Synchronicity is a term coined by Carl Jung that refers to a meaningful coincidence with no observable causal connection. According to Jung, synchronistic events often took the form of the outer world reflecting an experience or important state of an individual’s inner experience in some surprising but meaningful way. To Jung, synchronicity demonstrated the existence of a true connection between human consciousness and the outside world, in other words, a relationship between mind and matter. One of the first examples of the phenomenon, recited by Jung, occurred while a client relayed a dream of receiving a piece of jewelry shaped like a golden scarab. Jung heard a tapping on the window, and when he opened it, a golden beetle, much resembling a scarab, flew inside.
Synchronicity played an important role in Jung’s work with, and ultimate view of, astrology. Jung entertained multiple possible explanations of astrology, from a sympathetic correspondence between the micro and macrocosm (reflective of the Hermetic maxim, as above, so below); to a projection of the collective unconsciousness upon the heavens; to the idea that the heavens had a physical influence upon the earth, such as through solar radiation. While he never reached a firm conclusion, in later years, the idea of astrology reflecting synchronicity on a grand scale predominated.
Further Listening & Bibliography:
The Astrology Podcast, Episode 148, Jung on Synchronicity and the Mechanism for Astrology, Chris Brennan & Keiron Le Grice, March 16, 2018.
Le Grice, Kieron & Rossi, Safron, ed., Jung on Astrology, Routledge, New York, NY, 2017.
Article Information
- Author(s): Claire Rootjes
- Editing or additional contributions: Chris Brennan
- Originally published: December 1, 2020
- Last updated: December 1, 2020
- Cite this article: Claire Rootjes, “Synchronicity,” The Astrology Dictionary, December 1, 2020, http://theastrologydictionary.com/s/synchronicity/
