“Symbols are spontaneous products of the archetypal psyche. One cannot manufacture a symbol, one can only discover it. Symbols are carriers of psychic energy. This is why it is proper to consider them as something alive. They transmit to the ego, either consciously or unconsciously, life energy which supports, guides, and motivates the individual.”
This description of symbols is from Jungian analyst and writer Edward Edinger‘s book Ego and Archetype. Ego and Archetype was published in 1972 and, as is the case with some of my other favorite authors, Edinger has the gift of presenting psychological concepts in an understandable way, in a way that helps us to better recognize the reality of those concepts in our lives. In this book he writes about symbolism in dreams, religion, art, and myths, and how having an awareness of possible meanings of symbols is part of the journey toward psychological wholeness.
The other day when I was taking a walk on a trail that goes along a lake, my attention was drawn to several dragonflies flying in fairly close proximity to each other. Usually when I see a dragonfly, I see one rather than several. Dragonflies are considered to be symbolic of the wisdom of transformation and adaptability. So seeing several added emphasis to those qualities. Seeing them was a synchronicity that was reassuring to me. It would be egocentric for me to think that seeing them meant I was an incredibly transformed and adaptable person. Instead, I took it as possibly meaning I am growing in those qualities or that I have the potential to do that. I also believe my seeing several dragonflies served as a reminder to me of my tendency to be too comfortable with routine and the status quo, which of course is the opposite of transformation and adaptability.
As I said, I saw the dragonflies while I was taking a walk; I saw them in outer reality. If I were to have a dream in which there were several dragonflies flying about, I would have similar thoughts about their symbolic meaning. There is symbolism in both our inner and outer lives.
I have found that approaching life from a Jungian perspective has resulted in my having a more meaningful, interesting, and gratifying life. Doing inner work definitely has its challenges and there are times when it is difficult, but there are other times of insight and joy. I could especially relate to Edinger’s words that symbols make available to us “life energy which supports, guides, and motivates.” Such support, guidance, and motivation are essential as we try to follow the direction we discern from doing inner work. They make it possible for us to take steps each day on our journey toward psychological wholeness.