Carl Jung, a prominent Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, is often associated with the study of the occult or esoteric. His interest in this field was a significant aspect of his psychological theories and therapeutic practices. Jung believed that exploring and understanding the occult was essential for a comprehensive understanding of the human psyche. Jung's fascination with the occult began during his childhood when he encountered various mystical experiences. Throughout his life, he delved deep into the study of mythology, alchemy, astrology, and other esoteric subjects. These interests greatly influenced his groundbreaking psychological concepts, such as the collective unconscious and archetypes.
Even as a boy, Jung found himself drawn to the occult. This would become the root of his break with Freud. Unlike Freud, Jung was interested in aspects of the unconscious that could not be attributed to an individual’s personal development but derived from the deeper non-personal realms common to humankind – the collective unconscious, whose contents he called “archetypes”. Jung came to realise that understanding the collective unconscious involved using images and symbols from alchemy and myth.
This was the case in his work towards CPT symmetry, on parity violation and his final crusade with Heisenberg towards a unified field theory of elementary particles. As Jung put it, with Pauli he could enter the no-mans-land between Physics and the Psychology of the unconscious the most fascinating yet the darkest hunting ground of our times.
These interests greatly influenced his groundbreaking psychological concepts, such as the collective unconscious and archetypes. One of Jung's most significant contributions to the field of psychology was his theory of the collective unconscious. According to Jung, the collective unconscious is a vast reservoir of shared experiences and symbols that are inherited by all individuals.
Why two geniuses delved into the occult
In his latest book, Deciphering the Cosmic Number, historian of science Arthur I Miller investigates the bizarre friendship between quantum physics pioneer Wolfgang Pauli and famed psychoanalyst Carl Jung. Read our review of Miller’s book
Together, the two great thinkers delved into mysticism, numerology and alchemy in their quest to understand the universe and themselves. Miller tells New Scientist about his experience writing the book.
What drew you to write about the relationship between Jung and Pauli?
As a physicist I was, of course, aware of Pauli’s scientific achievements; meanwhile, my interest in creative thinking had led me to Jung. Almost by accident, in the 1980s, I spotted on a library shelf a book they co-authored, The Interpretation of Nature and the Psyche. This really intrigued me. What did the apparently austere Pauli have to do with Jung, who routinely delved into the occult and whose reputation sometimes suffered for it?
Their book is actually made up of two essays. Jung’s is on synchronicity – nothing unexpected there. But Pauli’s was a real eye opener. He wrote on Johannes Kepler and explored how his scientific achievements had to be understood within the times in which he lived. This involved looking into alchemy, mysticism and religion. Amazingly, he included his own research in this area. This dazzled me. I had never imagined him to be an expert on such esoteric material and so passionate about it. I had to know more about both of them. What was their connection? Who was the real Wolfgang Pauli?
What was the most interesting thing you discovered?
I was amazed that each considered the other’s work to be of equal importance – for Jung, quantum physics and for Pauli, Jung’s analytic psychology with its emphasis on alchemical symbols, numbers and myths, as well as Eastern religion and philosophy.
The two sat for hours on end in Jung’s gothic-like mansion on the shores of Lake Zurich, dining on fine foods, drinking vintage wine and smoking the finest cigars while discussing topics from physics and whether there is a cosmic number at the root of the universe to psychology, ESP, UFOs, Armageddon, Jesus, Yahweh and Pauli’s dreams.
Theirs was a journey into the mind. As Jung put it, with Pauli he could enter “the no-mans-land between Physics and the Psychology of the unconscious… the most fascinating yet the darkest hunting ground of our times.”
Why were two such great scientists drawn to these occult ideas?
Even as a boy, Jung found himself drawn to the occult. This would become the root of his break with Freud. Unlike Freud, Jung was interested in aspects of the unconscious that could not be attributed to an individual’s personal development but derived from the deeper non-personal realms common to humankind – the collective unconscious, whose contents he called “archetypes”. Jung came to realise that understanding the collective unconscious involved using images and symbols from alchemy and myth.
As a graduate student, Pauli became interested in the seventeenth century scientist and mystic Johannes Kepler. Reading Kepler convinced him that finding universal laws of nature required going beyond science as it is ordinarily defined.
Pauli turned to Jung for help in response to a life-threatening crisis in 1932. Psychoanalysis with Jung led him to believe that alchemy and mysticism were the means to open up his mind, to increase his creativity and understand what drove him. Jung showed Pauli that the symbols from alchemy were the key to why he had experienced so much angst in discovering the exclusion principle in 1924 and why this angst had to do with his neurosis.
Throughout the rest of his life Pauli saw his research through the lens of Jung’s analytic psychology. This was the case in his work towards CPT symmetry, on parity violation and his final crusade with Heisenberg towards a unified field theory of elementary particles.
Was there any merit in these ideas?
I believe so, yes. Through such ideas they developed an avenue to begin to understand that elusive thing called consciousness. Each believed that their own subjects, in isolation, lacked the tools and ideas to do this.
To Pauli, quantum physics was restricted to examining the attributes of atoms as explainable by mathematics. In this, atoms are treated as dead matter. But how do the atoms and molecules that make us up combine to give us the ability to contemplate love, hate, death and the universe?
To Jung, on the other hand, psychology lacked the concepts to deal with phenomena such as synchronism – that is, meaningful coincidences.
Although the two men never came up with answers, the questions they raised, the level of their discussions, and their quest to fold physics and psychology together, merit further consideration. That was one of the reasons I wrote this book.
What did they each gain from their relationship?
They gained confidence that their struggle towards an interdisciplinary exploration of the mind was worthwhile. Pauli became more than au courant with Jung’s psychology, myths, Eastern religions and philosophy. Under Pauli’s tutelage Jung became somewhat conversant with basic ideas of quantum physics.
Both were entranced by Niels Bohr’s notion of complementarity, which asserts a reconciliation of opposites, such as wave and particle, in a framework not unlike that of yin and yang. Jung learned that a basic principle of alchemy – reconciliation of opposites into a unity – pervades quantum physics, too.
And they each gained a friend and a profitable insight into a very different way of thinking about the universe.
He believed that the archetypes found in the collective unconscious held tremendous symbolic power and influenced our thoughts, behaviors, and dreams. Jung's exploration of the occult played a crucial role in his understanding of archetypes. He found that many esoteric symbols and rituals held profound meanings that resonated with individuals on a deep level. This led Jung to develop the concept of individuation, which emphasizes the integration and balance of various aspects of the self. Jung's interest in alchemy was also instrumental in shaping his psychological theories. He saw alchemical processes as metaphorical representations of the individuation journey. The transformation of base materials into gold symbolized the integration and transcendence of opposing forces within the psyche. In addition to his theoretical contributions, Jung applied his understanding of the occult in his therapeutic practices. He believed that exploring and embracing the spiritual dimensions of a person's experience were critical for their psychological well-being. Jung often incorporated dream analysis, active imagination, and symbolism in his therapeutic work to help individuals access their unconscious and bring forth hidden aspects of themselves. Although Jung's exploration of the occult was controversial at the time, it served as a foundation for many subsequent developments in psychology and spirituality. His work opened up new avenues for understanding the human psyche and bridging the gap between science and spirituality. Today, Jung's influence can be seen in various fields, including transpersonal psychology, depth psychology, and the study of symbolism. Overall, Carl Jung's engagement with the occult was not just an eccentric fascination but an integral part of his psychological theories and therapeutic practices. By acknowledging the power of esoteric symbolism and embracing the spiritual dimensions of human experience, Jung sought to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the human psyche and offer a path to individuation and self-realization..
Reviews for "Exploring the Occult Dimension of Carl Jung's Individuation Process"
1. Samantha - 1 star
I found "Carl Jung Occult" to be extremely disappointing and lacking in substance. The book promised to explore the occult side of Carl Jung's work, but instead, it was just a superficial overview of his theories with very little emphasis on the occult elements. I expected more in-depth analysis and exploration of Jung's connections to the occult, but it felt like the author only scratched the surface without delving into the subject matter with any real depth. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking a comprehensive understanding of the occult side of Carl Jung's work.
2. John - 2 stars
As a fan of Carl Jung and an avid reader of occult literature, I was excited to dive into "Carl Jung Occult." However, I was left feeling underwhelmed and unsatisfied by this book. While it did touch on some of the connections between Jung's theories and the occult, it lacked the in-depth analysis and exploration I was hoping for. The author seemed to jump from one topic to another without providing a coherent and well-rounded discussion. Additionally, the writing style was dry and lacked the engaging tone needed to keep me interested. While there were some interesting points, overall, the book fell short of my expectations.
3. Jessica - 2 stars
"Carl Jung Occult" left me feeling bewildered and confused. The book seemed to assume a certain level of knowledge about Carl Jung and the occult, which made it difficult for someone like me, who is relatively new to both subjects, to fully grasp the information presented. The author often referenced obscure concepts without providing adequate explanations or context, leaving me feeling lost and disconnected from the material. I was hoping for a more accessible and beginner-friendly approach, but unfortunately, this book did not deliver. There are definitely better resources out there for those wanting to explore the occult side of Carl Jung's work.
4. Michael - 1 star
I regret wasting my time and money on "Carl Jung Occult." This book was nothing more than a compilation of vague ideas and poorly explained concepts. The author failed to provide any substantial evidence or examples to back up their claims about Jung's connection to the occult. It felt like nothing more than a speculative piece of work without any real substance. Additionally, the writing style was convoluted and made it difficult to follow along. I would not recommend this book to anyone interested in a serious and well-researched exploration of the occult side of Carl Jung's work.