Cosmos and Psyche: Intimations of a New World View

From a philosopher whose history of Western thought was praised by Joseph Campbell & Huston Smith comes a book tracing the connection between cosmic cycles & archetypal patterns of experience. Drawing on years of research & on thinkers from Plato to Jung, Tarnas explores the planetary correlations of epochal events like the French Revolution, the world wars & 9/11. Whether read as astrology updated for the quantum age or as a contemporary classic of spirituality, Cosmos & Psyche is an important work of sophistication & learning. importance. Preface 1 The transformation of the cosmos. The birth of the modern self The dawn of a new universe Two paradigms of history Forging the self, disenchanting the world The cosmological situation today 2 In search of a deeper order. Two suitors: a parable The interior quest Synchronicity & its implications The archetypal cosmos 3 Through the archetypal telescope. The evolving tradition Archetypal principles The planets Forms of correspondence Personal transit cycles Archetypal coherence & concrete diversity Assessing patterns of correlation 4 Epochs of revolution. From the French Revolution to the 1960s Synchronic & diachronic patterns in history Scientific & technological revolutions Awakenings of the Dionysian The liberation of nature Religious rebellion & erotic emancipation Filling in the cyclical sequence The individual & the collective A larger view of the sixties 5 Cycles of crisis & contraction. World Wars, Cold War & 9/11 Historical contrasts & tensions Conservative empowerment Splitting, evil & terror "Moby Dick" & nature's depth Historical determinism, realpolitik & apocalypse Moral courage, facing the shadow & the tension of opposites Paradigmatic works of art Forging deep structures 6 Cycles of creativity & expansion. Opening new horizons Convergences of scientific breakthroughs Social & political rebellions & awakenings Quantum leaps & peak experiences From Copernicus to Darwin Music & literature Iconic moments & cultural milestones Great heights & shadows Hidden births 7 Awakenings of spirit & soul. Epochal shifts of cultural vision Spiritual epiphanies & the emergence of new religions Utopian social visions Romanticism, imaginative genius & cosmic epiphany Revelations of the numinous The great awakening of the Axial Age The late 20th century & the turn of the millennium 8 Towards a new heaven & a new earth. Understanding the past, creating the future Observations on future planetary alignments Sources of the world order Epilogue Notes Sources Acknowledgments Index