This work, along with _Modern Man in Search of a Soul_, is one of the best places to start if you are new to reading Jung. It is also the companion piece and predecessor to _Aion_, which is another spectacular and groundbreaking work. If you want to read _Aion_, it would make sense for you to read this one first, since it is part 1 of volume nine, while _Aion_ is part two. Overall, I would say that both parts 1 and 2 of volume nine are absolutely essential reading for any Jungian, and if you're going to buy one, go ahead and buy both.

As for the actual content of _The Archetypes of the Collective Unconscious_, I would describe it as an overview and recapitulation of many of Jung's key concepts. As the title implies, the main concepts are archetypal images (as revealed in to people in dreams) and the collective unconscious. These are trademark Jungian concepts, and Jung devoted a large portion of his writings to explaining what he meant by Archetypes and the collective unconscious. If I could explain it to you right here I would, but Jung spends a the first two hundred pages of this book simply explaining and defining "archetype" and "collective unconscious". These are key concepts in understanding the human mind, and may help unlock the mysteries of conscious existence; it is by no means superfluous to devote such rigorous study to these ideas. _The Archetypes and the Collcetive Unconscious_ is NOT a narrowly focused, specialized, or jargonistic work. It deals with ideas that are central to understanding the human psyche or soul, and applies universally to all of mankind.

There is also a pictorial section of the book in which Jung actually shows examples, in the form of paintings, of archetypal images that were seen by his patients in their dreams and subsequently drawn by the patients themselves. Some of these paintings are very artistic, and there are uncanny similarities among many of them. This pictorial section occurs about 200 pages in. After the pictures, Jung goes into a detailed explanation of each one, which I found to be somewhat tiresome, especially considering many of the paintings were extremely similar. Overall, the final, brief, section of the book in which the paintings are described is quite boring, and I would recommend that the reader simply look at the paintings and forego the final explanations, which are extremely redundant. In other words, read the first two hundred pages, look at the pictures, stop, and then move on to _Aion_. The weakness of this final section is not enough to justify removing a star from my ratings, however, simply because of the utter profundity and potency of the first 200 pages, which represents the majority of the book anyway. Keep in mind that the vast majority of Jung's writings consist of essays not more that 100 pages long each. You will find that most of his complete works contain numerous profound and insightful essays, occasionally laced with the odd, specialized, highly esoteric essays. When you come across one of these rare but unreadable essays the best idea is to just skip it rather than get bogged down. This is not to take anything away from Jung and his great, prophetic works; I am just trying to give you the heads up on how to avoid some of the rough patches.

This intriguing study of the archetypes of our collective human unconscious is FASCINATING. Here we confront the fountainheads of the hypostasis of dreams and the active genesis of fecund mythology. The collective unconscious differs from the personal in that it is not constituted of repressed or forgotten complexes but of inherited archetypes that were never a part of your conscious life. Anyone who plans to study mythology should be required to read this book... ignorance of it would prevent your comprehension of the primitive man and tribes' living mythology and religion. (Also would be an essential tool in exploring dreamwork or human nature) The archetypes are felt in our most personal life and encountered in dreams. Unconsciously, unprojected, it turns out that our own minds have a "sea of possibilities", and that they assume definite forms only in projection. The archetypes are vessels that we can never empty or fill, having only potential existence, taking shape they become no longer what they were. They need be interpreted anew throughout the ages. They are the imperishable elements of the unconscious, but they change their shape continually, being the "treasure in the realm of the shadowy thoughts" which Kant spoke of, and among the highest values of the human pysche. They are the simple solution of how archaic myths, far from being merely historical remnants or allegories of physical processes, still grasp us with profound effect in all levels of society and eras. Awareness is needed of these jewels to understand the unconscious' interconnectedness with our conscious life and the fact that the human pysche is not born tabula rasa. This is a classic work, that some may not adhere to, but far from being a philosophy, and me far from being a pyschologist, I would not take the bold step here to criticize Jung's work. Jungian or not, I give it my stamp and seal of approval guaranteeing your utmost interest.

My previous review of CW9, part 1 was really for part 2 and was posted in error. Here is the review for CW9, part 1:

Jung used the word archetype to represent a concept about unseen, powerful influences that result in predictable psychological states. An archetype is a psychic format in which instinctual and conditioned behavior plays out in human activity. They are best seen in action, and their actions are recorded in so-called fairytales and in religious symbols and stories.

Jung spends most of this volume discussing archetypes by using examples found in fairytales and religious imagery. The remainder of the book discusses the process of individuation, Jung's term for a process of psychological "wholeness (which) consists in the union of the conscious and unconscious personality." (p.175)

If you are a reader of Jung you will need to grasp his concept of the archetype in order to fully understand his theories. If you have not yet been able to experience yourself in the grip of an archetype, this may help you, should you become aware during an archetypical experience, which sometimes happens intermittently during an experience with the Archetypes Venus and Cupid. Knowing how archetypes work can help you stay above the waves they cause.

Recommended to those who want a deeper understanding of their experience, and need some tools with which to explore the unknown. It is intellectual and dense reading and not recommended to a casual reader of Jung.

_Aion_ is part 2 of volume nine of Jung's collected works. Although _Aion_ is unquestionably a stand-alone work, ideally it should be read after part 1, which is _Archetypes of the Collective Unconscious_.

That said, _Aion_ is one of Jung's greatest works and is one of the first three that anyone who is new to Jung should start with. The first part deals with Christianity, and the significance of the death of Christ. This is treated as a legitimate, factual historical event, yet it is also explained as a collective pschic phenomenon in the general sense. The middle part of the book deals with ancient alchemy, and the symbolic parallels between alchemy and modern conceptions of psychology. This might sound dull, but trust me - you will be surprised to see the uncanny symbolic parallels between ancient magical practices and the most modern, up to date theories of the psyche. This is discussed at length in the section on the "Two Fishes", which is one of Jung's greatest essays (although quite difficult). The final section deals with quaternity symbolism, and features a wide array of strange diagrams. About 200 pages in, these diagrams will become more frequent, and the reader might get frustrated trying to see the significance of these rudimentary drawings. Personally, my advice is to stop reading after 200 pages. All of the useful essays are contained within these first 200 pages, while the final 50 or so pages contains esoteric essays which can be considered, at best, curiosity pieces for the insatiable, die-hard Jungian. The editiors wisely confined this esoterica to final few pages of the book. This is not to take anything away from the book as a whole. Overall, _Aion_ is extremely profound and insightful, and is a must read for Jungians and non-Jungians alike.

"In psychology one possesses nothing unless one has experienced it in reality." (Jung p. 33) In this volume Jung provides us with his experiences with the human psyche and conclusions about these experiences.

Jung suggests that humans have a psychological makeup that generally exceeds their ability to comprehend it. In this volume he defines and describes these "hidden" aspects of the human psyche, such as: the Ego, the Self, the Shadow, the Anima and others. Jung makes suggestions as to how modern Western humans can discover these unconscious aspects of themselves and how they can be integrated into human consciousness.

This volume hints at a process Jung called individuation, in which the personally unconscious aspects of a human being are united with their normal consciousness, and then this expanded consciousness becomes subservient to a new meta-consciousness, which he called The Self, and which transcends human comprehension, except as an experience. (It is beyond names and forms.) Jung spends a good deal of time describing The Self using Western religious metaphors to make his examples.

Most of Jung's theories have slipped into our collective Western unconsciousness, so that they are now part of our unconscious assumptions, (e.g. projection, shadow, denial, the unconsciousness of our faults) and if you would like to become conscious of these assumptions, a reading of this book might facilitate that experience.

If you are familiar with Jung's work, this will increase your understanding of his concept of the human psyche, its parts and the goal of unification of those parts.

A brilliant and astonishing work from one of the world's most original and important thinkers. Essential reading for anyone interested in the Human psyche. Jung truly understands the connection and importance of Christ in relation to Mankind's present evolutionary state, as he is poised to enter into the new "Aion". The best "New Age" book of all!

"The light that gradually dawns on him consists in his understanding that his fantasy is a real psychic process which is happening to him personally." (Jung p. 528-529) This sentence from the book sums-up its content.

In this work Jung demonstrates that Alchemy was a precursor to modern Western psychological insight. Jung draws a "process map" of the Alchemy in this volume, in which he laboriously (but not tediously) shows that the steps the alchemists took to bring about the transformation of matter. Jung suggests that this process is a metaphoric representation of a process some humans travel to reach a level of consciousness that includes and unites the unseen (transcendent) reality with the visible experience.

It can be read as an interesting intellectual insight into earlier Western thought, or it can be used by an individual as a guide through the process of psychological transformation. This work is essential to anyone on the path of transformation and who looks to Jung as a guide on that path. It is not for a casual reader of Jung.

The following is a review for Mysterium Coniunctionis:

Jung seems to write from the dream state; associations interleaved with digressions punctuated by potent and startling images. This is his most satisfying book for me because it has the simplest premise but is also the largest and richest. He stretches out enormously within a limited range, gathering a life-time of inquiry into a writhing basket of conflicting thought. This method illustrates perfectly how deep experience can become when meditated upon and scrutinized and when tangents are whole-heartedly encouraged and darksides allowed to bloom. No need to hop-scotch around the world, just look into the pile of dead ants beneath your radiator and let your mind wander. The conjunction of opposites: perhaps Jung's emblem for the source of life, the alembic, where all intellectual and emotional births occur. Read and reread this book to step through the microcosmic door into unlimited life right where you are.

Jung seems to write from the dream state; associations interleaved with digressions punctuated by potent and startling images. This is his most satisfying book for me because it has the simplest premise but is also the largest and richest. He stretches out enormously within a limited range, gathering a life-time of inquiry into a writhing basket of conflicting thought. This method illustrates perfectly how deep experience can become when meditated upon and scrutinized and when tangents are whole-heartedly encouraged and darksides allowed to bloom. No need to hop-scotch around the world, just look into the pile of dead ants beneath your radiator and let your mind wander. The conjunction of opposites: perhaps Jung's emblem for the source of life, the alembic, where all intellectual and emotional births occur. Read and reread this book to step through the microcosmic door into unlimited life right where you are.

This book rocks! Everyone should read especially stupid politicians who let our health system be the way it is.Besides Mr. anderson is very smart- smartest guy i know anyway! :)

Should be on the Best seller lis

The authors are eminent and accomplished physicians associated with several of the outstanding medical institutions in the world. They focus their attention with a a kind of brutal humane sympathy on the manner in which our medical system has become entwined in games of technology rather than styles of care, in the organization of cashflow rather than the movements of patients to health. They show how easily third-party payments become a form of "big-brother is watching you" except that the brother is a miserably small-minded accountant or share analyst. This is at once a heart-breaking book because of the awful reality it so fairly documents. But it is also reassuring that two skilled practitioners can so clearly and productively document what is happening in medicine, and also what can be done about it. It could well be required reading for medical students and hospital administrators - and patients with a sense of self-defence!

The artwork in this book by Greg Hildebrandt is beautiful in its use of color and light, and it has great fantasy themes. His work can at times be kitschy, but I don't mean that in a bad way. By ignoring stuffy conventions about what makes great art, he has really put his own personality and feeling into the art. A wide variety of sources have been included as examples of his art: personal paintings of his children, advertising, commissions for collectors, posters, calendars, books, etc. This makes it fascinating and valuable to me as another artist. The only negative aspect of this book is that half the text (not by Greg) is very pretentious and vague, in a "dark and stormy night" kind of way. Just ignore that and read the rest of the text, where Greg gives insight into his history and techniques. Or just look at the beautiful pictures.

Gregory Hildebrandt, a twin, recalls his earliest memory of his drawing when his father showed the twins how to color and his mother says, "wouldn't you know it, they stayed perfectly inside the lines. They were not yet two!"

Here, you get a good grasp of his distinctive artwork. In most of the the art, the style with it's use of light, illuminates each piece. The image of light contrasts sharply with the darkened or vivid hues where detail is explicit.

Hildebrandt is a master at illustrations with children, the elderly to the cuddly animals.

What is included here are paintings of his children. He mentions how frustrating it was for him to learn to draw hands, and here on a 1980 and 1984 paintings of his children, it is clear that drawing the hands were not to perfection as other elements.

You will see posters and commercial advertising artwork. Also, fantasy paintings from the popular Tolkien Calendars, Charles Dickens, and fascinating images to favorite fairy tales such as Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, Pied Piper. For a specal treat, included is "A Christmas Treasury with it's impressive illustrations and text.

I love the Peter Cottontail Surprise. How wonderfully charming these are. Also, if you are not familiar with Hildebrandt's work, you may recognize the theme from Dracula and other dark subjects. The crowning images are from the Wizard of Oz from the forest to the beautiful striking image of the Emerald City.

What further enhances this collection is an "Interview with the Artist" with plenty of information about this wonderful artist!

This book features black pages with white text. The cover is black with gold trim and two colorful images on the cover. Excellent book! Inspirational for any artist.....MzRizz

Don't miss this book if you are a Greg Hildebrandt art lover! It is jam-packed full of glossy full colour reproductions of his paintings. Each page also contains personal insights into every painting that he has personally chosen to represent some part of his artistic or personal life. This book is a 1-in-100 perfect gem. Like I said before, DON'T MISS IT :)

...you must have this; there are treasures here you won't find anywhere else. One of the finest collections of Jung and Jungiana I've seen.

A must! if you are interested in C.G. Jung and his psychology.

Why is "C.G. Jung Speaking" a must?

FIRST OF ALL, simply because the Collected Works doesn't include the information found here. These are not works of Jung, but the works of others--interviews, characterizations etc. In other words, you will find some information here which you could only dig out with great difficulty, scattered in numerous works.

SECOND, in the interviews Jung is sometimes caught off-guard by a surprise question, and so, forced to develop on the aspects of his theories that he may perhaps have though self-explanatory.

THIRD, you see Jung through the eyes of others -- Esther Harding, Charles Baudoin, Michael Fordham, Charles Lindbergh, and others.

Some subjects, touched upon in this book:

- Jung's own type, according to his typology (Introvert. And Thinking, Intuition, Sensing/Perception, and Feeling, in that order)

- Freud's type (extravert--hence his pleasure principle)

- Adler's type (introvert--hence his power complex)

- The psychology of dictators (Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, and, yes, Roosewelt)

- The nature of intuition

- introvert vs. extravert intuitives

- Creative achievement

- Jung's breaking with Freud.

- Jung and Nazism/anti-Semitism (Jung defends himself in December 1949)

And the somewhat transcendent questions:

- God

- death and life after death

- astrology and alchemy

Edited by William McGuire, executive editor of the Collected Works (CW), in collaboration with R.F.C. Hull, translater of CW, it is no surprise to find that this excellent book contains numerous references to CW, as well as a comprehensive index.

If one has read some of Jung's scientific books, or any of his books, something in each is touched upon in the Dream Analysis seminars collected in this volume. Jung, over the course of about six months of weekly lectures, analyses the dreams of a male patient in his late forties. This in itself is a rarity because Jung did not discuss men's dreams as often as those of his women patients. It is difficult to avoid such words as "remarkable" or "astonishing" in describing what Jung does here. Jung purposely chooses "everyday" dreams and not "big archetypal" ones to analyse because, as he says, the everyday ones are more difficult to analyse and therefore the more analytically instructive. Jung's forays into mythology, anthropology, 'primitive' psychology, religion, and philosophy, as well as into his own psychological concepts of the psyche, are truly an experience to behold, if only after the fact in this transcript. The volume's editor quotes Jung as admitting that there were errors in some of Jung's extemporaneous expositions which should be, are are, clearly corrected. But these are few and do not take away from the whole, which is a "method" of dream analysis whose effect is little short of the realization before one's eyes of the whole psychic life of one man in all of its hidden nuances and overt terrors and where nothing less than the history of mankind and all that it has thought and felt over centuries and centuries is brought in as an aid in the explanation. One cannot help (especially if one is a man) to see oneself as the dreamer in many instances, making the book salutary beyond any self-help dream "cookbook". One gets a sense of Jung alive with his daemon standing there transfixed by his topic and simply pouring out what he knows to be true. A convincing, remarkable performance.

....was often at his best (and worst) in his seminars, some of which have now been translated into English. Jung often spoke directly out of his intuition and spiced what he said with numerous illustrations from case histories and his own special 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.

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.

MILTON ROSENBERG,THE AUTHOR OF WHOM I'M NOT FAMILIAR WITH, DOES A OUTSTANDING JOB OF EXPRESSING FACTORS,IN THE CONSISTENCY,OR LACK THREREOF CONCERNING HIS PHILOSOPHY OF CHANGE,AND THE VARIOUS ATTITUDE'S,LEADING UP TO THAT,FACTOR OF CHANGE.......THIS BOOK STRICKLY FOR THE VERY INTELLECTUAL,OF WHICH I'M NOT IN THAT CLASSIFICATION,STILL MADE INTERESTING READING,FOR A LAYMAN....

This book reads like the scenes of a good spy film. The action twists and turns, keeping your heart racing throughout. If the action isn't enough to palpitate your heart the beautiful Madison McGuire and her new found love, Terry Randall, should definitely do the trick!