upcoming events
library socials and book sales
One Saturday a month we open our impressive library to the public and our members, to peruse books and spend quality time discussing Jung. Snacks and tea are provided, amongst a cozy seating area. Members are allowed to borrow books, and one is welcome to purchase a membership on the spot if you see a book you fancy taking home! There is also a selection of titles available for purchase, at reasonable prices of $5-$20. Upcoming 2026 dates are as follows:
WHERE: the C.G. Jung Society Library (Room 7, Annex of the Centennial United Church, 612 David St.— side entrance through the yellow door in small parking lot on David St.)
WHEN: 1:00 - 4:00 pm on the following Saturdays:
April 18, May 23
If you can’t make it to these open library dates but would still like to borrow a book, email us at jungsocietyvictoria@gmail.com.
discussion groups
Facilitated informally by dedicated society members, these groups explore the topics below in depth. An active membership is required to host and participate, helping sustain the work of the society. To inquire about joining a group, email the listed facilitator. If you have an idea for a group you’d like to lead, active members are warmly invited to contact us at jungsocietyvictoria@gmail.com.
Inquiring minds
This group meets monthly to ponder the eternal, unanswerable questions of what it means to be human, using books as a scaffolding for self-directed study and informing our perspectives. We are interested in questions such as: What is the nature of reality? What is consciousness? Quantum theory, ethics, embodiment, panpsychism, memory, science and philosophy, all provide fertile ground for inquiry. This group is for those who are comfortable not knowing, exploring without ever needing to arrive at an answer.
We will begin by working our way through Michael Pollen’s new book, “A World Appears: A Journey into Consciousness”, starting on May 4th.
This group is co-facilitated by Rick MacDonald and Patricia Lyster. If you are interested in joining, please send an email to Patricia at 2plyster@gmail.com.
WHEN: the first Monday of each month from 5:30 - 8:00 pm
WHERE: a rotating location based on the desires of the group
Please bring a light snack to share, ie. finger food.
Shadow and evil in fairytales
This group provides a space to explore Marie-Louise von Franz’s Jungian understanding of the Shadow and the nature of evil as it appears in fairy tales. Drawing on her deep engagement with Jung’s psychology, we will examine how unconscious shadow material is symbolized, projected, and transformed through mythic and fairy-tale imagery.
When: starts January 12th, then continues every second Monday evening of each month, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Where: online, over Google Meet
To register, email Thomas at thomas@wellthentherapy.com.
The intention of this group is to explore the Tarot as a means of accessing the unconscious, using a Jungian psychological model. Members share resources and experience, practice various spreads, and discuss insights, deepening their abilities to interpret the cards and use the Tarot as a life guide. Insights arising from Tarot readings have the power to enhance personal growth and facilitate the process of individuation.
When: Sunday afternoons
Where: a member’s home (rotating addresses)
To register, email Pamela at pamelabh@live.ca.
TAROT STUDY GROUP
thE poetry of mary oliver
What do Mary Oliver and Carl Jung have in common? Carl Jung (1875-1961) Swiss psychiatrist founded analytical psychology. The human psyche is "by nature religious"; seeking meaning, wholeness, and connection to a higher, transcendental reality.
Carl Jung’s Four Functions of Mind
i. Sensory Level - seeing, hearing, feeling
ii. Cognitive Level - thinking, critical thinking
iii. Affective Level - emotional
iv. Spiritual Level
Question: Does Mary Oliver connect all four aspects in her writing? Which approach do you take to reading and understanding Mary Oliver?
1. Critical thinking (evaluating facts)
2. Creative thinking (generating ideas)
3. Divergent thinking (brainstorming)
4. Convergent thinking (selecting the best solution)
Poetry fosters critical thinking by requiring close analysis of language, structure, and theme; we learn to evaluate, infer, and interpret hidden meanings. Through making notes, questioning the tone, and connecting themes to personal experience, it encourages deeper engagement with complex ideas and strengthens analytical skills. In doing this we unite creative thinking with logical reasoning.
When: the 3rd Tuesday of every month, from 1:30-3:30 pm
Where: the home of Michele Turner (D-349 Foul Bay Rd.)
To register, contact Michele at mturnerca@hotmail.com.
“Nature seemed to me full of wonders, and I wanted to steep myself in them. Every stone, every plant, every single thing seemed alive and indescribably marvellous. I immersed myself in nature, crawled, as it were, into the very essence of nature and away from the whole human world.” C.G. Jung
Read some of the poetry written by group members HERE.
In a Dream, Jenny Holzer, 1991
Group dream interpretation
This group will follow the guidelines of group dream interpretation as recommended by This Jungian Life Dream School. These are:
Dreamer presents a dream
Questions for clarity
Sharing feelings and associations
Dreamer’s response
Questions for context
Projection interpretations
One participant will submit a dream for that month’s session. The other participants will ask questions for clarity, then share the personal feelings and associations that the dream aroused in them. The dreamer will have an opportunity to respond. Then the other participant’s will have an opportunity to ask questions for context, and finally offer a succinct projected interpretation for the dream. Christine will act as moderator for all session, ensuring all steps are covered in the two hour session.
THIS GROUP WILL HONOUR A CODE OF CONFIDENTIALITY. NOTHING DISCUSSED IN THE DREAM GROUP WILL BE DISCUSSED OUTSIDE OF THE GROUP’S SESSION. THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF THE GROUP IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT.
Christine Willes (BFA, Bed, MFA) is a member-at-large with the C.G. Jung Society of Victoria. She is a graduate of the 12 month This Jungian Life Dream School https://thisjungianlife.com/join-dream-school/. She has worked on dreams in group settings for 5 years. She has been in private analysis for 4 years. And she has worked with Embodied Dream practitioner Amanda Street of Feel Things for 2 years. https://www.feelingtone.com/
A semi-retired actor, describes herself as an enthusiastic amateur, and wants to emphasize she is not an analyst. She is very serious about the importance of dream work.
When: Saturdays Jan 17, Feb 21, Mar 21, April 18, May 23, 10:30-12:30 pm
Where: the C.G. Jung Society Library (Room 7, Annex of the Centennial United Church 612 David St.— side entrance in small parking lot on David St)
Cost: $25 (covers 8 Saturday sessions)
To register, contact Christine Willes at cgwilles@gmail.com
Enrolment restricted to 6 participants on a first come first served basis.
The interpretation of fairytales
The Old Woman in the Wood, Arthur Rackham, 1917
"Fairy tales are the purest and simplest expression of collective unconscious psychic processes. Therefore their value for the scientific investigation of the unconscious exceeds that of all other material." So begins Marie-Louise von Franz's 'The Interpretation of Fairy Tales' and this book will provide the basis of discussion for the Fairy Tale Discussion Group. Discussion will center on Von Franz's psychological interpretation of fairy tales in general with a focus on the tale 'The Three Feathers' in particular. Note: participants will need a copy of this book, which one can order online, or potentially borrow from the library.
This group is currently full for the time being. Contact Paul to inquire about future participation.
To register, contact Paul Ferguson via telephone at 250-475-1246
the red book
This group meets monthly to read, talk, and wonder about Jung’s encounter with the unconscious, as detailed in the Red Book.
NOTE: this group is currently full.
