"in Mysterium Coniunctionis,
Jung continues his work of
interpretation by examining in detail a number of texts taken
from the alchemical classics.
The scope of the book is indicated in its subtitle:
“An Inquiry into the Separation and Synthesis of Psychic Opposites in Alchemy."
This process,
summed up in the
trenchant formula solve et coagula—‘‘dissolve and coagulate"—
underlies the opus alchymicum and
may be symbolically under-
stood as the process of psychic integration."
"The focus of the book is on the symbolism of the coniunctio
and the preceding stages of dissociation.
These are known in alchemy as the chaos or prima materia, and
they lead via the intermediate stages to a resolution of the conflict of opposites in
the production of the lapis philosophorum.
Fresh evidence is
brought to bear upon Jung’s thesis that the lapis is not only a parallel of the Christ figure,
but a symbolical prefiguration of
psychic totality, or the self."
"the world of alchemical symbols
definitely does not belong to the rubbish heap of the past,
but stands in a very real and living relationship to our most recent discoveries
concerning the psychology of the unconscious.
Not only does this modern psychological discipline give us the key
to the secrets of alchemy, but, conversely,
alchemy provides the
psychology of the unconscious with a meaningful historical
basis. "
"Natural processes are phenomena of energy,
constantly arising out of a “less probable state" of polar
tension.
This formula is of special significance for psychology,
because the conscious mind is usually reluctant to see or admit the polarity of its own background,
it now appears that the “alchemystical” philosophers made the opposites and their union one of the chief
objects of their work."