Strange sightings in the sky have been reported throughout history. However, post-World War II, the appearance of flying saucers, UFOs, or UAPs (unidentified anomalous phenomena) became a prominent cultural phenomenon, sparking intense interest and becoming a significant part of our current zeitgeist. Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst Carl Jung studied this phenomenon for over a decade until his death in 1961.
Jung was intrigued by UFO reports from the beginning, considering them "symbolical rumors." Since 1947, he collected all available books on the subject, writing his thoughts in "Flying Saucers: A Modern Myth of Things Seen in the Skies," part of his Collected Works, vol. 10: Civilization in Transition. While Jung couldn't form a definitive opinion on the physical nature of UFOs, the available evidence piqued his continuous and fervent interest.
Jung’s Perspective on UFOs
Jung emphasized the psychic aspect of UFOs, viewing them as modern myths emerging from the collective unconscious, expressing fundamental human experiences and providing insights into our inherited behavioral patterns or archetypes. He couldn't commit to the physical reality or unreality of UFOs, summarizing his stance as "Something is seen, but it isn’t known what." To Jung, both material and psychic phenomena are real but of different kinds.
Despite never having seen a UFO himself, Jung knew four people who had or claimed to have seen them. He speculated that these entities might not be extraterrestrial but could be non-human intelligences (NHIs) existing among us for millennia. These NHIs could include aliens, angels, demons, or elemental beings, possibly representing technologies created by higher beings beyond our comprehension.
Visionary Rumors and Collective Visions
Jung described UFOs as visionary rumors expressed in visions, similar to the Miracle of the Sun in Fátima, Portugal, in 1917, where tens of thousands witnessed extraordinary solar phenomena. These collective visions highlight that such phenomena can appear only to certain individuals, suggesting a deeper psychic reality.
Collective Distress and Mass Hysteria
Jung proposed that visionary rumors arise from collective emotional tensions, reflecting the collective unconscious's response to situations of distress or vital psychic needs. This mass hysteria, driven by archetypal pressures, can project onto external phenomena, creating powerful myths. Jung noted that after World War II, UFO sightings increased, possibly due to the collective fear of totalitarianism and nuclear annihilation, manifesting as a need for a savior.
UFOs as Saviors and Living Myths
Jung suggested that the appearance of UFOs in times of crisis symbolizes the unconscious projection of a savior figure. In modern rationalism, these visions transform from heavenly beings to mechanical spaceships or "technological angels." UFOs have become a living myth, a dynamic factor in modern man's psyche, revealing how legends form during dark times. Jung argued that such widespread phenomena must have significant underlying causes rooted in our existence.
Historical Context and Folklore
Though UFOs gained popularity post-World War II, similar phenomena have been recorded throughout history. Jung cited examples like the Basel broadsheet of 1566 and the Nuremberg broadsheet of 1561, where strange aerial spectacles were witnessed. Jacques Vallée, a leading UFO researcher, argued that similar patterns can be observed in folklore, religious traditions, and modern UFO events. Vallée's psychosocial hypothesis suggests that psychological and social factors are crucial for understanding the UFO phenomenon.
Psychic Aspects of UFOs
Jung explored the psychic aspects of UFOs, considering them symbolic representations of unconscious thoughts becoming conscious. He interpreted the round bodies often seen in UFO sightings as mandalas, symbols of totality and individuation. Jung’s dream of two lens-shaped UFOs further linked these symbols to the archetype of the Self, representing the integration of the conscious and unconscious.
Crop Circles and the Archetypal Feminine
Crop circles, another mysterious phenomenon, were analyzed by Gary S. Bobroff in "Crop Circles, Jung, and the Reemergence of the Archetypal Feminine." Bobroff suggested that our disconnection from the body, nature, and the unconscious has led to a loss of relationship with the archetypal feminine. Crop circles, formed in grain, symbolize life, death, and rebirth, reflecting humanity's need to restore balance.
The Physical Existence of UFOs
Jung acknowledged that UFOs had been visually observed, picked up on radar, and left traces on photographic plates. He proposed that either psychic projections could cause radar echoes, or real objects could occasion mythological projections. Jung remained open to the possibility that UFOs could be real material phenomena of unknown nature, possibly from outer space or always present on Earth.
UFOs and the Age of Aquarius
For Jung, the UFO phenomenon is part of the approaching Age of Aquarius, estimated to fall between AD 2000 and 2200. He believed that such phenomena signify psychic changes accompanying the transition between astrological ages. Jung cautioned that these changes in the collective psyche could bring about long-lasting transformations.
Conclusion
Jung’s exploration of UFOs as a modern myth reveals deep insights into the human psyche and the collective unconscious. While he couldn't provide definitive conclusions, his work highlighted the psychological significance of UFO sightings and their role as symbols of the Self. Jung believed that understanding these phenomena could help humanity integrate the conscious and unconscious, aligning with the Self and establishing interior totality. As we move into the Age of Aquarius, these insights remain relevant, reminding us to explore our inner worlds and the mysteries that lie beyond.