What began as a postscript to the 1970 issue of Spring Journal has, in the past twenty-five years, come to offer the most broad-ranging, radical, and serious alternative to modern ego-based psychology. Known as archetypal psychology, this form of analysis challenges orthodox psychological thinking by replacing its humanistic and scientistic assumptions with a psychology founded in soul. Of the hundreds of psychological theories, only archetypal psychology has, from the beginning, insisted on a constant re-visioning of psychology's own ideas. Others argue ideology -- archetypal psychology insists on a psychology guided by aesthetic concerns and polytheistic imaging.
Working with Images focuses on the theory and practice of archetypal psychology as set forth by some of its pioneers. Included are James Hillman's classic essays, "Archetypal Psychology: Monotheistic or Polytheistic", "Peaks and Vales", and "Image-Sense", as well as selections from Henry Corbin, Thomas Moore, Charles Boer, Mary Watkins, and others.
Working with Images is an indispensable volume for all those who are drawn to the mystery of soul and imagination. For the student of psychology, these essays sketch many of the formative ideas behind one of the most exciting and challenging psychological movements of our day. This volume is the first in a projected three-volume anthology of early essays in archetypal psychology, each edited and introduced by Benjamin Sells.