C.G. Jung's Collected Works Volume 12: Psychology and Alchemy

Paul Kemp: This is a fascinating and impressively researched book about alchemical symbolism in relation to psychological transformation. I highly recommend you buy a copy.

United Kingdom on Nov 19, 2023

Thank you I received the book before time expected: Many thanks receive it on time

United Kingdom on Sep 14, 2023

Justin FaubertJustin Faubert: Jung presents the dreams of Quantum Physicist Wolfgang Pauli, recorded during Jung's analysis of Pauli. Here he maps the process of Pauli's individuation through the symbols and events in his unconscious. The modern printing of the book is just fine as it is in the rest of the series, though I received my book dog eared and creased.

Canada on Nov 26, 2021

Sasha mirage: I wouldn’t recommend this book as a starting point for the alchemical path as it can be complicated to comprehend at times. However, it is a very useful tool for a student of intermediate knowledge.

United States on Sep 03, 2021

Luis Contreras: It is dense and not for everybody, but is you want to explore religion, history and psychology to better understand our current stated of affairs in the west, is highly recommended, but it comes with a big caveat, this is the kind of book that has the property to actually change you in such ways that you might not suspect so be careful.

Canada on Jul 28, 2021

Dana: This book perfectly outlines his ideas about alchemy as a spiritual practice. It is thorough and informative and answered a lot of questions that I had from his previous writings. The book is well formatted and the material quality is solid. I encourage anyone who is looking for a deep dive of the psychological elements of alchemy to give this book a try.

United States on Aug 22, 2020

Rahul Nair: A dense read, but to anyone interested in understanding Alchemy, there is no better starting place than this book. An absolute gem.

India on Nov 06, 2019

Michial A. Green: This is probably one of Jung's most important books.
The first part of the Book is a series of 70+ dreams all showing clearly alchemical symbolism. The rest is a psychological analysis of alchemical symbolism itself but shies away from being a book that spends a great deal of time explaining the alchemical opus exhaustively. I spend a lot of time dealing with dreams from myself, friends, and family; and this book along with Jung's "Psychology and Religion: East and West" really facilitated diving far deeper into the amplification part of dream analysis. (using comparative myth and dream material for deeper information in dream interpretation)

To fill in the gaps and have an easier time with the followup material in Alchemical Studies and Mysterium Coniuncionis I suggest having the alchemical opus well understood as well as an understanding of western spiritualism. A read through the Corpus Hermeticum (Supposedly written by Hermes Trismegistus) for the western spiritualism and a book by Mircea Eliade called "The Forge and the Crucible: The Origins and Structure of Alchemy" are both great resources.

I don't think anyone who plans to do psychoanalysis with a strong...

United States on Apr 21, 2019

Christian: You will have to inch and scrape your way through this book; it is not a light read. I can guarantee that it is worth the challenge. I will come back and edit this review with a more detailed review of the contents when I finish reading.

1st Edit: Just from my reading, I will state this bold opinion: This book is probably best read backwards. In other words, instead of reading sequentially Part 1 -> Part 2 -> Part 3, do Part 3 -> Part 2 -> Part 1. This way you understand where Jung is getting his ideas from, and you may be able to form your own opinion of the dream symbols as you go.

United States on Mar 08, 2017

karen okster: This book begins by tying alchemical symbolism to actual dreams. It illuminates how alchemy is still with us and influencing our lives. It goes on to explore parallels between alchemy and religion. It shows how religious symbolism is used in alchemy and alchemical symbolism is found in religion. The interweaving of the two makes for an eye opening read. There is much to be learned here. Jung's prose can be daunting and repetitive but that actually helps to bring home the points he is trying to make.

United States on Feb 07, 2014