The Astrological World of Jung’s 'Liber Novus'

Outstanding analysis of astrological symbolism in Jung's LIBER NOVUS.Volume 1of the series, although great in it's own way, left me with some questions about the extent of Jung's astrological influences despite pointing to some of the major influences IMO (eg GRS Mead). Here, in the conclusion, comparison to the process of Colonna's HYPNEROTOMACHIA POLIPHILI and Dante's DIVINE COMEDY is spot on. There is much here for further study.This volume goes into great depth on the astrological symbolism of Jung's Mars, Sun, Moon, and Saturn in particular (but there is plenty of Mercury and Venus within these larger chapters).Very academic and therefore a slower read is necessary and strongly recommended. For those who have read Greene's prior works (especially on Saturn), as well as those versed in James Hillman's works (especially Revisioning Psychology and Alchemical Psychology) there is much here.Interesting that there are no great number of reviews given the intense interest in the astrological community over the past year about the release of these two works, and this is only the second one! I hope that will change. Admittedly, this work is quite dense for those who are unfamiliar with analytical and archetypal psychology as well as modern and traditional astrology. It will be easiest to digest for those who are thoroughly familiar with archetypal psychology and myth. Astrology newbies will find it a more difficult read. I can only advise anyone to just remember to go back to it as your knowledge base is strengthened.Congratulations to Liz Greene for contributing her astrological insight and expertise to Jungian studies, doing for Astrology what Marie Louise von Franz did for Alchemy.

Suggest reading this in conjunction with Liz Greene's Jung's Studies in Astrology, which explores Jung's involvement with astrology and helps to understand where the Liber Novus 'fits' in Jung's own psychic unfoldment. This is an extraordinary achievement, and one which helped to illuminate Jung's process and psychological approach for me.

I can't fault the astrological research on this - but it leaves me wondering: Where is Greene's response to this vital and seminal book, of Jung's journey through the unconscious? Although she puts loads of research astrologically there seems to be no response to the Red Book itself? Complete lack of warmth about a book written with passion and longing. Surely astrology has some passion too? It is a bit like reading the skeleton notes before the book is written and it is jumpy and without flow. It is of course, a good reference book, but I would have expected more from such a real master of astrology.

It's really not easy to write about Jung in a flowing style and perhaps this has never been more so than in the case of the 'Liber Novus' (AKA The Red Book). Liz Greene has put lots of work into this volume. It's not a popular read for the layman but requires reading multiple times as well as note taking if you are to benefit from it.