Money reflects our shadows and strengths as much as our bank accounts. Like Hermes, money traverses the realms from Hades to Heaven--money can be a matter of survival, and money can turn dreams into realities. Because money represents value we can acquire, exchange, and store, it can become conflated with our value as persons.

Material wealth can become equated with status and self worth—and the lack of it with inadequacy and anxiety. To come into right relationship with money we need to develop a realistic perception of its power and place within a larger personal economy. In a healthy life economy energetic currencies flow freely—we have rich relationships, and wise investments in work and purpose generate psychic interest. Inner treasure allows something of value to come into the world through us.

Dream

I found myself walking down a street in a European-like town until I came upon a group of my peers. One of them proclaimed that the book we had all been searching for was in a bookstore ahead and that she was intent on finding it. As I was also intent on finding this book, I went on ahead. The bookstore was, in fact, nine book stores located in a three story building with three stores on each floor.

I, alone, entered the middle bookstore on the second floor and asked the attendant if she had any special books related to psychoanalysis. After pondering a moment, slightly confused at my request, she remembered that she did have a special book enclosed in a wooden box. It was the book I had been searching for- decorative and ancient looking. I purchased it for $45, thrilled with excitement. I met back with my peers in the library, all of whom were perturbed and annoyed that I was the one who found the book.

"I told you about it and then you go and take it for yourself," one said angrily. I set the book on the table and told them that they are welcome to check it out, as long as they are careful and respectful with it. They all seemed appeased by this motion, yet still slightly bitter, and treated the book with care. Soon after, a famous relationship therapist called my name, asking for my opinion on a matter. I felt shocked that someone of such renown would consider my opinion on anything. She was holding two pictures, one clearly of a bridge, the other obscure. Through analysis of key symbols and images in each picture, we discovered that it was an image of the same bridge, taken at different angles.

References

Myths, Morals & Money –This Jungian Life joins Australian visionary Berry Liberman in a series of six podcasts. See www.thisjungianlife.com.

James Hillman. Soul and Money (Amazon).

Aaron R. Kipnis. The Midas Complex: How Money Drives Us Crazy and What We Can Do About it (Amazon).