A study in the process of natural individuation: An application of archetypal amplification to the letters of Vincent van Gogh (The Netherlands)

This study is a Jungian exploration of the natural individuation process as it occurs independent of clinical intervention. Jung's theory of individuation articulates personality development in terms of Self-realization, a search for meaning, and a conscious willingness to fulfill an inner sense of vocation. The individuation process consists of five stages, for which the Hero myth is the classic parallel: The Call, Separation, Tests, Introversion, and Discovery. Self-realization also requires an integration of such elements of the Self as the Anima and the Shadow. My fundamental research problem, "What is it like to experience natural individuation?" is addressed by selecting out and analyzing in-depth five archetypal images recorded in Vincent van Gogh's personal letters that depict his natural individuation process.; My methodological approach involved applying Jung's theoretical concepts and his Archetypal Amplification Method of analyzing imagery to Vincent van Gogh's personal letters. In addition, I incorporated a qualitative methods coding technique as an organizational tool that allowed me to establish criteria for image selection.; The study confirmed Jung's proposal that the individuation process is cyclical rather than linear in progression. Each individuation stage is defined according to a set of characteristics, clusters of which are repeated throughout van Gogh's lifespan. The cyclical nature of individuation is, in part, due to a temporal overlap of qualitatively different aspects of the individuation stages. In addition, van Gogh's experience of any given stage characteristic is qualitatively different, as well as differing in its symbolic manifestation throughout his individuation process. Too, The Call is theoretically considered to be the first stage experienced in individuation. However, the Separation stage was manifested earlier and in more depth in van Gogh's Self-realization process.; The symbolic manifestations of Anima and Shadow evolved over van Gogh's individuation process; the inference being that their psychological functions are innately dynamic, and like the Self as a whole, are rich in their intrapsychic potential. Lastly, the identification within the imagery of archetypal motifs led to a comparative distinction between van Gogh as a Reluctant Hero versus a Willing Hero.