The Language of the Unconscious, II: Archetypes

My last post discussed how the unconscious speaks to an individual through symbols. This post describes how the unconscious speaks to the individual through archetypes, personifications of unconscious material that present themselves to a person.   For Jung, archetypes represent “riverbeds along which the current of psychic life has always flowed.”[1] He defined archetypes as…

The Language of the Unconscious, I: Symbols

My previous two posts presented an overview of dreams and active imagination, and discussed the role dreams and active imagination play in the psyche. This post, and the following post, define how the psyche speaks to an individual in dreams and active imagination: through symbols and archetypes (personifications of unconscious material) that dramatize the conflict…

Adaption & Restoration, IV: Goal of Integration

My previous posts provided overviews of elements and stages associated with the process of individuation. The question remains: what is the aim of these elements and stages within the process of adaption and restoration?   The goal of the stages of differentiation, confrontation, and reunion (in combination with the elements of quest, unity in multiplicity,…

Adaption & Restoration, III: Stages

My previous post outlined four elements commonly associated with the process of adaption and restoration. These four elements (projection, quest, unity in multiplicity, and the persona) move through three stages (differentiation, confrontation, and reunion) in order to help an individual gradually separate her-/himself from the persona, confront the depths of unconscious activity, and reconcile the…

Adaption & Restoration, II: Elements

My previous post introduced the process of adaption and restoration. This post presents the basic elements associated with the movement of adaption and restoration.   The process of adaption and restoration involves four elements (subject of this post): Projection Quest Unity in multiplicity The persona; and moves through three stages (subject of the next post):…

Adaption & Restoration, I: Introduction

My previous posts introduced the career and psychological methodology of C. G. Jung. This post introduces Jung’s process of individuation, which, for the sake of clarity, I refer to as the process of adaption and restoration (i.e., adaption to traumatic events and the restoration of psychological balance during and/or after trauma). The following posts will…