Marie-Louise von Franz’s great contribution during the years of her collaboration with C.G. Jung was the translation and psychological interpretation of the “Aurora consurgens”, an alchemical work attributed to Thomas Aquinas. Here, the main character appears as a feminine figure who cries out even screams for redemption. The text revolves around the opposites, feminine – masculine, and ends with the description of the alchemical union or coniunctio, wherein the feminine figure now appears as a deity herself. She is redeemed.
The translation and commentary on the “Aurora consurgens” were Marie-Louise von Franz’ first work on alchemy. I will try to introduce it, also in relation to the dark times in which it was written. At the end of the talk, however, her last book, her commentary on an Arabic text, of Ibn Umail’s “Hall ar-Rumuz”, should also be mentioned. This is, because at the end of both works, she mentions an alchemical symbol that is mysterious, enigmatic and yet full of meaning.
Lecture / Seminars
For the alchemists, Mercurius was a light in the darkness. He was the beginning and the end of the alchemical process, dreadful, terrifying and demonic, but also “the philosophic gold, the carbuncle … the light of lights”. In a thus-far untranslated alchemical text from the 16th century Mercurius appears as a dragon in a fiery mountain, who must be healed of a terrible restlessness. This is done by a remedy consisting of various plants. The lecture looks at Mercurius as a restless dragon, as well as his meaning in our time. It also speaks about his healing by creating the right remedy.
Some personal memories serve to approach M.-L. von Franz and her great personality. Alchemy was particularly close to her heart. I will give an introduction to her first and to her last book on alchemy: her commentary on “Aurora consurgens” and her commentary on “Hall ar-Rumuz” written by the Arab alchemist Ibn Umail.
Place:
C.G. Jung Society Lafayette
Louisiana, USA
Place:
C.G. Jung Society Lafayette
Louisiana, USA
Place:
Research and Training Centre
in Depth Psychology according to
C.G. Jung and Marie-Louise von Franz
CH-6066 St. Niklausen, Obwalden
Place:
The Guild of Pastoral Psychology, Spring Conference
Sheffield, England
Place:
C.G. Jung Analytical Psychology Club, London
The Essex Church, 112 Palace Gardens Terrace
Notting Hill Gate, London W8 4 RT
Place:
Research and Training Centre in
Depth Psychology according to C.G. Jung and
Marie-Louise von Franz
CH-6066 St. Niklausen, Obwalden
ISAP Zurich, International School
of Analytical Psychology Zurich,
AGAP Post-Graduate Jungian Training
Stampfenbachstrasse 115
CH-8006 Zurich
Research and Training Centre in
Depth Psychology according to C.G. Jung and
Marie-Louise von Franz
CH-6066 St. Niklausen, Obwalden
ISAP Zurich, International School of
Analytical Psychology Zurich,
AGAP Post-Graduate Jungian Training
Stampfenbachstrasse 115
CH-8006 Zurich
Einsiedeln Conference 2013
CH-8840 Einsiedeln
Jungian Lectures, Autumn 2013
Oxford, England
Place:
CH-Flüeli-Ranft, Obwalden
C.G. Jung Analytical Psychology Club, London
The Essex Church, 112 Palace Gardens Terrace
Notting Hill Gate, London W8 4 RT