Jung and the Dark Place

"The psychological rule says that when an inner situation is not made conscious, it happens outside as fate.  That is to say, when the individual remains undivided and does not become conscious of his inner opposite, the world must perforce act out the conflict and be torn into opposing halves." C.G. Jung

I love this quote.  It reminds me that, while I continue to face the darkness of my novel, raking up all the stuff I've so often buried, it's actually good for me, not destructive.  The more we face our dark memories creatively, the more we understand and rebuild ourselves; to create out of what once threatened us -- now that's powerful.  But I repeat my usual mantra: only when we're ready.  

It's a fitting week to celebrate Jung.  After all, his "The Red Book", which has been suppressed for many years, is now being published by Norton.  Read about it in this fascinating article passed on to me by Sophie (thanks, dear friend).  The whole situation is a reminder that we never can know when our work will be viewed as important.  In fact, Jung's "Red Book" sounds like it was vital to him -- and that's probably what makes it so profound.  Couple that with the fact that it's a work of fantastical introspection and I'm certain we've got a work of real courage.  Jung saw his inner, imaginative visions as being vital and true.  Time this book was given a voice.  Bravo, Norton.

Here are a few more Jung quotes I think can be helpful for us, as writers and artists.  I hope you enjoy them:

"The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect but by the play instinct acting from inner necessity.  The creative mind plays with the object it loves."  

"The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there is any reaction, both are transformed."

"The shoe that fits one person pinches another; there is no recipe for living that suits all cases."

That's Jung.  Always intriguing.