The Top 10 Jungian Words

Originally Submitted on 6/30/2003.

Definitions come from Marie Louise von Franz, "Dreams."

1. Synchronicity

A concept coined by Jung. It denotes a meaningful coincidence or correspondence of two or more outer and inner events. It signifies the meaningful concurrence of a physical and a psychic event which are connected not causally but by meaning.

2. Daimon

Originally, a value-free, driving force, a spiritual energy which leads to the creative formation of individuality; for Socrates, an inspiring and guiding spirit.

3. Individuation

"Individuation means becoming an 'in-dividual,' and, insofar as 'individuality' embraces our innermost, last, and incomparable uniqueness, it also implies becoming one's own self." -- C. G. Jung, Two Essays on Analytical Psychology, par. 266.

4. Alchemy

The chemistry from prehistory until the 17th century, in which laboratory experiments were combined with intuitive, pictorial, partly religious experiences about nature and man. Many symbols which we recognize today as contents of the unconscious were projected onto matter, onto the prima materia. The alchemist sought the "secret of God" in the primary material and, in doing so, developed methods and processes which resemble those of modern depth psychology.

5. Animus

Personification of the masculine nature in the unconscious of a woman. The animus is often recognized in projection onto spiritual authorities; in this way, a woman's inner image of masculinity finds expression.

6. Anima

Personification of the feminine nature in the unconscious of a man; the contrasexual soul image, the image of the feminine which is internalized in the male psyche.

7. Archetypes

Structural elements or dominants in the psyche which are in themselves indescribable, but which express themselves as dream and fantasy images and as fantasy motifs in consciousness; primordial images.

8. Collective Unconscious

The deeper levels of the unconscious, which Jung recognizes as containing the totality of all archetypes which reflect experiences common to all men. The forms of the archetypal structures (not their content) are hereditary and are comparable to the inborn behavior patterns of animals, such as nest building, bee dancing, courtship, and so forth.

9. Constellation

A time-bound grouping of events.

10. Shadow

In analytical psychology, the neglected qualities of the personality in the conscious process of integration, consisting of partly repressed, partly unlived traits which, for social, ethical, educational or other reasons, have been excluded from conscious experience and therefore have fallen in to the unconscious. The shadow is in a compensatory relation to consciousness; it can therefore function positively as well as negatively.

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