftendiscusstheirdreams,butonlyonaprognosticlevel.Ianalyseacharwoman,andtheotherdayherbrotherrangmeupandaskedwhyIwasmakinghissisterstillmadderbyanalysingherdreams,thatdreamswerealljunkwhichhehadprovedhimself,forhehadthreetimesdreamtofcoffinslastwinter,andnobodyinthefamilyhaddied!HestillthinksintheclassicalGreek-Egyptian-Babylonianway.Letusgobacktotheoriginaltraditionsoflittleprimitivegroupslivingtogetherandsaythatamanamongthemhasdreams,orvisions.Therearetwopossibilitiesopentohim:ifheknowssomeonewhoissupposedtobeashamanoramedicineman,orapriest,thenhegoestohimandacceptshisinterpretation,orhecanremainindependentandbuilduphisowninterpretation,drawhisownconclusions,andworkoutawholesystem.
Remark:Soitdependsupontheattitudeandunderstandingofthepersoninauthority.Ultimatelyitresolvesintothequestionofwhoseauthorityismosttoberespected,thatoftheinterpreteraccordingtotradition,orofthepersonwhohashadthedreamorexperience.
Dr.vonFranz:Yes,andultimatelyonthepersonwhohasmostmana,thegreatpersonalitywholeadsthemorespirituallifeandhasgreaterauthority.Forinstance,sometimespeoplekeeptheirexperiencestothemselvesevenintheseprimitivecountries,anddeveloptheirownsystem,butifthentheyfailinlifetheyarelookeduponasfoolssothemanwhoisarrogantenoughtowanttoremainalonerisksbeing
regardedassomeonepossessedandafool,insteadofagreatmedicineman.Hehastorunthatrisk,andonlylifecanshowwhichiscorrect.Butevensuchtribesdiscriminatebetweenfoolswhoarepossessedandmedicinemen.
Remark:InChristianterminology,youcouldsaythatsuchamanwascarryinghiscross,buteverythingdependedonhismotive.
Dr.vonFranz:Yes,exactly.Or,forinstanceintheCatholicheresiology,someonemayhaveanindividualrevelationofGod,
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whichcauseshimtodeviatefromChurchdogma.LetusimaginethathehasavisionofChristinwhichChristtellshimthatheishalfanimal,orsomethinglikethat,thenhewouldsaythatheknowsthatChristnotonlyincarnatedasmanbutevenonthelevelofananimal.Ifamanbelievesthat,theInquisitionwhichcondemnshimtobeburntsaysalsothathemaystillbesavedandstillberight.Hehastobeburnt,becausetheorthodoxcreedmustbedefended,butthedoorisleftopen;theysaythatthehereticmayberight,butthatifhewantstoadheretohispersonaltruth,hemustacceptbeingburntforit.TheydonotclaimthathehaslosthissoulforGodmayaccepthiminParadise,butitishisfatealsotobeburnt.
Suchathingrepresentsakindofspiritualmodesty,forwhilecondemninghimtobeburnttheyneithercondemnhissoulnorclaimthathehasmissedsalvation.Suchamanisproud,orlonely,orspirituallyindependentenoughtorelyonhisownbeliefsandpersonalexperiencesandmustaccepttheconsequences,butthecommunitywillnotaccepthiminCatholiccircles.Inothercirclestheattitudemaybedifferent.ModernCatholicteachingisalsoslightlymodifiedinamannerofwhichIheardrecently.AJesuittoldafriendofminethatyouareallowedtobelievesomething,likethemaninthetribementionedabove,providedthatyoudonottellanyoneelseaboutit,anddonotmakeadoctrineofitandtrytoconvertotherstothesamebeliefs.Ifyoujustkeepittoyourself,anddecidenottorejectyourinnervision,thentheCatholicChurchwillcloseitseyestoit.
Remark:IthinkthatappliesnotonlytotheCatholicChurchbuttoanygroupofpeople.Itdependsonwhethertheindividualbelievesthathecantellhisgroupofhisexperienceornot.
Dr.vonFranz:Yes,whichiswhyIoftensaytoschizoidpeoplethattheirmadnessdoesnotconsistinwhattheyseeandbelieve,butin
tellingittothewrongpeople.Iftheykeptittothemselvesitwouldbeallright.Ihave,forexample,aborderlinecaseofawomanwhogoestoeverypsychiatristandaccusesthemallofbeingidioticrationalistswhodonotbelieveinGod,andshetellsthemhervisions.Ithinkheronlymistakeisintellingthesepeople,forthatissimplybeingunadapted.Hervisionsinthemselvesarequiteallright,andalsowhatshethinksaboutthem,butherextravertedfeelingisinferior,sheissociallyunadapted.Sheshouldnotspeakofsuchthingstoarationalisticpsychiatristwhoonlywonderswhether
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heshouldinternher!
Remark:No,becausehisreputationinturnisatstake!
Dr.vonFranz:Yes,ofcourse.Hiscolleagueswouldscoffathimifhestartedbelievinginhispatients'visions.Colleaguesalwaysbehavelikethatandspeakofcounter-transference,etc.Itissomuchaquestionofambitionandprestigeandofcollectiveconventionjustasitiswithus.
Thereisanotheraspecttotheproblemofalchemy,namelywhyitisofsuchimportancetomodernman.Alchemyisanaturalsciencewhichrepresentsanattempttounderstandmaterialphenomenainnature;itisamixtureofthephysicsandchemistryofthoseearlytimesandcorrespondstotheconsciousmentalattitudeofthosewhostudieditandwhoconcentratedonthemysteryofnature,particularlyofmaterialphenomena.Itisalsothebeginningofanempiricalscience.Iwillgointothespecifichistorylater.Theaveragemodernman,particularlyinAnglo-Saxoncountries,butalsoincreasinglyinEuropeancountries,istrainedmentallyintheobservationofnaturalsciencephenomena,whilethehumanities,asyouknow,aremoreandmoreneglected.Thatisapresent-daytendency,inwhichever-increasingemphasisisplacedonthe"scientific"approach.Ifyouanalysemodernpeople,youfindthattheiroutlookonrealityisverymuchinfluencedbythebasicconceptsofnaturalscience,andthecompensatoryorconnectingmaterialfromtheunconsciousaccordinglyissimilar.Thatisasuperficialanalogy,forthereasonliesmuchdeeper.
IfoneaskswhynaturalsciencespredominatetosuchanextentinourWeltanschauung,itcanbeseentobetheendresultoflongandspecificdevelopment.Asyouprobablyallknow,lookedatfromthemorespecificEuropeanaspect,naturalscienceisregardedashaving
originatedinthe6thcenturyB.C.,aboutthetimeofthepre-Socraticphilosophy.Butthiswaslargelyphilosophicalspeculationaboutnature,fortherewasverylittleexperimentalinvestigationonthepartoftheearlynaturalscientists.Itcouldmorecorrectlybesaidthatthebirthofnaturalscience,asatheoryorgeneralconceptofreality,tookplaceatthattime.Naturalscience,inthesensethatmanhasalwaysexperimentedwithanimals,stones,materials,matter,andfireandwater,ismuchwider,andinformertimeswasapartofthosemagicpracticeswhichareconnectedwithallreligionsandwhichdealwithmaterials.Thereareafewexceptions.
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Thereforeonemightsaythatinhisoutlookontheultimaterealitiesoflife,manisoverwhelmedbyideasandconceptsfromwithin,symbolsandimages,butalsodealswithoutermaterials.Thatexplainswhyinmostritualsthereissomethingconcreterepresentingthesymbolicmeaning,forinstance,abowlofwaterplacedinthecentrefordivination,orsomethingofthatkind.
Thusmatterandmaterialphenomenaareapproachedina"magic"way,andthereforeinthehistoriesofreligionofdifferentpeopletherearereligioussymbolswhicharepersonificationsorrepresentationsofdemons,withhalf-personifiedaspects,aswellasdivinities,i.e.,powerfulfactorswhichhaveamaterialaspect.Youallknowtheconceptofmana,whichevenbynon-Jungianinvestigatorsofreligioniscomparedtoelectricity.IfanAustralianrubshischuringastonetogetmoremana,itwouldbewiththeideaofrefuellinghistotem,orhislifeessence,likerecharginganelectricbattery.
Thewholeconceptofmanabearstheprojectionofsemimaterial,divineelectricity,ofdivineenergyorpower.Thus,forinstance,treesstruckbylightningwouldrepresentmana.Theninmostreligioussystemstherearesacredsubstances,suchaswaterorfire,orcertainplants,andsoon,aswellasspirits,demons,andincarnategods,whoaremorepersonifiedandcanspeakinvisions,orappearandbehaveinahalf-humanmanner.Attimestheemphasisliesmoreonthedepersonalizednaturepowersymbols,andothertimesmoreonpersonifiedpowers.Insomereligionsoneaspectismoredominantandinothers,theother.Forexample,thereligioussystemwhichinitsdecayingformismirroredintheHomericpoems,inwhichtheOlympicandhalf-personifiedhumanGreekgodswiththeirhumandeficienciesappear,isanextremeformofmainlypersonifieddivinities.Ontheotherhand,thereisthecounterswing,inGreeknaturalphilosophy,forinstance,wheresuddenlythewholeemphasis
isplacedonsymbolssuchaswater,whichissaidtobethebeginningoftheworld,orthefireinHeraclitus,etc.,whichisarevivificationofthemanaideaonahigherlevel.
InChristianitythereisamixture:GodtheFatherandGodtheSonareusuallyrepresentedinartashumanbeings,andtheHolyGhostissometimesrepresentedasanoldmanwithabeard,absolutelyasaclichéforGodtheFatherjustidenticalbutfrequentlybyananimal,whichisanotherformofpersonification,
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4.WilliamBlake'simageofGodtheFatherasawiseoldmanwithabeard,atypicalpersonificationoftheSelf,archetypeofwholenessandthe
centreofthepersonality.
oritmayberepresentedbyfire,orwind,orwater,orthebreathbetweenGodtheFatherandGodtheSon.SotheHolyGhost,evenintheBible,hascertainformsinwhichitisdescribedorlikenedtosuchnaturalphenomenaasfireorwaterorbreath.ThusChristianityhasagodimagerepresentingbothaspects.Butinotherreligionsthereareeitheranumberofhumanorothergods,sothatweprobablyhavetomakethehypothesisthattheunconsciouslikestoappearinitsultimate,archetypalmanifestations,sometimessymbolisedinnaturalphenomenaandsometimespersonified.Whatdoesthatsignify?
Itisaverydifficultquestion.Why,forinstance,hassomeoneaconceptofGodasadivine,invisible,all-pervadingfire,whileanotherpersonwillimagineHimasbeingsomethinglikeahumanbeing?NowadayspeopletendtothinkthatasmallchildwithkindergartenconceptswillthinkofGodtheFatherwithawhitebeard,whilelater,whenscientificviewshavebeenacquired,then,ifthoughtofatall,itwouldberatherasameaningfulpowerinthecosmos,orsomethingofthatkind.Butthenwejustprojectourownscientificsituation!SofarasIcansee,itisnottruethatsuchpersonifiedmanifestationsorideasofgods,ortheGodhead,aremoreinfantile.
Tobeabletoanswerthequestionweshouldbeobligedtostudycarefullyalotofdreammaterialandthen,quiteapartfromthisreligiousproblem,askourselveswhatitmeansifanarchetypalcontentmanifestsasaballoffire,insteadofasahumanbeing.Let
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ussaythattherearetwomen,andonedreamsofaballoffirewhichgiveshimcomfortandenlightenment,andtheotherdreamsofamarvellous,wiseoldmanappearingtohim,andbothareequallyoverwhelmed.Superficially,youcouldsaythatbothimagessymbolisetheSelf,thatis,thetotality,thecentre,aformofmanifestationoftheimageofGod.Whatisthedifferencewhenonemanexperienceslight,orthefireball,whiletotheotherthesuperhumanwisemanappears?
Answer:Theformerwouldrepresenttheabstractmeaning.
Dr.vonFranz:Yes,oneismoreabstractabstraherebutitisabstractusfromwhat?
Remark:Itwouldbefurtherfromthehuman.
Dr.vonFranz:Yes,perdefinitionem,buthowwouldyoureplytotheanalysandwhoaskedyousuchaquestion?Wecannevergiveanabsoluteanswer,butwecansaysomethingaboutit.Iwouldtakeitquitesimplyandaskthepatient,andwouldtrytoleadhimon.Youcantalktoawiseoldman,askhimquestions,orcanpresenthimwithallyourhumanproblems,whetheryoushoulddivorce,orifyoushouldspendyourmoneyinacertainmanner,andyoucanassumethatsinceheappearsinthisformheshouldknowaboutthat,thoughperhapshewillsaythatheisfarremovedfromsuchthings!Inanycase,theprimaryfeeling,orguess,ortheattitudewhichitevokesisthatyoucanrelatetosuchafigureonahumanlevel.Butyoucannottalktoaballoffire,ormakecontactwithit,exceptinsomeformofnaturalscienceperhapscatchitinaglassbowl,ifthatispossible,orwatchitandseewhatitdoes,goonyourkneesandworshipitandkeepfarenoughawaysoasnottobeburnt,orgointoitanddiscoverthatitisafirewhichdoesnotburn,butthatitisnotpossibletorelatetoitinahumanform.
Somanifestationinahumanformwoulddemonstratethepossibilityofconsciousrelation,whereasaninhumanform,oranaturalpowerform,isjustaphenomenonandcanonlyberelatedtoassuch.Obviously,whatevertheDivineis,ithasbothaspects,andinmosttheologiesthishasbeenmaintained.Whatisagodtowhomyoucannotrelate?Ifyoucannottellhimanythingaboutyourhumansoulwhatuseishe?Ontheotherhand,whatisagodwhoismerelyakindofhumanbeinganddoesnotreachbeyondthat?HealsoseemstobethecompletelymysteriousOther,towhich
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youcannotrelate,justasyoucannotrelatetomysteriousphenomenainnature.Therefore,probablytherehavealwaysbeenthetwoaspectsofthisultimate,innercentreofthepsyche,onebeingcompletelytranscendent,whichmanifestsinsomethingasremoteasfireorwater,andanotherwhichsometimesmanifestsinhumanform,whichwouldmeanthatitwasnowapproachinginaformtowhichonecouldrelate.
IfsomeonedreamsoftheGodheadasahumanbeing,thentherewillbeagreatdealofemotionalandintuitivefeelingexperienceofitandofitsnearness.St.Niklausdreamt,orhadavision,ofChristcomingasaBerserkandinthesamevisiontheBerserkafterwardstoldpeoplethetruthaboutthemselveshesawintothemandwhattheyreallywere,andpeopleranawayfromhim.Heknewatoncewhattheywantedtoaskhimandveryoftendidnotevenputaquestionbutsimplygavetheanswer.ThereforeobviouslySt.NiklaushadthesamequalityasChristhadinhisvision,whichwouldbeanillustrationofsomethingbelongingtothearchetypalunconsciousandenteringthehumanbeing.Ifyoudreamofanarchetypeinahumanform,thatmeansthatyoucould,tosomeextent,incarnateit.Itcouldmanifestinyou,andcouldexpressitselfthroughyou,thatisthewholeideaoftheinnerChrist.Ifyoudreamofthewiseoldman,thenitcanhappenthatyougetintoanimpossiblesituationwhereyouareaskedanimpossiblequestion,butsuddenlyaperfectanswercomestoyou!Ifyouarehonest,youfeelobligedtoadmitafterwardsthatitwasnotyouspeaking."It"spokethroughyou,youcouldnotclaimtohavehadsuchathought.Thatwouldbethewiseoldmanmanifestinginyou,someoneorsomethingnotidenticalwiththeego,buthelpfulinadifficultsituation.
Question:Whydoyounecessarilydenyidentificationwiththeego?
Dr.vonFranz:Becauseifyouidentify,yougetintoaninflation.You
mustbehonestaboutit.Ifyouhavemadeamentaleffort,youcansaythatitwasyourthought,butithassometimeshappenedtomethatIhavesaidsomething,andafterwardspeoplehavequotedit,sayingthatbythatIsavedtheirlives.IfIamhonest,IreplythatIhadnotrealizedwhatIwassaying,butsaidwhatcametome,andthathappenedtobesomethingmuchwiserthananythingIcouldhavethought.Butevenifyoumaketheeffort,andsubjectivelyhavethefeelingthatyouthoughtitout,actuallyitcamefromthe
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unconscious,forwithoutitscooperationyoucannotproduceanything.Evenifyousaythatattwelveo'clockyoumustremembertodoacertainthing,iftheunconsciousdoesnotcooperate,youwillforgetit.
Ofcourse,anykindofmentalinsightcomesfromtheunconscious,butthatisanexaggeratedpostulateforsometimesyouhavethefeelingthatyouhaveworkedoutsomethingbyyourownefforts,whileanothertimethattheideajustcametoyou,withoutconsciouseffortonyourpart.Onemustbenaiveandhonest,andnotbeinflatedandclaimsuchgoodideasforoneself;itwasthewiseoldman,orthewiseoldwoman,ortheDivinity,speakingifthisisconfirmedbythedreams.Ifsomeonedreamsofthewiseoldmanandhassuchanexperience,thenthatisanempiricaldemonstration.Thefireballwillnotprovidethesameexperience,thoughinawayitisevenmoremarvellous,forthepersonwillbemuchmoreaffectedemotionallyhewillbeoverwhelmed,grippedbythemystery,bythecompleteothernessoftheDivine.
AnexperienceoftheDivineisoftenofanoverwhelmingpowerbeyondone'sowncomprehension,whichisdangerous,buttowhichonehastoadapt,asonehastoadapttoamanifestationinnaturesuchastheexplosionofavolcano.Thatisabeautifulsight,butonemustnotgettoonear,anditisimpossibletorelatetoit.Youcanonlylookatit,butitissomethingwhichyouwillneverforget.Emotionallyitdoessomethingtoone,butitwouldneedapoettodescribeit.Thatwouldcorrespondtothemanifestationsofthearchetypeasnaturalphenomena.Naturehasanuminousanddivineaspectasexperiencedbythehumanbeing,whichexplainswhythehumanimageofGodhasbothaspects.InmostreligionstherearepersonificationsofGodinbothforms.
InthehistoryofthedevelopmentoftheEuropeanmind,astrange
kindofenantiodromiaandoppositionhasdevelopedsinceGreciantimes.IntheHomericreligionthepersonifiedaspectwasexaggerated.Inthenaturalphilosophyofpre-Socraticphilosophersthenatureaspectwasexaggerated.WhileinStoicismmoreemphasiswaslaidonthenatureaspect,inChristianitytherewasatfirstareturntoamorepersonifiedaspect.Fromthe15thand16thcenturieson,emphasiswasagainplacedonthenatureaspect.ItseemsasifinthedevelopmentoftheEuropeanmindtherebeganacertainbalancingoftheopposites,namelyofthedifferenceorcontrastbetweenscienceandreligion,whichbecamethegreat
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pseudoproblemoflatermoderntimes:scienceversusreligion.
Irefertoitarbitrarilyandderisivelyasapseudoproblembecauseoriginallyitwasnoproblem,andactuallythereisonlytheonethingthesearchfortheultimatetruth.Ifyoureturntothatquestionandsaythatyourinterestisinthetruthandnotinwhichfacultyoftheuniversityitistobefound,thentheproblemcollapses.Somepeoplearecaughtintheprojectionofthenaturepowerrepresentationsofthearchetype,andothersinthepersonifiedpowers,andthetwofight.Someamongyoumightobject,askinghownaturalscientistscouldalsobecaughtbyprojections.Toananalystthatisself-evident,butIwantbrieflytospeaktothoseamongyouwhohaveperhapsnotgivenmuchthoughttothesethings.
Ifyoureadthehistoryofthedevelopmentofchemistryandparticularlyofphysics,youwillseethatevensuchexactnaturalsciencescouldnot,andstillcannot,avoidbasingtheirthoughtsystemsoncertainhypotheses.Inclassicalphysics,uptotheendofthe18thcentury,oneoftheworkinghypotheses,arrivedateitherunconsciouslyorhalf-consciously,wasthatspacehadthreedimensions,anideawhichwasneverquestioned.Thefactwasalwaysaccepted,andperspectivedrawingsofphysicalevents,diagrams,orexperiments,werealwaysinaccordancewiththattheory.Onlywhenthistheoryisabandoneddoesonewonderhowsuchathingcouldeverhavebeenbelieved.Howdidonecomebysuchanidea?Whywerewesocaughtthatnobodyeverdoubtedorevendiscussedthematter?Itwasacceptedasaself-evidentfact,butwhatwasattherootofit?JohannesKepler,oneofthefathersofmodernorclassicphysics,saidthatnaturallyspacemusthavethreedimensionsbecauseoftheTrinity!SoourreadinesstobelievethatspacehasthreedimensionsisamorerecentoffspringoftheChristiantrinitarianidea.
Further,untilnowtheEuropeanscientificmindhasbeenpossessedbytheideaofcausality,anideahithertoacceptedwithoutquestion:everythingwascausal,andthescientificattitudewasthatinvestigationsshouldbemadewiththatpremiseinmind,fortheremustbearationalcauseforeverything.Ifsomethingappearedtobeirrational,itwasbelievedthatitscausewasnotyetknown.Whywerewesodominatedbythatidea?OneofthechieffathersofnaturalsciencesandagreatprotagonistoftheabsolutenessoftheideaofcausalitywastheFrenchphilosopherDescartes,andhe
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basedhisbeliefontheimmutabilityofGod.ThedoctrineoftheimmutabilityofGodisoneoftheChristiantenets:theDivinityisunchanging,theremustbenointernalcontradictionsinGod,ornewideasorconceptions.Thatisthebasisoftheideaofcausality!FromthetimeofDescartesonwardsthisseemedsoself-evidenttoallphysiciststhattherewasnoquestionaboutit.Sciencehadmerelytoinvestigatethecauses,andwestillbelievethis.Ifsomethingfallsdownthenonemustfindoutwhythewindmusthaveblownit,orsomethinglikethat,andifnoreasonisdiscoveredIamsurethathalfofyouwillsaythatwedonotyetknowthecause,butthattheremustbeone!Ourarchetypalprejudicesaresostrongthatonecannotdefendoneselfagainstthem,theyjustcatchus.
Thelatephysicist,ProfessorWolfgangPauli,frequentlydemonstratedtheextenttowhichmodernphysicalsciencesareinawayrootedinarchetypalideas.Forinstance,theideaofcausalityasformulatedbyDescartesisresponsibleforenormousprogressintheinvestigationoflight,ofbiologicalphenomena,andsoon,butthatthingwhichpromotesknowledgebecomesitsprison.Greatdiscoveriesinnaturalsciencesaregenerallyduetotheappearanceofanewarchetypalmodelbywhichrealitycanbedescribed;thatusuallyprecedesbigdevelopments,forthereisnowamodelwhichenablesamuchfullerexplanationthanwashithertopossible.
Sosciencehasprogressed,butstillanymodelbecomesacage,forifonecomesacrossphenomenadifficulttoexplain,theninsteadofbeingadaptableandsayingthatthephenomenadonotconformtothemodelandthatanewhypothesismustbefound,oneclingstoone'shypotheseswithakindofemotionalconvictionandcannotbeobjective.Whyshouldn'ttherebemorethanthreedimensions,whynotinvestigateandseewhereweget?Butthatpeoplecouldnotdo.
IrememberaverygoodillustrationgivenbyoneofPauli'spupils.Youknowthatthetheoryofetherplayedagreatroleinthe17thand18thcenturiesnamely,thattherewasakindofcosmicair-likepneumainthecosmosinwhichlightexisted,etc.OnedaywhenaphysicistataCongressprovedthatthetheoryofetherwasquiteunnecessary,anoldmanwithawhitebeardgotupandinaquaveringvoicesaid:''Ifetherdoesnotexist,theneverythingisgone"!ThisoldmanhadunconsciouslyprojectedhisideaofGodintoether.Etherwashisgod,andifhedidnothavethatthentherewasnothingleft.Themanwasnaiveenoughtospeakofhisideas,butallnaturalscientistshaveultimatemodelsofrealityinwhich
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theybelieve,justliketheHolyGhost.
Itisaquestionofbelief,notofscience,andthereforesomethingwhichcannotbediscussed,andpeoplegetexcitedandfanaticalifyoupresentthemwithafactwhichdoesnotfittheframe.Theyarecapableofsayingthatthewholeexperimentisfalseandphotographsmustbeproduced,anditispracticallyimpossibletogetthemtoacceptthefact.Iknewaphysicistwhosedreamspointedtoanewdiscoverynotyetmade,andwhichhehimselfhadnotmade,butwhichwasintheair,sotospeak.Fromthedreamsweconcludedthathisbeliefinasymmetricalrelationshipbetweenmaterialphenomenashouldbegivenup.Thephysicistsaidthatsuchanideawoulddrivehimcrazy!Butaboutthreemonthslater,exactexperimentalresultswerepublishedprovingthatwhathehaddreamtwascorrect,andthathewouldhavetodrophisformerideasaboutthecosmicorder.
Sothearchetypeisthepromoterofideasandisalsoresponsiblefortheemotionalrestrictionswhichpreventtherenunciationofearliertheories.Itisreallyonlyadetailorspecificaspectofwhathappenseverywhereinlife,forwecouldnotrecognizeanythingwithoutprojection,butitisalsothemainobstacleinarrivingatthetruth.Ifonemeetsanunknownwoman,itisnotpossibletomakecontactwithoutprojectingsomething;youmustmakeahypothesis,whichofcourseisdonequiteunconsciously:thewomaniselderlyandprobablyakindofmotherfigure,andanormalhumanbeing,etc.Youmakeassumptionsandthenyouhaveabridge.Whenyouknowthepersonbetter,thenmanyearlierassumptionsmustbediscardedandyoumustadmitthatyourconclusionswereincorrect.Unlessthisisdone,thenyouarehamperedinthecontact.
Atfirst,onehastoproject,orthereisnocontact,butthenoneshouldbeabletocorrecttheprojection,anditisthesamenotonlyasregards
humanbeings,buteverythingelsealso.Theprojectionapparatusmustofnecessityworkinus,nothingcanevenbeseenwithouttheunconsciousprojectionfactor.ThatiswhyaccordingtoIndianphilosophythewholeofrealityisaprojection,whichitis,inasubjectivemannerofspeaking.Tousrealityexistsonlywhenwehaveprojectionsonit.
Question:Canyourelatewithoutprojection?
Dr.vonFranz:Idon'tthinkso.Philosophicallyspeaking,youcannotrelatewithoutprojection,butthereisasubjectivefeeling
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statusinwhichyousometimesfeelthatyourprojectionfits,andthatthereisnoneedtochangeit,andanotherstatusinwhichyoufeeluneasy,thinkingthatitoughttobecorrected.Butnoprojectionisevercorrectedwithoutsuchafeelingofuneasiness.
Letusassumethatthereisinyouanunconsciousliarandyoumeetsomeonewholieslikeatrooper.Youcanonlyrecognizetheliarintheotherbecauseyouarealiaryourself,otherwiseyouwouldnotbeawareoftheother.Aqualityinanotherpersoncanonlyberecognizedifonehasthesamequalityandknowswhatitfeelsliketolie,andthereforeonerecognizesthesamethingintheotherperson.Sincetheotherpersonreallyisaliar,youhavemadeatruestatement,andwhyshouldyoucallthataprojectionwhichshouldbetakenback?Itmakesabasisforrelationship,foryouthinktoyourself:IfXisaliar,whateverhetellsmeImustnotbelieveentirely,Imustquestionit.Thatisveryreasonableandwelladaptedandright.Itwouldbeverywrongtothinkitwasonlyone'sprojection,andthatoneshouldbelievetheotherperson;onewouldbeafooltodoso.Butifyoutakethatphilosophically,thenisitaprojectionorastatementoffact?Philosophically,youcannotreachaconclusion,youcanonlysaythatsubjectivelyitseemstobecorrect.ThatiswhyJungsaysandthisisasubtlepointwhichisseldomunderstoodwhenpeoplethinkaboutprojectionthatwecanonlyspeakofprojection,inthepropersenseoftheword,whentherealreadyexistsacertainuneasiness,whenthefeelingidentityisdisturbed;thatis,whenIhaveanuneasyfeelingastowhetherwhatIhavesaidaboutXistrueornot.Untilthathashappenedautonomouslywithinme,thereisnoprojection.
Thesamethinkappliestothenaturalsciences.Forinstance,thetheorythatmatterconsistsofparticlesisbasedupontheprojectionofanarchetypalimage,foraparticleisanarchetypalimage.Energyisalsoanarchetypalimage,anintuitiveconceptwithanarchetypal
background.Itisnotpossibletoinvestigatematterwithoutsuchhypotheses,i.e.,thatthereissomethinglikeenergy,somethinglikematter,andsomethinglikeparticles.
ButImaymeetwithphenomenawhichgivemeafeelingofuneasiness.Forinstance,therearephenomenawhereIcannotspeakofthiselectron,orthismeson,beinginagivenmomentatadefiniteplace,althoughifthereissuchathingasaparticle,thenitmustbeatacertainplaceatagiventimethatseemstobearchetypallyself-evident.Butnowmodernexperimentsshowthat
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thistheoryisuntenable,thatyoucannotdeterminewherecertainelectronsareataparticularmoment,soweareconfrontedwithafactwhichcallsintoquestionourwholeideaoftheparticle.Nowweareuneasy,andmightrecognizethat,inpart,weprojectinspeakingofparticlesitisaprojectionthathampersourviewofreality.Butbeforetheuneasinessarises,duetothefactthatourprojectiondoesnotfit,thatincertainexperimentstheparticledoesnotbehaveasonewouldexpect,ourconceptwouldnotbedoubted.
Soinnaturalscience,justasininterpersonalcontacts,thereisthesameproblemofprojection,eventhemostscientificandmostmodernandmostaccurateformsofmodernnaturalsciencesareallbasedonprojections.Progressinscienceisthereplacementofaprimitiveprojectionbyonemoreaccurate,sothatonecansaythatnaturalscienceisconcernedwiththeprojectionofmodelsofrealityintowhichphenomenaseemtofitbetter,orlesswell.Ifthephenomenaapparentlyclickwithmymodel,thenitisallright,butifnotthenImustrevisemymodel.Howthatlinksupisagreatproblem.
Asyouknow,therewasafamousquarrelbetweenMaxPlanckandEinstein,inwhichEinsteinclaimedthat,onpaper,thehumanmindwascapableofinventingmathematicalmodelsofreality.Inthishegeneralizedhisownexperiencebecausethatiswhathedid.Einsteinconceivedhistheoriesmoreorlesscompletelyonpaper,andexperimentaldevelopmentsinphysicsprovedthathismodelsexplainedphenomenaverywell.SoEinsteinsaysthatthefactthatamodelconstructedbythehumanmindinanintrovertedsituationfitswithouterfactsisjustamiracleandmustbetakenassuch.Plankdoesnotagree,butthinksthatweconceiveamodelwhichwecheckbyexperiment,afterwhichwereviseourmodel,sothatthereisakindofdialecticfrictionbetweenexperimentandmodelbywhichweslowlyarriveatanexplanatoryfactcompoundedofthetwo.Plato-
Aristotleinanewform!Butbothhaveforgottensomethingtheunconscious.Weknowsomethingmorethanthosetwomen,namelythatwhenEinsteinmakesanewmodelofrealityheishelpedbyhisunconscious,withoutwhichhewouldnothavearrivedathistheories.
Butwhatroledoestheunconsciousplay?Theunconsciousseemstodelivermodelswhichcanbearrivedatdirectlyfromwithinwithoutlookingatouterfacts,andwhichafterwardsseemtofitouterreality.Isthatamiracleornot?Therearetwopossible
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5.Releasingthespiritusfromtheheatedprimamateria:aprojectedimageofwhathappenspsychologicallyintheconsciousassimilationofactivated
unconsciouscontents.
explanations:eithertheunconsciousknowsaboutotherrealities,orwhatwecalltheunconsciousisapartofthesamethingasouterreality,forwedonotknowhowtheunconsciousislinkedwithmatter.Ifawonderfulideaastohowtoexplaingravitationcomesupfromwithinme,canIsaythatitisthenonmaterialunconsciousgivingmeawonderfulideaaboutmaterialreality,orshouldIsaythattheunconsciousgivesmesuchamarvellousideaofouterrealitybecauseitisitselflinkedwithmatter,itisaphenomenonofmatterandmatterknowsmatter?
Thereweareatourwit'sendastohowtoproceed,andhavetoleavethequestionopenandsaythatthegreatXisthatwedonotknowhowtoproceed.Wecanmaketwohypotheses.Dr.Jungisinclinedtothinkthoughhehasneverformulatedthethought,oronlyhypothetically,becausewecannotdomore,wecanonlyspeculateormakeahypothesisthatprobablytheunconscioushasamaterialaspect,whichwouldbewhyitknowsaboutmatter,becauseitismatter,itismatterwhichknowsitself,asitwere.Ifthiswereso,thentherewouldbeadimorvaguephenomenonofconsciousnessevenininorganicmatter.
Therewetouchongreatmysteries,butIspeakofthembecauseitistoocheaptosaythattheoldalchemist,i.e.,themedievalnatural
scientistofantiquity,projectedunconsciousimagesintomatterandnowadaysweareenlightenedandknowwhattheunconsciousis,andwhatmatteris,butthosepoorfellowsjustdidnotdistinguishbetweenthetwo,whichexplainswhytheyweresobackwardandfantasticandunscientific!Thepsyche/matterproblemhasnotyetbeensolved,whichiswhythebasicriddleofalchemyisstillnot
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solved.Theanswertothequestiontheypursuedwehavealsonotdiscovered.Wecanhaveprojectionsofmanythings,justastheyhadaboutmatter,butweprefertospeakoftheirsasnaiveprojectionsoftheunconsciousforwehaveoutgrownthosemodels.Wecanstillrecognizethemasphenomenaoftheunconscious,ordreamstuff,butwecannotrecognizethemanymoreasbeingscientific.Forinstance,ifsomeonesaysthatleadcontainsademon,wecansaythatheprojectstheshadowanddemonichumanqualitiesintolead,butwecannolongerclaimthatleadcontainsademon,fortherewehaveoutgrowntheprojectionandhavereachedadifferentconclusionastohowandwhyleadisharmfultous.
Basically,however,alchemyisstillanopenproblemtous,whichiswhywhenDr.Jungtouchedithefeltthathewastouchingsomethingwhichledstillfurther,andhedidnotyetknowwhere.Ithinkthatisalsopartlywhypeoplehavesuchresistancetoalchemy,foritconfrontsuswithsomethingwecannotyetunderstand.Butthatisagoodthing,foritputsonebackupononeself,andintothemodestattitudeofhavingtodescribephenomenainaccordancewithourpresentknowledge.
NexttimeIwillbeginwithourfirstGreektext.
6.
Alchemistandassistantkneelingbythefurnace,prayingforGod'sblessing.
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Lecture2GreekAlchemyItriedlasttimetogiveyouabriefsketchoftheimportanceofalchemicalsymbolism:inthefirstplace,itcontainsacollectionofarchetypalsymbolswithaminimumofpersonification;andsecondly,thereisagreatdealofmaterialsymbolismfromtheimagesstoredintheunconscious.
Toman,theseimagesofwater,fire,andmetalarejustasimportantsymbolicallyasanypersonificationoftheunconscious.Moreover,heretheunconsciouspsycheandmatterarenotyetseparated;religion,magic,andthenaturalsciencesarenotyetdivided.Weareconfrontedwiththeoriginalsituationwhereallthefacultiesandcategoriesbywhichweobserveouterandinnernaturearenotyetdifferentiated.Manasawholelooksatnatureasawholeandmakescertainworkinghypothesesinthesearchforthetruth.
YouwillrecollectthatatthecloseofmylastlectureIpointedoutthatmuchwhichwasformerlysaidaboutthedifferentmaterialsandprocessesinmatterwecannow,havingoutgrowntheearlystagesofnaturalscience,recognizeasprojectionsoftheunconsciouseventhoughnodefiniteconclusionshavebeenreachedaboutcertainassertions.Forinstance,inamedievaldocumentattributedtoAlberttheGreatthereisatheoryaboutheavywaterwhichlookslikeacompletelyintuitiveanticipationoftheheavywaterwenowknow.Thereforethatsymbolismalsocontainsvagueintuitionswhichanticipateddiscoveriesoflaterscientificdevelopments,thoughwestilldonotknowwhatwasanticipated,forwedonotknowwhatfurtherdiscoverieswillbemadebynaturalscientists.
Ultimately,thequestionastowhetherandhowtheunconsciousisinsomewayconnectedwithmatteris,asIsaid,quiteunsettled.Wedonotwanttospeculateandsorefrainfrommakingstatements;wemerelymakethehypothesisthatthereisapsychewhichmanifestsindreamsandininvoluntarypsychologicalwayswhichwecanstudy,justasphysicistssaythatthereissomethinglikematter,orenergy,andstudythat.Butwearealreadybeginningtoseethatcertainresultsaresosimilarthatitisasifwewere
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tunnellingfromeithersidetowardsthecentreofthesamemountain.Thoughwehavenotreallymetyet,itlooksasthoughwearemovingtowardsthesamegoalandthereforethereisthepossibilityofmeetingoneday.
YourememberthatIalsostressed,perhapsthemostimportantpoint,thatthealchemists,inobservingandexperiencingtheirsymbolsandintheirwrittendescriptions,workedwithoutanyconsciousreligiousorscientificprogram,sothattheirconclusionsarespontaneous,uncorrectedimpressionsoftheunconsciouswithverylittleconsciousinterference,incontrasttoothersymbolicmaterialwhichhadalwaysbeenrevised.Thereforeitisverygratifyingtodiscoverthatthisspontaneousmaterialisakintocertainproductsoftheunconsciousinmodernpeoplewho,withanaturalkindofscientificattitude,aminimumofprejudice,andanattitudeofinnerwithdrawal,observewhatcomesupwithoutdrawinghastyspeculativeconclusionswithresults,however,whichareverysimilar.Theunprogrammedapproach,sotospeak,iscommontobothalchemyandanalyticalpsychology.
ThistimeIwanttolookatoneoftheoldestoftheknowntexts,namelyonefromtheprophetessIsistohersonHorus,onwhichthesignofthesicklemoonappearsbehindthetitle.ButfirstweshouldQconsiderhowwecometobeinpossessionofsuchtextsatall.
Theproductsofantiquity,asyouknow,disappearedintheMiddleAgesandthenwererediscovered.Firstthecriticalsciencesfoundtheminlargetomes.Forinstance,thehistoryofphilosophyandphilologywascollectedbyscientistsoflateantiquityintobookssuchaswewouldcallencyclopedias,orschoolbooks,whichgivesummaries:Platosays...,Aristotlesays...,theStoicphilosopherssay...,andsoon.Unfortunately,comparedtoourmoderncritical
scientists,thesepeoplewererathermuddled.Thereforetheirtheorieswereproducedinasomewhatsloppyway,makingthewholethingresembleastreamofmuddywater.Themoreancientandthemorerecentwritingsareconfusedwiththecommentarieswhichhavebeencopiedandrecopied,rearrangedandabbreviated,etc.,andtoallofthiswehavefallenheir.IntheuncriticalMiddleAges,aselectionofthesetextswasmadefromwhichtheyagainquoted.
Chemistrymetwithalikefate.Olympiodorus,forinstance,ofthe5thcentury,wroteavolumecontainingacollectionofoldersayings.Wehavemanydifferentworksofthiskind,aswellas
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7.TheCodexMarcianusOuroboros,symbolofthealchemicalworkasacircular,selfontainedprocess.
separateproductions.AllthesewerereassembledandbroughtintoonehugeGreekmanuscriptinVeniceandaccordinglyreceivedthetitleoftheCodexMarcianus,theMarcianabeingthelibraryinVenice.InthisCodexMarcianusisassembledthewholeconglomerationofoldandmorerecentsayings,Greekmaterial,andsoon,whichwaspublishedmoreorlessasisbythefamousM.Berthelot.Hepublishedthewholewithoutmuchcriticism,andtogetherwithaM.RuelleaddedarathersuperficialFrenchtranslationsothatitcouldatlastbeprintedanddiscussionstarted.Sincethenmoreversionsandmoremanuscriptshavebeencollected,butthatstillconstitutesthebasiceditionandthemainbasictext.
Decisionsastowhowaswho,whowrotewhat,andtheageofthedifferentwritingswouldbepurespeculation,forsomespeakofthefirstandothersofthethirdcenturydifferingbyasmuchasthreehundredyearsintheirestimatesandverylittleorderhasbeenmadeinthissaladoftradition.Asinthecaseofallnaturalsciences,therewerefirstdirectGreektraditionsfromConstantinople.AnotherstreamofscientifictraditioncamefromtheOrientandreturnedtoEuropevia
SpainandSouthernFranceandSicilyfromthe10thcenturyonwards,whenEuropebecameconnectedwiththeOrientbytheCrusades.Thehistoryofchemistryiscompletelyidenticalwiththatofmathematicsandastrology,andotherbranchessuchasgeometry:partwenttotheByzantineEmpire,viaConstantinople,andtheresttotheOrientandreturnedtoEuropeviatheArabs.
TheArabs,ingeneral,wereveryfaithfultranslatorsandaddedverylittle,theysimplytranslatedfromGreekintoArabic.TherewerealsomanyfamousSyriantranslators.Partsalsowentto
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Persia,andintheOrienttherewerecertaincentreswhichtranslatedthetexts.WehaveGreekandArabicandlaterLatintexts.WheretheGreektextwaslostwehavetheArabictextbutconcludefromthenames,etc.,thattheoriginalwasinGreek.ThenintheseArabic,Moslemcentrestherewerethedifferentsectswhocultivatedthesetraditions;forinstance,theShi-ites,aPersiansectformedinA.D.644inoppositiontotheSunnites,ororthodoxMoslems;andtheDruses,aSyrianpeoplehalfChristianandhalfMohammedan,whoselanguagewaspureArabic.AlreadyintheseIslamiccentressomefewArabsrecognizedthatalchemicalsymbolismcontainedreligioussymbolismandreexperienceditasbeingevenmorereligiousthanchemical,andaddedalittletoitfromtheirownexperience.Usually,however,theyonlytranslated.
OneofthemostfamousoftheArabsisarRazi,orRasisinLatin,whodevelopedthesciencesonthechemicalside.Hewasthefamousmanwhointroducedintochemistrythenecessityofweighingmatter.Formerlyitwassimplysaid:"Putalittlebitofsulphurintoalittlebitoflead,andthenyouhaveit."ButRazisaid:"Alittlebit,thatmakesthewholedifference.Youmusttakesomanyparts,orsomanyouncesofeach,"sooneofthegreataccomplishmentswasinmakingexactweightsanddivisions,whichmeantagreatstepforwardinaccuratenaturalscience.Muchmeritisduetohimonthatside,butnoneonthesymbolicside.Hewasapuretechnician.
HiscounterpartintheArabicworldwouldbeMohammedibnUmail,whofiguresintheLatintextsasSenior.HewascalledtheSheihk,andintheLatinthiswastranslatedasSenior,"theoldone,"whichwouldbethecorrecttranslation,sothathebecameSeniorintheLatintradition,andonlylaterwasitdiscoveredthatthisSeniorwasMohammedibnUmail.InHyderabadaboutahundredwritingshavebeenfoundofthismostimportantmystic,buthavenotyetbeen
published.Thoughitissuchpromisingmaterial,sofewpeopleareinterestedinalchemythatnobodybothersabouttranslationorpublication.Sotherearegoldminesaheadandnobodytoworkthem!
Someofthesepeoplehaveaddedlittlebitsandthen,asImentioned,therewasareturnthroughtheCrusades.OneoftheintellectualbridgestoEuropewasviatheTemplars.TheygotintocloseconnectionwiththeDruses,amoremysticalandpagansectwithintheIslamicworld,whoweresubjecttothe"OldManoftheMountains,"theImam,i.e.,thechiefofthesect.Theyhada
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wholehierarchyofinitiationandtheTemplarsbecameinterestedinthesymbolismoftheirdoctrine.TheseDruses,probablyinJerusalem,gotintoclosetouchwithcertainoftheHighTemplarsandwiththeirso-calledpaganpractices,forwhichtheywerelaterpersecuted.TheDrusesbecameinfectedbysuchsources,aswellasbythepaganleaningsofFredericII,theStauffer,atwhosecourtinSicilywereJewishandIslamicastrologersandmathematiciansandprophets,tothegreatannoyanceofthePope.
Itwasinthisway,aswellasthroughthefamousislandofRhodes,wheretheKnightsofSt.JohnhadaconnectionwiththeOrientandsuchplacesasSpainandsouthernFrance,thatthesewritingscametobetranslatedbyJewsaswellasothers.TheytranslatedthetextsintoLatinandthenbeganabiginfluxofthisnaturalscientifictraditionintoEurope.TheChurch,representedchieflybyAlberttheGreat,St.ThomasofAquinas,andcertainothers,endeavouredtoeliminatethedoubletraditionofChurchandnaturalscience,andtoassimilateandintegratethewholeintotheChurchdoctrine,butwasonlypartlysuccessfulintheattempt.
Thatisjustashortresumeofthehistoricalsituationandthematerialweareconfrontedwith.
IsaidIwouldgiveyouthreehoursonOldGreekalchemy,threeonArabicalchemy,andthreeonmedievalLatintexts.WewillbeginwiththeOldGreektextwhichisintheCodexMarcianus.Itprobablybelongstowhatwecalltheoldestwritingsandisentitled''TheProphetessIsistoherSon."WeknowthatthesonisHorus,thoughthetitledoesnotsayso.Behindthetitleisthesignofthesicklemoon,butwhatthatmeansnobodyknows.Iwillgiveyouthematerialwithoutspeculationsothatyoucanhavethefreshimpactandnotwhathassincebeensaidaboutit.Thedocumentprobablygoesback
toaboutthe1stcenturyA.D.Thatisthecommunisopinioofthescientists,butitmightbeolder.Ifyoureadwhathasbeenwrittenaboutthesebooksyouwillfinditsaidthattheyweremostprobablywritteninsuchandsuchacentury,butthattheywerecertainlybasedonoldertexts,whichimpliessomeuncertainty.SoletussaytheHellenistictime.Tothoseamongyouwhomighthavetheoriginaltext,IwanttosaythatIamnotusingtheFrenchbutmyowntranslation.
YouwillrememberthefamousbattleinwhichSethblindedHorus,andthatHoruscutoffSeth'stesticles,andyouknowthatlaterbothwerecuredbythemoongodThoth,andevencooperated
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intheresurrectionoftheirfatherOsiris.YouwillalsorecollectthefamousbattleofHorus,thesungodwhorestoredorder,withSeth,calledtheHotOne(representingchaoticpassion,destruction,brutality,andsoon),whowastheenemyandmurdererofOsiris.Isisbegins:
Oh,myson,whenyoudesiredtogoawaytofightthetreacherousTyphon[i.e.,Seth]overyourfather'skingdom[thekingdomofOsiris],IwenttoHormanouthi,i.e.,Hermoupolis,thetownofHermes,thetownoftheholytechniqueofEgypt,andstayedtheresometime.
Afterthewords"thetownofHermes"thereisalittlemarginalnote,writtenintheoriginalhand,andnotbyalater,whichsays:"Shemeansthatinamysticalsense,"thatis,thenameofthetownshouldbeunderstoodinthemysticalsense."Theholytechnique"hieratechnereferstoalchemy.
Afteracertainpassingofthekairoiandthenecessarymovementoftheheavenlysphere,ithappenedthatoneoftheangelswhodweltinthefirstfirmamentsawmefromaboveandcametowardsmedesiringtounitewithmesexually.Hewasinagreathurryforthistohappen,butIdidnotsubmittohim.Iresisted,forIwishedtoaskhimaboutthepreparationofgoldandsilver.
ThekairoiplaysanenormousroleinanotherveryoldalchemicaltextwherethewriterZosimos,ofwhomyouknowthroughDr.Jung'scomments,saysthatthewholeofalchemydependsuponthekairos,andheevencallsthealchemicaloperationthekairikaibaphai,thekairoscolouring.Histheoryisthatchemicalprocessesdonotalwayshappenofthemselves,butonlyattheastrologicallyrightmoment;thatis,ifIamworkingwithsilver,themoon,whichistheplanetofsilver,mustbeintherightposition,andifIamworkingwithcopper,Venushastobeinacertainconstellation,otherwisetheseoperationsinsilverandcopperwillnotwork.Onecannotjusttakethosetwo
metalsandunitethem,butmustalsoconsiderandwaitfortheastrologicalconstellationandpraytothoseplanetgods,andifthesethingsarealsoinorder,thenthechemicaloperationmightwork.Takingtheastrologicalconstellationintoconsiderationiswhatismeantbythisideaofkairikaibaphai.Kairosthereforeatthattimeandinthisconnectionmeanstheastrologicallyrighttime,thetimewhenthingscanturnoutsuccessfully.Thealchemististhemanwhomustnotonlyknowthetechnique,butmustalwaysconsidertheseconstellations.ThereforeIsissaysthataccordingtothepassingofthesemoments,
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8.IsissucklingHorus.
onemomentaftertheother(onehastochoosetherightone)andaccordingtothemovementoftheheavenlysphere(whichmeansallthemovementsoftheplanets),ithappened(theGreekwordsunebeisalsoasynchronistichappeningoftheevents)thatoneoftheangelsofthefirstfirmamentcastaneyeuponherandwantedtounitewithhersexually.Sheputshimoff,becauseshewantstogetthealchemicalsecretoutofhim;shemakesabargainwithhimandwillonlygiveherselftohimifhefirsttellsherallheknowsaboutthat.
WhenIputmyquestion,hesaidhedidnotwishtoanswermesinceitwassuchagreatmystery[thesuperlativelygreatmysterytogiveafreertranslationbecausethismysteryistoooverwhelming],butsaidhewouldreturnnextdayandwithhimwouldbeagreaterangel,Amnaël,whowouldbeabletoanswermeandsolvemyproblem.Andhetoldmeabouthissign[meaningprobablyhowsheshouldrecognizetheangel]andthathewouldbearonhishead,andtakeitandshowme,aceramicvesselfullofshiningwater.He[theotherangel]wantedtotellmethetruth.Thisvesselisapossotonandhasnopitchinit.
Iamgivingyouthetextexactlyasitis,andherethereisinthemarginofthetextthissign .Imayaddthatweknowthatthis
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isthesignofthegodChnouphis.SometimesthesamesignisalsousedforthemoongodChons.
Thenextday,whenthesunwasinthemiddleofitscourse[thatis,atmidday],therecamedowntheangelwhowasgreaterthantheother,andhewasgrippedbythesamedesireofmeandwasinagreathurry.[HetoowantedtorapeIsis].ButnonethelessIonlywantedtoaskhimmyquestion.[Sheagaindelays,thinkingonlyofthequestion.]Whenhestayedwithme,Ididnotgivemyselftohim.Iresistedhimandovercamehisdesiretillheshowedmethesignonhishead,andgavemethetraditionofthemysterieswithoutkeepinganythingback,butinthefulltruth.[Soshewinsthebattleandhetellsherallheknowsaboutthetechniqueofalchemy.]Hethenagainpointedtothesign,thevesselhecarriedonhishead,andbegantellingthemysteriesandaboutthemessage.Thenhefirstmentionedthegreatoathandsaid:"Iconjureyou,inthenameofFire,ofWater,ofAirandoftheEarth[twiceaquaternio];IconjureyouinthenameoftheHeightofHeavenandtheDepthoftheEarthandtheUnderworld;Iconjureyou,inthenameofHermesandAnubis,theHowlingofKerkorosandtheguardiandragon;Iconjureyou,inthenameofthatboatanditsferryman,Acharontos;andIconjureyouinthenameofthethreenecessities,andthewhipsandthesword."Afterhehadpronouncedthisoath,hemademewiththisoathpromisenevertotellthemysteryIwasnowtohear,excepttomyson,mychild,andmyclosestfriend,sothatyouareme,andIamyou.
Thetextisrathershort.ItmeansthatitisatremendousmysterywhichIsisnowgetsfromtheangelandwhichshewillonlybeabletotellhersonHorusandherclosestfriend.Whetherhersonisherclosestfriend,ortherearetwopeople,isnotclearfromthegrammar;norwhether"sothatyouareme,andIamyou"means"You,myson,areme"ortheangelandIsis,butprobablybothapply.Itsimplymeansthatthepersonwhoimpartsthatmysterytotheotherpersonfulfillsatthesametimethemysticalunion,thesacredmarriagebetweenmotherandson,IsisandHorus,orthatbetweentheangelandIsis,because
eachtimethemysteryistoldthetwoalsobecomeonethatisprobablythemeaning.
NowyougoandwatchandaskAcheronthepeasant.[AvariationgivesAcharontos.Thereisnotransitionhereinthetext,butprobablyfromnowonwehearthemystery.Unfortunatelyinthosedaystheyhadnosigns,noquotes,oranythinglikethat.Oneneverknowswherethequotesshouldbe,butIthinkitisobviousthatitbeginshere.Itmeansthatnowthemysterywillbeimpartedandyoushouldlistentoit.]Comeandlook,andaskthepeasantAcharontos,andlearnfromhimwhoisthesower,whoistheharvester,andlearnthathewhosowsbarleywillalsoharvestbarleyandhewhosowswheatwillalsoharvestwheat.Nowmychild,ormyson,youhaveheardthatasanintroduction,andnowrealizefromthatthatthisis
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thewholecreationandthewholeprocessofcomingintobeing,andknowthatamanisonlyabletoproduceaman,andalionalion,andadogadog,andifsomethinghappenscontrarytonature[probablymeaningcontrarytothislaw],thenitisamiracleandcannotcontinuetoexist,becausenatureenjoysnature,andnatureovercomesnature.[Thatisthefamoussayingwhichalsoappearsinmanyothertexts,butusuallyas:"Natureenjoysnature,natureimpregnatesnature,andnatureovercomesnature."]Havingpartofthedivinepowerandbeinghappyaboutitsdivinepresence,Iwillnowalsoanswertheirquestionsaboutsands,whichonedoesnotpreparefromothersubstances,foronemuststaywithexistingnatureandthematteronehasinhandinordertopreparethings.JustasIsaidbefore,wheatcreateswheat,andamanbegetsaman,andthusalsogoldwillharvestgold,likeproduceslike.NowIhavemanifestedthemysterytoyou.
Atthebeginningofthenextsectionthereissomethingstrange,whereitsays"wewillprepare"andsoon,speakingintheplural.PossiblyitmeansthatIsisandHorusarenowalreadytogether.Thencomesaclassicalbeginningoforalandantiquerecipes.InGermanrecipesbegin"Mannehme,"andinGreektheybeginwith"Labon,"i.e.,"taking."Herethenextparagraphbegins:
Takequicksilver,fixitinlumpsofearthorbymagnesiaorsulphurandretainit.[Thisisfixationthroughwarmth,themixtureofspecies.]Takeonepartofleadandofthepreparationfixedthroughwarmth,andtwopartsofthewhitestone,andfromthesamestoneonepart,andonepartofyellowRealgar[thatmeansredsulphurofarsenic]andonepartofthegreenstone[onedoesnotknowwhatthatis].Mixthewholewithlead,andwhenithasdisintegrated,reduceitthreetimestoaliquid[i.e.,meltitthreetimes].
Takequicksilverwhichthroughcopperhasbecomewhite,andtakefromitanotheronepartandfromdominantmagnesia,withonepartofwater,andfromwhatremainsatthebottomofthevesselandwhichhasbeentreatedwithlemonjuice,useonepart,andfromarsenicwhichhasbeencatalysed
withtheurineofanotyetcorruptedboy,onepart,andthenfromCadmeia[cadmia,calamineinEnglish,whichsimplyimpliesamineralwhichengendersfire],onepartandfromPyrite[alsoamineralwhichengendersfire]onepartandonepartfromsandcookedwithsulphur,andfromleadmonoxidewithasbestostwoparts,andfromtheashesofKobathia[thatisprobablyalsoanarsenicsulphite]onepart,andliquidatethewholewithaverysharpacid,awhiteacid,anddryit,andthenyouhavethegreatwhiteremedy.
Thiscontinuesfortwomorepages,butIwilltakethelibertyofshorteningit.Iwanttoconfrontyouwithit,foruptillnowwehavenotknownwhatthesewordsmean.Naturallychemistshavemadea
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profoundstudyofthetextsandwithacertainprobabilityhavebeenabletomakeoutwhichGreekwordsmightmeanwhichsubstance,sinceinsomecasesthereisalittledescriptionshowingthattheyhavesuchandsuchaneffect,fromwhichthechemistcoulddeducethatacertaindefinitesubstancewasindicated.Butinthecaseofanumberofotherwords,forinstanceKobathiawhichItranslatedas"greenstone"andthewordwhichIdidnottranslatebutleftas"magnesia"thoughitisnotwhatwemeannowbymagnesia,wereallydonotknowwhattheymean;weareprettysuretheyrefertosomecookedchemicalsubstances,buttheyaresoparadoxicallydescribedinthedifferenttextsthatwecannotbecertain.
Thenthereisaquitedifferentmaterial,namelytheurineofanuncorruptedboy.Naturally,urinealsocontainsimportantandcorrosivesubstancesandwasusedalot,butthefactthatitmustbethatofanuncorruptedboy,onewhohadnotyetreachedtheageofpuberty,showsalsowhatalargepartmagicalrepresentationsplayed.Itisageneralprejudice,orancientsuperstition,thattheurineofuncorruptedboysisparticularlyefficient,notonlyinchemicaloperationsbutinlovecharms,etc.,whereitismoreefficaciousthanordinaryurine.Ithassomethingmagicalinit.
Ijustpickonthisbecausehereweknowsomethingmorefromotherfields.Forinstance,weknowthatinthepracticeofmagictheurineofanuncorruptedboywasoftenused;thatwasanAfricanandalsoparticularlyanEgyptiantradition.Shortlybeforepubertyboysaremoregiftedmediums,afacultywhichtheyloselateron.Magicianswhoveryoftenpractisedhynotismusedotherpeopleasmediums,puttingthemtosleepsotheywouldrevealthetruth.Forsuchmagicalandinancienttimesverywidespreadexperiments,childrenwerepreferredwhohadnotreachedtheageofpuberty,sometimesgirls,butmoreoftenboys,anduncorruptedboyswereregardedasbeingpurer
vesselsoftheunconsciousthroughwhichghostsandgodscouldspeak.Thereareinnumerablemagicrecipeswhere,forinstance,itissaidthatifyouwishtofindsomethingwhichhasbeenstolen,thenputanuncorruptedboytosleep,cooksuchandsuchathing,givehimsuchandsuchathingtoeat,andthenwhenheisasleep,askhimwherethelostsubjectisandwhileinatrancehewilltellyou.Thatwastheroleoftheuncorruptedboyinotherfieldsandthereforeprobablytheurineofanuncorruptedboyhasthesameconnotationhere,whereitisalsoregardedasthemagicalsubstancesincetheyhavesuchassociationsinmind.
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9.Thealchemicalimageofthe"pissingmannikin,"andtheuseof"theurineofan
uncorruptedboy"asasolvent,relatetothepsychologicalrealitythattheunconsciousismoreresponsivetothenaiveandspontaneousattitudes
associatedwithchildhood.
Remark:AparalleltoIsisgettingthealchemicalmysteriesfromtheangelwouldbethefallenangel,Azazel,givingtheJewsknowledgeoftheblacksmith'sart.TheprofessorattheE.T.H.wholecturedonalchemyatanEranosmeetingsaidthattheideathatthesmithwasconnectedwithalchemyoriginatedinTobalki.
Dr.vonFranz:Yes.IntheBookofEnoch,thereisawholedescriptionofallthetechniquesgiventotheangels.Originally,theartofthesmithattheforgeandthatofthealchemistwereregardedasbeingthesameandheldthesametradition,thoughIthinktheTobalkiideaisratherarbitrary.Butitisatradition.IntheOldTestamentitissaidthatthedaughtersofmengottheartoftheforgeandalchemyeitherfromtheangelsorfromthefallenangels,eitherbywhoredom,or,asinthis
case,itsopposite,forIsisatleast
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putshimoffuntilshehasgotoutofhimwhatshewantstoknow.Sotherearedifferentversions.Sometimesitissaidthatthedaughtersofmenhadrelationshipswithgiants,sotheangelsaresometimesreplacedbygiants.Thetextcontinuesforoverapagewiththeserecipesandthenturnstooperations.Iwillgiveyoualittlesothatyoucangetthefeelofit:
Ifyouwanttomakesomethingwhiteofthebodies[i.e.,thematerial],mixitwithquicksilveranddropsofasbestosandurineandgoatsmilkandnatron,andthenyoucanmakeeverythingwork,andifyouwanttoknowhowtodoubleasubstance,orhowtocolourthematerial,andallthedispositions,thenknowthateverythinghasthesamemeaning[andthatisimportant],thateverythingtendstohavethesamemeaning[i.e.,themeaningislikelyalwaystobethesameforthesameoperation].Nowrealizethemystery,myson,thedrug,theelixirofthewidow.
Isisisfrequentlyreferredtoasthewidowinthetextandthereforefromtheverybeginninginalchemythephilosopher'sstone,themystery,iscalledthemysteryofthewidow,thestoneofthewidow,ortheorphan'sstone;therewasaconnectionbetweenthewidowandtheorphan,butitallpointstoIsis.Thetextendswithanotherrecipe:
Takearsenic,cookitinwater,mixitwitholiveoil,andthenleaveitinabottleandputcoalsonituntilitsteamsandalsothesamethingcanbemadewithRealgar....
Herethetextbreaksoff,andthenisrepeatedalloveragain.Soyouseewhatweareupagainst!Sometimestheformulavariesalittle.Forinstance,amanmaynotbecalledAcharontos,butAcharos,andsoon,butotherwiseitisexactlythesame.Acharontosisquiteaproblemwhichwewilldiscusslater.
Iwouldlikenowtodiscussandamplifythetextbitbybitinordertofindoutwhatitcouldmean.Dr.Sashasalreadymentionedageneralamplificationforthefirstpart,orratherforthewholestructureofthe
tale,namelythatitisaparalleltothestoryintheBookofEnochwhereitissaidthatallartsandcrafts,aswellascosmetictricks,andsoon,werestolenbythedaughtersofmenfromeitherangelsor,accordingtootherversions,giants.Thatis,atfirsttheangels,orthegiants,haveit,andthenthewomengetit.HereitisnotthewomenbutIsiswhogetsitfromtheangelandthenimpartsittoHorus,whichishowthetraditionbegan.
Whatwouldyousaypsychologicallyaboutthismyth?Allevilissaidtocomefromwomen,asweknowfromGenesisandthestory
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10.TheTemptingofEve."Knowledgeis
eitherpoisonousorhealing....Onehastohaveadoubleattitudeaboutit,the
teachingofthefelixculpa."vonFranz.
ofEve,whoalsowasclosertotheproblemofhowtogetknowledgefromGod.Inthatstory,Evegotitfromthesnake,andthenimpartedittoAdamwhichwasalsotheftbecauseGodkeptknowledgeofHimselftoHimselfandafterwardsmanknewgoodandevil,asGoddid.
InGenesisthetheftislookedonasbeingonlyevil,andintheBookofEnochthetheftofthetechniqueiscolouredinthesameway,namelythatthetheftofthesesecretsbywomenhasplayedapartinthecorruptionofourworld,sincetherebytheoriginalinnocenceoftheworldhasbeenlost.Butinourtextthefeelingisquitechanged,forwhenIsissucceedsingettingthesecretfromthoseangelsitisseenasagreatachievement.Soherewehaveaswitchinthefeelingjudgement,thoughtheeventitselfseemsaverynearparallel:thefemaleelement,thefeminineprinciple,getsitfromdeeperlayersandthenisthemediatorwhohandsitontomankind.
Wecanrecognizethesymbolismoftheanima,forthestoryofEveisevenmoretruefortheanimathanjustforwomen,andherethereis
thesameideaexpressedsymbolicallyfromtheunconscious.ThegoddessIsishasbesideherthesignofthemoon.IntheselatetimesIsiswasidentifiedwithHathor,thecowgoddessandthemoongoddess,andtheskygoddessNut.Shewasalreadythereinthislatephaseofhistoricaldevelopment.InthelateEgyptianreligionsheisakindofcosmicfemininegoddess,embracingtheaspectofallotherfemininegoddessesofoldEgyptandis,soto
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speak,thegreatcarrierofthemysteryofnature.Sheembracesnaturecompletely.Asyouknow,inApuleius'sprayertoIsis,inTheGoldenAss,sheisaddressedasDominarerum,rulerofthewholecosmicnature,andintheselatetimesshewasworshippedintheaspectofcosmicnature.Hereshedoesnotappeardirectlyasagoddess,butratherasaprophetessIsisprophetis.Thatsheisalsoaprophetessisnaturallystressedbecausesheanticipatesfuturedevelopments:shetellsthetruth,whichthencomestopass;sheimpartsthetruthwhichbeforewashidden.
Question:IamstillvagueastotherelevanceofthistothetotalmotiveorpurposeofJungianpsychology.Iseethatyouhavespentsomeenergyandeffortonthistext.NowdoIhearyousaythatthisisrelevantintermsoftheinterpretationofthesymbolismofone'sdreams?Isthatcorrect?
Dr.vonFranz:Yes,certainly.Sayyouareconfrontedwithamanwhodreamsthatamysteriouswomancomestowardshim.Iremembersuchadream,itwastheinitialdreamofamanwhohadasexproblem.Idonotknowexactlywhat,foritwasnotmycase,buthehadsomekindofsexproblem,andinhisdreamanunknownwoman,whomadeagreatimpressiononhim,toldhimthatthewholesecretconsistedindryingthepowderwithintheapple.
Question:Sothepointwouldbetherelevancethishadtotheperson'slife?
Dr.vonFranz:Yes.Supposeamancomestoanalysisandsaysheisimpotent,oraDonJuan.Wemaysaythatwewillseewhattheunconscioussaysaboutit.Colleagueshavetoldhimlongagowhatcanbesaidconsciously,butthathasnothelpedhimandheisattheendofhistether.Hesaysthatheknowsallaboutit,namelythatitishismothercomplex,butnothinghaschanged.Soapparentlythatdoes
nothelp.Thereforeonesays,let'slookatthedreams.Andtheninadreamamarvellouswomanappearsandtellshimthatitisalltheproblemofdryingthewhitepowderintheapple.Hethinksthatisrubbish,buthehassomethingtolearn.Hewillnotgiveanyassociations,forpeoplecannotgiveassociationstotheirarchetypaldreams.Whitepowderinanappledoesnotsuggestanythingtotheman;hemaysaythathelikesapples,orsomethinglikethat,butyougetnothingoutofhimandthereforeyouhavetoknowmankind'sassociations.
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Ifyoucangettheanalysand'sassociations,thatismuchbetter,butwhenyouhavesuchmotifsinadreamthereisgenerallyablankandyouhavetosay,forinstance,thatmankindhasbelievedthattheapplecontainstheknowledgeofGod,ofgoodandevil,andyouremindhimoftheBible,andthatpeoplealwayssaidthattheapplerenewedthesecrets.Youtellhimafewmythsaboutitandthenhebeginstogetimpatientandsays,''Yes,butwhatdoesthatmeanforme?"Themythsshowthatthereisanotherevaluation,forinthebiblicalmythevaluationisfromthefeelingstandpointandisspecifiedasbadluckandanaccident.OnlyinlaterCatholicinterpretationistherethefelixculpawhichsays,"ThankGodAdamandEvesinned,forotherwiseChristcouldnothaveredeemedus."ButoriginallythefeelingtonewasthatAdamwascorruptedthroughEveandeverythingthenwentwrong.EventheChurchalwayssaidthatMaryputeverythingrightandEveeverythingwrong.Eveisonlytolerablebecausethingswereputrightlater,butthefeelingtone,atleastintheOldTestament,isthatinEve'ssinoriginatedallthebadluck,andthatitwasveryunluckythatAdamandEveatethatapple.Inourtext,however,itisanachievementfornowIsishasgotthemarvelloussecretoutoftheangelandsayssheisgoingtotellhersonaboutit.Thetexttellsusthataliongeneratesalion,andthatiswhatIsistellsasthesecret.
Asalreadyindicated,ourIsisstoryisaparalleltothebiblicalstory,butwithadifferentfeelingjudgement.IntheBibleitisratherthecorruptingaccident,whileheretohaveobtainedthesecretfromtheangelsisdescribedasawonderfulachievement.Nothingissaidabouteverythinggoingwrongwiththeworldbecausethesecrethasbeenrevealed,butratherthatitissomarvellousthatIsiswillonlytellhersonandherbestfriendaboutit.Ifyouwanttogoontothepsychologicalinterpretation,whatwouldthatdifferencemean?Mankindisquitedividedovertheevaluationoftheoriginofscience
andtechnique,theoriginofchemistryandofthenaturalsciences,ofsomekindofknowledge.Doesknowledgecorrupt,ordoesithelp?
Remark:ItseemstomethattheBiblesaysthatknowledgewhichiswhattheapplerepresentsiscorruptiveinitself.
Dr.vonFranz:Yes,throughitwegotthrownoutofParadise.
Question:AreyoulookingatknowledgeasbelongingtoGod?
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Dr.vonFranz:YesfromonepointofviewitisanidentificationwithGod,sotakingthatknowledgeconstitutedanactofinflation.Theegoseizedsomethingwhichdidnotbelongtoit,sogotinflatedandlostitsbalanceandeverythingwentwrong.Buthere,intheIsisstory,theevaluationisentirelyopposite,implyingthatwehavemadegreatprogress,wehavegotthissecretoutoftheangels,somethingsoimmensethatIwillonlytellmysonandmyfriendaboutit.Herethereisnomentionofanyinflationorbadluck.
Inthistextthereistheoppositeofthereligioustraditionandnaturalsciencesinnuce.Havethetechniquesandnaturalscienceswehaveattainedbroughtusbadluck?Havetheyjustcorruptedman'soriginalstate,oraretheyanindicationofprogress?Itissomethingmuchdeeper,foranincreaseofconsciousnessisimplied,adevelopmentofhumanconsciousness.Isthatadvantageoustousornot?Willwegetworseandworsebybecomingmoreconscious,andestrangedfromnatureandloseourbalance,orisittheonethingwemustdo?IfwetrytobecomeconsciousdowefulfillthewillofGod,orgocontrarytoit?Thatisthehiddenquestion.
Itisareligiousprojection,andifweputitmorehumbly,psychologically,thereisadiscussionoftheproblemastowhetheranincreaseofconsciousnessisprogressornot.Whenpeoplecometoyouinanalysis,menorwomen,theysaythattheyoftenthinkitbettertoletsleepingdogslie.Whyshouldonedigupproblemsaboutwhichthemoreyouthink,themoremuddledyoubecome?Leaveittonatureandproblemswillrightthemselvessomehow!Thentherecomesaboywhohasamotherfixationanddoesnotwanttoleavehomeandyouanalyseandshowhimfromhisdreamsthatobviouslyheshouldpullawayfromhismother,butthenshecomesstorminginandaskswhyyoudigupsuchthingsanddestroythefamilyharmony,whyyousaysuchthingstohersonanddestroytheirgoodcontactthewholefamily
isupsetandtheboynobetter!
Soisanincreaseofconsciousnessagoodthingorabadthing?Wetherapistshavetoputthatquestiontoourselveseverytime.Andwealwaysmeetsuchlifeassociations.Somebodyspeakstoyouinthetrainandaskswhatyoudoprofessionally,andifyousayyouareapsychoanalyst,theysaythatisveryinteresting,andthattheyhavehadadreamandwilltellittoyou!Theythinkdreamsmeannothing,butthedreamshowstheman'sproblemandyouwonderwhetheryoushouldstickapinintohimandadropofthepoisonofknowledgeandgivehimanideaastowhatitreallymeans,orjustsaythatthisisnotaconsultation.
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Knowledgeiseitherpoisonousorhealing,itisoneortheother,andthatiswhysomemythssaythatknowledgebringsaboutthecorruptionoftheworldandothersthatknowledgeishealing,andthenwehavethebiblicalideawhichsaysthatitisfirstcorruption,butlaterturns,thankGod,intohealing.IntheOldTestamentitmeantcorruption,butChrist,whomadesomethingoutofit,turneditintohealing,soonehastohaveadoubleattitudeaboutit,theteachingofthefelixculpa.
Inanactualsituation,however,youcannotassumeadoubleattitude.Eachtimethereistheterribleproblem,shallItellthem,ornot?Youhavethewholeethicalresponsibilityandeachtimedonotknowwhetheryouhavedonetherightorthewrongthing.Itistheproblemofconsciousness.Whatshouldmandowithhisconsciousness?Howshouldhehandleit?Yousee,ifIamconsciousofwhatadreammeans,howshallIhandleit?ShallIuseitaspoisonorasahealingfactor?Consciousness,orknowledge,isaterrificproblemwhichwehavenotsolvedyet.
Remark:Weneverwillsolveit,itistheproblemwithwhichwelive.
Dr.vonFranz:Yes,thatistrue,butagenerality.Onemustgomoredeeplyintoitthanthat.Weneedamorespecificattitude,forotherwiseonecanbesloppyaboutitandsaythatitisaproblemonewillalwayshavesinceoneisapsychotherapist,butitisaproblemofrelationship.Itisaproblemandonethatwehavetotakeseriouslyandnotjustdismiss.
Inamostgeneralway,youcansaythatitistheproblemofmankind,formanisthatstrangeinventionofnaturewhichcarriesanewformofconsciousness.Anthropologybookssaythatmanisdistinguishedbythephenomenonofconsciousnessanddoesnothimselfquiteknowhowtoevaluatethisquality.Isonetoexperienceitasacurseorasa
blessing?HereweareatthebeginningofthenaturalsciencesofEuropeantradition,ourtextcomesfrompagansourceswithoutanyJudaeo-Christianinfluence,butEgyptianandGreekinfluence,andthereisanentirelypositiveevaluation.Whenyouanalysemodernmen,modernphysicists,youwillbeconfrontedwithamanwhohasthesameattitude.Hebelievesinscienceandthathewillhelpmankindbyhisadditionaldiscoveries,sothereisthesameattitudeandsituation.Thereforeitisinterestingtostudytheunconscioussymbolismofsuchatrendforitisagainpresentandverymuchdiscussedinourtime.
Iamverypleasedyouasksuchquestionsbecausethesethings
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havetobebroughtintoreality.Youmaysaywhydiguptheseheavyoldtextswithalltheircomplications,butdon'tforgetthatthatistherootofthegoodideasandtheprejudicesofourcivilization.Ifwedon'tdiscussthesebasicprejudicesofourcivilization,weshallnevercontactothercivilizations.Wemustknowwhatprejudiceswehave,thoughwemaystillkeepthem,sayingthatwelikethem,butonecanthinkdifferently,opinionsdodiffer.Suchbroadnessofmindisnecessaryifonewishestoanalysepeopleobjectivelyandnotbethepropagandistofonetrend;ananalystshouldbebroadmindedandseewhattheinnernatureoftheanalysandconstellatesasahealingprocess,whereveritleads.Thatatleastisourconviction.
Question:HowdoesthisattitudetowardsknowledgecomparewiththeancientPrometheanattitude?
Dr.vonFranz:Thatisaverygoodquestion.InGreekmythologyyouhavethattypicalGreekmythwhichmirrorstheGreekattitude,anddoesnotmakeitprimarilyanethicalproblemastheBibledoeseithergoodorevil.Thereisagainatheftfromthegods,somethingisstolenwhichthegodstrytokeeptothemselvesandaccordingtothemyththatispunishedPrometheusgetsintotroubleandhasbadluckbutthereisnomoralevaluation.TheGreekmindjuststatesthatstealingknowledgefromtheunconsciousmustbepaidfor,butyoucanstillhavetherightattitude!Youcansay,nevermind,Iwillpay,butIwantit!Themythdoesnotrecommenddoingornotdoingit,butyoumustknowthatthereisalwaysthepricetopay.
ThatistheverydifferentattitudeoftheGreekmind,ascomparedwiththeJewishandJudaeo-Christianattitudes,fortheymakeitamoralproblem.Thatissomethingwedoknow,anditisaverybasicarchetypaltruth.Knowledgeispartofthedevelopmentofconsciousness;thereareotheraspects,butthatisoneanditmustbe
paidfor.Itiscostly,butitisuptoyoutochoosewhetheryouarewillingtopaythepriceornot.IntheJudaeo-Christiantraditionthestressisontheethicalaspect,andintheGreekitisdispassionateandmoreastatementoffacts,butherethereisyetanothernuanceandtheevaluationishighlypositiveandmeansdivineprogress.
Remark:Youspoketwiceoftheangel'sdesireforsexualrelationswithIsis,andthesecondtimeyouusedtheword"rape,"butthatwouldmakeadifferenceintermsofpayingforit,foroneisforcedwhiletheotherisvoluntary.
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Dr.vonFranz:Literally,thetextsayssimplythathewantstounitesexually,andshedoesnotwantit,andIjustshortenedthattotheword"rape."Shesimplymadeabargain,asawomantypicallydoes.Shesaysheshouldnotbeinsuchahurrybutshouldfirsttellherthesecret,andtheninatypicallyfemininewayshedoesnotafterwardssaywhethershepaidthepriceornot.Isiswasawoman!TheGreekactuallysaysthatherushedintowhathewanted,"butI,Isis,hadinmindwhatIwanted."Whatwouldtheangel'ssexualattackonIsismeanpsychologically,andherdelayinordertoattainknowledge?Howdoesthatcomparepsychologicallywiththepsychologicalsituationinwhichwealwaysfindourselves?
Remark:Itistheirruptionofcollectivecontents,forwhichshedemandsanexplanation.
Dr.vonFranz:Yes,theangelwouldrepresentacontentofthecollectiveunconscious,inourterms,whichirruptsintothepsychologicalsystemwithademand,inthiscaseasexualone.Whatistheparallelwhichwealwaysexperience?AlchemywasbornthroughIsis'resistanceandthefactthatshedidnotcedequicklyatleastdelayedthesexualprocess,ifitdidnotstopitaltogether.Wedonotknowwhatshedidintheend,sheverydiscreetlywon'teventellherownson.Butwhatdoesthatmean?
Ifshewereahumanwoman,theangel'sattackwouldbeananimusinvasion,butIwouldratherformulateitmuchmoregenerallybecausethatwouldapplytoasinglecase,andthisisnotcasematerial.Itmeansthatveryoftencontentsofthecollectiveunconsciousirruptinaninstinctiveform,intheformofsomekindofinstinctiveurge,eitherpowerorsex,orsomethingofthekind.Thatis,thelibidoirruptionoftheunconsciouspresentsitselfonarelativelyanimalorlowlevelfirst,andthatissomethingweexperienceagainandagain.The
developmentoffurtherconsciousnessoftenmanifestsinitiallyinthisform.Oneofthegreatproblemsinthepsychologicalrealmwastorecognizethis.Ifsuchanirruptiontakesplaceyoucansaythatthatisbeingfloodedbythesexualimpulse,orfantasies,orevenaphysicalsexualimpulse.Wehavealwaystodecidewhetherthatisgenuinesexoradisguisedunconsciousimpulse,whichreallyimpliesknowledgeoraprogressofconsciousness,whichappearsfirstinthisform.
Ifyouareunprejudiced,youwouldfirstbeobligedtotryitout,butithasoftenbeenprovedthattodelayiswise.Letussaythatamanhasatremendousanimaprojectionontoawomanandthe
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experiencecomesasaverystrongurgeforsexualunion.Letusassumethatshefallsforit,andthatthenthewholethingdisappears.WiththeDonJuanthatoftenhappens.Aprèslecoup,itmeansnothingmoretohim!Heleavesherandthinks:"Oh,dammit,thatwasnotQwhatIwanted!"Soyoucanjustaswellsaythatfromtheverybeginningitwasnotreallythat,itwasonlyveiledinthatway,buttheimpulsedidnotreachitsgoalanditsmeaning,andnoprogressofconsciousnesswasachieved.Theurgemightjustaswellhavebeenresistedandaneffortmadefirsttofindoutwhatitwasreallydrivingat,because,aswefrequentlysee,impulsesofsomethingyououghttodo,firstappearintheformofphysicalreactionsiftheycannotreachconsciousnessdirectly.
Forexample,ifyouarefacedwithananalyticalsituationwhereyoujustdon'tknowwhattodo,itcanhappenthatwhilesittinginyourchairandanalysing,youhaveasuddensexualreaction,towhichitisnotadvisabletoaccedequiteapartfromtheconventionsbutwearenotdiscussingtheconventionsandcanspeakopenly.Experiencehasshownthatitiswisertostopandaskwhythishappenedatthisparticularmomentoftheanalysis?Whatwasthediscussionaboutwhenthisurgesuddenlywelledup,whichdreamwasbeingdiscussed?Youcanbeabsolutelysurethatyouhavetouchedonapointwherebothyouandtheanalysandshouldbecomeconsciousofsomething,thatsomethingispushingtowardsconsciousnessandissofarfromwhatyoucanconceivethatitcanonlymanifestinaphysicalway.Itisakindofbelow-stairsexplosion,becauseitcannotcomeupbythestaircase;itisasthoughyoutriedtopushutairsananimalwhichinsteadjustjumpedoutthewindow.Somethingwantstocomeupfromtheunconscious,butthereisashortcircuitanditappearsasasexualurge,becausethereissomesortofdifficultyingettingonfurther.
Butsometimesitisagenuinesexualurge.Youcannotalwayssaythatitisnotexactlywhatitappearstobe,becauseafterallwearewarm-bloodedanimalsandhaveournormalphysicalreactions.Butprimarily,itcanhappenthatinsuchasituationwedonotknowwhichiswhichandthereforeIsis'techniqueisonlywisdom,namelytodelay,andfirstaskthethingthatrushesinforallitssecrets,andthenafterwardsmakeupyourmindtohavealittleaffair,ornot.Isisdoesnottellsheisverydiscreet!Sheneithersaysshedidordidn't.Thatisafreeethicaldecisionamonghumanbeings,or,ashere,amonggods,andthatisonanotherlevel.Butaslongasitissuchaforcefulurgeyouarenotfreetodecide.
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Firstyoumustdelayandfindoutwhatyouareconfrontedwith.Whatisbehindit?Asexualurgecantakeplacewhenyouareconfrontedwithadyingperson.Howmisplacedthatseems!Insuchacaseitwouldbeveryplausibletothinkthatthiswasnotyournaturalsexualinstinctwantingtocopulatewithadyingperson,suchathingwouldbeimpossible.Youknowfromtheverystartthatitdoesnotmeanthat,yetitisatypicalsituationandsomethingwithwhichIhavefrequentlymet.Behinditthereisawholearchetypalsymbolicproblem.Whyisthesexualurgesotremendouslyimportantatthismomentthatitfallsonthedyingpersonandthoseinthesurroundings?Thatisjustoneexampleamongmanyothers.Thenyouhavetodelaytheangelandsaythatheshouldfirsttellhissecret,thatyouwanttobecomeconsciousofwhatisbehindtheurge,namelythestrangeconnectionbetweeninstinctandarchetype.
INSTINCTS ARCHETYPES
infra-red experience ultra-violet
(Physiological:bodysymptoms,instinctualperceptions,etc.)
(Psychological:ideas,conceptions,dreams,
images,fantasies,etc.)
11.Theconnectionbetweeninstinctandarchetypecomparedtothespectrum.
Junginhiswritingssometimesreferstoinstinctasifitwerethesamethingasthearchetypeandsometimesasifitweredifferent.Whathemeansisthatthearchetype,ifwelookatitasoppositetoinstinct,wouldbeaninheritedandinstinctivewayofhavingemotions,ideas,andrepresentationswithsymbols,andinstinctwouldbetheinheritedwayofactingphysically,acertainkindofphysicalaction.Naturally,
thetwoareconnected.
Forexample,supposewhenwalkinginafieldyousuddenlybegintorunfornoapparentreasonandjumpoverahedge,andonlookingbackseethatabullwaschasingyou!Peoplewouldsaythatwasamiracle,fortheydidn'tknowwhybutsuddenlyfeltthattheyhadtorun;theyhadnotrealizedwhatwashappening,buttheirinstincthadsavedthem.Thathappensfrequently.Onecrossesoverthestreet,notknowingwhy,andthensomethingfallsfromtheroof!Itisveryimportantforustolearntotrustsuchimpulses.
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Nowthatissomethingwhichhappensphysically.Ibegintorunwithoutevennoticingthedanger,butthankGod,mybodyisclevererthanI!Butinsteadofphysicalaction,Imayhearavoice,orhaveahallucinationwhichtellsmetorun.Intheonecasethewarningcomesasaphysicalreactionandintheotherasathought,whichisthedifferencebetweeninstinctandarchetype;thevoicewouldbeamanifestationofthearchetypeandthephysicalmovementamanifestationofinstinct,butreallytheyaretwoaspectsofthesamething.Actualphysicalbehaviouraccordingtopatternwouldbeinstinct,andtheconcomitantinnerrepresentations,emotions,auditions,visions,wouldbemanifestationsofthearchetype.
Manhasastructuralinheritedsomethinginhimwhichmakeshimactandthinkinacertainway,whichiswhywearesometimesnotclearaboutthetwo.Sincethesecontentsoftheunconscioushaveakindofphysicalaspect,andalsoasomaticandpsychologicalaspect,sometimessomethingwhichshouldgothroughthepsychologicalaspectswitchesoverintothephysical,orthephysicalaspectswitchesintothepsychological;theyarelikecommunicatingtaps,andifthereisablockageinonethewaterflowsoutfromtheother.
Ifoftenhappensthatpeoplehavegreatpsychologicalproblems,thewholecauseofwhichtheyconsidertobepsychological,andthentheyexperiencesomethingonthephysicalsideandthewholeproblemcollapses.Theyhadblockedaninstinct,letussayasexualurge,whichthenmanifestedintheirmindsasaphilosophicalproblemaboutGod.ThatwaswhatFreudgeneralized!Hesawthatthisoftenhappenedandthoughtthatyoucouldexplaineverythingonthatlevel,butthatisnotso,youmightjustaswellblocktheotherendandthenitgoesthroughtheotherwayround.
ThatisoneoftheeternalconflictsshallIliveitconcretely,orshallI
takeitsymbolically?Isthismeantasarealization,ormustitbesimplylived,withoutthinkingaboutittoomuch?Thatisoneofourgreatproblems.Hereitissaidthatbyblocking,ordelaying,aphysicalurgeaprogressinconsciousnesstakesplace.
Remark:Thiswasnotthefirstbargainstruckonbehalfofknowledge,forIsisundertooktocurethesungodRaofthebiteofthepoisonousworm,providedhewouldtellherhissacredname.Howdoyouexplainthisparallel?
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12.ThesungodRawithhisattributes.
Dr.vonFranz:Yes,itiscertainlyaparallel.WhenthesungodRabecameoldandsenileandunabletocarryonproperlyanymore,Isisputapoisonousserpentinhispathanditbitandpoisonedhimsothathebecameveryill.Atthattimeitwasbelievedthataman'spowerlayinhissecretname,whichwashissoul,ormana,hislifepower,andwhenRalayonhissickbed,Isiscametoherownfatherandofferedtocurehimifhewouldfirsttellherhissecretname.Infaceofthisblackmail,Rabrokedownandtoldherhisname,andfromthenonshehadthepowerofthesungod.
Butwhatdoesthatmean?Wecannotdiscussthisonthesamelevelastheothermotifwhichwouldbethelevelofaphysicalurgebehindwhichwebelievesomethingarchetypaltobehidden.ToansweryourquestionwewouldneedtogobrieflyintothewholedevelopmentofconsciousnessintheEgyptiancivilization.
InEgyptthecultofthesungodandthesungod'ssonwasingeneral,intermsofthesocialandpoliticalstructure,apatriarchalorder.Inabouttheyears3,000to2,800B.C.,sunworshipgraduallyexceededthatofthemoonandbullworship;theprincipalkingrepresentedthe
sungod,andwasnolongercloselylinkedwiththemoonandthebull,ortherewassomeslightdifference.Withthisdevelopmentandincreaseinthesuncultcameadevelopmentinlaw,science,geometry,theplanningoffields,ofbuilding,andsoon.Therewasenormousprogressinrationalcivilizationandin
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organizationandwar,etc.Thatwasadevelopmentofthemasculineworld,ofthemindworldandtheworldoforder,thatwentalongwiththesuncult.
ToacertainextentitmaybecomparedwiththeearlydevelopmentoftheChristiancivilizationwherethesamethingtookplacebeliefinlaw,beliefindogma,beliefinorder,beliefinknowledge,andthen,becausethesethingscometoanend,toanenantiodromia,themasculinemodeofconsciousnesstires.Thatisatypicalarchetypalevent,andthenthefeminine,ortheunconsciousandnature,thechaotic,havetotakebackthelight.Thisfirstbigmythillustratestheenantiodromiawherethemasculine,themalesungod,handsallthepowertothefeminineorder.
Nowadaysourofficialorganizationsbelievemoreandmoreinredtape,inmoreandmorecongresses,moreregulations,andmorereligionstosavetheworld.Theyareintentonbringingorder,thinkingthatthatwillsolvetheproblemandthatthoseothertendencieswhichwefindinthedreamsofourpatientswillnotsucceed.ButtheworldhasoncemoretiredsothePopedeclarestheAssumptionoftheVirginMary,andweseethereevaluationofthefeminineinmen'spresent-daydreams.
Icangiveyouaninstance.Theotherdayaman,inrevulsionovertheslaughternowtakingplaceinTibet,wroteafieryarticletotheeffectthatweSwiss,whoarealsoamountainpeoplethreatenedbysurroundingbigPowers,shouldshowmoresympathyandfeelingforthatotherlittlemountainpeoplewhoarefightingfortheirfreedom,andthatitisnotenoughjusttoreadthepapersandexpresssympathy,fortomorrowthesamethingcouldhappentouswithaRussianinvasion.WeshoulddosomethingaboutitandstoptradingwithChina.Butthenhedreamtthattheworldwascomingtoanend,and
thatafewpeopledugupinaglacierinthemountainsanoldshipinwhichsatabeautifulwoman.TheshipwaslikeNoah'sarkwhichwasmovingtowardstheseaandonlythosewhowentintheoldshipwiththewomanwouldbesaved!
Soyousee,theunconscioussaysthatwhatyouinyourmasculine,political,thinkingmindseeisonlyasmallaspectofwhatisreallyhappening.Wearenowconfrontedwiththedeluge.OurrealproblematthepresenttimeisthatofoverpopulationandnottensionwiththeArabsortheRussians.Weareconfrontedwithahopelesssituation.ThesavingprincipleisthefeminineprincipleandthistimeitwillnotbeNoahintheark,butawoman,thatis,agoddess.Whatdoesthatmean?Youseethedreamswithwhichone
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13.Thelife-givingpowerofthefemininerepresentedastheseaofrenewal
arisingfromvirgin'smilk.
issometimesconfronted!Youcannotevaluatethiswomanasawoman.Thedreamerisallrightinhisrelationshipwithwomen,thereisnothingwrongonthatlevel.Whatdoesthewomaninthearkrepresent,andthosefewpeoplewhogowithher?
Thatisnoteasytointerpret,butattheendoftheEgyptiancivilizationtherewasasimilarenantiodromia.SuddenlyIsisgoteverythingintoherhandsandthemalegodsfadedanditisinterestingthatthatwasattheendoftheAriesageandthatnowweareattheendofPisces,theastrologicalfishage,andagainawomanisgatheringtheharvestandthemenareabittired.
Question:Buttheangeldidnotloseanythingwhenhegavehissecrettothegoddess.Hestillunderstoodithimself,didhenot?
Dr.vonFranz:Yes,butwhereastheangelmadenouseofhis
knowledge,Isisfoundedalchemy;shedidsomethingwithit,whereastheangeljustkeptittohimself.
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14.Thespiritualizationofmatterportrayedasthecoronationofthe
VirginMary.Thescenerepresentsthealchemicalquaternity:Father,Son,andHolyGhost(dove),withthefeminine(matter)asthe
fourth.
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Lecture3GreekAlchemyLasttimewediscussedthepossiblemeaningofthehandingoverofthesecretofalchemybytheangelAmnaëltothegoddessIsis.Weusedamplificationsfromancientlegendswhichsay,ineffect,thatallnaturalscientificknowledge,frommathematicstothemakingofwomen'scosmetics,wastaughthumanbeingsbyangelsorgiants.Wealsodiscussedthestrangefactthatveryoftenattheendofapatriarchalcivilization,therecomesanenantiodromiathepowerishandedovertoafemininefigure,asforinstancewhentowardstheendoftheEgyptiancivilizationthecultofIsisbecamepredominant,andIsismoreandmoretookovertheroleofallothergods.ThereareevenlateEgyptianprayersinwhichIsisisinvokedastheonewhoisallothergodsinafeminineform.Thiswecompared,cumgranosalis,withthefactthatnowwithintheChristiancivilization,atleasttheCatholicpartofit,theVirginMaryhassuddenlybeenraisedtoamoredominantrolethanhitherto.
Weshouldnotforgetthatthesemothergoddessesarealsoconnectedwiththeconceptofmatter,fornotonlyistheworditselfconnectedwiththeword''mother,"butthewholeprojectionofmatter,andthemodelarchetypalideaatthebackofthemindsofnaturalscientists,isdrawnfromthemotherarchetype.Plato,forinstance,saysthatspaceislikeanursetothewholecosmicorder,thusspaceisregardedasafemininecontainer,anourishingfunctionofthemother.
Sincetheideaofmatterisalwayssecretlyconnectedwiththemotherarchetype,ifthePopeshiftsemphasisintheChristiancultontotheVirginMary,thisis,consciouslyorunconsciously,ablowstruckagainstcommunisticmaterialism.Itisagestureinthatsense,andan
attempttogetatitsmaterialisticaspectbyplacingemphasisonmatterinadifferentform.Interestinmatterthereforespringsfromaresurgenceofthisarchetype.
Whenyoungnaturalscientistschoosetheirprofession,frequentlyMotherNatureappearstothemindreamsintheformofanoldwoman,orsomesuchfigure,andshowsthemtheway.Ihaveseen
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severalsuchdreamsincasesofyoungpeoplewhowereuncertainwhethertostudynaturalscience,forinstancemedicine,orsomethingelse.Youcanthusactuallyprovebythematerialofmodernpeoplethatthedrivetowardsinterestinthematerialaspectofouternatureveryoftenspringsfromtheconstellationofthisarchetype,whichisthedynamismbehindnaturalscience.Ifthebiblicalstoryevaluatesthisimpartingofknowledgetomanasacatastrophe,orasunlucky,thatcertainlycanbecomparedtothefactthatnaturalscience,includingmathematics,hastendedfromtheverybeginningtopossesspeopleinanautonomousway,topossesstheirinterestinatotalisticwaytosuchanextentastogivethemademonicdrive,upsettingnotonlytheirpersonalbalancebutalso,tosomeextent,thebalanceofcivilization.
ThisexcessivedriveofnaturalscienceanditsdestructiveaspectisnowadayssuchabanalitythatIdonotneedtoenlargeuponit,butitspringsfromthefactthatonearchetypeis,asitwere,movingoutofthegeneralinstinctualorder.Thereforeyoucansaythatthemythoftheoriginofnaturalscienceispartlythemythofaninstinctualdissociation;homofaberisalreadydissociated,orisinadangerouswayestrangedfromitsnaturalinstinctiveroots.Thatiswhatthebiblicalmythsays,whilethisIsismyth,onthecontrary,laudsthesameeventasanenormousprogress.Iftherearetwomyths,oneofwhichismoreorlesstheoppositeoftheother,orthesamethingwithadifferentevaluation,wecanonlyconcludethatthereisabasicuncertaintyinthehumanbeing,andeveninhisconsciousness;theproblemisrealandnotinvented,andwehavetolookatitfrombothangles.
Theangelbearsonhisheadavesselnotcaulkedwithpitchandwhichcontainsshiningwater.Thisabsolutelytransparentorcleanwater,theGreektextsays,isinalchemythesymbolofthemysteriousbasic
matterparexcellence.Theideaoftheeternalwateris,asyouknowfromJung'sinnumerableamplifications,andassociationsfromothertexts,oneoftheverygreatestalchemicalsymbols.ItisthedivinewaterwhichisnaturallynotH20,butisactuallyasymbolforthemostbasicmatteroftheworld,theprimamateria.Sointhisimageitissaidthattheangelbearsthemysteryofthebasicmaterialofthecosmoswewouldsayandthatisexactlywhatthesealchemists,justlikemodernphysicists,hadinmind:thatpossiblyallmaterialphenomenawentbacktoonebasicmaterial,thesearchforwhichwastheirgreatfascinosum,forwithitgoesthe
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15.Thealchemistandhisassistantmakethesignofthesecret,inaccord
withtheexperiencethatmuchofwhathappensinarelationshipbetweentwopeoplecannotbesharedwithothers.
feelingthatifthisbasicmaterialcouldbediscovered,onewould,inaway,lookintothedivinefabricofthecosmos.
Isisinsistsongettingthesecret,afterwhichthetextcontinueswiththeoathbywhichHorusisconjurednottodiscloseit.Thisaccordswiththestyleofthemysteryandlatereligiousinitiationsingeneral.IntheHellenisticworlditisanemphasiswhichshowsthatnowthegreatthinghasbeenimparted,andthereforeIsis'son,Horus,hastorealizethatthesecretisforhimonlyandnobodyelse,andthathemustnevertalkaboutit.
Wehaveinthisoldesttextsomethingwhichweshallmeetagainandagainthroughoutthehistoryofalchemy,namelythemotifofthegreatsecretwhichcannotbejustscientificallytoldandimpartedfromoneindividualtoanother.Inthehistoryofalchemyandchemistrythishasalwaysbeenregardedasatricktomakethewholethingappearimportantandmysterious,andtoveilsecrets.Naturally,thereisacertainamountoftruthinthat,because,asyouknow,atthistimealchemywasalsochemistryandthereforeknowledgeastohowtomakealloys,etc.,wasatradesecretfortheverybanal,financialreasonofkeepingtheupperhand.Inourmodernindustriesthesame
thinggoeson;thereisevenasystemforspyingoutthesecretsofindustrialmanagementandmetallurgy,forsuchknowledgemeanspowerandmoney,asitdidinoldentimes.If,forinstance,youcouldmakeanalloywhichlookedlikegold,thankstotheveryindifferentpolicecontrolatthattime,falsemoneycouldbemadeandafortunequicklyacquired,sothatnaturallythesecretwouldonlybeimpartedtoone'sbestfriends.
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Butthisbanalaspectdoesnotexplainthewholephenomenon.Considerwhathappensinananalyticalsituation.Perhapsyouallhaveexperiencedthatcertainthingscanonlybesaid,orexplained,ordone,withoneotherperson,andgenerally,ifananalysisgoesdeepenough,therecomesapointwhereanalystandanalysandsharethesecretwhichbothknowcouldnotbesharedwithanybodyelseandwhichthereforeestablishesauniquerelationship.
Thisisexperiencedbypeopleinthesurroundingsexactlyinthesamewayaswasfeltaboutalchemy,namelythattheremustbesomethingdirtyconnectedwithit,forotherwiseitcouldbespokenofstraightout.Butitisquiteimpossibletosayanddocertainthingsexceptwithoneperson;thatistheuniquenessandexclusivenessofeveryrealhumanrelationship,andofeveryrealmeetingwiththeunconscious.Thatiswhyitissodifficult,andinawaymisleading,toreportoncasematerial,forcertainthingscomeupwhichcannotbetold,notforreasonsofdiscretionorbecausetheyhavetodowithsex,orconcernadivorce,ormarriage,orhavesomethingtodowithfinances,orsomekindofindiscreetdirtwhichpeoplealwaysthinkisthecasebutbecausethethingisineffable.
Sometimestherelationshiporanalysisgoesoninhalf-saidwordswhichareunderstoodinaspecificwaybytheotherperson,butwhichyoucannotrepeatwhenspeakingofthecase.Youcantellthedreams,andrepeatwhatyoutoldtheanalysandabouttheirmeaning,butyouknowperfectlywellthatyouaretellingonlyhalfthestory.Therearealsothingswhichcannotbetoldbecausetheyhappenwithoutyourknowing.Somebodymaysaylater:"Idon'trememberwhatyousaidatthetime,butyoulaughedinacertainwaywhichsuggestedsomethingtome."Thatcanhappenwithouteitherpartynoticingatthetime,andsucheffectscannotbehelpedandcannotbespokenof,thoughinactualfacttheymayformthebasisoftheanalyticaland
therapeuticprocess.
Thereisalsothesympathybetweentwopeople,thesympathia,whichmeansthattheysuffertogether,thetwoareimpressedtogether,andthisconditionof"togetherness,"whichcomesfromparticipatinginthesameexperience,cannotbeexplainednotbecauseonewantstomakeasecretofit,butbecauseitisinexplicableandirrationalandverycomplex.Soyoucansaythatineveryprocessofanalysisthereisasecret,andgenerallyonecannottalkaboutit.If,therefore,youreportacase,youonlyreportitinpart;itisauniquething,butusuallypeoplegohomeandthinkthat
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nowtheyknowhowtheprocessofindividuationworks,andthentheyarecompletelyoffthetrack,becausetheirprocessofindividuationcouldbeguaranteedtogoquitedifferently.Perdefinitionem,itisanindividuation,whichmeanssomethingunique.
Thereforeitisevenmisleadingtorecountauniquecaseforinvoluntarilypeoplegeneralizeaboutit,thinkingthattheynowunderstandhowtherapyisconductedbuttheyarealreadybarkingupthewrongtree.Thereisarealsecret,forassoonasyoutouchtheuniquenessoftheprocess,oroftheindividual,itcannotbetalkedaboutanymore.Often,whenaskedtospeakoncasematerial,whenlookingthroughmycasesIthinkthatitwouldbewrongtogiveanyofthem.Generally,onecanonlyspeakofslightcases,orofthosewhichgowrongwhichishumiliatingtoone'svanitybutatleastsuchacasecanbetalkedabout.
Remark:Isn'tIsisreferringtosomethinglikethatwhenshesays:"YouaremeandIamyou,"afterwhichthereisnothingmoretobesaid?
Dr.vonFranz:Yes,exactly,thatiswhatIamdrivingat.Thereisthe"Iamyouandyouareme,"init,andthatistheelementwhichcannotbetold.Thatistheuniomystica,thethingwhichhappensatthebottomofwhatwetrytopushoffwiththeword"transference,"thusmakingitatechnicalthing.Butitisarealmystery,amysticalexperience,onewhichthereforecanneverbeimpartedorsharedwithanotherperson.
IsisswearsfirstinthenameofHermes,whichisprobablytheGreektranslationforThoth,themoongodandapegod,theninthenameofAnubis,whichhasnotbeentranslatedandthereforeisrecognizableinitsEgyptianform,andalsointhenameofKerkorosthehowlingofKerkoros,referringtothehowlingofthedogKerberos.IntheparalleltextthenameisKerkouroboros.Ouroborosisthesnakewhicheatsits
owntail,soitmustrefertoadoglikedemonwhichhasbeenconfusedwiththissnakeandisheredescribedasthesnakeandtheguardianoftheunderworld.SothisisamixtureofthefigureofKerberos,therefore"Ker"inthefirstsyllable,withcertainguardianfiguresoftheEgyptianunderworld,amongwhichweveryoftenfindthesnakewhicheatsitsowntail.
IwillnowreadthetextwhichspeaksoftheOuroborossnake,asdepictedoncertainEgyptiantombs.InthetombofSethitheFirst,forinstance,thereisadrawingofahousewithtwosphinxesoutside,
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16.TheOuroboros,thesnakethateatsitsowntail,ascrowneddragonandaswingedandwinglessserpents(comparewingedandwinglessbirds,
page124).
whichisakindofschematicrepresentationoftheunderworld,wheretheresurrectionofthesungodtakesplace.Justbeforehisresurrection,thesungodisrepresentedasanichthyphallicmanlyingonhisbackwitherectphallusandaroundhimisthesnakewhicheatsitsowntail.Theinscriptionmerelysays:"Thisisthecorpse."Youseethereforethatintheunderworldwhenthesungodhasreachedthemomentwhendeathandresurrectionmeet,whenheisinhistombatthedepthoftheunderworld,heisrepresentedassurroundedbythissnake.AccordingtotheEgyptiantext,thesnakewhicheatsitsowntailisconsideredtobetheguardianoftheunderworldanditisprobablythissnakewhichisinvokedhere.
Thetextcontinues:"IconjureyoualsointhenameoftheferrymanAcheron."Andlater:"GotothepeasantAcharontosandhewilltellyouthewholesecret."Onethinksfirst,naturally,oftheGreekunderworldstreamAcheron,butsinceobviouslythetranslationrepresentsEgyptianideasandimages,wehavetoseewhatunderworldgodheadorfiguremighthavegivenrisetosuchaname.
InthisconnectionIhavefoundsomeveryinterestingamplifications.ThereisanEgyptiangod,orconcept,calledAker,orsometimesAkerou.Thisgodisrepresentedbytwolionssittingbacktoback,
withsometimesthediscofthesunbetweentheirtwobacks.ThatiscalledRwti,orthedoublelion,andthatishowthegod,orthewordAker,isrepresented.Heisshownasthedoublelion,orthedoubledog,orasYesterdayandTomorrow,becauseinEgyptianmythologythiswholepicturerepresentsthemomentoftheresurrectionofthesungod.Yesterdayhewasdead,tomorrow
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hewillbealiveagain.Midnight,whenthesunisatitslowestpointandbeginstoriseagain,istheturningpointfromdeathtolife,fromyesterdaytothenextday.ThislowestmomentoftheenantiodromiaandoftheresurrectionisAker,forAkermeans"thatmoment."
Intheselatelanguagesandinprimitiveoldlanguages,Akermeansnotonlythemoment,butalsotheplaceandsituation,thesituationofdeathandresurrection,ofyesterdayandtomorrow,oftheresurrectionandregenerationofthesungod.SometimesAkerisnotrepresentedasthisdeepestpointoftheunderworld,butasthedoortotheBeyondtowhichthedoublelionsarethedoorkeepers,sothereisanadmixtureoftwoideas;itistheentrancetotheBeyond,thelimen,orthedeepestpointintheunderworlditself.InthetombsofTut-MosisIIIandAmenophisIIthereisthesamesceneasinthetombofSethitheFirst.
17.Rwti,theEgyptiandoublelionwiththediscofthesun,
representingAker,themomentwhenthesunreappearsafteritsjourneythroughtheunderworld,i.e.,therebirthof
consciousnessafterthe"nightseajourney."
Iwillnowreadyousomeoftheinvocations.IntheBookoftheCaverns,oneofthebooksofthedeadinthemanyEgyptianvariations,thesungodwhenintheunderworldsays:"Oh,Aker,Iwentyourway,youwhoseformsaremysterious,openthyarmsbeforeme.HereIam,thosewhoarewithinyoucalltome."Whenhesays"thosewhoarewithinyoucalltome,"Akerissimplythewhole
underworld,thespaceintheunderworld,andthosewhoareintheunderworldarethespiritsofthedeadandthegodofthedead,andthespiritscallthesungodwhenheplungesintotheunderworld.Thetextcontinues:"Ihaveseenthymysteries,mysundiscandGeb,theearthgod,arethosewhomIcarryonmyback.
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Cheperaisnowinsidehisenvelope."Cheperaistheresurrectingformofthesungodwhoisnowasintheegg,heisintheenvelopeandnextmomentwillappearoverthehorizon."Openthyarms,receiveme.HereIam,Iwillchaseawayyourdarkness."
InthetombofRamesesVI,Akerisdepictedbythetwolionsandbeneaththemarethewords:"Seewhatthisgodlookslike.Geb,theearthgod,andChepera,thescarab,watchtheimageswhicharewithinhim."SoAkerisaspacewhichcontainsthedead,ortheimagesofeverythingwhichexists.Heisnotonlythedoublelion,orthedoortotheBeyond,butthatmysteriousspaceintheunderworldinwhicharethedeadpeopleandtheimages.Hewatchesthemandhastheminhisarms.Thisgreatgodstaysbelowintheunderworldandspeakswiththegreatimagewhichcarrieshiscorpse.Akeristhegreatimagewhichcarriesthecorpseorbodyofthesungod,ascanbeunderstoodfromthedrawing.ThesungodshedslightoneverythinglyinginthearmsofAker,whobringsaboutthereunionofthebonesofthegodhere-collectsthescatteredbonesofthecorpse.
OneofthegreatmotifsoftheBookoftheDeadinEgyptisthatthedeadaredismembered,aswasOsiris,andmustthereforebereassembledbeforetheycanresurrect;theymustbeputtogetheragainsoastobeabletorisefromtheunderworld.Akeristheagentinre-collectingthebonesandmembersofthegod.
AnotherrepresentationfoundinthetombofRamesesVIisofthedoublelionstandingbetweentheprimordialwaters.Underneaththeinscriptionis"Aker"andthenanellipse,whichinthisconnectionsymbolisestheunderworld,ortheworldofthedead;andtheinscriptionsaysthatAkerandShu,theairgod,arethetwocreatorsoftheworld.ThusyouseethatAkerisnotonlytheagentintheresurrectionofthesungodandthewholeunderworld,butalsooneof
theagenciesinthecreationoftheworld.Sometimesthedoublelionsarereplaced,asImentionedabove,bytwoofAnubis'sjackals,twodoglikeanimals,andthentheinscriptionbelowis:"Thesearetheopenersoftheway,theagentsofresurrection."
Ithink,therefore,itwouldnotbetoofar-fetchedtoconjecturethatAcharon,orAcharontos,alludestothisEgyptiangod,for,asyouknow,themaincontentofthegreatsecretimpartedbyIsistoHorusisthataliongeneratesalion,barleygeneratesbarley,wheatgenerateswheat,andsoon;thereforeamanisonlygeneratedinthesameway,and,itisalsoespeciallysaid,adogadog.
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18.Osiriswithwheatorcornsproutingfromhisbody.
Sowhatatfirstseemsacompletelybanalstatementofnature,namelythesecretofsexualgeneration,andofthegerms,andplantgeneration,revealsitselfashaving,inthelateantiqueGreekandEgyptianofthattime,acompletelyothernetofassociations.Theseimageswereallconnectedorassociatedwiththeideaoftheresurrectionofthedead,ofthere-creationofthesungod,andofthere-creationoftheworld;thatisasecretallusioninthetext.
Asyouknow,theresurrectionofOsirishasveryoftenbeenrepresentedbythesimilethoughitismorethanasimileoftheresurrectionofthecorn.Inlateantiquity,forinstance,inmanyEgyptiantownstherewereritualsduringwhichapinetreewascutdownandhollowedout,representingthebodyofIsis,orthecoffinthecoffinisthemothergoddess,asyouknow.Wheat,orcornorbarley,wasthenputinandwateredandthegrainsproutedwhenputinthesun,andsorepresentedaspringritualofresurrection.InthemuseuminCairo,thiscornmummycanstillbeseen.Inakindofflatboxwith
sandinit,cornwassownintheformofOsiris'smummy.Itwassprinkledwithwater,sprouted,andthen
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19.AnubisanointingthemummyofOsiris,withIsisgiving
directions.
20.TheresurrectionofOsiris,attendedbyNephthysandIsis.
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withered.SuchthingswereknownasOsirisgardensandrepresentedtheresurrectionofthedead.TheprocesswasrepeatedateveryclassicalEgyptianfuneral:cornwasplacedinsidethebandsofthemummyofthecorpseandsprinkledwithwater,andwhenthecornbegantosprout,thatwasasignthatthedeadhadnowresurrected.Inthistypicalprimitiveandmagicformalltheseritualswereperformedcompletelyliterallyonthemummyofthecorpse.Sotheprocessofthedeathofthecornintheearthanditsresurrectionaswheatorbarleywascloselyconnectedinthemindsofthepeoplewiththeideaoftheresurrection,firstofthegodOsiris,andlaterofeveryhumanbeing.
Nowwhatonearthhasthistodowithalchemy?ClearlyitseemstorefertocertainlateantiquemysteriesofthedeadintheHellenisticEgyptianworld,andwecanrecognizetheconnectionwiththefamousarchetypalmysteryofthedeathandresurrectionoftheyoungspringgod.Butwhydoesthatcomeastheessentialexplanationofthewholealchemicalmystery?Andwhyonearth,inthetextIreadyoulasttime,afterthisexplanation,aretheresuchcompletelybanalrecipes?Ithinkinordertounderstandwhatthesepeoplehadinmindonemustfirstofallbeextremelynaive,andfollowanaivethought.
Letusassumethatyouthinkofyourownresurrectionifyouhopeforone,eventhoughyoumaynotbelieveinit.Naturallythefirstthingthatoccurstoyouisthecorpseandwhathappenstoit.Thewormseatit,orinthecrematoriumitisburnttoashes.Ifwearenaiveandhonest,wecannotdetachourmindsfromtheimmediatesightofwhatremainsofusafterdeath,andthereforeinallhumancivilizationsthecorpseistreatedwithgreatcareandallkindsofritualsbecauseitrepresentsamystery.Theformofthehumanbeingwholivedisstillthere,butsomethingislacking,orhaschanged.Naivefeelingstilltakeswhatliesbeforeyouasyourfather,oryourfriend,orwhoeverit
maybe,andifnot,whatisit?Ifyouhopeforresurrection,youthinkthatifthereissuchathing,thenthebodywhichhasdisintegratedmustsomehowbeputtogetheragain.Ifyoucontinuetofollowthatthoughtnaivelyyouwillthinkthatifoneknewthebasicmatterfromwhichthewholecomplexphenomenonofthebodyisbuiltup,thenitcouldberemade.
Don'timagineIampreachingthattoyouassomethingtrue!Ionlywanttoshowyouthatitwouldbeanidealikelytooccurtoa
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naivemind,andintryingtodiscusstheproblemofresurrectionwithpeople,Ihaveoftenseenthattheydothinkalongtheselines.Theyspeakoftheglorifiedbodybuttheremightbeabasicmatter,orsubstance.Wedonotknowwhatmatteris,sofromthatbasis,whichwedonotknowandwhichisGod'sownsecret,whyshouldHenotremakethewholebodyagain?ThatisacommonbeliefamongmanyChristianswhohavenotthoughttoodeeplybutwho,inanefforttounderstand,haveageneralideaoftheresurrectionofthebody,andIthinkthatsimilarnaivethoughtswerebehindthesetexts.Namely,thattheproblemofresurrectionissomehowlinkedwiththeproblemofwhatmatterisandthatifithasabasicform,itcanbetransformed.
Nowifthereisabasicmatterwhichcanbetransformedintosomethingelse,thenthatbasicmatterisimmortalandcanneverbedissolved.Thatiseventheideaoftheatomthatwhichcannotbesplitfurtherthatis,themostbasicparticle,ormaterial,whichiswhatthewordmeans.Italsomeanstheindividual,thelastunit.Itcannotbesplitordisintegrate,andisthereforeimmortal,sothereonetouchesaneternalthingandifonegetstothebottomofthatthenonehasthesecretofresurrectionandofimmortality,andofhowGodmadetheworld.
Thatwasthetrendofthoughtandthereflectionbehindtheideascontainedinthistext,whichaccountsfortheinvestigationintothebasiccompositionofcosmicmatter.Thattheproblemoftheresurrectionofthedeadwasforthesepeopleboundupwithsuchthoughtsshowsthatthehopeforimmortality,thewholetremendousemotionaldrivemanfeelsinhislongingforimmortality,wentatthattimeintoalchemy,whichexplainshowtheimageryoftheprocessofindividuationgotprojectedintothisproblem.Sofar,IhaveonlyassertedandamplifiedtheabovewithafewEgyptiantexts,butafterwardsIamgoingtoreadyouacompletelydifferent5thcentury
textfromwhichyouwillseethatsuchthoughtsreallyexisted.Uptonowtheyhaveonlybeenalludedto,sothatwehavetoreconstructfromothertexts.
Aftertheallusiontothestatementthataliongeneratesalionandadogadog,thetextcontinues:''Havingbeenfortunateinparticipatinginthedivinepowerwecannowproceedwiththepreparationofotherthings.Thereforetakequicksilver...,"andsoon.Thenthetextgoesonwiththerecipes,whichIcannotinterpretbecauseIsimplydonotknowwhattheymean.Some,liketheurine
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ofanuncorruptedboy,canbeamplified,forweknowthatthisplayedaroleinlateantiquemagic.Whatothersubstancesrefertowedon'tknow,andhistoriansofchemistryconjectureandquarrelastotheirprobablemeaning,mostofwhichhavenotbeendefinitelyestablished.Weonlyknowthattheyaremixturesofmetals,etc.,principallyusedinthemanufactureofalloys,andthattherewerecertainproceduresofmeltingorofslowcorrosionbyacids.Whilestillgivingsuchrecipes,Isissays:"Now,mychild,youknowthemysterywhichistheelixirofthewidow."Thatsentenceshowsthatsomeoftherecipesrefertohealingelixirs,tosomepowerfulmedicines,intheAfricansenseoftheword,ratherthantotheproductionofsomekindofmetal.Howdoesthatlinkupifyouthinkofitnaively?
Ihadanexperienceinmychildhoodwhichmightelucidatethis.WhenIwasabouttenyearsoldIfrequentlyhadtostayawayfromschoolbecauseofillnessandwenttoschoolonlyinthemornings.Intheafternoons,whenmysisterwasatschool,Iwasaloneandveryboredandhadnobodytoplaywith.SoatthebackofthehenhouseIestablishedwhatIcalledmylaboratory.Ihadoncereadthatamberwasformedbyresinfallingintoseawaterandsolidifyingaftermanyyears.SoIthoughtIwouldmakeamber.Promptly,inmyfantasy,amberbecameayellowpearl,andIthoughtIwouldmakearoundyellowpearlofamber.
Bymeansofendlesslyclimbingandfallingfromfirtrees,Icollectedaquantityofresin,butthenthoughtthatIhadtoproduceseawater.FromthedictionaryIdiscoveredwhatseawaterconsistedof,andIstolesaltandiodinefromthebathroomandmixed,ascompletelyasonewouldatthatage,somethingwhichIcalledseawater.Then,thinkingthattheamberhadtobepurifiedbeforetheyellowpearlcouldbeproduced,Istartedtomeltandcookitsoastogetridofthedeadantsandsuchthingsinitandwhiledoingthis,andwatchingthe
amberbeingheatedupandmelted,inmyloneliness,Istartedtofeelpityforit,thinkingthatitwasbeingburntandthatImustpropitiateit.SoIstartedtalkingtotheresin,sayingthatitshouldnotbeunhappyifIburntitforintheenditwastobecomeawonderfulyellowpearl,anditmustjustbearbeingtorturedwiththefirenow.
Inthisway,Igotintoawholefantasyaboutproducingthisyellowpearl,theideaofwhichhadoriginatedquiterationallyfromsomethingIhadread.Butinthelonelinessofthetask,thething
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becameamplifiedintoacompletealchemicalopuswithprayersforitssuccess.Iprayedtotheamber,beggingitnottobeangrywithmeforcookingit,andpromisedtomakeitintoapearl,andsoon.Thatisprimitiveorinfantilementalityandwemustsupposethatthesepeoplehadasimilarattitude.Itmustberememberedthatatthattimeitwasverydangeroustomakechemicalexperiments,becausethenyouwerelookedonasawitchdoctorwithalltheconsequencesthatentailed.Youwererespected,butalsohatedandfearedandthereforesuchthingshadtobedonesecretlyandinloneliness,whichalwaysbringsuptheunconscious.
Youcoulddescribethischildhoodoccupation,whichlastedforoverayear,asplayorsomethinglikeactiveimagination,performedwithchemicalsubstanceswhichtoagreatextentiswhatalchemyis.Activeimaginationcanbedonewithcolours;nowadayswedoitchieflybypainting,orbywritingstories,butitcanalsobedoneanotherwaybycollectingsubstancesandmixingthem.Thatiswhatthesepeopledidandthuswentalittlebitoffthetrackofproducingonlyachemicalexperimentintoproducingoneinwhichfantasymaterialwaspredominant,justasIrationallybeganbywantingtomakeamberand,intheprocess,fellintothefantasyofproducingayellowpearl.
Synchronisticeventsdohappenintheseasmuchasinotherfieldsofexperiment;theyareexperiencedasmiracles,andnaturallyconfirmsuchfantasies.ThatthisstillcontinuesinmodernchemicallaboratoriesisevidencedbyastoryIheardofascientistwhotriedtoproduceacertainvitaminQinachemicalform.Hehadeverythingfiguredout,andknewthattheproductshouldbeproduced,butitdidnotseemtowanttocrystallize.Whensomethingcrystallizesdependsonveryirrationalfactors.Ofcoursetheweightandheatandformofthemixtureallplayapart,buttherearestillnowadaysfactorswhich
cannotbeoverlookedinchemicalmanufacture,butonedoesnotknowuponwhattheydepend.Sothewretchedthing,contrarytoallexpectations,didnotcrystallize.Hewatcheditdayandnight,sayingitoughttocrystallize,butitjustremainedliquid.Thescientistbecamesickofwatchingitandgotahelpertocarryonandkeeptheheatatacertaintemperatureandhimselfwenthomeandfellasleepandhadthemostamazingalchemicaldreaminwhichavoicesaid:"Nowgo,andyouwillseethatithascrystallized!"Hegotupandtelephoned,anditwastrue,ithadcrystallized!Sotheunconsciousofthismanwasactuallyconnectedto,orinformed
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about,thechemicalprocessgoingonintheretort.
Youcanlabelthatassynchronicity,butindoingsoyouhavenotexplainedanything.Itissimplyafact.Anditshowsthatwedonotknowhowtheunconsciousisconnectedwithmatter,butonlythatitis,andthatithasaknowledgeofsuchthings;howwedonotknow,forourscientificknowledgeintsrespecthascometoanend,forthetimebeing.Apparentlychemistry,eveninthemostmoderntimes,stillhasaconnectionwiththeunconsciousofthepersonperformingtheexperiment,eventotheextentofsuchthingshappeningasIhavedescribed.Thereagainwetouchonasecret,andthatkindofexperience,butonamoreprimitiveandcrudebasis,wasgenerallyatthebackofthealchemists'experiments.
Ifwesumupthetextwehavejustdiscussed,notfromapsychologicalbutfromanhistoricalstandpoint,weseethatinalchemytherearereligiousideasandconceptionswhichleadbacktoHellenizedEgyptwithitsearlyadmixtureofGreekandlateEgyptianreligions.Icannotreadyouallthetexts,butinotherstherearetracesofJewishandGnosticsymbolismandmanyotherreligionsofthattime.Theotherelement,connectedinthoughtbutdisconnectedasfarasthetextsareconcerned,isthatoftherecipes,obviouslyremnantsofsecretcrafttraditions,whichoriginatedwithAfricanmedicinemenandwereconcernedwiththemakingoflovecharms,medicinestoensurebeauty,andwiththemakingofalloysandsoon.Allsuchrecipeswerethesecretsofthesmithcraftsmenandmedicinemen.DuringtheEgyptiancivilizationtheywereprobablyhandeddownbycertainclassesofpriestswhohadmonopoliesonthemanufactureoftheirparticularalloysormedicines,whichtheyobtainedthroughtherulingPharaohandprobablykeptinsecretbooksstoredinthetemples.
Inthesameway,thereisnowinthemuseuminCairoapapyrus
whichhasbeendugupandwhichcontainsalltherecipesfortheembalmingofcorpses.Theinstructionsforthisverycomplicatedprocedurearegiveninapurelytechnicalandchemicalway.ThatwasthesecretoftheclassoftheAnubispriests,andconstitutedknowledgeimpartedonlytoinitiatedpriests.ThatprobablygoesbacktotheoldestkindofprimitiveAfricanmedicinemen'straditionandcanstillnowadaysbeunearthedinAfricainamoresimpleform,thepsychologicalattitudeandsecretatthebackofsuchproceduresbeingstillunchanged.
MynextGreektextintroducesathirdelementintotheseearly
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chemicalwritings,namelyGreeknaturalphilosophy.PerhapsoneofthegreatesthistoricaleventsoflateantiquitywasthatinGreeknaturalphilosophy,thepre-Socraticphilosophy,menlikeDemocritus,Heraclitus,andThalesofMiletus,Anaximenes,andAnaximander,speculatedonestablishedtheoriesaboutnatureandwerethecreatorsofsuchtechnicaltermsastime,space,atom,matter,andenergy.
Allthebasicconceptsofmodernphysicsgoback,asyouknow,toGreekphilosophy,fortheGreekswerethecreatorsoftheseconceptsinthespecific,naturalscientificmeaning,thoughtheydidnotexperimentwithmattertoagreatextent.Theyhadfewornolaboratoriesandmostoftheirtheoriesaboutnaturecamefromspeculativeintuition,thoughtheysometimesusedpracticalexamplestoexplainwhattheymeant.Forinstance,ifDemocritussaysthattheatomhasdifferentformsletussaylikealittlepyramidwithcornerslikehooksbywhichtheyareconnectedthatwouldbethekindofmaterialisticmodelofhisideaoftheatom.Roundatomswouldbethesoul,andtherearealsofire-atomswhichrollthroughthespacesoftheatom,thatisDemocritus'smodelofreality.
SuchthingstheGreeksneverthoughtofprovingordemonstratingbyexperiment,asiscommonscientificprocedurenowadays;ifyouhavesuchaspeculativemodel,youtrytoproveitbypracticalexperiment,showingthatitdoesordoesnotfitthefacts.ThistheGreeksdidnotdo.ButthenGreekthoughtnaturally,andunfortunatelyinaverywatered-downphasemettheEgyptiansecretsciences,whichconsistedentirelyofanage-oldpracticalcrafttraditionaboutthebehaviourofmatter.TheEgyptiansknewagreatdealfromthepracticalangle.Theyknewhowtomakeenamelandinvisibleink,andallsortsofcomplicatedalloys,andwhenthesetwoworldsmet,inPtolemaicEgypt,thatwasenormouslyfertileforboth,becausewhatinEgyptiantraditionconsistedofrecipesandreligiousthoughtnow
metwiththeaccuratescientificthoughtoftheGreeks.
Wecouldcallthatthemomentofthebirthofalchemy,whenthethoughtmodelsofGreekphilosophymetwiththeexperimentalpracticesofEgyptiantraditions.Togiveyoualittlemoreinsightonthispoint,Iwouldliketoreadabriefoutlineofaverylongtextbyalateralchemist,Olympiodoros,whosenameyouhavecertainlycomeacrossinJung'swritings.
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OlympiodoroswasaMinisterandofficialattheByzantineCourtinthe5thcenturyA.D.HewentasamemberofadelegationtoAttila,kingoftheHuns,andwrotearatherfamoushistoryofhistimewhichhepublishedin425.SomeofhisbiographerssaythatatthesametimehewasknownasagreatmagicianandmedicinemanattheByzantineCourtand,accordingtothetexts,wasmuchoccupiedwithalchemicalexperiments.However,inthehistoriesofalchemythisissaidtobenottrue,forhedidnotpossessmuchpracticalknowledge,andevenifhedidperformsuchexperimentsitiscertainthathewasmoreinterestedinthetheoreticalorsymbolicaspectsofalchemy.
Heclaimedthattheaimsofalchemycouldnotbeachievedinarationalway,thatyoucouldfollowtherecipesasmuchasyoulikedbutwouldnevergetanywherewithoutthehelpofmagicandmagicalpowers.Sohebegantohaveadoubleattitudeaboutwhatcouldbecalledseriousorpracticalsciencesandmagic,asplitwithwhichwehavenotmetintheearliertexts.ThereasonforthisisthatOlympiodoroshadaGreekphilosophicaleducationwhichhetriedtoapplytohisknowledge.Iwouldliketogiveyouthetext,asIdidthatofIsis,namelyinitsstrangeliteralconfusion,sothatyoumaygetyourownpersonalimpressions.IwilltakeasectionfromChapterXXXontheSacredorDivineArtandthengoonfromChapterXLI,whichgives,asitwere,theessenceofhiswritings.
InChapterXXX,Olympiodorosspeaksoflead,andquotestheProphetessMariawhoisreportedtohavesaidthatblackleadmustbeconsideredasthebasisofthework.Hethencommentsonthis.ThethemeiscontinuedinChapterXLIwhichsays:
Nowseehowblackleadisprepared.AsIsaidbefore,commonleadisblackfromtheverybeginning,butourleadbecomesblack,whichatthebeginningitwasnot.Experimentswillteachyou,andbythemyouwilldiscovertherealdemonstrationandproof.Opinionsworthyofcredence
areunanimousonthismatter.Iwillnowtrytoapproachourgoal.IftheAsem[analloylikesilver,thoughexactlywhatisnotknown]doesnotbecomegold,orcouldnotbecomegoldthoughitisawork,oneshouldnotdespisewhattheoldpeoplesaid,namelythattheletterkillsbutthespiritbringstolife.["...fortheletterkilleth,butthespiritgivethlife."IICor.3:6.]
Nowthisisincompleteharmonywitheverythingsaidbytheoldphilosophersandpointstothesameend,tothesayingoftheLord.[OlympiodoroswasaChristianandquotedtheBible,pointingoutthatonemustnottakealchemicaltextsandtherecipesliterally,forthatkilled,butonemustunderstandthespiritofthetextandwhatthatmeant.)The
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oraclesofApolloarealsoinharmonywithwhatwemeanfortheymentionthetombofOsiris.[Thisamplifiesourothertext.]ButwhatisthetombofOsiris?Thereisacorpse,swathedinlinenmummybands,withonlythenakedfacevisible,and,interpretingOsiris,theoraclesays:"Osirisisthesuffocatedcoffininwhicharehiddenhislimbsandwhosefaceonlyisvisibletomortalbeings.Hidingthebodies,natureisastonished.He,Osiris,istheoriginalprincipleofallmoistsubstances.Heiskeptdownasaprisonerbythesphereofthefire.He,therefore,hassuffocatedallthelead."
Anotheroraclebythesameauthorsays:
TakesomegoldwhichiscalledthemaleoftheChrysokolla[whateverthatsubstanceis]andamanwhohasbeenkneadedtogether.ThegoldoftheEthiopianearthproducesitfromitsdrops.Acertainspeciesofantbringsthegoldtothesurfaceoftheearthandenjoysit.Puthimtogetherwithhiswifeofvapour,tillthedivinebitterwatercomesout.Whenithasthickened,orcoloredred[redcopper]withthejuiceofthegoldenvineofEgypt,thensmearoverittheleafletsofthelight-bringinggoddess[thatmustbethemoon]andalsooftheredcopper["cypris"canstandforeithercopperorVenus]oroftheredVenus[probablyVenusismeant]andthenthickenituntilitcoagulatesintogold.
NowthephilosopherPetasios,whospeaksaboutthebeginningofthealchemicalworld,isincompleteharmonywiththis,andhealsomeansourleadwhenhesaysthatthesphereofthefireholdsdownandsuffocatesthroughthelead.Then,interpretinghisownsayings,hesays:"Allthatcomesfromthemale,orthearsenicwater."
Theword"arsenic"meansmale;itisnotthearsenicweknow,butreferstoallsubstanceswhichhaveadynamicdriveinthemwhichaffectsothersubstances.Everythingwhichseemstoaffectanothersubstancewasmalebecauseitwasactive,soitisnottobeconfusedwithwhatwecallarsenic.Arseniciswhatheisreferringtowhenhespeaksofthesphereofthefire.
Theleadissopossessedbydevilsandissoshamelessthatthosewhowanttolearnaboutitfallintomadnessonaccountoftheirunconsciousness.[YouwillhavemetthatsayinginDr.Jung'sbooksforheoftenquotesit.]
NowIwillexplainaboutthechemicalelementsandthenthiswillbecomeclear.TheycallleadtheeggImeantheeggofthefourelementsthatiswhatZosimossays,andbythathereallyalwaysmeanslead.Iftheyexplainitsshape,theyreallyinsecretalludetothewholething,because,asMariasays,thefourelementsareone.Whenyouheartheword"sands"youmustunderstandthatthatmeans"shapes"orideas[inGreekitcanmeaneitheroneortheother].Ifyouhear"eide''[shapes,forms,ideas],thatreallymeans"thesands"thetypeofsandbecausethefourbodies,orthefourelements,arealsothefour"bodiness"[thatisaninventedword,butitisalsointheGreek].
Zosimosexplainsthefour-bodinessinthefollowingway:Nowthepoor
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21.Thedoublefaceofalchemylaboratoryandlibrarycorrespondsto
thetwofoldnatureoftheindividuationprocess:theactiveparticipationinouterrealityandrelationships,togetherwiththeprocessofinner
reflection.
[inGreektheadjectiveisfeminine]thingfallsintothefour-bodyinwhichitischained,andatoncechangesfromonecolourtoanother,allthecoloursintowhichthetechniquewishestobindit:white,yellow,orevenblack,orfirstblack,thenwhite,andthenyellow,andwhenthisfemininethinghasevidencedallthesecolours,andhasrejuvenated,itcontinuesintooldageandthendiesinthefour-body,whichmeansiron,tin,bronze,andlead,witheachofwhichshediesintherubedothestateofbecomingredandsoiscompletelydestroyedsothatshecannotrunaway,whichfactisverysatisfactorytothealchemists,fornowshecannotescape.Andthenonerepeatsthewholething,bywhichherpersecutorisalsochained[theonewhopersecutesthiswomanisalsochained],allofwhichtakesplaceoutsidetheroundvessel.Whatistheroundvessel?Eitherthefireortheroundformofthevesselpreventsherfromrunningaway.Justasthough,inanillness,thebloodhadbeendestroyedandwasnowrenewed,soinhersilverstatesheisseentohaveredblood,andthatisthegold.
Thatisalongliteralpassageofrealalchemy,fromwhichyoucansee
howcharitableDr.Junghasbeeninselectingpassagesandpublishingthemtogetherinchapters,becauseifyoureadtheoriginaltextyoutoomightgointothemadnessofthelead.When
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youreadDr.Jung'sbooksyouthinkitisimpossibletounderstandthething,itisallsocomplicated,butactuallyhehasenormouslysimplifiedit,andhasmadeatremendousefforttogetthepearlsoutofthedunghillandbringsomeformintoit,fortheoriginalmaterialwasliketheabove.Ifyouhaveonceaccustomedyourselftofollowthislineofthought,youwillfindthatthewholethingiscompletelylogical,ithasthesamelogicasadreamandcanbetakenassuch.Thefirsttimeyouhearadreamyoucouldthinkitcompletelycrazy,butifyoureadthismaterialasyouwouldadreamyouwillgettoitsmeaning.
Forexample,OlympiodorosspeaksoftheblackleadanditisclearthatthisistheoriginalsubstanceandisthereforethemysteryofwhichwehavealreadyspokentheprimamateriathebasicsubstanceoftheworldinwhichliesGod'ssecretoflifeanddeath.Hespeaksofitas"ourlead,"whichinthebeginningisnotblack,andcontrastsitwiththecommonlead,bywhichhemeansthatwhatordinarycraftsmencalledlead(suchasisusedinthemanufactureofpipes,foratthetimeoftheRomanEmpireleadwasusedtomakewaterpipes)isnotwhattheythealchemistsarereferringtowhentheyspeakoflead.Itisadifferentkindoflead,amorebasicsubstancewithwhichyoumustexperiment,hesays,todiscoverwhatearlierwritersmeant.
HethenquotestheBible,sayingthatthetextmustnotbetakenliterally,whichisalsounderstandable,andsaysthatthetransformationoftheleadisasecret.ThenhequotesanoracleofApollo,whichmustbeinanolderwritingwhichhasbeenlost,andsaysthatthisisOsiris'scoffin.
Tounderstandthisyoumustknowthelegend,accordingtowhichSethkilledOsirisbyfirstmakingaleadencoffinandthengettingpeoplewhendrunkatapartytoenteritunderthepretextoffinding
outwhomitwouldfit.ButwhenOsirisgotintothecoffin,Sethpromptlyputthelidon,covereditwithlead,andthrewitintothesea.ThereforeitcouldbesaidthatOsiriswassuffocatedinlead,soyoucanthinkofthetombofOsirisasaleadcoffin,oracoffinsealedupwithleadwithinwhichliesthedeadgod,orthedivinespirit,intheformassumedindeath.
Thatisthemeaningheistryingtoconvey.Osirisliesasamummyinthecoffin,withonlythefacevisible.Youhaveseenmummiesswathedinlinenbandswiththemaskshowingtheface.Themeaningofthisisnotclear,butonecouldsaythattherewas
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22.Osirisinthecedarcoffincoveredwithlead,representingthe
eclipseofconsciousness,i.e.,depression.
somethinghumanandsomethinginhumaninit,forifyouweretointerpretitsymbolically,asadream,youwouldsaythatitmustrefertoasemihumanbeing;ifthefaceishuman,thenpartcanbeunderstoodfromthehumanaspect,butpartonecannotunderstand.
OlympiodoroscontinuesbysayingthatOsirishimselfisthesuffocatedcoffin,ortomb,whichconcealshislimbsandshowsonlythefacetohumanbeings.Brotoisisaspecificnameforhumanbeingsandmeans"themortals."Osirisisimmortal,orthemortalimmortalone;tomortalsheonlyshowshishumanface,whiletherestofhisbodyisasecret."Hidingthebodies,naturemarvelled,orwasastonished."Icannotentirelyunderstandthis,exceptthatitmustmeanitispartlyunderstandablebecausethereisahumanface,andpartlyamystery,aboutwhichevennaturemarvels.Icannotgiveanyfurtherexplanation."Thatisthebeginningofallmoistsubstances''i.e.,basicmatter,originalmatter,thestartingpoint(Arché).Themoistsubstancestandsforthebasicmaterialofthecosmos,beingcaughtinthesphereofthefire.
Fromwhattakesplacelateritcanbeseenthattherewasthefollowingconnection:matterwasputintoabottlewhichwassecurelysealedandthencooked,andthiswasconsideredtobeanexactparalleltothedivinespirit,Osiris,thegodman,lyingdeadin
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23.Thealchemicalsealedvessel(herecontainingMercuriusassymbolofthespiritimprisonedinmatter)iscomparablepsychologicallytoabasicattitudeofintroversionwhichactsasacontainerforthetransformationofattitudes
andemotions.
hisleadcoffin,forthematterinthebottlewasinexactlythesamestate.
ThatwaspreciselywhatIfeltwhenItorturedmyresininmyearlychildhood,forIfeltittobetorturedbyfireinitsbottle,sotospeak;itcouldnotrunaway,thatmeansitcouldnotevaporate,forIalsohadclosedmybottle.ThereforeitiscaughtandIhaveitinhandandamdoingsomethingwithit.TheanalogyisSethcatchingOsiris,andnowbecausehehasbeencaughtbySeth,bythepowerfulprincipleofevil,heistransformedandresurrected.Thatwasprobablytheirassociation.Sohehassuffocatedallthelead.Idonotunderstandthis,butitseemstomethatthisimprisonmentinacoffin,orinanalchemicalvessel,wouldrepresentaprocessofsuffocation,thedeath
oftheprimamateriabysuffocation.
Obviouslythereishereananalogytowhatwedowhenwestopahumanbeingfromnaivelyprojecting,andforcethatpersontolookonlyathimorherselfthatwouldbelikesuffocation,foronewantstogototheanalystandsay"thatishowmymotherbrought
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meup."Towhichtheanalystrepliesthatoneshouldseethepartplayedbyone'sowncomplex,andthenonehastoaccepteverythingforwhichonehadpreviouslyblamedGodandFate,parentsandhusband.Thatallhastobetakenback,anditislikesuffocation,akindofdeath,forthedrivetoprojecteverythingontotheoutsideisstopped.
Thevesselisasymbolfortheattitudewhichpreventsanythingescapingoutside;itisabasicattitudeofintroversionwhich,onprinciple,doesnotletanythingescapeintotheoutsideworld.Theillusionthatthewholetroubleliesoutsideoneselfhastocometoanendandthingshavetobelookedatfromwithin.Thatishowwenow"suffocate"themysteriumoftheunconscious.Wedonotknowwhattheunconsciousis,butwesuffocateitthroughthisconcentratedtreatmentbywhichallprojectionisstopped,intensifyingthepsychologicalprocess.Itisalsothetortureoffire,becausewhentheflowofintensityofthepsychologicalprocessesbecomesconcentrated,oneisroasted,roastedinwhatoneis.Thereforethepersoninthetombandthetombitselfarethesamething,foryouroastinwhatyouareyourselfandnotinanythingelse;oronecouldsaythatoneiscookedinone'sownjuice,andisthereforethetomb,thecontainerofthetomb,thesuffocatedone,andthesuffocator,thecoffin,andthedeadgodinit.
Theonewithinisnaturallynottheego,butyourwholebeing,foryouarelookingatyourwholebeingandnotyouregowhichwouldrunaway.Nowthisissopainfulthatwealltrytoescape.IthinkIhavenotanalysedforyearsandyearsanyonewhohasnotfromtimetotimeflirtedwiththeideaofdroppingitallandreturningtoso-callednormallife.ThereforeIthinkitisveryunderstandablethatthetext,afteratime,speaksofthewomanwhoalwaystriestoescapeandwhohastobeboundintothefourfoldbody,orthefourbody.
Returningtothetext,Olympiodorossaystotakesomesubstance,i.e.,thegoldenstone,whichiscalledthemalepartoftheChrysokollaprobablyhehadsomespecificmaterialinmindandamouldedman.
Nowwhoisthemouldedman,orthemanwhohasbeenkneadedintoshape?OlympiodorosisaChristian,andthatisadefinitionofAdam!Itsimplymeanstotaketwochemicalsubstances(whichwedonotknow)andmakeAdam.TheconnectionforamanofthattimewouldbethatAdamwasmadefromclayandtherefore,
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accordingtotheBible,clayistheprimamateriaofman,thebasicsecretofman.Theywerenolongerreferringtoclay,theyknewthenthatitcouldnotmeanclay;theirknowledgeofbiologyandphysiologywassufficienttoknowthatthemanmadeofclaywassimplyasimile.Thereforeclaystoodfortheprimamateria.
ThemanformedoutofclaywasthereforeAdam,whoatthattimewasasymboloftheSelf,or,onecouldsay,themanwhohasjustcomefromthehandsofGod,theunspoiltman,themanwhohasnotyetpassedthroughtheprocessofcorruption.UncorruptedmanstraightfromthehandsofGod,thatisthemanwhohasbeenkneaded,andthatiswhyhedoesnotspeakofAdam,forAdamisassociatedwithsinandcorruptionandEve,etc.InalludingtoAdaminthiswayhemeansAdaminhisoriginal,unspoiltform,whenjustcreatedbyGod.ObviouslythisreferstotheprimamateriawhichwecalltheSelf,whichiswhyinZenBuddhismitissaid:"Showmethyoriginalface."Inoneofthekoans,oneoftheMastersgetsenlightenedwhenanotherMastersaysthattohim.
ThegoldoftheEthiopianearthgeneratesiti.e.,themanoutofdropsandtheresomespeciesofantbringsituptothesurfaceoftheearthandenjoysit.
ThatreferstothefamousArimaspswhoalsoarementionedinGoethe'sFaust(inEnglish,Arimaspians).TherewasalegendinlateantiquitythatinIndiathereexistedatonetimeenormousants,asbigashumanbeings,whichdugupgold.FortheGreeks,Indiawasthelandofwisdomandriches,itwastheParadisewheregoldwastobefoundonthetreesandinthestreetsandeverywhereelse,andwherewisemenwalkedabout.IndescriptionsofIndiaatthattimetherewasmentionoftheseArimasps,hugelegendaryantswhobroughtgoldupoutoftheearthandthatwassupposedtobethesecretofIndia'sgreat
wealth.ThereforewhenOlympiodorossaysthis,heisreferringtotheants.
Ifyougointothesymbolismoftheantatthattime,youfindthataccordingtocertainversionsantsresurrectedthesunbypushingiteverymorningoverthehorizon,sothattheywereacompleteparalleltotheEgyptianscarabwhoeverymorningpushesthediscofthesunoverthehorizonandmakesitrise.Thescarabisasymboloftherisingsunandoftheresurrection.Thislegendofthescarabwasinlateantiquityreplacedincertaintraditionsbyhugeantswhichhaveexactlythesamefunction.Thereforethereferencehereisagaintotheresurrectionofthesun,orthatmomentofthevery
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24.ThecreationofAdamfromclay.
firstcreationofthesungod,which,accordingtoourinterpretation,wouldbethesymbolofconsciousness.
Inpsychologicallanguageonewouldsay:"Gobacktotheoriginalhumanbeingwithinyou,gobacktothatplacewherethenervoussympatheticreactions(oryourunconscious)linkupwiththeoriginofyourconsciousness."Putmoreaccurately,itmeans:"Gobacktotheoriginalpointofyourconsciousness,trytoreturntotheplacefromwhichyourconsciousnesscomes,tothethresholdoftheunconscious."
Thenputthis"Adam"togetherwithhiswife,thevapour,tillthebitterdivinewaterissues.ThismeansthatthisAdam,theoriginal
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thing,isunitedwithitsopposite,whichseemstobeavapourlikesubstance,andthetwotogetherthengivebirthtoabitter,waterysubstance.Thatisthemotifoftheconiunctio,thebringingtogetheroftheopposites,andtheresultisthemysticaldivinewater,thebitterwater.
Psychologicallythatwouldmean:Putyourselfinanattitudeofreflectioninwhichyouaskyourselfwhereyourconsciousprocessescomefrom,linkthatwiththefantasymaterialthevapourwhichcomesupfromtheunconsciousandthatcreatesalivinginsightwhichisbitter.Theinsightweobtainbylookingatourselvesisgenerallyverybitter,whichiswhysofewpeopledoit;itispikrosbitterforitcorrodesandisverydisagreeabletotheillusionsofconsciousness.Thatiswhywespeakof"bitterknowledge"and"bitterrealization"and"bittertruth,"forself-knowledgeisabitterexperienceatthebeginning.
Thus,ifyoureadthetextpsychologically,ifyoutakeitlikeadream,itisnotrubbish,butcompletelylogical.OneofthegreatmeritsofJungisthathegaveusakeytothesetextswhicharelookeduponofficiallybyhistoriansofchemistryasabsolutenonsense,fortothemtheymeannothingatall.ButtousitisclearwhatOlympiodorosisdrivingat,namelyaninnerexperience,anintrovertedreligiousexperiencewhichthosepeoplehadintheirmeditationsandexperimentswithmaterialphenomena.Thatwasthebasisofalchemy.
Question:DoesthereferencetoAdamrefertohimbeforeoraftertheFall?
Dr.vonFranz:IthinkbeforetheFall,becauseotherwisethetextwouldsayAdam,andnotusethispeculiarexpressionofthemouldedorkneadedman.ThekneadedmanrefersrathertooneaspectofAdam,namelyhiscreation;thefactthatheismadeoutofclayiswhat
isemphasizedandthereforeIwouldsaythemanmadeoutofclayiswhatshouldbeinone'smindwhenthinkingofhim,andnotthefactthathewaswithEveandthesnake,etc.IthinkthatcanbecorroboratedbythefactthatOlympiorodosknewZosimos,whohadaGnostictheoryaboutAdambeingtheunspoiltoriginalman,beforetheFall.OnecanthereforebeprettysurethereferenceistoAdambeforetheFall.
Sothesphereofthefirekeepstheleadandsuffocatesit,saysOlympiodoros,andthatisthemalething,andtheleadisso
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demonicallypossessed,soshameless,thatthosewhowishtoinvestigateitfallintomadnessthroughtheirunconsciousness,throughtheirlackofknowledgeofGnosis.
Chemically,thatprobablyalludestothefactthatleadisusuallypoisonous.Thatwouldbeitschemicalaspect,andnaturallyitcoincideswiththefactthatatthebeginning(ofananalysis,forinstance),whenonelooksattheunconscioussuchstronginstinctualdrivesandemotionsgenerallycomeupthatonegoesthroughstateswhichcouldleadtomadness.Alchemistsfrequentlyassertthatmanyofthemhavegoneofftheirheads,whichmaybetakenliterally.
ManyyearsagoIhadaninterestingexperienceshowingthathereinSwitzerlandtherearestillmadalchemists.WhenIwasworkingonthesetextsintheCentralLibrary,oneoftheofficialsaskedmewhetherIwasstudyingalchemicaltexts,andwhenIsaidIwashetoldmethatIhadacolleaguetowhomhewouldintroduceme.Hethoughtthatwouldbeagreatjokeandhewentovertoalittle,shrivelledupoldmansittingintheCentralLibraryporingoveranalchemicaltextandintroducedme,sayingIwasaspecialistinalchemy.Ilookedatthisman,whosenameIhaveforgotten,andwhenIsawhiseyesIsawatoncethathewascompletelyschizophrenic.
Isatdownbesidehimandafterawhilehesaid:"Haveyougotthesecret?"Isaid:"No,notyet."Andthenhesaid:"Iamverynearit,IthinkIshallhaveitinanothertwoorthreemonths."Isaidthatwasmarvellous,andthenheaskedmeifIknewGreek,becausehistroublewasthathedidn'tknowGreek,andthatifIcouldhelphimwiththeGreekwecouldgetit.Isaid:"Yes,yes,butnotnow!''Thatwasarealalchemistwhohadfallenintothemaniaofthelead.
25.TheOuroboros.
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26.ThefallenAdamasprimamateria,showingthephallus,thecreative
masculine,asalivingtree.
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Lecture4Greek/ArabicAlchemyWestoppedlasttimewhilediscussingaveryobscurepassageintheOlympiodorostext.TherecipefromwhichhequotessaidthatoneshouldtaketheChrysokolla,thegoldenstone,whichwascalledthemale,togetherwiththekneadedman,whichobviouslyreferstoAdam,whowaskneadedormouldedoutofclay.ThusthereisindirectlyareferencetoAdaminParadisewhichwouldbeconfirmedbythefactthatZosimoswasknowntoOlympiodoros.
Asyouknow,inPsychologyandAlchemythereisreferencetoaZosimostextwhichspeaksofAdamashavingbeencreatedinParadisefromthefourelementsandafterwardshavingfallenintotheworld.Thetaskofalchemy,accordingtoZosimos,consistsinreassemblingthelightsparksofAdamandbringinghimbacktoParadise.Olympiodoros,wholivedtwohundredyearslater,knewofthisZosimostext,soquiteobviouslythereferencehereistothereassemblingofAdam,torestoringthefallenAdam,wholivesasalightsparkineveryhumanbeing,totheheavenlyrealm.Thereforeourtextisavariationoftheideathatatbottominmatterthereis,inanextendedordissolvedform,orinthecosmicfigureofahumanbeing,Adam,thefirstman,calledunderdifferentnames,whohastobeliberatedorredeemedfrommatter.
IreferyoutothatpartofPsychologyandAlchemyconcerningthefallenAdam,thefallenanimaorman,whereDr.Jungreferstodifferenttextsshowingthatthismirrorstheprocessofprojection.Ifyouremember,hesaysthatthemythofanangel,orAdam,orofacosmicanimafigurefallingintomatter,representsthemomentwhenthisfigureisprojectedintomatter,whichmeansthatsuchtheories
whichcomefromtheunconsciousinalchemybringintheideathatsuddenlythesymboloftheSelfisconsciouslysoughtforinmatter.
ThisisclearlysoforourearliertextreferredtothefuneralritualofOsirisandallfuneralrituals,intheEgyptiansenseoftheword.Thesearchforimmortalitywasactuallythesearchforanincorruptibleessenceinmanwhichwouldsurvivedeath,anessentialpartofthehumanbeingwhichcouldbepreserved.Thus
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thesearchforimmortality,fortheeternalinman,istobefoundattheverybeginningofalchemy.Wecansaythattheemotionaldriveandinterestinthephenomenonofmatterwasnotamodernscientificinterest,inthesenseofcuriosityastowhatmatterlookedlike,butthatwhatgavetheimpulseandlibidoforthesearchtounderstandthemysteryofmatterwasarealemotionaldriveanddesiretofindtheimmortalpartofman.
Thissearchcontinuedtillpracticallythe17thcenturywithallthelatertheoriesoftheelixiroflife,thepharmakonoflife,andsoon.Somethingimmortalwhichwouldsurvivedeath,translatedintomodernpsychologicalterms,couldbeexpressedasanaspectoftheSelf,thesearchforthegreater,incorruptible,andessentialpartofman.
ThenextpartofthetextdealswiththebringingupofthegoldbytheantsfromtheEthiopianearth.BehindthatisthemythoftheArimaspiansofIndia,forbothcountries,IndiaandEthiopia,atthattimecarriedtheprojectionofbeingthecountrieswheremiraclestookplaceaswellasbeingthoseofthegreatestpiety.InthelateGreekAlexandernovelstherearemanypseudolettersofAlexandertheGreattohismother,Olympias,wherehespeaksofIndiaandsaysthatthereBrahminswalkaboutnakedandarethewisestmenonearthandthemostpious.ThissameideawasalsoprojectedontoEthiopia.InthelategeographicalnovelsandreportsinGreek,itisalwayssaidthattheblackEthiopianpeoplearetheclosesttoGodandthemostpiouspeopleintheworld.ItcanalsobesaidthattheGreeks,throughtheirintellectualevolution,lostacertainaspectofprimitivereligion,thatimmediateprimitivereligiousattitudewhich,asfaraswecansee,iscommontoallprimitivecivilizations.
Astudyofprimitivecivilizationsshowstheirreligiousattitude
towardslifeasbeingsomethingcompletelyself-evident.Religionwasnotseparatedfromtheprofane,everydaylife,buttheself-evidentbasisofeverythingdone,believed,andsaid.Inhisprimitivecondition,manisnaturallyreligiousandhisreligionpervadeshiswholenatureandallhisactivities.Greekcivilizationhadevolvedfromthatstatethroughthepre-SocraticandtheSophisticphilosophyandthevariousevolutionsofGreekphilosophy.TheupperlayeroflearnedpeopleinGreece,perhapsforthefirsttime,hadcutawayfromtheprimitivereligiousattitudewhichwasthenprojectedfirstontotheIndiansandEthiopiansandlater,according
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tolateGreekliterature,ontotheEgyptiansandsuchpeople,whowerethenconsideredtobethehighestandclosesttoGod,andintheirrealm,ourtextsays,thealchemicalmysterywastobefound.Areturntotheprimitiveself-evidentattitudetowardslifeisarequisitefortheexperienceoftheSelf,whichcannotbefoundthroughtheconsciousmindandwiththedevelopedpartofthepersonality,butbyfirstreturningtothatprimitivehumanattitude.
Thetextgoeson:"Thenputwiththegoldwhichtheantsbringup,thewife,orthewomanofthevapour,tillitcomesout,i.e.,thedivinebitterwater."Soherethereisthemotifofaconiunctio.YoutakethegoldwhichhasbeenbroughtupoutoftheEthiopianearth,themalesubstance,andputwithitafemalesubstancewhichiscalledthewomanofthevapour,orthesteam.
Question:Wouldtheprimitivereligiousattitudehavetodowithparticipationmystique?
Dr.vonFranz:Yes,ithasallthesymptomsofprimitivereligion,namelyparticipationmystiqueobservationofsynchronisticevents,observationofsigns,notactingwithoutfirstobservinginnerandoutersymptomsandsigns,or,asithasbeendefined,theconstant,carefulattentiontowardsunknownfactors.
Accordingtothatdefinition,religionmeansneveractingonlyinaccordancewithconsciousreasoning,butwithconstantattentionandconsiderationoftheunknownparticipatingfactors.Forinstance,ifsomeonesays:"Letushavecoffeetogetherafterthelecture,"ifIthinkonlythatIhavetimesinceIdon'thavelunchuntil12.30,thatwouldbeconsciousreasoning,whichofcourseisalsocorrect,butifIamareligiousperson,Iwillstopforaminuteandtrytogetafeelingastowhetheritisrighttodothat,andifIhaveaninstinctivefeelingagainstit,oratthatmomentawindowbangsshut,orIstumble,thenI
mightnotgo.
Onecanlaughatthatassuperstition,andnaturallyonthatlevelitisnotdifferentfromsuperstition,butitisnotjustamechanicalthingsuchastheideathatifablackcatcrossesyourpathyoushouldturnback,butratherthatallthetimeoneshouldconcentrateandtrytogetsomesignfromtheSelf,orfrominsideoneself.InChinesephilosophy,itistantamounttopayingconstantattentiontoTao,whetherwhatIamnowdoingisright,inTao.Naturallytherearealsopersonalarguments,theprosandcons,buttoliveinareligiouswaywouldmeanbeingconstantlyonthealert
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forthoseunknownpowerswhichalsoguideone'slife.IfIgetnocontraryindication,Icandecidetohavethecoffee,sinceIhavetime,orbecauseIlikeit.Abelldoesnotalwaysringwarningus,butifitdoesandoneignoresit,thensomethinggoeswrong.Thereligiousandprimitiveattitudeinvolvesconstantconsiderationofthesepowers.
WhenDr.JungwasinAfrica,hisSafariguidewasanIslamic,IbelieveaShi-ite.Atbreakfasteverymorningalltheblackcarriersdiscussedtheirdreams,afterwhichtheleaderofthegroupwouldgotoDr.Jungandsaythattheywouldproceed,ornot,onthatday.Dr.Jungfoundthatwhentheysaidtheywerenotgoing,thegeneralaspectofthedreamshadnotbeenfavourable,sotheyfeltprobablytheyshouldstayanotherdaybeforeproceeding.Dr.Jungacceptedsuchdecisionsandevenmanagedtobedrawnintothediscussionondreams,andtakepartinit,andtheywereverymuchimpressedtofindthatheknewsomethingaboutandwasinterestedindreamsandcouldeveninterpretthembetter,andlikethathecouldobservewhatwashappening.ButanEnglishmanwhowenttothesameplacesomeweekslaternaturallydidasmostwhitemendoheaccusedthemenofbeinglazyandinsistedthattheyhadtoarriveattheirdestinationinfivedaystimeandusedforce,andhewaskilled.
Theoneillustratestheattitudeofcarefulconsiderationofalltheirrationalaspects.Thenativesactedlikethatbecausetheremightbeadaywhentherewerethunderstorms,oronemightmeetarhinocerosandbeattacked,andsoon.Innatureoneisconstantlyconfrontedwithsuchthingsandourunconsciousdoesknowaboutthem,andwhenoneislivinginwildnatureattentiontosuchfactorsisessentialtosurvival.Animalsalwaysreceivewarningaboutearthquakesandotherdangers,theygettheminstinctively,andifwepayattentionwereceivethemalsothroughourdreams,whichiswhythosenatives,inanadaptableandreasonableway,paidattentiontotheirdreamsevery
morning.
IhadanillustrationofsomethinglikethistheotherdaywhenIwasatmyholidayhome.Therewasobviouslyathunderstormcomingupfromtheupperpartofthelake.NaturallyIdidnotknowthatitwouldhailbutmydogsuddenlyputherearsbackandrushedintothehouseanduptothetopfloorandhidherheadinmybed.Irushedafterhertoseewhyshebehavedinthatwayandatthatmomentdowncamethehail!Animalshavesuchwarningsbyakindoftelepathy.
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Butreally,telepathyonlymeansbeingawareofsomethingfaraway,andthatexplainsnothing,fortelepathyisonlyaword.Weonlyknowthatintheunconscious,instinctivefunctioningofhigheranimals,includingman,thereisasupernaturalor,bettersaid,asuperrationalawarenessofthingsaboutwhichwecouldnotknowrationally,andthatthereforeitishelpful,healthy,andveryimportanttopayattentiontosuchimpulses.Theyseemnotonlytoworkforthesurvivalofanimalsandhumanbeings,buttohaveafurtherextension,namelythatofworkingforthehigherdevelopmentandmaturityandthepsychologicalwelfareoftheperson,whichiswhatwecalltheunconsciousinitspreservingandhealingaspect.
Religioninourdefinition,initsmostbasicform,wouldsimplybeconstantalertattentiondirectedtowardsthesefacts,insteadofrulinganddecidingone'slifebyconsciousrationaldecisionandreasoningoftheprosandcons.Therefore,inprimitivesocieties,religionpervadeseverydaylife.Beforeprimitivesgohuntingthereisahuntingritualandifduringitthereisanaccident,theydon'tgo.Thereisnothingeithermysticalortranscendentorspecialaboutit;thebasicreligiousattitudeislinkedwiththeideaofsurvival,andthereforetobereligiousisanimmediateadvantageforitensuressurvival.
Whenweareconfrontedwiththephenomenonofneurosis,whenpeoplegetstuckintheirdifficulties,wetrytodiscoverwhattheunconscioushastosayandanalysandsarefirstguidedtoattendmoretotheirinstincts,behindwhichisthewholephenomenonofreligiousinsightandexperience.Jung,ofcourse,beganasalldoctorsdid,onthebasisalsoofhiscontactwithFreud,withtheideaofhelpingpeopletobecomemoreinstinctive,inorderthattheymightbehealthy,butthenhediscoveredthatbehindinstinctwasalsoreligion,orthatthelatterwassomethinginstinctiveandcompletelynatural,forthenaturalmanisthereligiousman.Onethereforehastoreturntothe
natural,immediatemanwithinandtoareligiousattitude,forwecannothaveonewithouttheother.
Question:Doesthewordreligioncomefromreligareorreligere?
Dr.vonFranz:Therehasbeenanetymologicaldisputeastowhetherthewordreligiocomesfromreligareorreligere.Naturallybothhavethesamerootlegere,topickup.Originallyitreferredtopickinguporcollectingwood,butlegere,toread,hasanother
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connection,namelyone"picksup"or"gatherstogether"theindividualletters;thatishowpeoplereadatfirstandhowchildrenstilllearn.
ReligarehasbeenacceptedastheofficialinterpretationsincethetimeofSt.Augustine,withthetheologicalreflectionthatitmeanstobind,tobindonebacktoGod.St.AugustinesaidmanhadbeenseveredfromGodthroughoriginalsinandthatthetaskofreligionwastobindhimbackagain.Thatobviouslyisnotascientificinterpretation,butitisveryinterestingandagoodreflectionoftheChristianideaofreligion.Modernetymologiststhinkthatprobablyitcomesfromthewordreligere,whichwouldmean"carefulconsideration,"onwhichIhavegivenamplifications,e.g.,alertnessinregardtoirrationalfactors,buttheyarenotintheworditself,whichsimplymeanscarefulconsideration.The"re"indicates''backwards,"soitmeansthatonelooksbackwardstofindoutwhetherwhatisbehindiscomingtoo,orifitisdoubtful.Onehasalwaystowatchandascertainwhattheotherforceshavetosayaboutourlives.
Question:Couldthatbesaidtobejustsuperstition?
Dr.vonFranz:No!Superstitionwouldbethemechanizationofthisattitude.Generallyonethinksofsuperstitionwhenoneknocksonwood,orwhenonesaysthattoseeablackcatmeansbadluck,orthataspiderinthemorningisdepressingandabadsign.Allthatcanbetrue,butifappliedmechanically,ifcarefulconsiderationofthesignsbecomescodified,thensuperstitioncomesin.Aspiderindicatesspinning,thespinningoffantasies.Thesuperstitionisthatinthemorningaspidermeansbadluckandintheeveninggoodluck.Obviouslythatreallymeansthatifinthemorningoneisslackandsleepy,getsuplate,andsitsabouthalfdressedandjustthinksofone'sneuroticproblems,thatwouldbethespiderinthemorningwhich
wouldcertainlybringbadluck.Butifafterworkingalldayonelightsacigaretteintheeveningandsitsinfrontofthehouse,aspeasantsdo,andletsone'sfantasyrun,orifonephilosophizesaboutlife,thatisquiteallright,itisaverygoodwaytoprepareoneselfforsleep.Thereforethespiderintheeveningispropitious,andthatprobablywastheoriginalmeaningofthiswidespreadsuperstition.Thespiderisanegativemothersymbol,itistheMaya,andsoon.Whenitcomesintheevening,orattheeveningoflife,itisallright,butitisverybadtostartthedaywithit.
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27.SpiderassymboloftheMaya,weaverofafantasyworld."Whenitcomesintheevening,orattheeveningoflife,itisallright,butitisverybadtostartthe
daywithit."vonFranz.
Itwouldbeamusingifoneofusweretowriteathesisoncommonsuperstitionsandwhattheymeansymbolically.ThatwouldbehighlyinterestingandIproposethethemetoanyonewhodoesnotknowwhattowriteupon,namelyjusttotakesomeoftheordinarysuperstitionsandanalysethemfortheyareverymeaningful.Itisonlymechanicalapplicationthatissuperstitioninthebadsenseoftheword;thatisjustastupidhabitandhasnothingtodowiththereligiousattitude.
Nowinourtext,withthemalesubstanceisputthevapourwife,orthewomanwhoconsistsofvapour,untilthebitterwatercomesout.Thatistheconjunctionofmaleandfemale,andthechildisthebitterdivinewater.Thewifeischaracterizedasvapour.Othertextsshowthat,ingeneral,vapourorsteamisregardedasthepsycheofmatter.Evenupto1910intheSwissmilitaryserviceashortcourseusedtobegiveningeneralmedicine,justtoteachpeopleaboutthebonesandthecirculationofthebloodandsoon,andoneteachersaidthatthebrain
waslikeacupfulofmacaroniandthatthesteamaboveitwasthesoul!Hehadgotintotheoldalchemicalpattern!Youcouldsaythatthatfantasywastwothousandyearsold,forintheoldtextsonalchemytheideaofsteamorvapouralwayscarriedtheideaofthepsyche,ofsublimatedmatter,asubtlebody,somethinghalfmaterial.Inparapsychologicalreports,ifaghostappearsthereisfirstsomethinglikesteam,oranebula,soitcanbesaidthatoneofthemostarchetypalideasisthatthepsychehastodowiththequalityofsteamorvapour,whichexpressestheidea
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28.Thewateroflifeflowsbetweentheopposites:themasculine(sunconsciousness,hererepresentedassulphur)andthefeminine(moonconsciousness,
symbolisedbyMercurius,spiritoftheunconscious).
thatitissomehowlinkedwith,butnotidenticalto,solidmatter.Thereisprobablyacertainanimafactorinitforthistextwasprobablywrittenbyaman.
Aftertheunionofthemalesubstancewiththevapourcamethedivinebitterwater.Theword"divine"isinGreektheios,whichalsomeanssulphur,sothatitcanbetranslatedasthedivinewater,whichisthegenerallyacceptedofficialtranslation,orassulphurwater,sincesulphurwasregardedasbeingadivinesubstance.Itisthewater,ortheliquid,ofthedivinesubstance.
Wateringeneral,includingurine,carriestheprojectionofknowledge.InmedievalChurchsymbolismtheyspokeoftheaquadoctrinae,andintheSwissdialectifsomebodycomesoutwithalotofnonsense,justalotofwords,wesayheisurinating.Psychogenickidneytroubles
veryoftenhavetodowithpeoplebeingfilledupwithsuchbadwater,fortheyhavenottherightattitude,ortherightconnectionwithknowledge;theyjustblatheralotofundigestedknowledgeandthatislikeurinating.Sousuallyitcanbesaidthat
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waterhastodowithknowledgeextractedfromtheunconscious,whichcaneitherbemisusedorusedpositively.
Inalchemywaterwaseitherthegreathealingfactor,orpoisonousanddestructive.Usuallyweinterpretwaterastheunconscious,anddifferentiateitsspecificmeaningaccordingtothecontext.Ifinapatient'sdreamwaterisrising,orifthereisabiginundation,thenwewouldsay:"Becareful,theunconsciousisoverwhelmingyou";therethewaterwouldbenegative,butontheotherhand,ifyouareinthedesertandthirsty,thenitisthewateroflife.Christisthewelloflifeandtherearevariousothersimilesyoumayknow.Inallreligions,wateristhelifesubstance,whichboilsdowntothefactthattheextractiooftheanima,orthatwateryknowledge,iswhattakesplaceintheinterpretationofapsychologicalsituation,oradream.
Ifsomeonecomeswithaproblem,insteadofarguingwiththatpersonwelookatthedreamwhichcommentsonthesituation;perhapsitcanbeinterpretedinsuchawayastovivifytheotherpersonandgiveafeelingofhopeandasenseoftheproblemashavingahiddenmeaning,eventhoughitmaynotyetbeclear.Insuchacase,knowledgeobtainedfromtheunconscioushasthequalityofthewateroflife,forthatpersonhas,asitwere,drunkofthewateroflifeandwillgoawaywiththefeelingthatnowsomethingisflowingandtheperiodofstagnationover.Thenthereisacertaintensionuntilthenextanalyticalhour,fortheanalysandwondershowtheinneradventurewillcontinuesothatlifegetsanewstartandflowsoncemore.
Ontheotherhand,wehaveallseenpeopledrownedintheunconscious,namelyschizoidorborderlinecases,orpeopleinapsychoticepisodewhotalkknowledgeoftheunconscious.Theysitinbed,orintheircellsintheasylum,andtalkofthecreationoftheworld,andofwhatGodisandwhatshouldbedonetosavetheworld,
sayingthatthedoctorsintheasylumareallfoolsandthattheyknowbetter,andsoon.Thatisknowledgeoftheunconscious;itiswater,andisevenfullofwisdom,butthespeaker'sheadisunderthewater,andtheknowledgehasgotthepersonandnotthepersontheknowledge.Thatpoorpersonisliterallydrownedinthewisdomoftheunconscious;hedoesnotwanttogetoutforhefeelsthatheisdrownedinsomethingverygoodandverymarvellous,whichiswhymostrefusetobecured.
Seenfromareasonablestandpointthatisaverybadconditionto
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bein,forsuchpeoplebecomesounadaptedthattheyhavetobeconfined.Theyhavetoomuchofthewateroflife,althoughwhattheysayisnotnonsense.IfyouhavesufficientsymbolicknowledgeyoucanunderstandwhatapsychoticpersonsaysfromAtoZ,justasthoughitwereeverydaytalk.
Inourtextwehavethenormalsituation,namelythatthedivinewaterhastobeproducedasaresultoftheconiunctio,whichinpsychologicaltermswouldbewhatwedoeveryday.Weuniteourconsciousattitudewiththeunconscious,forinstanceintheinterpretationofdreams.Bythatwegetthisvivifyingknowledge,thesenseofunderstanding,andthatwouldbethewater.Nowherewaterisspokenofasbitter.Why?
Answer:Becauseitisthetruth.
Dr.vonFranz:Yes,naturally!Veryoftenwehavenotaveryhappyreactionbutthecontrary,foroftenthetruthgivenbytheunconsciousisverybitter.Itisabitterpilltoswallowbecauseitcontainsveryobviouscriticismsofourattitudesandthatisabitterexperience.Thataccountsfortheresistanceagainstpsychology,forverymanypeopledonotwanttotakethebitterpill.Theyhaveavaguefeelingofbeingbadlyoffthetrack,andthattheycouldonlyreturntohealthbyswallowingcertaincriticism;theyaredeterminedtofightifthecriticismcomesfromoutside,butitisveryawkwardifthecriticismcomesfromwithin.Thentheanalystcanjustwashhishandsofitandsayheissorry,butitistheanalysand'sowndreamandnotsomethingtheanalysthassaid,andthenhehastoswallowit.
ThetextcontinuesthatthephilosopherPetasiosalsospeaksoftheworkinthesameway,sayingthatthesphereofthefireiskeptdownbythelead.Thesamephilosopher,interpretinghimself,saysthatthisisfromthemalewater.Olympiodorossaysthatthemalewater
thereforeseemstobethesamethingasthesphereoffire,whichintheearlierpartofthetextwesawwasthetombofOsiriswhowassuffocatedinthelead.ThereforewehaveOsiris,thesphereoffire,andmalewater,andallthreearesuffocatedinthelead,theenemy.
IntheknowledgeoflateantiquityleadwasthemetaloftheplanetSaturnandhadthesamequalities:onthenegativeside,depression,andpositively,creativedepression.Saturnisthegodofmutilatedpeople,criminals,andcripples,butalsoofartisticandcreative
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29.Theconiunctio,unionofopposites,asharmoniousinterplay
betweenmalewaterandfemalefire.
people.Inourmodernlanguagethatwouldmeanthestrangequalityincertaindepressionsinwhichonefeelsliterallylikelead.Withoutthinkingofthesealchemicalsimiles,peopleoftensay:"TodayIfeellikelead."Inaheavydepressiononefeelsunabletogetupfromone'schair,orevenopenone'smouthtoexplainthatoneisdepressed;onejustsitslikeablockofheavymatter.Confessionsofpeopleinsuchastatehaveinnumerableleadsimiles.
Asthewordimplies,inadepressionthepersonispresseddown,compressed,usuallybecauseapartofthepsychologicallibidoisbelowandhastobefetchedup;therealenergyoflifehasfallenintoadeeperlayerofthepersonalityandcanonlybereachedthrougha
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depression.Sounlessthereisalatentpsychosis,adepressionshouldbeencouragedandpeopletoldtogointoitandbedepressednottrytoescapebytheradioorTheReader'sDigestandifthedepressionssaysthatlifemeansnothingandthatnothingisworthwhile,thenacceptthatandsaywhataboutit?Listen,godeeperanddeeper,untilyouagainreachthelevelofthepsychologicalenergywheresomecreativeideacancomeoutandsuddenly,atthebottom,animpulseoflifeandcreativenesswhichhasbeenoverlookedmayappear.
Peoplewhoareprofessionallycreative,likeartistsorgreatactorsandsoon,knowthatbeforeeveryperformanceornewpieceofworktheyarelikelytohavesuchadepression.Onecanhaveitonasmallerscale,forinstanceIalwayshaveitbeforealecture,forthelibidofirstgoesdown.Thosearesmallerrhythmsofsomethingwhichhappensonalargescaleinadepression.Itmeansthatonehasoverlookedcertaincreativefactorswhichhaveconstellatedbelowandattractedthelibido,causinglistlessnessandlackofenergy.
Itcanalsobeaprepsychoticsymptom,aspsychiatristswellknow.Whatcomesupafterwardsisalsoacreativecontent,butitwellsuptosuchanextentthatitcandestroythepersonality.Insuchcasesonemustthinktwicebeforeencouragingthepersontogointothedepressionbecause,thoughthemechanismisthesame,thereistheriskthatwhatcomesupmaybetoostrongandburstthepersonality.Leadisthereforethatheaviness,listlessness,thatfeelingofnothingnesswhichcoversuporsuffocatesthecontentsoftheunconscious.
AsthetextwhichIgaveyoubrieflyinthelasthoursays,thereisinthisleadeventheelementofmadness.Thisreferstoanotherfactforifyoudigupdepressivestatesinpeople,usuallyatthebottomthereareeithercreativecontentsoraviolent,unsacrificeddesire.Frequently
depressedpeopledreamofvoraciouslionsorotherdevouringanimalssuchasdragons,butparticularlylions,whichmeanstheyaredepressedbecausetheyarefrustratedinthefulfillmentoftheirwilddesires.Theywanteverything:tobetopdog,havethemostbeautifulpartner,money,andeverythingelse.Theyhavethechildish,wilddesireswhichwouldliketoeateverythingup,butatthesametimetheyareintelligentenoughtoknowthatlifeisnotlikethat,thattheycannothavewhattheywant,sothedesirecurlsupintosulkydepressiveness.Suchadepression
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30.Thealchemical"greenlion"devouringthesunrelates
totheexperienceofconsciousnessbeingoverwhelmedbyviolent,frustrateddesires(often
maskedbydepression).
hasthequalityofsulkilyfrustrateddesireandexplainswhy,afteranunhappyloveaffair,peopledropintoanawfuldepression.Theirlionhasbeenfrustratedandhasreturnedsulkingtoitslair.
Somepeoplehaveafrustratedinfantwithinthem.Usuallytheyareverycorrectandpolite,andmakeveryfewdemandsontheanalyst,butbeingtoopoliteandcorrectandconsiderateisalwayssuspect.Oneknowsthattheywouldliketoeatuptheanalystcompletelylikethelion,makingchildishdemandsandscenes,becausetheanalysthasstoppedfiveminutesbeforethetime,oransweredthetelephone,orputoffthehour,orevenhadtheflu!Suchdemandinginfantilepeoplecompensatebybeingverycorrect,knowingthatiftheyadmittheirdemandsthenthedevouringlionwillcomeupandtheanalystwill
naturallyhitback,somethingwhichtheyhaveexperiencedofteninlifewhen,afterhidingtheirfeelings,theyonedaytooktheriskandasaresultgotbangedonthe
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head.Sothehurtchildretiresoncemore,bitterlyfrustrated,andthencomesthedepression,thedevouringlion.Thatisapartofprimitivenature,ofprimitivearchaicreactionswhichhavealltheconflictsofwantingtoeatandnotbeingabletodoso,sothatthedepressivemaniatakesover.
Thatisthesymbolismofthemadnessinthelead,butitalsocontainsOsiris,theimmortalman,andifonlyyouacceptthatspotwithinyou,youwillcometothecreativecontentwheretheSelfishidden.ThefrustratedchildcouldbesaidtobeanaspectcoveringupanimageoftheSelf,andthedevouringlionalsoanaspectoftheSelf.
Ifyoutaketheimageofthedevouringlionthisisquiteclear.IfIthinkIoughttobetopdogeverywhere,havethemostbeautifulpartner,havemoney,behappy,andsoon,thatisaparadisefantasy,andwhatisthat?ItisaprojectionoftheSelf!Soactually,thechildishthingisthedesiretoexperienceeverythinginthehereandnow.Thefantasyinitselfisentirelylegitimate,ithastheideaoftheconiunctio,aperfectstate,astateofharmony.Itisareligiousidea,butnaturallyifprojectedontooutsidelifeandwantedthere,inthehereandnow,thatisimpossible.Thewayinwhichthepersonwantstorealizethefantasyischildish,butinitselfitisvaluableandhasnothingwrongorunhealthyinit.
Sojustinthatundominatedmadspotoftheperson,orinthewildorproblematicspot,thereisthesymboloftheSelf.Thatgivesitthedrive,whichiswhypeopleneverknowwhattodofortheycannotrepressit;oriftheyarereasonableandjustgivethethingupandrealizehowchildishitisandthatoneshouldberesignedandadapttolife,thentheyfeelthattheyarecuredbutthattheyhavebeenrobbedoftheirbestpossibilitiesandsoarefrustrated.
IoncehadananalysandwhocametoEuropeforaJungiananalysis
whilehisbestfriendwentintoFreudiananalysis.Afterayeartheydecidedtomeetagain.TheFreudiananalysandsaidthathewascuredandwasgoingbacktohisowncountry;havingrealizedallhisneuroticillusionsandnonsense,hewasgoingtobegintoearnhislivingandfindawifeandmarry.Theothersaidhewasnotcuredatallbutstillverymadandinaconditionofgreatchaos,andthoughhesawhiswayalittlebitmoreclearlytherewasstillagreatdealwhichhadnotyetbeensolved.TheFreudianpatientthensaidthatitwasstrange,butthatthoughallhisdevilshadbeendrivenout,unfortunatelysohadhisangels!
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Alidhadbeenputonthemadspot,butthereligiousfantasyinitofperfection,theromanticfantasy,thefantasyoftheSelf,hadalsohadthelidputonit,sothatmanwillbearesigned,sociallyadaptedanimalwhofunctions,butallhisromanticdreamsoftruthandlifeandrealloveadmittedlychildishfantasiesinboththoseyoungmenareburiedtoo.
Thegreatdifficulty,therefore,toreturntoalchemicallanguage,istoextractOsirisfromthelead,tosavethefantasywhichislifegivingandcutawaythechildishnessofthewishtorealizeit.Thatissodamnsubtle.Thewholetaskistosavethenucleus,thefantasyoftheSelf,andcutawayallthechildishness,theprimitivedesire,andsoonwhichsurroundit,whichwouldmeangettingOsirisoutoftheleadcoffin.Thatiswhatthealchemistdidinaprojectedformwhenhesaidthatthedivinemanhadtobeextractedfromtheleadcoffinorfromthecorruptiblematter.
IthinkthatnowwecangoontoanArabictextbyamannamedMohammedibnUmailat-Tamini.ItissufficienttospeakofMohammedibnUmail,becauseat-TaminitheTaminrefersonlytothespecificIslamictribetowhichhebelonged.Helivedfromabout900to960,thatis,atthebeginningofthe10thcentury,accordingtoourdates.OneofhiswritingshasbeenpublishedinArabicin"TheMemoirsoftheAsiaticSocietyofBengal,"whichwereprintedinCalcuttain1933,accordingtoamanuscriptMr.StapletonfoundinHyderabad.StapletonstatesthatthereareanotherhundredorsomanuscriptsbythesameauthorinHyderabadwithmostinterestingandpromisingtitles,suchas"ThePearlofWisdom,""TheHiddenLampofAlchemy,''andsoon,butifyouwritethereandenquireaboutthemyougetnoanswer.
Sincethe12thcentury,orthebeginningofthe13th,thismanhasbeen
famousinEuropeanalchemy.ThewritingIamgoingtopresenttoyouwastranslatedintoLatinattheendofthe12thorthebeginningofthe13thcenturyandhasbecomeoneofthemostfamousmedievalwritingsintheLatinalchemicalworld.IntheseLatintextshisnameisgivenasSenior,anduntil1933nobodyknewwhoSeniorwas.EventhefamousJ.RuskaassertedmostauthoritativelythatSeniorwasnotanArab,thatthatwasaLatinmisrepresentation.ButoneshouldneverbelieveRuska,forheisalwaysadoubter,andhewascompletelywronginhiscontentionthatitwasmistakenlytakentobeanArabictext.Nowwehavethe
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originalandknowthatthenameSeniorissimplytheLatintranslationfor"TheSheikh,"whichactuallymeans"theoldman"andexplainshowMohammedibnUmailcametobecalledSenior.ThisLatintextwaspublishedunderthetitleDechemia,meaningthatitisaboutchemistry,buttherealArabictitleis"SilverWaterandStarryEarth."TheArabictextisgivenononesideandtheLatinontheothersoitispossibletocompareonewiththeother.TheLatintranslationisquitecorrectanddeviatesonlyinminordetails.
AfterMohammedibnUmailhadleftthecountry,hisbestfriendwasburntasaheretic,beingaShi-ite.IntheIslamicworld,theSunnitesweretheofficialsectand,expressedroughly,thesplitbetweenthemandtheShi-iteswasduetothefactthatthelatterhadamoresymbolicandmysticalinterpretationoftheKoran.Forinstance,theydidnottaketheKoranliterally,butallowedforsymbolicinterpretation,whiletheSunnitesinsistedonliteralobediencetotherulesandonitsliteraltruth.TheShi-itesdevelopedanextensivemysticalsystemofsymbolicinterpretationandinthatwaycouldbecomparedtothemysticsoftheMiddleAgeswhoalsotriedtointerprettheBibleinasymbolicway,incontrasttoothertendencies.
YoucouldmakeacomparisonwiththeparallelsplitbetweentheTalmudicandKabbalistictrendsintheJewishtradition.TheShiiteswouldcorrespondtotheKabbalistictradition,thetrueintrovertswhoweremoredirectedtowardsapsychologicalsymbolicinterpretationandpersonalexperienceofthereligioustruth,incontrasttotheliteralmindedpeoplewhoratherinsistedondogmaandtheholytext.
IwillgiveyoutheArabictextjustasitisinallitscomplexities,asIdidwiththeGreektext,sothatyoumaygetthefullimpactandstrangenessofthiskindofliterature.
IandmydearObouail[theendingisfeminine]enteredtheBarba.[Barba
meansbeard,andofcourseeverybodysaidthatonecouldnotenterabeard,nobodyknewwhattosayabouttheword,butitsimplystandsfor"Birba"pyramidwhichwasobviouslysomethingthetranslatorhadnotunderstood,therebycausingalotofconfusion.]IenteredtheBirbaandacertainsubterraneanhouse,andafterwardsIandElHassan,thatisHassan,sawallthefieryprisonsofJoseph,andIsawontherooftheninepaintedeagleswiththeirwingsexpandedasifflyingandwiththeirfeetopen,andinthetalonsofeacheaglewasabigbow,suchasisalsousedbythosewhoshootwithabow.Onthewallsofthishouse,attheleftandright
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ofthemanentering,Isawtheimagesofhumanbeingsstandingabout.Theycouldnothavebeenmoreperfectorbeautiful,orhadmorebeautifulclothesinallcolours.Theyhadtheirhandsextendedtowardsthecentreoftheroomandwerelookingatacertainstatueinthemiddleoftheroomnearthewalloftheinnerchamber,andwhichwasfacingthem.Thestatuewasrepresentedsittingonathrone,similartothedoctor'sthrone,andonthatthestatuesat,withonitslap,overitsarms,andwithexpandedhandsoveritsknees,amarbleplate,whichwasextractedfromit[fromwhatisnotknown],inthelengthofonearm,andasbroadasonehand,andthefingersofthestatuewereclaspedovertheedgeofthetabletwhichitheld.Thetablethadtheappearanceofanopenbookfacingthepersonwhoentered,asifthestatuewantedtoshowittohim.
Thatsoundscomplicated,butitsimplymeanstherewasaseatedstatueatthebackoftheroomholdingatabletoverwhichitsfingerswereclaspedoutwards,anditlookedlikeanopenbook,whichapparentlyitwantedtoshowtothepersonwhocamein.
Inthatpartoftheroominwhichthestatuesatwereimagesofinfinitethings,andletterswritteninabarbariclanguage[whichsimplymeansalanguagenotArabic].Thistabletonesawonthelapofthestatuewasdividedbyalineinthemiddlewhichseparatedthetwosides.Onthelowerpartwastheimageoftwobirdsbentovereachother,oneofwhichwaswinglessandtheotherwinged,andeachheldinitsbeakthetailoftheother.
Lookedatschematically,thebirdswouldbelyingoneovertheother,eachwithitsheadtothetailoftheotherbird,onebeingwingedandtheotherwingless.Itwasasthoughtheywantedtoflytogether,orasthoughthewinglessonewaskeepingtheotherback,thatis,theupperbirdwantedtocarryawaythelower,butthelowerbirdhelditbackandpreventeditfromflyingaway.Thetwobirdswereboundtogether,werehomogeneousandofthesamesubstanceandtheywerepaintedinonesphereasthoughtheimageoftwothingsinone.
Neartheheadoftheflyingbird,andaboveit,thesunandmoonwere
represented.Thiswasnearthefingersofthestatue,andintheotherpartofthetabletthatis,totherightwasanothersphereorroundobjectfacingthebirdsandasawholetherewerefivetimerhythms[thatisalsosomethingwhichisunexplained],namelybelowthebirdsandthesphere.Abovethissphereistheimageofthemoonandanothersphere.Ontheotherside,nearthefingersofthestatue,istheimageofthesunwhichemitsitsraysliketheimageoftwoinone.
Oppositeisanimageofthesunwithonerayfallingdownwardsandtogetherthatwouldmakethree,namelythetwoplanetsthesunandthemoonandtherayofthetwoinone,andfromtherayonepartgoesdownandreachesintothelowerpartofthetabletsurroundingtheblacksphereanddividedbythissurroundingsphere,whichaltogethermakestwo,three,andthethird.
Whatisclearfromtheaboveisthatthesunandmoonarebesideeach
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31.Statueofwiseoldman(HermesTrismegistus)holdingtablet,
fromSenior'sDechemia.(Detailonpage124.)
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other,withthemoonfacingyouontherightandthesunontheleft,andbelowisablackspherewhichtherayspenetrate.Thethirdhastheformofawaxingmoon,theinnerpartofwhichiswhitewithoutblackness,butitissurroundedbyablacksphere,andtheformisliketheformoftwoinoneofasimplesun,andthatistheimageofoneinoneandthoseareagainfive,andtogethertheymaketen,accordingtothenumberoftheeaglesandtheblackearth.
IhavenowtoldyouallthisandhavewrittenapoemandwithoutthegraceofGod,whosenamebeblessed,weshouldnothavethissecret.Sothatyoumayunderstandandthinkwellaboutitandmeditateonit,Ihavepaintedforyoutheimageofthetablet,andwhattheimagesarewillbeexplainedinmypoemandafterwardsyoucanlookatthechaptersandseewhateachfiguremeant.NowIhavealreadyexplainedthosetenfiguresandIhaveshownthefiguresinmypoemandcertainlyonecouldnotdowithoutmypoem,butIwanttomanifesttoyousomethingwhichallthewisemenhavehithertohiddenwhoproducedthisstatueinthishouse,inwhichthewholescienceisdescribedinasymbolicfigureteachinghiswisdomonthisstoneanddisplayingittothosewhocanunderstand.Iknowthatthisstatuewasthefigureofawiseman.[ThisstatuerepresentsHermes,soitmeansHermesinventedthescienceanddrewthefigures.]
Wenowhavetofindoutwhatthisallmeans.Thestatueisthefigureofawiseman,andonhislapistheoccultsciencewhichhedescribesbymeansofsymbolicfiguressoastodirecttheonewhoknowsandunderstands.Thewisewhounderstanditmustlookattheinnerwithsubtlety,andmustknowthetermsofwisdomandmustunderstandanobscureandsymboliclanguage.Whenhethencomparessuchobscurelanguagewithourimages,thenhewillopentheonefromtheotherandwillbecometherulerofthesecretstone.
Thenfollowsanotherpartwhichhasanewtitle,"LetterfromtheSuntotheWaxingMoon."This,asyouwillsee,isaloveletter.
"IngreatweaknessIwillgiveyoulightfrommybeautytillIhavereachedperfection."[Thesunwillbeexaltedtothegreatestheight.]Firstthemoon
saystothesun:"Youneedmeasthecockneedsthehen,andIneedyourworks,OSun,withoutinterruption,becauseyouareofperfectcharacter,thefatherofalllights,thehighlight,thegreatMasterandLord.Iamthewaxingmoon,moistandcold,andyouarethesun,warmanddry.
"Whenwehaveunitedinanequalityofthestatusofourhouse,inwhichnothingelsehappensexceptthattheheavyhasthelightwithit,inwhichwewillstay,thenIshallbelikeawomanwhoisopentoherhusbandandthatistrueinword,andwhenwehavebeenunited,stayinginthebellyofthisclosedhouse,thenIwillreceive,byflatteringyou,yoursoul,andyouwilltakeawaymybeautyandthroughyourclosenessIwillbecomethinandwewillbeexaltedinaspiritualexaltation,orheightenedinaspiritualexaltation.
"WhenwegoupintheorderoftheSheikhs,ortheoldmen,theglowingsubstanceofthylightwillbeunitedwithmylightandyouandIwillbelikethemixtureofwineandsweetwater,andIwillstopmyflowand
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afterwardsIwillbewrappedupinyourblacknessandthatwillhavethecolourofblackink,butafteryourdissolutionandmycoagulation,whenwehaveenteredthehouseoflove,mybodywillcoagulateandIwillbeinmyemptiness."
Thatprobablymeansthemoonhascompletelywaned,i.e.,itisthenewmoon.Tothisthesunreplies:
"Ifyoudothis,andifyoudomenoharm,OMoon,andifmybodywillreturn,thenIwillgiveyouanewvirtueofpenetrationandafterthisyouwillbepowerfulinthebattleofthefireofliquefactionandpurgationandtherewillnolongerbeanydiminishing,ordarkness,asitiswiththecopperandthelead,andyouwillnotfightmeanymorebecauseyouwillnotberebelliousanymore."
Thesunthereforesays:IfyouwilldomenoharminthisconiunctioforthemoonmightharmthesunthenIwillmakeyoupowerfulinthebattleofthefire,andthenyouwillnotbecorruptibleanymoreasthecopperis,andyouwillnotfightme,thesun,later,becauseyouwillhavenorebelliousfeelingsanymore.Sothemoon,whichischaracterizedbywaxingandwaningandbeinghostiletothesun,andasbeingdarkandcorruptible,willloseallthosenegativequalitiesandbecomeasolidlight,asthesunis.Thesuncontinues:
"Blessedishewhothinksaboutmywords;mydignitywillnotbetakenawayfromyouandwillnotbecomecheap,asalionwillnotbecomecheap,beingweakenedbytheflesh[thelionishereanotherimageofthesun],butifyoufollowmethenIwillnotdenyyouortakeawayfromyoutheincreasingofthelead,butthenmylightwillbeextinguishedandallmybeautywillbeextinguished,buttheywilltakefromthecopperofmypurebodyandfromthefatnessoftheleadbyverifyingitinthesyllogismoftheirweight,butwithoutgoat'sblood,andthenonewillmakeadistillationbetweenwhatisfalseandwhatistrue.
"Iamthehard,dryiron,Iamthestrongferment,everygoodthingisinme,thelightofthesecretofsecretsisgeneratedthroughme,andevery
activethingismyaction.Whathaslightiscreatedinthedarknessofthelight[everythingthatshineshasbeencreatedinthedarkness]butafterIhavebeenledtoperfectionIwillrecoverfrommyillnessandfrommyweakness,andthenwillappearthatgreatliquidfromtheheadandthetailandthosearethetwoqualitiesandthetenordersorweights,fiveofwhicharewithoutdarknessandfiveofthemareshininginbeauty."
Thatistheendoftheletter.AfterthisSeniorpromisestogiveanexplanation,butthetextjustgoesoninthesameway.Theexplanationhegivesissimplywhatwewouldcallanamplification,averymeaningfuloneitistrue,butstillnotanexplanation.
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ActuallyweknowthatMohammedibnUmailwasoneofthosedamnedrobberswhobrokeopenpyramidsandinvestigatedtheinnercoffinchambers.InthosetimestheArabsdestroyedagreatnumberofpyramids,stealingallthegoldinthem,sothatnowadaysmostpyramidsareempty,butSenior,orMohammedibnUmail,didnotdoitasmostoftheothersdid,justtofindandstealthegold,butbecauseheprojectedintothedeathchamberofthepyramidsthealchemicalsecret.
Hethought,aswediscoverinthesucceedingpartsofthebook,thattheEgyptiansknewalchemy,andthatwhatwastobefoundintheinnermostchamberofthepyramidwasthesecretofalchemy,butwhatwaswrittenintheoldEgyptianlanguagehecouldnotread,whichiswhyhespeaksofabarbariclanguagethiswasbeforeChampollion,asyouknow.Sohethoughtthatinthosemysterioushieroglyphicsignswaswrittenthesecretofalchemy,andashedescribesinanothertext,hefoundamummifiedqueeninagoldcoffinwhohadapairofscissorsandlittlebowlsofgoldandhewasabsolutelysurethatthatwasthequeenofalchemy,asitwere,thewiseprophetessofalchemy,andthattheinstrumentshiddeninthecoffinoftheEgyptianqueenweresymbolicallusionstothealchemicalwork.
Thatisoneofthestrangethingsofprojectionintothepast.Heprojectedthewholesymbolismofthealchemicalopusintothemummification.Butwhatisevenmoreinterestingisthatweknownow,fromwhatItoldyoubefore,thatactuallyalchemydidoriginatefromtheEgyptiandeathcult,thatthechemistryofmummificationplayedanenormousrole,thatactuallytheEgyptiansmummifiedtheirdeadinordertoobtainimmortalityandmakethedeadpersondivine,andthatalchemytriedtodothesamething,namelyproducetheimmortalman,produceimmortality.ThereforethereisaverygoodhookforoldSenior'sprojectionhejustprojectedthewholething
backwardsintoEgyptianmummification,whichiswhyhesopassionatelyhelpedtobreakopenanddestroythefuneralchambersinthepyramids.Naturallyhelookedateverythinghesawthereandtriedtofindoutwhethertherewereallusionstotheworkofalchemy.
Thepictureofthisstatueholdingatabletisaclassictopicofmanyotheralchemicaltexts.ItisnotspecifictoSenior.Youallknow,fromDr.Jung'slecturesonZarathustra,ofthetabulasmaragdinatheemeraldtablet.Itisaclassicaltexttothesingle
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sentencesofwhichJunghasgivenaninterpretation,sothatIneednotgointoit.TheoldestformofsuchatextwasfoundinthewritingsofGabir,whichwouldbeinthe7thcentury,andfromthewholeofthisoldestversionofthefindingofthetabulaitisclearthatthetalegoesbacktoGreeksources.TheremusthavebeenaGreekstoryofaHermesstatuefoundinatombwhichhadthewholesecretonitsknees.
Thatstorybecameatopicofalchemicalliteratureininnumerablealchemicalwritings,forinstanceintheKitabalHabib,oralsotheBookofKrates.Italwaysstartsoffthesameway:"Ienteredthetombandfoundastatuewithatablet,onwhichwas...,"andthenfollowsakindofexplanation.SoinSenior'stimethathadbecomeathemeinliterature.Thatisaparalleltotheemeraldtablet,andtherearenewvariations.SenioraddssomethingwhichIhavenotfoundinanyoftheothertalesofthefindingofthetablet,namelythenineorteneagleswhich,inthepicture,shootatthestatuewithbowandarrow.Hehasalsochangedthecontentofthetablet,foronitarenotsentencesofwisdom,asintheothers,buttwosymbolicdrawings,theoneofthetwobirdswhichtrytoflyawayfromeachother,andtheotherofthesunandmoonandtheblacksphere,andthat,asfarasIcansee,isSenior'scontribution.
Iamnowtakingsomeoftheinformationgivenintherestofthebook,allofwhichIcannotreadtoyou.Accordingtoit,theeaglesrepresentthesublimatedorvolatilesubstanceandthereforesomethingsimilartothewifeofthesteaminourothertext.Flyingsubstanceslikesteamandvapourwereveryoftensymbolisedbybirdsbecausetheysaidthatthesesubstanceshadacquiredspiritualqualities.Thebowandarrowarequitemysteriousandareneverexplainedthroughoutthewholebook,sowemusteitherleavethemunexplainedorgiveapsychologicalexplanation.Hermessitssurroundedbythenineeagles
whichshootathimwithbowandarrow.ThatmotifisjustskippedbySeniorinhislaterexplanationofthetext,butfromtherestofthetextyoucanmakeoutthattheeaglesrepresentthespiritualizedsubstances.
Whatwouldyousaythebowandarrowrepresent?Imagineitwasapatient'sdrawing.WhatwouldyouthensayoftheeaglesshootingatHermes?Wehavefirsttoamplifythebowandarrow.Whatdoesthatsuggest?
Answer:Eros.
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32.Kingandqueenholdingeagleandswan,symbolsofthevolatilespirit.Saturn,whosepositiveaspectsareself-disciplineandendurance,isin
theforeground.
Dr.vonFranz:Yes,thatisthemostobviousideathelittleboyCupidwithhisawkwardarrows,andthewholeliteratureofantiquityconcerningthebowandarrowandhowCupidevensometimesshootsanarrowatZeusataverybadmomentandgetshimintohispower.
Abowandarrowwouldindicatedirectionsomethingispointedatanobject.Thelibidohasbeendirected,justashappensifyoufallinlove:youareswimmingalonginthestreamoflifeandsuddenlyyouareshotat,andthenyougohomeandthinkofthatwomanormanfrommorningtillnight.Suddenlyallthelibidoisdirectedandconcentratedthere.Youdonotwanttothinkaboutit,butthenyoubegintowonderwhetheryouwillmeetthatpersontomorrowatthesameplace,andsoon,forthat'swheretheenergyis.
Thereforeyoucansaythatthebowandarrowhavetodowiththe
suddendirectednessoftheunconsciouslibido;ithastodowiththe
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projection,foranarrowisaprojectileandthroughprojectionthelibidogetspointed.Itisjustthesameifyouhatesomeone.ThereisevenasayingwhichquestionswhoisclosertoGodIbelieveitisanIndiansayinghewholoveshimorhewhohateshim?Andtheansweristhemanwhohateshim,becausehewillthinkofGodevenmoreoftenandmoreintenselythantheonewholoveshim,forhisbowandarrowareconstantlydirected,thatisthedirectionoflibidothroughprojection.
Youcansaythatallthedissociatedforcesofthoughtandofthesoularenowconcentratedonwhatisonthistablet,i.e.,roundthisthewholepsychologicalattentionisconcentrated.Therearethetwowingsofthetablet,liketwopartsofabook,andontheonesideistheproblemofthetwobirdsandontheotherthatoftheunionofsunandmoon.
TheproblemofthetwobirdsisobviouslyavariationoftheOuroborosasinoldalchemy,forintheoldGreektextswefindadrawingofthesnakewhicheatsitsowntail.Usuallytheheadhasstarsonitandtherestisblack,whichwouldbethesecretopposition.IntheoldGreektextthatisexplainedastheheadbeingdifferentfromthetail.Itmakesamarvellouspictureifyousaythatitisonethingbutthatthereisaninneroppositionbetweentheheadandthetail.Thereforetherearesuchsayingsas:"Takethehead,butbewareofthetail,"or"Unlesstheheadhasintegratedthetail,thewholesubstanceisnothing."Thereisagreatdealsaidabouttheheadandthetail,andhowtheyshouldrelatetoeachother,thereforeitwelldescribestheoppositeswhicharesecretlyone.ItisakindofEuropeantai-gi-tutheYin-Yangsymbol,theoppositesinone.
Remark:TheeaglesgivemetheimpressionofhavingarelationtoApolloforitissaidthattheycanlookatthesun,andofcourseApollo
hasthebow,ashasthewingedboyCupid.
Dr.vonFranz:Apolloistherepresentativeoftheprincipleofconsciousness,butthatdoesnotcontradicttheinterpretation.Apollo'sbowandarrowwouldrefertotheattentiongivenbylove,theconcentrationofmentallibidothroughlove.Accordingtothescholastictheoryofknowledgeyoucanonlygetknowledgethroughlove,whichmeansthatyouonlyacquireknowledgebylovingyoursubject,bybeingfascinatedbyit.Thustheanimaisalwaysbehindthesearchfortruth.
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33.Frustratedexpectationsanddesires,arisingpartlyfromthe
phenomenonofprojection,arethebasicmaterialofanalyticalwork.Theemotionalreactionsinvolvedintheprocessofwithdrawing
projectionsmaybelikenedtothealchemicalimageofthesalamander,asprimamateria,roastinginthefire.
Ifyouhavetolearnaboutasubjectyoudonotlove,whereyouhavenoprojection,whichmeansthatyouhavenorelationshiptoit,itdoesnotmeananythingtoyouandisnotconnectedwithyourflowoflibido,soyouhavetotoilandsweatatsomethingandlearnitfortheexam,buttenminuteslateryouhaveforgottenitagain.Ifyouarefascinated,however,whichmeansthataprojectionhastakenplace,thenyougetemotionalandacquireatremendousamountofconsciousnessveryeasilyandquickly.Thatisthewholesecretofteachingandlearning.Youcansaythatthosearesimplytwoaspectsofwhatasageneraldescriptiononemightcallattention,whichiscreatedeitherbytheconcentrationofconsciousness,orbylove,andbehindbothisprojection.Fascinationalwaysinvolvesprojection.
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Remark:Youtalkofprojection,buttheseareallarchetypalfigures.
Dr.vonFranz:Yes,andthatraisesthequestionastowhetherarchetypesproject.Ithinktheydo.Certainlyitissoinourideaofprojection.Considerwhatactuallyhappens.Weknowquitewellthatwenevermaketheprojection,butthatitisdonetous.Idonotmyselfprojectsomething;thatisthewayonetalks,butitisnottrue.ThefactisthatIsuddenlyfindmyselfinthesituationofprojecting,andwhenIhaveseenthatitwasaprojectionIcanbegintotalkaboutit,butnotbefore.Forinstance,someonewhohasprojectedtheshadowwillinsisttheotherpersonisarotterandwillcarryonlikethat,butperhapstwoyearslater,inthecourseofanalysis,hewillrealizehewasprojectinghisshadowontotheother.Thereforewhoprojected?Thatisagreatmystery.
WhentheGreeksfellinlovetheyweremodestenoughnottosay,''Ihavefalleninlove,"butexpresseditmoreaccuratelybysaying:"Thegodofloveshotanarrowatme."Andthatishowitreallyhappensonesuddenlyhasthepainfulstingwhichonehasnotmadeoneself,onefindsoneselfbeingshotat.Soonecanthereforespeakofthearchetypeofthegodoflove.IfyougointothehistoryofErosyouwillfindthatheisavariationofHermes;theErosofantiquityissimilartoHermesKyllenios.InoldentimeswhenhewasafertilitygodofBoetiahewasrepresentedexactlylikethepriapicHermesstatues.YoucanthereforesaythattheGreeksmeantavariationofthegodHermes.ItisasymboloftheSelf,orofthetotality,whichmakestheprojection.Ithinkthatiscorrect.IfIfindmyselfinaprojectionsituation,thatisanarrangementbytheSelf.
Remark:HeretheeagleisconnectedwithEros,orwithApollo,sothegodsareprojectingontothegods.
Dr.vonFranz:Yes,youarequiteright,andthereforeingeneralwe
cansaythatitisalwaystheunconscious,orsomeaspectofit,whichproducestheprojection.ItistheSelforagod.Itisalwaysagodwhoproducestheprojection,whichmeansthatitisalwaysanarchetype,theegocomplexdoesnotdoit.
Thenextstepistoaskwhatthegodoftheunconsciousprojectsonto.Usuallyheprojectsontoouterobjects,eitherhumanbeingsorthings.Orcanithappenthatanarchetypeprojectsontoanotherarchetype?Ithinkitcan,itissomethingwhichoccursfrequently,andthatwouldbeaprocessofunificationinthesystemsofreligion.
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34.Cupid,Venus,andthePassionsofLove,byBronzino."WhenXfallsinlovewithY,anonlookermightcallthatprojection....Butaslongasthereisno
uneasiness,Ihavenorighttocutintothatparticipationbycallingitprojection;thatisahorriblepoisonousmistakepeopleconstantlymake."
vonFranz.
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Takepolytheism,forinstance.Inmostpolytheisticsystemsofreligionthereisthesecretknowledgethattheyareallaspectsofonegod.EventheGreeksknewthat;inlateGreekStoicphilosophyitisalwayssaidthatthereisreallyonlyonegodandthatalltheothergodsAthene,Hermes,andsoonareonlydifferentaspectsofthatone,soyoucansaythatthereisalatentmonotheismwithinGreekpolytheism.ThesamethinghappenswiththeElohiminJewishmonotheism.WhenGodcreatedtheworldHesaid,"Letuscreate,"andithasalwaysbeensupposedthatthe"us"wasaddressedtotheElohim.Sothereisalsoasecretpolytheismwithinmonotheism,whichalsocomesinthefiguresoftheMalakJahwe,theangelofGod.SometimesJahweinterferesHimselfandsometimesHesendstheMalakJahwe,whoismoreorlessjustoneaspectofHimself.
Itcanbesaidingeneralthatinanymonotheisticsystem,justasinJudaeo-Christianity,thereisasecrettendencytowardspolytheism,whichthoughnotquiterealizedoradmittedyetexists,justasinpolytheisticsystemsthereisasecrettendencytowardsmonotheism,toensurethatallthosemanygodsarereallyonlydifferentaspectsoftheonegod.IfyouexpressthatinpsychologicaltermsitwouldmeanthatthemultitudeofarchetypalconstellationsareallreallyoneintheSelf,althoughtheSelfactuallymanifestsinpracticallifeveryofteninsingleaspectswhichweprefertocalldifferentarchetypes.
TheproblemiswhethertherearemanyarchetypesorifthearchetypeoftheSelfisreallytheonearchetype.Forinstance,whensomeoneisdominatedbythemotherarchetype,onespeaksofamothercomplex,butifwegointothatitwillalwaysbefoundthatthewholeSelfisinit.AnarchetypalcomplexalwaysleadstothesymboloftheSelf.Sohereagainthereisasecretmonotheisminpolytheism,whetherthestressisontheoneortheother.Ifthemanypointtotheone,Iwouldsaythatintheunconsciousthereisatendencytowardsputtingallthe
energyontotheSelfandawayfromthedifferentsinglearchetypes.Themanyarchetypestendtoconcentrateroundtheonearchetype,whichyoucouldsaymirrorsthetendencyintheunconsciousitselftowardsgreaterconsciousness.
ItcouldbesaidthattheeaglesarelikeanassemblyofgodsgatheringroundtheoneGod,whichpsychologicallyinterpretedwouldmeanthatmanyarchetypesbegintofallintoanorder
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concentratingonthearchetypeoftheSelf.ThearchetypeoftheSelfbeginstobedominantandthedissociationintomanyarchetypesbeginstobeorderedroundacentre.Itwouldfollowthatifasinglearchetypeisdominantinone'spsyche,letussaythemotherarchetype,ortheanimaarchetype,orwhateveritmaybe,thenthereisacertainamountofone-sidednessinthatperson.ItisonlywhenthearchetypeoftheSelfreallybeginstocarrytheprocessthatthethingbecomesunifiedandeverythingfallsintoplace;Iwouldsay,infact,thatthesenseofunityisasymbolicrepresentationofthatmomentwhenthemanyarchetypesbegintogivetheirenergytoone.
Remark:Iwasthinkingofsomethingslightlydifferent,gettingalittleawayfromarchetypesandmoretotheprimitivereligiousattitudesuchastheexperienceofthegodinthetree,orthespiritinthetree.TheparallelIwouldseeinthiscaseisthefollowing:Perhapsthereisaspiritinthetreeandthearchetypesarebeingprojectedontothetree,soGodisreallyinthetreeandthegodsareprojectingontoGod.Thatisaspeculation.
Dr.vonFranz:Yesitis,andIcannotanswerit.Youcanbelieveitornot,forsuchathingcannotbeproved.Actuallythatsimplytouchesuponthequestionastowhether,ifanarchetypalimageisreallyprojected,thereisalsoatranscendentalrealitywhichmakestheprojection.Butwehavenomeansofcheckingsuchathing,soitisaquestionofbeliefandyoucanbelieveitornot.Idobelieveit,butIdonotintendtotrytoconvinceanybodybecauseIhavenoproofs.
Remark:Ifyoureallygetbacktotheprimitivereligiousattitudeandtrytoanalyseit,sayingthatthisisjustaprojection,thenimmediatelysomethinghasbeenprojected,andonecanonlytakeitonthatlevel.
Dr.vonFranz:Thatiscompletelywrong.IfyoureadDr.Jung'sdefinitionofprojection,hesayscategoricallythatyoucanonlyspeak
ofprojectionwhendoubthasarisen.Thereforewearewrongifwesaythattheprimitiveprojectsontothetree.Thatisourwayoftalking,becausewedoubtwhetherGodisinthetreeandthereforewecansaythatitwouldbeaprojectionforus,butsincenodoubtarisesintheprimitivewehavenorighttospeakofhisprojection.
LookupJung'ssimpledefinitionofprojectioninPsychological
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35.TreeSpirit,byMargaretJacoby.
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Types.Thereyouwillreadthatonecanonlyspeakofaprojectionwhendoubthasarisenandthatuntilthentheassertionthatthereisaprojectionisnotlegitimate.OnlywhenwithinmyselfIfeelinsecurecanIbegintospeakofprojection,andnotbefore.ProjectionimpliesthatIamnolongerentirelyconvinced,thatIamalreadytoacertainextentoutoftheparticipationmystique,orarchaicidentity;untilthenthereisnoprojection.
Naturallytheonlookerdoubts,whichiswhyifonetakesamoderncase,forinstanceXfallsinlovewithY,theonlookerwillcallthataprojectionoftheanimus.Butforthepersoninvolvedthereisnoprojection,anditwouldbeananalyticalmistaketosaytherewasthatwouldbeinfectingtheotherpersonwithone'sowndoubt.ForXthatmanisnowthebeloved,andnotsimplyanimageoftheanimus.IfIdoubtitbecauseIamnotinthesameparticipation,Ihavenorighttopoisontheotherwiththatdoubt.Ihavetowaituntiltheanalysandbeginstofeelsomedisquiet,untilthemanshelovesdoesnotbehaveasshehadexpectedhewould.Oncethisstateofdisquiethasmanifested,Icansaythatperhapsshehasprojectedontothatmansomethingwithinher.Butaslongasthereisnouneasiness,Ihavenorighttocutintothatparticipationbycallingitaprojection;thatisahorriblepoisonousmistakepeopleconstantlymake.
Wenolongerbelievethattreesandanimalsaregods,butitwouldbewrongtoassertthatitisprojectioninthecaseoftheprimitive,forwhattousisprojectionistotheprimitivethewholeexperienceofreality.Itistheirtruth.
IfIweretogotoAfricaandbecomeblackmyselfemotionally,thenIwouldnotspeakasIusedtooftheprimitives'projection,IwouldsaythatnowIseetheprimitivesareright:Godisinthetree.ButaslongasIstayinEurope,andtheprimitivesaysGodisinthetreewhileIdo
notseeanythingdivineaboutitinthatcaseIcouldspeakofprojection.TheuseoftheworddependsonthestateIamin.WhenIdoubt,Icanuseit,butifthereisnodoubtinmeIcannot,andIshouldneverusethewordtopoisonanotherperson'sreality.
Projectionsdieautonomouslysuddenlythethinghasdisappeared,andthathappenscompletelywithoutconsciouscooperation.Suchthingsarepsychologicaleventsperse.AfterwardsIcansaytherewasaprojection,butthatisonlyarelativeandnotanabsolutetruth.
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36.Thewingedandwinglessbirds,andthejustandunjustsuns,symbolicdrawingsfromSenior'sDechemia.(Detailofsceneonpage110.)
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Lecture5ArabicAlchemyWearenowgoingtodiscussthedrawingofthetwotabletsasitcontainsrathermorethanthetextIhavealreadyreadyou.
Ononepartofthetabletthereisawingedbirdandabirdwithoutwings.Thewingedbirdisaboveandtheotherbelow;thetextsaysthelatterpreventsthewingedbirdfromflyingaway.Eacheatstheother'stail,soitisavariationoftheOuroborossnakewhicheatsitsowntail.Abovethebirds,thoughthisisnotmentionedinthedescription,arethemoonandthesun,andbelowisthespheretowhichthetextlatergivesdifferentnames:itiscalledthemoonandalsotheearthandtheinferiorworld,theworldbelow.Therefore,inaway,themoonisdouble;above,itisthebride,ortheoppositeofthesun,butitisalsosomehowmixedupwiththeworldbelow,calledtheearth.Sothereisonemoonidenticalwiththeearth,andonewhichisthepartnerofthesun.
Inthesecondtablettherearetwosuns:oneemitstworaysontothelowerworld,andtheotheronlyone.Bothradiatetothelowerworld,whereagainthereisthefullmoon,describedinalaterpartofthetextasbeingwhiteandsurroundedbyablacksphere;lookedatfromtheoutsideonewouldseeonlytheblackness,buttheinsideiswhite,havingawhitemoonsubstance.Inthispicturethesunisdoubledandintheotherthemoonisdoubled,andeachisthepartneroftheother.
Inbothpicturesthereisaninterconnectionbetweenthelowerandtheupperworldsand,inbetween,thefightbetweenthebirds.Thesunradiatesontothelowerworld.Thebottomsphere,whichisblackoutsideandwhiteinside,isagaincalledthelowerworldthemundus
inferiorwhichheremeansthiscosmosbelowthefirmament,oruptotheoutermostspheresoftheplanets.Inantiquityandmedievaltimes,itwasthoughtthatbelowwasthemoonandthecorruptibleworldandabovewerethestarsandtheeternalworld.
Question:Whydoesonesunhaveonerayandtheothertwo?
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Dr.vonFranz:Itisjustso!Actually,theraysarenotshownonthetablets;anoldalchemistwhoonceownedthebookhasdrawnintworaysininkonbothsides,butaccordingtothetextonesunsendsdownonlyoneray.Thereitissaidthattheonesunradiateswithjusticeandtheotherwithout,andthatisthedifferencebetweenthetwo.Althoughthetextdoesnotsayso,Isupposethatthesunwiththetworaysistheonewhichradiateswithjustice,foritisbalanced,ithasthetwosides.SolcumjustitiaandnoncumjustitiaastheveryclumsyLatintranslationsays.Butbothsunsradiateupon,andpenetrate,thelowerworldwiththeirrays.
WehavenowtotryIsaytryformanypartsarefarbeyondmycomprehensiontounderstandthetextpsychologically.FirstwehavetorefertoSeniorhimselfandreadtheamplificationshegivesthroughoutthebook.Seniorsaysofthetwobirdsthattheyarealsosunandmoon,thatthewinglessbirdistheredsulphuranditsexaltedsoulisthewingedbird;hesaysthebirdsarebrotherandsister,andofthelowerthingthatitisthebasisofthetwobirds,astheearthisthebasisofthemoon,orthelowerworld.
Letusconsiderthesefewamplifications.Sulphurisoneofthemostimportantbasicmattersinthealchemicalprocess.InMysteriumConiunctionisJungwroteawholechapteronit,fromwhichcanbeseenthatsulphurisanactivesubstance,acorrosivesubstance,andadangerousoneonaccountofitsevilsmell.Asyouknow,infolklorethedevilalwayssmellsofsulphur,andleavesanairofsulphurbehindwhenheleavesorhasbeenexorcised.Sulphuralsoproducesallcolours,istheloverofthealchemicalbridefigure,andsoon,anditisathiefwhichinterfereswiththelovingcouple.
Thusyoucouldinterpretsulphurasdrivenness,astateofbeingdriven.Itwouldnotberighttospeakofthedriveitself;itisratherthe
stateorqualityofbeingdrivenoroverwhelmed.Ifyoulookatitfromacertainreligiousangle,thatwouldnaturallybethedevil;itissex,forinstance,butinthesenseofbeingdrivenbysex,orsexinitsoverwhelmingform,i.e.,somethingnotunderone'scontrol.
Sulphuristheactivepartofthepsyche,thepartwhichhasadefinitegoal.Inapsychologicalconnection,onewatchestofindoutwherethelibidoisdrivingtowardsitsgoal.Itmaynotbesex,butanotherkindofdrivenness;itcouldbeambitionandthepowerdrive,orsomethingelse.Thereforeithasthedoubleaspectofsupplyingtheoriginalimpetusthemalematterasitiscalledhereandispositiveandnegativeatthesametime.Anyonewhoexamineshimself,ifheishonest,isusuallyfirstconfrontedwith
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37.LoonandFish,modernvariationonthealchemical"wingedandwinglessbirds"motif,byJacksonBeardy,OjibwayIndian.Theloonrepresentsthespiritualaspectofthepsyche(the"exaltedsoul");thefishissymbolically
equivalenttothewinglessbird(redsulphur,theinstinctivedrives).Thetensionbetweenthetwoworldsspiritandmatter,consciousnessandtheunconsciousisindicatedbythewavylines.Thehalvedcircle
radiatingenergywouldrepresenttheSelf.
thatpartofthepsychewhichisinsuchacondition.
Theredcolourreferstofiretheemotionalquality.Thewinglessbirdistheredsulphur;itisthebirdbelow,andisalsoreferredtoasthefemale,sothatwehaveaparadoxbecause,beingdriven,itisregardedasthemaleactivequalitybutprojectedontothelowerbirditisthefemale.Sothecharacteristicsfemale-maleareveryvague;thetermsareusedindifferentwaysinalchemy.Itcouldbesaidthatthewinglessbird,theredsulphur,isanunderlyingfactoroftheinnerpsychiclifeandisalwayswhatonehasfirsttounearth,foritistheprimamateria.
Togettothebottomofsomeone'sproblemitisnecessaryfirsttofindthemake-upofsuchdrives.Weallhavetheminusanduntilwebringthemupandfacethemwehaveahiddencornerwheretheyliveautonomously.Theyhavetodowiththeunconsciousand,as
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youknow,Freudwassoimpressedbythisaspectthatwhenhediscoveredthe''redsulphur"hethoughtthatwasthewholething,thatthatwasit.Inawayhewasright.Hewasimpressedbythedrivingnatureoftheunconscious,bythesexaspect,asAdlerwasbytheambitiousorpoweraspect,sotheyfellupontheprimamateriaoftheredsulphurandfromthatangletriedtoexplaintheroleoftheunconscious.
Thewingedbirdiscalledtheexaltedsouloftheother,meaningthatonceonehastheprimamateria,whichIwouldinterprethereasthebasicinstinctivedrivesofthepersonality,thathastobecookedandwhencookedemanatessteamwhich"flies"abovematter,whichwouldbewhatthealchemistscallthesoulofmatter.Wehadthatbefore,youwillremember,asthewifeofthesteaminourothertext.Thisvapourlike,steamlike,volatilesubstancethe"flyingfugitivesubstance,"asitiscalled,whichexplainswhythebirdiswingedwishestoriseduringthecookingprocess.
Expressedinourlanguage,whatwouldbethecorrespondingpsychologicalaspect?Letusassumethewinglessbirdwouldbethebasicfactofthehumanpersonalitywiththespecificaspectofthestrongestbasicdrives.Howdowecookdrives?
Remark:Theyarecookedinanalysis,surely.
Dr.vonFranz:Yes,buthowisthatdonepractically?
Answers:Bymakingthemconscious.Bygoingintodepressions.
Dr.vonFranz:Well,yes,thatwouldbegoingtomeetthedrives.Ifyoudon'tknowthem,youhavefirsttogointoadepressioninordertomeetthem.Whenyouhavemetthem,youareatthebottom,andthenyouareintheprimamateriaandthereyoutouchit.Youmeditateonitanddoactiveimagination,oryoulookfortheunderlyingmeaning.
Supposesomeoneisinlovebutdoesn'tgetanywhere;beingfrustrated,onegetsintoadepression,sayingthatitisnotpossibletogetawayfromthelovedone.Thatwouldbecontinuoustorture.Thenonewouldsay,wellatbottomthereisthedrive,thedependence,somethingwhichconstantlyoccursinatransference.Manyanalysandsresentthetransferencebecauseofthedependenceitentails,butnothingcanbedoneaboutitfortheyaredependent;theyaredriven,theywriteletters,theytelephonetwentytimesaday,etc.Thewholebusinessisnotpleasanteitherforanalystoranalysand.Frequentlythepartners,beingreasonable,agreeitis
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38.ThetransformationofMercurius,asprimamateria,intheheated,sealedvesseliscomparabletocookingthebasic
instinctivedrivesintheirownaffectuntiltheiressentialfantasycontentbecomesconscious."Insteadofarguingwiththedriveswhichcarryusaway,weprefertocookthemand...askthem
whattheywant....Thatcanbediscoveredbyactiveimagination,orthroughafantasy,orthroughexperimentinginreality,butalways
withtheintrovertedattitudeofobservingobjectivelywhatthedrivereallywants."vonFranz.
strangeandcrazyandannoyingforboth,buttheunreasonabledrivepaysnoattention,ittakesnonoticeofwhatconsciousnesspreaches.Anyonewhohaseverbeendeeplyinloveknowsthat.
Letustakethesamethinginthecaseofapowerdrive.Youmaybemadlyjealousofafriendwhohasbeensuccessfulinhiscareerandarguewithyourself,sayingyoushouldnotbejealous,thatitisnotfair,butyourself-admonitionschangenothing;yourpowerdriveorambition,whichisthecauseofyourjealousy,isnotaffectedor
touchedbywhatyousay.Theredsulphurremainsuntouched,soweneedstrongermedicinetodealwiththisdrive.Insteadofarguingwiththedriveswhichcarryusaway,weprefertocookthemanddecidetofantasizeaboutthemandaskthemwhat
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theywant.Onehastobequiteobjective,withoutopinionsandwithoutcondemningthethingasunreasonable.Onemusttrytofindoutamicablywhatthedrivereallywants,thatis,whatitisdrivingat,forithasanobjective.
Thatcanbediscoveredbyactiveimagination,orthroughafantasy,orthroughexperimentinginreality,butalwayswiththeintrovertedattitudeofobservingobjectivelywhatthedrivereallywantsordesirestogetat.Thatwouldbecookingtheredsulphur.Generally,strongdrivesemanateafantasycontent,theycompriseabunchoffantasymaterial.Youcouldjustaswellsaythattocooksomethinguntilitssoulappearswouldmeantoletthefantasymaterialemanatefromthedrive,allowthatfantasymaterialconnectedwiththedrivetoemerge.
Thatwouldbethepsychologicalaspect,andwouldcorrespondtothewingedbird.Butwhenyouhavedonethataterribleconflictbegins.Ourtextsaysthatthewinglessbirdpreventsthewingedbirdfromflyingaway,whilethewingedbirdwantstoraisethewinglessbird,andsotheyremainattached,linkedtogetherinakindofinsolubleconflict,whichkeepsthewholethingarrested.Howwouldthatappearinreality?
Remark:Wouldn'titbeatendencytospiritualizeorconcretize?
Dr.vonFranz:Yes,exactly,forifyoudevelopthefantasymaterial,thenthereisatendencytoconcludethatitisallapsychologicalprojecton.IfIaminlovewithsomeone,Icancallitananimusoranimaorfatherormotherprojection,andinthatwayspiritualizeor"psychify"it,withthenuanceof"only"psychological,andthemistakecomesinwiththeword''only."
Naturally,ontheconcretelevelIhavetoberesignedandnotstartanything;Imustbehaveconventionallyandproperly,andeverything
elseIhavetotakewithinmebecauseitistheprojectionofapsychologicalfactor,itisafantasy.Itisthefantasywhichbindsmetotheanalystortheotherperson,andifIintrojectthatfantasyIshallbefree.Butdoyouknowwhathappensifyoutrytodothat?Thedeviltheredsulphurinsiststhatallthesamethereissomethingrealaboutit,orthereshouldbe,forotherwiseitisonlypsychological,andarelationshipwhichis"only"psychologicalissomethingIdonotwant.Iwanttherealthing,whichmeansthecompletelymaterialthingcontact,forinstanceor,ifitisambition,realrecognition,acareer,andsoon.
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Theintrojectionofafantasyconcerningambitionwouldappearasfollows:Someoneinahumblesituationhasamegalomanicambitiousdrive,desiringtobetopdog.Ifonetriestofindoutwhatthatpersonisdrivingat,itwillgenerallybediscoveredthat,justasinthecaseofthesexdrive,theambitionissubmittedtothegoaloftheSelf.Suchamanmightsaythathewantedtohaveapositionofauthoritysoastorealizehisidealsandimprovetheworld;hisdesireisnotbasedonegoismandvanity.Hewantstorealizesomething,anditusuallytranspiresthatthereisaveryhighidealbehindtheambition.Butsometimeswiththeambitionthepersonwillhavethehiddenfeelingofbeingveryspecial;hesecretlyfeelsheoughttohaverecognitionandthishemixesupwithambition.
Thedesiretobesomethingspecialreallycomesaboutthroughthehunchorintuitionofindividuation;thereisthevagueideaofbeingauniqueindividual,andwithoutrealizationofthatuniquenessitisnotpossibletoindividuate.Thereforethataspectoftheambitiousfantasyisquiteright.Butifyousaytosomeoneinahumblepositionthatsuchanambitionisquitelegitimate,andisreallyaninnerthingthedrivetobesomethingandbecomesomethingspecial,torealizeoneselfasauniquesonordaughterofGod,derivingfromthevagueintuitionofone'sdivineinnernaturebutthatthatcannotbeexteriorizedintowantingtobemorethanotherpeople,suchapersonwillfeelquiterelieved.Apartoftheambitiousdrivewillquietdown,butthentheredsulphurwillinsistontheotherside.Itwillaskifonereallyhastobeatypistinanofficeallone'slife?Isitallonlyontheinnerlevel?Canoneneverhaveanythinginouterlife?Thusthephenomenoniscutintopolaropposites:"only"psychological,andconcrete.Thedevilistheonewhowantstheconcretething.Heisthegreatrealizerwhosaysthatsomethingwhichhasnoexistenceinconcreterealityisjustnotreal,andthenbeginstheconflictbetween
spiritualizationoftheproblemandtheconcretething.
Question:Whatwouldspiritualizationofaproblemmean?
Dr.vonFranz:Thewordusedwasspiritualization,butIthinkprobably"psychologize"waswhatwasmeant,thatis,reducingadrivetoanexclusivelypsychic,innerevent.Butitcomestothesamething.
Supposeamonkmasturbatesandinhisfantasyisalwayswithabeautifulwoman,butfeelsthatsuchbehaviourisoutofkeeping
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withthevowshehastakenandwithhisideasofmorality,andcomestoconsultyou.Hewillbetoldtolookintothefantasyhehasofthewomanatsuchtimes.Hewillbeprettysuretoproduceespeciallyasanintrovert,andusuallyonlyintrovertsbecomemonksthoughthereareexceptionsabeautifulanimafantasy,containingallthematerialoftheVirginMary,theSophiaofGod,andsuchfigures.ThenitcanbepointedoutthatthoughthefantasystartsonalowlevelChristafterallwasborninastableitisreallythefantasyofunionwiththedivinewisdomandshouldbeacceptedinthatway.
Thatmightsolvethewholeproblem,sothatheevennolongerfeelsdriventomasturbate;herealizesthattheinnerpsychologicalfactor,whichturnedupfirstinaratherdisgustingform,ishisanima,andhewillrelatetoher.Thatwouldbeaspiritualizationofthefactor,itwouldbeproducingthewingedbird.
ButasGoethesays,"UnsbleibteinErdenrest,zutragenpeinlich,"thatis,alittleearthinessalwaysremainsbehind,awkwardtobear.Evenafterthegreatestprocessofspiritualization,thereisalwayssomethingwhichresistsandwantstheearth,andsuchamonk,tenyearsafterbeing"cured,"maystillwonderwhether,inhisfantasy,therehadnotbeenthewishforarealwomantoo.Thatthoughtnagshimfromtimetotime,andifheisstillcaughtinthemedievalconcepthewillthinkitisthedevil,somethinghehasabsolutelytorefuse.
Question:Whyshouldn'tthatholdgoodfor20thcenturypeopletoo?
Dr.vonFranz:Ifyouwishitto,thatisforyoutodebate;youcanstillsayitisthedevilifyouwantto.
Question:Butdowenotallhavetolivewiththosedregswithinourselves?
Dr.vonFranz:No,certainlynot,thatisanindividualquestionhaving
todowitheachperson'sfateandopentoconsciousdecision.Itistheultimateconflict.Therearepeoplewhohavenopeaceandthinkitissimplydishonesttocutthethingoffandcallitthedevil;theyfeelthattobeanabsolutedishonesty,whileothersfeelitisaheroicdecision,therightonetheyintendtoholdtoalltheirlives.Onefindspeaceofmindinonewayandothersintheotherway,butitissomethingwhichnoanalystcanimposeuponthe
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39.Alchemistasking,worshippingthefieryredsulphur("thewinglessbird")."Sulphuristheactivepartofthepsyche,thepartwhichhasadefinite
goal....Itmaynotbesex...itcouldbeambitionandthepowerdrive,orsomethingelse....Thewinglessbird,theredsulphur,isanunderlyingfactor
oftheinnerpsychiclifeandisalwayswhatonehasfirsttounearth,foritistheprimamateria."vonFranz.
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analysand;ithasalwaystobeanindividualdecisiontobearrivedatbyeachpersonforhimself.Therearenorecipes.Foronesideitwouldbepurecowardicetocutthatoff,andfortheotheritwouldbeweaknessifhegaveintoit.Butthatisthegreatinsolubleconflict.
Remark:Itisalsoamatterofthewordsweuseindescribingourinnerfeelings.
Dr.vonFranz:Yes,andamatterofthekindoffantasywehave,andthatistheindividualproblemwhichnoonecansolveforanother,butthereisageneraltypeofthesameproblemwhichcanbetalkedabout,andwhichthealchemisttriestoexemplifyinthisform.Thereistheredsulphurandtheexaltedsouland,asthealchemistsays,itistheinsolubleproblemfortheonebirdholdsdownandtheothertriestoriseup.
Inaway,thispicturesaysthattheproblemiseternal;itcirculatesinitself,anditstotalityofoppositesisthewholething.Theoneisthelowerworld,whichnaturallyisconnectedwiththeredsulphur,andtheotheristhehigherworld.Abovetherearethesunandthemoonandweshallpresentlyinterprettheloveletterofthesuntothemoon,whichappearsinthepsychicorspiritualrealmandnotinconcretereality.Thereforeitcanbesaidthattheupperpartagainfallsintotwoopposites,namelythesunandmoon,forbothcharacterizetheupperpart,whiletheearthandthemoonformanotherpairofoppositesinthelowerpart.Themoonisagaindividedintotheheavenlymoonandtheterrestrialmoon,expressedinSenior'swords.Thetextisambivalent,inoneplaceitspeaksofthemoonandinanotheroftheearthandthebasisofthetwobirds.
Sothereisoppositionbetweenthelowerandtheupperworlds,andwithintheupperworldthereisoppositionbetweensunandmoonandthentherearethetwoaspectsofthemoon.Itisrathercomplicated,
butunfortunatelypsychologicalprocessesarelikethat.Ifyouhavereachedthestagewhereitispossibletoextractthesoulofoneofyourstrongestdrivesandaretornbetweentheoppositesofthespiritualandtheconcrete,orthe"only"psychological,thenyouproceedfurtherintheupperpartbybringingtheconflictintothefantasymaterialanddoingactiveimaginationaboutyourdrive.Inwritingdownthefantasyoneistalkingtotheinnerfigure.
Remark:Someofusdonotunderstandactiveimagination.
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Dr.vonFranz:UnfortunatelyJungianpsychologyissointerwoventhateveryanalyticalexperienceislinkedwitheveryotherone.Expressedinafewwords,activeimaginationconsistsinmakingafantasyaboutsuchadrivewhenconfrontedwithit.Icannotnowgointothequestionofhowtofantasize,buttherearecertainimportanttechnicalitieswhichhavetobeobserved.Supposeyouareinlovewithabeautifulwomanandcannothaveherandsofantasizeordreamabouther.Youcanthencontinueyourdreambymeetingandtalkingtoherinyourimagination.
Bythisprocedurethemeaningofagreatdealbecomescleartoyou.Youunderstandwhyyoufellinlovewiththatunknownwomanandthatmuchofitbelongstoyou;itispartofyourpatternandismeaningfultoyou,andthenperhapsyouwillputthefantasyasidebecausenowyouunderstand.ButusuallytheproblemImentionedbeforecomesup,andonewonderswhetheroneshouldnotperhapsalsoringuptherealwoman.Afterall,sheoriginatedallthefantasy!Youcansaythatisjustcuriosity,butpeoplearecuriouswhywasitthatparticularwoman?
Thatistheredsulphurtalking.Butnowyouhaveachoiceoftwothings,eithertotelephonethewomanandfallintotheworldbelow,orringherupinactiveimaginationandtellhersheisyouranima,thatyouhavesettledthat,youknowsheiswithinyou,butsomethingstillnagsyouandyouwouldliketomeetherinaconcreteform.Whathasshetosayaboutthat?Andthenyoulettheimaginedanimadealwiththeconcreteproblem.
Thatwouldbecontinuingthesplitonthespiritualside,bringinguptheconcreteproblemalso,forbringingtheconflictintoyouractiveimaginationmeansafurtherspiritualizationofit.Ortheredsulphurwins,andyougotothetelephoneinactuallifeandringthewoman
up,andthenyoufallintotheworldbelow,intothemundusinferior,thecorruptibleearth,whichisreality,concretereality,andthewholedramanaturallybeginsthere.
Remark:Whatyouareaskingyourimaginationtodois....
Dr.vonFranz:Youasknothing!Therearealwaystwopossibilities.
Question:Youmustinyourimaginationfindoutwhatthispersonwillsaytoyou?
Dr.vonFranz:Yes,ifyougotheupperway,thenyoubringyourconcreteconflictintotheupperbyaskingtheinnerwomanwhat
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youshoulddoaboutyourdesireforsomethingmoreconcrete,andthenyouhavetolistentowhatshehastosayaboutyourconflict,andthatisaverydifficultthingtodo.Manypeoplecannotdoitbecausetheycannotlistentowhattheinnerfiguresays;theyjustimaginesomethingthemselves,insteadofreallylistening.Itneedsquitealotofpractice.Butyoucantransposetheconflictinsuchawayandcontinuetodiscussitontheotherlevel,andthatwouldbedealingwithitfromwithin.Thenthefantasybecomesaconflict,andyoubattlewiththeinnerfigureonapsychologicallevelinanattempttoclarifyit.
Takethemasturbatingmonkandpleaseexcusethecrudenessoftheexample,butthelowerworldhastobebroughtintoo.SupposehecomestomeandsaysitisquiteallrightasregardsSophiaandtheinneranima,butfromtimetotimethedevilgetsathimandsaysthatallthesameheismissingsomethingonthereallevel,andwhatcanbedoneaboutthat?IwouldreplythatheshouldasktheinnerSophia!
Remark:Innerknowledge.
Dr.vonFranz:No,Sophiaismuchmorethanthat.SophiaistheknowledgeofGod.Youcouldjustaswellsay:"AskGod."Icannotsettletheanalysand'sproblem,hemustspeaktotheimageoftheGodheadwithinhim,saythatsomethingstillworrieshimandaskwhatheshoulddoaboutit.Andthenhemustlisten,afterwhichalotofthingscanhappen;oneofthemostfrequentisthatherealizesGodhastwohands,andthatHeHimselforiginatedtheconflict.
Itisanimaginedcase,butlet'ssaythemonkhasrealizedtheinnerSophia,andknowsthatsheisthewisdomofGodinaformhefindswithinhisownsoul.Latertheredsulphurpusheshimintosayingthatthatisnotit,orisnotthewholeofit,thatheshouldstillalsohavetherealexperience.TowhichIcanonlysaythatheshouldaskhisinner
figure,asktheSophiawithinhim.Idonotsaythatitisalwaysso,buttheinnerfigureoftenanswersinparadoxes.Itsaysthatinawayrealityshouldactuallycomein,thathedoesmisssomething,andatthesametimeitsaysitisallpsychological.Somethinglikethatissaidandthepoormanwillsaythathehasreachedtheendofhistether,forthisisnotaclearanswer,itisparadoxical.
Ifhecanunderstandit,hewillrealizethatthisisthedoubleplayoftheOne,thattheconflictisnecessaryandwantedandshouldnot
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besolvedrationally.TheonlywaytheSelfcanmanifestisthroughconflict:tomeetone'sinsolubleandeternalconflictistomeetGod,whichwouldbetheendoftheegowithallitsblather.Thatisthemomentofsurrender,itisthemomentwhereJobsayshewillputhishandonhismouthandnotargueaboutGod.Itisconsciousnessthatcreatesthesplitandsayseither-or.
IhaveoftenseeninsuchcasesthatSophiaorsomeotherdivinefigure,ortheoldwisemananswers,ifyoulookatitnegatively,inanevasiveform,andifyoulookatitpositively,inaparadox.Thentheparadoxofthepsychologicalfactor,orthepsychicreality,hitsthequalityofconsciousness,whichalwayswantstomakeaneither-orandthentalkaboutit,andwhentheSelfappearsthatistheendoftalking.Thentheconflictisnolongerinthehead.
ItisthemomentwheretheconflicttranscendsverbaldiscussionandbecomesanintuitiveexperienceofOnenessbehindthetwo.Oneisbetweentherightandthelefthand;somethingissecretlyoneyetitwantstobetorn,tosuffer,tillsomethinghappenswhichisverydifficulttograspandthenaswitchtakesplaceontoanotherlevel.Ifyouletyourselfbetornintheconflict,thensuddenlyyouchange,youchangefromthedeepestrootofyourbeingandthewholethinghasanotheraspect.Itisasthoughyoutorturedananimalsomuchthatitjumpedontoahigherlevelofrealization,andthatcancomeaboutinverydifferentforms.Youcansaythatitisanaspectofthesymbolofthecross,thatonehastobecrucifiedutterlyandsay,asChristdidonthecross:"MyGod,myGod,whyhastthouforsakenme?"Andthensomethinghappenswhichoutstripstheconflict.
Remark:Ifthemonkisgoingtokeephisvowshehastostopmasturbating.
Dr.vonFranz:Hehasstoppedlongago,accordingtomyhypothesis.
Hehasstoppedsincehehadhisfantasy,butthedevilismuchmorecleverandsays,allright,nowheiscuredandeverythingisallrightandsoon,butyet,shouldhenotleavethemonasteryandhavea"real"experience?Hashenotnowdevelopedenoughsoastobeabletodoeventhat?Forinstance,intheMiddleAgesitwassaid:"Ubispiritus,ibilibertas."ThatisfromSt.Paulwhosaid:"WheretheSpiritoftheLordis,thereisfreedom."(2Cor.3:17)Sothedevilmightsaythatsincehehasnowsolvedhisconflict,ishenotfreetolive?
Remark:Well,Ithinkheis.
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Dr.vonFranz:Thatisyouropinion,butitisnotrelevanttohissituation.HehastowaituntilGodtellshimwhattodo,itisnotuptoyoutotellhimwhatisright.You,withyourextravert'sspontaneity,wouldsay:"Yes,allright,Ithinkyoushouldgoahead,"butIwouldnot,IwouldsayheshouldaskGod.
Question:Supposethemonkhasveryweakintuition,andhastogethisanswerfromsomeotherplace.Wherewoulditcomefrom?
Dr.vonFranz:Itdependsonhowyoumeanthat.Ifyoumeanthatishowitgenerallyhappens,thenyouareright,butifyoumeanitoughttobethat,thenyouarewrong.
Remark:Yousaidbeforethattheanswerwouldcomeintuitively,butnoteverybodycangetitintuitively.
Dr.vonFranz:Nowyoubringintheproblemoftypesandthatissomethingelse.Speakinggenerally,theintrovertneedsaconcreteexperience,anouterexperience,inordertofeelheiscompleteandthatthingsaretotal,buttheextravertdoesnot.Whichmeansthatifthemonkisanintroverthemusthavesomeexperienceingeneral.
Question:Sexualexperience?DoyoumeanbythatwhatFreudmeantbysex?
Dr.vonFranz:Imeanitquitesimplyandconcretelycontactwithanearthly,human,femalebeing.
Question:Youmeansexualintercourse?
Dr.vonFranz:Yes,quiteconcretely,butIsaythatingeneralthathappensandnotthatitoughtto.Itdoesnothappenineachcase,youcanonlysayitisastatisticalaveragetendency.ButwhatisimportantforhimishisconnectionwithGod,notthewoman,soifGodsendshimthatexperiencehehastotakeit,andifGoddoesnotsenditto
him,hedoesn't.
Remark:MypointisIspeakasatheologianthatGod'snaturallawsarerelatedtohimandhisrelationshipwithawomanintermsofsexaswell,andIcansaydogmaticallythatatheologianorpriestoftheChurch,ifhegoesoutasaChristianpriestandhasarelationshipwithawomanoutsideofhisvows,thatisgoingtobewrong.
Dr.vonFranz:Yes,becauseyoudoknowwhatGodwantsineachcase,butwedonot.WealwaystrytoaskHimfirstfromwithin.
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Remark:Well,IknowHehasnaturallawsinvolvinghumanbeings.
Dr.vonFranz:ToustheexperienceofGodisgreaterandmoreunknownandthereforeweconsultHimagaineachtime.WehavenottheideathatHehasutteredHislastword.Thatisthegreatcontrastbetweenpsychologyandtheology.WethinkofGodasarealitywhocanspeakinourpsyche.OneneverknowswhatGodmayaskofanindividual.Thatiswhyeveryanalysisisanadventure,becauseoneneverknowswhatGodisgoingtoaskofthisparticularperson.
Question:Aretherelimitstothat?
Dr.vonFranz:No,therearenolimits,onecannotsetlimitsforGod.Wehaveamuchhumblerattitudethantheologians.WesimplysayweshouldwaitandseewhatGodhastosayaboutthesituationineachcase.WemakenoassumptionsastowhatHeisgoingtodo,soeachhumanlifebecomesauniquespiritualandreligiousadventure,andauniquemeetingwithGod.GodcansetHisownlimitations.
Remark:ButthepointisthatHehasnotyetdoneit.
Dr.vonFranz:Hehasn'tinyourlife,perhaps,butwaituntilGodgivesyouanorder!YouarequiterighttospeakasyoudountilGodmakesyouthinkdifferently,andyouhavetherighttosaythatHehasnotinterferedwithyourtheories.Sothatisallrightforyou,butnotforothers.ThereareotherpeoplewithwhoseconscioustheoriesGodhasinterfered,andverystrongly,andthentheyhavetoreadapttoanewreality.
Remark:ThecourseIamsuggestingisonthelevelofexperience,avalidexperience.
Dr.vonFranz:Ifitisavalidexperiencethatis,ifitisgenuineforapersonthenthereisnothingfurthertodiscuss.Heisinaccordance
andatpeaceinacertainmodeofbehaviourwhichtohimiscodifiedbyGodsothatheisatpeacewithGod,whichisthehighestaiminhumanlife.Therethereisnotrouble.
Remark:ThinkoftheprophetHosea.Godtoldhimtomarryaprostitute.
Dr.vonFranz:Twothousandyearslater,afterhehasbeencanonizedasaprophetandsinceitisintheHolyScriptures,we
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cannotdoubtthatitwasGodandthereitisquiteallright.ThatisGod'sparadoxicalbehaviour.Butifthathappenednowadaystoyou,andyouwenttoacolleagueandsaidGodhadorderedyoutomarryaprostitute,whatwouldthecolleaguesay?ThecolleaguewouldprobablyaskifyouaresureitwasGod,forhethinksGodcouldnotgivesuchacommandandthereforeitcouldnotbeGod.HowwouldyouproveitwasGod?
Remark:Iwouldwanttobesurehismotivewasgenuineandknowwhothewomanwas,andsoon.
Dr.vonFranz:Isaidyou,butnevermind.ThenwithyourreasonableegojudgementyouwoulddecideifitwereGodornot?
Answer:Itwouldnotbemyjudgement,butHis.AllIcoulddowouldbetohelpthemanthinkthroughtheareaofdecision.
Dr.vonFranz:Thenyoubringthewholethingontothelevelofconsciousreasoning.
Remark:Notconsciousreasoningonly,butfeelingandintuitionandeverythinginvolved.
Dr.vonFranz:Thatisthehuman,rational,consciousway.TherealmysteryofGodisrightoutofit.
Remark:Idon'tmeantomakeGod'sdecisionforHim,GodhastodecideHimself.
Dr.vonFranz:ButthenyouseduceHimintomakingupHisownmindinsteadofyourrelatingtoGod.
Remark:IthinkGodrelatesthroughmetosomeextentandthroughanybodyelse.
Dr.vonFranz:Thatisaninflation.Whyshouldthemannotrelateto
Goddirectly?
Remark:Becausehecan'tdoit;humanlyIcan'tdoiteither.Ican'tcarryonaconversationwithGodwithinmyself,thatishumanlyimpossible.
Dr.vonFranz:Isit?
Remark:Yes,Ihavetohavesomehumancontact,throughwhichtorelatetoGod.
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40.AlchemistconferringwithGod.''Thatisthegreatcontrastbetweenpsychologyandtheology.WethinkofGodasa
realitywhocanspeakinourpsyche.OneneverknowswhatGodmayaskofanindividual.Thatiswhyeveryanalysis
isanadventure,becauseoneneverknowswhatGodisgoingtoaskofthisparticularperson."vonFranz.
Dr.vonFranz:Therearepeoplewhocannotrisklonelinesswiththeexperience.Theyalwayshavetobeinaflockandhavehumancontact,asyoucallit.
Remark:IwouldnotdenytheefficacyofprayerwhenIandGodworktogether,butthatinvolvesnotjustmyselfandGodbutalsopeoplewithwhomIlive,myfamilyandwhathaveyou,inrelationtoGod,theHolySpirit.
Dr.vonFranz:ThereyoumentionthemainthingbuttheHolySpiritblowethwhereitlisteth,whereitwill.You,thetheologian,identifywithaconsciouspositionandtakethatasabsolute.Fromthatstandpointyoucantalkabouteverything,butyoudon'tnoticeyour
unconsciousidentification.Ifyouquestionyourconscious
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standpointlongenough,IamsuretheHolyGhostwillonedaywhispersomethingtoyouaboutit.
Forus,thereisalwaysonlytheindividualandhisorherexperienceofGodandalltherestissecondary.IntherapyitisnotwewhoconnecttheindividualwithGod,eventhatwouldbeamegalomanicpresumptionofthepsychotherapistthoughmanydopresumetodoso,andbythattheyhavealreadybecomehiddentheologiansagain.Ifyouarewithananalysandtheonlywayyoumayperhapshelpisbyalwayssaying:"Idon'tknow,butletusaskGod."Bythatyoupreventtheanalysandfromdrawingrashconsciousconclusionsorseducingyouintomakingthem,andthereforeeveryreligiousexperiencebecomesauniqueevent.Godineveryexperienceisexperiencedinaspecificanduniqueformandthatincludeseventheredsulphur,whichmeansthatifyouputthequestionoftheredsulphurbeforeGod,GodwillgiveHisuniqueanswerineachcase.
Remark:IthinkGodhasalreadygivenHisuniqueanswerineachcase.
Dr.vonFranz:Thatiswherewediffer.YouthinkGodhaspublishedgeneralruleswhichHekeepsHimself,andwethinkHeisalivingspiritappearinginman'spsychewhocanalwayscreatesomethingnew.
Remark:WithintheframeworkofwhatHehasalreadypublished.
Dr.vonFranz:ToatheologianGodisboundtoHisownbooksandisincapableoffurtherpublications.Thatiswherewelockhorns.
Butletusreturntoourtext.Ifyouraisetheconflicttotherealmofpsychologicalinnerdetachment,thentheproblemoftheoppositesbecomesclear:theOnenessbecomesvisibleinthepsychologicalrealmandyourealizeyourconflictisbetweentwoaspectsofthe
psyche.Butoneunsatisfactoryfactorremains,foryouhavecutthemoonintotwo.Thefeminineelementremainsdivided;asplitremainsbetweenwhatwewouldcalltheunconscious,ortheanima,andwhatcouldbecalledtheconcreteworld.Thatisstillanopenquestion,whichwouldmeanthatinanalysisyourealizetheconflictbutstillcannotquitelinkitupwithouterconcretelife.Assoonasitcomestoproblemsintheouter,concretelife,thereisstilluncertainty.
Seniorgivesnoadviceastohowtoproceedfromthere,buthe
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switchestotheotherpossibility.Youmustneverforgetthedivisionintotwo,thetwoaspectsofthesameproblem.Heexposesitastwobecauseitcanonlybedescribedbyattackingitfrombothsides,andnowhetriestoattackitfromtheotherside.Inonepicturethesunwithitstworaysattacksthelowerworld,asdoesthesunwithoneray,withoutjustice.Thelowerworldisasecretduality:itisablacksphereoutsidewithawhiteshiningmooninside.
Thesuningeneralrepresentsamaleprincipleofcollectiveconsciousness,theunknownpsychologicalfactorwhichcreatescollectiveconsciousness.Weseethatwhereverhumanbeingsflocktogetheraphenomenonofcollectiveconsciousnessiscreated.Forinstance,thewordsofalanguagehaveanaveragesimilarmeaningtoeachindividual,andthroughthismediumoflanguagemuchknowledgeisimpartedandexchanged,andsoastoreofcollectiveconsciousnessisformed.
Itisverydifficulttosaywhatisanindividual'sownconsciousnessandhowmuchinitiscollective.Inearliestchildhoodoneseessparksofindividualconsciousreactions,forinstanceinthemarvelloussayingsofchildrenandwhentheyaskthosewonderfulquestions.Therethechildmakesanefforttowardsindividualconsciousness.Therearealsothecharmingtactlessquestions:"Grandmother,whenareyougoingtodie?"andsoon,forthenthechildspeaksquitenaivelyandindividually.Butwhenitgoestoschoolitisconfrontedwithconventionalconsciousness;schoolshavetobelikethatandifyouspeakofthelion,orthebear,andtellthechildrentowritealittleessayonthoseanimalstherewillbeamaximumofthreeinaclasswhowillsayanythingindividual.
AsateacherIoftenfoughtwiththechildren,beggingthemtowritewhattheythoughtandnotwhatIhadtoldthem,andthereIsawthat
childrenhavetremendousdifficultybecauseitisthefunctionoftheschool,andthetendencyofthedevelopmentofthoseyears,togrowintocollectiveconsciousness.Theassimilationofcollectiveconsciousnessisinfactthefunctionoftheschool,andthereforetheoriginalityofindividualconsciousnessgenerallyfadesandattwentypeopleareasackofcollectiveknowledge.Ifyouasktheiropinionaboutanything,theyjustrepeatwhattheirparentsortheirfriendssay,orwhattheyhavereadinthepaper,andyouhavethegreatestdifficultybringingthembacktooneuniqueconsciouspersonalreaction.
Sowecansaythatthesunisthatlightwithinwhichweallswim,
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itisthelightofallourdays.Wethinkweareconsciousbutthatisnottrue;weareconsciousintherealmofthecollectiveandwedonotevenknowhowlittleourindividualconsciousnessis.Itneedsquiteasearchtofindevenfragmentsofconsciousnessthatarepersonal.Ifyouanalyseanindividualthesunisalwaysshining;thatiscollectiveconsciousnessinwhichindividualconsciousnessisenclosed,andtheconflictistheneitheragainsttheunconsciousoragainstreality.Peoplewhentheyhaveaconflicteitherarefightingwithouterrealityoutsidethingsarewrongandtheywantthemcorrectedortheyareintroublewiththeirunconscious.Somethingfromwithin,orsomethingfromwithout,isinopposition.Itisquiterightlysaidthattheenemywithwhichconsciousnessisconfrontedissecretlydouble,forpeoplecomesayingtheyhaveanouterconflictbutyoudiscoveritisaninnerone,orviceversa.
Iftherearetwosunsthentherearetwoprinciplesofcollectiveconsciousness.InasocietythatwouldmeantwoformsofrelationshiptoGod,forinstanceCatholicismandProtestantism;theonelivesinthelightoftheonesunandtheotherinthelightoftheothersun.Toonegroupcertaintruthsarecompletelyself-evident;theyareneverdiscussed,becausetothisgrouptheyseemasclearasthesun,andtotheothergroupthesameappliestotheirowntruths.Thenalreadythereisadifferentiationasplit,orsomethinginopposition,withintherealmofcollectiveconsciousness.Thatwouldreferingeneraltoacollectiveconsciousconflictofsomekind:two"isms"ortwocollectiveattitudesclash,butbotharecollective,fortheconflictiscommontomanyinthesameform.
InSenior'stexttheconflictingattitudesarecharacterizedasonesunwhichdirectstworaystowardstheoppositethedarkthingandonesunwhichdirectsoneray,anditissaidthattheonerayisthesunwithoutjustice.Whatprincipleofcollectiveconsciousnessiswithout
justicetowardstheworldbelowwhiletheothersunhasjustice?Whatwouldthatmean?
Clearlytherearetwopossibilitiesofconsciousness,namelyarigidoneandonewhichhasaparadoxicalattitudeandthereforedoesjusticetotheparadoxicalfactoroftheunconscious.Thelatterwouldbewhatyoucouldcallaconsciouslyopensystem,anopenWeltanschauungwhichisalwaysreadytoacceptitsopposite,ormeettheoppositeandacceptitscontradictions.Ifyouhaveaconsciousattitudewhichisreadytoaccepttheopposite,toaccept
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41.Theconiunctioasafantasticmonstrosity,
comparablepsychologicallytotheunconsciousunionofmasculineandfeminine,i.e.,an
undifferentiatedpersonality.
theconflictandthecontradiction,thenyoucanconnectwiththeunconscious.Thatiswhatwetrytoachieve.Wetrytobringaboutaconsciousattitudewithwhichthepersoncankeepthedoortotheunconsciousopen,whichmeansthatonemustneverbetoosureofoneself,neverbesurethatwhatonesaysistheonlypossibility,neverbetoosureaboutadecision.
Oneshouldalwayshaveaneyeandanearopentowardstheopposite,theotherthing.Thatdoesnotmeantobespineless,itdoesn'tmeanjusttositthere.Itmeanstoactaccordingtoone'sconsciousconviction,butstillalwayshavingthehumilitytokeepthedooropenandbeprovedwrong.Thatwouldbeanattitudeofconsciousnessinlivingconnectionwiththeother,darkside.Theunjustsunisthatattitudeofconsciousnesswhichknowsexactlywhatiswhat,arigid
attitudethatblockscontactwiththeunconscious,whilethetwo-rayedsunhasamouldingandformative
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effectupontheunconscious;thelatterwouldbewithjusticeandtheformerwithout.Ithinkthatishighlymeaningful.
IfwethinkofthismanSeniorwholivedhislifebetweentheShiitesandtheSunnites,Iimagine,thoughitispureguesswork,thatinhismaterialthetwosunswouldstandforthat.Inanycase,consciousnessalwaystendstobeone-sidedandsureofitself,andthatdoesharmtothemysteryoflife.Butconsciousnesscanhavethedoubleattitudeandthenitenlightensthemysteryoflifeanddoesnotharmit.Thehumbleattitudewhichalwayskeepsthedooropenisthenecessaryacceptanceofthefactthatonemaybewrong,morallyorscientifically,orthatonemayknowtosomeextentbutnotforcertain,andthateventhegreatestcertaintymaybeonlynegative,orsomethingplausibleinaccordancewithwhichIact.
Aconsciousattitudeconnectedwiththereligiousattitudeiswhatisrequiredalwaystogivehumbleandcarefulconsiderationtotheunknownfactor,thatis,tosay,"Ithinkthisistherightthingtodo,"andthenwatchforasignwarningthatoneisnotallowingforeverything.Consciousnessisessentialtotheunconsciousforwithoutittheunconsciouscannotlive.Butconsciousnessisonlyagoodchannelofcommunicationthroughwhichtheunconsciouscanflowifithasadouble,paradoxicalattitude.Thentheunconsciouscanmanifest,andthehardeningoftheconsciousattitudeagainsttheunconscious,whichmeansasplitinthepersonalityandincivilizationcanbeavoided.
Herethereisasecretdualityintheobject.Ataroughguess,wecansaythatthisdarkworldunderneathistheunconsciousbecauseitistheunknown;itisthatwhichIcannotpenetratewithmymindandsayIknowwhatitis.The"unconscious"isaconceptwhichsimplyreferstothatwhichisnotcleartoconsciousness.Thatincludesawhole
conglomerationofthings.Therearetwoaspects,twoultimateunknowns,withwhichanalchemistwouldspeciallydealandofwhichIspokeintheintroduction.Wearestillfacedwithtwounsolvedmysterieswhichinastrangewayareinterdependentthoughwedonotyetknowhow.Theyarepsycheandmatter.Thescienceofphysics,inthefinalresort,postulatesmatterassomethingunconscious,namelysomethingofwhichwecannotbecomeconscious.Bydefinitiontheunconsciousisthesamething:itissomethingpsychologicalofwhichwecannotbecomeconscious,andweneverknowhowourdescriptionsoftheunconsciousarecombinedwithmatter,whichcreatesthewholeconflictbetweentheinnerandtheouter.
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Inthefinalanalysisitisconsciousnessthatmakestheconflictbetweentheinnerandtheouterbyprojectingtheoneasmateriallyrealandtheotheraspsychologicallyreal,becausewedonotreallyknowthedifferencebetweenmaterialrealityandthepsyche.Actually,ifwelookatithonestly,weareconfrontedwithsomethingunknownwhichappearssometimesasmatterandsometimesaspsyche,andhowthetwoarelinkedwedonotknowasyet.Thealchemistsdidnotknowandwedonotknoweither.Itisalifemysterywhichseemstomanifestbothpsychologicallyandmaterially.Ifwedescribeitfromtheoutsidewithanextravertedstatisticalapproachitappearsasmatter,andifweapproachitfromwithinitappearsaswhatweliketocalltheunconscious.
Question:Istherenotalsoadualitybetweenobjectandsubject?
Dr.vonFranz:Yes,thatisquitecorrect.Outsideisthenigredo,andthatwouldbethedestructiveaspectoftheunconsciousasweexperienceitveryoften,atleastatthebeginningwhenwefirstmeetit.Allone'sdreamsarecriticalatfirst;theunconsciousisfullofdrivesanddissociatingfactors,destructivefactors,andthenifwepenetratedeeperweseesomethingverylightandmeaningful.Enlightenmentcancomefromthatdarkplace;thatis,ifwedirecttherayofconsciousnessuponit,ifwewarmitupbyourconsciousattention,thensomethingwhitecomesoutandthatwouldbethemoon,theenlightenmentwhichcomesfromtheunconscious.
Sometimesonehasanawkwarddreamwhichdisgustsoneonwaking;itiseitherindecentorobscene,dreadfullysillyorstupidanditisirritating.Onewantedawonderfularchetypaldreamandthenthiscomes!ButthenIsay,nowwaitaminute,letusinvestigatethat,andfindoutwhatitmeansandgenerallyitisjustsuchdreamsthatarethemostenlighteningifonecangettothemeaning.Themeaningwasnot
knownbutithadadynamiccontentbywhichyouaremuchenriched.Itisjustthosedreamswhicharesovaluable;theyhaveanunapproachable,disgustingshellofdepressingblacknessbutwithinthatisthelightoftheunconscious.Itisofteninthedepressingmotifsofthedreamthatthelightistobefound,andnaturallyitisalsotobefoundintheshadowyimpulseswhicharefullofmeaningifonecanlovinglyinvestigatethemwithanattitudethatacceptstheparadox.
Seniorinthatstageseemstohaveaconsciousconflictbetweentwoattitudestowardstheunconscious;itwouldbealifeconflictbutwouldseemtobeallrightasfarasconsciousviewswereconcerned.
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42.Jonahemergingfromthebellyofthewhale,andalchemistsfittingthelapisangularis(cornerstone,asymbolforChrist),indicatingthatthegoalofthe"nightseajourney"psychologicallyastateofconflictanddepressioninwhichoneisforcedtopayattentionto
theunconsciousisequivalenttothephilosopher'sstone.
Lifeitselfwouldpresenttheconflict,ontheonehandinthesphereofthemoon,andontheotherinthesphereofthesun;theoneisaconsciousandtheotheranunconsciousconflict.Usuallytheyareinterwoven,havingsomethingincommonandbeingonlytwoaspectsofthesamething,namelythefundamentalparadoxicaldualityofallpsychologicalphenomena.
Whatisnotsaidinthepicturebutiscontainedinthetext,ifyoureadthebook,isthatthewholethingtogetherdescribesthephilosopher'sstone,thealchemicalwork.Itissaidthattheoneisthefirststageofthealchemicalwork,andwiththesecondaddedtoitthephilosopher'sstoneismade,forthelifeconflicthasbecomeconscious.Thatisthelaterstageoftheopus.Whenwehavealreadyrelatedtotheunconscious,thencomestheincreasinglysubtleproblemofhowtokeeptherelationshiprightinsteadofdroppingbackintoone-
sidedness.EvenpeoplewhohavehadalongJungiananalysistendtocodifytheirprocessofindividuation.Eventhoughtheyhavehadtremendousexperiencesandlife-givingreactions,stilliftheyremainwiththatandcodifywhattheyhaveexperiencedfor
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instance,saytheyjustpreachtheirownexperiencestoothersthentheydonotdevelop.Thatisbecauseeveryconsciousphenomenonwearsout.
Forthatreasontheconflictiseternalandmustbesustained;theone-sidednessofconsciousnessmustbecontinuallyconfrontedwiththeparadox.Thismeansthatwheneveratruthhasbeenexperiencedassuchandhasbeenkeptforawhilealiveinone'sownpsyche,onehastomakearightaboutturn,forthattruthisnolongervalid.AsJungsays,everypsychologicaltruthisonlyahalftruthandthatalsoisonlyahalftruth!Theanalysthimselfhasalwaystokeepupwithhisownunconscious,tobeconsciouslyreadytothrowovereverythinghithertoattained,whichwouldcorrespondtoaconstantdoubleattitude.
Thereforeperhapsthesunwiththetworaysismorerightlyadaptedtoinfluenceandmoreabletoassimilatetheunconsciousbyvirtueofanopenattitude,justasthoughtherewereasecondconsciousnessbehindconsciousnessasifonehadintheforegroundofone'smindtheordinaryoperatingconsciousness,whileatthebacksomethingrealizesthatthatisonlyapartoflife.Thusthereisamoveable"consciousnessbehindconsciousness"whichjustobservesandknowsthat,forthetimebeing,thethingisso.Jungdescribesthat,onanemotionallevel,asbeingrightinthestormoftheconflictandatthesametimeoutofitandwatchingitinserenity.
Nowwewillturntothesun'slovelettertothecrescentmoon,thewaxingmoon.Thesunsays:"Ingreatandultimateweakness,Iwillgiveyoufrommybeautythelightthroughwhichonereachesperfection."
Purelyastronomically,thesunhaslightwhilethemoononlyborrowsfromthesun;thatis,thesungiveslighttothemoon,thereisaquite
naturalbasisforthis.Thesuninitsradiant,emanatingformintendstoimpartsomeofitslighttothemoonsothatthemoonmayreachperfection.
Wehavetorealizewhatthesunandmoonmeanttopeopleatthattime.ThesuningeneralisanimageoftheGodhead;itisevenlatersaidinthetextthatthesunisthespiritualdivinity,andthisisinbeautyemanatinggoodness,perhapswithoutshadow.Itisbeautifulanditimpartsitslighttotheimperfectmoon.Nowthemoonisfeminine,itisareceptacleforthedead,itisresponsibleforallwaxingandwaningphenomenaonearth:thegrowingofplants
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andtheirwithering,themenstruationofwomen,theebbandflowoftides,thebecominganddyingagain,anditthereforerulesthecorruptibleworld.
Expressedbriefly,thatwouldbewhatsuchpeoplewouldthinkaboutthemoon,soitisthephenomenonofearthlylifeinitsparadoxicaltides,initsirrationalitywhichstillseemstohaveasecretmeaning.Foramanthemoonwouldrepresentanaspectofthefemininepersonificationofhisunconscious,whileforthewomanitwouldpersonifyhervegetativelifebasis,herinstinctivelife.
Thesunthensaysthatthroughitonereachestoanyheight,oneisraisedtoanyheight;thatis,thesunisthatwhichliftsup.Inantiquityandsuchtimespeoplewerepuzzledatthefactthatthesunraisedthewaterbywarmingit,sothatcloudswereformed,andthatwhenthesundisappearedtherainwouldcome,sothesunwasoftenspokenofastheprincipleofspiritualelevation.Itisthereforethatwhichmakesthingsperfect;itexaltsthemtotheheightsandmakesthemvisible.
Thenthemoonsaystothesun:"Youneedmejustasthecockneedsthehen,andIconstantlyneedyoureffectonme,becauseyourethicsareperfect,you,thefatherofallplanets,youarethehighlight,thegreatLord."Thesunhastosomeextentindicateditssuperiorqualitybysaying,inaverydignifiedway,thatitisgoingtogivethemoonlightfromitsbeauty.Sothemoonisinclinedtopointoutthatthesunneedsherjustasmuchasthecockneedsthehen,thatitisnothingwithouther,thatthoughsheistherecipient,theimperfectthingwhichreceivesfromthelight,yetthesunneedshertoo,becausewhatwouldbetheuseofasunwhichcouldnotsheditslightonsomethingelse?Itslightwoulddisappearintospaceforitneedsamaterialobjectwhereitcanbecomevisible,throughreflection.
Thereforethemooninallfemininehumilityandsubmissionpoints
outherabsolutelyequalrighttoexistence:thesunneedstheemptyvesselintowhichitslightcanbepoured,itneedsdarknessonwhichthelightcanshine,itneedsmatterinwhichthespiritcanbecomevisible.Themoonusesaveryvulgarandordinarysimileasthecockneedsthehenwhichisanallusiontothefactthatthereisalsoapurelyinstinctiveandevenasexualattractionbetweenthetwoprinciples.Themoonsayssheneedsthesun'seffectuponherwithoutcessation,becausethesunisperfect,the
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43.Concreteimageforthepsychologicalunionofopposites:''OMoon,foldedinmyembrace/BeyouasstrongasI,asfairofface./OSun,brightestofalllightsknowntomen/Andyetyouneedme,asthecockthehen."(Seealso
page251.)
fatherofalllight.Perfectusmoribus,theLatinwordsmeanparticularlyethicalperfection,whichissomethingthemoondoesn'thave.
Inthemythologyofthemoon,themooniswicked,foritisunreliable.Thealchemistsfrequentlyquotedapsalmwhichsaysthatinthedarknessofthenewmoonthewickedshootwiththeirarrowsatethicaljustpeople,whichmeansthatthenewmoonprotectsthievesandthewickedwhentheyattacktherighteous.Thusthemoonhasallthewickedpoisonandunreliabilitytypicaloftheanimainheroriginalconditionandalsoforfemininebeingsingeneral,notonlythe
feminineinman,forinthefemininethereis
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thatcatty,unreliablecunning,andratherdoubtfulethicsonecouldcallittheambiguityofnature.Themoonsaysthatsheisthewaxing,moist,andcoldmoonandthesuniswarmanddry,andwhentheyarecoupledinabalancedstate,thensheislikeawomanopentoherhusband.
Herethereistheconflictbetweentheprincipleofconsciousnessandnaturetheunconscious,theunknown.Theconflictbetweenthemasculineandfeminineisamplifiedintoaquaternitybecausebothcontaintwoqualities:themooncontainsthequalitiesofmoistnessandcoldness,andthesunofwarmthanddryness.Thatalludestothelateantiqueandmedievalteachingthattherearefourelements:water,air,fire,andearth,andfourbasicqualities:warmth,dryness,wet,andcold.ThroughouttheMiddleAgesthatwasconsideredthebasicprincipleandthecategoriesinwhichbasicmattercouldbeobserved,thefourelementsandthefourqualities.
Itisofcourseabeautifulmandala,forfireishotanddryandairismoistandcold.Therearemanydifferentvariationsforthedispositionoftheelementsandqualities.Thiswasnotsointermsofmaterialreality,evenforpeopleofthattime;theyrealizedthatitwasasimplificationofmaterialphenomenawhichdidnotfitreality.Assoonasyouthinkmoreprofoundly,itdoesnotfit,likeallarchetypalschemesoforderwhichareprojected,andeventheveryfirstalchemistssaidnottothinkthatthiswasmeantconcretely,thatitwasjustawayofintroducingorderintoourideas.Zosimos,forinstance,saysthat,whichmeansyouseeclearlyanimageoftotalitythroughthefourqualitiesprojectedontomatter;eveninthosedaysitwassimplyasymbolicnetworkwhichthehumanmindprojectedontomattertobringorderintoit.
Wecancomparethattothemodernuseofconceptssuchasparticle,
energy,time-spacecontinuum,andelectro-magneticphenomena.Physicistsknowthattheseconceptsarevaguelyinterwoven,andnotquiteassimpleandclearaswethinktheyare,buttheyhavebeencreatedasameansofexpression.
Thefourqualitiesappearnowandcompletethedualityofsunandmoon.Itisthesamewhentwopeoplemeet:therearefour,heandhisanimaandsheandheranimus.Inananalyticaldiscussiontherearealwaysfourelements,twointheconsciousandtwointheunconscious.Everyconsciousassertionalreadyconstellatesitsopposite,namelynegation.IfIsayaplantisaplantandadogisananimal,thatseemssimpleenough,butitisacontrapositionoftwo
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thingsandcontainssomethingmore,becauseifIsayatreeisatree,Iexpressthefactthatitisnotamineral,oranythingelsebutatree.EverythingIsayhasalreadyinittheshadowofwhatisexcluded.Thereforeeverytimeconsciousnessproducessomething,eventwowords,therearealwaysfour,becausetheunconsciousisalwaystheretoo;somethingunknownisinvolved,andthatshouldalsobetakenintoconsideration.
Takethecounterpositionsofphysicsandpsychology.Bylookingatwhatphysicistsdo,psychologydiscoversthatthephysicistisfullofunconsciousprojections,heseesthatatonce.Butwhenthephysicistlooksatus,henaturallyseeswhatwediscoverpsychologicallyfromaphysicalaspectandsaysweareunawareofthataspect,whichisbecausewearenotsufficientlydevelopedinourconsciousnesstobeabletokeepacontradictioninmind,somethingverydifficulttodo,andyetweshould.
Everypolaritycontainsitsopposite,butitismostobviouswhentwohumanbeingsdiscusstogether,asinanalysis.Thentherearealwaysthefour,theunconsciousofeachisalwaystheretoo.Assoonasyougivetheproblemofrelationshipyourcloseattention,thatfactmakesitmuchmorecomplicatedfortherearealwaysthetwoqualitiesineach.
Letusassumethatinaprojectedformthisreferstothatproblem.Thesunandthemoonsaythatiftheyarecoupledinabalancedstatethenitislikeamanandawomanwhoarecompletelythereforeachother.Sothereistheproblemoftheconiunctioinallitsaspects,wheretherearetwoknownfactorsandtwoothersunknown.Butwhentheyareallrelatedthenastateofbalanceandcompletenessisreached.
44.Theconiunctioasaharmoniousbalancebetweenmoonandsun
furnaces,i.e.,feminineandmasculineenergies.
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45.Theconiunctioasmeetingofkingandqueen.Thequeenstandsonaglobetoindicateherconnectionwiththeearth;thekingstandsinfire,showing
theemotionalattraction.
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Lecture6ArabicAlchemyIwillcontinuewiththeloveletterofthesuntothemoon.Inthemoonaconflicthasarisenforitappearsintwoforms,oneinheavenandoneonearth.Thesunalsoappearsintwoforms.Fromonesun,onlyoneraydescendsupontheearth,andthisiscalledthesunwhichshineswithoutjustice;asecondsunsendsouttworaysandiscalledthesunwhichshineswithjustice.
Thesunisanaspectofconsciousness,beingaphenomenonpartlylinkedwiththeegoandpartlywiththeSelf.Oneaspectofthesunisopentotheunconscious,forthetworaysimplyaprincipleofconsciousnesscapableofembracingtheopposites,whiletheothersunis"aclosedsystem"itisone-sidedandthereforedestructive.InMysteriumConiunctionisJungdescribesthesunasanimageofthespiritualdivinity,i.e.,theSelfontheonehand,andanaspectoftheegoontheother.
TheegoisidenticalwiththeSelftotheextentthatitistheinstrumentofself-realizationfortheSelf.OnlyanegotisticalinflatedegoisinoppositiontotheSelf.Initsrightfulfunctiontheegoisthelightinthedarknessoftheunconscious,andinsomewaysidenticalwiththeSelf.Thetwosunsseemtoillustratethiscontrastbetweenthedestructiveandpositiveaspectsofegoconsciousness.Thesunwithoneraywouldrepresentaninflatedegocentricconsciousprinciple,unjusttotheunconsciousorrealityandopposedtotheSelf.Thesunwithtworays,ontheotherhand,symbolisestheegoasaninstrumentofrealizationfortheSelf,andinthatsenseitfunctionswithjustice.
Theegoofanindividuatedperson,forinstance,wouldbea
manifestationoftheSelf,itwouldbeopentotheunconscious.SuchanegomanifeststheSelfbyhavingadoubleattitudetowardsandbeingconstantly,humbly,opentotheunconsciousandthusofferingabasisofrealizationfortheSelf.Godneedsourpoorheart,saysAngelusSilesius,inordertobereal.
ThusthedoublesuninSenior'stextshowsaconflictbetweenawrongegoattitudetowardstheearth,orunconscious,andanegoattitudewhichallowstheSelftomanifest.Thegoalwouldbetofind
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thisdouble-rayedconsciousattitude,namelyacapacityforstandingtheopposites.Thiswouldnotmeanwaveringbetweentheoppositesbutratherholdingthetensionbetweenthem.
Atendencytodeviateandtobecomeone-sidedisinborninconsciousness,itislinkedwithitsneedforclarityandpreciseness.Peopleoftensay,forinstance,thatDr.Jungdoesnotwriteveryclearly,buthedoesthatonpurposehewriteswithadoubleattitude,givingfulljusticetotheparadoxesoftheunconscious.Hedescribespsychicphenomenafromanempiricalstandpoint.BuddhaoncesaidthatallhissayingsweretobeunderstoodontwolevelsandJung'swritingsalsohavethisdoublefloor,thesetwolevels.
PeoplewhoarestuckintheVishuddachakra,sotospeak,believeinwordsandcannotgraspthethingitself.ButJungusesadescriptivemethod,whichhasnowalsobeenadoptedinnuclearphysics,wherefactsaredescribedintwocomplementaryapproacheswhichcontradicteachotherbutyetareneededinorderthatthewholethingmaybegrasped.Wordsareonlyinstrumentsandnotthethingitself.
Question:DoestheSolnigeralludetothenegative,unjustaspectofconsciousness?
Dr.vonFranz:Yes,theSolnigerwouldbethedarkshadowyaspectofconsciousness.Thusthesungodinmythologyoftenhasahiddendestructiveaspect.Apollo,forinstance,isthegodofmice,rats,andwolves.Thenegativeaspectofthesunisespeciallyrealizedinhotcountrieswheretheburningmiddaysundestroysalltheplants.InhotcountriesghostscomeoutatnoonandintheBible,forinstance,thereisthedemonofmidday.Thedarkorshadowsideofthesunisdemonic.
Drivennesspushingtheegofrombehindwouldillustratethedark,
demonicsideofthesun,andthereisamisuseofconsciousnesstojustifythedrivewhentheegoisnotstrongenoughtodecideontheobjectivefactsbutissweptawaythroughtheweaknessofitspassions:fear,power,orsex.Perfectionalso,initself,ishostiletonature.ThereisataleinIndochinathatoncethesunwastoohotandaheroshotitdown.ThustheSolnigerSaturnistheshadowofthesun,thesunwithoutjustice,whichisdeathfortheliving.
Man,withhisconsciousness,isadisturbingfactorintheorderofnature;onecouldreallyquestionwhethermanwasagoodinvention
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46.SaturnasSolniger,shadowofthesun(ordarksideofGod)devouringhischildren."WhentheSelfisnotsupporteditsendsaneurosis,i.e.,theshadowoftheSelfcomesintoactionandGodandnaturebecome
enemiestoman."vonFranz.
onthepartofnatureornot.Thereisthemythofthetrickstergodwhoisespeciallystupid,andfromacertainanglemanisverystupidanddoesnothaveenoughsensetobebalanced.Asananimalheisdisturbedandoverreproductive.Whetherheisamistake,orthecrownofcreation,dependsonthefunctioningofhissunwithorwithoutjustice.Ifconsciousnessfunctionsasitshould,itishelpfultolife,butwhenitgetsoffthetrackitbecomesdestructive.
Oneaimofanalysisistogetconsciousnesstofunctionagainaccordingtonature.Inflationisasymptomoftheunjustfunctioning.Ifahighlyfocussedconsciousnessisdriven,thenonehasadarksun.Peopleuseconsciousnesstoconvinceyouthattheyarerightindoingthewrongthing.Eachofusisborninanimperfectandquestionablestatetobewrongandsplitishumannature.ThemythofAdamintheGardenofEdenwastheoriginalpatternforthis,showingthatfromtheverybeginningman'sconditionlimped.WhentheSelfisnotsupporteditsendsaneurosis,i.e.,theshadowoftheSelfcomesintoactionandGodandnaturebecomeenemiestoman.
AwronglyfunctioningconsciousnessreceivesthedarksideofGod.Ifconsciousnessworksaccordingtonature,theblacknessisnotsoblackorsodestructive,butifthesunstandsstill,itisstiffenedandburnslifetodeathandthen,accordingtocertainIndians,thehearthastobesacrificedtokeepthesunmoving.Every
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47.Thepeacock,symbolisingtherenewaloflife,risesfromthesealed
retort("thebellyoftheclosedhouse")inwhichtakesplacetheunionofopposites,theintegrationofmasculineandfeminine.
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timewemakearule,wehavetomakeanexception,forotherwiseconsciousnessandlifearenotinaccord.
Thetwomoonsandthetwosunsmakefour.Aquaternioisalwayspresentintwopeople,namelymanandhisanima,womanandheranimus.Theconiunctiotakesplace,accordingtoourtext,inthebellyofthe"closedhouse,"whichwouldbethealchemicalvesselwheresunandmoonunite.TheEgyptiancoffinissuchaclosedhouse,wherethekingmarrieshismother:IsisandHorus,orHathorandHorus.Thepriestsays:"Nowyoustay,unitinginlovewithyourmother,"asheclosesthedoorofthefuneralchamber.AJapaneseZenMasteralsosays:''Hehasthedoorofhisheartclosedsothatnoonecanguesshisfeelings."Onebecomesamysterytoothers,becauseoftheonenesswiththeSelf.
Ifyoucanguessaperson'sreactions,thenhestillfunctionscollectively.Thereisasenseof"Iknowhowyoufeel"becauseofsimilarcollectivereactions.Empathy,feelingintotheotherperson'sstate,isbasedoncollectivequalities.Wemeetmostpeopleonthecollectivelevelandknowthequalitiesweshare,suchasjealousyandlove,andwithoutempathywecannotrelate,butthatisnottheuniquenessoftheindividual.Itisthequalityofgeniustoproducetheunexpected;itisthesurprisingthingwhichclicksandyetisnotbanal.Youcanneverguesswhatacreativepersonwillproduceforitisanewcreationandthereisnoknowingwhatitwillbe.Fromthemindcomeideasandfromthefeelingsidecomereactionswhichinsuchapersonareabsolutelyunique.
Theindividuationprocessleadstouniquecreativenessineachmomentandtheshutchamberalludestothissecretcentreofthepersonality,thesecretsourceoflife.Itistheshutchamberoftheheart,theuniquecreativenessineachmomentoflife.Wherethe
processofindividuationleadstotherealizationofthisuniquenessotherscannolongerguessaboutyou,fortheycannotseeintotheshutchamberofyourheartfromwheretheunexpected,creativereactionsspring.
IwouldsaythattheunexpectedcreativereactionscomefromtheonenesswiththeSelf.ItistheSelfwhichhasthisqualityofuniquecreativenessineachmomentoflife,whichiswhytheJapaneseMastersaysthatonecannolongerguessthemovementsofhisheart.ItmeansthatiftheZenMastersaysordoessomethingitwillalwaysbeunpredictableandcreativelysurprising.Theshutchamberalludestothissecret,forultimatelytheindividualisa
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uniqueandclosedsystem,auniquethingwhichcentresroundanunpredictablesourceoflife.Ifthatbecomesrealinanindividualthenonefeelsthemysteryofauniquepersonality.Thathastodowithshuttingthehouse,whichmeansseparationfromcollectiveentanglementsandcontamination,notonlyoutwardly,butinwardly,separatingwithinoneselffromwhatisordinaryandnotoneself.
Question:HowdoesthatreconcilewiththeSatoriexperienceofZenBuddhismwheretheopennessandonenesswithnatureandwiththecollectivetooisoneofthegoals?
Dr.vonFranz:Thatisoneofthoseparadoxes.Inthelastofthe"TenOx-herdingPictures"ofZen,theoldmangoestothemarket.Hehasasweetsmile,andhasevenforgottenhisownenlightenment.Thereyouhavethecompletelycollectivemanwhogoestothemarketwithhispupilandhisbeggar'sbowl,andhasevenforgottenhisSatoriexperiencewiththegods.Thatmeanshedoesnotsubjectivelyfeelunique,but,thestoryadds,thecherrytreeblossomsashegoesbyandthatissomethingyouwouldnotguesswhenanoldfellowwithafatbellygoestothemarketwitharatherinsipidsmile.Uniquenessspringsfromhimasacreativeact,butitisnotintentionallyinhismind.Hedoesnotfeelunique,heisunique,althoughsubjectivelythesameoldmanwouldsaythatheisapooroldmanandwhatdoyouwantofhim?Suchpeoplehaveanextreme,naturalhumility,inspiteofwhichtheiruniquenessmanifests.
ItisagaintheparadoxoftheegoandtheSelf.Theegomusthavetheattitudeofahumanbeingamongotherhumanbeings,andthentheuniqueness,ifithasbeenfoundwithin,willemanateinvoluntarily.Itisjusttheoppositeofbeinginflatedwithone'suniqueness,feelingsodifferentfromothersandmakingthoseprince-andprincesslikeremarkssuchas:"Iamsosensitivenobodyunderstandsme."Thatis
justnotit,andifpeoplesaythattomeIalwayssayIknowtherearealotofpeoplelikethat,andIdon'tsaythatoutofwickedness;itisquitetrue,itisaverycommonqualitytobesosensitivethatnobodyunderstandsyou.Itisverywidespread,especiallyamongintroverts,whofeeluniquebuttheyarenot.Theenlightenedonedoesnotfeeluniquebutveryhumanandthatiswhyyoucansaysuchpeopleareveryopentotheworldandveryhumanwitheverybody,orparadoxicallyyoucansaytheyareinfinitelyuniqueandincomprehensible.
48.EnteringtheCitywithBliss-bestowingHands,thelastofthe"TenOx-herdingPictures"ofZenBuddhism,representstheculminationoftheprocessofindividuation:"Andnowhavingmovedthroughthestageofemptiness,andalsohavingseenGodintheworldof
nature,theindividualcanseeGodintheworldofmen.Enlightenedminglinginthemarketplacewith`wine-bibbersandbutchers'(publicansandsinners),herecognizesthe`innerlight'of`Buddha-Nature'ineveryone.Hedoesn'tneedtoholdhimselfaloofnortobe
weighteddownbyasenseofdutyorresponsibility,nortofollowasetofpatternsofotherholymen,nortoimitatethepast.Heissoinharmonywithlifethatheiscontenttobe
inconspicuous,tobeaninstrument,notaleader.Hesimplydoeswhatseemstohimnatural.Butthoughinthemarketplaceheseemstobeanordinaryman,somethinghappenstothepeopleamongwhomhemingles.Theytoobecomepartoftheharmonyoftheuniverse."
Suzuki,ManualofZenBuddhism.
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Remark:Ithink,toexpressitinanotherway,thattheaimistoeliminatesubjectandobject,whileatthesametimetohonestlydiscriminatebetweensubjectandobject.
Dr.vonFranz:Yes,thatisabsolutelyfitting.Thisistoillustratethebellyoftheclosedhouse;thatis,theinnermostcreativeissecludedbynature,andnotbyanyartificialact.Ithasalsotodo,veryconcretelyandinabanalway,withtheproblemofanalyticaldiscretion.Assoonasonetouchestheuniquenessofthepartnerinananalysis,discretionisimposed.Beforeitwasjustaconventionalrule,notreallynecessary,butiftheuniquenessistoucheduponitisnaturalnevertotalkaboutittoathirdperson.Onerealizesitisuniqueandthatitshouldneverbetalkedaboutwithanybodyelse,quitenaturally.Itcannotbe,andthathastodowiththemysteryofmeetingwithuniquenessinanyloverelationship,forthenthehouseshutsnaturally,byitself.
Behindtheshutdoorthemoonreceivesitssoulfromthesunandthesuntakesawaythebeautyofthemoon,whichbecomesquitethinandweak.Thatmeanstheconiunctiotakesplaceinthenewmoon,intheunderworld.Youknowthatthemoonisnewwhenitisclosetothesun.Whenitisoppositethesunthenthewholemoonislitupandyouhavethefullmoonbutwhenitisclosetothesunthenitisnothitbythesun'srays.ThatisaninterestingfactaboutwhichJunghaswritteninMysteriumConiunctionisthattheconiunctiodoesnottakeplaceinthefullbutinthenewmoon,whichmeansittakesplaceinthedarkestnightwherenoteventhemoonshines,andinthisultimatelydarknightsunandmoonunite.
Thereisaspeciallyinterestingnuancehere,becauseinmedievalChurchsymbolismthesunsymbolisesChristandthemoonsymbolisestheChurchtheEcclesiaandtheconiunctioofsunand
moonisinterpretedasthemeetingofChristandtheredeemedChurch.Butnotoneofthewritershaspointedoutthefactthatwhentheyunitedthemoonwasgone,ordarkened,blottedoutcompletely.Theyhavetactfullyskippedthatdetail,orneverquestionedwhyitisso.
Theconiunctiohappensintheunderworld,ithappensinthedarkwhenthereisnolightshininganymore.Whenyouarecompletelyoutandconsciousnessisgone,thensomethingisbornorgenerated;inthedeepestdepression,inthedeepestdesolation,thenewpersonalityisborn.Whenyouareattheendofyourtether,thatis
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49.Themoonintheshadowoftheearth."Theconiunctiotakesplaceinthe
newmoon,intheunderworld....Inthedeepestdepression,inthedeepestdesolation,thenewpersonalityisborn."vonFranz.
themomentwhentheconiunctio,thecoincidenceofopposites,takesplace.
Thesungivesitslighttothemoon,butatthatmomentthemoonisblottedoutandfadesandbecomesverythin,soitcanbesaidthatthesunharmsthemoonbycomingcloser.Laterthesunsays:"Ifyoudomenoharmintheconiunctio,OMoon,"thenthisandthatwillhappen.Sotheconiunctioisapparentlydangerous,forthesundoessomeharmtothemoonandthemooncanharmthesun.Thatcouldperhapsbeavoided,butthecloserthosetwolightsgettoeachother,thegreaterthedangerthattheydestroyeachotherinsteadofuniting,whichcomesfromthefactwediscussedbefore,namelythatbothsunandmoonhaveashadow.
Bothhaveadarkanddestructiveside,andwhentheycomeclose
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togetheritisliketwolovingpeoplewherethemoretheloveincreases,themoredoubtsanddistrustincreasetoo;oneisveryoftenafraid,sinceifoneopensone'sheart,theothercandosomuchharm.If,forinstance,amanshowshisloveforawoman,thenheisexposedtoheranimus.Ifhedoesnotloveher,hejustsaysitisherdamnedanimus,butifhedoes,thenhemindswhenshemakeshorribleanimusremarks.Thesamethingholdsgoodforthewoman,forifsheacknowledgesherloveforaman,thepoisonofhisanimamayhither.Thereforethereisalwaysthattremblingfearinapproachingeachotherinthehumanlovesituation,mirroredsymbolicallyintheprocessofsunandmoonbecomingone.
Ifwetaketheconiunctioonapurelyinnerlevel,itcanbesaidthatwhentheconsciousandunconsciouspersonalitiesapproacheachother,thentherearetwopossibilities:eithertheunconsciousswallowsconsciousness,whenthereisapsychosis,ortheconsciousdestroystheunconsciouswithitstheories,whichmeansaconsciousinflation.Thelattergenerallyalsohappenswhenthereisalatentpsychosis,andthenpeoplegetoutofitbysayingtheunconsciousis"nothingbut...,"therebycrushingtheunconsciousanditslivingmystery,orpushingitaside.Manypeopleleavetheanalyticalprocessundersuchconditions.Theygetcloserandclosertotheunconsciousandthenadisagreeablerealizationcreepsup;theworkbecomesdifficultandthepersonputsanendtoit,sayingheknowsallaboutitanditis"nothingbut."Insuchacasethesunhasdestroyedthemoon.Iftheunconsciousoverwhelmsconsciousnessandthereisapsychoticinterval,themoonhasdestroyedthesun.
Always,whenconsciousandunconsciousmeet,insteadoflovetheremightbedestruction.Herethesetwolightsinthelovelettertrytoavoidthat.Thesunsays:"Ifyoudonotharmme,thenIwillhelpyou,"andthemoonsaysthesamething.Theydosucceedinkeeping
therelationshipright;themoonatacertainmomentbecomesverythinandisblottedout,butthentheybecomeexaltedandtheyjointheOrderoftheOldMen.SincethewordSenioresismentioned,thismustbetheSheikhs.
ThisisastrangepartandIhavetriedtointerpretit.IcannotsayIamsureoftheinterpretation,butthereisaparalleltextinwhichtheOrderoftheOldMenisspokenofastheOrderofTwenty-fourOldMen,referringtothetwenty-fouroldmenoftheRevelationofSt.John,thetwenty-fourEldersofIsraelwhositroundthethroneofGoddayandnight.Thiswouldrefertothehouseofthedayand
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nightandwouldmeanthatthesunandmoongothroughallthestagesofthetwenty-fourhours.
TheOrderoftheEldersintheShi-itesect,themysticalmovementwithinIslam,hasalsotodowiththesecrettraditionofImâm.IneachgenerationthereisoneSheikhwhoisthespiritualinitiator,knownastheImâm.WhenhecarriesthelightoftheGodheadherepresentstheincarnationoftheGodheadandisthesecretGuru,theteacherofthosemysticalIslamicsects.ThisoccurswiththeShiitesandtheDrusesandcertainothers,differentsectshavingdifferentclassifications.Theyquarrelastowhoshouldbethespiritualleader,butinallofthemistheideaoftheonespiritualleader,theenlightenedone,inwhomthelightoftheGodheadhasbeenmostincarnated.
AswehavetodowithanArabictext,theremightbesomethingofthatkindheretoo,whichwouldalsoconnectupwiththeotherinterpretations,namelyamultipleaspectoftheWiseOldManindifferentstagesorphases.Practically,thatwouldmeanthatthearchetypeofthewiseoldman,anaspectoftheSelf,appearsmultipliedinspecificconnectionwithtime,intheideathatoneImamcomesineachspecialtimeorworldperiod,oritcompareswiththetwenty-fourhoursofdayandnight,whichisalsoatimesymbolism.ThesameideareappearsinChristiansymbolismasChristandthetwelveapostles,whowereattributedtothetwelvemonthsandtwelvehoursoftheday.
IthinkithastodowiththesimplefactthattherealizationoftheSelf,ortheprocessofindividuation,hasonlyreachedrealitywhenitappearsineachmomentofthissiderealtime.ManypeoplefirstrealizewhattheSelfisintuitively,byreadingabook,orbytheinterpretationofadream,butthatdoesnotsolvethequestionastowhattheyshoulddothismorningandtomorrowevening,which
meansthatithasnotyetenteredtime.TheyhaveanintuitiveconnectionwiththeSelfandwiththewisdomoftheunconscious,butithasnotyetenteredintothetimeandspaceoftheirlives,theirpersonallives.
Itisonlyrealifateachmomentatleasttheoretically,foroneneveractuallyreachesthatstageoneisconstantlyinconnectionwithit,constantlyexpressingitandknowingwhatitis.ThereforeitcanbesaidthattheSelfhasonlybecomerealwhenitisexpressedinone'sactionsinspaceandtime.Beforeithasreachedthatstageitisnotquitereal,butthenitbecomesamovingthing.
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Forinstance,whatisrightfortodaymaybewrongfortomorrow,whichiswhysomeonewhohasreachedthisstageofconsciousnesswillbeunpredictableandalwaysactdifferentlyinthesamesituations.Todaythethingislikethisandthepersonwillreactinoneway,andtomorrowthesamesituationwilloccurandthepersonwillreactdifferently.Therearenomorerules,foreachmomentisdifferent,andthereforetimeacquiresacreativequality;eachtime-momentisacreativepossibilityandthereisnolongeranyrepetition.
Sowhenthesunandmoonunitetheybeginatthesametimetogoalongacyclewhichhastodowithtime.ThatissymbolisedinEasternalchemythroughtheprocessofthecirculationofthelight;afterhavingfoundtheinnerlightitbeginstorotatebyitself.InTheSecretoftheGoldenFlower,andinalchemy,thisiscalledthecirculatio,therotation,andtherearemanydifferenttextsinalchemyinwhichitissaidthatthephilosopher'sstonehastocirculate.Usuallythatisconnectedwithtimesymbolism,fortheysaythephilosopher'sstonehastopassthroughwinter,spring,summer,andautumn,orithastogothroughallthehoursofthedayandnight.Ithastocirculatethroughallthequalitiesandalltheelements,orithastogofromearthtoheavenandbackagaintotheearth.Thereisalwaystheideathatafterhavingbeenproduced,itbeginstocirculate.
Psychologically,thiswouldmeanthattheSelfbeginstomanifestinspaceandtime,thatitdoesnotbecomesomethingatacertainmomentwithafterwardsareturntoone'sformerwayofliving,buthasanimmediateeffectuponthewholeoflife;thenactionandreactionareconstantlyinaccordancewiththeSelf,realandmanifestinitsownmovements.Thestone,orthenewlight,theSelf,canitselfmove.Naturallywehavetolistentoit,butifwedo,thenitcanmoveandcanproduceautonomousimpulses.
Question:Butaretheynecessarilytherightimpulses?
Dr.vonFranz:Thereisnofinaljudgementastowhatiswrongandwhatisright.Manypeoplewillsayitiswrong,andotherswillsayitisright,andsubjectivelyyouwillsometimesfeelitiswrongorright.
IfIcouldsaysomethingverypersonal,Iwouldsaythatitisnotaquestionofrightorwrong,forifoneisonewiththeSelfonedoesnotcareanymore.Ifitiswrong,thennaturallyonehastopayfor
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it,butthemainthingistheconnection,forseparationisspiritualdeath.TobeconnectedwiththeSelfisspirituallife;ifittellsyoutodosomethingwhichislookeduponasbeingwrong,theneveryonewillattackyouandifyoubegintothinkthatitwasperhapswrong,thenyoucanstillsayitwasworthitbecauseitwasinconnectionwiththeSelf.
IthinkifonedoessomethingoutofalivingconnectionwiththeSelf,thenpayingthepriceisworthwhile,thepriceofbeingaccusedofwrongdoingandperhapspassingthroughthestagesofthinkingitiswrong.Subjectively,oneneverreallyfeelsitiswrong,butonemustallowforpeoplesayingitis,andbetolerant.Butifyouarehappyandfeelalive,thatistheonethingnobodycantakeawayfromyou.IfIsayIamhappy,whatcananyoneelsesayaboutit?IfoneisinharmonywiththeSelf,thereisafeelingofabsolutehappinessandpeaceandotherscanjudgeasmuchastheylikewithdestructiveintellectualtheories;thatdoesn'tdoanyharm,forfeelingclosetotheSelfbecomestheindestructiblething.Naturallyonelosesthattimeandagain,becauseitistoodifficulttokeepforalongtime.
Thenthelovelettercontinues,themoonsayingtothesun:
"Thelightofyourlightwillflowintomylight;itwillbelikeamixtureofwineandwaterandIwillstopmyflowandafterwardsIwillbeenclosedinyourblacknesslikeinkandthenIshallcoagulate."
Thereyouhavetheadmixtureoftwolightscomparedtothemixtureofwineandwater,asymbolismbetterknownintheChristiantraditionwherewhenMassisreadwineandwateraremixed,whichdepictsthehumanandthedivinespiritualaspectofChrist,HishumanityandHisspiritualaspect.
Winenaturallybelongstothesunandwatertothemoon,forthemoonistherulerofallmoistthings,accordingtotheantiquewayof
lookingatthings.Itisanideaoftheconiunctioinawideandgeneralmeaning,notonlyintheChristiantraditionbutalsointheArabicworld,themysticalexaltedconnectionofthespiritualsubstancewiththeGodhead.Intheseeminglydrunkard'spoemsofElHafis,orElRoumi,waterisgenerallythecorruptible,thefeminine,anaspectoftheflowoflifeandoftheunconscious.Ifthosetwocometogether,thenthemoonwillstopitsflowandcoagulateand,accordingtotheendofthetext,thatissomethingpositive.
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50.Mercuriusasthedivinechildsymbolofanew,objectiveattitudebeyondconflictisborninthe"philosopher'segg"(thesealed
alchemicalvessel).Asproductoftheunionofopposites,consciousnessandtheunconscious,hestandsonthesunandmoon.Thebirdsindicatethespiritual(psychic)natureoftheprocess;theraysofthesunsignify
theimportanceofheat(emotion).
Soitmeansthatuptothetimeoftheconiunctiothemoonflowed,whichwouldhavetodowiththeconstantlywaxingandwaningofthemoon,theconstantflux,butitalsoproducesthedew,accordingtotheirtheory,andmoisture,andnaturallyalsomenstruationinwomenandtheflowofthefeminine.Butsincemenstruationstopswhenthechildisgenerated,thereistheideathattheflowisstoppedwhenthetwolightshaveunitedandthenewlightisborn.
Apparentlysomethingcorruptibleandnasty,whichhastodowiththechangeablenatureofthefeminine,stopsandcomestoanend.Thatrefersdirectlyandimmediatelytothewholealchemicalprocess,
whichasyouknowistheproductionofthephilosopher's
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stone,anobjectofhardsubstance,somethingwhichdoesnotflowandisinalchemythehighestsymboloftheDivinity.
Itisastrangething,ifwelookatitnaively,thatinalchemytheendproductissomethingwhichintheorderofnaturewelookuponasverylow,namelyastone,somethingwhosequalityisjusttobethere.Astoneneithereatsnordrinksnorsleeps,itjustremainsthereforalleternity.Ifyoukickit,thenitstayswhereyoukickeditanddoesnotmove.Butinalchemythisdespisedthingisthesymbolofthegoal.WehavetogodeepintothemysticallanguageoftheEastandofalchemyandofcertainotherChristianmystiquestogetanideaofwhatthismeans.
Ifthroughfightingandmeetingtheunconsciousonehassufferedlongenough,akindofobjectivepersonalityisestablished;anucleusformsinthepersonwhichisatpeace,quieteveninthemidstofthegreatestlifestorms,intenselyalivebutwithoutactionandwithoutparticipationintheconflict.Thatpeaceofmindoftencomestopeoplewhentheyhavesufferedlongenough:onedaysomethingbreaksandthefaceacquiresaquietexpression,forsomethinghasbeenbornwhichremainsinthecentre,outsideorbeyondtheconflict,whichdoesnotgoonanymoreasitdid.
Naturally,twominuteslateritbeginsagain,fortheconflicthasnotbeensolved,buttheexperiencethatonethingisjustquietlybeyondtheconflictremains,andfromthenontheprocessbecomesdifferent.Peoplenolongersearch,theyknowthethingexists,theyhaveexperienceditforamoment.Thereaftertheopushasagoal,thatoffindingthismomentagainandslowlybeingabletokeepit,sothatitbecomessomethingconstant.
Inallthestrugglesoflifethereisalwaysthatonethingwhichisbeyondthestruggle;asDr.Jungdescribesitsobeautifullyinhis
commentonTheSecretoftheGoldenFlower,itisasthoughyouwerestandingonthemountainabovethethunderstorm.Oneseestheblackcloudsandthelightningandthefallingrain,butsomethinginoneisaboveitallandonecanjustlookatit.Inonewayyouareinittoo,butinanotherwayyouareoutofit.Onahumblerormoreminorscale,youhavereacheditifinastormofdespairorinadestructivedissolvingattackofaconflictyoucankeepasenseofhumourforasecondorperhapsyouaresweptawayoncemorebyanegativeanimus,andthensuddenlysaytoyourselfthatyouhaveheardthatkindoftalkbefore.
Youmaynotbeabletogetoutofyourdestructiveanimus,itmay
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stillbetoostrong,butsomethinginyousmilesandsaysithasheardthatsillysongbefore;youwouldliketolaughatyourself,butpridewillnotallowthat,andyougoonwiththenegativeanimusandhegetsyouagain.Thosearethedivinemomentswhensomethingisclearandmovingbeyondtheoppositesandthesuffering.Usuallytheyareonlybriefmoments,butifyoucontinueworkingonyourselflongenough,thestoneslowlygrowsandbecomesmoreandmorethesolidnucleusofthepersonalitywhichnolongerparticipatesintheape-circusoflife.
Thatisprobablywhatismeanthere:themoon,whoistheruleroflifeasagorilla-circus,stopsitsfluxandsomethingappearsthatiseternalandbeyondtheconflict.Themoon''coagulates,"thelifeprocessisseenassomethingeternaloutsideoflife.Lifeitselfcoagulatesandstepsoutofitsownrhythm,whichisprobablythepreparationfordeath,sincedeathisthenaturalendoflife,thefruitwhichgrowsoutoflife:thelivedlifecreatestheeternalattitudewhichtranscendsdeath.
Sothemoonsays,"Whenwehaveenteredthehouseoflove,mybodywillcoagulateinmyeclipse,"andthesunanswers:
"Ifyoudothisanddomenoharm,mybodywillreturn[probablybacktoitsoriginalform]andIwillgiveyouthevirtueofpenetration,andyouwillbepowerfulorvictoriousinthebattleoffire,ofliquefactionandpurgation,andyouwillgoonwithoutdiminishingordarkness,andwillnothaveanyconflictforyouwillnotberebellious."
SothesunonlyconfirmswhatthemoonsaysandIthinkfromwhatIsaidbeforethatthisisclear:nowthemoon,eveninthefightofthefirewhichmeanseveninthedestructiveattacksofemotionsfromwithinandwithoutremainsfirmandbeyondthem,andisnolongerrebelliousagainstconsciousness.Unconsciousandconsciousareat
peacewitheachother.
"BlessedishewhothinksaboutwhatIsayandmydignitywillnotbewithdrawnfromhimandthelionwillnotfailorbecomecheap,weakenedbytheflesh."
Thelionisawell-knownsymbolofthesolsticeofthesun,whenthesunisatitshighest,speakingastrologically,butitisalsoasymbolofresurrection.Wehadit,youwillremember,inourfirstGreektext,whereliongenerateslion.Igaveyouthedrawingofthedoublelions,andyouwillrememberwhatIthensaidaboutthelion,thatitisalsoasymbolofpassionatedevouring,thepowerdrive,notonlyinthenarrowsenseoftheword,butgenerallythe
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desiretopossess.Theoutstretchedpawsandwideopenjawillustratethelion,thepowerful,passionatehotnature.Itstandsforresurrection,butalsocanbeweakenedbytheflesh.
Thisisanallusiontotheshadowofthemoon,namely,thatifpowerandpassiongetstuckontheconcretelevel,wantingthisorthatthingandunabletosacrificethatdesire,thenthatsamepassionatelibidowhichisthebasisoftheprocessofindividuationisweakened,itbecomesdestructiveanddestroysitself.
"Ifyouhavefollowedme,"thesunthensaystothemoon,"thenIwillnotkeepfromyouthegrowingofthelead."Theideaisthatlead,whichwediscussedinanearlierlecture,isthebasicmaterial,thematerialofpassion,andisgrowingnowbyitself.Thatreferstoastageinalchemywhichisoftendescribedasgrowth.Forinstance,theysaythefirstpartishardwork,itiseitherwashinglinen,orwashingsand,orcookingthings,orkillingthelion,orbringingforththeconiunctio,butafterwards,atacertainmoment,itbecomeswhattheyevendescribeaschild'splay,andoneonlyhastowaterthegarden,ortoplayabout.Noeffortneedbemade,forfromnowonthethinggrowsbyitself;oneneedonlyattendtoitandwatchit,withoutallthepainfuleffortsonemadebefore.Thatistheaugmentumplumbi,asitiscalledhere.
Itislikethegrowthofachildinthemotherwhilethechildgrowswithinher,shecanonlyseetoitthatsheherselfishealthyanddoaslittleaspossible.Thatisasimilethealchemistsoftenuse,thatafteronehastranscendedthestageofconflicttherecomesthestagewhereoneisjustlikeapregnantwomanwaitingforthebirthofherchild,astagewhereoneneednotthinkaboutdoingtherightthingornot.TheChinesewouldcallitdoingnothing,justlettingthingshappen;givingconstant,lovingattentiontotheprocessisallthatisnowneeded.
Thenthetextsays:
"Mylightwillfadeandmybeautywillbeextinguishedandtheywilltakefromthemineralsofmypurebodyandfromthefatnessofthepurifiedleadintheharmonyoftheirweight,andwithoutgoat'sblood,andadifferencecanbemadebetweenwhatistrueandwhatisfalse."
Goat'sblood,orhe-goat'sblood,really,wassupposedtohaveacorrosiveeffectuponeverythingandallegoricallywasinterpretedinlateantiquityassensuality.Thebloodofthehe-goatistheessenceofsensuality,oflasciviousness,thesensualdrivewhichisveryobviousanddestroyseverything.Thestrong,sexualdrivedestroys
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everythingexcepttheadamant.Anoldlegendsaystheadamantistheonepreciousstonewhichcannotbedissolvedbygoat'sblood,andthereforeisthatfirmnessofthepersonalitywhichresiststheimpulseofsensuality.
Herethereisthesamesymbolism,namelytheconiunctioofthesubstancesofequalweight.Thatwouldrefertoastateofpsychologicalbalancewherethereisnogoat'sblood,thatis,wheresensualitydoesnotanymoresweepawaythepersonality.Thenoneiscapableofdistinguishingthetruefromthefalse;therearisesorgrowswithinthepersonalitywhatonecouldcalltheinstinctoftruth.
Ingeneral,lifeissocomplicatedthatifonehastothinkaboutthingsoneisalwaystoolate.Iamhopelessinthatrespect.Ifsomeonetelephonesmeandsaystheymustseemethatevening,ortheyneedanhourtomorrow,IamnotquickenoughindecidingwhethertosayYesorNo,ortofindanexcusebysayingIamnotfree.Mynaturesweepsmeaway,myinferiorfunction;IsayYes,andafterwardsamcaughtinit,itisallwrong.AndthenIsay:"Confounditall,Iwastooslowagain."IshouldhavesaidNo,buttheinstinctoftruthdidnotworkstronglyenough.Theinstinctoftruthwasthere,somethingkepttellingmetosayNo,butreflectionandtheinferiorfunctioncameinandoncemoreIwastooslow.ThencomesabaddreamwhichgivesmeagoodblowontheheadandIwonderifIwillevergetoutofthatstageandbequickenoughnotalwaystogetcaughtinthesametrap.
Thereisaspeedingupofthispossibilitybythedevelopmentoftheinstinctoftruth,thatis,whentheSelfissopresentandsostrongthattheinstinctoftruthgetsthroughquickly,likearadiotelegram,andonereactsrightlywithoutknowingwhy,itflowsthroughoneandonedoestherightthing.OnesaysYes,orNo,sometimesdoingonethingandsometimestheother,andcancarryonwithoutintermission,
becauseconsciousnesswithitsreflectionisnolongeradisturbance.ThatistheactionoftheSelfbecomingimmediate,andonlytheSelfcanaccomplishthis.Onahigherlevel,itisthesamethingasbeingcompletelynaturalandinstinctive,whenonecandiscernbetweenthefalseandthetrue.ThatiswhytheHolyGhosthasalsobeencalledbycertaintheologianstheinstinctoftruth,whichisaverygooddescription.
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51.The"instinctoftruth"isseenbysometheologiansasanaspectoftheHoly
Ghost,hereshowndescendingintheformofcloventongues.Psychologically,theimmediateawarenessofwhatisrightandtrue
forthepersonality("thetruthwithoutreflection"vonFranz)indicatesaconnectionwiththeSelf;inalchemicallanguageitisthephilosopher's
stone.
Thetextgoeson:
"Iamthehard,dryironandthestrongferment,everythinggoodcomesthroughmeandthelightofthesecretofsecretsisgeneratedbymeand
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nothingcanaffectmyactions.Whathaslightiscreatedinthedarknessofthelight.Butwhenitreachesitsperfectionthenitrecoversfromitsillnessesandweaknessandthenwillappearthisgreatfluxoftheheadandthetail."
Ithinkthefirstpartisclear.Itreferstothegenerationofanewlight,athirdthingbornorgeneratedintheconiunctio.Itisanewlightborninthedarkness,andthenalltheneuroticsymptomsandillnessandweaknessgo;thenewthingappears,nowcalledilludmagnumfluxumcapitisetcaudae.
ThereonemustremembertheOuroboros,thetaileater,wheretheoppositesareone:theheadisatoneendandthetailattheother.Theyareonebuthaveanoppositeaspectandwhentheheadandthetail,theopposites,meet,thereaflowisborn,whichiswhatthealchemistsmeanbythemysticalordivinewater,whichIdescribedasthemeaningfulfluxoflife.Withthehelpoftheinstinctoftruth,lifegoesonasameaningfulflow,asamanifestationoftheSelf.Thatistheresultoftheconiunctiointhiscase.Inmanyothercasesitisdescribedasthephilosopher'sstone,butasmanytextsalsosay,thewateroflifeandthestoneareone.
Itisaverygreatparadoxthatliquidtheunformedwateroflifeandthestonethemostsolidanddeadthingare,accordingtothealchemists,oneandthesamething.ThatreferstothosetwoaspectsoftherealizationoftheSelf:somethingfirmisborn,beyondtheupsanddownsoflife,andatthesametimeisbornsomethingverylivingwhichtakespartintheflowoflife,withouttheinhibitionsorrestrictionsofconsciousness.
IhavenowusedupallthetimeweweretodevotetoourArabictextsandnexttimeweshallmoveontoEuropeanalchemy.IamsorrytohavegivenyouonlyoneArabictext,butIthinkthisShi-itealchemist,
Senior,wasoneoftheverygreatmeninalchemy.
Question:Youspokeoftheinstinctoftruth.Whatdoyoumeanbythat?
Dr.vonFranz:Itiswhatgivesmethetruthwithoutreflection;somethingwithinmeknowsthetruthbymyimmediatereactionwithoutmythinkingaboutit,orevenexpressingit.Theinstinctoftruth,forinstance,issomethingverysimilartotelepathicknowledge.Thosearewordsanameforsomething.TelepathicinGreeksimplymeans"feelingfromafar,"whichdoesnotexplainanythingfortelepathyisamystery,wedonotknowwhatitis.
If,forinstance,somebodyproposesthatyoutakepartinsome
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52.Theconiunctioasfountain,symbolforthemeaningful
flowoflife.
businesswhichseemsquiteallrightandcleanandstraightforwardand,fromouterappearances,youcannotseeanythingwrongwithit,youwouldnaturallysay,"Yes,allright,Iwillparticipateinthat."Thensomethingwithinyousays,"No,don'tdoit,"andaprèslecoupyoudiscoverthatallthesametherewassomethinguncleanorwrongaboutit.Youcouldn'tknowthat,but"it"knewit,somethingsmelledarat.
Thatwouldbetheinstinctoftruth.Instinctknewsomethingyoudidn't.Yourunconscious,oryourinstinctivepersonality,knewit.InthiscaseIdonotmeanthereligioustruthofadoctrine,Imeanthetruthofthemoment.Forinstance,ifsomeoneoffersyousomegoodbusinesswhichisreallyafraud,theinstinctoftruthwouldknowthat.Oritisthetruthofacertainsituation,orofwhatissaidtoyou.
Somebodymaytellyoualongstoryandyoujustfeelitisn'ttrue,thoughyoucannotsaywhatiswrongaboutit.Someonemay
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tellyouofamarriageproblemandyouhavethefeelingsomethingisnottrueaboutit,thoughyoudon'tknowwhat.Inanothercase,youhavetheimmediatefeelingyouarebeingtoldthetruth.
Nowifyoujudgeinstinctively,thenitissomethinginsideyouwhichdecides,andifthatprovestooperateconsistentlywell,thenyoucandecidetotrustthatinnerthing.Thatwouldbeadiscernmentoftruth,butonaninstinctivelevelwhichhasnothingtodowiththehead.
Question:Howdoesthatdifferfromintuition?
Dr.vonFranz:Intuitioncanbe50%rightand50%wrong.Jungusesamarvelloussimileaboutintuitivepeople.Hesaystheyeitherhitthenailonthehead,hitthebull'seyewithoutanyreflection,orshootawayintothewoodstwentykilometresontheotherside.Thatiswhytheyshoulddevelopanotherfunction,becausetheycansometimesjustlookatthesituationandknowallaboutit,butsometimestheyarecompletelywrong.
Itisbetternottotrustintuitionallthetime,foritmaybeblurredbyprojection.Iftheintuitiveisnotinvolvedwiththeshadow,ortheanimusoranima,hehasafantasticwayofhittingthemark.Butiftheshadoworanimusoranimacomesin,ifprojectiongetsin,thenthesameintuitivecanstillswearheknowsthethingisso-and-so,forhethinkshecantrusthisintuition,butitisallobjectivelywrongheisshootingintothewoods.
Sointuitionisa50-50business;itisafunction,andlikeallfunctionsisonlysometimesright.ButtheinstinctivetruthisamanifestationoftheSelfandhasnothingtodowithafunction.Itissomethingwhichoperatesineveryhumanbeing,adiscreetlyquickwordwhichtheSelfwhispersinyourearandwhichgenerallyyouaretooslowtocatchoryou,yourself,talktoomuchandthen"it"cannotbeheard.
53.Unionofoppositesashermaphrodite.
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Lecture7AuroraConsurgensWehavenowgivenallthetimewecansparetoArabicalchemyandwilldedicatethelastthreelecturestoEuropeanalchemy.Ihavethreepropositionstomakeandwillaskyoutovoteonthem:
1.Thetextofthe"Auroraconsurgens,"aboutwhichIwroteinthethirdvolumeoftheGermaneditionofMysteriumConiunctionisbutwhichhasbeensaidtobesocomplicatedanddifficultthatitneedsanintroduction.
2.PartofatextbyPetrusBonus,anItalianofthe14thcentury,whogivesatypicalpictureofmedievalalchemy.
3.Acombinationofthetwo.
IthasalsobeensuggestedthatItakeatextbyParacelsus,butIhaveavoidedthiswriterbecauseoftheamountofspecificexplanationrequired,onaccountofthemanystrangewordsheuses.Onehastodigone'swayintoParacelsus,asonemustwithJakobBoehme,andthereforeIdonotthinkmuchwouldbeobtainedbyashortexcerpt.
Ifyouwouldlikeatextwhich,inmyopinion,waswrittenfromanimmediatereligiousexperienceoftheunconscious,Iwouldadvisethe"Auroraconsurgens."Butifyouwouldpreferanintroductionintothewaysandthought,andthemoreaveragestyle,ofmedievalEuropeanalchemy,thenIwouldsayvoteforPetrusBonus,becausethe"Auroraconsurgens"isnotatypicaltext,butuniqueandoutofanykindoforder.Ifyouchoosethethirdpossibility,acombinationofthetwo,IwouldgiveyouashortintroductiononPetrusBonusandthengoontothe"Auroraconsurgens."Chronologicallythatwouldbewrong,but
Iwouldprefertodoitthatway.
[Avotewastakenandthe"Auroraconsurgens"chosen.]
IamveryhappyaboutthisdecisionbecauseIthinkofthethreepossibilitiesthisisthemostexciting.
Thewords"Auroraconsurgens"standfor"risingdawn"(Aurora,dawn;consurgens,rising).Thediscoveryofthistexthasbeeninthenatureofadetectivestory.Inanoldcollectionofbooks
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Dr.Jungcameacrossthetextof"Auroraconsurgens,PartII,"aratherdrykindofchemicalwork,withatthebeginningabriefnotestatingthatitwasonlythesecondpartofthetextandthatthefirstpartwasomittedbytheprinterbecauseitwasblasphemous.
ThisarousedJung'scuriosityandhespentsometimetryingtotrackitdown.FinallyhediscoveredthatinthemonasteryontheislandofReichenau,ontheLakeofConstance,therehadbeensuchamanuscriptwhichwasnowintheCentralLibraryinZürich.Itisincompleteandbeginsinthemiddleofthetextwehavenowpublished.Dr.Jungfoundthatthetextwasnotreadableinthatform,sinceitwaswrittenin15thcenturyLatinstenography,andhethereforehandeditovertome.
Afterdiggingmywayintoit,IdiscoveredtherewasacompletemanuscriptinParis,anotherinBologna,andathirdinVenice,sowewereableslowlytocollectseveralversionsandwhereuncleartocompleteonetextfromtheother.InmostmanuscriptsthetextwasascribedtoSt.ThomasofAquinas,whichIdidnotconsiderforonemoment,thinkingthatitwasusualtoputthenameofafamousmanontosuchatreatiseandthatitmighteasilyhavebeenwrittenbysomeoneelse.Thatwasalsotheusualreactionofotherscholars.
Itisquiteanamazingtext,consistingofamosaicapuzzleofquotationsfromtheBibleandafewearlyalchemicalwritings.Ifregardedasapuzzlewhichsomeonemightmakeforhisownamusement,thenitwouldbeextremelyuninteresting,anditispossiblethatsomewhohavereaditsuperficiallyhaveaccepteditinthisway.Butasyouwillsoonsee,itisimpossibletoexplainthisphenomenonthatway,becauseofthetremendousexcitementandemotioncontainedinthetext.
Thenextconclusionwasthatitwasaschizophrenicproductitsounds
ratherlikeoneandthatismuchnearerthetruth.However,Idonotthinkitisquitethat,althoughitwasprobablywrittenbysomeoneoverwhelmedbytheunconscious.Theclassicsituationofsomeoneinthisconditionisdescribedasapsychoticepisode,butintheopinionofDr.Jung,givenashismedicaldiagnosis,itwouldrepresenteithertheoutbreakofapsychosis,oraphaseinamanicdepressivepsychosis,orthedescriptionofanabnormalsituationwrittenbyanormalpersonwhoatthatparticulartimewasoverwhelmedbytheunconscious.
Iaminclinedtoagreewiththethirdtheory,thoughfromthedocumentitisnotpossibletocometoadefiniteconclusion.Ihave
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interpreteditsymbolically,likeadream,andhaveconcludedthatitisthetextofadyingperson.Thewholesymbolismandproblemcirclesroundandisconcentratedontheproblemofdeath,andattheendthereisadescriptionofthemysticalmarriage,orloveexperience,renderedinaformwhichseemstohavetodowiththeexperiencesmanydyingpeopleareknowntohave,resultinginthetraditionthatdeathisakindofmysticalmarriagewiththeotherhalfofthepersonality.
Havingtranslated,studied,andinterpretedthetextthusfar,Dr.Jungsuddenlydecidedweshouldpublishthisuniquedocument.HeaskedmeifIwouldbekindenoughtowriteabrief,historicalintroductiontherestwasfinishedgivingthedatesandsayingwhomightbetheauthor,andsoon.
IstartedwiththeassumptionthatalthoughthetexthadbeenascribedtoSt.ThomasofAquinas,naturallytherewasnoquestionofthat.Iintendedtocontinuebysayingthatitbelongedtothe13thcentury.ButthenIthoughtthatsinceIknewnothingbutquitesuperficialthingsaboutSt.ThomasofAquinas,whyshouldIwritethat!
So,justoutofconscientiousness,Idecidedtolookintootherwritingsofhisand,inordertoberathermoreonthesafeside,toreadabiography,whichhoweverledmetotheunsafeside,forifyoureadsuchabiographyyouwillfindthatattheendofhislife,afewweeksbeforehisdeath,St.Thomassufferedfromaverystrangealterationofhispersonality.Hehadforlongoverworkedandthroughthat,andforcertainotherpsychologicalreasonswhichIwouldliketodiscussindetaillater,hebegantohavestrangestatesofabsent-mindedness.Forinstance,oncewhenreadingMassinpublicinNaples,hesuddenly,althoughaCardinalwaspresent,stoppedinthemiddleandremainedinakindofecstatic,absentmindedstatefortwentyminutesuntil
someoneshookhimandaskedwhatwasthematter,atwhichpointhecametoandexcusedhimself.
Ithasgenerallybeensaidthatthatwasthebeginningofhisillness,whilesomesaythataswellasarationalside,hemusthavehadamysticalstreakinhispersonality,whichbrokethroughfromtimetotimeinthesestrangefitsofabsent-mindedness.Suchconditionsweremorefrequentinhislateryearshediedattheageof49or51,wedon'tknowforsurebecausewedon'tknowexactlywhenhewasbornandthensomethinghappenedwhichhasnever
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beenexplained.HeusedtogetupveryearlyeverymorningandreadMasstohimselfinthechapelofwhatevermonasteryhewasvisiting,forhetravelledallthetime.Hehadafriend,ReginaldofPiperno,averyhumblemonk,whowashisfollowerandpersonalservant,amanwhoworshippedhimandisoneofthemainbiographicalsources.
Thismonkrelatesthatonemorning,asusual,St.ThomasreadMassandwhenhereturnedhewasquitewhite.AstheLatinreportofReginaldliterallysays:''Ithoughthehadbecomecrazy."HewenttohisdeskandpushedasidethepenwithwhichhewaswritinghisSumma,thechapteraboutpenitence;hepushedawayhiswritingutensilsandjustsattherethewholedayinakindofcatatonicstatewithhisheadinhishands.ReginaldofPipernoaskedhimwhyhewasnotwritingandheonlyreplied:"Icannot."Thatcontinuedforseveraldays.Reginaldagainwenttohimandaskedwhyhewasnotwritingandgotthesameanswer:"Nonpossum""Ican't."Aboutfivedayslatertheytriedagaintofindoutwhatwashappeningtohim,forhedidnothingallday,neitherworkednorpreached,butjustsataroundlookingcrazy,andhesaidthathecouldnotwriteforeverythinghehadwrittenseemedtohimtobelikestraw(paleasunt).
Inlaterbiographies,writtenbypeoplewhowerenotpresent,thewords"incomparisonwiththemagnificentvisionsIhavehad"havebeenadded,butthosewordsarenotintheoriginalsources.
ReginaldofPipernobecameveryupsetabouttheconditionofSt.Thomasand,becausehehadalwayshadconversationswithacousin,anItaliancountess,hetookSt.Thomastoherthinkingtherehemightopenupandsaywhathadhappened.Butthecountesssaid:"MyGod,whathashappenedtoFatherThomas,heseemstobecrazy,"forshetoohadthesameimpression.St.Thomashimselfdidnotutterawordduringthewholeofteatime.Butthen,slowly,hereturnedtohis
formerstateofmind,totheextentthathecouldagaintakepartinChurchpoliticsandsuchthings,andheagreedtoattendaChurchcongressinMilan,orinsouthernFrance.
Hewentthereonadonkey.Hewasafat,stoutmanatthattimeandonthewayhehithisheadagainstthebranchofatreeandfell.Itwasaveryhotsummerdayandhejustgotupanddidnotsaymuchabouttheaccident.ThatnighttheystayedinalittlemonasterySantaMariadiFossaNuovaandthereinthedoor-
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wayhesuddenlyfeltillagainandbecamegiddyand,touchingthedoorpost,said:"Thisismydeathcoming,Ishallnotcomeoutofthis."Thenhewenttobed.
ThemonksofSantaMariadiFossaNuova,thinkingtheyhadcaughtsomeonemarvellous,thefamousFatherThomas,botheredhimtogiveaseminarinspiteofthedreadfulstatehewasin.BeingobligedtofollowhisChristianobligations,withhislaststrengthhetriedtodothisand,accordingtotheoldesttraditionsthoughthistoowasomittedinlaterreportshegaveaseminarontheSongofSolomonofallthings!Inthemidstofit,whenheinterpretedthewords,"Come,mybeloved,letusgoforthintothefield,"hedied.
Notesofthisseminarhaveneverbeenfoundandalreadyatthetimeofhiscanonization,in1312,thislastepisodeismoreorlessskipped;nobodyshowedanyinterestinhislastwords,thoughusuallythelastwordsofasaintplayagreatroleinhisbiography.However,inthiscaseeverythingwassmoothedoverwiththeoilofroses!Youwillnotfindthisinanofficialbiography,butintheActaBollandiana,theoriginalLatinsourcesandreportsoftheoldestwitnessesoftheprocessofcanonization.
Afterreadingtheabove,Iconceivedtheterriblesuspicionthatthe"Auroraconsurgens"mightindeedhaveoriginatedinthenotesofSt.Thomas'slastseminar.Asyouwillsee,thetextisaparaphraseoftheSongofSolomonandthelastchapterendsexactlyatthesameplace,whichaccordingtotraditioniswhereFatherThomasdied.
Iwasquiteanxiousaboutmydiscovery,forIthoughtIwouldmakemyselfveryunpopularifIsaidwhatIhadfound.ButafterstrugglingwithmyownvanityandthefeelingthatIshouldmakemyselflookridiculousbysayingsuchthings,Ipublishedthebookasitnowstands,statingthattherewasnoproof,butthattheevidencewas
ratherinfavourofthanagainstmytheory.Uptothepresent,IhavemetwithnoreactionfromChurchpeople,neitherpositivenornegative.TheofficialreactiontowhatIsaidinthebookhassofarbeenabsolutesilence;notasinglespecialisthaspublishedanarticlesayingthatitisallrubbish,andthatthewriterdoesnotevenknowtheABCofSt.Thomas'slife,andsoon.
OfcourseItookagreatdealofcaretoestablishmystatements,asfarasIcould,butnobodyhaseitheracceptedorrejectedwhatIwrote,therehasbeennothingbutanawkwardsilence.Whenthe
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subjectisdiscussedinthePress,itisalwaysinconnectionwithDr.Jung'sfirsttwovolumesofMysteriumConiunctionis;thenitissaidthatthethirdvolume,mine,isaveryinterestingdocumentandmylastchapter,inwhichIspeakofthethingsIamnowtellingyou,issimplyignored.Iamstillwaitingtoseewhatwillhappenitseemstobeadelayedtimebomb!Also,Iloadedthebookwithsomanylearnedfootnotesthatthatrathercoversup,andmostpeopleseemtobetoolazytoreadtotheend.Ididthatonpurpose.ItwaslikequietlyanddiscreetlyputtingabombintheVatican!
Thereisoneexception:aDominicanFatherandteacheroftheologyhasreactedverypositively.HeisaspecialistonSt.Thomasandhesaidthatitmadecompletesensetohim,thattherewasnothingthatcouldnotbeacceptedinsuchahypothesisifonewerebroad-minded.
Question:YouhavenowayofknowingwhethertheformerPopeeversawit?
Dr.vonFranz:No,Idon'tthinkheeverdid.Ididthinkofsendinghimacopywithadedication,butdidnotdoso.IhadtowritetohimforpermissiontousetheVaticanLibrary,addressingmyletter"alasuaSanctita"toHisHolinessandIwasverymuchimpressedbyhavingtoaddresshimlikethat,butthatwasapureformality.
Question:HewasacquaintedwiththewritingsofJung,wasn'the,andwasfriendlytohim?In"TheSymbolicLife"JungsayshehadthePope'sblessing.
Dr.vonFranz:Thatisratherindirect.IcanonlytellyouthattherehasbeenalotoftalkandthatDr.Junghasnottoldmeanythingaboutthis.ThelatePopecertainlyhadapositiveattitudetopsychologyingeneral;hestatedinoneofhisintroductionstoaCongressofPsychologyinRomethatherecommendedthestudyofpsychology,
andamongthedifferentpsychologies,theFreudianandothers,heseemstohavehadratheraleaningtowardsJungianpsychology.
Iwouldratherlikenowtogiveashorttranslationofsomepartsofthetext.Ishallnotbeabletodoitallforitamountstosomefiftypages,butIcanextractthemostimportantparts.
ThefirstfivechaptersareallconcernedwiththeapparitionofafemalefigurecalledtheWisdomofGod.IntheBooksofWisdom
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54.Sapientia(Sophia,theWisdomofGod)asmotherofthewise.
whicharealllatematerialintheOldTestamentandinfluencedbyGnosticthoughtandGnosticism,fromaboutthe2ndcenturyB.C.tillthe1stcenturyA.D.inthosevariouswritings,liketheProverbs,thereisapersonificationoftheWisdomofGodwhoappearsasafemininefigure.ShewaswithGodandplayedbeforehimbeforetheworldandmankindwerecreated.ThisWisdomofGodismixedupwiththeGnosticideaoftheSophia.
ThisfemalepersonificationwasanawkwardfigureforChristiantheologians.Whatisshe?InthelatewritingsoftheOldTestamentthereappearsakindofbrideorwifeofGodthereiscertainlyafemalefigurebutwhowasshe?TheusualmedievalattitudewasthatshewasidenticalwiththeHolyGhost,justafeminineaspect,andwherevertheWisdomofGodwasmentionedoneshouldreallyreadtheHolyGhost,butsomesawherasthesoulofChristanimaChristiwhoalreadyexistedbeforeChristincarnated,andinthatwaywasidenticalwiththeformofChristastheeternalword,theLogos,withGodfrom
alltime,andbeforehisincarnationasJesus
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55.GodtheFatherasLogoscreatingthezodiac."TheLogoswouldrepresentthestructuralelementoftheunconsciousstructureandmeaningwhileinthe
femininequalificationthereismoretheideaofitspictorial,emotionalmanifestation."vonFranz.
Christ,butheretheWisdomofGodhasbeenlookedonasbeingthesamething,andtoexplainthefemininitytheexpression"thesoulofChrist"isusedtheanimaChristi.
Thethirdexplanation,whichtomymindisthemostinteresting,isthatsherepresentsthesumofallarchetypesthisismedievallanguage,IamnotprojectingJungianwordsthearchetypi,ortheeternalideasinGod'smindwhenHecreatedtheworld.Theyexplainitlikethis:whenGodcreatedtheworld,likeagoodarchitectHefirstconceivedaplaninwhicheverythingtrees,animals,insects,andsoonwaspresentasanidea.Beforetherewerethousandsofbearsinthisworld,therewastheideaofabearinGod'smind,andbeforethereweremillionsofoaktrees,therewastheideaofanoaktree.
ThatideaofanoaktreeinGod'smindwouldbethearchetyposorrationesaeternaeorideae,theeternalplansorideas.Godconceived
theworldandthencastHisideaintomatterandcreatedtherealworld.IfwetranslatethisintopsychologicallanguageitwouldmeanthattheWisdomofGodrepresentsthecollectiveunconscious,thesumofalltheoriginalideapatternsofrealitybutthatwouldbethefemininesideoftheGodhead.
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Question:Howisthistobereconciledwiththeideathattheword,theidea,theLogos,isconnectedwiththemasculinewhilethefeminineisconnectedwithmatter,materialization?Adifferentiationbetweenthearchetypeandthearchetypalimageshouldsurelybemadehere.
Dr.vonFranz:Idonotthinkthatcomesinyet.IwouldsaythatintheLogosideatheaccentisontheonenessandthespiritualorder,andinthefeminineparalleltheaccentisonthemultipliedandmoreimagedtype.Thatisthenuance.Thearchetypalimagedoesnotcomeinyet,thatisreallyalaterstage.Speakinginmedievalscholasticterms,thatwouldbetheunusmundus,apurelyspiritualexistencethathasnotyetbecomeanimageinanybody'smind,savethatofGod.
Iwouldrathermakethisdistinction:somepeopleexperienceandaremostimpressedbytheunconsciousthroughitsspiritualorderedness,forinstanceinthemeaningofadreamandthat,bytheway,wouldbemorethethinkingtype.ThoughIinterpretagoodmanydreamsadaywithdifferentpeople,Iamalwaysoverwhelmedbythemarvellousstructureofthedream.Thereisanexposition,andtheninacunningwaythepicturesaremixed,andthemeaningbecomesclear.BecauseIamathinkingtype,Iadmirethethinkingintheunconscious,thewonderfulstructureofit.
IfIweremoreafeelingtype,perhapsartisticallyinclined,then,asIoftenseeinmyanalysands,Iwouldbemoreimpressedbythebeautyofadreampicture,bythefeelingimpressivenessofonedreamelement.WhenIsay:"Isn'tthatdreamstructuredwonderfully?"ananalysandmaysay,"Yes,yes,"butbemoreimpressedbythevividimageortheimpressiveemotionaltone.AmorerationalLogostypeisimpressedbythewonderfulstructureofsomethingwhichonemightexpecttobecompletelyirrational.Thelogicofadreamissomethingwhichalwaysamazesme,thefantasticlogicinthoseseriesofimages.
IwouldthereforesaythattheLogoswouldrepresentthestructuralelementoftheunconsciousstructureandmeaningwhileinthefemininequalificationthereismoretheideaofitspictorial,emotionalmanifestation.Iwouldrathercomparethemtoeachotherinthatway.Butbothmeantheunconsciousinourterms,andeventhosescholasticauthorssayitisjustamannerofspeakingitcanbecalledtheSophia,oritcanbecalledtheLogos,fortheyareoneandthesamething,ortwoaspectsofthesame
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thingtothem,andwecouldagreecompletelywiththiskindofteaching.
Thethirdtheory,whichexistedalreadyintheMiddleAges,comesfromtheArabs.AvicennathefamousArabicphilosopherIbnSina,whowasknowninEuropeanliteratureasAvicennadevelopedanAristotelianideaabouttheso-callednouspoiétikos,whichisthefollowing:Withinthecosmicrealityoftheworldisacreativeintelligencewhichexistsinthingsthemselves;itexistsinthecosmos,itiscreatedbyGod.GodcreatedtheworldandinitHecreatedacreativespiritor,asgenerallyinterpreted,acreativeintelligencewhichisresponsibleforthemeaningfulnessofcosmicevents.Thismeaningfulnessthefactthatthecosmosisneitherchaosnoranenginewhichjustcontinuesinaccordancewithcausallaws,butisalsoamysteryinwhichmeaningfulsynchronicitiestakeplacewasattributedtothenouspoétikos.
St.AlberttheGreatandSt.Thomas,hispupil,dugupthewritingsofIbnSinaandgotintogreatdifficultiesbecausetheywereabsolutelyfascinatedbytheideaofthemeaningfulnessofthecosmos,thenotionthatthecosmoshasanintelligence,andtheydidnotknowhowtoreconcileitwiththeirChristianideas.St.Albertwasanintuitiveandagreatgenius,butnotaveryaccuratethinker,andhejustremarkedhappilythatthatwassomethingliketheHolyGhost.St.Thomas,whowasathinkingtype,couldnotcompletelyswallowthatandhethereforecutthenousintotwo,sayingthatinpartthenouspoiétikoswasnotinthecosmosbutinthehumanmind,ofwhichitwasthebasisinmoderntermswewouldcallitthebasisofthemysteryofconsciousnessandtheotherhalf,St.Thomassaid,wassimplytheWisdomofGod.
ThushecuttheIslamicconceptintotwoparts,puttingoneintoman
andtheotherintotheWisdomofGod.Thatisveryinteresting,fororiginallytheintelligence,themeaningfulnessorspiritualorder,oftheworldwasprojectedoutside.Medievalpeople,likeprimitives,didnotrealizethatweseetheorderthroughourminds.Causalityisnotsomethingwhichexists,itissimplythewayinwhichweexplainthesequenceofevents,aphilosophicalcategory.Thesamethingappliestosynchronicity,buttheconnectionofthesequenceofeventsinthemselvesisnotknowntous.
Peopleinmedievaltimesstillthoughtthatcausality,etc.,existedobjectivelyintheouterworldandthatthereforetheouterworldhadanintelligence,whichwasnottoostupidanidea.Theideaof
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theintelligenceoftheworldstruckthemverymuchandthroughittheywereabletounderstandwhyGodhadcreatedtheworldanditsmeaningfulconnections.ThenSt.Thomasintrojected,orwithdrew,thisprojectionandrealizedthat,inpart,itisaquestionofourownmentaloperationsforthereisnomeaningfulnessunlessweseeitandifnobodycandescribecausalitythenitdoesnotexist.Bothdependonthemindwhichobservesandcandescribe.
ThusSt.Thomastookthemodernstepofintrojectingthetheoriesofnaturalscience,realizingthatthetermsweusecomefromourownminds.Beingagreatthinker,hewentevenfurtherandaskedwhyourownmindsproducedsuchideasasmeaningfulconnectionsandthisheattributedtothenouspoiétikos.Thisisthestateofconsciousnessofthemanwhoperhapswrotethetextwearenowconsidering.
Thetextcontinues:
Allgoodthingscametomethroughher,theWisdomoftheSouth[literally,thesouthwind],whichcomplainsinthestreets,callingtothepeople,andwhichspeaksattheentrancetothetown:"Cometomeandbeilluminatedandyouroperationswillnotbeashamed.Allyoupeoplewhowantmeshallbefilledwithmyriches."
Come,mysons,andlisten,forIwillteachyoutheWisdomofGod,whoiswiseandwhounderstandsthataboutwhichAlphidiussaysthatadultpeopleandchildrenpassitinthestreet,thatitisstampedintothedungeverydaybytheanimalsthere,andofwhichSeniorsaysnothingisoutwardlymoredespisedandnothinginnaturemorepreciousandGodhasnotgivenittobeboughtwithmoney.
She,theWisdom,isthatwhichSolomonsaysoneshoulduseasalightandheplaceditaboveallbeautyandallsalvation,foreventhevalueofgemsanddiamondswasnotcomparabletohervalue.Goldincomparisonwithherisassand,andsilverincomparisonwithherlikeclay.Thatisverytrue,becausetogetherismoreimportantthanthepurestgoldandsilver.
Herfruitsaremorepreciousthantherichesofthewholeworldandeverythingyoumaywantcannotbecomparedwithher.
Longlifeandhealthareinherrighthandandgloryandimmenserichesinherleft.Herwaysarebeautifulandpraiseworthyworksandneitherdespicablenorbad,andherpathsaremeasuredandnothasty,butconnectedwithpersistentcontinuoushardwork.Sheisthetreeoflifeforeverybodywhounderstandsherandalightwhichisneverextinguished.
BlessedarethosewhohaveunderstoodherbecausetheWisdomofGodwillneverpassaway,towhichAlphidiustestifieswhenhesaysthathewhohasoncefoundthisWisdomwillhavelegitimateeternalnourishmentfromher.Hermesandtheotherphilosopherssaythatifamanhadthisknowledge[herethewordknowledgeisusedinsteadofwisdom]forathousandyearsandhadtonourishseventhousandpeopledaily,hewould
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56.TheWisdomasvirginandtreeoflife.
stillhaveenough,andSeniorsaysthatsuchamanisasrichasthemanwhopossessesthephilosopher'sstonefromwhichyoucanget,andsogive,firetowhomeveryouwish.[Youknowthatifyouhaveafirestonethenyoucanalwaysreproducefirewithoutanyloss.]
Aristotlesaysthesamethinginthesecondbook,"AbouttheSoul,"wherehewritesthattherearelimitstothesizeandgrowthofeverynaturalthingbutthefirecangroweternallyifgivenfurthernourishment.Blessedarethepeoplewhofindthisscience[nowheusesthewordscienceinsteadofwisdom,buthemeansthesamething]andtowhomtheintelligenceofSaturnflows.Thinkofherinallthywaysandsheherselfwillleadyou.
Seniorsaysonlythewiseandtheintellectual,andthemanwhothinksaccuratelyandtheinventiveman,canunderstandher,andonlyaftertheirspirithasbeenclarifiedfromthebookoftheaggregation.Becausethenthemindofsuchapersonbeginstoflowandfollowitsdesire[here,fordesire,
thewordconcupiscenceisused,averyshockingwordforamedievalmonk].Blessedarethosewhothinkuponmywords.
AndSolomonsaid:"Mychild,hangherroundyourneckandwriteher
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onthetabletsofyourheartandyouwillfind."SaytotheWisdomyouaremysisterandcallheryourfriend.Tothinkaboutherisasubtleperfectionwhichcompletelyfollowsnatureandbringswisdomtoperfection.[Suddenlythetextshiftsandmanhastoaddperfectiontowisdom,theWisdomofGod.Sheisthemostperfectthingandinspiteofthatmanhastoaddwisdomtoher.]
Thosewhostayawakeforherdayandnightwillsoonbesecure.Sheisveryclearforthosewhohaveinsightandsheneverfadesandpassesaway.Sheseemseasytothosewhoknowofher,forsheherselfgoesaroundandseekstheoneworthyofher.Shegoestowardshimfullofpleasureandmeetshimineachprovidence,becauseherbeginningisthetruestnaturefromwhichnodeceitcomes.
Noticetheelatedpoeticallanguageandthemanyallusionstodifferentbiblicalquotations.IfyouknowyourBiblewell,abellwillconstantlyringinyourears.ThequotationsarechieflyfromtheVulgateandtherefore,naturally,formulatedalittlebitdifferentlythanintheEnglishBible.
AtfirstoneisratherpuzzledbecausethereisaparaphraseofthewordsoftheWisdomofGod.Sheappearsinthestreets,shecallsformen.ThatistakenfromtheBible,asyouknow.ItisprincipallyinJesusSirachandtheProverbs.Thenifyoulistencarefullyyounoticesomethingverystrange.Namely,firstthereistheWisdomofGodasafemininebeingwhocallspeopletowardshersaying:"Comeandlistentome."Andthenthethoughtshifts,anditsays:"Thisisthethingwhichistroddenuponinthestreets,itisdespisedbyeverybody."
Thatisanalchemicalquotationandrefersintheoriginaltexttothephilosopher'sstone.SowhoeverknowsthisquotationknowsthatthewriterfromtheverybeginningofhistextidentifiestheWisdomofGodwiththephilosopher'sstone,thattohimtheyareoneandthesamething.Hemusthavehadanexperienceaboutwhichhefeltthat
whathadenteredhimandgothimwaswhatthealchemistscallthephilosopher'sstone.
Hegoesontoquoteafewmorealchemists,Senior,etc.,aboutherbeingverypreciousbutdespisedbyordinarypeople,andthereisalongcomparisontoshowhowmuchmoreprecioussheisthanworldlygoods.Thentherecomesanonbiblicalallusiontothefactthatonehastoworkaverylongtimetofindher,andthefactthatsheisakindofeternalnourishment,orsomethinglikefirewhichcanlightotherfires,andthensuddenlyitsaysthattofindheronlyonethingisneeded,namelyasubtleperceptionofthetruenature.
Thatisfollowedbyanevenmorestrikingquotationfromour
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friendSenior:''Ifyoudothat,thenyourmindwillbegintoflowandfollowitsconcupiscence."Concupiscence,inmedievalscholasticlanguage,meanstheordinaryappetitessexualdesires,desireforfood,andsoon,butmainlysexualdesire,theplain,vulgarbasisofhigherlove.St.Thomashimselfhadatheoryoflove,namelythatitalwaysbeganwithconcupiscenceandhadtobesublimatedintotheloveofGod.
Eitherwecannotunderstandthistextatallandjustsaythatitisbeyondus,orwemustlookatitlikeadream.Wecantakeitasthoughitwereadocumentfromtheunconscious,inwhichcaseitsmeaningbecomesclear:thecollectiveunconscioushasbrokenintothatman'smindandhasinvadedit,intheformofafemininepersonificationwhichhefelttobetheWisdomofGodyouwillseelaterthathethinkstheWisdomofGodandGodareone.AfeminineaspectofGodhasoverwhelmedhim,andhesaysyougetatthisbyobservingnatureinasubtlewayandbyfollowingyourowninnerdesire,thatis,itisasubtletruthwhichanyonewhohasthesimplicityofmindtofollowhisowndesirecanfind.Ifitmeansanything,itmeansanoverwhelmingexperienceoftheunconsciouswithintheformofafemininepersonification.
Fromthefeelingofthetext,Ithink,andIhopeyouwillagreewithme,thatthisisnotaninventionoftheintellect.Itfeelstomeratherasthoughithadbeenwrittenbysomeonewhowasfirstoverwhelmedbysuchanexperience,andafterwardstriedtoexpressitbythosebiblicalandalchemicalquotations.Suchathingcanbeobserved,forinstance,intheoutbreakofapsychosis.
Oneofthemostdestructivesyndromesinapsychoticintervaloccurswhenpeopleareoverwhelmedbyemotionalorhallucinatoryexperiencesandcannotexpressthem.Assoonastheyareabletotell
someone,theyarenolongercompletelypsychotic,thenthefirststageisover.Iftheycansaysomethingaboutit,andcandescribeiteveninastammeringwayorsymbolically,iftheycangetitoutinsomeformthentheyarenolongerlostandthehealingprocessisalreadyunderway.
Theworstiswhenthethingissooverwhelmingthattheysimplyturnwhiteandsinkintobedandbecomecatatonic.Oneknowstheyaregoingthroughthemosttremendousinnerexperiences,butoutwardlytheylieinbedlikeapieceofwoodandrefusenourishment.Whentheygetexcitedandbegintostammerandspeakofwhattheyhaveseen,thatisalreadyanimprovementforthentheyhavefoundamodeofexpression.
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57.Flaming,invertedheart,symbolisingreligiousdevotionandtranscendent
wisdom,byJakobBoehme.
Itisthereforeextremelyimportant,ifyouhavetoreckonwithsuchapossibility,thatyoutreatsuchpeopleasthoughtheyhadalatentpsychosisandprovidethemwithatremendousamountofsymbolicknowledge.Intosuchpeople,ifyoususpectapossibleoutbreakorinvasionofthecollectiveunconscious,youmustforceasmuchsymbolicknowledgeasyoucan,makingthemreadJakobBoehmeandalchemicaltextsandmythologyasmuchaspossible.Theywillnotknowwhyandmighteventhinkitratherstrange,buttheniftheoverwhelmingexperiencecomestheycanperhapsexpressit,oratleastdescribeit.Ifyoucandothatwellenough,thatis,preparethegroundbysymbolicunderstandingaheadoftime,eventhoughtheydonotknowitsuse,thenwhentheexperiencecomestheyhaveanetinwhichtocatchandre-expressit.
Dr.Jungtoldmethatheoncehadacaseofaveryrational,narrow-mindedwomandoctor,aforeignmedicaldoctorwhohadstudiedpsychiatryandwhowantedtohaveatraininganalysis.Heatoncerecognizedthatshehadalatentpsychosisandthatthesituationwas
prettydangerous.Insteadofgivingheranordinarytraininganalysis,herammedintoherasmuchsymbolicknowledgeashecould:thehistoryofreligion,mythology,asmuchalchemyasheknewthen,andsoon.Duetoherstrongtransferenceshe
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swallowedallthisbutdidnotquiteseewhatithadtodowithher.
Thenshewentbacktoherowncountryandsuddenlythethingexplodedandshejumpedoutthewindowofthehospitalwhereshewasworking.Sheonlybrokebothlegsbutwhenbroughtbackintothehospitalshewasravingmad,andhadcompletelydisappearedintoapsychoticepisode.ThedoctorwhotreatedherwroteDr.Jungaboutthedevelopmentofthecaseanddescribedhowafterthreedaysofbeingwhatonecouldcallcompletelymadandtalkingcompletelypsychoticstuff,sheapparentlybegantoremembersomeofthesymbolicthingsshehadreadandwhatJunghadsaidaboutthem.Shebegantobringthatintoorderandaroundthisformedthenucleusofanewegopersonality.
Afterthreeweeksshewasrightoutofitandquitenormal.Whatshehadheardandreadearliernowcametoherrescue,andenabledhertocontainthatoverwhelmingemotionalexperienceintheframeworkofasymbolicpsychologicalunderstanding.Sherecovered,andaccordingtothecorrespondenceJunghadwithherformanyyearsheneversawheragainpersonally,forshecamefromafarawaycountrysheneverhadarelapse;thatwasheronlypsychoticepisodeandthereiseveryreasontobelievethatthethingisnowreallyintegrated,thatsheiscured.
Soyouseehowaknowledgeofsymbolismisanet,sotospeak,inwhichonecanatleastcatchtheunspeakablemysteryofanimmediateexperienceoftheunconscious.Ithinkourauthorhadsuchanindescribableandoverwhelmingexperienceoftheunconsciousandthathetried,inaratherchaoticway,throughapotpourriofbiblicalandalchemicalquotations,tocatchanddescribethathadhappenedtohim.
Remark:Iamwonderinghowtoreconcilewhatyoujustsaidabout
beingabletoexpresstheseexperienceswithwhatyousaidinanearliercourse,maybelastyear,whenyousaidthatifpsychoticswouldonlynottalkthennoonewouldknowaboutit.
Dr.vonFranz:Thatisverysimple.Imeantthattheyshouldnotspeakaboutsuchthingstopeopleingeneral,butitwouldbeallrightwiththeiranalyst.IfourauthorweretoproclaimonthestreetthattheWisdomofGodhadvisitedhimandthathenowknewallaboutit,thatwouldnotbetherightthing,butheseemstohavewrittenapaper,ortohavegivenasemináronit,orifitwasSt.Thomas'slastseminarthenhewasinacomaandjusttalked
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approximatelyinthisway.Idon'tthinkSt.Thomascouldwriteanymore,sothismusthavebeenwrittenupfromnotestaken,whichwouldfitinwiththefactthatthemanuscriptsareverydifferent,somericherandotherspoorer.Thereisaverygreatdifferenceevenintheoldestmanuscripts.
WehavenotesofotherlecturesgivenbySt.Thomas.Itwasusualatthattimetotakeseminarnotesandseveralofhiswritingshaveonlybeencollectedinthatwaybyhispupils;Iwouldimaginethathetalked,astheoriginalreportsays,inahalf-ecstaticwayand,whenveryweak,abouttheSongofSolomon.Insuchacaseyoucouldnotsaythatheshouldholdhistongue,buttheeffectwasthatlateronthispartofhislifeandwhathesaidatthetimewerejustsetaside.WilhelmofToccoandReginaldofPiperno,theearliestbiographers,recordtheevents,butthelaterbiographiesdonotmentionthem,becausehowcouldthisgreatmanwithhismarvellous,clear,rationalmindsaysuchthingsonhisdeathbedeveninahalf-coma?
Normalornotinternedpersonswhohadhadsuchanexperiencewouldhavekeptittothemselves,ortoldittoafewpeoplewhowouldhaveunderstood.IfonehasalreadybrokendownandisinBurghölzliorsomeothermentalhospital,thenitmustbetoldtosomeonewhowilllisten,whichisbetterthanlyinginbedandsayingnothing,thatIthinkwouldbequitewrong.Theonecaseismuchfurthergonethantheother.Besides,thiskindofspeechisnotaddressedtoanyoneperson.Itisinthestyleofanannouncement,akindofecstaticannouncement:"NowIwillteachyoutheWisdomofGod...."Onerecognizessuchastyle!Onehasnotnecessarilycrossedtheborderlineifoneusessuchlanguage,becausethatisthestyleoftheunconscious.
Irememberwhendoingoneofmyfirstpiecesofactiveimagination
thatafigurecamewhichhadsuchamarvellousfeelingandmadesuchannouncements,andIsimplycouldnotwritethemdown!ItseemedtomesodisgustingthatIjustblocked,butDr.Jungsaidthatthatwasthestyleoftheunconscious.Itisinverybadtaste,ifyouwanttojudgeitthatway.Inoneyoungman'sactiveimaginationtheHolyGhostappearedpersonallyandspokeasonewouldimagineitwould,andthepoorman'sstomachnearlyturnedathavingtowritedownsuchpompousstuff.
Thereissomethingscepticalinusandinourdown-to-earthnaturewhichcannotstickit,butthatisthestyleoftheunconscious
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andexplainswhy,assoonaspeoplefallintoit,theyspeakwithconvictionandbegintohavethispompous,emotionallyimpressivestyle.Itiscarriedbythewholeemotionandisaritualisticorsacramentalstyle,likethosebeautifulsongsoftheNorthAmericanIndians,withalotofrepetitionandthreeAmens,andsoon.Whendeeperemotionallayersaretouchedupon,onejusthastoacceptthis.Onecanstillobservedispassionately,butifsuchthingsaretobeallowedexpressionintheiroriginalformonemustallowfortheverypompousandemotionalwayofspeaking.ThatIthinkiswhyherethereisthispreaching,ecstaticstyle.
Iwouldliketoskipthenextchapterforitisverydisgusting.Itsaysthatyoushouldlovethelightofwisdombecausethenyouwillruletheworld,thatitisasacramentofGodwhichoneshouldnotbetraytothecommonpeoplebecauseeverybodywouldbecomejealous,andsoon.Onlyattheendisitabitbetterwhereitsaysifonefindsthissecretthenonesays:
Behappy,Jerusalem,cometogetherinpleasurebecauseGodhashadpityonthepoor,andSeniorsaysthereisastonewhichifsomebodyfindshewillputoverhiseyesandneverthrowawaybecauseitistheelixirwhichdrivesawayalldistressand,besidesGod,manhasnobetterthing.
Whathashappenedtothemanhere?Youcanprobablyseewhatitissincehespeaksaboutrulingtheworldandsaysthecommonpeopleshouldnotbetold.Whospeakslikethat?
Answer:Someoneinaninflation.
Dr.vonFranz:Yes,hehasaninflationinthischapter.TheexperienceoftheWisdomofGodwasoverwhelming,andnowastheonewhohadthatexperienceandknowsallaboutitheisnaturallythegreatman.Atonceyougetthearrogantundertoneofonewhoiselected,othersbeingallfoolsandjealous.Thesearetypicalsymptomsofan
inflationandunavoidableaftersuchanexperience.Idonotthinkanyhumanbeingcanhavesuchanexperiencewithoutforamomentgoingthroughsuchastage;itbelongstotheexperience,thepointisonlywhetheroneremainsinit.
Thenextchapterisevenworse.Itspeaksofthosewhodonotknowthisscienceandwhodenyit.
ThisscienceofGodandteachingofthesaints,thesecretofthephilosophersandelixirofthedoctors,isdespisedbyfoolswhodonotknowwhatitis.TheyrejecttheblessingofGodanditisbetterthatthey
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58.Thealchemistandhissorormystica(psychologicallyhissoul)holdingthekeystothework,hererepresentedasfreeingthesoulfromthefettersofthebody(separatio),whichJunginterprets
as"awithdrawalofthenaiveprojectionsbywhichwehavemouldedboththerealityaroundusandtheimageofourowncharacter."
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shouldnotgetitbecausewhoeverdoesnotknowaboutthisisitsenemy,whichiswhySpeculatorsaysthatmockingthisscienceisthecauseofallignoranceandthatoneshouldnotgivesaladtodonkeyswhoaresatisfiedwiththistles,andpearlsshouldnotbethrownbeforeswine,etc.Oneshouldspeaktofoolsasonewouldtopeoplewhoareasleepandoneshouldneverputthemonalevelwiththewiseman.Therewillalwaysbepovertyandunhappinessintheworldbecausethenumberoffoolsisimmenselygreat.
Theretheinflationreachesitsheight.Afterwardscomesaratherdrychapterwhichshowsachangeinthepsychologicalsituation.Verydrylyhesaysthatthetitleofhisbookis"TheRisingDawn,"forfourreasons:
Firsttheword"aurora"[dawn]couldbeexplainedas"aureahora"[thegoldenhourthatisaplayonwordsintheLatin],becausethereisacertaingoodmomentinthisopuswhenonecanreachone'sgoal;secondly,thedawnisbetweendayandnightandhastwocolours,namelyyellowandred,andthusourscience,oralchemy,producestheyellowandtheredcolours,whicharebetweenblackandwhite.
Thatisclassicalalchemicalknowledgeaboutthenigredo-albedorubedo-citrinitas,thefourstagesofcolour,andthedawnwouldbethecomingupoftheyellow-redcolour,thefulfillmentofthealchemicalwork.
Thirdly,inthedawnsickpeoplewhohavesufferedthroughthewholenightgenerallyfeelabitbetterandfallasleepandthus,inthedawnofourscience,theevilodourswhichdisturbandinfectthemindoftheworkingalchemistdisappearjustasthepsalmsays:"Weepingmayendureforanight,butjoycomethinthemorning"(Psalm30:5).Andfourthly,thedawncomesattheendofthenight,asthebeginningofthedayorthemotherofthesun,andtheclimaxofouralchemicalworkistheendofalldarknessofthenightinwhichifamanwalkshestumbleth(St.John10:10),whichiswhyitsaysinthescriptures:"Dayuntodayutterethspeech,andnightuntonightshowethknowledge"(Psalm19:2),and"...
thenightshinethastheday:thedarknessandthelightarealiketothee."
Thislastquotation(Psalm39intheVulgate)isthepsalmwhichissungthenightbeforeEasterDayintheCatholicChurch,wherethenightturnstolightandbecomesaslightasdayandsoon.SowemustcertainlysuspectthatevenifitisnotSt.Thomas,thismanisaCatholicpriest,forprobablynobodyelsecouldquotetheBiblesofluently.HealludestheretotheMissaoftheEasterNight,andcomparesthedawnofthescience,therisingdawn,withthenightbeforeEaster,themomentofrebirthandtheresurrectionofChrist.
Asfarasthestateoftheauthorisconcerned,youseethatnow
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59.Alchemistaspriest."Youseewhatanofficialcreed,orreligiousattitude,isgoodfor:itisaboatintowhichonecanretirewhenthesharksattack....
whentheinfluxoftheunconsciousbecomestoostrong."vonFranz.AttheleftisMotherEarthsucklingtheMercurius-child,indicating
thatnaturelooksafterherown.
theecstaticstylehascompletelyceasedandbecomeslightlypedantic.TheAuroraforfourreasonsiscalledso-and-so.ThereforeIwouldsaythathehasgotoutofhisinflationandreturnedtoarelativelysoberstateofconsciousnessandnowtriestobringorderintohisexperience.
Thisorderisverytypicallyfourfold.Hegivesfourexplanationsoftheword"dawn"fourreasons.Everytimeconsciousnesstriestoestablishitself,itputsafourfoldorderontothings;thatisthenetwithwhichitcatchesthingsandbringsthemintoorder,andhethereforenowtriestogiveafourfoldexplanationoftherisingdawn.ThedawnistheWisdomofGod,asweshallseelater,sohetriestoputsomedistancebetweenwhathashappenedtohimandseewhatitis;hehasmettherisingdawnandcandescribeitwithfourreasons.
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Hisexplanationseemstometobeverysuperficial.Firsthemakesaplayonwordsaurora,aureahoraandthenhecomparesittothemorningdawnwhenpeoplefallasleepafterabadnightofsickness.Whatdoyouthinkofthis?
Answer:Itsoundslikeathinkingcompensationfortheemotionalexcess.
Dr.vonFranz:Yes,butonewhichgoestoofar.Thathappensveryofteninschizophrenicstages.Thereisaplayonwords,thenscurrilitiesappearandthereisasuddenverynastylightheartedness.Itisacompensationforhavingbeenpulledtoodeeplyintotheemotions.Itisunderstandableasanactofcompensationortoescapetheemotion,buttotheonlookeritisjustdisgusting.Ahumanbeinghashadthedeepestinnerexperience,inwhichoneparticipateswithone'sfeeling,andthenthatsamepersoncomesonedayandsaysitisallrubbish!
Ihavenoticedthatpracticallyeverytimewhensomebodyhasfallentoodeeplyintotheunconscious.Itisthedefencemechanismofaweakconsciousnessagainstatoo-overwhelmingexperience.Iwouldliketodescribeitasschizoidtakingseriousthingsverylightly,laughingthemoffalmostinacynicalwaybutitisthecompensationforhavingbeenpulledintoodeeply.Herewehavesuchaflatreaction.
Inextremecasesthereoccurswhatdoctorsandpsychiatristsevenwanttoreach,namelythe"regressiverestorationofthepersona,"whenpeoplesaythatalltheyhaveseenwasapartoftheirillnessandthattheywillneverthinkofitagain.Theyburythewholeexperienceandgooutandtrytoadaptsocially;theytakeonanofficejobandwantnevertoberemindedofwhattheysaidandthoughtinthatstage.Theyusuallygotoanothertownsoasnottomeetthesamepeople,
andiftheymentionthattimeatallitisassomethingthathappenedwhentheywereill.
Theexperienceisabsolutelyrejected,becauseitistoohot.Itseffectatfirstwastoostrongandafterwards,whenperhapsbyshocktherapytheyhavegotoutofthatstate,thenasaruletherecomesthisflatattitude.Ifwithouttherapyyougetpeopleoutofsuchastate,throughlargactylorsomesuchremedy,orelectroshock,thengenerallythatisthereaction.Suchpeopleareashamedoftheirpastwhentheywerecrazy;theyadapttorealityinasuperficial,flatwayandifyoumeetthemtheyboreyou.Youhavethefeelingtheyhave
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becomeboringlynormalallthegistandvitalityofthepersonalityhavegone.
Here,thankGod,itisjustatemporaryphaseandthatissomethingwhichoftenhappensandwhichonecanunderstand.Itisanormalrhythminhumanreactions,illustratedforinstanceintheclassicalantiqueplayswherethreetragediesaresucceededbyacomedy.OnecouldnotgohomeafterhavingseenSophocles'OedipusRexandtwootherslikeit;therehadtobeoneofAristophanes'comediesattheendsothateverybodywouldroarwithlaughter.Orthereisthetypicalmechanismwhereattheheightofaverydramaticfuneralonesuddenlyseessomethingfunnyandhasanervousreactionwantingtolaugh.Itistheclimaxofexcitementwhichturnsintothewishtolaughonecannotstandtoomuchofsuchanexaggeratedtragicconditionsothatoccasionallyoneiscompelledtomakefunotit.
ThatalsoaccountsfortheMockMassoftheMiddleAges.For364daysoftheyeartheMassandtheHostweretakenveryseriouslyandononedayitwasjusttakenasajoke.Or,intheNorthAmericanIndianritual,thereisaclownwhobelongstotheThunderbirdclan,whomakesfunoftheholiestceremonies,makingobsceneremarksandjokesaboutthem;thatshowshowtheclimaxofexcitementinnormalpeoplearousesthedesireforsomekindofcompensation.Sothereactionoftheschizoidwhoisthreatenedbytheunconsciousisquitenormal.
Wehaveathomeamaidwhoseesghostsandcanspeakmostgraphicallyofherexperiences.Toheritistheabsoluterealityinwhichshelivesandshetalkstotheghostsforhours.Itisagreatsecretintowhichonehasfirsttobeadmittedandthenshewillspeakofitwithgreatemotion,butsheneverendssuchaconversationtoreturntoherhouseholddutieswithoutsaying:"Ohwell,youknow,
ghostsdonotexist,thatisallrubbish!"Andthenshegivesabroadgrinandgoesbacktoherwork.Thatremarkissimplyaritedesortie,forshecannotswitchimmediatelyfromherexperiencewiththeghoststoboilingthepotatoes;theritedesortieisherreleasefromsomethingwhichhasmovedherdeeply.Mostpeoplewhentheygettoodramatic,iftheyhaveanysenseofhumour,dothesamekindofthing.
Thenextchapterisentitled"ExcitingtheIgnoranttoSearchforWisdom."
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DoyounotheartheWisdomandisnottheclevernessunderstandableinthebooksofthewisewhenshesays:''Ohyoumen,Icalltoyouandcallthesonsofunderstanding.Understandtheparableanditsinterpretation,understandthewordofthewiseanditsriddle.Thewisehaveusedallkindsofexpressionsmakingcomparisonswithallthethingsontheearthtoincreasethiswisdom.Ifawisemanhearsthewisepeoplehewillbecomemoreunderstandingandhewillknowit."
ThisistheWisdom,QueenoftheSouth,whohascomefromtheeastliketherisingdawntohearandunderstandthewisdomofSolomon.Inherhandispower,honour,glory,andthekingdom.Shehasacrownoftwelveshiningstarsonherheadlikeabridedecoratedforherbridegroom,andonhergarmentthereisagoldeninscriptioninGreek[inArabicprobably]andLatin:"AsaqueenIwillruleandmykingdomwillnotcometoanendforthosewhofindmewithsubtletyandthespiritofinventionandconstancy."
Nowtheauthortriestodealwithhisexperienceinanotherwayhesuddenlyunderstandsthatallthesymbolictextshehasreadbefore,intheBibleandinalchemy,pointtothatsameexperience.Heprobablyisnowcapableofreadingalchemicaltextsandfeelingthatheknowswhattheymean,forhecanlinkthemupwithhisownexperienceandhethinksthattheentireBibleandthewholealchemicaltraditionissymbolic,akindofsimileorsymbolicdescriptionofwhathehasjustnowexperienced.
HereyouseethatwhatIdescribedbeforenowhappens:heistryingtocatchandconsolidateandunderstandhisinnerexperiencesbyamplifyingthemwithothertexts.HeseesintheBibleandinalchemicalliteraturepossibleamplifications.Andnowthisfigure,whichisreallythekeyfigureofthewholeexperiencenamelytheWisdom,theQueenoftheSouth,ortheRisingDawnappearsagainandhepraisesher.Sheisthequeenwhowillruleinherkingdomforever.SheiscalledtheQueenoftheMidday,ortheSouthWindinLatinausterstandsforboth"southwind"and"midday"andthatrefers
totheBibletextinMatthew12:42:"Thequeenofthesouthshallriseupinthejudgementwiththisgeneration,andshallcondemnit:forshecamefromtheuttermostpartsoftheearthtohearthewisdomofSolomon;and,behold,agreaterthanSolomonishere."
Thistext,whichismoreorlessthesameasLuke11:31,referstothefamousQueenofShebawhocametovisitKingSolomonandhadwithhim,asyouknow,aloveaffairfromwhichthepresentAbyssiniankingsstillstem.TheQueenofShebawasanEthiopian,heathenqueen,whocameandwasconvertedbySolomontothe
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60.Unionofkingandqueenasandrogynousgodholdingmaleserpentwithsun,andfemaleserpentwithmoon.
truereligion.WithherblacknegressservantsshesleptwithhimandthenreturnedpregnanttoherkingdomandgavebirthtothefirstkingofAbyssinia.ThisloveaffairoftheagingSolomonbecamethegreatthemeofEuropeanloveliterature.
IntheOrient,asyouknow,especiallyinPersianmysticismandinsomeIslamicmysticism(mostlyoftheShi-itetradition,towhichSeniorbelonged),therearebookswhichcouldbesaidtoconstitutetheliteratureoftheconiunctio,i.e.,theunionofanoutstandingman,akingwithaqueen,etc.,whichissaidtobeanimageoftheunionofthesoulwithGod,thesoulofmanbeingthoughtofasfeminine:theanimamarriesGodinthemomentofhighestreligiousecstasyandthereforeinthatmomentthemysticisabridewhomarriestheGodhead.OftheveryearthyandunderstandablelovepoemsofElHafis,itissaidthattheymustbereadwithamysticalmeaningandthatElHafisisnotdescribinganordinaryloveaffairwithawoman,butusesthatlanguagetodescribetheuniomysticaofthesoulwithGod.ThesameappliestoElRoumi.
Theloveletterofthesuntothemoonisatypicalvariationofthiskind
ofloveliterature,inwhichyoucansaythattheproblemofthephenomenonoftransferencewiththeprocessofindividuationisinthemostbeautifulwayunitedandexpressedinsymboliclanguage.Theexperienceoftheanimaforthemanandtheanimusforawomanisreallyquiteoutsidearealexperiencewithahumanpartner.Theextenttowhichthehumanpartnerplaysaroleasonlyafarawaypictureorasageniuneconnectionvariesfromcasetocase,butthisexperienceistheparamountoneleadingtowardstheexperienceoftheSelf.
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YoucanthereforesaythatineverydeeploveexperiencetheexperienceoftheSelfisinvolved,forthepassionandtheoverwhelmingfactorinitcomesfromtheSelf.Thisexperiencewasmuchbetterunderstoodandcultivatedmoreinthenon-Christianrealmswhichhaveamorebalancedattitudetowardsthefemaleprinciple;intheJewishandintheofficialChristiantraditionthiskindofloveliterature,andtheproblemoftheloveunionwithGod,hasbeenratherrejected,withafewexceptions.IntheJewishtraditionitischieflytheKabbalathathasagaintakenupthistheme,andintheChristiantraditionthereareafewmysticslikeSt.JohnoftheCrossandhisfamouspoem,whichisaparaphraseoftheSongofSolomonandwhereagainthislanguageisused.ProbablySt.JohnoftheCrossknewagreatdealaboutIslamicliterature,sincehelivedinSpain.
Inourcivilizationotherwise,therehasbeenasplit.TheChurchhasnotencouragedthiskindofmysticalandreligiousliterature,whichthereforedeeplyaffectedthehalf-religiousliteratureofthemedievalnovels,mainlythepoetryoftheGrailcycleandtheGraillegends.Herethewholelovemysticism,asyoumightcallit,penetrated,andinitthelegendoftheQueenofShebaplayedagreatrole.ThestoryoftheQueenofShebahadatthistimealreadygivenrisetoaveryromanticnovelofwhichthereweredifferentEthiopian,Abyssinian,andIslamicversions.ThetexthasbeenelaboratedasanexperiencethroughmysticallovetoconversiontoGod,andthatwaspickedupbythemedievalnovelsofknightlychivalryandenormouslyinfluencedallthebeautifullovestoriesinthenovelsoftheMiddleAges,theChurchnotactuallyrejectingitbutcastingarathermistrustfuleyeonit.
TheQueenofShebahasthereforealongtradition.SherepresentsintheChristiantraditionananimafigurenotassublimeastheVirginMary.Forthesublimeaspectoftheanima,theVirginMarystandsas
afittingsymbol,butforthelesssublimeaspectwherecouldamanprojectit?TheQueenofShebawithhernegroshadow,hernegressservant,becameafittingobjectuponwhichthisaspectoftheanimacouldbeprojected,andthereforemanynovelselaboratedthethemeofthelovestoryofKingSolomon.
Itwasalsoverylegitimate,becauseonherwaytoKingSolomontheQueenofShebacametoariverwheretherewasalittlebridgemadefrompartofthewoodwhichlaterbecamethecross,andtheQueenofSheba,inhermediumisticfarsightedness,refusedtostep
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onit,preferringtogothroughtheriverandwetherfeetthansteponthatwood.Sheforesawthatthewoodwouldbecomethecross.Thereafterinmedievallegendsshewaslookeduponasbeingoneoftheprophetesses,aseeresswhoforesawthelifeofChristandhisdeathonthecrossandthatopenedthedoorbywhichshecouldenterChristianliterature.Bythatactshewaslegitimized,thoughallhernegroshadowandallherearthlyloveaffairswithKingSolomonwentwithit.ItwasalltolerablebecauseshehadforeseenthedeathofChrist.
SotheQueenofShebaisahighlyinterestinganimafigureofmedievaltime;thatistheallusioninMatthew12:42,andhereourauthoralludestoherinthisway.TheWisdomofGodtohimisalsotheQueenofShebawhoistherisingdawn.
Thebeginningofthenextchapter,calledthefirstparable,willamazeyou.
Lookingfromafar,Isawabigcloudwhichhavingbeenabsorbedbytheearthcovereditwithblackness,andcoveredmysoulwhichthewatershadenteredsothattheybecamecorrupted,fromtheaspectofthedeepesthellandtheshadowofdeathbecausethefloodhasdrownedme.
ThentheEthiopianswillfalldownontheirkneesbeforemeandmyenemieswilllickmyearth.Nothinghealthyisinmybodyanymore,andfromthesightofmysinsmybonesareafraid.Ihavecriedthewholenight,mythroathasbecomehoarse.Whoisthehumanbeingwholives,understandingandknowing,whocansavemysoulfromtheunderworld?
HewhoenlightensmewillhaveeternallifeandIwillgivehimtoeatofthewoodoflifewhichisinParadise,andIwilllethimsharethethroneofmykingdom.Hewhodigsmeuplikesilverandacquiresmelikeatreasure,anddriesthetearsofmyeyesanddoesnotmockatmygarment,whodoesnotpoisonmyfood,whodoesnotdesecratemybedwithwhoredom,and,aboveall,whodoesnotharmmybodywhichisvery
delicate,andevenmorewhodoesnotharmmysoulwhichiswithoutbitternessinbeautyandinwhichthereisnostain,whodoesnotharmmythrone,heforwhoseloveIamlonging,inwhosefireIammelting,inwhoseperfumeIlive,fromwhosetasteIambecominghealthy,fromwhosemilkIamnourishingmyselfandinwhoseembracemywholebodymeltsaway,tohimIwillbefatherandhewillbemyson.
Wiseishewhobringsjoytohisfather,towhomIwillgivethehighestplaceamongthekingsoftheearthandwithwhomIwillkeepmycovenantforalltime.Hewhoforsakesmylawsandwhodoesnotwalkinaccordancewithmyordersanddoesnotkeepmycommandments,heshallbeoverwhelmedbytheenemyandthesonofiniquityshalldohimmuchharm,butwhoeverrespectsmyorderswillnotfearthecoldnessofthesnowforhishouseholdwillhavegarments,linenandpurple.
Andonthisdayhewilllaugh,forIshallhavebeensatiatedandmyglory
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willappearforhehadnoteatenthebreadofidleness.Thereforetheheavenswillopenforhimandlikethunderwillthevoicesoundofhimwhohasthesevenstarsinhishands,whosespiritsaresentouttotestifytoalltheworld[theApocalypse].
Hewhobelievesandhasbeenbaptisedwillbeblessed,buthewhodoesnotbelievewillbedamned.Thesignofthosewhohavebelievedandhavebeenbaptisedwhentheheavenlykingjudgesthemisthefollowing:TheyshallbewhiteasthesnowonMountZalmonandthefeathersofthedovewhichshinelikesilverandwhosewingsareradiantasgold.Hewillbemybelovedson;lookathimforhisformismorebeautifulthananyofthechildrenofmen,hewhomsunandmoonadmire.Hehastherightofloveandinhimhumanbeingshavetheirtrustandwithouthimtheycandonothing.
Hewhohasearstohearshallhearwhatthespiritofwisdomtellsthesonaboutthedoctrineofthesevenstarsthroughwhichtheholyworkisfulfilled.AbouttheseSeniorspeaksasfollowsinhischapteronthesunandthemoon:"Afteryouhavedistributedthoseseven[metals]throughthesevenstars,andattributedthemtothesevenstars,andcleansedthemninetimestilltheylooklikepearls,thatisthestateofwhitness[thealbedo]."
Iwillgiveyouashortcommentsoasnottoleaveyoualonewiththeamazingimpressionofthischapter.Itbeginswithsomebodyinastateofdespair.Sometimesitseemsasthoughitweretheauthor,butsometimesitlooksratherasthoughitweretheWisdomofGod,thatfemininebeing,andthenafteraprocess,thechapterendswiththestatementthatsomethinghasbeenwhitened,thatthestageofwhiteninghasbeenreached.
Sofrompraisingapersonificationoftheunconsciouswhichhasbrokenintotheconsciousrealmoftheauthor,thetextnowchangesintoaneffortatdescribingaprocess,asequenceofevents.Asyouwillseethatconstantlyhappensinthefollowingchapters.Every
chapterbeginswithablack,chaoticstateandendsonapositivenote.Thereforetheauthorisnowbeginningtodigesttheexperienceintheformofaprocess.Before,hedescribedtheimpactofwhathadhappenedtohim;nowhetriestoexpresswhatisgoingon,butallhecandoisbegintoexplainagainandagainandendinthesameway.
Onecouldsayheisnowtryingtocircumambulatethemeaningoftheexperience.Thatiswhathappenswheresomebodyisfirstoverwhelmedbytheunconscious,thengetsaninflation,thenlaughsitoff,thenrecovershisbalanceagainandsayshemustfaceit,andafterthatbeginstothinkaboutitandtrytodescribehowitbegan,whathappened,andtheresult.Whenpeoplebegintoregainconsciousness,atfirsttheycangiveonlyonefeature,but
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afterwards,whentheyareabitmoreconscious,theybegintorepeathistoricallywhathappened.
Forinstance,ifitisapsychoticepisodepeoplewillsaythatatfirsttheyjustfelttiredandthenlistless,andthenheardavoiceandthensuddenlywhateverhappenedthen.Theycanthusgobackanddigestwhathappened.HeretheexperiencewassoexcitingandoverwhelmingthatSt.Thomasusessevenchapterstochewoverthesameprocess,alwaysdescribingitfromadifferentangle;thatistypicalbehaviourforsomeonewhosepsychehasbeenoverwhelmedbytheinvasionofacontentoftheunconscious.
Youseethemechanismonaminorscalewhenpeoplehaveexperiencedsomethingexciting,letussayacaraccidentinthestreet.Theywillrecountitatleastthreetimesthatsameday,theyhavetotellandretellit.Byrepetitionashockisassimilated,andthereforeifyouhavehadapsychologicalshockyoutendtodigestitbyrepetitiontillyouhaveintegratedallitsaspectsandthenyougetyourbalanceback.Herethatiswhathappens.ThesamethinghappenedtoSt.NiklausvonderFlüewho,afterhehadhisfrighteningvisionoftheGodhead,triedtodigestitbymakingapaintingandexplainingittoanumberofpeople,overandoveragain,andinthatwayheassimilatedtheshock.UntilhisdeathhewasreallyonlyconcernedfromthattimeonwithassimilatingtheshockofhisvisionofGod.
Ihaveananalysand,awomanwhohastremendousexperiencesoftheGodheadandsheaskedmetheotherdayhowmanyyearsitwouldtakeheruntilshehaddigestedthem.IansweredthatIsupposeditwouldtakeatleasttenyears.Shesaid:"Somuch?"ShebecamethoughtfulandthensaidthatIwasprobablyright.Onecannotdigestsuchanexperienceimmediately,andinthiscaseitmeansthateverytimeIseeheragainwehavetotalkabouthersfromyetanotherangle.
Thatisnotabnormal,butnormalinanunusualcondition.
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61.Theprimamateria,ormassaconfusa,asablack,chaoticcloud,astateofconsciousconfusiontypicalofthebeginningofboththealchemical
workandtheprocessofindividuation.
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Lecture8AuroraConsurgensAsyouremember,Ireadbrieflythetextoftheso-calledfirstparable,whichbeginsquitedifferentlyfromthefirstfivechapters.TheywereconcernedwiththeappearanceofafemininepersonificationoftheWisdomofGod,whoappearedtotheauthorinanoverwhelmingform.Fromthedifferentwaysinwhichhedescribedher,wededucedthatatfirstSt.Thomaswasquiteovercomeandafterwardsidentifiedwiththeimageandbecameslightlyinflated,sayingthatnowhewouldtellpeopleabouther,etc.Latertheinflationturnedintoakindofscornfortheuninitiatedthosewhodonotknowandhavenotunderstoodwhichisstillasymptomofinflation,andthenhefelloutoftheinflationandintoastateofdryflatness.
Hethendescribedthesameexperiencebutinaratherprosaicway,whichistypicalforpeoplewhentheycomeupagainafterhavingbeenpulledintotheunconscious;thereisakindofdrydisappointmentaboutthewholethingwhichcompensatesfortheinflation.Thisisobviousinamuchmoreextremeformafterapsychoticintervalinterruptedbylargactyl,orelectricshock,orsomekindofphysicalcure.
IntheparableIreadlasttime,theauthorhimselfentersthepicture.Before,thewritinghadbeeninthestyleofanelatedandpompousannouncementofthetruth,typicalofidentificationwithcontentsoftheunconscious,whichexplainsitsuseinprimitivereligiousliterature,incertainpoetry,andinthisdocument.Nowweseetheeffectithadonthewriter.
FromafarIsawabigcloudwhichovershadowedthewholeearthwith
blackness;ithadabsorbedtheearthwhichcoveredmysoul,thewatershadenteredmysoulwhichhadbecomecorruptedfromtheaspectofthelowesthellandtheshadowofdeathbecausethefloodhaddrownedme.ThentheEthiopianswillbowbeforemeandmyenemieswilllickmydust.Nothingishealthyinmybody,andfromtheaspectofmysinsmybonesarefrightened.IhavecriedthewholenighttillIamtired;mythroatishoarse.Whoisthemanwholivesunderstanding,andwhowillsavemysoulfromthehandoftheunderworld....
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Whenhesayshesawabigblackcloud,onefeelsitmustbetheauthorwhofromaboveseestheblackcloudwhichhascoveredtheearth.Butlaterthisperson,whoaskswhoisthemanwhocansavehim,istheWisdomofGod.Oneofthemostinterestingthingsinthistextisthatthe"I,"asseenfromthecontext,ononelineistheauthorandtwolineslatertheWisdomofGod.SothereisgenuineconfusionandweseehowtheauthorhasidentifiedwiththeWisdomofGodandfallenintotheunconscious.
Firstheseeshoveringovertheearththeblackcloudwhichcoverseverything.Theblackcloudisawell-knownalchemicalsymbolforthestatecalledthenigredo,theblacknesswhichveryoftenoccursfirstintheopus;ifyoudistillthematerialitevaporatesandforawhileyouseenothingbutakindofconfusionorcloud,whichthealchemistcomparedtotheearthbeingcoveredupbyablackcloud.
Inthelanguageofantiquitythecloudalsohadadoublemeaning,beingsometimescomparedtoconfusionorunconsciousness.TherearemanylateHermetictextswhereitissaidthatthelightofGodcannotbefoundbeforeonehascomeupfromthedarkcloudofunconsciousnesswhichcoverspeopleandwhichisthenegativeconnotationoftenmetwithinreligiouslanguage.InChristianlanguagethecloudisproducedbythedevilwhoisinthenorthandoutofwhosenostrilsconstantcloudsofconfusionandunconsciousnessblowovertheworld.Butyoufindthecloudalsoinearlymedievaltextsinapositiveconnection,namelyasthatunknown,bewilderingaspectoftheGodhead.
Probablysomeofyouknow"TheCloudofUnknowing,"amysticalmedievaltextwhichdescribesthefactthatthecloserthesoulofthemysticgetstotheGodheadthedarkerandmoreconfusedhebecomes.SuchtextssayineffectthatGodlivesinthecloudofunknowingand
thatonehastobestrippedofeveryidea,everyintellectualconception,beforeonecanapproachthelightwhichissurroundedbythedarknessofutterconfusion.Herethecloudhasthesamedoublemeaning:itdescribesastateofutterconfusion,ofcompleteunhappiness,whichatthesametimeisthebeginningofthealchemicalwork.
Theaspectofthedeepesthell,and,asissaidsentenceslater,theaspectofhisownsins,havefrightenedthespeaker,afterwhichthereisthementionoftheEthiopians.ThisreferstoPsalm72:9,whichspeaksofvictoriesovertheenemiesandtheEthiopiansbowingbeforetheIsraelites.ButheretheEthiopiannaturallyhasa
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62.Twopaintingsbyawomanatthebeginningofanalysis:bottom,astateofdepressioninwhichunconsciouscontentsareactivatedbutrepressed;top,consciousconflictandconfusionaftertheunconsciouscontents
have"brokenthrough."
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classicalmeaning,whichalsoappearsveryearlyinGreekalchemy,andrepresentsthenigredo.
YouwillrememberwehadtheEthiopianearthbeforeinoneoftheGreektexts.Ethiopiawasthecountrywhosepeoplecarriedthecollectiveprojectionofutterpietyandreligiousfervourontheonehand,andontheothertheywereconsideredtobeunconsciousheathens.HereinalchemytheEthiopianisoftenthesymbolofthenigredo,anditisobviouswhatthatwouldmeaninpsychologicallanguageforitisnotverydifferentfromtheforminwhichnegroesstillturnupnowadaysintheunconsciousmaterialofwhitepeople,namelytheprimitive,naturalmaninhisambiguouswholeness.Thenaturalmaninusisthegenuineman,butalsothemanwhodoesnotfitintoconventionalpatterns,andwhoinpartisverymuchdrivenbyhisinstincts.
TheEthiopiansappearinthisnigredoandthenthereisthequestion:''Whoisthehumanbeingofunderstandingwhowillsavemefromthehandoftheunderworld?"andthatsamedrownedbeingwhomonefirstassumedtobetheauthor,butlaterturnsouttobetheWisdomofGod,says:"TohimwhoenlightensmeIwillgiveeternallife,hewillreceivefromthewoodoflifewhichisinParadiseandsharemythroneinmykingdom,"etc.ThencomesthepassageIreadlasttime:"Hewhodoesnotmockmeandwhodoesnotharmmeanddoesnotdesecratemybed,"andsoon,afterwhichcomesthedeclarationoflove.
ItisChristHimself,asGodHimself,whopromisestoshareHisKingdom,sowemustconcludethatthepersonspeakingandtheadjectiveswhichhererefertothe"I"arealwaysfeminineistheWisdomofGod,inabsoluteidentitywithGodandChrist,whospeaksoutofthedarknessofthenigredoandcallsforhelp,askingfora
humanbeingwhowillsavehersoulfromtheunderworld.Thisshowsthetremendousturnaboutwhichhastakenplace,forsuddenlyitistheWisdomofGodwhocriesforhelpfromthedepthsoftheearth,andwhoneedsahumanbeingsoastobepulledoutofthedarkness.Firstsheappearedasanoverwhelmingdivinefactorfromabove,andnowshecallsasahelplessfemininebeingfrombelowwhoneedstheunderstandingofthehumansoul.
ThisisoneofthemoststrikingsectionsandillustrateswhatJungdescribedalsoinPsychologyandAlchemyasoneofthegreatmythologicalthemesofalchemicalthinking,namelytheideathatthedivinesoul,ortheWisdomofGod,ortheanimamundiakind
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63.ThenigredoasEthiopian,personifiedprojectionofthedark,
unknownsideofthepersonality,"theprimitive,naturalmaninhisambiguouswholeness"(vonFranz).
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offemininefigurefallsofftheoriginalman,theoriginalAdam,intomatterandthenhastoberescued.
Ifyouremember,Jungexplainsthatthisrepresentswhathappenswhensomethingisprojected,namelythatthereisthearchetypalideaofthedivineman,orthefeminineGodhead,andthatarchetypeisprojectedintomatter,whichactuallymeanstheimagefallsintomatter.Suchmythsamplifywhatthealchemistdidnotknowconsciously,oronlyinpartthatreallytheywerelookingfortheunconscious,ortheimageofthefeminineGodhead,orfortheexperienceofthedivinemaninmatter.Thatwaswhattheysought,asItriedtoexplainwiththeGreekalchemicaltext.
Thatwouldcorrespondtoamodernmangettingtoknowawoman,beingverymuchattractedtoherandthendreamingthatanimageofthegoddessenteredher.TheimageoftheGodheadbeforewascarriedwithinandnowhasenteredthiswoman.Thatishowtheunconsciouspicturesaprojection;itisnotsomethingwedoorevenrealize,itjusthappenstousandsuchdreamsoftenshowthataprojectionhastakenplace.Herethealchemicalimagerysaysthatthishashappenedandthealchemistisunconsciouslysearchingforsuchafigure.
IntheJewishreligion,asyouknow,thisprocesshasalreadybegun,becausealthoughfromthebeginningtherewasnofemininegoddess,theHebrewwordforprimordialchaosisTohuwabohu,whichisreallyanallusiontotheBabylonianTiamat,afemininegoddess.OnecouldsaythatintheJewishtraditionthegreatmothergoddessdoesnotappearpersonifiedintheBible,butonlyexistsinahiddenwayinthesefewallusions.
ThefemininereappearedinthelateGnosticfantasyoftheWisdomofGod,butonlyasublimedivineaspectofthisfemininegoddessappearsintheBibleandthefeminineaspectoftheGodheadisnot
properlyrepresentedintheJudaeo-Christiantradition.Thereareafewobscureallusionstoadarkchaoticmother-massunderneath,whichisidenticalwithmatter,andasublimefemininefigurewhichistheWisdomofGod,butevenshewaseliminatedinChristianityforGodwasdeclaredtobeidenticalwiththeHolyGhostorthesoulofChrist,andmattersupposedtoberuledbythedevil.
ThispronouncedlackofafemininepersonificationoftheunconscioushasthereforebeencompensatedbytheradicalmaterialismwhichhasgraduallytakenholdoftheChristiantradition.Onecouldsaythatpracticallynoreligionbeganwithsuch
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64.TheWisdomofGodasanimamundi(worldsoul),guideofmankind,
herselfguidedbyGod.
ahighlyone-sidedspiritualaccentandhaslandedifyouthinkofCommunismastheendformofChristiantheologyinsuchanabsolutelyone-sidedmaterialisticaspect.Theswingfromonetotheotherisoneofthemoststrikingphenomenaweknowofinthehistoryofreligion;itisduetothefactthatfromthebeginningtherewasanunawareness,anunbalancedattitudetowardstheproblemofthefemininegoddessandthereforeofmatter,becausethefeminineGodheadinallreligionsisalwaysprojectedintoandlinkedupwiththeconceptofmatter.
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OnlyyesterdayIhadinmyhandthisisinthenatureofadigression,butquiteaninterestingoneabookbyHansMartientitledUrbildandVerfassung,whichcouldbetranslatedas"ArchetypeandConstitution."MartishowsthatsincemanoriginallyconceivedoftheconstitutionofademocraticstateheismainlyconcernedwiththeSwissConstitutionasecretswitchhastakenplacefromthepatriarchalconceptoftheState(thejuridicalState,theStatebeingalegalconcept,akindoffatherspirit)towhathecallstheWelfareState.Swissdemocracyinitsbeginnings,letussayuntilthelastfiftyyears,waschieflyadministeredbyaClubconsistingofmenyouknowwomeninSwitzerlandstillcannotvoteandthebasisoftheConstitutionwasacertainnumberoflaws,themainobjectofwhichwastoguaranteethefreedomoftheindividual,freedomofreligion,freedomofpossession,andsoon.
Intothisslowlycrept,asMartiverybeautifullydemonstrates,anotheridea,namelythatoftheWelfareState,amotherarchetypewheretheStatehastocareforthehealthofthepeople,theirmaterialwelfare,oldagepensions,etc.Martipointsoutveryclearlythatthisisaswitch,thattheStateisnolongerthefatherbuthasbecomethemother,andassuchinterestedinthephysicalwelfareofherchildren.Heshowshow,accordingtoSwisslaw,theStatenowhastherighttoimposecertainregulationsonthepossessionofland,inordertoprotectagriculturalareas,forinstance.
SomeyearsagotheStateassumedcontroloverwaterrightswaterisafemininesymbolinordertoprotectpeoplesincethewatergetssodirtyandunwholesome,andslowlyithasacquiredtherighttoissuelawstofightepidemics.If,forinstance,thereissomekindofplague,orrabies,thentheStatecanissueregulationswhichdidnotpreviouslyexist.Formerlymankindwasnotsointerestedinthepeople'sphysicalandmaterialwelfare.Iftheydiedoftheplagueorwerebittenbymad
dogs,thatwasjustapartoflifeandnotimportant;theemphasiswasonspiritualfreedomwhilephysicalwelfarewasratherneglected.OverthelastfiftyorsixtyyearsphysicalwelfarehasgraduallybecomeanimportantconcernoftheState,andwiththatithasbydegreesbecomemoreandmorethecarrieroftheprojectionofthemother,andlesssoofthefatherimage.Weareslowlyandwithoutnoticingitglidingintoamatriarchalsituation.
Martishowsveryclearlyhowcertainemotionalfactorsareunconsciouslyatplay,thatthepeopleconceiveoftheStateinsome
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65.TheAssumptionoftheVirginMary:"...raisingtoahigherpositionthesymbolofthefeminineGodhead,andwithitmatter."vonFranz.
vaguearchetypalformandfromthatstandpointvoteforcertainlaws.Butwhatseemstobeself-evident,i.e.,thattheStateshouldlookafteritschildren,isreallytheprojectionofthemotherimage,andthatisnotself-evident.HeendshisbookveryintelligentlybysayingthatweshouldbecomeconsciousofwhatweareprojectingontotheStateandbeginwitharealAuseinandersetzung,orconfrontation,andnotchangeourlawsbyjustprojectingamotherimage.
ThisbookdescribesasmallaspectofaslowturnwhichonalargescalehashappenedinthewholeChristiancivilizationandwhichonecouldcallasecretunobtrusivereturntomatriarchyandmaterialism.ThisenantiodromiahastodowiththefactthattheJudaeo-Christianreligiondidnotfacethearchetypeofthemotherconsciouslyenough.Ithadtoacertainextentexcludedthequestion.Itiswellknown,also,thatwhenPopePiusXIIdeclaredtheassumptioMariahisconsciousaimwastohitCommunisticmaterialismbyelevating,sotospeak,asymbolofmatterintheCatholicChurch,soastotakethewindoutoftheCommunists'sails.Thereisamuchdeeperimplication,butthatwashisconsciousidea,namelythattheonlywaytofightthematerialisticaspectwouldbebyraisingtoahigherpositionthe
symbolofthefeminineGodhead,andwithitmatter.SinceitistheVirginMary'sbodywhichisraisedtoHeaven,emphasisisonthephysicalmaterialaspect.
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HerewehavetheimageoftheGodheadcompletelyfallenintomatter,fromwhereshecriesforhelp.Takenasthepersonaldramaofourauthorwhatwouldthatmean?
Answer:Thattheanimahadgotlostinthematerialworld,becausehehadnorelationtoher.
Dr.vonFranz:Yes,wemustconcludethatthisauthorhadnorelationshipwiththefeminineprinciplebefore.Itisquiteobviousfromthetextthatheisaclericalman,andIwouldimaginehehadanegativemothercomplexandforthat,orsomeotherreason,hadnorelationshiptothefeminineprinciple,whichmeansneithertohisownfemininesidenortowomen.InsuchacaseanoverwhelminginfluxofthefeminineGodheadwouldtakeplace.
Thereisastrikingparallelinthefamousmystic,JakobBoehme,whoasyouknowwasaverypoorshoemakerandsomewhatofaborderlinecase,butwhohadthemosttremendousreligiousexperiencesandwascapableofexpressingtheminhisdifficultwritings.Thismanwasanintrovertedintuitiveoftheprophetictype.Hismarriagewasveryunfortunate;therewasnothingbutmutualcontemptandhatred,understandableonbothsides,forhiswifewasadown-to-earthwomanwhothoughthewouldbebetteremployedinmendingshoesandearningmoney,forhehadsixchildrenbyher,thaninwritingbooksabouttheHolyGhostwhileshehadnothingtoeat.Soshemadeconstantscenes,sayingheshouldprovidehischildrenwithfoodinsteadofwritingbooksabouttheGodhead.
He,ontheotherside,feltquitenaturallythatshewasaworldlywomanandaweightonhim,someonewhohamperedhisspiritualcreativity.Itwasoneofthoseclassicaltragedies.BoehmerejectedthefemininecompletelyImeanhehadonlyanegativeattitudetowardsituntilthelaterphasesofhislife.Shortlybeforehisdeath,hewas
suddenlycompletelyoverwhelmedbytheimageoftheWisdomofGod,theSophia,thatsameimage,andheleftatextinwhichhepraisedthisfigureinthemostecstaticlovingtermssomuchsothatitisevenratherdistasteful,foraverystrongsexualnoteisvisibleinhislovesongtotheWisdomofGod,andoneseesthewholemudofwhathadbeenrejectedandwhichwelledupwiththisgreatexperience.
Iassumeourauthorisinasimilarcondition,thathehadnorelationshiptothefeminineprincipleandisnowoverwhelmedbyit
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initsmostimpressiveform.Thatwouldbeatypicalcompensationforthescornandcontempthemusthithertohavehadforthefeminine.Insuchcasestheunconsciousbreaksinwithsuchtremendousemphasisthatitcannolongerbeavoided.
Whatforconsciousnessisarealizationofanarchetypalimageisforthearchetypalimageagreatdownfall.Imaginetheegowithitsfieldofassociations,likeaspiderinitsweb.Whenthearchetypalimageapproachesthefieldofconsciousness,thatistotheegoaconditionofgreatenlightenment,astateofelation,etc.,aswasseeninthefirstfivechaptersofourtext,buttothepoorarchetypeitisjusttheoppositeforitfallsintosomethingverysmallandquiteinadequate.Thereforeseenfromonesideitisagreatrealizationandfromtheotheraverybaddownfall.
ManycreationmythsdescribethecreationoftheworldastheGodheadfallingfromHeaven,asisalsotypicallyillustratedinadreamofGérarddeNerval,aFrenchpoetwhosebookAuréliadepictsthebeginningofdeNerval'spsychosis.OneofthemostfrighteningdreamshehadduringthistimewasthathewentintothebackyardofatypicalParishotel,wheretherewereolddustbinswithcatseatingoutofthem.SuchdarkcourtyardsaretobefoundeverywhereinParis.InsuchacourtyardatthebackofhishoteltohishorrorhesawanangelofGod,atremendous,overwhelmingarchetypalfigurewithcolouredwingswhohadfallenintothebackyardandwasjambedintothisconstrictedspace.
Thesuddenfrighteningrealizationforthemanwasthatiftheangelwantedtofreeitself,ifitmadethesmallestmovement,thewholebuildingwouldcollapse,whichwouldmeantheoutbreakofhisschizophrenia,whichdidoccursoonafter.Hisconceptionoflifewasmuchtoonarrowincomparisonwithhisgenius.Hehadagreat
unconsciousgenius,asevidencedbytheangel,andhisconsciousconceptoflifewasexactlythatofthetypicalFrenchrationalistofParisanditsbackyards.Hisconsciousmentalitywasthereforenotadequatetohisrealmake-upandhisowninnerdestiny.
Veryoftenthereasonforschizophreniaisnotsomuchtheinvasionoftheunconscious,butthatithappenstosomeonewhoistoonarrowfortheexperience,eithermentallyoremotionally.Peoplewhoarenotbroad-mindedandhavenotenoughgenerosityandhearttoopentowhatcomesareexplodedbytheinvasion.
GérarddeNerval'slifeillustratesthisveryclearly:hefellinlovewithagirlandwasovercomewiththemostromanticemotional
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feelingsforher,butinsteadofacceptingthemherevoltedagainstthem,saying:"C'estunefemmeordinairedenôtresiècle"sheisanordinarywomanofthepresentdayandheranawayfromher.Afterwardshefeltextremelyguiltybutshedidnotpardonhim.Hisguiltyconsciencecamefromthefactthathewasrunningawayfromhisownfeeling.Duringthistimehedreamtoftheangel,showingthathisnarrow-minded,rational,backyardideaoflifeandoflovewasnotuptohisexperience,whichwaswhyhelaterhunghimselfinthegutter.
Ionlymentionthisdreamasanillustrationofthefactthatwhatisseenfromtheconsciousasarealizationofthearchetypeisforthearchetypefallingdownintomatter.ThereisthesamethinginthetheologicalteachingaboutthekenosisofChrist,whichreferstothebiblicalquotationwhereChristshedhisplenitudetocomedownasaservantandincarnateinman.OntothistheologianshavehungthetheorythatChristwasidenticalwithGodtheFatherandtheHolyGhost,thathelivedinplenitudeandexpansioninHeavenanditwasatremendousself-sacrificewhenheemptiedandreducedHimselfsoastoenterhumanlifeandincarnate.ThusfromHissideitmeanthumiliationandareductioninhiscondition.AsanarchetypehewouldbetheGodhead,theLogos,whichenteredthemiserablehumanlife,butformankinditwasarevelationofthelightofGod.
Thisisnotauniquecase.Wheneveranarchetypeapproacheshumanrealizationitmeansagreatnarrowingforthearchetype,whichaccountsforthecatastrophicvisionsanddreamsofthefallofadivinebeingontotheearth.AscanveryclearlybeseenfromthecaseofGérarddeNerval,atsuchtimesunderstandingistheessentialfactor.Ifhehadunderstoodwhatwasapproachinghimwhenhehadthosetremendousfeelingsandfantasiesaboutthegirlheloved,hewouldnothavegoneoffhishead,butitseemedtohimitwasallcrazyand
stupidandhadtoberepressed,whichresultedinthecatastrophe.
InourtextthefallenWisdomofGodcallsforahumanbeingofunderstandingtodigherup.Sheaskswherethehumanbeingiswholivesandwillunderstandher,andpromiseseternallifetothatpersonhewhomshelovesandinwhoseembraceherwholebodymeltsaway,etc.Soshegoesoverintoapassionatedeclarationoflovetotheunknownmanwhoshouldunderstandherandgetheroutofmatter.
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Thencomesamostsurprisingturn,forshesays:"Heinwhoseembracemywholebodymeltsaway,towhomIwillbefatherandhewillbemyson."ThisistakenfromHebrew1:5,asyouprobablyknow,andiswhatGodsaidtoChrist.Whenreadingthetextitiseasytooverlookthesestrangeallusions,buttheWisdomhereclearlysaysthatsheherselfisGodtheFatherandthatwhoeversavesheristhesonofGodhimself.Thissentenceisthekeytoallthatfollowsinthetext.TheWisdomofGodissimplyanexperienceofGodHimselfbutinHisfeminineform,andthebelovedbridegroomofthisfeminineappearanceofGodistheauthorwhoreplacesChristandbecomesChristlike.
ChristHimselfpredictedthatthroughthespreadingoftheHolyGhostmanywoulddogreaterworksthanHe,leadingtotheideaoftheChristlikenessofeachindividual.ChristwasnottheuniquecaseoftheincarnationofGod,butthroughtheHolyGhostthiswouldcontinueandspreadamongthemanyandeveryindividualwould,toacertainextent,becomeChristandthereforedeified.ThiswaspredictedintheBiblebyChristHimselfbuthasbeenignoredintheologicalinterpretationbecauseitisanawkwardstatementandmeansnothingmorenorlessthanthateachhumanindividualcouldpotentiallylivethesamefateasChristandbeidenticalwiththeGodhead.
Thisaspectwasignoredinmedievaltheologyandnotbroughtoutintothelight;itwascarefullynotpreachedaboutbecauseitisnothingotherthantheprocessofindividuation.ItmeansthattofollowChristisnottofollowouterrules,nottheoutwardimitation,buttotakeupononeselfthetotalexperienceofChristHimselfinone'sownformtogothroughthewholeprocessoneself.Becausethiswastoodifficult,orpeoplewerenotuptosuchatask,itwasignoredandthereforereappearshereasunconsciouspressureintheformofGodwho,asa
woman,electsahumanbeingasherbridegroom,ahumanwhounderstandsher.Asthetextsays,thisistherelationshipofGodtheFatherandGodtheSon.
Shethensaysthatifshecanfindsuchabridegroomshewillappearinhergloryandwillmanifestinallherbeauty,andinthiscontextisquotedtheappearanceofGodattheendofdays,asintheApocalypse.Shecomparesherselfalsotoadove,asilvershiningdove.Theresheappearsagainveryclearlyasafemininespiritualsymbol.Thetextendsratherflatlyordrylywiththewords:"andallthisisjustthatonehastowashthesubstanceninetimesuntilithas
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theappearanceofpearls,andthatisthewhitening.''Herethereisasuddenreturntopurelychemicallanguagewhichsaysthatinpracticethewholeexperienceindicatesthatonehastowashthestars,asitsays,tilltheyareaswhiteaspearls.
Iwanttocommentbrieflyonthenextpart:
Whohasearstohear,shallhearwhatthespiritofthesciencetellsthesonsofthedoctrineaboutthesevenstarsthroughwhomthedivineworkisaccomplished.Seniorsaysinhisbookinthechapteronthesunandthemoon:"Whenyouhavedistributedthosesevenwiththesevenstarsandattributedthemtothesevenstarsandthencleansedthemninetimestilltheylooklikepearls,thatisthewhitening."
Thesevenstarswerementionedbeforeinourtext;theyarethesevenstarstheGodheadholdsinHishandswhenHeappearsintheApocalypseandatthattimetheynaturallyreferredtothesevenplanets.
Tothesevenplanetsareattributedthesevenmetals,anditisquitecustomaryinalchemyforthesevenmetalstin,copper,lead,iron,andsoontobeattributedtothesevenplanets,buttheyaremorethanthat;theyare,sotospeak,thesamethingasthesevenplanets.IronisthesamethingasMars,andcopperthesameasVenus;inthesky,therefore,onecancallirontheearthlyMars,andcoppertheearthlyVenus,etc.Thatwasacommonwayofspeakingaboutthemetalsinthosetimessothesevenstarsarereallythesevenmetalsintheearth,andtheseearthlystarshavetobedistilledandcleansedninetimes,atwhichpointtheybecomewhite,whichistheprocessofthealbedo.
Inalchemicalliteratureitisgenerallysaidthatthegreateffortandtroublecontinuesfromthenigredotothealbedo;thatissaidtobethehardpart,andafterwardseverythingbecomeseasier.Thenigredotheblackness,theterribledepressionandstateofdissolutionhastobe
compensatedbythehardworkofthealchemistandthathardworkconsists,amongotherthings,inconstantwashing;thereforeeventheworkofwasherwomenisoftenmentionedinthetext,orconstantdistilling,whichisalsodonewiththeobjectofpurification,forthemetalisevaporatedandthenprecipitatedintoanothervessel,thusremovingtheheaviersubstances.
ThepsychologicalanalogyisobviouslytothefirsthardpartofananalysiswhereVenus,theloveproblem,mustbewashed,aswellasMars,theproblemofaggression,andsoon.Allthedifferent
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66.Immersionofkingandqueeninthebath,withdove(spirit)asunitingsymbol.Alchemicalimagesofwashing,cleaning,distilling,etc.,areparallelledin
moderndreams,indicatingtheprocessof"cleaningup"consciousattitudes.
instinctivedrivesandtheirarchetypalbackgroundgenerallyappearfirstinadisturbedformintheearth,thatisintheformofaprojectionpeopleloveorhatesomebodyortheyhaveabosswhodepressesthemandtheydonotknowhowtodefendthemselves.
IftheprojectionisontheoutsideitwouldmeanthatMarshasfallenintomatter:theprincipleofaggressionandallitcoversupisseeninMr.So-and-So,orVenushasfallenintotheupsanddownsofaloveaffairandsexualdifficulties,andnaturallytheanalysandwhenhefirstcomestellsyouthatthatisit,becausetohimthethingisalloutside.Firstithastobetakenoutofmatter,sotheanalystsaystheyshouldleaveMissSo-and-Sooutofitandlookatwhatisgoingonintheanalysand.
Thatistheprimamateriawhichhastobeconstantlywashedanddistilledandthusthefirstactivityoftheopusisdistilling,washing,
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andcleansing,overandoveragain.Hereitsaysninetimes,otherssayfifteentimes,andsomesaytenyears.Itisreallyaverylongprocessandsometimesmeansendlesslyrehearsingthesameprobleminitsdifferentaspects.Thatiswhyalsoinalchemicaltextstheyalwaysalludetothefactthatthispartcangoonforalongtimeandischaracterizedbyendlessrepetitionsjustas,unfortunately,wefallagainandagainintocomplexeswhichhavenotbeenworkedoutandhavetobelookedattimeandagain.Butthroughthishardworkthematterbecomeswhite.
Whitenesssuggestspurification,nolongerbeingcontaminatedwithmatter,whichwouldmeanwhatwecalltechnically,andsolightly,takingbackourprojections.Thatisnotaneasythingtodo;itissomethingverycomplicatedanddifficult,foritisnotasthoughoneunderstoodthatonewasprojectingandwouldthereforenotdoitanymore.Itneedsalongprocessofinnerdevelopmentandrealizationforaprojectiontocomeback.Whenithasbeenwithdrawnthedisturbingemotionalfactorvanishes.
Assoonasaprojectionisreallywithdrawnasortofpeaceestablishesitselfonebecomesquietandcanlookatthethingfromanobjectiveangle.Onecanlookatthespecificproblemorfactorinanobjectiveandquietwayandperhapsdosomeactiveimaginationaboutitwithoutconstantlybecomingemotional,orfallingbackintotheemotionaltangle.Thatcorrespondstothealbedo.Itis,inaway,thefirststageofbecomingquieterandmoredetachedandobjective,morephilosophicallydetached.Onehasastandpointaudessusdelamelée;onecanstandontopofthemountainandobservethethunderstormbelow,whichnaturallyisstillgoingon,butwhichonecanlookatwithoutfear,orfeelingthreatenedbyit.
Sowhatthealchemistsymbolisedwiththeideaofthewhiteningwas
thatthematerialtheyhadbeenworkingonhadnowreachedaformofpurityandonenessandtheycouldnowbeginthesyntheticwork.Afterthemetalshavebeenmeltedoutofthemineralstheymustbecleansed,whichwouldbetheanalyticalwork,andthenthechemicalsynthesiscanbeginanexactparalleltowhathappensinanalysiswithfirsttheanalyticalandthenthesyntheticaspect.Thealbedoischaracterizedbysomethingwonderful,for,thealchemistssay,fromnowononehassimplytofeedthefire,keepitgoing,butthehardpartoftheworkisdone.Only,asyouwillsee,theprocessofgettingfromthenigredotothealbedoisrepeatedmanytimes.Hereitisdescribedseventimes.
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67.Alchemistmeditatingintheinitialnigredostate,correspondingpsychologically
totheself-reflectioninducedbyconflictanddepression.
Thenextparableagainstartswiththenigredo,andagaindescribesthewholeprocessuntilitagaincomestothealbedo;itisthesamethingseemfromadifferentangle,whichisexactlywhatweexperience.Howmanytimesinanalysishasonegotalittlebitoutoftheproblem,reallyfeelingatpeaceandtosomeextentatonewithoneselfsothattheworstseemstobeover?butthreeweekslateritallbeginsagainasifonehaddonenothingatall.Manyrepetitionsarerequiredbeforetheexperienceisconsolidated,untilfinallytheworkholds.
Question:Whendidthealchemistsbegintohavedoubtsabouttheprojection?
Dr.vonFranz:Iwouldsayourauthorhasnotyetanydoubts.Doubtappearedfirstattheendofthe15thorthebeginningofthe16thcentury.That,naturally,isnotaveryaccuratewayofputting
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it,fortherearemedievalalchemistsevenafterthe16thcentury,butsomehaddoubtsearlierthanthat.Youcouldsaythat,onthewhole,doubtstartedaboutthetimeoftheRenaissance,afterwhichalchemicalsymbolismbecameanallegory,nolongeragenuinesymbolicexperience,andtheoldtextsarethrashedoutallegorically.
BasiliusValentinus,forinstance,andMichaelMaier,andthenlatertheRosicruciansandthedevelopmentoftheFreemasonsareexamples.TheFreemasonsstillusethesymbolism,asdotheRosicrucians,buttothemitisanallegory.Theyexplainitcompletelyrationally,whateachthingmeans;otherscontinuedonchemicallinesbutwithoutspeakingofsuchthingsasthebrideandbridegroomanymore,theysaidthatwasjustflowerylanguage.
Stillothersusedsymboliclanguagebutnochemistry.Thereyoucouldsaytherewasaprojection,fornowtheelementofdoubthadentered.Theyreallydidnotbelieveanymorethatthethingwastobefoundinmatter,oronlyhalf-believedit,orpretendedtodosotothemselves,butitwasnotacleanattitude,whichiswhytherecameinwhathasputalchemyintosuchdisrepute,namelythenastyboasting,half-religiousgold-makerstyle.Inthistextthereisaninflation,butnothingofthecharlatan,whileinthewritingsofBasiliusValentinusthereisanarrogantgold-maker'sstyle.ButGerhardDorn,wholivedattheendofthe16thcentury,wasstillagenuinealchemist.Iwouldsayitwasapproximatelythenthatthefirstdoubtarose.Hereitisstillwhatwewouldrathercall,fromtheirstandpoint,archaicidentitytheWisdomofGodreallywasinmatter,thatrealbeliefwasbroughtaboutthrougharchaicidentity.
Thesecondparableisaboutthefloodanddeathcausedbywomananddrivenoutagainbyher.
Whenthemultitudeoftheseahasturnedtowardsmeanditstorrentshave
flowedovermyface,andwhenmyarrowshavebecomedrunkwithbloodandmycellsperfumedwithmarvellouswine,whenmybarnshavebeenfilledwithcorn,andwhenthebridegroomwiththetenwisevirginshasenteredmybridalchamber,andwhenmybodyhasbeenimpregnatedbythetouchofmybridegroomandwhenmydoorhasbeenunlockedandopenedbymybridegroom,andafterHerodhaskilledallthechildreninBethlehem,andRachelhasweptoverallherchildren,andwhenthelighthascomeoutofthedarkness,andwhenthesunofjusticehasappearedinHeaven,thenthetimewillbefulfilled,thenGodwillsendHisson,asHesaid,whomHemadeheirtotheuniverseandthroughwhomHecreatedtheworldandtowhomHeoncesaid:"Thouartmyson,thisdayhaveIbegottenthee,"towhomthethreekingsbroughtpreciousgifts.
InthatdaywhichtheLordhascreatedwewillbehappybecausetoday
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Godhashadpityonmysadness,GodwhoreignsinIsrael.Todaydeathbroughtbythewomanhasbeendrivenawaybyher,andthelocksoftheunderworldhavebeenbrokenopen.Deathshallnolongerruleandthedoorsofhellwillnotstandagainstitforthetenthdrachmwhichwaslosthasbeenfound,andthehundredthsheephasbeenbroughthomefromthedesertandthenumberofourbrethrenamongthefallenangelshasbeencompletelyrestored.Today,myson,youmustbehappyfortherewillbenomorecryingnorpain,fortheformerthingsarepassedaway.
Hewhohasearstohearlethimhearwhatthespiritofthedoctrinetellsthesonsofwisdomofthewomanwhointroduceddeathandthendroveitaway,whichthephilosophersalludetoasfollows:"Takeawayhissoulandreturnittohimagainbecausethecorruptionofonethingisthegenerationoftheother,"whichmeanstakeawaythecorruptinghumidityandincreaseitbynaturalhumidityandthatwillbeitsperfectionandlife.
Againatthebeginningthereisacatastrophewhichisdescribedasadeluge,andinvolvestheslaughterofthechildrenatBethlehem.Butasyousee,thoughitagainstartswiththenigredoandthereforewithadisaster,thepositiveaspectsaregivenatgreaterlength.Thereisthedescriptionofaloveunion,ofthebridegroomenteringthebridalchamberandthepregnancyofthefemininefigure,andthenalongandratherconventionalallusiontothebirthofChristtowhomthethreeMagibroughttheirgifts,andthentriumphthatdeathhasbeenovercomebythisbirth.
Soitcanbesaidthatalthoughtheprocessisrepeatedthereisalreadyalighteraspect,onewhichwasnothithertomentioned,namelythatthecatastrophehappenedatthemomentofabirth,thatjustwhenthenigredowasatitsworstasecretbirthtookplaceintheunconscious.Withinthecatastrophe,inthemidstofdepressionandconfusion,thenewsymboloftheSelfwasborn.Itwasbornintheunconscious,sotheauthorhasnotyetrealizedwhathashappened,andonlyvaguelyrealizesthatalthoughhehadfallenintothisterribledepressionand
theanimafigurehadfallenintotheearth,somethingwasborn.
AsyouknowfromDr.Jung'scommentsonthedivinechild,whenaheroisbornandthebirthofChristisnoexceptionthereisalwaysanoutburstofthedestructivepowers.Thatiswhy,ifthereisasuicidaltendencyinaperson,itwillalwaysbestrongestatthatmomentwhichmightbecalledthecrisisofthehealing.Inadeepdepression,oracompletelyschizoidconfusion,onlyrarelyandexceptionallyisthedangerofsuicidegreat,thoughitdoesexistundercertaincircumstances.Butifsuchacaseisnearlythrough,sayonthethresholdofhealing,thenthereisoftenanacutedanger
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68.Thedevilasaerialspiritandungodlyintellect,personification
ofthenegativemasculine(destructiveanimus).
ofsuicide.Thenyoumustwatchthecasedayandnight,afactwellknowninasylums.
NaturallythisisonlyanextremeillustrationofsomethingwhichisalsotrueinanalyticalworkonalessdramaticlevelitiswhatIcallthelastattackofthedevil.Thedevilseesheislosingthegameandsomakeshislastdesperateattack.Justaswhenfightingthedestructiveanimus,slowlythewomanhasbeguntofightandstandagainsthim,yetthebattlehasnotbeenwonforheisstillhangingroundthecorner;thedevilisnotquitedrivenoutandperhapsalittlemorefireisputintothethingandthencomesafinalattack,whichisgenerallysobadthatitlooksasthougheverythingwouldhavetobestartedalloveragainforitisasbadasattheverybeginning:everythinghasbeenlostandthedevilisragingasbadlyaseverbefore.
Generallythatisaverygoodsign,foritsimplymeansthatnowhellis
losingitspowerandthereforethereisalastattack,thedevil
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usesthelastofhisammunition.Sayinggoodbyetoaneuroticattitudeisaverysadbusinessandnobodyhasevergotoutofitwithoutfeelingsad,forunfortunatelyaneurosisisalovableconditionandoneresentsbeingseparatedfromit.Sowhenonereachesthefinalstage,whereonceandforallitisnecessarytosaygoodbyetosomekindofinfantilityoranimusopinionorsoon,thereisalwayssomekindofacrisis.Thatiswhatmythologyillustratesbythefactthatwhenthesaviourchildisbornallthepowersofdarknessattackworsethaneverbefore,andinourownChristianmythweseeitintheformoftheslaughteroftheinnocentsinBethlehem.Thedivinechildnaturallyalwaysescapes;itisalastoutbreakofdarknessagainstsomethingalreadysopowerfulthatthoughnewlybornitcannotbesuppressedanymore.
Theauthorhereillustratesthisbysayingitisthelightbornindarkness.YouwillrememberthatinSenior'sloveletterfromthesuntothemoonitwasalsosaidattheendthatthelightwasborninutterdarkness,whenGodwouldsendHisson,andthencamewhatyoucouldcalltheadoptionofChristbyGod.WhenSt.JohntheBaptistbaptisedChrist,theheavensopenedandthedovecamedownandthevoiceofGodsaid:"ThisismybelovedsoninwhomIamwellpleased."AtthatmomentitwasmademanifestthatChristwasthesonofGod.
HereGodisfeminine,beingrepresentedbytheWisdomofGod,andthesonistheauthor.SoitisarepetitionofChrist'slife,butitistheauthorwhohasbeenacceptedasthesonbytheWisdomofGod,whichmeansthatthearchetypalfigurewhichbrokeinadoptedhimasason.HebecomesachildoftheWisdomofGod.Hethensumsuptheexperiencebysayingthatthisisthedeathwhichwomanbroughtinandwhichwomanhasdrivenout.
IntheofficialChurchallegorythewomanwhobroughtdeathintotheworldwasEve,bytheappleofParadise,andtheVirginMarydrovedeathawaywhenshegavebirthtoChrist.Sointhepatriarchaltraditiontherearetwowomen:Evewhobroughtdeathintothisworld,andtheVirginMarywhodrovedeathout.Ourtextisunusualforthe13thcenturyinthatsomebodydaredtosaythatthewomanwhobroughtdeathintotheworldandthewomanwhodroveitoutwereoneandthesame.ThereisonlyonewomanEveandMaryareone.
Itissoconfusedinthetextthatunlessyouthinkaboutityoumightnotnoticeorrealizewhatheissaying,butthatistypicalfor
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thisauthor.Hesaysthemostshockingandamazingthings,butinsuchbeautifulbiblicallanguagethatonewonderswhatheisreallygettingat,andthenonerealizestheterriblethingsheissaying,fromamedievalpointofview.
Ithinkthatspringsfromthefactthathespokeunconsciously;hewasoverwhelmedbytheimageoftheunconsciousandproclaimeditscompensatorytruthwithoutquiterealizingtheenormityofwhathewassaying.Hejustfelthisownexperience,thatanimageofawomanhethoughttobetheWisdomofGodhadkilledhimandthenrestoredhimtolife,whichiswhyhedescribesherasthewomanwhobroughtindeathandafterwardsrestoredlife.Thisheamplifiesinpurelychemicaloralchemicallanguagebysaying:"Takeawayhissoulandbringbackhissoul.Takeawaythedestructivehumidityandnourishitwiththenaturalhumidityandthatwillbeperfection."
Theextractioanimae,theextractionofthesoul,meansinchemicallanguageadistillation.Ifyouevaporateachemicalsubstancethenithasavapourlikeform;thatisitssoulandifyouprecipitateorcoagulateitagain,thenitreturnsintothebody,anobvioussimile.Thenthesimileofthehumiditycomesintoo,forbyfirethecorruptiblehumidityhastobedistilledandthenthevivifyinghumidityispouredin.
Thathasbeendescribedinotheralchemicaltexts,forinstancebysayingyouhavetoreduceeverythingtoashes,thedriestsubstanceonearth.Ifyouhaveeverpouredwateronashesyouwillknowhowmuchcanbeabsorbed,sotheysayeverythinghastobeburnttoashestomakesureeverybitofdestructivehumidityhasleftthesubstance;thenpurewatermustbepouredontorestorethemtosolidform.
Pouringwateronthepulverizedasheswouldbenourishingthemwithlivingwater.Thatcorrespondstoouranalyticalwork,foritisineffect
whatwedowhenwedriveoutthecorruptiblehumiditywhich,inpracticallanguage,meansallthedifferentkindsofunconsciousness,alltheblindandunconsciousspotswhichhamperlivingexistence.Wedonotevenknowinhowmanywayswearehamperedinourfullnessoflifebyunconsciousassumptionsorfeelings.Thatissomethingmoreobvioustotheotherpersonthantotheindividualconcerned,butifsuchanunconsciousspotishitinanotherperson,thatpersonwillsay,"ButIthought...,"forsomethinghasjustbeenassumed.
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Forinstance,therearemanypeoplewholivefarbelowtheirspirituallevelbecausetheyassumetheyarenobodiesandaresosureofitthattheynevereventhinkofquestioningthefact.Itissoself-evidenttothemthattheywouldnotthinkofspeakingofittotheanalystfortheydonotthinkthereisanythingtodiscuss.Butthenonedaythedreamshowswhattheythink,andtheyarequiteamazed,fortheyhadthoughtittruethattheywerenobodies.Thatwouldbecorruptiblehumidity,aspotofunconsciousnesswhichhascreptintothesystemwithwomenintheformofanimusopinions,orshadowdrives,orwhateveritmaybe.Itissoself-evidentthatonedoesnoteventhinkofdrivingitout,anditisthetaskindreamanalysistodiscoversuchthings.Itisquiteashocktorealizethatonehasalwaysthoughtsomethingaboutwhichonemightthinkdifferently.
Thatisoneofthousandsofpossibleexamplesofwhatcorruptibleunconsciousnessmeans.Unconsciousfeeling,orthinkinginacertainway,isacorruptiblehumiditywhichwedonotnoticeanditistheaimoftheopustocookallthatout.Thedreamsspotthefactandbyinterpretingandintegratingwhattheysayweslowlygetridofthatcorruptiblehumidity.Butifwegoontoolong,ifweoveranalyse,wemissacertainverydecisivemomentintheprocesswhichshouldbecontinuedonlyforacertaintimesinceifitiscontinuedtoolongpeoplebecomeunspontaneous.
Youmayhavemetsuchoveranalysedpeoplewhohavelostanykindofspontaneityinlife.Beforetheyevengreetyoutheysaytheyknowtheywillprojecttheanimaontoyou,ortheycomeandsaythattheyhateSo-and-Soandaresureitisashadowprojection.Butwhyshouldn'tonedislikesomebody?Overanalysing,continuingtheprocesstoolong,createsasecondneurosis,whichisaverygeneraldiseaseandverydifficulttocure.Naturallyitisakindofunconsciousnesstoo.Wecouldthereforecallitthesecondphase,the
returntothewateroflife,thereturntospontaneity,returntoanimmediateandnaturalandspontaneouswayoflivingwithoutforgettingwhatonehaslearnt.
Toclimboutofthewaterandsitinthesunandthenhavetojumpbackintothewaterisaverydangerousbusiness.Itcanbedonebyjustfallingbackintotheformerstate,butthathasnomerit.Oneshouldreturn,butkeepingthesecondformofanalyticalconsciousness,keepingtheawarenessoftheshadowandtheanimaandsoon.Sothesecondphaseisconsciousspontaneityinwhich
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theparticipationofconsciousnessisnotlostandthatissomethingverydifficultbecauseitissomucheasiertogoonoveranalysing,ortoslipbackintotheformerstateofunconsciousness.
Question:Ifpeopleareoveranalysed,isitnotthefaultoftheanalyst,namelythathegivestoomuchinterpretationanddoesnotleavetheanalysandtohisownprocess?
Dr.vonFranz:Iwouldnotsayso.Ithinkthatmightcontributetosuchanunfortunatestate,butingeneral,inmyexperience,thatisnottheonlyreason.Iknowanalystswhoarecompletelypassiveandwhoexcelinnotinterferingandcanstillproduceoveranalysedanalysands,becausethelatterdoitthemselves!Forwhatwaspositiveinthebeginning,namelytheneedtofindoutandtoreflectandrealizewhatisgoingon,isexperiencedassomethingveryredeeming.Theyhavegotoutofaproblembyreflection,bythinkingitover,andnaturally,becauseithadsucharedeemingqualityinthebeginning,theykeeponwithitandmissthemoment.
Ieventhinkitisnecessarythateachcaseshouldreachaperiodofbeingoveranalysed,thatitisanecessaryphaseofthework,astagewhichmustbereachedsothatthenthisconsciousreturncantakeplace,namelytherealizationoftheneedtoreturntospontaneity,andreturningtoitconstantly,forotherwiseyouslipbackunconsciously.
ThealchemistGerhardDornsaysthattheanimaiscaughtinthebodyofamanandhehaswithamentalefforttofishherout,butthenthebodyisdead.Thatisthewayhedescribesit.Hesaysitwouldbeasifamonkretiredfromtheworldandmeditatedandgothisanimaoutofthebodythroughasceticismandthen,hesays,ifhewentonwiththathewouldjustbedead.Ifyourejectthebodyyoucannotlive,sonowyouhavetogetthebodyback.
ImaginethemindandthesoulandbodyasentitiesthemindfortheChristianisalittlehigher,itrepresentsgoodintentionsandapositiveprogramoflife,etc.Suchapersonmayfishuphisanimathroughaperiodofasceticism.Dorncomparesittothemonkwhomeditatesinsteadofliving.Whathappensisthatthemindpullsuptheanimaandthebodybelowliesdead.Thebodyhasnothingmoretosaybecausetheprojectionhasbeencompletelywithdrawnandthatwouldrepresentaconditionofcompletementalintroversiontheuniomentalisbetweenmindandanima.Dornsayshedoesnotwanttostophere,forwhatistohappentothepoor
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69.Thesecretcontentofthealchemicalwork:alchemistandsorormysticafishing(centre)forNeptune(animus,theunconsciousmasculine)and(below)formermaid(anima,theunconsciousfeminine).Fishing,acommonmotifindreams,referstotheprocessofbecomingaware
ofunconsciousattitudes,opinions,andfeelings.
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body?Hesaysthatnowcomesaterribledangerbecausethebodyshouldberedeemedtoo,butifmindandsoulgoonlyabittowardsthebodytheyfallplumbintoit;itislikeanironmagnetandthenthewholeworkiswrong.
Thereforeitistobeapproachedwithwisdom,andDorndoesthisbyachemicalactofimagination:insteadofsnappingbackintothebody,thebodytoohastoberaisedontoahigherlevel,andthenthetwoareunitedbutnotintheoldstate.Thatwouldcorrespondtosayingthatoneisgoingtoforgetaboutprojectionandtheshadowandsoonandjustlive.
ThatiswhyIthinkthestateofbeingoveranalysedisnecessary;itisastagewhichhastobereachedinorderthatthisuniocorporisbeaccomplishedintherightway,andnotaccordingtotheoldpattern.Inanindirectwaytheanalystallowsamistaketooccur,butundercertaincircumstancesyouhavetoallowforthatinordertomakethereturnintherightway.Ithinkthemistakeananalystcanmakeisnottoknowaboutthenecessityforthereturn,andsowhenthedreamsannouncetheneedforthechangeitisoverlooked.
Irememberthedreamofananalysandwhohadoveranalysedandwhodreamtthathewasnearwaterwhereamanwasfishing.Inthewaterhesawabeautifulgoldenfishandhetoldthefishermantogetit.Butthefisherman,averynatural,simpleman,saidNo,themanshouldjumpinandjointhefish!Thatisabeautifulillustrationshowingthatnowthemomentofreturnhascometheunconsciouscouldnothavespokenmoreclearly.Tojumpdownandjointhefishinsteadoffishingitoutwouldbecompletelycontranaturam,buttheprocesscouldnothavebeenbetterillustrated.Thatwassomeonewhohadhadeightyearsofanalysis,beginningwithaFreudian,andnowheshouldswimwiththefish.Ithinkthishastodowithtakingawaythe
corruptiblehumidityandbringingbackthenaturalhumidity;thatwouldbegettingbackintotheflowoflife.
Thenextparablesays:
Hewhobreaksthelocksonmydoorsandtakesawaythelightfromitsplace,andwholoosensthefettersofmyprisonofdarknessandgivesmysoulwhichisthirstycornandhoney,andinvitesmetodinnersothatIcanrestinpeace,sothatthesevengiftsoftheHolyGhostshallrestoverme,thatonewillhavehadpityonme.Onewillcollectmefromallcountriesandpourpurewateroverme,sothatIwillbepurifiedfrommygreatestsinandfromthedemonofmidday.
Fromthesolesofmyfeettomyheadthereisnohealthinme.OnewillalsocleansemyhiddenandextraneousblemishessothatIwillforgetallmy
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70.TheReunionoftheSoulandtheBody,byWilliamBlake.Thealchemical
stageofreanimatingthebody(aftertheseparatio,differentiatingspiritandmatter)correspondstothepsychologicalgoalof
''consciousspontaneity,"i.e.,participatingintheflowoflifeconsciouslyyetwithoutanalysingeverything.
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sins,forGodhasbaptisedmewithoilandhasgivenmethecapacityforpenetrationandliquefactioninthedayofmyresurrectionwhenIwillbeglorifiedbyGod.Becausethisgenerationcomesandgoes,tillthatonecomeswhoshouldbesentandwhofreesmefromtheyokeofmyprisoninwhichwesatforseventyyearsnearthewatersofBabylon,cryingandhangingupourharpsbecausethedaughtersofJerusalemwereproudandhigh-neckedandflirtedwiththeireyes.
ThentheLordwillmakebaldtheheadsofthedaughtersofSion,thenthelawwillcomeforthfromSionandthewordoftheLordfromJerusalem.Onthatdaysevenwomenwillseizeonemanandtheywillsaywehaveeatenourbreadandcoveredourselveswithourownclothes,whydoyounotdefendourbloodwhichisshedlikewaterinJerusalem?Andtheywillreceivethedivineanswer:"Waitstillalittletillthenumberofourbrothersiscomplete,andhewhothenwillbeleftinJerusalemwillbesavedandthefilthofthedaughtersofSionwillbewashedawaybythespiritofwisdomandinsight.Tenacresofvineyardswillgiveonebucketfulofwine,andthirtymeasuresofcornthreebushels."
Hewhounderstandsthiswillbeunshakableineternity.HewhohasearstohearshallhearwhatthespiritofthedoctrinesaystothesonsofwisdomabouttheBabyloniancaptivity,whichlastedseventyyearsandwhichthephilosophersamplifybythefollowingwords:"Manifoldaretheaspectsoftheseventyprescriptions."
ThischapterisnotasinterestingastheotherssoIcanfinishitbriefly.Thereisagaintheideaofaprisonbeingbrokenopen,andthenofthedaughtersofJerusalemwhohavebeenarrogantandluxuriousandhavetobewashedandpunishedbythespiritofwisdomandinsight.ThenthereisthenotionoftheBabyloniancaptivityinwhichonehastostayonforseventyyearstilloneisfreedfromit,andafterwardscomesanallusiontothefactthatthiscaptivebeingwillexperiencearesurrection.Itsays,"InthedayofmyresurrectionIwillcomeoutwhenIwillbeglorifiedbyGod."Theanalogytotheformerchaptersisclear,butbeforeitwasfirstthedarkcloudwhichwasthenegative
thing,thenthewaterandHerodkillingtheinnocents;nowthereistheaspectofbeinginaprisonandbeingpunishedforarrogance,andthatfromthiskindofcaptivity,whichlastsacertaintime,onewillalsobefreed.
Youprobablynoticedtherepeatedmentionofthenumberseven.BeforewehadthesevenstarsandnowtherearetheseventyyearsoftheBabyloniancaptivityandsoon.Thishastodowiththefactthatsevenwaslookedonfromthestandpointofnumbersymbolismasthenumberofevolution,becauseofthesevenplanetsthefiveknownplanets,plusthesunandmoonwhicharetheconstituentsofeveryhumantotalityrepresentedinthehoroscope.Theideaisthattherearesevendaysintheweekandthenthecyclebegins
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71.Thealchemicalseven-petalledflower,symbolisingthesevenplanetsandseven
stagesoftransformation,relatespsychologicallyto"evolutionintime,"theslowprocessof
becomingconscious.
againthereisalwaystheideathatsevenhastodowithaprocessofslowevolutionintime.Andthatiswhyherethetimefactorisintheforeground:itisaproblemofhavingtostayinprisonforacertainlengthoftime,whichischaracterizedbyevolution,afterwhicharesurrectionwilltakeplace.
Itcompensateswhatweallalsoknowfromourownexperienceoftheunconscious,namelyatremendousconsciousfeelingofimpatiencewherepeoplealwayswonderwhytheydonotgetonandwhethertheycannotyetdothisandthat,andsoon.Onehassometimestotellpeoplethattheyhavetoremainintheirdepressionanddifficultyaslongasitlasts.Peopleaskhowlongitwilltaketogetridoftheirsymptoms,orproblems,orwhateveritmaybe,andonecanonlysayuntiltheevolutionhastakenplace;takenfromasiderealtimestandpoint,nobodyknowshowlongitwilllast.Itcanbelongorshort,becauseasDr.Jungsays,onedoesnotsolveconflicts,oneoutgrowsthem.Thereforetocomeoutofaproblemmeansanevolution,eitherlongorshort.
Theproblemhereinourtextiscertainlyonewhichcannotbesolved,itcanonlybeoutgrownthroughaninnertransformationoftheauthor.Thatisthemeaningoftheendlessrepetitionofthesameproblem,whichisboundtoanumberwhichstandsforevolution.Thismanhasfallenintoaproblemwhichhecannotsolveintellectually,andthatisdestiny.Hehasbeenhitbyfateandcanonlygrowfromitwhenhehasrecoveredhisbalance,ifthereisstilltimebutifSt.Thomaswastheauthorthenhediedinthemiddleofit.
Themotifsofdeathandresurrectionafterdeatharebeginningtoshowup,togetherwiththeideaofeternallife.Forinstance:Hewhohearsthiswillbenotshakenineternity.Whenoneisresurrected,
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thefiguresays,thenonehasthepowerofpenetrationinthedayofresurrection.ThepowerofpenetrationisaverystrangeexpressioninthistextbecausefromGreektimeonitwassaidthatthephilosopher'sstonehadthecapacityofpenetratingeveryotherobject,andthatislinkedupwiththeideaoftheEgyptianfuneralritualandideasoflifeafterdeath.
InEgyptitwasthoughtthatifsomebodydidnotgothroughtheprocessofresurrectionproperly,thenthatpersonwouldafterdeathbeimprisonedinthecoffinchamber,whilesomeonewhohadgonethroughtheprocessofbecomingOsirisandbecomingdivine,i.e.,hadgonethroughthewholeritualoftheresurrection,wouldbeable,asthepapyritextssay,toappearinanyshapeanyday.Thatmeantthedeadcouldleavethecoffinchamber;theycouldleavethetombofthepyramidandwalkaboutinthedaylightandcouldchangeshape.TheycouldappearasacrocodileandlieaboutinthesunbytheNile,ortheycouldflyaboutasanibis.
Thehighestgoaloftheresurrectionwasthoughtofasthisabilitytobecompletelyfreetochangeintoanyshapeandtomoveaboutthroughanythinginthismaterialworld,akindofghostlikebeingwhichcouldwalkthroughcloseddoorsandcouldmanifestinanydesiredform.Thatisthehighestgoaloflifeafterdeath,accordingtothepapyrioftheEgyptianprayersforthedead,andthealchemistsconnectedthisideawiththeirconceptofthephilosopher'sstone,thatdivinenucleusinmanwhichisimmortalandubiquitousandabletopenetrateanymaterialobject.Itisanexperienceofsomethingimmortallastingbeyondphysicaldeath.Youknowthatinparapsychologicalreportsthisisalsosometimesmentionedasatypicalqualityofthesoulofadyingperson.
Irememberthestoryofamanwhohadhadasevereoperation.He
wokeupfromthenarcosisandfeelingallrightgotoutofbedandwalkedthroughthehospital.Henoticed,butwithoutmuchofashock,thathecouldwalkthroughcloseddoors,thoughhedidnottakethatveryseriously,itdidnotquitecometohisconsciousness.Hewalkedonrightoutofthehospitaltothestreetandsuddenlyavoicesaidtohim:"Ifyouwanttoreturn,thisisthelastmoment,quick!"Soinapanicherushedbackintothehospitalandatthatmomenthereallywokeupfromtheanestheticandthedoctorwassaying:"MyGod,wenearlydidn'tbringhimback."Hishearthadfailedandthroughheartmassagetheyhadbroughthimbackatthatverymoment,butsubjectivelyhehadtheexperienceofjustwalking
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outandthespecificexperienceofwalkingthroughdoors,whichhehalf-consciouslythoughtwasratherodd.
Soyouseethatisthesubtlebodyinaparapsychologicalform,theghostofthedeadalreadycapableofwalkingthroughshutdoors.Thesereportshavetobetakenastheyare,wecannotdiscussthempsychologically.Wecanbelievethemornot;wecannotmakeapointoutofsuchthingsbecausetheyarereportsofuniquesituationsbutprobablyfromsuchexperienceshasarisenthegenerallywidespreadideathattheghostofthedead,thesurvivingsoul,canwalkthroughmaterialobjects,somethingbelievedinallcountrieswheretheybelieveinghosts.Thatwasandislookedonasproofoftheimmaterial,immortalaspectofthepsyche.
Ifwetakethis,notasanexperienceofthedeathprocess,butastheexperienceofalivingbeing,itcouldbetheinfluenceoftheunconsciousonthesurroundingsnotanintentionalone,butbecauseoneisinconnectionwiththeSelf,theSelfbeginstohaveacertaineffectonotherpeople.Assoonasoneintendstoexertsuchaninfluenceitgenerallygoes,butanunintentionalinfluencecancertainlyhappen.IfoneisconnectedwiththeSelfinwardly,thenonecanpenetratealllifesituations.Inasmuchasoneisnotcaughtinthem,onewalksthroughthem;thatmeansthereisaninnermostnucleusofthepersonalitywhichremainsdetached,sothatevenifthemosthorriblethingshappentoone,thefirstreactionisnotathought,oraphysicalreaction,butratheraninterestinthemeaning.
Itisasifapartoftheconsciousalertnessofthepersonalityremainedsteadilyconcentratedonthemeaningfulnessofanyeventinlife,sothatoneisneverunconsciouslylostorcaughtinit.Psychologicalcaptivityisanemotionalfactor.Beingcaughtissimplybeingcaughtinsomethingemotionalorinstinctive.Ifoneiscaughtinaprojection,
afeelingofhateorlove,onecan'tgetoutofit,whichiswhypeoplealwayssay:"I'mawfullysorry,butIcan'thelpit."
Thatisaprison,foraprisonisanykindofpsychologicalfactorinwhichonefeelstrapped,whileifonehasanawarenessofandconstantalertnesstotheSelf,oneisnolongercaughtinanything;thereisaninnermostpartofthepersonalitywhichremainsfreeandcannotbecaughtanymore.Thestateofhelplessnessinwhichoneiscaughtbyone'sowninnerprocessesstops,whichamountstoatremendoussteadyingoftheinnermostcoreofthepersonality;that
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iscomparabletothephilosopher'sstone,whichissymbolicallywhatthesteadyinnerexperienceforms.
Question:Wouldyouconnectthiswithwhatyousaidearlierabouttheoveranalysedpersonwhohadtojumpintothestreamwiththegoldenfish?Becausethatpersonwasalsostayingoutsidetheexperience.
Dr.vonFranz:Yes,butifhereturnsnowandswimswiththefishhewillnotthinkheisafishandhewillnotbecaughtinthefishexistence.Onereturnstoexperience,naiveexperience,butoneisnolongercaughtinit.Toreturntothewater,tousethemetaphorofthedream,wouldmeantogocompletelyandspontaneouslyintotheexperiencewhilesomethingyetremainsoutside,asifasecondpartofthepersonalitywerewatchingtheexperience.
IfyouuseEasternterms,youcouldsaythatyougoonlivingspontaneouslybutonepartofyouisconcernedwithTaoallthetime.Youarenotcaughtbywhatishappening,butaredirectedtowardsTao,andifyoucandetachfromlifeasmuchasthatyouhavereachedimmortality;thatissomethingwhichcannotbealteredevenbydeathdeathbecomesachanceeventwhichdoesnotaffectthenucleusofthepersonality,sothatatleastsubjectivelyitisanexperienceofbeingimmortal.
Question:Jumpingintothewaterislikejumpingconsciouslyintotheunconscious,isn'tit?
Dr.vonFranz:No,notalways;inthatcaseIwouldsayitmeantjumpingconsciouslyintosomeexperience,anexperienceoflife.Withanintrovertitwouldbethat.Inthiscaseitwasnotjumpingintotheunconscioushedidthatlongagoitwasjumpingintolife,beginningtoliveagainwithoutalwaysthinking:"That'smyanima,"andsoon.
Remark:Itwouldmeantheriveroflife.
Dr.vonFranz:Yes,gettingintotheriveroflife.
Question:Butisspontaneitynotincompatiblewithconsciousness?
Dr.vonFranz:No,thatistheparadoxwhichhastobereachedconsciousspontaneity.Itisbeingspontaneousbutwithaslightretardation.Consciousnessbecomessomethinglikeretardedspontaneity.Putpractically:supposeyouareinasituationwhere
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yougetangryandintendtoletyourangeroutbecausethatiswhatyoufeellikespontaneously,andyouarenotgoingtobeunspontaneous.Yetitisnotlikejustflyingintoarageforthentheragegetsyou.Ratheryouhaveitinhand.Youstopandtimeitaminute,sayYesorNotoit,thetimeismeasured,andthenyouletitout.Thenitistheparadoxofconsciousspontaneity.
Theothermayaccuseyouofputtingonanact,sayingyouwerenotreallyangry;butitwashonestanger,onlyconsciousnesshaditabsolutelyinhandandinthatwayitwasconsciouslyactive.Itisaparadoxforitisconsciouslyactiveandstillspontaneous.ThatIwouldcallconsciousspontaneitycompletespontaneityyetalwaysknowingwhatoneisdoing.
Remark:Thewaterwastransparentinthedream,soitcouldn'tbetheunconscious.
Dr.vonFranz:Thatisright,inthisman'scaseitwasnotunconsciousness,itmeantlife.Hewasanintrovertandhadoveranalysedsomuchthathedidn'tliveanymoreandhehadsimplytolearntogoandliveinspiteofallheknew.
Forinstance,hehadaterriblebossinhisprofession,abrutalmilitaryofficerwholikedtoshoutatpeopleiftheworkwasnotbroughtpunctually.Hetreatedthemlikedogs,whichnaturallyhadacastratingeffectuponothermen.Myanalysand'sspontaneousfeelingwastohitback,butthatkindofthinghecouldnotdo.Healwayssaidhisbossmustbeashadowfigureforhim,healwaysanalysedhisaggression.Sojumpingintothewatermeant,amongotherthings,justtobeaggressive,buttotimeitright,becausehecouldhavehitthismanandknockedhimout,andtoknockoutyourbosswouldnotbeagoodthingforyoudependonhimforaliving!Ithadtobedoneintherightway,soonceheshoutedbackandsaidhewasnotgoingtobetreated
likethat,andhegotupandwalkedoutoftheroomandslammedthedoor.
Theresultwasthathisbossinvitedhimtosupper.Hesaidhewasarealmanandhemadefriendswithhim.Thatwastheresultofforoncejumpingintothewaterandliving,insteadofalwaysanalysinghisownaggressionandtheawfulnessofhisaggressiveshadowbuthehadtodoitconsciously,becausehisnaive,spontaneousreactionwouldhavebeentoknockouttheman'steeth,whichwouldhavebeenabittoomuch!
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72.Alchemistsatworkonvariousstagesoftheprocess.Enlightenmentispersonifiedasthesun(bottomleft)bringingthegoldenflower,symbol
ofthephilosopher'sstone.
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Lecture9AuroraConsurgensWewereinthemiddleofthecircularprocess,asyouremember,whereeachchapterseemstobeginwithasimilarsituationtouseanalchemicalexpression,withanigredoandthenadescriptionofacertaintreatmentofmatter,andattheendofeachchapterthereisanaspectofthealbedo.Itisfirstshownintheformoftheblackcloudwhichcoverstheearthandthesoulorwomanwhoisredeemedfromit,andthenitcomesintheformofafloodcoveringmatterandawomanbringingandthendrivingdeathawayagain,afterwhichthewhitepearlsappear.
Inthelastchapterwecommentedupon,thenigredotooktheformoftheBabyloniancaptivity,whichlastedseventyyearsandfromwhichlaterthedaughtersofJerusalemandofSionareredeemed.TheprocesshasbeendescribedeitherasawashingprocessthematteriswashedagainandagainorintheformofananointingwiththewateroftheChurch,thechrism,sothatthepowerofpenetrationenterstheobjecttreated,andsoon.
Justwhichobjectistreatedisthegreatproblem;sometimesitissaidtheprimamateriaisthemattertreatedinthealchemicalprocess,butthenfromthesayingsitisclearthatitistheWisdomofGodwhichhas,sotospeak,fallenandbecomeidenticalwithmatter,andthenagainitissometimestheauthorhimselfforhespeaksinthefirstperson:"Iamcryinginthenight...."Fromthatwehavetoconcludethatthespiritinmatterandtheauthoraresometimescontaminatedthedifferencebetweenthetwoisblurred,andthealchemisthasbecomeliterallyidenticalwiththemysticalobjectheiscookinginhisvessel.
Thisborderson,orgetsverycloseto,apsychoticstatewhereitistypicalforegoconsciousnesstobeswallowedup,havingbecomeidenticalwithcertaincomplexesoftheunconscious,generallyofanarchetypalnature.ItalsohappensinwhatDr.Jungcallsavoluntarypsychosis,namelyinactiveimagination.Wethereforedonotquiteknowandcannotquitejudgebythepaperitself,whetherwearefacedwithaninvoluntarypsychosisorwithwhatonecould
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callavoluntarypsychosis,namelywithaproductofsuchaformofmeditation.
IfmyhypothesisiscorrectandthisdocumentwaswrittenbySt.ThomasofAquinasinhisdeathstruggle,thenboththesethingsarenotquitetrue.Butthereisathirdpossibility,i.e.,thatinthiscaseitisanirruptionofanarchetypalcontentoftheunconsciouswhichcannotbecalledapsychoticepisode,butratherapremortalinvasionoftheunconscious,sotospeak,whichcanalsotakeonsimilarforms,reachednotbymeditationbutbyasuddenbreakingthroughofthecollectiveunconsciousintotheveryrationalmentalsystemofanunusualpersonality.Thenthesechapterswouldshowhowinthedeathstrugglethepersonalitystilltriestoassimilatethisshock,todigestitandfindarightattitudetowardsit,tointegratethecontentwhichhasbrokenin.Thatismyhypothesisofthetext.Itisnotmorethananhypothesis;Icanonlysayitisprobable,butcannotdeclareitasacertainty.
Hereisthenextchapter:
HewhodoesthewillofmyFatherandcastsoffthisworldintotheworld,heshallsitwithmeuponthethroneofmykingdomabovethechairofDavidandthethronesofthepeopleofIsrael.ThatisthewillofmyFather,thatonemayseethatHeistrueandthatthereisnoneotherwhogivesabundantly,withoutstintorhesitation,toallnationstruly,andHisonlybegottenSon,GodofGods,LightofLights,andoftheHolyGhostwhichproceedethfrombothandiscoequalwiththeFatherandtheSon.ForintheFatheriseternity,andintheSonequality,andintheHolyGhosttheunionofeternityandequality.
Inasmuchasitissaid,astheFathersotheSonandsotheHolyGhost,thesethreeareone,namelybody,spirit,andsoul,forallperfectionisfoundeduponthenumberthree,i.e.,measure,number,andweightfortheFatherismadeofnone,theSonisoftheFather,andtheHolyGhost
proceedethfromboth.
TotheFatherisattributedwisdombywhichHerulesandordersallthingsinmoderation,whosewaysareincomprehensibleandwhosejudgementisbeyondunderstanding.
TotheSonisattributedthetruth[butwiththenuanceoftherealizedtruth]sincewhenHedweltamongusHeacceptedsomethingwhichHewasnot,perfectGodandatthesametimemansprungfromhumanloinsandrationalsoul;obeyingtheorderofHisFatherandsupportedbytheHolyGhostHehasredeemedtheworldlostthroughthesinoftheparents.
TotheHolyGhostisattributedthelovewhichtransformseveryterrestrialthingintoaheavenlyoneandthisinthreerespects:bybaptisingitinthestream,withblood,andinfieryflames.Inthestreamhequickensandpurifies,washingawayalldirtandremovingallthatis"smokey"fromthesoul.
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73.BirthoftheDragon,byMargaretJacoby.Snakesanddragonsarecommonrepresentations,inmythologyanddreams,oftheimpersonalspiritoftheunconscious;whenitirruptsintoconsciousnessitmaydemandtobe
picturedinordertoassimilatetheexperience.
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Asitissaid:Thoudostfructifythewatersforthevivificationofsouls.Forwaternourishesalllivingbeings,thereforewaterstreamingdownfromHeavenintoxicatestheearthwhichreceivesthepowerbywhichallmetalscanbedissolved.Thereforetheearthdesireswater,saying:Sendthyspiritualpneuma,i.e.,water,anditwillberenewedandthoucreatestanewthefaceoftheearth,forheblowethhisbreathontotheearthandmakethittrembleandwhenhetoucheththemountainstheysmoke,butwhenhebaptisesinbloodhenourisheth.
Asitissaid:Thewaterofblessedwisdomhasnourishedmeandhisbloodisthetruepotion,forthesoulislocatedintheblood.AsSeniorsays:Thesoulremainsimmersedinwaterwhichissimilartoitinwarmthandhumidityandinwhichalllifeconsists.Butwhenhebaptiseswithflamingfire,thenhepoursinthesoulandendowsperfectionoflife.Forfireshapesandperfectsthewhole.Asitiswritten:Hebreathesintohisnostrilshislivingbreathandmanwhobeforewasdeadbecomesalivingsoul.
Thefirst,second,andthirdeffectsaretestifiedtobythephilosopherswhosay:''Thewaterconservestheembryoduringthreemonthswithinthewomb,airnourishesandsustainsitforthreemonths,andduringthelastthreemonthsfirepreservesit."Andthechildshallnotcometolightbeforeallthesemonthsarefulfilled,butthenitshallbebornandreceivelifefromthesunwhoistheresuscitatorofalldeadthings.Thereforeitisascribedtothisspiritbecauseofhisperfectionandsevenfoldgiftthathehathsevenpowersinhiseffectupontheearth.
ThisisaverylongchaptersoIwillskippartofit.Firsthewarmsuptheearth,andsoon:
Asitissaid:FirepenetratesandrefinesthroughitswarmthandCaledMinorsays:Warmupthecoldnessoftheonewiththewarmthoftheother.AsSeniorsays:Putthemaleoverthefemale,i.e.,warmthovercoldness.Secondly,thespiritextinguishestheinnerfire,ofwhichtheprophetsays:Andthefirewaskindledintheirassemblyandflameconsumedtheimpiousonearth,andCaledMinorputoutthefireoftheonewiththecoldnessoftheother.
Thereareafewotherquotationswhichmeanthesamething,namelythatyouhavetoputoutfirewithfire.
Thirdly,thespiritsoftensandliquefiesthehardnessoftheearth.Intheprocesshewillsendouthiswordandliquefythem,hispneumawillblowandthewaterwillflow.Andsomewhereelseitissaid:Thewomandissolvestheman,asthemancongealsthewoman,i.e.,thespiritdissolvesthebodyandsoftensit,andthebodyletsthespiritbecomesolid.
Fourthly,thespiritilluminates,foritexpungesalldarknessfromthebody,asitisexpressedinthehymn:Purifythehorribledarknessesofourmind,letthesensesbeenlightened.Andtheprophetsays:Heleadsthemthewholenightinthelightofthefireandthenightshallbeasbrightastheday.AsSenioralsoobserved,hemakeseveryblackthingwhiteandeverywhitethingred,forwaterwhitensandfiregiveslight.AndintheBookoftheQuintessenceitiswritten:Thoubeholdestamarvellouslightinthedarkness.
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Fifthly,thespiritsegregatesthepurefromtheimpure,foritremovesallaccidentalthingsofthesoul,thevapoursandbadodours,andasitissaid:Fireseparateswhatisdifferentandaggregateswhatissimilar.Thereforetheprophetsaysthouhastprovedmeinthefireandnoevilwasfoundinme.AndHermessays:Thoushaltseparatethedensefromthesubtleandearthfromfire.AndAlphidiussays:Theearthbecomesliquidandistransformedintowater,waterbecomesliquidandistransformedintoair,airbecomesliquidandistransformedintofire,firebecomesliquidandistransformedintoglorifiedearth.AndthiseffectiswhatHermesmeanswhenhesaysinhissecret:Thoushaltseparatetheearthfromfire,andthesubtlefromthedense,andthismustbedonesmoothly.
Sixthly,thespiritraisesupthatwhichislow,foritbringstothesurfacethesoulthatishiddendeepintheearthofwhichtheprophetsays:Hebringethforththeprisonersinhispowerandalso,thouhasdeliveredmysoulfromthedeepestHell.Isaiahalsoaffirms:ThepneumaoftheLordliftedmeup.Andthephilosopherssay:Whoevercanmakethehiddenvisibleunderstandsthewholework,andwhoeverknowsourCambar[i.e.,fire]heisatruephilosopher.
Seventhlyandlastly,heconfersthelivingspirit,spiritualizingbyhisbreaththeearthlybodyofwhichitissaid:Thouspiritualizethmanthroughthybreath.AndSolomonsays:ThespiritofGodfilleththeearth.Theprophetalsosays:Andthroughthepneumaofhismouthalltheirgloryexists.AndRasissaysintheLightofLights[anArabictext]:Theheavycanonlyberaisedbythelightandthelightcanonlybeweigheddownbytheheavy.AndintheTurba[anothertext]itissaid:Makethebodyincorporealandthesolidvolatile.
Allthisisdonewithourspiritbecauseitalonecanpurifythatwhichwasconceivedofimpureseed.DonottheScripturessay:Washyourselvesandyoushallbepure.AndNaamanwastoldtodipseventimesintheJordanwhenhewouldbecomeclean.Forthereisonlyonebaptismfortheablutionofsins,astheCreedandtheprophetstestify.Whohathearstohear,lethimhearwhatthespiritofthedoctrinesaystothesonsofthescienceoftheeffectofthesevenfoldspirit,ofwhichthewholeScriptures
arefilledandtowhichthephilosophersalludeinthesewords:Distillitseventimes,whenyouwillhaveaccomplishedseparationfromalldestructivehumidity.
Ithasprobablystruckyouthatthetoneofthetextisnolongerecstatic.Fromtimetotimetherearebeautifulpoeticquotations,butingeneralthereisarathermonotonoustoneinthischapter,andinthebeginning,asyounodoubtnoticed,thereisanearlyliteralrepetitionofthecredoofthesymbolum:FatheroftheSon,LightofLights,GodandMan,andsoon;itmayvaryinexpressioninthevariouscreeds,butthereisnogreatdifference.Here,naturally,wehavetheCatholicversion.
Asyouremember,atfirstintheprocesstherewasanoverwhelming,positiveinvasionoftheWisdomofGod,whomtheauthorpraisedinhiselation,thenheseemedtogetintoaninflation
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hescornedthosewhodonotknowanythingofsuchanexperienceandbecameaggressiveagainstignorantpeople,thenhedroppeddownintosomethingratherboringandmadeaplayonthewordsaurora,aureahora.
AfterthatfirstphasebeginswhatIwouldcallthecirculationofaspiral:healwaysbeginswithadarkprocessanddescribeswhathasbeendone,andthenendswithapositiveresult,andthisisrepeated.Hereweareinthemiddleofthespiral,butwhatwouldyousaywastypicalforthischaptercomparedtothepreviouschapters?ThereisastrikingreturntotheofficialChristianattitude!Atthebeginningheevenrepeats,literally,thesymbolumoftheCreed,theConfessionofFaith,theofficialversionofit:IbelieveinGodtheFather,andsoon.Whydoeshedothis?Whatdoesitshow?
Answer:Thatheismoreorlessbacktohimself.
Dr.vonFranz:Yes,heisreturningtohisconsciousself;heistryingtoreturntohisformerconsciousattitude,oryoucouldsaytoretirefromthefloodwhichdrownedhim,andthereyouseewhatanofficialcreed,orreligiousattitude,isgoodfor;itisaboatintowhichonecanretirewhenthesharksattack.
Onecangooutbathingintheunconscious,butifthesharkscomethereistheboattogetbackinto,whichiswhytheChurchhasbeencomparedtoaboat,oranisland,towhichonecanretirewhentheinfluxoftheunconsciousbecomestoostrong.IfIhaveonlymyhumanreasonandjusttellmyselftobereasonable,thatisnotenoughtokeepbacktheinfluxoftheunconscious,buttohaveabeliefwhichstillexistsinconsciousnessislikeaboat,aplacetowhichonecanretire.
Wemustconclude,therefore,thatourauthorwasnotahereticanddid
notdoubthisCreedbutbelievedit,asonewouldexpectofaclericofthe13thcentury.HewasatrulybelievingCatholic,amedievalChristian,andhethereforenowtriestoretiretohisbelief,butthereisonechange!Ifyoulookatthebalance,hefirstconfessesthathebelievesintheFather,theSon,andtheHolyGhost,andthatlastsforaboutthefirsttenlinesofthefirstpage,butthewholeoftherestofthechapterisconcernedwiththeeffectsoftheHolyGhost.Thatisamazing.TheHolyGhostfillsthewholeofoneofthelongestchaptersintheentirebook,heisconcernedonlywithitsdifferentalchemicaleffects.ThusthewholeemphasisofhisCreedissuddenlyshiftedtowardstheHolyGhost.
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74.AlchemicalTrinity:WingedMercurius,spiritoftheunconscious(=Holy
Ghost),seatedbetweenkingandhisson.
Herewecatchinflagrante,sotospeak,whathappenedaboutthistime,i.e.,inthe12thto13thcenturies.IfweknowthehistoryofthespiritualdevelopmentofChristianity,weknowthatatthattimethesectsoftheHolyGhostappearedeverywhere.SomeofthemwerehereticalwhileothersendeavouredtokeepwithintheChurch,butsuddenlytheHolyGhostbecametheoccupationandconcernofpeople.Therewasmuchtheologicaldiscussionandthereweremanymovements,suchastheBrethrenoftheHolyGhost(thehumiliated),thePoorofLyon,theLoyalHeart,theBigHeartoftheTertiarians,andsoon,andallconfessedthattheywerespeciallydevotedtotheadorationandfollowingoftheHolyGhost.
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Asyouremember,intheBibleChristHimselfpredictedthatafterHisdeathGodwouldsendaComforterwhowouldcomfortpeopleforHisleavingtheearthandHisdeath,andthatthosewhoreceivedtheHolyGhostwouldbeabletodoworksevengreaterthanHeHimself.TheHolyGhostfromtheverybeginninghasthereforebeenaveryawkwardaspectoftheChristianimageofGod,foraccordingtotheBibleitissaidtoentertheindividualdirectly.YoucannotcommunicatedirectlyanylongerwithChrist,becauseHereturnedtoHeavenafterHisresurrection.GodHimselfhasnevercomedowntoearththatisnotexactlytrue,becauseallthreeareone,butIamnowspeakingasiftheywerenot.But,accordingtotheBible,theHolyGhostissupposedtodescenduponindividualsagainandagainandthatisnotrestrictedbytime.
WehearofcontemporarypeoplemeetingChristagainandagain,butwecannotcommunicatewithHimnowexceptthroughvisionsorprayer.Ontheotherhand,throughouthistorytheHolyGhosthasbeensupposedtobeabletodescenduponpeople;thatconveystheideaofanindividualbeingfilleddirectlywiththespiritofGod,or,ascertaintheologianshaveclearlyseen,evencontinuingtheincarnationofGod.Goddidincarnate"officially"onlyonceinthepersonofJesusChrist,butthroughtheworkingsoftheHolyGhostanyindividualintheChristiancommunitycanagainbecomeavesselofthedivinespirit,whichwouldbeanincarnationofalittlebitoftheGodhead.
TheconclusionsofcertainsectsintheMiddleAges,whenthesethoughtsbecamesuddenlysoemotionallyimportant,werequiteamazing.Forinstance,thereisasayingofSt.Paul:ubispiritus,ubilibertaswherethespirit,i.e.,theHolyGhost,isatworkthereisfreedom,andthereforetheythoughtthatiftheywerefilledwiththeHolyGhosttheydidnotanymoreneedtoobeytheChurch,orgotoConfession,fortheyhadtheirdirectconnectionwiththeGodhead
throughtheHolyGhost.ThisinterpretationnaturallybecameadangertotheorganizationoftheChurch.
Also,somesectarianssaidthatifonewerefilledwiththeHolyGhostonecouldreadtheHolyScripturesoneselfandunderstandthemdirectlyandthereforetheinterpretationoftheChurchwasnolongernecessary.TheBiblecouldbeunderstoodsymbolicallyandtakenspiritually,i.e.,symbolically.SosuchpeoplebegantoreadtheBibleandinterpretittothemselves.OthersectswentsofarastosaythatifsomeonewerefilledwiththeHolyGhosthecould
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commitanysinanditwouldnotbewrongadultery,forinstancefor"wherethereisthespirit,thereisfreedom."
YoucanimaginethattheChurchdidnotapprovesuchinterpretationsandthereforesomesectsoftheHolyGhostwerepartlycondemnedandevenbadlypersecutedandhadverylargelytoclosedown.Theyanticipated,aswasseenlongago,thedevelopmentoftheReformationwherealsointhebeginningtherewasanattempttoclaimthateachindividualhadtherighttocommunicatewiththeGodheaddirectly,withouttheintermediaryofahumanorganization.Thesemovementsareusuallyknownaspre-Reformationmovements,becausetheysharetheideaofindividual,directcommunicationwithGod,thoughinotherwaystheywere,ofcourse,different.
Thereforeifourauthor,whohaspassedthroughareligiousexperience,wantstokeephisChristianattitude,hewouldnaturallyrefertotheHolyGhostasifthesituationcouldbesavedifhecouldunderstandthathisexperiencewasconveyedtohimbytheHolyGhost;fromthisanglehecouldstillintegratehisexperienceintohisconsciouspointofview.
Sohereheclingsemotionallytothisideaasasavingfactor.HedescribestheHolyGhostfirstinthreeformsofbaptism:bywater,byblood,andbyfire,andthendescribesthesevenprocessesinwhichtheHolyGhostaffectsmatter.Afterwardsthetextshiftsamazingly,forsuddenlytheHolyGhostbecomesakindofchemicalagencywhichcooks,cleanses,purifies,andsubtilizesalchemicalmatter.Itishereconceivedofasakindofenergy,somethinglikefireorelectricity,whichhasaneffectuponmatter.Heretheideaofspiritreturnstoitsoriginal,archetypalform,namelymana.
FromthecomparativehistoryofreligionweknowthatoneoftheoldestconceptsoftheDivineinmanyprimitivereligionsisthe
conceptofmana,mulungu,andsoon,theideaofadivinepower,whichmanyethnologistshavecomparedtoamysticalkindofelectricity.Itissomethinglikeadivineenergy,whichpervadescertainobjectsandstrikescertainpeople.Akinghasmana,achiefhasittoo,asdoamenstruatingwomanandonewhohasgivenbirth,andalsoatreestruckbylightning.
Manamustalwaysbetreatedwithrespect,eitherbykeepingawayfromitthroughtaboos,orapproachingitundercertainrules.Itcanbedestructiveorpositive.Amenstruatingwoman,forinstance,has
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negativemanaandhastokeepawayfromthetribeandtribalritualsduringherperiod,forsheisloadedwithdestructiveelectricity,sotospeak.Manacanalsobeneutral,forifthechiefofatribehasmanahecanbestowfertilityonthetribe,thecattle,andthesoilinhisdominion,or,ifheisapproachedirreverently,hecanbewitchpeople,makingthemillandsoon.
Thisisanarchetypalidea.PsychologicallyonecouldsayitwasarepresentationoftheeffectsoftheSelf,orofpsychicenergywhichonthislevelisnotexperiencedasapersonifiedimageofGod,butratherasanimpersonalaspectofdivinepower.Inlaterreligiousandsometimesgeographicallydifferentdevelopments,thereareotheraspectsoftheDivine,namelyasgods,demons,ancestralghosts,etc.,whichareallmoreorlesspersonified,moreorlessanthropomorphicfigureswhichalsorepresentthepoweroftheunconscious,buthaveaform,andarespokenofasiftheywere,inpart,personalities.TheclimaxofthisistobefoundintheGreekreligion,wherethegodshavehumanform,beingrepresentativesofthearchetypes,andintheJudaeo-ChristianreligionwhereGodisalsoconceivedofasabeinginhumanform,withsemihumanreactions.
InChristianart,forinstance,Godisgenerallyrepresentedasanoldmanwithawhitebeard,thatistheclassicform.Themanaaspect,theaspectoftheGodheadassomethinglikeunpersonifiedpower,reappearssuddenlyinChristianityintheformoftheHolyGhost,whichiswater,wind,andfire:awindfilledthehouse,flamesappearedontheheadsoftheApostlesatWhitsuntide,anditalsoappearsinbaptismaswater.ThereforeherethearchetypalideareappearsintheinterpretationoftheHolyGhostasanimpersonalpowerwithasemimaterialaspect.
ItistothisideathatourauthorclingswhenhedescribestheHoly
Ghostquitenaivelyasakindofsemimaterialphysicalagencywhichworksupontheprimamateria:firstbywashingitandthenbyfillingitwithbloodthatisbyvivifyingitandthenbyheatingitupwithfire,whichwouldbegivingitlifeandresurrection.Thisheevenamplifiesfurtherbycomparingittothebirthofachild,whichisthreemonthspreservedinwater,thennourishedthreemonthsbyair,thenthreemonthsbyfire,untilitisborn.SotheactivityoftheHolyGhost,theimpactithasonmatter,involvesatthesametimegeneratingandbringingforth,nourishingthedivinechildandhelpingtowardsitsbirth.
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75.Theunionofopposites,maleandfemale("thewarm
overthecold")asaninner,spiritualprocess,symbolisedbykingandqueenwithwings.
Hereyouseethatourtextisatypicaldescriptionofhowthephilosopher'sstoneisproduced,foritisoftencomparedtothewholeprocessofchildbirth;itistheSelfbornwithinthepsycheasadivinechild.Wehavealsoalreadyhadallusionstothemotifoftheconiunctio.Nowitissaid:Coverthecoldnessoftheonewiththewarmthoftheotherputthemaleoverthefemale,thewarmoverthecold.Herethereistheideaoftheconiunctiooppositorum,themaleandfemalecomingtogether,andalsoadepersonalizationthroughtheascriptionofqualities,sothatwarmandcoldarebroughttogether,whichwouldbeabringingtogetherofoppositepowers.Itwasageneralmedievalideathatmenwerehotandwomencold,physiologically.
Thencomesamoresubtleidea,namelythatthisbringingtogetherofoppositesmeanstheyaresecretlyone,forthefirehastobeputoutbyfire,orhastobecooled,refrigerated,byitsinnerfire.Howwouldyou
interpretthatpsychologically?
Answer:ItsoundsliketheOuroboros.
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Dr.vonFranz:Itis,inaway,butonamoreprimitivelevelbecausetheOuroborosisthenaturalprocessofthatthing,whilehereitisinthevesselasbroughtforth.Yes,toacertainextent,butwhatwouldyousaythatispsychologically?Whatisfire?
Answer:Emotion.
Dr.vonFranz:Yes,butwhatispositiveaboutemotion?Ittransforms,cooks,andenlightens,thatisthewayinwhichfirebringslight:ifIamemotionallygrippedbysomethingIcanunderstandit;ifIamnotemotionallywrestlingwithmyproblems,orsomethingelse,thennothingcomesout.
Wherethereisnoemotionthereisnolife.Ifyouhavetolearnsomethingbyheartanditisofnointeresttoyou,thereisnofire;itdoesnotregister,evenifyoureaditfiftytimes.Butassoonasthereisemotionalinterest,itneedonlybereadonceandyouknowit.Thereforeemotionisthecarrierofconsciousness,thereisnoprogressinconsciousnesswithoutemotion.
Thedestructiveaspectappearsinquarrels,thereiteatsusup.Theotherpersonsaysitisterriblewhenyouletoutyourdestructiveemotion,butifwedon'tletitout,thenemotioneatsusup.Youknowhowenjoyableitisifyoukeepanaffecttoyourself;ifyoudon'tletyournegativeemotionoutitjusteatsyouupfromwithin,thereisagrowlingdogwithinyouforhours.
Herethereisanallusiontoevilemotion:"Thefirewaskindledintheassemblyandtheflameconsumedtheimpiousonearth."Itistheburningupofimpiouspeople,ofsinners.Andthenitissaid:"Heextinguishesthefireinitsowninnermeasure."
Psychologicallythatisveryrevealing.Againandagainpeoplesayinanalysisthattheyareinlovewithyou,orhateyou,althoughtheysay
theyknowitisquiteunreasonable:"Iamnotcrazy,Icanbehaveandbereasonable,butthethingisstillthere,whatcanIdoaboutit?Pleaseredeemme!Itisnotenoughformetoknowitisallnonsense."
Theanswertothatishardtoaccept:thefirehastoburnthefire,onejusthastoburnintheemotiontillthefirediesdownandbecomesbalanced.Thatissomethingwhichunfortunatelycannotbeevaded.Theburningofthefire,oftheemotion,cannotbetrickedoutofone'ssystem;thereisnorecipeforgettingridofit,ithastobeendured.Thefirehastoburnuntilthelastuncleanelementhasbeenconsumed,whichiswhatallalchemicaltextssayin
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76.Inalchemythemercurialserpentdevoursitselfinfirewater,justasadestructive
emotionhastoburnitselfout,i.e.,besufferedthrough.
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differentvariations,andwehavenotfoundanyotherwayeither.Itcannotbehinderedbutonlysufferedtillwhatismortalorcorruptible,or,asourtextsayssobeautifully,tillthecorruptiblehumidity,theunconsciousness,hasbeenburntup.Thatisthemeaning,itistheacceptanceofsuffering.
Ifoneisfilledwith10,000devilsonecanonlybeburntupinthemuntiltheyquietdownandarestill,andtheinfantiledemandontheanalystoranybodyelse,thatheshouldredeemonewithsomekindofcomfortingtrick,doesnothelp.Ifananalystpretendshecandothat,thenheisjustaquack,becausethereisnosuchthing,andanywayitwouldbemeaningless.Ifhetriestogetanalysandsoutofthesufferingitmeanshetakesawayfromthemwhatismostvaluable;cheapcomfortingiswrong,forbythatyougetpeopleawayfromtheheat,theplacewheretheprocessofindividuationtakesplace.
SittinginHellandroastingthereiswhatbringsforththephilosopher'sstone;asitissaidhere,thefireisextinguishedwithitsowninnermeasure.Passionhasitsowninnermeasure;thereisnosuchthingaschaoticlibido,forweknowthattheunconsciousitself,aspurenature,hasaninnerbalance.Thelackofbalancecomesfromthechildishnessoftheconsciousattitude.Ifyouonlyfollowyourownpassionaccordingtoitsownindicationsitwillnevergotoofar,itwillalwaysleadtoitsowndefeat.
Inordinatepassionseeksdefeat.Peoplewhohaveaninordinatelypassionatenature,akindofdevilishnature,arelovinglysearchingforahumanperson,orasituation,againstwhichtheycanknocktheirheads,andtheydespiseanypartnerorsituationinwhichtheirpassionwinsout.Instinctivelytheyseekdefeat.Itisasthoughsomethingwithinthemknowsthisdevilhastobehitonthehead,whichiswhyifoneisfriendlyorweak,orunderstandingtowardssuchfire,onedoes
nothelptheperson;generallysuchpeoplewalkoutonyou,becausethatisnotwhattheywant.Thefireofthepassionlooksforthatwhichwillextinguishit,andthatiswhytheurgeforindividuation,aslongasitisanaturalinordinateurge,seeksimpossiblesituations;itseeksconflictanddefeatandsufferingbecauseitseeksitsowntransformation.
Letussaysomeoneispossessedbyapowerdevil.Ifhecandominatepeopleinhissurroundingsheisnothappy,butremainsrestless;hedominatesthewholefamilyandgoesondominatingoutsideandinhisprofessionallife,butheisstillrestless.Heisreally
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searchingforsomeonewhocanovercomehim;thatiswhathelongsfor,thoughnaturallyhedoesnotlikeit.Itisanambiguousattitude,forhehatesitbutatthesametimelongsforsomebodyorsomethingtoovercomehimandputanendtohispower.Itisveryimportanttoknowthatinthetreatmentofborderlinecases,fortheyusuallysufferfromtremendousemotionsandalwaystrytoletthewholeimpactfallontheanalystinthehopeandfearthathewillhitback;thatisbecausethefireknowsitsowninnermeasure.
Thenourtextsaysthespiritbreaksupormodifieswhatishardandhardenswhatisweak.Thatseemsunderstandable,buthowwouldyouinterpretit?
Answer:Itistheconiunctiobetweenmaleandfemale.
Dr.vonFranz:Yes,thehardnesswouldbethemale,itisaconjunctionofopposites,buthowwouldthatappearinlife,tosoftenwhatishardandhardenwhatisweak?
Question:Hasittodowiththefourfunctions?Themainfunctioniswhatisstrongandthefourthfunctionisweak.
Dr.vonFranz:Yes,butthemainfunctionisnotalwayshard.
Question:Couldn'tthehardthingberesistances?
Dr.vonFranz:Yes,resistances,or,forinstance,arigidattitudeinsomecornerwhereoneliterallyhardens,whichisatypicalcomplexreaction.When,forinstance,ananalysandrefusestodiscusssomething,thatwouldbehardeningandthatcoversupaweakness;obstinacyandrigidityarehard,andthatusuallyhastodowithdestructiveandnegativechildhoodexperiences.Forinstance,suchpeoplewriteoffloveorthisorthat,andintheprocessevenwriteoffthemselves.Theysettheirwillonsuccessandmoneyorsomethingof
thatkindandinwardlytheyareasiffrozenup.
Veryoftentheanalyticalprocessconsistsinsofteningthehardcornersofthepersonality,whichisgenerallyinasufferingcramp.Tohardenisasymptomofweakness,thereforesolidifyingwhatisweakwouldbeapartofthesameprocess,foritiswhereonefeelsweakthatonestiffens,whilewhereoneisstrongoneremainsflexible.Therigidityofpeoplespringsfromweaknessandfearfrightstiffensthemandmakesthemcloseupthereforeatthesametimeweaknesshastobestrengthenedegoweaknessorfeelingweaknessorwhateveritmaybe,therearemanyweaknesses.
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Sothepsychologicalprocessoftenconsistsinsofteningupthosepartsofthepersonalitywhichhavestiffened,andatthesametimesolidifyingthenucleusofthepersonality,theSelf,andthatwouldbebringingtogethertheoppositesofmaleandfemale.
Thencomesthefourtheffect,illumination.Thatiswhereoneexperiencesafeelingofcomprehension,whencertainproblemsbecomeclear.Thatisalsocalledthecolouringandwhitening,forthingsbecomeclearandthelifefeelingbeginstoflowagain.Thenthespiritsegregatesthepurefromtheimpuresothatallaccidentalthingsareremovedbadodoursandsoon.
Tocommentonthatalchemically,veryoftenthephilosopher'sstoneissurroundedbyforeignmaterialwhichdoesnotbelongtoitandthereforehastobeeitherwashedorburntaway.Itisafactthatinthealchemicalprocessnoteverythinghastobeintegrated;thereissomethingcalledeitherthedamnedearth,terradamnata,orresextraneae,exteriororouterthings,whichhavetobecastoutandnotintegrated.Theyhavejusttobethrownaway.OftenpeoplewhohavereadalittleaboutJungianpsychologythinkthateverything,whateverhappens,belongstotheprocessandmustbeintegrated,butthatisonlytruecumgranosalis;itisafactthatnoteverythingbelongs.Likeallpsychologicaltruths,itallbelongsinonewayandnotatallinanother.Whatarethoseouterthingswhichhavetobethrownaway?
Answer:Collectiveattitudes.
Dr.vonFranz:Yes,collectiveattitudeswhichhamperthedevelopmentoftheindividual,oridentificationwithotherpeople.Manypeopledonotgettothemselvesbecauseoftheiradmirationforsomeotherperson,perhapsofthesamesex;theyalwaysstrivetobelikethatpersonandtherebylosethepossibilityofbecomingthemselves.Asasnakestaresatarabbit,theystareatsomeoneelse,
oratacollectiveidea;thatissomethingoutside,itisnotwhattheyare,itdoesnotbelongtothemandsuchthingshavenottobeintegrated.Thedreamswilltellyoutogetawayfromthat,leaveitalone,itisnotyoursandisnoneofyourbusiness.
Individuationthereforealsomeansseparation,differentiation,therecognitionofwhatisyoursandwhatisnot.Theresthastobeleftalone.Libidoandenergyshouldnotbewastedonthingswhichdonotbelong.Thereforeitcanbesaidthatthereisjustasmuchseparationasintegration,andthatwouldberegenerationthrough
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77.ThePelican,alchemicalvesselinwhichtakesplacethecirculatio(circulardistillation),comparabletothe
circumambulationofaproblemfromdifferentpointsofviewandatdifferentstagesoflifetheessence
oftheindividuationprocess.
fireuntil,asthetextsays,onereachesaconditionoftranquillity,forwhenpeoplecanletgoofwrongidealsorcollectiveattitudestheysuddenlybecomepeaceful.Suddenlytheyrelaxandsay:''ThankGod,IalwaysthoughtIhadtobebrilliant,andnowIfindIdon'thaveto."Theyhadjuststaredatsomeoneelsewhowas.Inthatwayoneisredeemedfromtheconstantefforttoachievesomethinginthewrongdirection.
Thewholeprocessisthendescribedastheearthchangingintowater,waterintoair,airintofire,andfireintoearth.Thereyouhavetheclassicalideaofthecirculatio,ofmovingthroughthefourelements,ofrepeatingtheprocessagainbutalwaysonanotherlevel.ThereistheclassicalideaofthecircumambulationoftheSelfthroughthedifferentelementsandthedifferentforms;thatis,amongotherthings,thecircumambulatio,theprocessofindividuationthroughthefourfunctionsanddifferentphasesoflife.
Intheprocessofindividuationveryoftenthesameproblemscomeupagainandagain;theyseemtobesettled,butafterawhilethey
reappear.Ifwelookatthatnegatively,wearediscouraged,sayinghereitisagain,thesameoldthing,butwhenlookedatmorecloselyonegenerallyseesthecirculatio,forithassimplyreappearedonanotherlevel.Forinstance,itmaynowhavebecomeafeelingproblem.
Taketheintellectual,intuitivetypeswhorunveryquickly
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throughananalyticalprocessandseemtounderstandalotofJungianpsychologyandwhatisgoingoninside.Theyassimilateagreatdeal,butithasnotbecomeanethicalproblemtothem;feelingisleftout,andwiththattheethicalaspectisomitted,whichmeansthatintheirethicalbehaviourintheworldtheycontinueinthesameoldstyle,perhapsaccordingtoreasonorcollectiveinfluenceorsoon.Theyspeakoftheprocessofindividuationasiftheyhadarrivedthereandknewallaboutit,whichinawayisquitetrue,fortheyhaveassimilatedit,letussayinfire,butnotyetinearth.Sothefirehastochangeintowaterandthewaterintoearth,andthenthewholethinghastobelivedthroughoncemoreasanethicalproblem.
Suchpeoplesometimessuddenlydiscovertheyarerightatthebeginningagain,theyhavenotevenlearnttheABCoftheshadowproblemorsomethinglikethat,andtheysaynowatlasttheyunderstandtheproblem,forhithertotheyhadonlyunderstooditpartially.
Thisgoesonconstantlywithpsychologicalunderstanding;therearemanylayersandsomethingcanalwaysbeunderstoodonanewanddeeperlevel.Youunderstanditwithapartofyourselfandthenthepennydropsdeeper,asitwere,andyourealizethesamethingbutinamuchmorelivingandrichwaythanbefore,andthatcancontinueindefinitelyuntilitbecomescompletelyreal.Evenifyoufeelyouhaverealizedsomethingyoushouldalwayshavethehumilitytosaythatthatishowyoufeelforthetimebeing;afewyearslateryoumaysayyoudidnotknowatallbeforebutnowcanunderstandwhatwasmeant.
ThatiswhatIfindsobeautifulaboutthisworkitisanadventurewhichnevercomestoanend,foreachtimeyouturnacorneracompletelynewvistaoflifeopens;youneverknowandhaveitall
settled,eveninthecaseofthingswhichforthepresentyoufeelaresortedout.
Thelastsectionreferstothelivingspiritandthespiritualizationofthebody,makingthebodyincorporealandthespiritconcrete.Thatisanotheraspectofaconiunctio,ofbringingtheoppositestogether,butagainithasadifferentnuance.Howwouldyoulookatthat?Thebody,thematerialthing,becomesspiritualizedandthespiritinturnbecomesconcrete.Whatwouldthatmeaninpractice?
Answer:Theendofthesplitbetweenbodyandspirit.
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78.Symbolofthealchemicalartasunionofwater(maletriangle,apexup)andfire
(femaletriangle,apexdown).
Dr.vonFranz:Yes,butwhatdoesthatlooklike?
Answer:Itwouldbeatotallydifferentattitudetowardsthebody.
Dr.vonFranz:Inwhatway?
Answer:Itwouldbeputtingtheanalyticalorspiritualexperienceintoactuallife.
Dr.vonFranz:Yes,thatwouldbesolidifyingthespirit.Ifyouapplyapsychologicalrealization,thenyouincarnatewhatwasspiritual.Ifyourecognizesomethingasrightandputitintoactionthenitbecomesreal.Nowwhatwouldtheotherpartinvolve?
Answer:Anattitudeofconsciousnesswhichretiresinpartfromspontaneousexperience,whilelookingatitsymbolicallyakindofspiritualizationofexperience.
Dr.vonFranz:Yes,itwouldbetounderstandaconcretesituationsymbolically.IfIcankeeptowhatGoethesays:"AllesVerganglichesistnureinGleichnis"EverythingtemporalisonlyasimileifeveninacompletelyconcretematerialsituationIcanseeitssymbolicaspect,takingmyselfoutofit,thenIspiritualizeit,itbecomesasimilefor
somethingpsychological.Alloutereventsinlifeareinawayonlysimiles;theyareonlyparablesofaninnerprocess,synchronisticsymbolisations.Youhavetolookatthemfromthatangletounderstandandintegratethem,andthatwouldbespiritualizingthephysical.
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Question:Isn'ttherethedangerofforinstancelosingthetasteofgoodroastbeef?
Dr.vonFranz:Certainly,thatiswhyyouhaveagaintosolidifythespirit!Youhavetodoboth.ItiswhattheZenMastersaid:"Atthebeginningoftheprocesswateriswaterandmountainsaremountainsandstreamsarestreams"thatisthetasteofagoodsteak,butfortheego,andthatisnogood.Youhavetogointoastatewheremountainsarenolongermountains,streamsnolongerstreams,andwaternolongerwater,whichmeansyouseethemassimiles.Butattheendoftheprocessmountainsareagainmountainsandthatwouldinvolveresolidifyingthespirit.
Togetstuckinthemiddle,thiswayortheother,isbad.Theprocessneedsbothmovementssoasnottobecomedestructive,andthatissobeautifullyillustratedinalchemy.Thebodyhastobespiritualizedandthespirithastobeincarnated,boththingsmusttakeplace.Youseehere,inthisdocument,anexampleofwhatDr.Jungsays,namelythatalchemycompensatestheone-sidednessofChristianspiritualization;itisthatunderlyingmovementwhichisnotanti-Christianbutcompletesitbybringingtheoppositesnearertogether,bybringingphysicallifeandsuchthingsmoreintothefieldofobservationandattention.
Remark:IhaveoftenobservedinJungiananalysisthatthereisadangerofintellectualizingthespirit.
Dr.vonFranz:Yes,andthenitbecomesawfullythin!Thespiritturnsintointellectualconceptsandlosesitsoriginalemotionalandgrippingquality,andthentherehappensexactlywhatyousay.Thatisthegreatdanger,forthenthespiritbecomesthinandbottled.
Question:Couldn'tonesaythatwheneverthereisarealspiritual
experienceitshouldbecomemanifest?
Dr.vonFranz:Thereisno"should"aboutit.IthinkarealspiritualexperienceIdon'tknowexactlywhatyouhaveinmindwhenyousaythatdoesbecomemanifest.Mythosmeanscommunication.Ifyouareoverwhelmedbyaspiritualexperienceititselfwantsyoutocommunicateit,i.e.,manifestit;thatisthemeaningofthewordmythos.Thereisnoreligiousexperiencewherethereisnottheneedtotellofit;thatisnatural,butoneneednotaddtheword"should."Ifitistrue,itwillbecomereal,itsnaturalflowwillbeintoreality.
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ThatisverybeautifullyillustratedinBlackElkSpeaks.Inakindofcoma,asaboyofnine,BlackElkhadamosttremendousspiritualexperience,whichhekepttohimselftillhegotathunderphobia.Thenhewenttoamedicinemanwhosaid:"Yourexperiencehasnotbeengiventoyouonly,youoweittoyourtribe."Sohetoldthetribeofhisvisionsandthephobiadisappeared.
Iwouldsaythatarealspiritualexperienceflowsnaturallyintocommunication,butthereisno"should"aboutit.Ifitisrealitwillmanifestinvoluntarily;evenifyoutrytoholditbackitwillflowoutofyou,andthusitmanifestsinreality,becauseitisreal.Ifonehastotellpeoplethatadreamdoesmeansomething,thatitmustbeactedupon,thatisalreadybad.
Oneofthemostpositiveexperiencesinanalysisiswhenananalysandbringsadreamwhosemeaningyoutell,butwithoutcomment.Youjustinterpretthedreamandthenexttimetheanalysandsays:"Doyouknowwhathappened?YougavemetheinterpretationofthatdreamandasaresultIdidsuchandsuchathing!"Youdon'tneedtoplaythepartofagovernessandsayoneshoulddowhatthedreamsays,thatisnottherightway.Normally,ifapersonismorallysound,thatwillresultquitenaturally.
Let'ssay,forexample,thatagrown-upsonstilltriestogetmoneyoutofhismother,andshe,beingsoft-hearted,cannotsayNo,butthinkinghemightbehungrysendshimthemoneyatonce.Supposesuchamotherhadadreamthattosendmoneytohersonmeantpoisoninghim.Youdon'tneedtosay:"Don'tsendmoney,"butrather:"Thedreamsaysifyousendmoneyyouarepoisoningorcastratingyourson,"andnexttimethatwomanwilltellyoushehasmadeuphermindandisnotgoingtosendanymore.
Thatishowitgoesifpeoplearemorallysound,andthatishopeful.I
havesometimesmetcaseswhereIthoughttherewaspracticallynohope,horriblecases,butiftheyhadthatqualityIwassuretheywouldgetoutoftrouble,andevenquickly.ThatkindofmoralintegrityandnaivetywhichjustsaysYes,speedsupeverything.ItsaysintheBible:"Letyourcommunicationbe,Yea,yea;Nay,nay."Suchpeoplearemorallysound.Theoppositewouldbethosewhounderstand,noddingtheirheadstoeverything,butheavenknowshowmanyelectricshocksareneededfromwithinandwithoutbeforetheyrealizetheyhavetodosomethingaboutit.
Motherssaytheyknowtheyshouldnoteattheirchildren,but
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theyneverthinkofchangingtheirbehaviour.Theydon'tevennoticewhattheyaredoing.TheotherdayIknewfromadaughterthathermotherhadtelephonedherthreetimesonaSundaysayingsheshouldcomehomeatonce.Thatsamemothersworetomeintheanalyticalhourthatshenevermadeanydemandsonherdaughterandallowedhercompletefreedom.Shelookedmestraightintheeyeandsworeshemadenoclaims.WhatthedaughterhadtoldmewasinconfidencesoIcouldnotmakeuseofthatillustration.Isattherefuriousbutcoulddonothing.Isaid:"Areyousure?""Yes,"shesaid,"absolutely."
Therethespiritnevermaterializes.Suchpeoplecananalyseforyearsandtheresultisabsolutelynil.TheycantalkaboutJungianpsychologyasthoughtheyknowallaboutitbutthereisnochange.
Iwanttoskipthenextparableandtaketheoneonthephilosophicalcreedbasedonthenumberthree,whichcontinuesthetendencyshowninthelastchapter,i.e.,aconfessionoftheTrinitarianimageofGod.TherearethethreeeffectsoftheHolyGhost,threestagesofthealchemicalwork,andsoon.Threetimesthreemonthsthechildisinthemother'swomb,andthentherecomesthesymbolismofasevenfoldprocesswhichisinawayverysimilartothepreviousprocess,withthebirthofthechild,thecirculationthroughtheelements,theeffectsoftheHolyGhost,andsoon,asthemainthemes.
Thenextchapteristhefifthparable,"TheTreasureHouseWhichWisdomBuildsontheRock."YouknowthefamoussimileinSt.Matthewaboutthehousebuiltonsandandtheonebuiltonrock,andyoualsoknowthatinProverbs9:1-5thereisthesimilethatWisdombuiltherhouseonsevenpillars,andsoon,andthatsheinvitedtheIsraelitestoeatthere.
Wisdombuiltahouseandthosewhoenteritwillbeblessedandfindpasture,accordingtothetestimonyoftheprophet.Theywillbedrunkfromtheoverflowofthinehouse,foronedayinthycourtsisbetterthanathousand(Psalm84:10).Blessedaretheythatdwellinthyhouse.Askanditshallbegivenyou,seekandyeshallfind,knockanditshallbeopeneduntoyou.Wisdomcriethatthegatesandsays:BeholdIstandatthedoorandknock;ifanymanhearmyvoice,andopenthedoor,Iwillcomeintohimandwillsupwithhim,andhewithme.
Howgreatisthefullnessofsweetnesswhichthoukeepesthiddenforthosewhoenterthishouse,asweetnesswhicheyehathnotseenorearheard,neitherhasenteredintotheheartofman.Thosewhoopenthishousewillhaveholinessandthefullnessofdays,foritisbuiltonastrong
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rockwhichshallonlybesplitopenbythebloodofthehe-goat,orwhensmittenthreetimesbytherodofMoseswhenwatercomethoutabundantlyandthecongregationdrinkandtheirbeastsalso.
Youseeherethatthisistosolidifywhatisweak.Therockstandsforthesteadfastnessofthepersonality,whichcomesfromalongprocessofassimilatingtheunconscious.Ifonehasexperiencedforlongenoughthosegreatupsanddownswhichareentailedbythemeetingwiththeunconscious,thenslowlyanunshakablekernelisformed.Ithinkthatevenapsychologicalcureordevelopment,whichisthesamething,doesnotchangetheconflictorcureaproblem;whatisreallychangedistheabilitytostanditbetter,andthatistherealdevelopment.
Sometimestheoutersituationmayremainunchanged,orcertaindifficultiesincharacter,whatarecalledcharacterneuroses,stillremaintoacertainextent.If,forinstance,someonehasaverypassionatetemperament,oratendencytodepressions,thatgenerallycontinuesforalongtime.Itwilltakeatleasttwentyyearstoeducatethatoutofthesystem;itcannotbechangedatonceforitisingrainedinone'snature.Butthefirststepistobeabletostanditbetter,nottobedissolvedbyit,tobedetachedandhaveastandpoint,toknowthatitisone'sweaknesstowhichonedoesnotintendtogivewayandthatitwillpass.
Thefirststepisthatoneisnolongeridenticalwithone'sownmadspots.Forexample,ifaparanoicsays,"Ibelieve,butforgiveme,itmaynotbeso,that...,"itshowshehasnowsomethingofarockbeyondhisparanoidsystem;thoughhehasnotyetgotridofhisfantasy,atleastheisabletosayhemaybeimaginingit.Thatisthebeginningoftheformationofsolidearth;outsidetheconflict,somethinghasescapedthedevil.
Orifonehasalwaysbeensweptoffone'sfeetbytheanimusorsomeemotion,andtherebegintobeperiodswhenonebecomesreasonable,eventhoughafterwardsonemayfallbackagainintothepassionatepossession,thosemomentsarethebeginningoftheformationoftheinnerrock.Thesmallpieceofsolidgroundonwhichonestandsbecomesstrongerandstrongerandslowlybecomessomethingsolid,sothatmoreandmoreonefeelsthatcomewhatmaythiswillprobablynotbedestroyedagain.
Onecandescribeitmorepessimisticallybutitisstillthesamepositivething:onehassufferedsomuch,orhasfallensodeeplyintoone'sownhellthat,thankGod,onecannotfallanylower,andthat
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givesacertainsenseofsecurity.Ifyouhavetouchedthebottomofhellthereisnothingfurtherdown,andthatiswherethesolidrockbegins.Orsomeonemaycomeandsaytheyhavealwaysbeenafraidofgoingmad,buthavingreachedtheageoffortywithoutdoingso,theyprobablyneverwillnow.Iftheysaythat,onecangenerallyagreewithagoodconscience.Iftheyhavecomesofarwithoutsnappingthentheyarenotlikelytodoso,becausesomethinghascoagulatedwithinandbecomesolid;andonthat,asistheaimofthework,onecanretireintotheinnerhouseofwisdomwhichisbuiltonarockandunshakablethetextevensaysineternity.
Youmayaskifthatisnothardening,isitnotrigidityoncemore?Isn'tthatbecomingimmune?ButtheanswerisNo,fromsucharockflowsthewateroflife;thatistherockfromwhichMoses,byamiracle,obtainedthewateroflife.Itisarockwhichisalsoawell,andthereforeitisthemostliquidthingandtheoppositeofrigidityorhardening.
Itmeansbeingflexiblebutunshakable,whichiswhyDr.Jungsaystheprocessofindividuation,ifitgoesonunconsciously,makestheindividualcruelandhardtowardshisfellowcreatures,andifitisaconsciousprocessthenitleadstothephilosopher'sstonenottoahardeningofthepersonality,buttofirmnessinthepositivesenseoftheword.Oneisnolongereasilydissociatedandsweptawaybyemotion,losingone'spointofviewthroughcollectivepressureandsoon,butthatwouldnotmeanahardeningwhichcannotbeinfluenced.
ThatisprobablywhatismeantbytherockonwhichthehouseofWisdomisbuilt.Inittakesplace,asthetextsays,thevisionofthefullnessofsunandmoon.Thisreferstothemotifthatinthishousetheconiunctiotakesplace;itisalsothereforealludedtoasthealchemicalvessel,whichisthehouseinwhichsunandmoonunite.In
ourchapterthehouseisbuiltonfourteenpillars.Thepillarsstandforthefourteenqualitiesthealchemistmusthave.
Thequalitiesarenotonlyethicalbutincludeallsortsofsuppositionsastowhatahumanbeingshouldhave:health,humility,holiness(fromthedescriptionthatapparentlymeans"wholeness"orpurity),chastity,virtue(effectivenessorefficiency),victoriousness(tobeabletoovercome,afaithwhichhasthecapacitytotrust,ortounderstandspiritualqualitieswhichcannotbeseen),faith,hope(oneoftheworstthingsintheinnerworkishopelessness,itisterriblewhenpeoplegiveupanddeclaretheyarehopeless;thatisoneofthegramophonerecordsoftheanimus),
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79.Alchemicalfurnace.Theworkof
transformationcanbespoiledwithtoomuchheat,justastheprocessofindividuationcannotbeforcedbut
dependsontime,balance,andpatience.
charity,compassion,goodness(akindofbenevolence),patience(whichisveryimportant),temperateness(abalancebetweentheopposites),disciplineorinsight,andobedience.
Inthisconnectionitsaysthatthefourteenthstoneorpillaristemperatia,meaningabalancedtemperament,ofwhichitissaidthatitnourishesandkeepspeopleinhealthbecausewhentheelementsareinastateofbalancethesoulenjoyslivinginthebody,butwhentheyareatstrife,itdoesnot.Thereforebalanceistherightmixtureoftheelements,ofwarmthandcoldness,ofdryandmoist,sothattheonedoesnotoverbalancetheother,whichiswhythephilosopherssaidtowatchthatthemysterydoesnotevaporateandtheacidturnintosteam."Payattention,soasnottoburnthekingandqueenwithtoomuchfire."
Theinnerprocesscanbeoverdonewithtoomuchfire,ashappenstothosewhostriveaftertheprocessofindividuation.Theysaytheycan'tgotoaparty,forinstance,because"Ihavetostayhomeanddomymandalas."Itisthedesiretoforcetheprocess,butonecannotforceaprocessofgrowth.Itisfoolishtostormatalittleoaktree,tellingittogrowmorequickly,forthatisagainstnature.Itwouldbebettertowateritandputsomedungatitsroots.
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Therearethingsintheinnerprocesswhichcannotbespeededupanditisnogoodbeingimpatient.
Sotheinstructionnottoburnupthekingandqueenmeansnottotrytoforcetheinnerconiunctio.Inthatthereisalwaysego;itisagreedy,immatureattitudewhichnaturallyleadstothewrongthing,andthereforethealchemistsalwaysgivethiswarningaboutnotoverheatingtheprocess.Someevenrecommendthatoneshouldneverhaveagreaterwarmththanthatoffreshhorsedung,whichwouldbeaboutthetemperatureofthehumanbody,thetemperatureoftheinteriorofthewarm-bloodedcreature;itshouldbeadequatetothehumanbeingandeverythingwhichisextramodum,asthetextsays,beyondmeasure,iswrong.Eventhegood,ifbeyondmeasure,iswrong.Everythingwhichcontainstheinfantilepushingaccentiswrong;itcanbefeltandoneknowsitwillleadnowhere,eveniftheintentionisgood.ThosearethestonesofthehouseofWisdom.
ThesixthparableisaboutHeavenandEarthandthesituationoftheelements,andherethereisacosmogonicmyth.Itdescribesthebirthofthewholecosmos.Psychologicallyhere,thereiswhatthealchemistscalltheunionofthecosmicworld,whichmeansgettingbeyondthemicrocosmofthehumanbeingandbeingopentolifeitself,initselftoberelatedtothewholeoflifethroughwatchingtheprocessofsynchronicity.Eventhehighestandmostimportantoccupationconnectedwithone'sowninnerdevelopmenthasanarcissisticquality,ithastobeso.Foratimeonehastobeshutupinthevesselandattendtoone'sownbusiness,andtosomeextentnotbeopentowardslifeduringthatperiod;thatisnecessaryandinevitable.Butinthestatedescribednow,thewholenatureofthecosmosisagainincludedandthatisrelationshiptowardsGod.
Thelastparableistheconversationofthebelovedwithhisbride:
TurntowardsmewithyourwholeheartanddonotrejectmebecauseIamblack,forthesunhastakenmycolourawayandtheabysshascoveredmyface.Theearthiscontaminatedinmyworks,darknesshasspreadovertheearth,Iamatthebottomoftheabyssandmysubstancehasnotyetbeenopened.
Icryfromthedepthandfromtheabyssoftheearth,Iraisemyvoicetoallyouwhopassby,attendtomeandlookatmeiftherebeanybodylikeuntome.TohimIwillgivethemorningstar.BeholdIhavewaitedonmycouchthewholenightforsomeonetocomfortmeandhavenotfoundany.Icalledandnoneansweredme.
Yousee,hereagainhebeginswiththedeepestdepression.
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80.Thealchemistenclosedinastateofnigredo(depression),likenedinthe''Aurora
consurgens"toabridegroominatomb,awaitinghisbride(hislostsoul).
IwillariseandgointothetownandwillseekinthealleysandstreetsifImayfindachastevirgin,beautifulinfaceandbodyandmorebeautifullyclothed,whoshallrollawaythestonefrommytombandgivemefeatherslikethedove,andwithherIwillflyuptoHeaven.AndIwillsaytoherthatnowIliveineternityandwillrestinher,forshewillstandatmyrightdressedinagoldengarment.Hearken,mydaughter,inclinethyeartowardsmeandlistentomyprayer,forwithmywholeheartIhavelongedforthybeauty.
Thatisthebridegroomcallingfromhistomb.Hewantstoberesurrected;heisburiedinhistombandnowhecallsforhisbridewhoisabirdlikebeingwhohasfeathersandfliesinHeaven.Sosheisaghost,aspiritualbeing.
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Ihavespokeninmylanguage:Tellmemyendandthenumberofmydays,forthouhascircumscribedmydaysandmysubstanceisasnothingbeforethee.Thouartshewhowillentermyear,whowillentermybody,andwhowillclothemewithapurplerobe,andthenIshallcomeforthlikeabridegroomfromhischamber,forthouwiltdecoratemewithgemsandstonesandclothemewiththegarmentofhappiness.
Enteringtheearissomethingverystrange.ItisanallusiontocertainmedievaltheoriesthatChristwasconceivedthroughtheearoftheVirginMary.TheangeloftheAnnunciationappearedandtoldhershewouldconceiveandbearachild;sometheologianstookthattomeanChristwassupernaturallyconceivedthroughthewordenteringherearandthatwascalledtheconceptioperaurem,conceptionbytheear.Thereisadeadbridegroomintheabyss,indespairinthetomb,andnowhecallsforhisbridewhofliesinHeavenwithwings.Firstshewillopenhistombandthenwillenterhisear;thenhewillresurrectandshewillgivehimagarmentofresurrectionandjoy.
Youseehereveryclearlythatitisaninnerprocessoftheconiunctio,itisunionwiththeanima.Shegoesinthroughtheear,sheisunderstoodandintegratedandthatemanatesasanewattitude.Inalchemicaltermsthatisthebeginningoftherubedo.Firstthereisthenigredoorblackness,thenthewhiteness,andnowbeginstherubedo,theredstate,whichiswhythebridegroomgetsaredgarmenthere.
Theproblemis,whoisthebridegroom?HereheiscomparedtoChristHimself,forthewords"Iwillproceedfromthechamberasabridegroom"alludetoChrist.Atthesametimeitisclearlytheauthor.Hereagainisadescriptionoftheprocessoftheconiunctioinwhichtheauthorisinvolvedwithhisdivinepart,ageniuneexpressionoftheexperienceofwhatJungcalls"becomingChristlike."TheindividualherehimselfbecomesaSonofGod,andthereforeabridegroomoftheWisdomofGod.ItisamysticalunionwiththeGodheadandthe
Godhead,asyouwillsee,isfeminine.Hebegshertotellhimwhosheissothateveryonemayknow,andshereplies:
Hearkenallnations,perceivewithyourears,myredbridegroomhasspoken.Heaskedandhasreceived.
Iamtheflowerofthefieldandthelilyofthevalleys.Iamthemotherofbeautifulloveandofholyrecognitionandholyhope.Iamthefertilevineyardwhichbearssweetsmellingfruit,andmyflowersaretheflowersofhonourandbeauty.Iamthebedofmybeloved,aroundwhomstand
Page269
81."Analysisshouldreleaseanexperiencethatgripsorfallsuponusasfromabove,anexperiencethathassubstanceandbodysuchasthosethingswhichoccurredtotheancients.IfIweregoingto
symboliseitIwouldchoosetheAnnunciation."Jung.Inalchemicaltermsthatisthebeginningoftherubedo.
Page270
sixtyheroesbearingtheirswordsattheirhipsagainstthehorrorsofthenight.Iambeautifulandwithoutflaw.
Ilookthroughthewindowandseemybelovedthroughthelattice.Iwoundhisheartwithoneofmyeyesandinonehairofmyneck.Iamthefragranceofanointments.Iamthechosenmyrrh.Iamthecleverestamongthevirginswhocomeforthliketheaurora,themorningdawn,chosenlikethesunandbeautifulasthemoonwithoutmentionofwhatiswithin.IamlikethegreatcedarsandthecypressesonMt.Sion.Iamthecrownwithwhichmybridegroomshallbecrownedonthedayofhisweddingandhisjoy,formynameislikeapoured-outointment.
IamthechosenvineyardinwhichtheLordsentworkmeneachhouroftheday.Iamthelandofpromiseinwhichthephilosophershavesowntheirgoldandsilver.Ifthisgraindoesnotfallintomeanddie,thenitwillnotproducethethreefoldfruit.Iamthebreadfromwhichthepoorwilleattilltheendoftheworldandneverhungeragain.
AndthencomethewordsofGodasintheBible,fromwhichitiscompletelymanifestthatthisfemalebeingisGod:
Igiveanddemandnothinginreturn.IgivepastureandIneverfail.Igivesecurityandamneverafraid.WhatmoreshallIsaytomybeloved?Iamthemediatorbetweentheelementswhichmediatebetweentheoneandtheother.
WhatiswarmIcoolandwhatisdryImakemoist,andviceversa.WhatishardIsoften,andviceversa.Iamtheendandmybelovedisthebeginning.Iamthewholeworkandthewholescienceishiddeninme.Iamthelawinthepriest,thewordintheprophet,andthecounselinthewiseman.
AndnowagainthereisaquotationfromthewordsofGodasgivenintheBible:
IkillandImakealive,neitheristhereanythatcandeliveroutofmyhand(Deuteronomy32:39).Ioffermymouthtomybelovedandhekissethme.
HeandIareone.Whocanseparateusfromourlove?Nooneinlengthorbreadth,forourloveisstrongerthandeath.
Thenheanswers:
O,mybelovedbride,thyvoicehassoundedinmyearsandissweet.Youarebeautiful....Comenow,mybeloved,letusgooutintothefield,letusdwellinthevillages.Wewillriseupearly,forthenightisfarspentandthedayisathand.Wewillseeifthyvineyardhasblossomedandifithasbornefruit.Therethouwiltgivemethylove,andfortheeIhavepreservedoldandnewfruits.Weshallenjoythemwhileweareyoung.Letusfillourselveswithwineandointmentsandthereshallbenoflowerwhichwewillnotputintoourcrown,firstliliesandthenrosesbeforetheyfade.
ThisisverymeaningfulbecauseitisallfromtheBible,whereitisthesinnerswhosayit!IntheBible,thesinners,theidiots,the
Page271
82.Representationsofthesymbolicprocess,whichbeginsinchaos(conflict
anddepression)andendswiththebirthofthephoenix(thenewpersonality).
Page272
imbeciles,andthosewhoarerejectedbyGodsay,"Letusgooutintothefields,"andsoon,andherethebrideandbridegroomsayitintheconiunctio.
Oneofthemonkswhocopiedoutthetextgotsopulledintothepleasureofitthatwhenhecametothepartaboutwalkingthroughthemeadowandpickingtheflowers,insteadoftranslatingpratum(meadow)hewrote:"thereisnopeccatumwewillnotpick"!Thepoormonkusedthewordpeccatum,sin,insteadofpratum,somethingwhichinmedievalstenographycouldveryeasilyhappen.Hemadeacomplexmistake.ForsomeonewhoknowstheBibleitwouldbeveryshockingifthebridegroomandbridequotedthewordsoftheworld'ssinners.Whatonearthwasthismanthinkingwhenhewrotethat?
Nobodyshallbeexcludedfromourhappiness.Wewillliveinaunionofeternalloveandwillsayhowgoodandlovelyitistolivetwoinone.Thereforewewillbuildthreetents,oneforme,oneforthee,andthethirdforoursons,forathreefoldropeshallnotbebroken.WhohasearstohearlethimhearwhatthespiritofthedoctrinesaystotheSonsoftheDisciplineoftheunionofthelovingandthebeloved.Forhehassownhisseedfromwhichthethreefoldfruitwillripenandofwhichtheauthorofthethreewordssays:Theyarethethreepreciouswordsinwhichthewholescienceishiddenandwhichshallbegiventothegodly,namelytothepoorfromthefirsttothelastman.
Thoselastwordsalludetoasecrettraditionwhichonlytheinitiatedhandontoeachother,i.e.,thetraditionofthisloveunion.ThethreetentsareanallusiontotheannouncementinRevelation21:2-3thatGodwillliveinonetentthetabernaclewithmanonearth:"AndI,John,sawtheholycity,newJerusalem,comingdownfromGodoutofheaven,preparedasabrideadornedforherhusband.AndIheardagreatvoiceoutofheavensaying,Behold,thetabernacleofGodiswithmen,andhewilldwellwiththem,andtheyshallbehispeople,
andGodhimselfshallbewiththem,andbetheirGod."
SoyouseetheconiunctiohereendswithanincarnationoftheDivinity,itisGodcomingdownintothehumanbeing.ThatiswhatJunghasformulatedinsayingthatwhatisseenfromthehumanangleasbeingtheprocessofindividuation,asseenfromtheangleoftheimageofGodisaprocessofincarnation.
Page273
IndexPagenumbersinitalicrefertoillustrations
A
aborigines,Australian,17,27
Acharontos,46,50,70,72
activeimagination,21,78,128-132,134-137,193-194,241-242
Adam:87-88,89,90,92,157,212
andEve,53-55,88,90
Adler,Alfred,128
Aker,70,71,72-73
albedo,204,220-223,241,268
AlberttheGreat,St.,43,186
alchemy/alchemists:andastrology,44,63
andblacksmith,48
andchemistry,40-42,67,77,224
developmentof,40-43,57,66-68,75,78,223-224
libraryandlaboratory,83
mysteryof,45-46,50,53,67,79,84,95,113,146-147,231
innigredo,223,267
andprojection,21-22,37-38,76,107,113,152,212,223-224
qualitiesnecessary,264-265
stagesin,12,197,235
andTrinity,247
atwork,20,38,67,83,195,231,240
ambition,126,128,130-131,133,170-171
Amnaël,45
analysis:17-19.26-27,54-56,86-87,91,97,101-106,128,139,141,142,148-149,152-153,162,164,220-223,254-266,269
andsecrets,68-69
sexualurgein,58-59
andspontaneity,229-232,233,238-239
anima:51-52,93,100-101,116,132,135-136,152-153,164,201-203,216,225,231,232,268
projectionof,57-58,130,176,229
split,142-143
animaChristi,183-184
animamundi,210,213
animus,57,123,130,152-153,164,169-170,176,201,226,229,232,263
Annunciation,268,269
ant,82,88,94
Anubis,46,69,72,74,79
Apocalypse(Revelations),204,219-220,272
Apollo,82,84,116,118,156
apple,52-54
Apuleius,52
aquadoctrinae,100
Aquinas,St.Thomas,43,178-181,186,192-193,196,205,207,235
archetype(s):
incarnationof,217-218,248,272
andinstinct,59,60
personified,28,29-30
projectionof,29-30,34-38,118,122-123,212,250
"ArchetypeandConstitution"(Marti),214-215
Arimasps(ants),88,94
arrow,114-116
arsenic,asmalewater,50,82
Artemidoros,22
ashes,228
AssumptionofVirginMary,62,64,65,215
astrology,44,63
augmentumplumbi,171
Augustine,St.,98
Avicenna,186
Azazel,49
B
baptism,245,249-250
Babyloniancaptivity,234,241
bath:221seealsowashing
Beardy,Jackson,127
bearskin,15-16,30
Page274
Benjouminminor(St.Victor),20
Berthelot,M.,41
birds:114,168
dove,204,219,221
eagle,14,15,108,110,114,115,116
swan,115
wingedandwingless,109,110,114,116,124,125-126,127,128-132,133,134-135
BirthoftheDragon(Jacoby),243
blackcloud,203,206,207-208,241
BlackElkSpeaks,261
Blake,William,28,233
Boehme,Jakob,117,191,216
Bonus,Petrus,177
BookofKrates,114
bowandarrow,108,114-116
Buddha,156,161
C
CatholicChurch,15-17,24-25,100,144,162,215,245-250
causality,32-33,186-187
chaos,6,204,206,208,209,271
chemistry,40-42,44,67,77-79,113
Chepera,72,88
child:divine,163,168,171,225-227,244,250-251,262,271
frustrated(inadult),105-107,254
Chnouphis,46
Christ:16,20,25,101,218-219,248-249,268
andAdamandEve,53-55
inbearskin,15-16,30
ascornerstone,148
soulof,183-184,212
assun,162
Christianity,14-17,24-28,31-33,62-65,202-203,212-215,260
Chrysokolla,82,93
churingastone,27
circulatio,166,257,262
circumambulation,204,257
clay,87-88,89,90
cloud,black,203,206,207-208,241
"CloudofUnknowing,The",208
CodexMarcianus,41,43
coffin:24,73,113,159
andOsiris,82,84,85,86-87,102,107
compensation,198,228,260
conceptioperaurem,268
concupiscence,188,190
conflict,136-137,142-148,152-157,168,169-170,206,208,209,223,235,254,263
coniunctio:
ofbodyandspirit,258-260
ofbridegroomandbride(theWisdomofGod),267,268,270,272
ofcockandhen,150,151
ofconsciousandunconscious,6,164
indespair,162,163
offireandwater,103,259
forced,266
asfountain,175
asharmony/balance,106,153,172
ashermaphrodite,6,176
andincarnationofGod,272
asinnerprocess,164,251,268
andinstinctoftruth,172,173,174-176
ofkingandqueen,151,153,201,251
ofmaleandfemale,6,89-90,95,99,103,145,158,251,255,259
asmonstrosity,145
asmysticalunion,201,268,270,272
innewmoon,162,163
ofsunandmoon,111-112,116,151,153,154,159,162-164,167,168,169-172,264
andtension,156
unconscious,145
asunionwithanima,268
invessel,6,158,159,264
consciousness:
collective,sunas,143-144
developmentof,54-56,60-63,66,143-149,256
one-sided,149,156,213,260
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andrigidity,255-256,264
andsexualurge,57-60
andspontaneity,229-232,233,238-239
twoprinciplesof,144-149,155-159
corn,resurrectionof,73,75
corruptiblehumidity,225,228-229,233,245
creativity,104,159-160,162
Creed,Catholic,245-246
cross,14,20-21,137,202-203
Cupid,115-116,119
D
Dechemia(Senior),108-109,110,111-114,124
deNerval,Gérard,217-218
Democritus,80
depression,85,102-104,105,106,128,148,162,163,209,220,223,225,235,263,266,267,271
Descartes,32-33
devil,126,130-132,136,208,212,226,254-255,263
distilling,220-221,228,245,257
divinechild,seechild:divine
DonJuan,58
Dorn,Gerhard,224,230
doublelion,70,71,72,170
dove,64,204,219,221,227,269
dragon,14,243
dream(s):16-19,21-24,34,39,54,62-63,84,101-102,147,212,229,261
ofapple,52
Babylonian,23
ofcoffins,24
ofeagle,14
offishing,231,232
ofGodhead,30
ofhouseonfire,23
logicof,185
ofMass,17
ofMotherNature,65-66
ofpersonifiedarchetype,29-30
prognostic,24
projected,24
ofunknownwoman,52,62
ofwashing,221
drives,seeinstincts
drivenness,126-131,156-157,170-171
Druses,42-43,165
E
eagle,14,15,108,110,114,115,116,120
egg,6,82,168
ego:87,155-160,217
rigid,255-256,264
Einstein,Albert,36
elements,four,12,82,152,197,257
elixir,ofwidow,50,77
ElHofis,167,201
ElRoumi,167,201
Elohim,120
empathy,159
enantiodromia,14,31,62-63,65,213-215
Eros,114,116,118,119
Eskimos,18
Ethiopians,82,88,94,208,210,211
Eve:51,52-53
andAdam,53-55,88,90
andVirginMary,227
evolution,235
ExercitiaSpiritualia(St.Ignatius),20
extractioanimae,228
F
felixculpa,53-55
fire:127,133,152,188-189,244,265-266
andemotion,86,117,129,251-252,253,254,257-258,265
asHolyGhost,28-31,249
unionwithwater,103,259
fish,127,232,238
fishing,231,232
flower:golden,240
seven-petalled,235
four-body,82-83,87
fourfoldorder,197
Freemasons,13,224
Freud,Sigmund,128
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frustration,104-107
furnace,alchemical,38,115,153,265
G
Gabir,114
goat,black,23
goat'sblood,171-172
God/Godhead:15-16,51-56,165,167,213
ascloud,208
andconsciousness,54-56
contactwith,136-140,141,142
darkside,156,157
dreamsof,30
asfeminine,212-214,215,216-219,227,268(seealsoWisdomofGod)
immutabilityof,33
incarnationof,217-218,248,272
asLogos,183,184,185,218
representationsof,27-32,249-250
revelationof,24-25,205
sunas,149
aswiseoldman,28,250
Goethe,132,259
GoldenAss,The(Apuleius),52
gorilla-circus,lifeas,170
H
Hathor,51,159
heart,flaming,191
Heraclitus,27
hermaphrodite,6,176
Hermes,46,69,110,111,114,118seealsoMercurius
HolyGhost:141-142,193,212,218,242,244-246,247,248-250,262
ascloventongues,173
asfeminine,183-184,186
asinstinctoftruth,172,173
asnaturalphenomena,27-29,249-250
sectsof,247-249
HopiIndians,15
Horus,40,43-44,45,46-47,67,159
HughdeSt.Victor,20
humidity,corruptible,225,228-229,232,245
I
IgnatiusofLoyola,St.,20
illumination,256
immortality,searchfor,93-94,113
Indians,NorthAmerica,15,17-19,127
individuationprocess,12,20,69,76,83,131,148,159-160,161,165,171,201,219,256,257,258-264,265,266,272
inflation,30,54,140-142,155,157,160,164,194,196-197,204,207
instinct(s):12,97,126,127,128-130,220-221
andarchetype,59,60
oftruth,172,173,174-176
InterpretationofDreamsintheAncientNearEast(Oppenheim),22
introversion,asvessel,86,87
intuition,176
Isis:23,40,45,51-53,56-63,67,69,73,74,159
lettertoHorus,49-50
J
Jacoby,Margaret,122,243
jealousy,129
Jonah,148
Jung,C.G.,13-14,15,20,22,37-38,83,90,93,96-97,113,121,126,149,155-156,169,178-179,182,191-193,195,225,235,260,264,268,269,272
justandunjustsun,124,126,144-149,155-157
K
Kabbala,19,108,203
kairoi,44
kenosis,218-219
Kepler,Johannes,32
Kerkoros,69
kidneys,100
kneadedman,82,87-88,89,90,93
knowledge:
ofgoodandevil,53-56
projectedintowater,100-102
symbolic,191-192
Koran,108
Kunapipi,17
Page277
L
lapisangularis,148
lead:21-22,38,81-86,90-91,102,171
madnessof,82,91,106
''LetterfromtheSuntotheWaxingMoon"(Senior),111-112,149-153,155,162-163,167-171,201,227
library,andlaboratory,83
lion:47,104-106,112,170-171,195,271
devouringsun,105
double,70,71,72,170
lizard,19
Logos,183,184,185,218
LoonandFish(Beardy),127
love,116-118,119,123,128-129,162,164,202,217-218,220
M
magic,49,77,81
Maier,Michael,224
MalakJahwe,120
mana,24,27-28,249-250
Maria,Prophetess,81-82
marriage,mystical,179,201,268seealsoconiunctio
Marti,Hans,214-215
Mass,15,17,199
massaconfusa,208
masturbation,131-132,136-137
matter:andmotherarchetype,64,65-66,212-215
andspirit,37,38,64,86,93-94,146-147,212-213,215,230,232,233,241,249-250,258-260
transformationof,12,64,76-78,84,86,215
andunconscious,37-40,78-79
Maya,99
Mercurius,86,100,129,168,247seealsoHermes
mermaid,231
metals,seven,204,220
milk,virgin's,63
MohammedibnUmail,seeSenior
moon:andIsis,40,51
natureof,149-153
split,142-143
andsun,12,61-63,100,109,110,111-112,116,124,125-126,149-150,151,152-153,154,155,162,163,164-167,168,170-171,201,227
insun'sshadow,162,163
motherarchetype,65-66,212-215
mouldedman,seekneadedman
mulungu,249
mundusinferior,125,135
MysteriumConiunctionis(Jung),126,155,162,177,182
N
NavahoIndians,15
Nephthys,74,75
Neptune,231
nightseajourney,71,148
nigredo,147,196,208,211,220-222,223,225,241,267,268
NiklausvonderFlue,St.,15-16,30,205
nouspoiétikos,186-187
O
Olympiodorus,40,80-90,93,102
one-sidedness,149,156,213,260
Oppenheim,22
opposites,unionof,seeconiunctio
OrderoftheOldMen,164-165
Osiris,44,72,73,74,75,82,84,85,86,93,102,106-107,236
Ouroboros,41,69,70,91,116,125,174,251-252
Ox-herdingPicturesofZen,160,161
P
Paracelsus,177
parapsychology,236-237
participationmystique,95,119,123
patriarchy,61-63,65
Pauli,Wolfgang,33
peacock,158
pearl,77-78,204,220,241
Pelican,asvessel,257
penetration,powerof,236-237
persona,regressiverestorationof,198
Petasios,82,102
phallus,astree,92
Page278
philosopher'sstone:12,166,169-170,174,236-238,254,256,264
asdivinechild,168,171,225-227,244,250-251
asgoldenflower,240
asinstinctoftruth,173
andnightseajourney,148
astempleofthewise,12
aswidow,50
asWisdomofGod,189
phoenix,12,271
pissingmannikin,49
Planck,Max,36
planets,6,220,234,235
primamateria:
asAdam,92
aschaos,206,208
asclay,88
aslead,84-86
asredsulphur,127-128,133
assalamander,117
asunconsciouscontents,37
washingof,221-222,241,250
aswater,66
aswinglessbird,127
prison,237
projection(s):
inalchemy,21-22,37-38,76-77,107,113,152,212,223-224
ofanima,57-58,130,176,229
ofarchetype,29-30,34-39,118-121
ofdreams,24
onEthiopians,94,210,211
offeminineontomatter,212-215
ofindividuationprocess,76,131
andintuition,176
ofmeaning,186-187
inrelationships,34-35,116,117,118,119,120-123,130,176,221,229,237-239
inscience,28,32-36,152-153,186-187
ofSelf,106-107,118
ofshadow,210,211
ofspiritintree,121,122,123
withdrawalof,87,117,186-187,195,222,230,232
Prometheantheft,56
PsychologicalTypes(Jung),121,123
PsychologyandAlchemy(Jung),13-14,93,210
psychosis,25-26,91,101,104,164,178,190-193,198-199,204-205,207,217-218,225-226,241-242,263
Ptolemaeus,22
pyramids,113
R
Ra,sungod,60,61
Radin,Paul,19
Razi,ar,42
redsulphur,seesulphur:red
ReginaldofPiperno,180-181,193
religion,andscience,31-33,54-55
religious:
attitude,94-98,146-149,246
experience,260-261
resurrection,70-73,74,75,86-89,171,227,234-236
ReunionofSoulandBody(Blake),233
Revelations,seeApocalypse
rigidity,ofconsciousness,255-256,264
RipleyScroll,14
rock,asSelf,263-264
Rosicrucians,13,224
rubedo,83,268,269
Ruska,J.,107
Rwti,doublelion,70,71
S
salamander,117
Sapientia,183
Saturn,102,115,156,157,188
scarab,72,88
schizophrenia,seepsychosis
science:andprojection,28,32-36,152-153,186-187
andreligion,31-33,54-55
SecretoftheGoldenFlower,The(Jung),166,169
secret(motif),67,68-69,79,162
Sedna,18
Self:88,93-95,118-121,237-238
andconflict,136-137
andcreativity,159-160
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darkside,156,157
asdivinechild,seechild:divine
andego,155-160
asenergysource,127
asinstinctoftruth,172,173,174-176
inloveexperience,201-202
projectionof,28,106-107,118
asrock,263-264
inspaceandtime,165-167
aswiseoldman,28,29-31,165
Senior,42,107-114,126,146,174,188-190,194,201,204,220,227,244
separatio,195,233,257
Seth,43-44,84,86
seven,204,220,234,235,244-245
sex,58,126-128,138-140,171-172,190
Sheba,Queenof,200-203
Shi-ites,19,42,96,108,146,165,201
Sila,18
Silesius,Angelus,155
Sina,Ibn,186
Sion,daughtersof,234,241
snake:
inParadise,51
seealsoOuroboros
Solniger,156,157
Solomon:188,200-203
Songof,181,193,202
Sophia,132,136-137,183,185,216
sorormystica,20,195,231
soulandbody,reunionof,233
spider,98,99
spirit:
andbirds,114,168
devilas,226
eagleas,14,15,114,115,116
andmatter,37-38,87,146-147,230,232,233,241,249-250,258-260
releasedfrommatter,37
swanas,115
intree,121,122,123
seealsoHolyGhost
spontaneity,conscious,229-232,233,238-239
Stapleton,107
stars,seven,204,220
statue,withtablet,109,110,111-114,124
steam,seevapour
Stoicism,31
stone,seephilosopher'sstone
subtlebody,237
suffocation,82-87,102-107
sulphur:21,100
red,126,127,128-131,133,134-137,142
sun:asChrist,162
ascollectiveconsciousness,143-144
cultof,61-63
darkside,156,157
devouredbylion,105
asGodhead,149
justandunjust,110,124,144-149,155-157
andmoon,seemoon:andsun
raysof,125-126,144-149
asSelf,155-157
assulphur,100
Sunnites,19,42,108,146
superstition,95-99
Suzuki,161
swan,115
"SymbolicLife,The"(Jung),182
synchronicity,78-79,95,186,259,266
T
tablet,inDechemia,109,110,111-114,124
tabulasmaragdina,113-114
tai-gi-tu,116
Tao,95,238
telepathy,96-97,174
Templars,42-43
theology,andpsychology,138-140,141
Thoth,43,69
Tiamat,212
Tobalki,49
tongues,cloven,173
transference,69,128-129,191-192,201