Spirituality The story of Freud and Jung that made me believe in magick

[leanbo]

Used AI to summarize the story but this is basically what went down:

The Context​

• Freud (the father of psychoanalysis) was Jung’s mentor early on, but they later split over fundamental differences.
• Freud viewed the unconscious as a repository of repressed desires (mostly sexual), while Jung believed it held archetypes, spirituality, and mystical experiences.

The Paranormal Incident​

During a 1909 meeting in Vienna, Jung pressed Freud on his dismissal of the supernatural. When Freud rejected the idea outright, Jung recounts in his memoirs (Memories, Dreams, Reflections) that he felt a strange sensation:

"I had a curious sensation. It was as if my diaphragm were made of iron and were becoming red-hot—a glowing vault. And at that moment there was such a loud report in the bookcase, which stood right next to us, that we both started up in alarm."

Jung declared, "There, that is an example of a so-called catalytic exteriorization phenomenon." (Essentially, a poltergeist-like event caused by unconscious energy.)

Freud dismissed it, saying, "That is sheer bosh." Jung predicted another loud noise—and it happened again. Freud was visibly shaken.

The Aftermath​

• This moment deepened the rift between them. Freud feared Jung’s interest in the occult would discredit psychoanalysis.
• Jung saw it as proof that the psyche could influence reality—a core idea in his later work on synchronicity and the collective unconscious.
• Their relationship deteriorated, leading to Jung’s eventual break from Freudian theory.

Why It Matters​

• This story symbolizes the clash between materialist psychology (Freud) and transcendent/spiritual psychology (Jung).
• Jung’s openness to the supernatural shaped his theories on archetypes, synchronicity, and alchemy.

Freud later admitted in a letter that he wished he could believe in the occult—but his rationalism wouldn’t allow it. Jung, meanwhile, spent his life exploring the mystical dimensions of the psyche.

funny story innit