Spellbound: Modern Science, Ancient Magic, and the Hidden Potential of the Unconscious Mind

According to Jung, we have a rational mind, the ego, that sits atop a vast irrational reservoir of mental and emotional resources. The purpose of life is to complete the journey integrating the two parts of ourselves, to “make the unconscious conscious”, and to reach transcendence. We like to think of ourselves as rational beings, and our Western culture has, over the last couple of centuries, elevated reason and science while disparaging emotion and irrationality.

However, as this book beautifully points out, “irrational does not mean wrong”; rather, the irrational, the unconscious, has much to offer us if we find a way to access it and harness its powers. Science can take us far, and the author is well versed in the latest research. But science doesn’t have the tools to even describe, let alone analyze, emotions and instincts—archetypes—that, by definition, are indefinable. Instead, we turn to magic and mysticism.

Through Jungian analysis, we can see traditions such as fairy tales, alchemy, numerology, and tarot as symbols and wayposts through our own psyche’s journey. The journey is lifelong, and difficult, but both rewarding and essential. This is a wonderful guide to help you begin.