The Wise Old Woman Spirit

This fascinating book develops the archetypal figure of the wise old woman characterised by eros and emptiness as a counterpart to Jung's wise old man and, interestingly, focusing on the figure of his wife Emma. Dreams play a central role, weaving strands together into life as a whole and forging the essential immanent coincidence of opposites. Both figures are manifestations of the archetype of the Self, and the wise old woman spirit is becoming more activated in response to the growing patriarchal authoritarian dominance seeking control rather than harmony. The author explores historical manifestations of the feminine Divine depicting salvation and healing, as also related in fairy tales such as Fledgeling and Rapunzel – this story in particular represents the oppression of the feminine and the repression of eros as 'a sacred and spiritual connection to the higher powers.' An exegesis of the dark feminine in The Three Spinners highlights the need for balance, accepting the disreputable parts of ourselves, and the need to trust the unconscious. The author discusses the perceptive remarks about eros by both Jung and von Franz (pp. 109 ff.)

The other essential characteristic of emptiness is symbolised by the womb as a dark vessel in which new life can develop, related to the Grail as a chalice for spiritual renewal – more generally, we are all potentially vessels for the Spirit. The author describes an interview with Carl and Emma's grandson Andreas, and outlines Emma's life story, including the triangular relationship with Toni Wolff whereby '[Jung] never took anything from me to give to Toni, but the more he gave her, the more he seemed able to give to me.' She wrote books about the animus and anima as well as the Grail legend, and Susan characterises the wise old woman qualities she exhibited as protection, nurturing, love and guidance. Two days before she died, Jung had a great illumination 'that lit up a centuries-old secret that was embodied in her and had exerted an unfathomable influence on my life.' (p. 151)

The longest chapter is devoted to dream illustrations featuring images of the wise old woman spirit from around the world, to which the author adds her own psychological commentary. These include the New Jerusalem both within and without as a symbol of renewal and reconstruction. Emma Jung herself appears in one of the dreams to offer reassurance. Another features Mary taking the dreamer to an enormous fireplace – fire reduces all to its bare essentials, but this masculine spirit of heat and power cannot quench our thirst and needs to be balanced by the water of the feminine in a sacred marriage. Each of us can enter into a partnership with eros and emptiness to help bring forth the necessary personal and collective transformation.