Such a fascinating book and absolutely a beautiful addition to a library!
I love the decorative letters in the beginning of each section. Reminds me of The Book of Kells. I'm thinking I may add more calligraphy to my journals.
Do you know what material/tools he used to create the drawings? They are so vibrant!
I noticed a marked change in the drawings after page 109. Not as vibrant and more internalized until those few at the end.
I know, I can't believe he created his own personal illuminated manuscript! Like, when did he have time to learn all that? And I don't know what medium he painted with--I'll see if I can find that out. And I, too, love the idea of adding more calligraphy to my journals/sketchbooks. I'm actually taking an online course soon on making my own inks--so much overlap with natural dyeing that I realize I already have most of the materials already and I love the idea of making the ink that I draw with!
This first day of carpet installation, relegating me to a chair and TV-tray on the bottom floor of the house in a 3-foot square area of space not crammed with jumbled belongings, severely constricting what activities I can possibly undertake, I am blessed with the ability to connect through technology to another human being's musings that I find so very enlightening and so very entertaining. Yes, The Pink Teacup. My favorite guilty pleasure. And this particular post is so full of gems for me. In spite of having a late brother-in-law who was a Jungian psychiatrist in San Fransisco, I knew virtually nothing of Jung. I first learned of his Red Book from Jerry Kurtya of Lorian when I participated in the first Lorian Art Walk back in 2020 or 2021, and he made a connection between my entries and Jung's Red Book. My entries were the mandalas I drew during the months I was waiting for my spine to heal itself from ten painful compression fractures I experienced in 2019. Walking was painful, I couldn't even empty the dishwasher. I had to take pain killers. But I could sit at the kitchen table, cushioned below and behind, and draw. I do not know why I drew mandalas, but I did draw them, mostly freehand, and I was "in the zone" and could work meticulously on them for hours. My husband donated to my cause with a set of colored pencils from his long-ago geology degree coursework. While I technically do have chronic compression fractures, they do not impede my livingness, although I have had to make some adjustments to my expectations of my body. I am mobile, I can walk 10,000 steps + a day, I can hike if it isn't too long a trek. I had to give up bicycling due to the danger of falling on fragile bones. But that aside, I love those mandalas. They did help me heal, they do mean a lot to me. They do hang framed on my meditation room wall. I did buy a black and white published version of the Red Book, and I did read most of it. I am grateful for the examples of Jung's color creations you provided. As well, the calligraphy spoke to me (not present in my version of the book). I am working on a calligraphic version of Rumi's The Guest House for my twin sister as a Christmas present, and it will be the first thing I start back working on, dancing with, when I get my spaces back. I create a lined template that I place beneath the calligraphy paper, to align my calligraphy, and it shows through just enough to guide me. Loved this post, felt like you were sitting across my kitchen table with a cup of tea.
Wow Lissa, I'm blown away that you did mandala drawings throughout your recovery and that they were an integral part of your healing. I'm doing them myself (again) as I'm re-inspired by the Red Book and I love the way they can serve a private art practice--or how a private art practice can be a portal into the unknown, spirit, and inner work. Glad to hear you experience much less pain these days--and yes, the calligraphy in this book is amazing--I love also that it's so varied. I hope you show me your finished calligraphic poem piece for your sister--all your love for her poured into its creation.
Thank you so much for posting a video of this book! I'm salivating. One day i'll get my own copy. I've flipped through it when I went to the Jung Institute for a writing workshop here in Chicago. I love the medieval influence, his commitment to self exploration...and of course, the art.
Have you heard about his tower at Bollinger? If not, he basically built a medieval tower for himself which he saw as a physical manifestation of his process of individuation. I've heard the construction of this tower was deeply intertwined with the process of writing the red book. He built it intuitively, not knowing which room would lead into the next....I heard of this for the first time recently, and it gave me a lot of inspiration for my own project.
Oh, so interesting Jeremy, I didn't know that about his tower at Bollinger. I thought of you when I was reading about how his drawings are considered the first steps in art therapy--so effective for him that he started using it for his patients. I love using art in this way and I know you do too!
I think it might be more academic oriented because there’s a lot of suggested reading, if I remember correctly. That’s why I think I hesitated as I need to get out of my analytical mind.
Oh interesting--thank you, I'll check it out. And yes, I think one can do some powerful inner work creating mandala drawings without using a traditional Jungian approach to them. In fact, I'm doing that for myself right now! <3
Right?! I'm thinking of buying a 'book cradle' for mine so it has a way of being open all the time the way people--hmm, or maybe it's just libraries--leave a fat dictionary open on a stand. I'm thinking it would make for a more casual and open day-to-day perusing...but I haven't figured out what tabletop I'd sacrifice. Maybe it needs its own stand!! :O
The thing is that I’ve had the book on my bookshelf for a number of years, but I never open it! I’d I want to work with the images… It’s too beautiful to remain tucked away among the rest of my books. I’ll look into the book cradle.
I’m converting to kindle as I have limited space for books — but not with the red book. The pages are meant to be turned and reflected upon. It’s a huge work to go through that would probably require years of study. It’s amazing Jung could generate so much original art work!
There was a Jungian psychotherapist who was offering a course on creating your own red book. I wanted to take the course, but I never got around to doing it.
Amazing that someone was teaching that class. I'm in the midst of a mandala drawing practice right now and I think it's a rich space for doing inner work. I've actually been thinking about offering a class on that practice myself--not necessarily to make your own Jungian style red book, but to really utilize mandala-making as a creative tool for personal healing and exploration in a broader way...
I’ve been wanting to make a mandala forever. I tried to make one — but I gave up. If you offered a class, I would definitely take it. Thanks for sharing your thought, Sarah.
Yes--it's such a fascinating book. The back half is filled with both commentary/history from a scholar, Sonu Shamdasani, and then what seems like perhaps a full translation in the back. I just got it, so I'm currently obsessed with the imagery, but I look forward to delving into the translated text as well. I'm not sure how to track the translation to the imagery, and there are certainly pages where it's mostly or entirely text, but my personal focus is more with the imagery. I'm sure, when I pay attention long enough, that they've figured all that out!
I LOVE that I just underlined your dream--that makes me feel so happy! And the social media thing in our lives is so weird and awkward and omnipresent--as Hamlet said, "to share or not to share...that is the question!" But honestly, trying to remember how to make something without imagining it being looked at by others is a true challenge of our times because I know for me, that thought affects what I make. This book makes me think so much about privacy but also TIME...as I was looking at his work, I was thinking, "see what a human being can do when they are not endlessly distracted and entertained?" And he lived through two world wars. So much to consider!
Thank you, Sarah, for sharing this with us. I find it uplifting to become aware of the way this “great” of modern history struggled personally, and used art on his path to overcome his challenges.
Yes! I also like that he used his own methods on himself--and that, after he really dug deep to be as honest as possible with himself, he then made that whole process painstakingly beautiful by re-creating it by making The Red Book. So wild.
Sarah, thank you for the video, such a variety of designs, I liked page 71 & 72 ...wonder, did he have analysis to go with all his drawings...or did he just like putting them together as an artist...a person could spend a lot of time analysing Jung...something we are all doing on 'ourselves' these days, very important self work, I bought one of his books but still have not read it, it waits on the shelf with all the others, maybe I should put it under my pillow..haha
Yes, it's my understanding that he did have analysis to go with all his drawings. I skipped a bunch of pages that were all writing--very beautiful, but all in German, so I can't read it. But in the back of this book, the editor provided a lot of written commentary and history which I have just started reading. I am currently fixated on the visual imagery, but as I slowly read the back commentary, I will try to keep you posted!
Such a fascinating book and absolutely a beautiful addition to a library!
I love the decorative letters in the beginning of each section. Reminds me of The Book of Kells. I'm thinking I may add more calligraphy to my journals.
Do you know what material/tools he used to create the drawings? They are so vibrant!
I noticed a marked change in the drawings after page 109. Not as vibrant and more internalized until those few at the end.
Thank you for sharing!
I know, I can't believe he created his own personal illuminated manuscript! Like, when did he have time to learn all that? And I don't know what medium he painted with--I'll see if I can find that out. And I, too, love the idea of adding more calligraphy to my journals/sketchbooks. I'm actually taking an online course soon on making my own inks--so much overlap with natural dyeing that I realize I already have most of the materials already and I love the idea of making the ink that I draw with!
I looove books like these! Thanks for sharing!
Yay! It IS a very special book. :)
This first day of carpet installation, relegating me to a chair and TV-tray on the bottom floor of the house in a 3-foot square area of space not crammed with jumbled belongings, severely constricting what activities I can possibly undertake, I am blessed with the ability to connect through technology to another human being's musings that I find so very enlightening and so very entertaining. Yes, The Pink Teacup. My favorite guilty pleasure. And this particular post is so full of gems for me. In spite of having a late brother-in-law who was a Jungian psychiatrist in San Fransisco, I knew virtually nothing of Jung. I first learned of his Red Book from Jerry Kurtya of Lorian when I participated in the first Lorian Art Walk back in 2020 or 2021, and he made a connection between my entries and Jung's Red Book. My entries were the mandalas I drew during the months I was waiting for my spine to heal itself from ten painful compression fractures I experienced in 2019. Walking was painful, I couldn't even empty the dishwasher. I had to take pain killers. But I could sit at the kitchen table, cushioned below and behind, and draw. I do not know why I drew mandalas, but I did draw them, mostly freehand, and I was "in the zone" and could work meticulously on them for hours. My husband donated to my cause with a set of colored pencils from his long-ago geology degree coursework. While I technically do have chronic compression fractures, they do not impede my livingness, although I have had to make some adjustments to my expectations of my body. I am mobile, I can walk 10,000 steps + a day, I can hike if it isn't too long a trek. I had to give up bicycling due to the danger of falling on fragile bones. But that aside, I love those mandalas. They did help me heal, they do mean a lot to me. They do hang framed on my meditation room wall. I did buy a black and white published version of the Red Book, and I did read most of it. I am grateful for the examples of Jung's color creations you provided. As well, the calligraphy spoke to me (not present in my version of the book). I am working on a calligraphic version of Rumi's The Guest House for my twin sister as a Christmas present, and it will be the first thing I start back working on, dancing with, when I get my spaces back. I create a lined template that I place beneath the calligraphy paper, to align my calligraphy, and it shows through just enough to guide me. Loved this post, felt like you were sitting across my kitchen table with a cup of tea.
Wow Lissa, I'm blown away that you did mandala drawings throughout your recovery and that they were an integral part of your healing. I'm doing them myself (again) as I'm re-inspired by the Red Book and I love the way they can serve a private art practice--or how a private art practice can be a portal into the unknown, spirit, and inner work. Glad to hear you experience much less pain these days--and yes, the calligraphy in this book is amazing--I love also that it's so varied. I hope you show me your finished calligraphic poem piece for your sister--all your love for her poured into its creation.
Thank you so much for posting a video of this book! I'm salivating. One day i'll get my own copy. I've flipped through it when I went to the Jung Institute for a writing workshop here in Chicago. I love the medieval influence, his commitment to self exploration...and of course, the art.
Have you heard about his tower at Bollinger? If not, he basically built a medieval tower for himself which he saw as a physical manifestation of his process of individuation. I've heard the construction of this tower was deeply intertwined with the process of writing the red book. He built it intuitively, not knowing which room would lead into the next....I heard of this for the first time recently, and it gave me a lot of inspiration for my own project.
Oh, so interesting Jeremy, I didn't know that about his tower at Bollinger. I thought of you when I was reading about how his drawings are considered the first steps in art therapy--so effective for him that he started using it for his patients. I love using art in this way and I know you do too!
This is the course which is offered online through the Jungian Center in DC by Susan Tiberghien
https://jung.org/pages/journaling-to-the-soul
I think it might be more academic oriented because there’s a lot of suggested reading, if I remember correctly. That’s why I think I hesitated as I need to get out of my analytical mind.
Oh interesting--thank you, I'll check it out. And yes, I think one can do some powerful inner work creating mandala drawings without using a traditional Jungian approach to them. In fact, I'm doing that for myself right now! <3
I love this book. I want to take all the images out of my copy and hang them on the wall. However, I don’t want to ruin the book. Dilemmas, dilemmas.
Right?! I'm thinking of buying a 'book cradle' for mine so it has a way of being open all the time the way people--hmm, or maybe it's just libraries--leave a fat dictionary open on a stand. I'm thinking it would make for a more casual and open day-to-day perusing...but I haven't figured out what tabletop I'd sacrifice. Maybe it needs its own stand!! :O
That’s an idea. Or buy another copy? It’s pretty expensive!
Yes, it's very expensive now because I don't think it's available new anymore. Or visualize another copy appearing somehow...
I didn’t know that..
The thing is that I’ve had the book on my bookshelf for a number of years, but I never open it! I’d I want to work with the images… It’s too beautiful to remain tucked away among the rest of my books. I’ll look into the book cradle.
I’m converting to kindle as I have limited space for books — but not with the red book. The pages are meant to be turned and reflected upon. It’s a huge work to go through that would probably require years of study. It’s amazing Jung could generate so much original art work!
There was a Jungian psychotherapist who was offering a course on creating your own red book. I wanted to take the course, but I never got around to doing it.
Amazing that someone was teaching that class. I'm in the midst of a mandala drawing practice right now and I think it's a rich space for doing inner work. I've actually been thinking about offering a class on that practice myself--not necessarily to make your own Jungian style red book, but to really utilize mandala-making as a creative tool for personal healing and exploration in a broader way...
I’ve been wanting to make a mandala forever. I tried to make one — but I gave up. If you offered a class, I would definitely take it. Thanks for sharing your thought, Sarah.
I'll keep you posted!
Kind of amazing! And whoa…. How amazing that you got a copy of this.
I wonder if there is a German scholar out there who has translated the Red Book.
So much to learn about a man who is touted as one of the geniuses of modern psychiatry.
Yes--it's such a fascinating book. The back half is filled with both commentary/history from a scholar, Sonu Shamdasani, and then what seems like perhaps a full translation in the back. I just got it, so I'm currently obsessed with the imagery, but I look forward to delving into the translated text as well. I'm not sure how to track the translation to the imagery, and there are certainly pages where it's mostly or entirely text, but my personal focus is more with the imagery. I'm sure, when I pay attention long enough, that they've figured all that out!
Sarah, I love the red book and your point about a time of “over sharing” Urgh
I recently returned to my dream work influenced by Jung decades ago and noticed how the social dilemma of screens shut down my dreamer
So fascinating
The dedication to a life of creative solitude seems challenging these days yet so needed for sanity
Thank you so much for this potent fun reminder
You just underlined my dream
I LOVE that I just underlined your dream--that makes me feel so happy! And the social media thing in our lives is so weird and awkward and omnipresent--as Hamlet said, "to share or not to share...that is the question!" But honestly, trying to remember how to make something without imagining it being looked at by others is a true challenge of our times because I know for me, that thought affects what I make. This book makes me think so much about privacy but also TIME...as I was looking at his work, I was thinking, "see what a human being can do when they are not endlessly distracted and entertained?" And he lived through two world wars. So much to consider!
Thank you, Sarah, for sharing this with us. I find it uplifting to become aware of the way this “great” of modern history struggled personally, and used art on his path to overcome his challenges.
Yes! I also like that he used his own methods on himself--and that, after he really dug deep to be as honest as possible with himself, he then made that whole process painstakingly beautiful by re-creating it by making The Red Book. So wild.
Sarah, thank you for the video, such a variety of designs, I liked page 71 & 72 ...wonder, did he have analysis to go with all his drawings...or did he just like putting them together as an artist...a person could spend a lot of time analysing Jung...something we are all doing on 'ourselves' these days, very important self work, I bought one of his books but still have not read it, it waits on the shelf with all the others, maybe I should put it under my pillow..haha
Yes, it's my understanding that he did have analysis to go with all his drawings. I skipped a bunch of pages that were all writing--very beautiful, but all in German, so I can't read it. But in the back of this book, the editor provided a lot of written commentary and history which I have just started reading. I am currently fixated on the visual imagery, but as I slowly read the back commentary, I will try to keep you posted!
Thank you for sharing. So beautiful and interesting.
This is fascinating! I know of the Red Book but didn’t know the rich story behind it. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much for your article and the video!!! So inspiring ☺️🌸
You're welcome. I felt so inspired by it as well--and thank YOU for restacking!
Yay--so glad to hear that!