“Transitions between the aeons always seem to have been melancholy and despairing times, as for instance the collapse of the Old Kingdom in Egypt between Taurus and Aries, or the melancholy of the Augustinian age between Aries and Pisces. And now we are moving into Aquarius…. And we are only at the beginning of this apocalyptic development!”
Jung (1955 )[1]
“There is only one certainty–nothing can put out the light within.”
Jung (1940)[2]
Many of us in our Jungian Center community took a double hit recently: shock coupled with dashed hopes. After seeing so many women become heads of their governments,[3] we were hoping we would have the same; instead, we now face the prospect of years likely to be worse than what we endured in 2016-2020.
Several people have asked me “How can I cope?” A more energizing question might be “How to thrive–how to turn what now seems like a doleful time into an interval of growth, insight, learning and personal enrichment?
This essay addresses this second question, beginning with an overview of what’s really going on, beneath all the hubbub of the election bluster and prognostications, to provide some perspective on current reality. Then some tips on coping follow–getting through the mundane features of daily life–and after that, a deeper discussion follows on how we can turn frustration into fulfillment.
What’s Really Going On?
One of the reasons for the rise of Trump and the MAGA movement (beyond the obvious political causes, like the Democrats’ desertion of their working-class base to indulge the greed of global capitalists)[4] is the simultaneity of multiple transitions occurring now. Jung was aware of the nature of our time and how these transitions, subtle though they may be, can profoundly color our lives. Some examples illustrate this.
The quotation at the beginning of this essay is from Jung’s letter to his friend Adolf Keller, alerting him to the nature of our time–how we as global citizens are living in the shift from the old Piscean aeon, with its glyph of two fishes, one streaming upstream (symbolizing the first half of the aeon, ruled by Christ, with a vertical orientation) and the other fish swimming downstream (symbolizing the second half, ruled by the Anti-Christ, aka “Satan,” the devil, with its horizontal focus on the things and sins of this world).[5] Around the year 1000 CE, the orientation changed, and history reflected this in the Investiture Controversy, which was the first time secular authority (the Emperor) challenged the prerogatives of the Church.[6] The next 900+ years saw many more similar challenges: the Protestant Reformation,[7] wars galore,[8] fiendish technological developments (none moreso than the invention of nuclear weapons),[9] and the widespread plundering of the Earth, to the point now where many areas of the planet are becoming uninhabitable.[10] Satan stalks the globe indeed![11]
Meanwhile, the coming aeon of Aquarius has been emerging, the beginning of which we might date to 1776, when a clear enunciation of independence was articulated, leading to the creation of the United States. We might think of the USA as a product of Aquarian energy, given our originality, inventiveness, technological developments and ostensible interest in equality.[12] But the aeon is not limited to America: it has a global influence, and for some 250 years its spirit has been pervading and melding with that of Pisces.
Jung knew what this meant: melancholy.[13] A dying aeon colors the unconsciousness of humanity, while the slow emergence of the new begins to suggest changes–changes which are often hard to describe or articulate–hence an anxiety which grows more common and widespread over generations. Ten generations on, we are living in an “age of anxiety,”[14] made more pronounced because of another transition which Jung recognized: the shift from Age of the Son to the Age of the Holy Spirit, in what is called the “Holy Ghost movement.”[15]
This shift was first spotted by a 12th century Italian monk, Joachim de Flora, who sensed a change in the nature of God from the image depicted in the Old Testament (wrathful, legalistic, demanding) to the image in the New Testament (merciful, humane, forgiving).[16] Being thoroughly versed in Christian theology, with its notion of the Trinity[17], Joachim then anticipated the appearance in human lives of the third Person–the Holy Ghost–which would reside within each human being and become an inner guide or director, ultimately supplanting the external authority of the Church. Needless to say, this was extremely threatening to the Powers that Be, and Joachim was condemned for heresy.[18] Jung could see that, over the 800 years since Joachim, there has been a tendency for people to withdraw their dependency on external spiritual authority–as seen in the widespread decline in participation in the “creeds.”[19] Repeatedly Jung tried to alert ecclesiastical officials to this transition. Few have listened.
But the shift goes on nonetheless. The result is a bifurcation in our culture, especially in the United States, because more Americans remain active in congregations than is the case in Europe.[20] We see this in the attempt to turn back the clock on the part of conservatives, to restore the America they regard as a “Christian nation,”[21] when more and more Americans are calling themselves “spiritual but not religious”–no longer oriented to external authorities but rather to an inner reliance on the “god within.”[22]
Change is never easy or comfortable, but this change–this seeming unmooring of our society from the beliefs, dictates and strictures of the old-time religion–provokes not just anxiety[23] but fear in many, and, as Jung knew, fear can have a powerful and irrational impact on people, making them suggestible, credulous and even delusional.[24] We see this in many of the adherents of the MAGA movement.
So we are living in a time of two major, inexorable transitions, plus a third feature of current reality. This feature is recognized by astrologers, who study the transits of the planets, in this context, the transit of Pluto to conjunct Pluto in the chart of the United States. Since the movement of Pluto in its orbit is very slow, it takes 248 years for Pluto to return to its natal position,[25] so no human being experiences this, but nations do, and when this conjunction occurs, it usually comes with revolution. The intent of this calcinatio time alchemically[26] is to clear away the old and outworn customs, habits and systems that are hindering cosmic and human progress–just what the age of Aquarius is seeking.[27] The Pluto conjunction to the United States’ natal Pluto is an indicator of karma. We are living in a karmic time when America is reaping the consequences of 300+ years of errors and crimes, e.g. slavery, the systematic destruction of hundreds of Native tribes, the desecration of sacred lands, and the despoiling of Earth’s wholeness in our regarding the planet as little more than a “gigantic toolshed.”[28]
This karmic “cleanout” holds myriad opportunities, as Pluto is never solely about destruction: it also seeks regeneration and revitalization.[29] So we must be open to spot the many opportunities for transcendent changes likely to show up in our midst now and in the future.
The take-away here? We are living in a time of the confluence of several major destabilizing energies impacting our culture, societal systems, politics and each individual life. In other words, this is an extraordinary time, full of serious challenges, asking us to display our resourcefulness, ingenuity, courage, commitment, and persistence, so as to confront the seven “deadly sins,” i.e. pride, greed, envy, lust, wrath, sloth and gluttony.[30] In doing so, we can rely on the seven holy virtues, i.e. trust, hope, charity, prudence, justice, temperance and fortitude.[31] These are some tasks for us now, as we deal with daily reality.
Dealing with Daily Reality
Ever the pragmatist, Jung knew that we all will “fall in the hole”[32] at times on our journey through life, and he advised his patients to mitigate these hard times by preparing beforehand a kitbag of items, lists, names and phone numbers (now, in our day, we would have key people/organizations on “speed dial” and the lists in our phones or computers) that you can turn to for help in whatever form that takes (doctors, dentists, therapists, friends, family etc.). However you set it up, your kitbag is a valuable tool for helping you feel more secure and ready to face whatever may come along
Reduce your stress level. As the first part of this essay noted, we are living in stressful times, but this does not mean you should feel stressed out: You can lower stress in many ways, e.g. relaxation exercises, yoga (which Jung used when he was stressed),[33] meditation in whatever form works for you (not all forms require sitting still),[34] used alone or with aromatherapy candles, creams, and sachets, as smell is a powerful sense in conjuring up pleasant memories of relaxing times, settings and experiences.[35] For physical conditions that come with stress, e.g. dental surgery, the various forms of Rescue Remedy is very helpful.[36] And then there is always the time-honored stress releaser, crying. So always have a box of tissues handy.
These transitional times can be an interval full of major learning opportunities, and a time to hone both our discernment and our trust in the Self. So it is especially helpful to become both self-aware and Self-aware. When we are self-aware, for example, we know our preferences, e.g. in a stressful time, do you prefer to be in solitude or in the company of others? Are you aware of the VOJ–that inner voice of judgment that can show up in daily life and keeps you tense or striving (usually with key words like “you ought,” “you should” or “you must”). Since the VOJ is commonly passed down through families, it often is an unconscious habit. If this resonates with your life experience, know that you can wise up to it, spot it when it appears, and consciously choose to ignore it. The Self would have you relinquish old family scripts and schemas that you have outgrown.[37]
Speaking of resonating, do you have a resonator? This is someone you can turn to who listens well, with a compassionate heart, who can be a refuge when you need to “download” grief, misery or painful news. Such a person does not have to be a professional therapist: we all can play this role of a caring ear and heart for people we love. Identifying a person to hear you out and be on your wave-length can be another major component in your kitbag toward fostering a feeling of security.
Stay healthy. If you feel more secure and safe wearing a mask when out in public, do so; ignore what others might think or say: Jung was adamant that we should not live feeling we must conform to dress codes etc.; he certainly did not.[38] Healthy living means not only avoiding junk foods but also junk “facts” from junk media–both are bad for your health, physical and mental. You will find many sources describing the components of healthy diets,[39] and you can find one that suits your tastes, possible allergies, and meets the requirements of a good diet. As for avoiding junk media, you can rely on the on-going work of Ad Fontes Media[40] to find and real reliable fact-based media, as they have dozens of people analyzing the wide range of media and identifying those which traffic in lies, mis/disinformation and “alternate facts.”
Develop trust in your inner wisdom. You can do this by getting into the habit of having a daily conversation with the Self, your inner wisdom. For example, you can ask for guidance on how best you should deal with your daily routine, and record in your journal instances of guidance (which can show up via dreams, intuitions, synchronicities, and/or bodily sensations). Like all the good things in life, trust is not created in a day. Jesus noted this when he told his followers to “lay up treasures in Heaven.”[41] Given the greed and materialism of our culture, most people fixate on the “treasures,” but the essence of Jesus’ advice is the verb: “lay up” implies the accretion of experiences turning to your inner wisdom over and over, and recognizing how reliable, practical and trustworthy it is.
Even in the midst of pain and suffering, it is possible to foster uplifting experiences, e.g. with enjoyable CDs/DVDs, inspirational books and tapes. Jung recognized the healing value of humor:[42] he told Marie Louise von Franz that she could bring a psychotic woman back to health if she got the woman to laugh, So von Franz would regale the woman with bawdy jokes, and she did indeed restore her to mental health.[43] So try to provide yourself and others around you with moments of fun, laughter and happiness. Even “gallows humor” can help raise our spirits.
Be mindful of the company you keep. It is important to remember that we can be influenced by others, so watch your associations. Your personal contacts matter, especially those close to you or whom you see frequently. Choose your friends wisely, and get to know your community–the organizations, the activities, the goals and visions–and participate to the extent your personality, profession and interests permit. Be sure to associate with sane people who are in touch with reality. Jung had little regard for those who lived in fantasyland.[44]
Opening to Opportunities to Thrive
The ideas above help to deal with reality, but life is more than outer reality: Jungians aspire to more, toward transcending the humdrum to experience higher levels of joy and personal fulfillment. Toward this end, we do well to take advice from earlier people who lived through similar times of transition, e.g. Paul of Tarsus, who advised his friends in Philippi to think about
“whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy…” [45]
because, as Edgar Cayce said, “Mind is the builder, reality is the result.”[46] Remember the old adage: “Reality grows where attention goes,” so, if you want to thrive, you focus on the positive, soul-nourishing perennial wisdom.
This wisdom comes from both the West (e.g. the Bible) and the East (e.g. the Buddha). Just as Paul would have us focus on uplifting things, so Buddhism suggests we cultivate the 8 pillars of joy: perspective, humility, acceptance, forgiveness, gratitude, compassion, humor, generosity.[47] See the Appendix to this essay for a meditation on these that you might speak into a recording device and listen to your own voice guiding you along the journey toward joy.[48]
Finally, we can take a page from Jung’s own life, living as he did in neutral Switzerland during the second world war, never knowing if their country was going to be invaded by Hitler’s army. Basel (Jung’s home town) lies just a bridge away from Germany,[49] and Switzerland was surrounded on all sides by the poisons of Hitler’s madness. So Jung lived in precarious circumstances for years. In his 1940 letter to Mary Mellon, Jung spoke of the comfort he had, based on his own experience, in knowing that, whatever might happen, we know for certain that “nothing can put out the light within.”[50]
Bibliography
Bainton, Roland (1941), The Church of Our Fathers. Philadelphia: The Westminster Press.
Brinton, Crane et al. (1960), A History of Civilization, I. Englewood Cliffs NJ: Prentice Hall.
Cayce, Edgar (1982), The Edgar Cayce Primer. New York: Bantam Books.
Dalai Lama & Desmond Tutu (2016), The Book of Joy. London: Hutchinson.
Edinger, Edward (1985), Anatomy of the Psyche. Chicago: Open Court Press.
Ehrenfeld, David (1981), The Arrogance of Humanism. New York: Oxford University Press.
Goleman, Daniel (1985), Vital Lies, Simple Truths. New York: Simon & Schuster.
Hannah, Barbara (1976), Jung: His Life and Work. New York: G.P. Putnam.
Jung, C.G. (1966), Two Essays on Analytical Psychology. Collected Works, 7. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
________ (1959), Aion. Collected Works, 9ii. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
________ (19 69), Psychology and Religion, West and East. Collected Works, 11. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
________ (1954), The Development of Personality. Collected Works, 17. Princeton: Princeton UniversityPress.
________ (1975), Letters, ed. Gerhard Adler & Aniela Jaffé. 2 vols. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
________ (1965), Memories, Dreams, Reflections, rev. ed. New York: Random House.
Kuttner, Robert (2018), Can Democracy Survive Global Capitalism? W.W. Norton.
Sakoian, Frances (1973), The Astrologer’s Handbook. New York: Harper & Row.
von Franz, Marie-Louise (1997), Archetypal Patterns in Fairy Tales. Toronto: Inner City Press.
Wallace-Wells, David (2019), The Uninhabitable Earth. New York: Crown Publishing.
Wood, Ernest (1949), Concentration: An Approach to Meditation. Wheaton IL: Theosophical Publishing House.
Appendix
Cultivating the 8 Pillars of Joy
Sit comfortably, with your hands on your legs or in your lap; take several long breaths through your nose; let your body begin to relax as you reflect on each of the 8 pillars; notice how your body relaxes even more and your heart feels lighter. Allow a problem to come to mind; reflect on what is causing you pain.
perspective: step back from your problem; see it as if you were watching a movie about your life; think about the problem with the perspective of time: a month from now, a year from now, a decade from now
humility: see yourself and your problem as part of the pain that so many human beings experience; see your situation as part of the unfolding and interdependent drama of life; notice how deeply connected we are with one another; your connection to others makes you much stronger and more capable of solving your problem; let yourself feel love and appreciation for all those who have contributed to who you are and who support you in your life
humor: smile and try to find the humor in your situation; even if it is a very grave or serious situation, there is often some humor that can be found; the human drama is often a comedy, and laughter is the saving grace; this ability to laugh allows us to accept life as it is, broken and imperfect
acceptance: accept that you are struggling and have human limitations; accept that what has happened has already happened and that there is nothing you can do to change that part; then remind yourself that, in order to make a positive contribution to this situation, you must accept the reality of its existence
forgiveness: place your hand on your heart and forgive yourself for any part you have playing in creating this problem or situation; there is great strength in forgiveness and this step helps us access this strength
gratitude: think of three or more things that you are grateful for in this problem or your life right now; then reflect on how your problem is actually contributing to your life and growth; notice any people or things that are supporting you to face this challenge
compassion: put your hand on your heart or place the palms of your hands together at your heart and have compassion for yourself and for how you are struggling; then send this compassion to your loved ones, to anyone you are struggling with, and to all who are in need of love and compassion
generosity: get in touch with the deep generosity that is in your heart; imagine yourself radiating this generosity of spirit to all around you; reflect how you can transform your problem into an opportunity to give to others; it is in times of depression and stuck-ness that generosity to others can be a powerful antidote to these painful feelings.
[1] “Letter to Adolf Keller,” Letters (25 February 1955), II, 229.
[2] “Letter to Mary Mellon,” Letters (19 June 1940), I, 284.
[3] E.g. Angela Merkel in Germany, Margaret Thatcher in the U.K., Isabel Peron, Benazir Bhutto,
, Jacinda Ardern, Golda Meir–to name just a few that comes to my mind.
[4] Kuttner (2018) discusses this in depth, concluding that democracy may not survive this greed.
[5] CW 11 ¶257, note 22.
[6] Brinton et al. (1960), 288-290.
[7] This destroyed the unity of Christendom in the West; ibid., 508.
[8] E.g. the Peasants’ Rebellion, the Thirty Years War, and the War of the Three Henries–all these having religion differences as one cause; since 1648, we have seen innumerable wars fought over land, power, succession and resource competition. Satan does not need much provocation to create havoc. Ibid., I, 531-549.
[9] CW 11 ¶733.
[10] For an in-depth discussion of the consequences of climate change, see Wallace-Wells (2019).
[11] For more on the Anti-Christ/Satan, see the blog essay “Understanding What We Are Dealing With,” archived on our Jungian Center website. We need to recognize and understand that the MAGA phenomenon has the nature of the Anti-Christ, as Matthew Fox has elaborated in his recent book,
[12] Sakoian (1973), 49.
[13] “Letter to Adolf Keller,” Letters (25 February 1955), II, 229.
[14] This is the title of a 1947 poem by W.H. Auden.
[15] CW 9ii ¶138-143.
[16] CW11 ¶193.
[17] Christian dogma posits three figures–God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit/Ghost, in the Trinity.
[18] Joachim fortunately died before the authorities could burn him.
[19] For more on this, a blog essay “Jung on Avoiding a Forlorn Situation,” is waiting in the wings to be posted in the future on our Jungian Center web site.
[20] By a small margin: 20% of Americans report being regular church-goers; European countries are similar, except for Poland, 42% of whose citizens report regular church attendance. Google “Pew Research Center” for more specifics.
[21] Young (2024).
[22] CW 7 ¶399.
[23] CW 17 ¶185.
[24] CW 11 ¶84-85.
[25] Sakoian (1973), 224.
[26] Edinger (1985), 42.
[27] Due to its link with its planetary ruler, Uranus.
[28] This phrase is Clarence Glacken’s, quoted in Ehrenfeld (1981), 177.
[29] Sakoian (1973), 224.
[30] Bainton (1941), 119.
[31] CW 11 ¶522.
[32] CW 9ii ¶125.
[33] Jung (1965). 177.
[34] Wood (1949) lists many ways to meditate, e.g. walking, exercising, speaking (using mantras), drawing (e.g. mandala-making).
[35] Kety (1972).
[36] Both the cream and the liquid forms are made from the original Bach flower remedies. Most natural food stores carry these products. I highly recommend them.
[37] Goleman (1985), 75-84.
[38] Jung liked casual clothes; Hannah (1976), 155.
[39] I find solid, accurate information about nutrition in the monthly publication Environmental Nutrition, published by the Health Information Network.
[40] The Latin “ad fontes” means “at the source,” and this company goes directly to the various media and analyzes the quality of reporting and facts for each one; for their home page go to: https://adfontesmedia.com
[41] Matt. 16:19-20.
[42] CW 7 ¶240.
[43] von Franz (1997), 183-184.
[44] CW 7 ¶161.
[45] Phil. 4:8.
[46] Cayce (1982), 57.
[47] Dalai Lama & Desmond Tutu (2016), 193.
[48] Using your own voice is helpful in reinforcing the fact that YOU are the one with the wisdom that you are hearing and being guided by.
[49] The Rhine forms the border between the two countries in the vicinity of Basel.
[50] “Letter to Mary Mellon,” Letters, I ((19 June 1940), I, 284.
