[jamesn.]

What a terrific articulation on this topic Mary; I especially like the summation at the end. And Dr. Tellez’s reference to Jung’s Philemon I think is spot on!
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(I’m going to add an addendum quote I came across which I think is from: “Memories, Dreams and Reflections”; (although I couldn’t find the exact page location); since so many people think of the Red Book painting of Philemon.)

“Philemon and other figures of my fantasies brought home to me the crucial insight that there are things in the psyche which I do not produce, but which produce themselves and have their own life. Philemon represented a force which was not myself. In my fantasies I held conversations with him, and he said things which I had not consciously thought. For I observed clearly that it was he who spoke, not I. He said I treated thoughts as if I generated them myself, but in his view thoughts were like animals in the forest, or people in a room, or birds in the air, and added, “If you should see people in a room, you would not think that you had made those people, or that you were responsible for them.” It was he who taught me psychic objectivity, the reality of the psyche. Through him the distinction was clarified between myself and the object of my thought. He confronted me in an objective manner, and I understood that there is something in me which can say things that I do not know and do not intend, things which may even be directed against me.”

On a footnote at the bottom of page 235; there is mention of this below inscription at Bollingen which clearly shows the esteem of Philemon that Jung held for him:

“Jung’s attitude is shown in the inscription he placed over the gate of the Tower: Philemonis Sacrum—Fausti Poenitentia (Shrine of Philemon—Repentance of Faust). When the gate was walled up, he put the same words above the entrance to the second tower. —A.J.”

Although I have nowhere near the background in this area as you do; to me this shows clearly the similarity of relationship between Jung and Hillman to their guiding spirit; muse; or however you would frame their idea of this perspective; (whether consciously aware or not). Perhaps the collective unconscious as a source? Maybe you can offer some extra insight on this; for at this point I’m out of my depth.

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It’s so wonderful to see new life coming back to these long missed discussions again; and these posts are a perfect example of what went on back then. Now it’s time for new memories to be made; and many thanks to the foundation and forum staff for making this happen.