The pattern of psychic growth

Von Franz introduces the problem of interpreting dreams after recognizing their psychic impact. Drawing on Jung’s observation of vast dream series, she describes a recurring pattern across a lifetime—individuation—where images reappear and evolve, shaping a gradual, regulated growth beyond conscious will.

She defines the Self as the psyche’s organizing center, distinct from the ego, and illustrates awareness of this inner guide through cultural parallels: the Greek daimon, Roman genius, Egyptian Ba, and the Naskapi “Great Man” (Mista’peo). The Naskapi hunter’s fidelity to dreams deepens contact with this inner companion, showing how honesty and receptivity enhance guidance.

Using the mountain pine metaphor, von Franz contrasts latent wholeness with realized uniqueness, arguing the ego must notice and serve the total psyche for potential to become real. She stresses surrendering purposive will so the Self can act creatively, critiquing attitudes that stop at stripping illusions without opening to the unconscious.

Through Chuang-Tzu’s tale of the “useless” oak and an earth-altar, she shows how fulfilling one’s unique destiny requires yielding to inner necessity rather than external utility. The altar symbolizes conscious submission of the ego to the Self’s demands, akin to a tree sensing how to grow around obstacles.

Turning to development, she notes childhood dreams and memories often reveal core psychic structure, with central, circular motifs emerging under threat as the nucleus supports ego formation. Adolescence brings adaptation and loneliness, while some are carried by instinctual patterns without reflection.

Individuation usually begins with a wounding or emptiness that the ego blames on externals. Myths mirror this with an ailing king, barren land, and stalled journeys, and prescribe unique, hard-to-find remedies. The practical task is to face the inner darkness and heed dreams, which may first reveal painful truths before offering symbolic guidance.