Collected Works of C. G. Jung, Volume 12: Psychology and Alchemy

by C.G. Jung

Book Overview

Jung's landmark account of the connections between alchemy, its symbolism, the collective unconscious, and modern psychology

Psychology and Alchemy is one of Jung's most influential works. In a prefatory note, he says: "In this present study of alchemy I have taken a particular example of symbol-formation, extending in all over some seventeen centuries, and have subjected it to intensive examination, linking it at the same...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0691018316
• ISBN13: 9780691018317
• Release Date: October 1980
• Publisher: Princeton University Press
• Length: 624 Pages
• Weight: 1.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.6" x 5.9" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

MANY OF JUNG'S MORE IMPORTANT WRITINGS ON THIS ESOTERIC SUBJECT

In his "Prefatory Note to the English Edition," Jung wrote, "In this present study of alchemy I have taken a particular example of symbol-formation, extending in all over some seventeen centuries, and have subjected it to intensive examination, linking it at the same time with an actual series of dreams recorded by a modern European not under my direct supervision and having no knowledge of what the symbols appearing in the dreams might mean. It is by such intensive comparisons as this ... that the hypothesis of the collective unconscious ... may be scientifically established." Here are some representative quotations from the book: "The Western attitude, with its emphasis on the object, tends to fix the ideal---Christ---in its outward aspect and thus to rob it of its mysterious relation to the inner man. It is this prejudice ... which impels the Protestant interpreters of the Bible to interpret ... the Kingdom of God) as 'among you' instead of 'within you.'" (Pg. 8) "Accordingly when I say as a psychologist that God is an archetype, I mean by that the 'type' in the psyche... Nothing positive or negative has thereby been asserted about the possible existence of God, any more than the archetype of the 'hero' posits the actual existence of a hero." (Pg. 8) "Has it not yet been observed that all religious statements contain logical contradictions and assertions that are impossible in principle, that this is in fact the very essence of religious assertion?" (Pg. 15) "We do not yet possess a general theory of dreams that would enable us to use a deductive method with impunity, any more than we possess a general theory of consciousness from which we can draw deductive conclusions." (Pg. 43) "The doctrine that all evil thoughts come from the heart and that the human soul is a sink of iniquity must lie deep in the marrow of their bones. Were that so, God had made a sorry job of creation, and it were high time for us to to go over to Marcion the Gnostic and depose the incompetent demiurge." (Pg. 102) "The earlier talk of the 'aberration' of alchemy sounds rather old-fashioned today when the psychological aspects of it have faced science with new tasks. There are very modern problems in alchemy, though they lie outside the province of chemistry." (Pg. 279) "However remote alchemy may seem to us today, we should not underestimate its cultural importance for the Middle Ages. Today is the child of the Middle Ages and it cannot disown its parents." (Pg. 323)

Ancient yet Modern

Alchemy is an ancient science. It is often taught and understood that chemistry arose from alchemy; alchemy is outdated. Nothing could be further from the truth. In reality we are coming to grips with the superiority of alchemy. Its value comes from the ability to understand alchemy in an abstract way. Although C.J. Jung's writings are complex, and not to be taken lightly, the ability to understand alchemy and hence the true meaning of chemistry are contained in this great work, "Psychology and Alchemy (Collected Works of C.J. Jung)." Mark Traupman BS Chemistry The Lost Message of Israel

Powerful understanding of the Soul

Alchemists were the men who sought the higher things of the soul, which processes were reflected in their researches. Jung having discovered many of his patients dream images were captured in the same imagery as the 16th/17th century alchemists. thus establishing a foundation upon which his researches could continue. Though Jung speaks highly of the church as *The institution of the church means nothing less than the everlasting continuation of the life of Christ and its sacrifical function* Page 308. This statement, like many of Jung's ideas need some revision and also context. Perhaps when Jung wrote this in 1937 when catholicism held some mystery in the latin spoke version upon the attendees minds. But now, especially in america, catholicism has degenerated into mere formalism. And protestantism is splintered into hundereds of sects. Thus rendering Jung's statement far from the truth. Which is what alchemy is all about, extarcting truth from false doctines of man. As Von franz points out in her bio on Jung, there are double bottoms to everything Jung wrote. Its high mysticism, wherein *the few* can truly follow. Jung himself knew after his death there would follow a distortion of his ideas and thus the *work would be an abortion*, as per alchemic imagery. There is too much JungISM among his students, where mental concepts are placed higher than intuitional experience. Which is gnosis. Jung never wished his ideas would become *the doctrines and dogmas* but would live ina new LIVING form as others experiened after his death. Sad state of affairs among the *church of Jung*. This very same phenomenon of misunderstanding the opus happened to Plato, Christ and now Jung. Man just can not resist making a fool of himself. Paul Best New Orleans August 3,2008

a good companion to Jung's ALCHEMICAL STUDIES

Jung surpasses himself here by seeing in alchemical symbolism the psyche trying to discover itself to the artifex bent over his alchemical retort. Only one who'd discovered his own version of the fabulous Philosopher's Stone could have attempted such a work.

Making sense of concealed

This book is a result of Jung's extensive study of old Alchemical practices and his efforts to connect and interpret it in the light of his own psychological concepts. The book gives sense to ancient Alchemy practices and explains them as symbols of the process of human spiritual growth.Jung explains different steps of this process and illustrates them with phases of the symbolic process of alchemic transmutation, leading to integration of the soul and producing alchemyc gold - or in terms of his own concept the result of the process of individuation.Concrete examples from his own psychiatric experience of dream analysis and monitoring psychological growth very vividly and convincingly illustrate this concept in action. The book is richly illustrated with authentic alchemic iconography which renders reader authentic atmosphere and taste of ancient art.Highly recommended for anyone interested in connecting ancient spiritual practices and modern psychological interpretation theories.