Latest essay and news from The Jungian Center for the Spiritual Sciences
February 1, 2026
Dear Friends,
As I write this newsletter our neighborhood is being buried under snow, a common sight in wintry Vermont, where "every flake is a dollar" (the spin-off of the ski resorts whose visitors support our restaurants, hotels, and shops). For me, it means multiple trips with the snow shovel lest the drifts get too high to lift. Snow or sun, I hope you have a wonderful February, our shortest month of the year, and a month with some wonderful course offerings.
I have created this new online course, because our current Zeitgeist has created a “disenchanted” world. Our society and culture as a whole have lost a coherent conceptual framework with the capacity to hold people psychologically, emotionally and on the level of “Soul”, due to which we find ourselves disillusioned by materialism and scientism while our Soul is straying in a wasteland, where religion and myths have lost their meaning.
My aim with this 8 week course is thus to introduce Jung’s concept of the Self as a “Living Myth”, which has the capacity to restore the lost connection of our inner depth and centre with the world of Spirit and thus to create a more meaningful and authentic life.
This course is conceptualised as a blend of theoretical explorations, group reflection and practical exercises based on philosophical, mythological and alchemical concepts.
In the first 2 classes we will explore the main causes of the current “Wasteland of the Soul” by looking at the Age of Enlightenment with its main philosophical movements and ensuing scientific developments with the focus on how this relatively recent paradigm shift affected the collective psyche and society as a whole.
We will then delve into Jung’s thoughts on religion and the Self while exploring the split in the psyche as a result of the scientific-materialistic paradigm including the concept of mandalas and labyrinths, as well as the alchemical work as a precursor of Jung’s individuation process.
In the following classes we will explore several symbols of the Self – the alchemical Mercurius, trees and serpents in conjunction with Norse mythology, the Greek god Phanes and the Castle.
These explorations include practical exercises such as an alchemically inspired contemplation on things, that might need transforming in your life, guided imagery involving a “tour” through your own inner castle, active contemplation of the engravings on Jung’s stone in Bollingen, the drawing of your own “Philosophical Tree” including symbolic characters of Norse mythology, and the creation of your own mandalas.
Through the inner work with those symbols of the Self you can deepen your connection to your inner centre, increase your self-awareness through applying different philosophical and mythological perspectives and thus enliven the Self as a “Living Myth”, which can carry you through challenging times towards wholeness and a more authentic expression of yourself.
This course will start on the Saturday, the 7th of February and will continue over the subsequent Saturdays up to the 28th of March. Each Zoom class will last 2 hours starting at 12.00 pm EST, 10.00 am MT, 9.00 am PST and 5.00 pm GMT. Led by Sonja Plaschka.
Make a $22.00 - $44.00 Donation via Venmo: @Gabriela-Masala
Zoom link sent after registration
A collective shift into a heart-centered paradigm is already in motion. Embodying love and occupying the frequency of oneness is a choice. It is made easier with awareness of the foundational context and nuances of distinct world views.
In this masterclass, we will share relevant, breakthrough understandings towards living in a Love Based Paradigm. Learn how to choose, relate and perceive from this embodied state of higher frequency thinking, feeling and being.
You will be guided through the energetic shift from separation based programming into coherent, unitive presence. You’ll receive simple, yet profound practices for rooting into Love based reality creation.
Wednesdays, 3/4,11,18,25; 7-9PM; via Zoom; $60, via Paypal or check, to P.O. Box 21, Waterbury VT 05676; to register,
We're back with a new batch of 8 tales that cleverly present the wisdom in fairytales with a feminist orientation. Light reading packs some major insights in this four-session reading/discussion course. Led by Sue Mehrtens
Course Cost: $80.00 - or With a 1:1 Integration Session: $180.00
Payments via - Venmo: @projectalchemy or Square credit card processing (w fee)
Zoom link sent after registration
We are living in a time that calls for deeper responsibility, conscious collaboration, and a reimagining of how we participate in the world. This four-session series invites you to clarify your vocation, align with your inner calling, and bring your unique gifts into meaningful relationship with others and the larger community.
Through reflection, dialogue, and practical tools, participants will:
~ Clarify personal purpose, motivations and strengths
~Examine outdated habits and internal patterns that limit fulfillment
~Explore new ways of working - rooted in partnership rather than control
~Learn how inner alignment can translate into meaningful contribution and impact
We will explore the evolution of human awareness, the difference between power and domination, and how conscious collaboration supports both personal growth and collective transformation. This series is designed for those who feel called to show up more fully in life, work, and service—and who want their actions to reflect inner clarity and authentic values.
Introduction to Jung & His Brand of Psychology
4/1,8,15,22; 7-9PM; via Zoom; $60; via Paypal or check, to P.O. Box 21, Waterbury VT 05676; to register,
A basic overview of Jung, the man, his thought and his legacy to psychology and our world. As a primer on Jungiana, this course introduces key concepts in Jung’s thought, e.g. the shadow, the anima/animus, archetypes, the 4 functions, the 2 orientations, the personality types, the collective unconscious, the complex, compensation, enantiodromia, imagoes, individuation, introjection, libido, the night sea journey, the levels of the unconscious, projection, identification, the psyche, the Self, the self-regulation of the psyche, the meaning and value of symbols, the temenos, synchronicity, and the transcendent function. In addition, the course describes the major stages in the individuation process (like the mortificatio, the transitio, the coniunctio), and offers a portrait of the process of Jungian analysis. In the experiential component, participants gain hands-on practice doing dream interpretation, identifying their personality type and discovering their unique set of activated archetypes. Highly recommended for all who plan to take courses in alchemy, archetypal psychology, field theory, the psychonaut’s journey, Jungian dream theory and practice, the Mysterium Coniunctionis and the psychology of dreaming. Led by Sue Mehrtens
4/29,5/6,13,20; 7-9PM; PO Box 21, Waterbury; $60; to register call Sue (802) 244-7909.
This course melds Jung's ideas on power and the social systems within which we operate with the wisdom and perspectives of a variety of contemporary scholars, activists and social critics, including Walter Wink (author of the Powers trilogy), Richard Rohr, Patrick Kerans, David Hawkins, Janet Hagberg and Howard Dean, to foster our understanding of the nature and forms of power and empowerment. Led by Sue Mehrtens
We will be offering distance learning sessions on The Father Complex, The Mother Wound, The Plight of the Wounded Healer, and Narcissism in 2026. Because these topics can activate deep psychological complexes and bring up personal wounding, these sessions are not intended for beginners. They are designed for participants who have already done some inner excavation work and are ready to engage with these material in a thoughtful and self-reflective way.
Registration, more information and questions: email Kimia at
We hope you have a wonderful month!
Warmly,
Sue
JUNG ON AMERICA - A Collection of Essays in Print
Paperback
What would Jung think of our “Too-Big-to-Fail” institutions?
What would Jung make of our American exceptionalism?
How would Jung describe America’s shadow?
What about the idea of reparations?
These and other similar questions drawn from the daily headlines have been posed by students at the Jungian Center for the Spiritual Sciences, and they form the substance of this book. Although Carl Jung died in 1961, his intuition and wisdom transcend time and makes his writings as pertinent now as it was in the twentieth century. So we can draw upon his ideas as we grapple with the challenges we face now.
By Susan Mehrtens
This 100% organic cotton tote bag has the "Jung at Heart" artwork embroidered on it. It's a large sturdy canvas bag that is also brings an important message with it.
