“There is nothing to disturb the dead… Moreover, my ancestors’ souls are sustained by the atmosphere of the house, since I answer for them the questions that their lives once left behind..It is as if there is a silent, greater family stretching down the centuries, were peopling the house. There I live in my second personality, and see life in the round as something forever coming into being and passing on”
CG Jung ~ On ‘The Tower’ MDR, P. 265
It is widely understood that during Jung’s confrontation with the unconscious, he maintained a relationship with figures whom he called “The Dead”. Throughout the Red Book, the dead guided Jung to understand the unconscious itself as well as pointing to their own needs. Jung is seen in discourse with them and makes some observations about his ongoing relationship to them.
In this discussion, we will look at what possibly the dead were trying to teach Jung as well as what he felt were his obligations to them. Is it possible to draw some conclusions about what haunting is and how we know when healing with our dead has been complete. And finally, can we surmise if Jung was at peace with his dead?