C.G. Jung described his 1913–1917 “confrontation with the unconscious” as the foundation of his later work. During this period he developed active imagination, a transformative practice still used today.
This presentation explores how Orphic mythology, underworld rituals, and the figure of Orpheus shaped Jung’s inner journey, especially as recorded in The Red Book. Drawing from Jung’s personal library, letters, and writings, Emily Lord‑Kambitsch shows how Jung’s descent mirrors ancient mystery traditions—and how modern practitioners continue that lineage.
You’ll Learn
- The basics of Orphic myth, philosophy, and mystery rites
- How Jung encountered Orphic ideas and wove them into The Red Book
- Key differences between Jung’s published and unpublished treatments of Orphism
- Surprising parallels between Orphic underworld dialogues and Jung’s active imagination figures