Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 17 minutes ago
Magic can be viewed as intentional engagement with what Jung called synchronicity. It is closely related to a mythological worldview, which recognizes a grand narrative supraordinate to everyday life. Although we cannot know it in its entirety, it opens the possibility of encountering a deeper reality and quality of knowing. We experience it as magic.
In this week’s episode we explore esoteric ritual with Jungian analyst and academic JOHN WHITE. Responsible practitioners of ritual magic understand that it demands deep inner work that comes at a cost. Magic involves alignment with the subtle but substantial energies the ancients called gods. Approached without respect, humility, and guidance the encounter can be wounding.
There is a kind of magic in the psychoanalytic consulting room. A client may come to an analyst with a fundamental desire they’ve been unable to attain or even define. The work of the therapy can uncover unconscious ambivalence and resistance. When engaged, it can vanish - by magic.
We can also understand magic as something to practice every day by relating to the unconscious and the Self. Those who do this with devotion and intention are consummate magicians able to steer their life’s path toward wholeness.
Visit our website to read today’s dream and find an extensive list of recommended reading on the topics covered: thisjungianlife.com/psychologyofmagic
Follow Up
Visit John White’s website (https://www.johnrwhitepgh.org) or his academic page (https://duq.academia.edu/JohnWhite)
Send a dream for us to analyze on the show: tinyurl.com/senddream
Take a look at This Jungian Life Dream School, our online course in Jungian dream analysis: tinyurl.com/TJLdreamschool
Follow This Jungian Life on Instagram: instagram.com/thisjungianlifepodcast
Magic can be viewed as intentional engagement with what Jung called synchronicity. It is closely related to a mythological worldview, which recognizes a grand narrative supraordinate to everyday life. Although we cannot know it in its entirety, it opens the possibility of encountering a deeper reality and quality of knowing. We experience it as magic.
In this week’s episode we explore esoteric ritual with Jungian analyst and academic JOHN WHITE. Responsible practitioners of ritual magic understand that it demands deep inner work that comes at a cost. Magic involves alignment with the subtle but substantial energies the ancients called gods. Approached without respect, humility, and guidance the encounter can be wounding.
There is a kind of magic in the psychoanalytic consulting room. A client may come to an analyst with a fundamental desire they’ve been unable to attain or even define. The work of the therapy can uncover unconscious ambivalence and resistance. When engaged, it can vanish - by magic.
We can also understand magic as something to practice every day by relating to the unconscious and the Self. Those who do this with devotion and intention are consummate magicians able to steer their life’s path toward wholeness.
Visit our website to read today’s dream and find an extensive list of recommended reading on the topics covered: thisjungianlife.com/psychologyofmagic
Follow Up
Visit John White’s website (https://www.johnrwhitepgh.org) or his academic page (https://duq.academia.edu/JohnWhite)
Send a dream for us to analyze on the show: tinyurl.com/senddream
Take a look at This Jungian Life Dream School, our online course in Jungian dream analysis: tinyurl.com/TJLdreamschool
Follow This Jungian Life on Instagram: instagram.com/thisjungianlifepodcast
![[SUBSCRIBER BONUS] How are Personality, Ego, Psyche, and Self Related?](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/CmszNOTVlUc/mqdefault.jpg "[SUBSCRIBER BONUS] How are Personality, Ego, Psyche, and Self Related?
In this free edition of Jung Love, our subscriber-bonus content, a Patron asks:
In the Jungian model of the psyche, how do you define personality and what is its relationship with ego, psyche, or the Self?
Support This Jungian Life on Patreon and ask Lisa, Deb, and Joseph your questions for a chance to have them answered on Jung Love: https://tinyurl.com/TJLPatreon")
