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Intriguing autograph letter signed by psychologist Carl Jung, who analyzes the dream of one of his students, Dr. Rivkah Scharf Kluger. Dated 20 December 1942 from Zurich, Jung interprets her dream as a contrast between the unconscious and conscious minds, believing that the former is ruled by a ''natural-animalistic essence'' and the latter by law and civilization. He concludes that one must necessarily separate from the ''warmth of nature'' for an ''awareness of God, as well as for the salvation of man from the clutches of the animal god.'' Composed on his personal stationery in black fountain pen, Jung's letter translates from German in full,
''Dear Miss! / The situation in your dream corresponds to the I Ching hexagram, Biting Through; 'He encounters something poisonous.' This corresponds to an extreme contrast to the unconscious and its natural-animalistic essence. The mindset of the conscious (morals defined by law) poisons nature. As a consequence, it becomes disgusting-poisonous-diabolic, caused by a hostile morality that is rational and intellectual. The only correct way of treating the unconscious is to imitate it, so to speak, that is, without thinking it to pieces. 'Treat the impossible as if it were possible.' Whenever possible, one should refrain from distinguishing any part of it, as long as one wants to experience it. At other times, however, one will have to dissect it, which, admittedly, is life-threatening but necessary for reasons of culture and conscience. (As though, for instance, one washes more often and more scrupulously than a primitive.) 'Do not call anything impure that God has made clean,' this holds true for the comprehension of God's will. One will have to judge it in those terms, however, in full disobedience for the sake of the preservation of human nature. Thus, not a fundamental contrast but an alternating temporary one, for the aspect of the Eternal can only be represented chronologically. This results in: 1. The poisoning by the lower aspect of God (the contamination) will have to be tolerated at all costs. 2. Subsequently, the human being must be separated out again (cleansing) by clearly naming the divine impulses with expressions of human conceptual language. The latter action is painful (separation from the warmth of nature) but essential for the awareness of God, as well as for the salvation of man from the clutches of the animal god. / With best wishes for the / New Year, / your always devoted / C.G. Jung''.
Two page letter on a single sheet measures 8.25'' x 11.5''. Fold through signature, overall near fine. Accompanied by original mailing envelope in Jung's hand, postmarked 21 December 1942 from Zurich.
Carl Jung Autograph Letter Signed from 1942, Analyzing a Dream -- Jung Contrasts ''the unconscious and its natural-animalistic essence'' with ''the conscious (morals defined by law)''
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