This seminar explores the relation between symbols, archetypes,
and art. We review basic Jungian thinking about the dynamics of the unconscious
and the conscious, of the personal and collective unconscious, of symbols
as containers of unconscious meaning. We study the phenomenological experience
of the archetype, contrast it with the objective study of an archetype, and
locate our inquiry in the subjective experience. We discuss methodologies
of working with symbols: personal association, collective amplification, dialogue,
active imagination, meaningful subjective inquiry. We stress the process of
personal digestion of the archetype: How do I carry or experience this archetype?
How do I develop it? Is it of value to me? When? How? How can I befriend it?
We proceed rather quickly to study and view examples of selected archetypes.
The course is arranged around archetypal themes. We begin by voyaging back
2,000-6,000 years to Neolithic and Celtic pre-Christian times. We view slides
portraying the art and artifacts of these times. We intersperse our viewing
with a lively discussion of how these artifacts relate to the concept and
the experience of archetype. We ask if the earth itself conveys archetypal
energy; and if so, how, what, and where. Part of these first few weeks explore
the feminine archetype; this theme is again picked up when we explore the
moon.
We then proceed to examine animal and bird archetypes, with
selected attention to the snake, bear, bull, butterfly. We also look at the
archetype of transformation through the symbolism of the moon.
We then study masculine archetypes through looking at 4 dominant male motifs
as explored in a book by Moore & Gillette. These 4 archetypes are the
king, the warrior, the magician, the lover. We ask how, as man or woman, these
individual archetypes are experienced and understood, developed or suppressed.
We then begin a 3-week study of the Isis and Osiris myth.
This is an archetypal story of death and renewal, an exploration of the life-death-birth-life
theme which cycles through human, animal, and plant existence. Our interest
will be in understanding how the story presents the enduring psychological
issues of life and death, and how we as individuals relate to those themes.
We end with a pastiche of presentations by the participants in the class.
Each student will present and discuss his work with archetypes, the understandings
he has won, perhaps the psychological changes he has experienced.
This is a course for those who wish to explore deeper aspects
of themselves in order to come to a larger understanding of what..
Reader containing works by:
Project-paper on animal symbolism
Project-paper on the masculine or feminine
Project-paper on a symbol of the individual's choosing
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