C.G.Jung Society of Sydney
News FRom the President Winter is a time for hearty fare, and we have plenty
aromatic talk Red and Gold: The Alchemy of
on the menu here in our latest Jung Downunder
Crushed Grape and Roasted Bean. What better
which will satisfy the appetite. We start with a lead
start to our Annual Christmas Party which follows
article from Jacinta Frawley who brings her highly
on after?
original musings on meeting Hecate at the council
Two very special events highlight our upcoming
pick up. Lucy Davey then whets our appetite with
programme. On Wednesday, September 23 we
an indepth review of Stanton Marlan’s book The
launch Depth Psychology, Disorder and Climate
Black Sun: The Alchemy and Art of Darkness.
Change edited by Jonathan Marshall, the first
And there is sustaining fare ahead in our Events
title in the Society’s new press Jung Downunder
Calendar. We begin in July with David Tacey
Books. This is a great milestone for us at the Jung
speaking on Jung, Ecopsychology and the
Society so please do come and join us at Gleebooks
Sacred, a vital and pressing topic for our times.
for our celebration. In October Sarah Gibson
In August our Cinema and Psyche event will be
runs a highly original and insightful workshop on
presented by Bruce Isaacs who will explore the
Cinderella entitled If the Shoe Fits. This is a bring
themes and narratives of Jindabyne, a riveting and
your favourite shoes event; please book early to
controversial Australian movie. Just as relevant
make sure you don’t miss out.
will be our September panel of Jacinta Frawley,
I hope you agree that we are serving up a banquet
Charles Plumridge and Jon Marshall speaking on
with many great dishes and that you will join us
The Secret Life of Money. Expect new views on
in their savouring. My thanks as always to Tim
a very old topic! In October Tim Hartridge serves
Hartridge for his wonderfully rich and exciting
us up a sumptuous dish of image and sound in
graphic design work on this edition of Jung
an exploration of Night Soul Journeys. And to
Downunder, and to Lucy Davey, Jon Marshall and
finish off we have a wonderful night planned in
Tori Collins for joining me in editing & proofreading.
November with Peter Dicker who will muse over
I look forward to meeting with you soon.
the symbolic rituals of wine and coffee in his 2 JUNGDOWNUNDER
Sally Gillespie
FRom the Committee The Committee has had a rewarding start to
submissions for the first book ever to be published
2009 with all of its workshops and groups filling to
by our Society entitled Depth Psychology, Disorder
capacity as well as having excellent attendances at
and Climate Change, to be launched at Gleebooks
each of our lectures. All this extra interest has kept
in September.
Lenore Kulakauskas very busy as she updates the
There is new energy in the Library as Lucy Davey
membership database, takes bookings and deals
clears out old duplicate titles making room for new
with day-to-day finances. Undaunted by all this
purchases. Our new, technically gifted Assistant
she has plunged into studying the world of web
Librarian Maylin Tan has taken on the role of
maintenance and design, the benefits of which
updating the library database. Lesley Hamlyn has
are already flowing through to our own website.
bravely volunteered to be our new Advertising
This is freeing up more time for our wonderful art
Officer, while former committee member Louise
director Tim Hartridge to work on his sumptuous
Fanning has happily returned to our ranks after
designs of Jung Downunder as well as our
a year off. June Reynolds’s continues to be our
advertisements, which are contributing to our
welcoming face in her liaison work for the Society,
growing membership.
which includes organising Commiteee meetings
With all this increased activity Yolanda Waldman’s election to the role of Vice-President
generously hosted by the Toxteth Hotel in Glebe. Bo Robertson gives thought and attention to the
has been greatly welcomed by the Committee.
social aspects of our gatherings while Treasurer
Using her excellent organisational abilities and
Marcel Abarca gives order to our figures and
people skills Yolanda is bringing many benefits to
advice on our costings.
the Society including liaising with the Australasian
I was thrilled that all our serving Committee
College of Natural Therapies who has generously
members re-nominated for election at our AGM
offered us free use of their rooms.
this year. Being President of such an enterprising,
Exciting new projects are on our horizons. Tori
enthusiastic and harmonious Committee is one
Collins is working on producing CDs of our talks
of the great pleasures of my life at present. The
which will soon be available for sale through
combined talents and energy of the Committee
our bookstall. This supersedes the borrowing of
are a great bounty for this Society as we explore
audiotapes of talks, which are now being assessed
new avenues of interaction with our larger Sydney
and preserved for archival purposes. Meantime
community.
Jon Marshall has been very absorbed with editing
Sally Gillespie, President
ANZAP AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION OF PSYCHOTHERAPY UPCOMING SEMINARS, LECTURES AND CONFERENCE
ANZAP 21st ANNUAL CONFERENCE 12–13th September 2009 – The State Library of NSW 'PSYCHOTHERAPY AND PLASTICITY : THE RELATIONSHIP THAT CHANGES SELF THE CONVERSATIONAL MODEL OF PSYCHOTHERAPY: a six week introductory course Held at: College of Psychiatry, Rozelle – dates: 6,13, 20, 27th October 2009
CONTACT: (02) 8399 3787 · info@anzapweb.com · www.anzapweb.com JUNGDOWNUNDER 3
e h t n o g n i Mus Pickup l i c n Cou Hekate's dedication to household garbage Jacinta Frawley
‘‘
Well you said you were going to clean up and you really did,” my neighbour says. “Yes I really did, didn’t I”, I say, nodding proudly. I am standing in the middle of the street admiring
a pile of crumpled boxes, a set of shelves, an old bed, past Christmas decorations, a particularly hated selection of curtains from various past houses (all bought second hand), a broken vacuum cleaner and a working organ (gift of a different neighbour from a previous council pickup). “I like your couch,” I say to my neighbour whose head and feet I can see peeking out over each end of the cream couch, which is placed on the street verge. The back of the couch is toward the
4 JUNGDOWNUNDER
After all, items selected for the council
street hiding most of her from view
pickup need thought. These objects
and she lies reclining as we discuss
were clearly not in use yesterday. This
the council pickup. She is amazed
is no impulse throwing away. The old
that there is always so much to be
packing boxes, rusted watering cans,
collected every six months, where
no-longer-loved toys and broken
does it all come from? I wonder where
sporting equipment up and down the
it was before it appeared overnight
street have clearly been in disuse for
on the street? Are there piles of this
some time. These are the items that
stuff in back gardens everywhere?
were not deemed good enough for
W E AV I N G VOICES
a charity shop, or a garage sale. No friend or family
useful for their original purpose they have also not
could be found who would take them. Nothing
yet been transformed into a new use. They have
here could be packed off to a natural disaster victim
not yet found their new life as recycling, landfill,
or aid agency. Nothing here shouts “keep me for
compost or fuel for power stations. If, as Jung
that school project, dress up day, fancy dress party, I
would tell us, there is story and god in every human
can be turned into street art!”
activity, what is the story god in the refuse sorted,
I wonder about the now empty garages and
placed and displayed with great care in front of
corners of the shed, the under-houses and attic
our houses. Who is the story god in something
spaces that held these items in the time and space
that until yesterday we were hiding, and are now
between when they were useful and when they
deliberately putting on display? Who is the god in
became refuse on the street. What must it be to
the council pickup?
rest in a corner, in transition from the useful, to
The ancient Greeks dedicated their household
‘not sure about that’, to being rubbish? Are these
garbage to Hekate, “the distant one”. An
corner spaces now empty or are they filling up
underworld goddess, the guardian of those caught
already? My neighbour and I wander up and down
in liminal spaces--witches, vampires, ghosts, the
the street mentally picking over the piles in front
homeless and derelicts--Hekate also guards and
of each house. To touch anything seems to go
guides the liminal spaces of our domestic lives as
too far and imply a sense of desire or an assertion
the guardian of household doorways and presides
of potential ownership that somehow seems
over transitions of childbirth and death.
indecent in our own street. I feel that if I were to
Hekate’s rites were repeated each month on the
touch something it would claim me and I would be
evening of the first sighted new moon. Houses
obliged to take it home. Then we arrive at another
were thoroughly cleaned and purified and the
neighbour who is putting out piles of plants. She
garbage deposited at the crossroads at which
knows that the council won’t take green waste
an image of the Triple Hekate was installed. The
and instead is hopeful that the council pick up,
garbage particularly included personal refuse
which always draws people onto the street, will
such as hair and nail clippings. Having made this
encourage some passer-by to take her excess
sacrifice, one was to walk away without looking
plants. A talented gardener, she has so much
back. The dedication of bodily cast offs such as
success that she doesn’t know what else to do with
nail clippings and hair is an act of sacrifice of self.
the plants and so she chooses to set them free to
Discarded parts of bodies are necessary to make
find their own new homes.
spells and directly dedicating these important
This makes me think about the power and life in
ingredients to the Queen of Witches circumvented
objects. Manna, “God’s sweet word”, has been
Hekate’ minions gaining power through magic,
withdrawn from these street objects. No longer
for if they were to take the dedicated garbage they JUNGDOWNUNDER 5
W E AV I N G VOICES
‘
I also wonder where else
concern with identity theft, how we are always
Hekate lurks. Perhaps in the
being warned that our casualness about personal
rubbish bin of discarded emails in computers or in delete buttons that don’t
’
really delete . . .
details (modern nail clippings) can cause our identities to be stolen and used against us without our knowledge. As if we were possessed or bewitched. I think of all those scrap bins under all those kitchen sinks –the scraps not yet moved to the compost or rubbish bin yet no longer potential food for the householders, but certainly potential
would be stealing directly from Hekate herself and
nourishment for Hekate’s animal devotees mice
draw her wrath—a type of magical protection
and cockroaches. I think of the piles of old letters,
racket. There is a residue to this superstition in the
birthday cards, memories of times past, tossed into
complex attitudes to people who search through
boxes, but no, though these are held in a liminal
the council pickup before the council removes
space Hekate seldom claims these as her own.
it. Some residents seem to view this as akin to
Residues of memory she usually leaves for our
stealing—“it was put out for the council it is
descendents to sort after we are gone. Nor does
meant for the council”, while others feel grateful
she expect to receive everything that is discarded
that some use is to be made of their discards.
into a corner. The soccer boots and skin pads
The first view is akin to fear of black magic where
abandoned in the hallway will come back to life
something is taken away from the victim for a
next week. The little piles of pens, hair clips, coins,
potentially malevolent purpose and the second,
and half scribbled notes gathered together on
also a magical view, hopes for transformation of
the kitchen bench will be scattered again through
material into something new, from garbage to
the house and used many times before Hekate
something useful.
claims them. No, Hekate is better found in another
I also wonder where else Hekate lurks. Perhaps in the rubbish bin of discarded emails in computers,
imaginal realm. Just as she takes the garbage of the household
or in delete buttons that don’t really delete
and the body Hekate also takes the “garbage of
but rather move items from the visible part of
the soul” for she is also the goddess of divination
our computer to hidden folders from where
and dreams. There is a view that dreams are “day
those modern magicians, IT specialists, can still
residues” regurgitated by the brain with the goal
retrieve items years later. Hekate is the ghost in
of ordering and tidying our thoughts, the better
the unconscious of the computer. I think of our
to work and love the next day. But there is no
6 JUNGDOWNUNDER
punishment nor consequence nor judgement
keeping the environs ordered by regulating
of mess in Hekate. She is not concerned with
parking, moving on the homeless, dispersing idle
Saturn’s need for order, nor the compulsion of
teenagers, reprimanding unruly school children,
puer Hermes to recycle and reconnect, nor Apollo’s
monitoring pedestrian crossings and catching
search for meaning. It is not her goal to have an
Hekate’s favourite animal, stray dogs. This is the
ordered existence, dreams do not have to have
work of consciousness, Apollo and Saturn at their
meaning; instead she welcomes the garbage of
best, yet there is something emotionally satisfying
our households, bodies and souls at their most
in recognising an underworld goddess beckoning
mundane and devalued. Hekate is not trying to
us to look beyond the obvious. Certainly my
teach us something through our dreams though she children would have no difficult seeing the Queen may be trying to lead. And as a guardian of doors,
of Witches constellated in our house when it is
at what imaginal door might she be beckoning?
time to clean their rooms.
I notice over the year who does and does not
Returning home I feel a little less concerned
put anything out for the council pickup. New
to sort and discard, as I know there will be
arrivals, renovators, those preparing to sell, and
other council pickups. I know that I have made
families all seem to shed their belongings regularly.
myself and my gardening neighbour happy by
These are dynamic households in movement and
metaphorically looking back and taking some
transition. My elderly neighbours seem to have
of her plants which, like the soccer boots in the
much less stuff to discard. Have they already
hallway and the many things scavenged for many
with each transition, departure of a child, death
different reasons from the street, have been
of a spouse, or retirement shed all they need to
reprieved from Hekate this time around. But
shed? Are they comforted and comfortable with
perhaps this was always her aim, to enliven the
their possessions? Are memory and familiarity
street community, to allow us to sort and to bring
continuing to infuse their possessions with manna?
shadow parts of ourselves, our garbage, into the
Are they leaving the sorting for the final council
light of day and see that there is no shame in it,
pickup to others? The council pickup reminds that
for Hekate is also “the luminous one” who travels
there will come a time that we too will be moved
at night with a torch to bring illumination to the
from the centre of life to the verge.
hidden places.
Council is the arm of political power which is
Perhaps the story god of the council pick up is
closest to daily life and whose primary role is about
Hekate’s blessing of discarded parts of ourselves
reassurance of our conscious viewpoints through
so that we too may pick up some counsel for
keeping the streets clean, removing graffiti and
ourselves. JUNGDOWNUNDER 7
The Black Sun
Stanton Marlan The Black Sun: The
T
his rich and challenging work contains material for those seeking depth in the inner life. Marlan approaches the role of
depression in psychic life, by reflecting on an image, the sol niger – the black sun, “linked to the deepest issues of our mortality and to both tragic and ecstatic possibilities” (p. 3). For Marlan this image, given some attention in Jung’s work, needs further exploration associated as it is with the descent into the unconscious. His discussion concentrates on
Review by Lucy Davey
the alchemical dimensions of the image, and on ways it has been analysed and interpreted. Marlan’s work begins with a consideration of
‘
the “dark side of light” (p. 9). While Jung saw the
The black sun, an ages-old image of darkness, has not
move into soul work as marked by melancholy and a “struggle with the shadow” (p. 10), Marlan proposes that experience of this darkness forms
been treated hospitably in
part of the “condition of any humanness”. In
the modern world. Modern
contains the treasure we seek when working
psychology has seen darkness primarily as a negative force, something to move through and beyond, but it actually has an intrinsic importance
’
to the human psyche...
(front dust-jacket The Black Sun). 8 JUNGDOWNUNDER
alchemical terms, the nigredo, the blackness, towards integration. Energy’s identification with light and sun leads to Marlan’s claim of a “devaluation of the dark side of psychic life” (p. 15). He asserts its value as intrinsic to an engagement with the instinctual side of the psyche. An encounter with destruction and death, often indicated by images of dragons, toads and poison, is necessary, pointing to the dangerous elements of this process at whatever stage these concerns emerge.
BOOK RE V IE W
Alchemy and Art of Darkness (Texas A&M University Press 2005) Marlan continues his discussion by moving
“feared unthinkable… the core of its voidness”
into the “burnt out place of the soul” (p. 26)
(p. 73). Marlan points out that analysts work
the locus of the black sun. Marlan places his
with analysands through such a death process to
comments in the context of other writings both
overcome sterility and self-defensive reactions.
literary and professional. There are numerous
Artists such as Matisse, Calder and Rothko
references to Marlan’s own work with analysands,
each attempt to convey the paradox of the black
and illustrations by them are used to enrich his
sun – “lightless light”. A number of these works
comments. Von Franz’s comments on the “shadow
are reproduced in grey-scale in Marlan’s text,
side of the Sun”, taking the source of light and
though one feels that in many cases the power
life as a hostile force, give further breadth to the
of the original is only partly conveyed. The quality
view that there is real hostility emanating from the
of sixteen colour reproductions included in the
inner world. Issues with illness and mortality for
edition I read emphasises what would be gained
individuals arise as a mark of the struggle to find
by seeing all the figures in colour. Figure 3.12 –
access to this inner world.
Janet Towbin’s work The Seduction of the Black
The work by Julia Kristeva, Soleil Noir (“Black
– conveys her effort to “capture the luminous
Sun”), was published almost two decades before
paradox at the heart of blackness itself” (p. 95),
Marlan’s study. Kristeva’s view of the black sun
but the subtle tones elude reproduction.
aligns with depression and melancholy, marking
In the exploration of what Jung calls the “light
an impenetrable loss. As Marlan comments, the
of darkness itself” (Marlan’s title for Chapter 4)
melancholy is “transformed into an attachment to
attention focuses on the nature of the albedo –
an inexpressible affect” (p. 44). Only after reading
the whiteness which emerges from the blackness
later chapters did I appreciate Marlan’s words,
of the nigredo. Rather than a move from one
since he emphasises the creative power he sees
opposite to the other, it allows the perception of
associated with depression.
an illuminative quality intrinsic in the blackness.
The image of the sun as “cold” and “totally
Marlan’s exposition here ranges over Platonic and
uncaring” links it to death, and the sense that “in
neo-Platonic views, alchemical and Kabbalistic
life’s vital signs [lies] the immanent abyss of death”
writers, and the concept of chakras. The scope of
(p. 61 citing Cioran). Literature, philosophy and
the discussion widens with Marlan’s references to
art can express the many profound facets of this
Chinese thinking about the subtle body.
experience. Thus for Lacan the psyche’s energy is directed against the ego and pushes it towards the
While I found the first part of Chapter 4 extremely challenging, the latter part with its emphasis JUNGDOWNUNDER 9
‘
...the black sun as an image of a non-Self has helped me to reimagine my understanding of the Self as Jung has
’
described it. . .
page 147
on the work with one of Marlan’s analysands
process: there are conflicts lying beyond a “simple
acted as an effective clarification of the more
rational mastery”, creating enormous tension.
theoretical exposition. The analysand, in this
Marlan stresses that the monstrous is essential to
case an artist, permitted Marlan the use of select
this experience, not to be passed over in “idealized
images she drew and painted at different stages
transcendence”, but to be negotiated. We are
of the analysis. For those who, like myself, find
faced not with the natural, reasonable or normal,
such material with added commentary helpful
but with realities which demand effort to ensure
in absorbing the implications of a theoretical
that the struggle will be fruitful.
presentation, this section of the work is particularly valuable. The centre point of the development in the
Marlan maintains the need to be aware that confrontation with the life of the psyche results both in defeat and in transformation. The threat
individual at this stage of the process is the solar
to the ego can be related to Kristeva’s view
plexus. This is both a physical point and very often
that the black sun is a metaphor marking an
a site of intense awareness of dynamic energy and
impenetrable loss. Death within the psyche or soul
discomfort. In the Taoist tradition it is referred to
brings confrontation with paradox, involving the
as the “elixir field” (p. 112) from which emerges
terrifying and monstrous. Marlan cites a dream in
the newly rejuvenated life. This section of Marlan’s
which an alchemist figure advises the dreamer to
commentary not only utilises earlier material, but
“see the silence”. In this segment his reference to
also refers to diverse concepts which linked to his
the colour illustration (Plate 14) which reproduces
central concerns.
the “figure of Mercurius” indicates that this is a
Marlan states his ultimate aim as the
monstrous image, closely linked to the alchemical
“reimagination of [his] understanding of the Self as
tradition. Not only the “three extra heads” Marlan
Jung described it” (p. 147). Jung’s theories about
mentions, but other details contribute to the
the Self and integration have, in Marlan’s view,
monstrousness and to the symbolic force of the
been assimilated in such a way that the “enormity
figure.
of the struggle involved in any engagement
The final chapter of this work requires careful
with… the darkness of the unconscious” has been
and repeated reading. Marlan considers mystical
lost (page 150). The power and demands of the
theology, the Self and the No-Self, concepts of
process are essential in any consideration of the
the soul, and negativity of being. He relies in
10 JUNGDOWNUNDER
BOOK REVIEW
many areas of his discussion on Hillman’s writings
lengthy comments closer to the particular point of
on alchemy, but he provides illustrations in an
reference.
attempt to clarify (a paradox!) his exposition
The concerns of this work include both practice
of the dark elements of this process. Invoking
and theory, and it presents a wealth of analysis
Eastern and Western traditions, he attempts not so
and comment which leads one beyond this book,
much a synthesis as a wider, more complex view.
as well as inviting repeated and closer reading. As
His focus ensures the “colours of psychological
Marlan declares in his final paragraph, darkness
experience [and] differentiated impelling images”
is “the Other that likewise shines”, and this work
are not flattened and depleted by “categories
allows us a clearer view of this complex and, in
of exclusion” (p.191), avoiding entrapment in a
many ways, disquieting reality of the world of the
“linear, historical progression” along fixed phases.
psyche.
For me the impelling image reproduced in a work which presents a wealth of illustrations is Figure 4.7, a Chinese ink rubbing entitled “Inner Circulation”. This image of the “subtle body” employs the precision of the Chinese calligraphy, with the details of the symbolic anatomical structure which flows down the page. Every segment of the illustration presents miniature images within the central image. The inner world is presented as closely linked to the body, the source of “the vital force though whose sublimation the spiritual, immortal man is born” (p. 109 – citing the work of Rousselle). One aspect of the presentation and format of the text of this work is in my view less than ideal: the footnotes are grouped together after the main text. For a conscientious reader this has the effect of distracting from the thrust of the particular point being made. In one case, a lengthy footnote (#94 pp. 231-233) presents a vital excursus about major elements of Marlan’s thinking in the light of theoretical positions held by Lévinas and Hillman. It would be helpful to have this and other JUNGDOWNUNDER 11
2009 Program July-Nov Saturday, 11 July
Jung, Ecopsychology and the Sacred Dr David Tacey
Page 14–15
Saturday, 8 AugUST
Cinema and Psyche Bruce Isaacs, PhD
Page 16–17
Saturday, 12 SepTEMBER
The Money Panel Jacinta Frawley, Charles Plumridge, and Jonathan Marshall
Page 18–19
WednesDAY, 23 SepTEMBER
Book launch Depth Psychology, Disorder and Climate Change Jung Society
Page 20–21
Saturday, 10 OctOBER
An Exploration of Night Soul-Journeys Tim Hartridge
Page 22–23
Saturday, 24 OctOBER
Workshop If the Shoe Fits: Rethinking Cinderella Sarah Gibson
Page 24–25
Saturday, 14 NovEMBER
Red + Gold: Alchemy of Crushed Grape & Roasted Bean Peter Dicker
Page 26–27
Saturday, 14 NovEMBER
The Christmas Party Following the talk by Peter Dicker Jung Society
12 JUNGDOWNUNDER
Page 28
C.G. Jung Society of Sydney The C.G. Jung Society of Sydney was formed in 1975 to promote discussion of the ideas of the Swiss analyst and psychiatrist Carl Gustav Jung. Each month the Society arranges Guest Speakers to present a diverse range of Jungian topics in the form of talks, workshops and special events, which can be found in the following pages. The Society is open to all members of the general public and offers a rich and varied monthly programme of speakers both Australian and international. Certificates of Attendance for professional development hours are available at all events.
Book Launch! Depth Psychology, Disorder and Climate Change
Workshop! If the Shoe Fits: Rethinking Cinderella
6pm WEDNESDAY, 23 SEPTEMBER
10am–4pm SATURDAY 24 OCTOBER
A collection of essays, stories and poems inspired by our successful evening on climate change and depth psychology. See details on page 20–21. Venue: Gleebooks 49 Glebe Point Rd, GLEBE
With Sarah Gibson Venue: The Centre 14 Frances Street, RANDWICK. See details on page 24–25. For bookings phone Lenore Kulakauskas on 9365 7750 JUNGDOWNUNDER 13
Jung, Ecopsychology Sacred and the
with Dr David Tacey
eco-spirituality and env
T
oday there are several
in the world (anima mundi), and not
sources for developing an
merely inside the human mind. The
eco-spirituality or ecological
core work in this discipline remains
wisdom. These include eco-
Ecopsychology: Restoring the Earth,
philosophy, social ecology, eco-
Healing the Mind, edited by Theodore
feminism, eco-theology, Romantic
Roszak, Mary E. Gomes and Allen
cultural theory and Jungian
K. Kanner, with forewords by James
ecopsychology.
Hillman and Lester R. Brown. This talk
Ecopsychology is one of the most
14 JUNGDOWNUNDER
will review the field of ecopsychology,
important disciplines of our time. It has
discuss its sources in Jung and
emerged from the works of C. G. Jung
Hillman, and consider the relation of
and James Hillman, and has followed
ecopsychology to Aboriginal Australia
their passion for discovering psyche
and the local environmental situation.
GROUP TALK SATURDAY, 11 JUL 6.30pm for 7.00pm 484 Kent Street, Sydney
vironmental awareness
Dr Tacey is Reader in Literature at La Trobe University, Melbourne. He is author of nine books, including The Spirituality Revolution: The Emergence of Contemporary Spirituality, ReEnchantment: The New Australian Spirituality, How to Read Jung, (co-edited with Ann Casement), and The Idea of the Numinous. He has published over a hundred essays and articles on culture, religion and depth psychology. Members $10, Non-Members $25, Non-Members Concession $20 JUNGDOWNUNDER 15
cinema
psyche
with Bruce Isaacs
I
16 JUNGDOWNUNDER
n my work, I explore the meeting place of cinema – as an art form and as a discursive industry – and
to reflect on the human condition. My discussion will focus on an analysis of Jindabyne, Ray Lawrence’s
the ways in which we, as individuals
excellent Australian film of 2006.
and collective groups, make meaning
Jindabyne represents a continuation of
out of our personal and collective
Lawrence’s exploration of contemporary
lives. Contemporary cinema is perhaps
(Australian) subjectivity, and offers a
the dominant mode of personal and
rich and complex text for analysis. This
collective engagement with art, myth,
discussion will explore ways of thinking
religion and other textual systems that
about personal and social conditions
encode our being. As such, cinema
illustrated in the depiction of a
seems to me an ideal point at which
relationship to the nation (Australia), the
GROUP TALK SATURDAY, 8 AUG 6.30pm for 7.00pm 484 Kent Street, SYDNEY
landscape (and the land), the family and
scenes, drawing on my own approach
the community. I will offer a reading of
to analysis of film (as distinct from other
the film in terms of narrative and theme,
textual systems).
as well as a close analysis of several Bruce Isaacs holds a PhD from the University of Sydney and is a lecturer in the university’s Art History and Film department. He is the author of Toward a New Film Aesthetic, (Continuum Press, 2008). He has published extensively on film traditions, film aesthetics, and the rise of what he terms a collective film culture. NB – This is not a screening of the film Jindabyne. Members $5, Non-Members $20, Non-Members Concession $15 JUNGDOWNUNDER 17
‘
Jung writing on another financial crisis in 1936 . . .
Together with these illusions goes another helpful procedure, the hollowing out of money, which in the near future will make all savings illusory . . . Money value is fast becoming a fiction . . . Money becomes paper and everybody convinces everyone else that the
’
little scraps are worth something . . .
The
CW Vol 18, §1320
Money Pane with Jacinta Frawley, Charles Plumridge
T
he current media is full of
considers definitions of money and their
news about the economy, the
implications, how money relates to daily
Global Financial Crisis, budgets
business life and the global financial
and deficits. But how do we really
crisis, and reflects on wealth, status and
think, feel and experience money in
market psychology.
our lives? Tonight a lively panel consisting of a Jungian analyst, a financial analyst and
throughout the world, the ‘magic’ of
an anthropologist speak about different
money – the way it 'wants' to increase
views and myths of money to open up
– as well as reflecting on money as a
a discussion that goes beyond the usual
fractured symbol of the self.
preoccupations and taboos of money talk in our culture. Jacinta Frawley considers what Jung and the post Jungians have thought about money. Charles Plumridge 18 JUNGDOWNUNDER
Jon Marshall discusses the different cultures of money and exchange
Come along and join us for a subversive evening of conversation about money, as you’ve never heard it discussed before.
TALK SATURDAY, 12 SEP 6.30pm for 7.00pm 484 Kent Street, SYDNEY
nel and Jonathan Marshall Jacinta Frawley is a Jungian Analyst in private practice in Gymea in southern Sydney. She writes and presents on various topics from a Jungian perspective. Her most recent article “Musing on the Council Pickup� appears in this newsletter. Charles Plumridge is a former stockbroker and financial analyst who is currently enjoying life as a small business owner and investor. Jonathan Marshall is an anthropologist and a Research Fellow at the University of Technology in Sydney. He is the author of Living on Cybermind: Categories, Communication and Control and Jung, Alchemy and History.
Members $10, Non-Members $25, Non-Members Concession $20 JUNGDOWNUNDER 19
C.G.Jung Society of Sydney – BOOK LAUNCH TM
20 JUNGDOWNUNDER
LAUNCH GROUP WEDNESDAY, 23 SEP 6pm for 6.30pm Gleebooks
Depth Psychology Disorder & Climate Change
49 Glebe Point Rd GLEBE Admission FREE
Edited by Jonathan Marshall Depth Psychology, Disorder and Climate Change is the first in what we hope to be a series of publications from Jung Downunder Books. This title originated in the Jung Society's 2008 panel on Depth Psychology and Climate Change and features essays, poems,converstations and stories by: Anne Di Lauro Anne Noonan & Julie Macken Bronwyn Goss Craig San Roque David Tacey Glenda Cloughly Jacinta Frawley Jonathan Marshall
Lenore Kulakauskas Marie Tulip Max Harrison and Susan Murphy Pam Stavropoulos Come and join Peter Dicker us in celebra ting the launch of Peter White this highly or iginal and topical b Robert Bosnak ook, along wit h the Sally Gillespie inauguration of Jung Downu nder Books.
There is a large variety of different
avoidance, reflections on disruption in
ideas and approaches in this collection,
dreams and myths, warnings on the
providing a wide appeal for all tastes.
dangers of our immediate responses,
The invited authors were told that we
studies of images, thoughts on the
did not want another litany of dreadful
benefits of a depth psychological
facts about climate change; we wanted
approach, musings on the relationship
reflections on the psychology involved.
between psychology and disorder, and
What we have received are writings
much, much more.
on new ways forward: insights into JUNGDOWNUNDER 21
an exploration of
night soul-journeys through image and sound
T
here are times in our lives
Using imagery from the Nekyia and the
when all external wisdom fails
Nox I will draw a comparison between
and the only way forward
the metaphors of ocean crossings and
is to discover a new path and new
desert journeys as ‘soul journeys’, and I
strengths within the Self. This is when
will talk about the use of personal ritual
we know we are ready for change
as a doorway to Self Initiation.
and we can confidently undertake the journey of Initiation. Jung named this experience ‘Nekyia’,
Vision Quests and the NOX ritual
the night sea-journey of the soul. He
In indigenous cultures it is usually the
considered it a difficult and dangerous
Shaman who who embarks upon the
experience. In my years of probing
path of Initiation. Through vision quests
another type of night-journey, I have
and spirit journeys, he undergoes the
explored night desert crossings called
necessary ordeals before he can serve
Nox (latin ‘night’). Through undertaking
his culture in the role of spiritual guide
symbolic ritual desert crossings I’ve
and healer.
experienced the opening doorways of
22 JUNGDOWNUNDER
A note about –
In 1984, with the aid of several friends,
perception, rich with mystical images
I created a ritual initiation practice
and sounds of soul.
known as the NOX ritual. Drawing upon
GROUP TALK SATURDAY,10 OCT 6.30pm for 7.00pm 484 Kent Street, SYDNEY
a fusion of shamanic, sufi and qabalistic
a reconnecting bridge across mystical
traditions, I explored the metaphoric
and qabalistic deserts of No-knowledge,
night-desert soul journey. During the
creating a passport rich in the symbol-
last twenty years I have taught the
retrieval of Soul-knowledge. Such night-
NOX as a practicum for exploration
journeys challenge us to be open and
of the Unconscious, and a necessary
to embrace all that self-transformation
step toward Self Initiation (a form of
may entail.
Individuation). The practice is used as
Tim hartridge works professionally as an art director/graphic designer and also runs workshops and retreats exploring the Western Mystery Traditions. He is a contributing author to several books and occasional writer of magazine articles. He also runs two of the largest Australian online communities exploring occult themes.
Members $5, Non-Members $20, Non-Members Concession $15 JUNGDOWNUNDER 23
‘
As a contemporary fairy tale – which means a psychological one – Cinderella is a story about why women don’t want other women to have pleasure. It is also a story about how women can be enemies of their own desire; how women, out of fear of other
’
women’s envy, want to frustrate themselves.
Adam Phillips The Guardian, Saturday 29/11/08
Rethinking
In perhaps the oldest
C
Cinderella story survived for over 1000
and the fantasy of the perfect fit in a
illustration of Cinderella
years? What does it have to say to
relationship. What is it we really desire?
from the early sixteenth
contemporary men and women?
Buying a pair of shoes will never be the
century, Nuremberg.
inderella is one of
envied and being the envious one.
the most popular fairy
We delve into the layers of meaning
stories. Why has the
about fairy godmothers, feet and shoes
Sarah Gibson will lead this workshop
same again.
Cinderella weeps by the
exploring Cinderella from different
hearth after her stepmother
social and psychological perspectives.
small group discussion as well as time
has tossed lentils and
Interpretations of this fairy story take us
for your own reflection. You will be
peas into the cinders and
from rags to riches to escaping abusive
asked to wear or bring along your
ordered her to sift them.
family dynamics. We confront being
favourite shoes.
24 JUNGDOWNUNDER
The workshop will involve large and
WORKSHOP SATURDAY, 24 OCT Time: 10am–4pm Venue: The Centre 14 Frances Street RANDWICK
Cinderella with Sarah Gibson Sarah Gibson is a Jungian analyst in private practice in Sydney. Sarah trained with ANZSJA and works clinically with adults, with a particular interest in sandplay and creativity. She is also an artist and filmmaker currently completing Re-enchantment – an interactive journey into the hidden world of fairytales, an interactive documentary to be hosted by the ABC and due to be completed at the end of 2009. Sarah lectures in Media Arts at the University of Technology, Sydney. Her previous documentaries include The Hundredth Room and Myths of Childhood. Members $140, Members Concession $120, Non-Members $180 SATURDAY, October 24 Time: 10am – 4pm Venue: The Centre 14 Frances Street, RANDWICK Bookings: Lenore Kulakauskas: Tel. (02) 9365 7750 JUNGDOWNUNDER 25
Redand Go
The Alchemy of Crushed Grape &
F
or reasons that are both
well have its roots in the cultural history
obvious and obscure, wine and
of their making or procurement, as well
coffee have a hold over us that is
as in the psycho-spiritual meanings we
arguably greater than any other food or beverage. These ancient, mysterious and
In our endeavours to explore our almost universal love affair with wine
highly sought after substances have,
and coffee we will need to consider
throughout the ages, nourished both
the dark and essentially mythic origins
body and soul in ways that cannot
associated with their making.
entirely be accounted for by the
We will also explore a plausible
presence of the key psychoactive
correlation or metaphorical association
substances within them: alcohol and
between the crushing, fermenting,
caffeine.
roasting and grinding that is essential
It also appears likely that our passion
26 JUNGDOWNUNDER
have come to associate with their usage.
to the making of wine and coffee, and
for wine and coffee goes beyond any
the tortuous narratives that we find
consideration of taste alone and may
both in Christ’s passion and in the many
GROUP TALK SATURDAY,14 NOV 6.30pm for 7.00pm 484 Kent Street, SYDNEY Followed by the Christmas Party!
old
& Roasted Bean
with Peter Dicker
transformative processes of alchemy.
spiritual significance. If this is the case,
This will lead us, finally, to consider
it might help to explain the passionate
whether our apparently profane
hold these two beverages continue to
consumption of wine and coffee
have over us.
is at some level actually a kind of psychological ritual, charged with
Peter Dicker is a former president of the Illawarra Jung Society. He works as a psychologist in a public health clinic, south of Wollongong. Over the past two decades Peter has been exploring his interest in Jungian and Archetypal psychology through various creative projects – lectures, essays, poetry and musical compositions – and he continues to maintain an ongoing passion for ideas, particularly in relation to clinical and cultural matters. Members $10, Non-Members $25, Non-Members Concession $20 JUNGDOWNUNDER 27
PARTY TALK SATURDAY,14 NOV From 8.30pm
You're Invited! Come and join our end-of-year annual Christmas Party. This year we party at RedSalt Restaurant, a favoured drinking place the Crowne Plaza Hotel. With a view overlooking the city, you will wine and dine from a wide selection of cocktail canapĂŠs and party platters, while relaxing with fellow companions and travellers from our Jungian community. The Jung Society Christmas Party has a fine tradition of warm conviviality peppered with rich conversations. A night not to be missed! Members $20, Non-Members $30
Christmas party
28 JUNGDOWNUNDER
ANZSJA
Professional Development Program – Sydney Events ANZSJA is pleased to announce that it will be running two professional development events in Sydney in the second half of 2009. These lectures and one day seminars explore how contemporary Jungian analysts from Australia and New Zealand use aspects of Jung’s work in their clinical practice. The presentations and discussions will be grounded in clinical examples drawn from a wide spectrum of presenting issues. Emphasis will, however, be placed on how Jungian and post-Jungian understandings of psychological processes and structures can be used to work with people who have disorders of the self and other complex presenting patterns. The lectures and seminars are open to clinicians of any background regardless of whether or not they are familiar with Jung’s work.
Jungian Analysis: The Self as Process in Theory and Practice Location 1: Sydney (NSW), Friday night lecture: 21st August, Saturday seminar/workshop: 22nd August Location 2: Melbourne (VIC), Friday night lecture: 28th August, Saturday seminar/workshop: 29th August In this lecture and seminar Warren Colman, training analyst from the Society of Analytical Psychology, London, and co-editor of the Journal of Analytical Psychology will present his work on imagination and the process of symbolisation, and on Jung’s notion of the self. Presenter: Warren Colman (UK)
Jungian Analysis: The Personal and Collective Psyche - Therapy as a Process of Individuation Location:
Sydney (NSW) Friday night lecture: 6th November, Saturday seminar/workshop: 7th November
This lecture and seminar will focus on Jung’s ideas about the personal and collective layers of the psyche, archetypes, and analysis / therapy as a process of individuation. Presenters: Andrew Gresham, (Christchurch, NZ) and Dr John Merchant (Sydney, NSW). To be placed on the ANZSJA mailing list for further details of these events, please contact pds@anzsja.org.au or leave a message on (02) 9436 0040. Also see ANZSJA’s Website at http://www.anzsja.org.au
In Memory of Jean McManus
reflections, times, pl
JEAN MCMANUS, who played a pivotal pioneering role in the founding of the C.G. Jung Society of Sydney, died on 5 December 2008 at the age of 91. She was Acting Secretary of the original group, and later, for some 26 years until 2001, Vice President – a position she held during the 12 years I was President. Jean studied art at East Sydney Technical College
London, tracked Jean down, and together they set
before setting off to London in 1950. There she
up a study group of seven with monthly meetings
underwent analysis – working with Philip and Eva
at Jean’s place at Woolwich in 1972. On 8 March
Metman, Vera von der Heydt and Robert Hobson.
1975 the Jung Society of Sydney was born at the
She was a member of the Guild of Pastoral
Inaugural General Meeting at the Quaker Meeting
Psychology and the Analytical Psychology Club,
House at Wahroonga with 17 members present.
and a friend of Ernest Freud. She was involved with
Jean was a great artist who has left a considerable
the pioneers of art and movement therapy, trained
body of work. It is clear that her paintings
as an art therapist, and ran her own Child Care
come from a rich and vital inner vision. They are
Centre in London.
characterised by a subtle radiance of colour and
In 1964 she returned to Sydney, fired with two
an extraordinary quality of light (especially in her
passions: Jungian psychology and art therapy.
later water colours). We saw this in her Exhibition
She subsequently played a leading role in the
reflections, times, places at the Watch House
founding of two societies: our C.G. Jung Society
Gallery, Balmain, in June 2001.
of Sydney and the Australian National Art Therapy
Jean was also a great art teacher – not in the
Association. In recognition, she was made a life
sense of teaching art theory or technique, though
member of both societies.
she was proficient in those areas, but in her gift for
In December 1971, Brian O’Gorman, who had written to the Society of Analytical Psychology in 30 JUNGDOWNUNDER
fostering and facilitating creative artistic expression in others, even people who had never picked up
laces a pencil or paint brush. She ran “Practical Painting
older people, helping them to get in touch with
Workshops” for years (from 1989) for the Jung
the light within, which we all carry around often
Society, and in 1994 she organised with Margaret
unconsciously. It is “a treasure in earthen vessels”
Penhall-Jones a very successful group exhibition
– a kind of “secret immanence of the divine spirit of
entitled Ins and Outs of the Psyche – An Unusual Art life in all things”, (C.G. Jung, CW 14, p. 432). Show at Blavatsky Lodge. Jean worked extensively with people in old age,
Physically healthy to the end Jean struggled with a developing dementia in her last months. Among
including at the Sacred Heart Hospice Darlinghurst.
her papers her friends found a long prayer of
She regarded old people as “the guardians of the
thanks, written some years before when she was
mysteries” and as “psychic historians”. She helped
approaching old age. It begins with “I am grateful
them get in touch with the creative spirit within
for my life…”, then enumerates many factors
themselves, to bring out the reality of the inner
which fill her with gratitude. She proceeds to ask
life of visual imagery at a time when outer life for
for help in dealing with some shadow aspects in her
them was floundering. As John Layard expresses it
personality and life, of which she is very conscious.
“the personality may expand internally as it decays
This beautiful prayer was printed in the booklet for
externally” (Virgin Archetype, p. 278). Tending the
her funeral.
psyche, especially in old age, seems to be important
I pay tribute to Jean – to her life well lived.
also in Jung’s suggestion that “life in the hereafter
Death was for her not just an end but a goal - an
would seem to be a logical continuation of the
experience which she seemed to embrace with
psychic life of old age, where with increasing age,
conscious awareness - perhaps going to the “light”
contemplation, and reflection, the inner images
which she had so often shown in her beautiful and
naturally play an ever greater part in human life”
numinous paintings.
(Memories, Dreams, Reflections, p.351).
Terence McBride, Jungian Analyst
Jean acted like a psychic midwife with these JUNGDOWNUNDER 31
C.G.Jung Society
TM
of Sydney
C.G.Jung Society of Sydney New members and visitors are always welcome. If attending a lecture for the first time please feel free to make yourself known to the Committee members, who will be happy to explain how the Society works and to answer any questions. You are also welcome to register your email address with us for our monthly broadcast of upcoming events.
General Enquiries June Reynolds: Tel. (02) 9290 1519
History & Aims
Membership & Bookings
The C.G.Jung Society of Sydney was formed in 1975 to promote the ideas of the Swiss analyst and psychiatrist Carl Gustav Jung (1875–1961). The Society is open to all members of the general public, and offers a rich and varied programme of monthly talks and seminars from Australian and international guest speakers. In addition the Society provides a dedicated research and reference library.
Lucy Davey: Tel. (02) 9572 7210
Lenore Kulakauskas: Tel. (02) 9365 7750
Library enquiries
Membership Annual Membership entitles you to: • Discounts at all our monthly Talks and Lectures • Borrowing from our Library, which includes books, journals, cds, dvds & videos • Generous discounted prices at our bookshop • Special member discounts for workshops and other activities • 10% discount on Jungian books from Pheonix Rising Booksellers, Glebe You also receive a mailed copy of the Jung Downunder newsletter and monthly updates via email.
Applications Membership applications are available from our website – see under 'membership' for the local Sydney society. You can either pay online via PayPal or print out a PDF copy of the membership form and post to: The CG Jung Society, GPO Box 2796 Sydney NSW 2001 Full annual membership is $60. Concession, country members or organisation membership is $30.
WEBSITE Membership application and event information: www.jungdownunder.com
OUROBOROS The symbol of C.G.Jung Society of Sydney is an ancient Gnostic glyph which the Alchemists later used to depict the nature of their transforming work. The script in the centre of the image means
Executive Committee
Member: Bo Roberston
self-digester or self-digesting one.
President: Sally Gillespie
Member: Lesley Hamlyn
The self-digesting Ouroboros
Vice President: Yolanda Waldman Advertising: Louise Fanning
slays itself and brings itself back
Treasurer: Marcel Abarca
to life. It illustrates the principle
Bookshop Officer: Jon Marshall
Secretary & Librarian: Lucy Davey Recording Officer: Tori Collins
of human creativity and the
Ass’t Librarian: Maylin Tan
Honorarium: Lenore Kulakauskas
development of personality as it
Liaison Officer: June Reynolds
Art Director: Tim Hartridge
devours itself and generates itself.
32 JUNGDOWNUNDER
Alana Fairchild is a spiritual mentor, psychotherapist and intuitive consultant based in Sydney providing private spiritual consultations and meditation training in person and via telephone and email. The Chocolate Madonna Circle is an open group for those interested in connecting with the healing potency of goddess energy through meditation, dance, healing ritual and soul-body work. The group meets at Carlton in New South Wales on a Wednesday at the end of each month from 7pm and costs $30. Casual attendees welcome. Please register your attendance prior to group by contacting Alana on 0408 644 170 or emailing her at alana@alanafairchild.com Alana invites you to learn more by visiting her online at www.alanafairchild.com
Noticeboard DISCLAIMER
JUNGIAN ANALYST: PSYCHOTHERAPIST
The C.G.Jung Society of Sydney receives advertising in good faith. We do not take responsibility for services offered by individual advertisers on the Noticeboard.Caution and discrimination in responding are advised and are your responsibility. COPYRIGHT © 2009 Reproduction of protected items beyond that allowed by fair use as defined in the copyright laws requires the written permission of the copyright owners. ADVERTISING Deadline: Nov 30 2009. All enquiries please contact Lesley Hamlyn Tel. 0413 990 490 Email: lesley2255@optusnet.com.au Email: cgjung@jungdownunder.com
Marcelle Lawrence, B.Ec.Ll.B (Hons.) ANZSJA, IAAP Trained at the C.G.Jung Institute of Zurich, her professional career in Australia includes 20 years working in the therapeutic community. Her interests encompass mythology, art, poetry and creativity, and the role that culture plays in shaping the bodymind of the individual. She works with sandplay, dreams and images in exploring unconscious processes. Her private practice is in Paddington. Phone (02) 9361 3283
BodySoul Workshops with Joan Harcourt Starting up in June Joan Harcourt is presenting is a series of monthly BodySoul workshops. The morning workshops Dance of Three are followed after a lunch break in the afternoon by the Becoming Crones: wise elder women workshops, open to women of all ages. The workshops may be taken as a full day workshop or as separate half-day workshops. Joan’s BodySoul workshops are based upon the work of Marion Woodman: her Sydney events last year were very well-received. For more information email Joan at: bodysouldownunder@yahoo.com.au
Specialists in Self-Transformation and Healing Mail Order Australia Wide – Contact us for the lastest catalogue
31a Glebe Point Road, Glebe NSW 2037 Tel. (02) 9566 2157 Fax. (02) 9518 4696 Hours: Mon–Wed 10am–6pm Thu–Fri 10am–7pm Sat 10am–6pm Sun 10am–5pm Jung Society Members are offered a 10% Discount on all purchases Email: service@phoenixrisingbooks.com
Web: www.phoenixrisingbooks.com
C.G. Jung Society of Sydney wishes to thank: Australasian College of Natural Therapies for the generous donation of meeting rooms. www.acnt.edu.au Toxteth Hotel, 345 Glebe Point Road Glebe for the generous donation of meeting rooms. Richard Weddell of Rawson Graphics for expertise in printing this publication. www.rawsongraphics.com.au
34 JUNGDOWNUNDER
BOOK LAUNCH Wednesday 23 September
for details see page 20
2009 PROGRAM Saturday, 11 JulY
Saturday, 10 OctOBER
Jung, Ecopsychology and the Sacred
Exploration of Night Soul-Journeys
Dr David Tacey
Tim Hartridge
Page 14–15
Page 22–23
Saturday, 8 AugUST
Saturday, 14 NovEMBER*
Cinema and Psyche
Red + Gold: Alchemy of Crushed Grape & Roasted Bean
Bruce Isaacs, PhD Page 16–17
Peter Dicker
Page 26–27
Saturday, 12 SepTEMBER
The Money Panel
Saturday, 14 NovEMBER*
Jacinta Frawley, Charles Plumridge,
The Christmas Party!
and Jonathan Marshall Page 18–19
Following the talk by Peter Dicker Jung Society
Page 28
Book launch!
Workshop
WednesDAY, 23 SEPTEMBER
Saturday, 24 OCTOBER
Depth Psychology, Disorder and Climate Change
If the Shoe Fits: Rethinking Cinderella
Jung Society at Gleebooks, Glebe Page 20–21
Sarah Gibson
Page 24–25
www.jungdownunder.com