The Oracle — Engaging the Unconscious
In the spirit of Jung's "Memories, Dreams, Reflections"
~ Welcome to The Oracle, a monthly divination to open the archetypal field through a blend of tarot and dreamwork ~
Jung’s life path, outwardly, is full of accolades, accomplishments, and grand meetings with impactful figures. His psychology is known far and wide, whether through intentional study or cultural osmosis—synchronicity, personality typology, archetypes, the shadow—these are just some of the key theories that make up the foundations of Jungian thought, ideas that permeate the collective.
And yet, for all these achievements and the great waves of influence Jung has made upon our world, he shares in his autobiography:
“In the end the only events in my life worth telling are those when the imperishable world irrupted into this transitory one. That is why I speak chiefly of inner experiences, amongst which I include my dreams and visions. These form the prima materia of my scientific work. They were the fiery magma out of which the stone that had to be worked was crystallized…Recollection of the outward events of my life has largely faded or disappeared. But my encounters with the “other” reality, my bouts with the unconscious, are indelibly engraved upon my memory. In that realm there has always been wealth in abundance, and everything else has lost importance by comparison.”
It’s not so much a denouncement of the outer events, but a recognition that for Jung, the aliveness of his inner world was paramount. It is the self-confession of a deeply introverted individual, that is, a psyche that is primed to attune towards the self and all that flourishes from within.
Remember, from a Jungian perspective, introversion does not determine sociability, shyness, or the desire for alone time1. Simply, it tells us where psychological energy moves, where our focus and attention naturally goes, how our cognitive functions are modified.
This month, as we embark on a gentle read-along of Jung’s autobiography, we recognize that for him, the experience of the unconscious—through its images, dreams, fantasies, symptoms and more—was the guiding star in his life. The genesis of his work, all these complex theories and empirical methods of observation, comes from acknowledging the power, autonomy and presence of the unconscious.
What relevance does this have for us? If we allow Jung’s journey to be an inspiration for our inner work, then we hold close that engaging the unconscious, in all the forms it so decides to present itself, as primary. Allow yourself to open to what flows from beyond the veil of consciousness. Give time to your dreams, inner experiences, moods, fantasies, images...for although it may be contained within, it is likely to have incredible relevance to all that you are building in outer life.
Keep in mind, reading Memories, Dreams, Reflections is a recommendation but not a requirement this month. My greatest hope is that this will spark some curiosity into one of the most accessible of Jung’s texts that we have. In our Solstice Gathering, I will present further on the main themes of the book and how they relate to core Jungian principles. We’ll also have a chance for group discussion and reflections on the book!
And now, let us turn towards The Oracle’s words as guidance for the weeks ahead…