This special “Founders Issue” of Psychological Perspectives represents a significant contribution to understanding the origins and early development of Jungian psychology in America. The issue opens with Marlene Frantz’s “Perspective: Introduction to the Founders Issue” (open-access), which sets the contextual framework for this commemorative exploration of the pioneering figures who established analytical psychology on American soil.
The scholarly content begins with Naomi Ruth Lowinsky’s “News from the Muse of The Promised Land“, a research article that explores themes of creativity, inspiration, and psychological transformation through the lens of the muse archetype. This piece establishes the mythological and archetypal foundations that inform much of the subsequent material in the issue.
Two particularly valuable historical interviews form the heart of the issue’s documentary material. Janet O. Dallett’s “Remembering Jung: Interview with James Kirsch” presents an illuminating conversation with James Kirsch, one of the early American Jungian analysts who had direct personal contact with Jung himself. This interview offers rare firsthand insights into Jung’s character, teaching methods, and the transmission of his ideas to American practitioners. Complementing this is Gilda Frantz’s “Remembering Jung: Interview with Hilde Kirsch“, which provides additional personal perspectives on Jung and chronicles the early development of Jungian analysis in America through the eyes of another foundational figure.
Lore Zeller contributes one of the most moving pieces in the collection with “A Founder’s Story of Transformation: Holocaust, Jung, and the Birth of an Institute“. This powerful personal account details how the traumatic experiences of the Holocaust led to a profound engagement with Jung’s work and ultimately to the founding of a Jungian institute. The essay demonstrates the transformative potential of analytical psychology in the face of historical trauma and personal suffering.
“The Dream: The Vision of the Night” by Max Zeller and Janet O. Dallett explores the central role of dreams in Jungian analysis and psychological development. Kieffer E. Frantz contributes two pieces: “Healing and the Dream Process“, which examines the therapeutic dimensions of dreamwork within Jungian practice, and “Use of Esoteric Disciplines“, a shorter piece discussing the integration of esoteric practices and spiritual disciplines within analytical psychology.
Lance Owens provides scholarly depth with “History and the Transformation of Jung“, offering a rigorous examination of how historical context influenced Jung’s psychological theories and their evolution. This article situates Jung’s work within broader intellectual and cultural currents of his time.
The creative dimension of the issue is represented through poetry, with Naomi Lowinsky introducing featured poet Christie Maurer in “Featured Poet: Christie Maurer—Let’s Play ‘Share the Darkness’“. This introduction is followed by nine poems by Maurer, including “The Glass House,” “Live Portraiture,” “Big Terrible Daddy,” and “What the Apple Knows.“
The issue concludes with two reviews that extend its scope into contemporary cultural analysis. Richard Messer reviews Naomi Lowinsky’s poetry collection “Your Face in the Fire” published in 2024, while Joanna Dovalis provides a film review of “Conclave,” the 2024 film directed by Edward Berger.
You can see the full issue with a full list of articles here.