Carl Jung, the Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, is often associated with the occult due to his interest and exploration of mysticism, spirituality, and the esoteric. While Jung is primarily known for his work in psychology and his theories on the collective unconscious and archetypes, his fascination with the occult has had a significant influence on his theories and approach to psychoanalysis. One of the key aspects of Jung's interest in the occult was his belief in the existence of a collective unconscious. According to Jung, the collective unconscious is a universal, inherited part of the psyche that contains archetypes, or universal symbols and themes. These archetypes, such as the anima and animus, the shadow, and the persona, are deeply rooted in human history and culture and can be found across different societies and mythologies. Jung believed that by exploring the occult and esoteric traditions, one could gain insight into the collective unconscious and tap into this universal knowledge.
—-. Collected Works of C.G. Jung, Volume 13: Alchemical Studies. Edited and translated by Gerhard Adler and R. F. C. Hull, Princeton University Press, 1967.
Originally published in German in 1914, this work has also been published in English under the titles Hidden Symbolism of Alchemy and the Occult Arts and Alchemy and Psychoanalysis. Silberer applies psychoanalytic techniques to a Rosicrucian parable he refers to as Parabola taken from the second volume of Geheime Figuren der Rosenkreuzer aus dem 16ten und 17ten Jahrhundert.
Jung believed that by exploring the occult and esoteric traditions, one could gain insight into the collective unconscious and tap into this universal knowledge. Jung also studied various mystical and spiritual traditions, including alchemy, astrology, and the Tarot. He saw these practices as valuable tools for self-exploration and personal development.
Alchemy and Psychoanalysis
Early psychoanalysts Carl Jung and Herbert Silberer applied their knowledge of psychology to mystic symbols and occult topics. Their goal was a deeper understanding of the unconscious mind as it plays out in myth and legend and to ultimately find a satisfying answer to man’s purpose. The latter is not an uncommon goal for the mystic or occultist but to approach it with the mindset of a scientists or doctor delving into the human mind produces interesting results.
Works by Carl Jung related to Alchemy and Mysticism:
Carl Jung’s Red Book (Liber Novus) – In addition to being a pioneer in the field of psychoanalysis, Jung was also an artist who dabbled in mysticism. His “Red Book” (named for its cover) which he titled Liber Novus, drew from Jung’s exploration of his own subconscious. He processed these experiences into hand crafted paintings and calligraphy over the course of roughly fifteen years. While visitors would often see the red leather folio resting on Jung’s desk, it wasn’t until almost forty years after his death that the work would be available to the public. There are two notable editions currently available, a facsimile of the entire work including a translation and notes and a “reader’s edition” which reduces the bulk of the facsimile into a manageable copy containing just the translation and notes:
Jung, C. G. The Red Book: Liber Novus. Editor Sonu Shamdasani, translated by M. Kyburz, J. Peck and S. Shamdasani. W. W. Norton and Company, 2009
Jung, C. G. The Red Book: A Reader’s Edition. Editor Sonu Shamdasani, translated by M. Kyburz, J. Peck and S. Shamdasani. W. W. Norton and Company, 2012.
From the rest of Jung’s collected work, the following volumes are notable:
Jung, C. G. Collected Works of C.G. Jung, Volume 9 (Part 1): The Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious. Edited and translated by Gerhard Adler and R. F. C Hull, Princeton University Press, 1969.
—-. Collected Works of C.G. Jung, Volume 9 (Part 2): Aion: Researches into the Phenomenology of the Self. Edited and translated by Gerhard Adler and R. F. C Hull, Princeton University Press, 1959.
—-. Collected Works of C.G. Jung, Volume 11: Psychology and Religion: West and East. Edited and translated by Gerhard Adler and R. F. C. Hull, Princeton University Press, 1969.
—. Collected Works of C.G. Jung, Volume 12: Psychology and Alchemy. Princeton University Press, 1968.
—-. Collected Works of C.G. Jung, Volume 13: Alchemical Studies. Edited and translated by Gerhard Adler and R. F. C. Hull, Princeton University Press, 1967.
—-. Collected Works of C.G. Jung, Volume 14: Mysterium Coniunctionis. Edited and translated by Gerhard Adler and R. F. C. Hull, Princeton University Press, 1970.
—-. Collected Works of C.G. Jung, Volume 15: Spirit in Man, Art, And Literature. Edited and translated by Gerhard Adler and R. F. C. Hull, Princeton University Press, 1966.
Special note for Academics: Most of Jung’s Collected Works are available on JSTOR.org with a library login.
Problems of Mysticism and its Symbolism by Herbert Silberer
The full text is available in the public domain including through Project Gutenberg HERE.
Originally published in German in 1914, this work has also been published in English under the titles Hidden Symbolism of Alchemy and the Occult Arts and Alchemy and Psychoanalysis. Silberer applies psychoanalytic techniques to a Rosicrucian parable he refers to as “Parabola” taken from the second volume of Geheime Figuren der Rosenkreuzer aus dem 16ten und 17ten Jahrhundert. (15)
If you’re interested in a more in-depth look at this work, I’ve written a short, formal essay that you can read on THIS PAGE.
Bibliography and Suggested Readings:
Silberer, Herbert. Alchemy and Psychoanalysis. Translated by Smith Ely Jelliffe. The Lost Library, 2016.
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Works by Carl Jung related to Alchemy and Mysticism:
For example, Jung saw alchemy as a metaphorical process of inner transformation, with the goal of turning base materials into gold mirroring the individuation process and the integration of the unconscious and conscious aspects of the self. Furthermore, Jung was influenced by his encounters with spiritualists and mediums, which challenged his understanding of the boundaries between the psychological and spiritual realms. Jung believed that these encounters provided evidence of the existence of a spiritual dimension beyond the physical world, and he incorporated these experiences into his theories on the paranormal and the transcendent function. It is important to note that while Jung was open to exploring the occult and the mystical, he did not believe in or endorse all aspects of these practices. He approached the subject matter with a scientific and analytical mindset, seeking to understand and integrate these phenomena into his psychological theories. Overall, Carl Jung's interest in the occult has had a significant impact on his theories and approach to psychology. Through his exploration of mysticism, spirituality, and the esoteric, Jung expanded the field of psychoanalysis to include the study of the collective unconscious and the integration of the spiritual and psychological realms. His work continues to influence modern psychology, as well as the field of occult studies..
Reviews for "Journeying through the Astral Plane: Carl Jung's Occult Experiences"
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3. Sarah - 2-star rating - I picked up "Carl Jung Occlt" with high expectations, hoping to gain insight into the fascinating world of occultism. However, I was disappointed by the lack of coherence and organization in the book. The author seemed to digress often and frequently introduced new concepts without fully exploring them. This made it difficult to follow the main thread of the book and left me feeling confused and unsatisfied. I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking a clear and comprehensive understanding of occultism.
4. Andrew - 1-star rating - "Carl Jung Occlt" was a complete letdown for me. The writing style was convoluted and filled with jargon, making it nearly impossible to decipher the author's intended meaning. I felt like I was wading through a swamp of overly complex language and abstract concepts, all while trying to understand a subject that should have been fascinating. Ultimately, I gave up on this book, as it was more of a headache than a source of enlightenment.