Symbols of Transformation (Collected Works of C.G. Jung Vol.5)

"This work is a landmark both in psychology--the beginning of Jung's revelation of the Collective Unconscious resulting in his break with Freud--& his own quest for individuation. In his own words: p. 304: "It is not possible to live too long amid infantile surroundings, or in the bosom of the family, without endangering one's psychic health. Life calls us forth to independence, and anyone who does not heed this call because of childish laziness or timidity is threatened with neurosis." Furthermore, he states that (despite many modern Jungians emphasizing his Thinking nature), p. 109: "All passion is a challenge to fate" & p. 110: "Anyone who refuses to experience life must stifle his desire to live--in other words, he must commit partial suicide. This explains the death fantasies that usually accompany the renunciation of desire." Needless to say, the break with Freud was extremely traumatic for Jung--yet it led to his own individuation (see his biography, "Memories, Dreams, Reflections"). Of course, in Jung's era it was not uncommon for the erudite to intersperse their writings with poetic allusions, French & Latin phrases, etc. which make such works exceedingly trying for modern readers. Still, this is a breakthrough book. I'd suggest reading his immediate disciples' works first as well as "Man & His Symbols" which was written at the end of Jung's life (with some of his primary students) for a general vs. technical audience. Books are also available by Marie-Louise von Franz, Barbara Hanna, Jolande Jacobi, as well as Emma Jung. Some interesting observations in this work: p. 181: "Children cannot distinguish their own instincts from the influence and will of their parents" & p. 303: (quoting Gerhart Hauptmann via W. Stekel)--"Poetry is the art of letting the primordial word resound through the common word.""
~ Written on 2006-06-05

" This is not an easy read, but it is worth the time and effort. I have a link to Dictionary.com and purchased a Latin translation program to help me through. I have notes all over the margins and have to read and reread and reread paragraphs to follow Jung's train of thought. The book is a lot of work, but it is fascinating, and nothing this good ought to be easy. You will get back everything you put in, but it requires committment."
~ Written on 2005-09-19

"This is a version of the book that ended Jung's relationship with Freud, for it discloses a series of dream (and other kinds of) symbols interpreted synthetically rather than reductively. Interesting for those into exploring the early Jung but definitely not for those new to his thought."
~ Written on 2000-06-01

"Historically, Symbols of Transformation was not only the book in which Jung delcared his split with Freud but also became later a sort of litmus test to see just how well people could deal with the depth psychology literature--which is to say, Symbols of Transformation is a very overwhelming read. Jung's ideas are brilliant but the volume could use significant editing or perhaps reduce more of his page long excercizes in etymology or other mental wanderings to footnotes (as though there were not already pages upon pages of footnotes!) It is tempting to think that Jung is showing off however one must remember the challenge he felt himself under and the certainty with which his peers would reject him. I cannot think of a book that more deserves cliff notes, and yet, when it is all said and done, his premise is staggering and no less elegant than Darwin's theory of species diversification. The notion that those energies which feed the libido and spirituality flow from the same pool or are perhaps the same thing altogether, comes as startling but is only the beginning of a long narrative Jung unravels that leaves mankind forever linked with his mythic past, spirituality recognized as an essential part of the human psychology. But this is where cliff notes would make a nice addition (or some sort of chapter summary) because the implications go on and on and on and on. I don't think you can read this and be unchanged because so many ideas are raised that the creative mind is at once set in motion, and soon you'll find new ideas creeping into your awareness that were never there before, and are not really contained within this book either.

Although I would not suggest Transformations to any and everyone, it is as important as any other critical landmark in the development of modern psychology and even the philosophy of our entire species. If you are a person who wishes to confront those ideas of what it means to be a human being and who wishes to meet one of the great 20th century intellectuals in his own territory (instead of all those 2nd and 3rd hand sources), I strongly recommend giving this book a try. Just don't expect an easy or even agreeable read; Jung is if nothing else always challenging."
~ Written on 1999-12-08

"Jung has put forth his concept of the libido in this book and has presented it in a very clear way. This work also points the way towards psychic maturity, that of liberating ourselves away from the protective womb of the mother and embarking on our individual journey towards wholeness. Reading this book is a learning experience indeed!"
~ Written on 1999-11-06