The Origins and History of Consciousness. Bollingen Series XLII.
New York, NY: Bollingen / Princeton University Press, 1954. First Edition. Hardcover. Large octavo. xxiv + 494pp. Gilt-lettered black cloth spine, green cloth boards. B/w plates. Bibliography & index. A study of the psychology of mythology, by Erich Neumann, one of Carl G. Jung's best known students. "According to Dr. Neumann's thesis, individual consciousness passes through the same archetypal stages of development as marked the history of human consciousness as a whole. The stages begin and end with the symbol of the Uroboros, or tail-eating serpent; the intermediary stages are projected in the universal myths of the World Creation, Great Mother, Separation of the World Parents, the Birth of the Hero, the Slaying of the Dragon, the Rescue of the Captive, and the Transformation and Deification of the Hero. The Hero throughout the sequence is the evolving ego consciousness." (From the Foreword by C. G. Jung). Boards a little rubbed and faded at edges, edges of text block darkened, pages evenly toned, previous owner's name and greeting on front free endpaper, otherwise a tight, clean VG+ copy in G+ dust jacket (dust jacket is basically intact but has considerable chipping to the edges, a few tears, and quite heavily rubbed at folds. Now protected by removable mylar sleeve). Reading copy. Item #72646
Price: $95.00