How a silly mistake put me squarely on this path.
“The healing hero, therefore, is the one who finds some creative way out—a way not already known, and does not follow a pattern.
Ordinary sick people follow ordinary patterns, but the shaman cannot be cured by the usual methods of healing. He has to find the unique way, the only way that applies to him.
The creative personality who can do that then becomes a healer, and is recognized as such by his colleagues.”
― Marie-Louise von Franz
When I was younger and first started researching alchemy, I came across a source that had all this great wisdom, these really powerful quotes; and they were all simply attributed to “Von Franz”. At that point, I assumed this mysterious Von Franz was one of the classical alchemists, the ancient practitioners of that beautiful art which straddles the line between science and spirit. Perhaps working alongside Paracelsus, or even under the tutelage of Hermes Trismegistus himself, this mysterious VonFranz must surely have been one of the true ancient masters.
That one early dose of wisdom from this “Von Franz” was so impactful to me that, without realizing why, I named a major character Von Franz in a script I wrote. In the story Von Franz was, of course, the prototypical alchemist/hermit/sage—powerful and wise, with a gentle sense of humor.
Fast forward a few years, when I started studying psychology seriously. Imagine my surprise when I realized that Von Franz was not in fact this all-powerful, archetypal alchemist from antiquity, but this adorable, brilliant old woman who worked closely with Carl Jung—and who died when I was eleven years old. I felt at once foolish, humbled, and delighted. Foolish for assuming that wisdom like hers must belong to some mysterious ancient master; humbled for making such a blatant, years-long error; but delighted because this meant her wisdom was vibrant, alive, and accessible—and there was a lot more of it available than I could’ve ever imagined.
A lot of people will tell you to read Von Franz if you find Jung a little obtuse; she worked closely with him, and carried his torch after he passed. Her works on fairy tales, alchemy, and creation myths are phenomenal, and some of her talks and interviews survive even now. Happy birthday, Marie-Louise: and uh, sorry—I hope you’d take my error as a compliment! Either way, thank you—your wisdom is still one of the brightest guiding lights toward inner gold, individuation, and the Self.
