Psychology and Alchemy (Collected Works of C.G. Jung Vol.12) (Paperback)

by C. G. Jung (Author), Gerhard Adler (Translator), R. F.C. Hull (Translator)

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Readers . . . who believe that medieval and early modern alchemy was only a misguided effort to transform base metals into gold, or at best a crude preparation for scientific chemistry, will experience a great and probably bewildering surprise. -- Review

Review
Readers . . . who believe that medieval and early modern alchemy was only a misguided effort to transform base metals into gold, or at best a crude preparation for scientific chemistry, will experience a great and probably bewildering surprise.
(Thought )

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Product Details

• Paperback: 467 pages
• Publisher: Princeton University Press (October 1, 1980)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0691018316
• ISBN-13: 978-0691018317
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #150,616 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Making sense of concealed, May 11, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Psychology and Alchemy (Collected Works of C.G. Jung, Volume 12) (Hardcover)

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.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Difficult but impressive work, June 5, 2006

By	Neal J. Pollock (VA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Psychology and Alchemy (Collected Works of C.G. Jung, Volume 12) (Hardcover)

Jung explored alchemy as if it were a mystery novel--relishing every clue, interpreting (nominally) each symbol as it arose. His conclusion that it paralleled his psychological observations & model satisfied his incredible yearning to know that he wasn't crazy or a voice crying in the wilderness--yeah, verily, the alchemists pursued the same goal though in a slightly different way--vindicating Jung's quest for individuation=personal salvation. Thus, Jung's love for alchemy. It's unfortunate that even so-called scientists have ego's so wounded that they disavow their roots: chemists tend to downplay alchemy as astronomers downplay astrology--denigrating their roots. This shows an appalling lack of courage--something Jung had no lack of. Just think of what courage it must have taken for Jung to write about alchemy as having psychological truth embedded in its very heart. Yet he wrote 2 books worth on it CW12 & CW13. I'm in awe of his courage, let alone of his genius. Try reading some alchemy works yourself--if you think Jung is hard to read, think twice. Alchemical works are far more difficult. It took Jung's supreme effort to decipher them. So, if this work seems obtuse to you (& it is), consider how obtuse it was to Jung. Some of the best (& most profound) quotes in this work (from the hardback version) are:

p. 3 Even the most unqualified layman thinks he knows all about psychology as the psyche were something that enjoyed the most universal understanding. But anyone who really knows the human psyche will agree with me when I say that it is one of the darkest & most mysterious regions of our experience.

p. 117 paragraph 152. Only a fool is interested in other people's guilt, since he cannot alter it. The wise man learns only from his own guilt. He will ask himself: Who am I that all this should happen to me? To find the answer to this fateful question he will look into his own heart.

p. 222 Sense and nonsense are merely man-made labels which serve to give us a reasonably valid sense of direction.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful understanding of the Soul, August 4, 2008

By	paul best "Eyes that see the *dark things*" (new orleans) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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