The Black Sun: The Alchemy and Art of Darkness

Carolyn and Ernest Fay Series in Analytical Psychology

By: Stanton Marlan

Narrated by: Greg Young

In this audiobook, Jungian analyst Stanton Marlan reexamines the paradoxical image of the black sun and the meaning of darkness in Western culture. In the image of the black sun, Marlan finds the hint of a darkness that shines. He draws upon his clinical experiences - and on a wide range of literature and art, including Goethe’s Faust, Dante’s Inferno, the black art of Rothko and Reinhardt - to explore the influence of light and shadow on the fundamental structures of modern thought as well as the contemporary practice of analysis. He shows that the black sun accompanies not only the most negative of psychic experiences but also the most sublime, resonating with the mystical experience of negative theology, the Kabbalah, the Buddhist notions of the void, and the black light of the Sufi mystics.

An important contribution to the understanding of alchemical psychology, this audiobook draws on a postmodern sensibility to develop an original understanding of the black sun. It offers insight into modernity, the act of imagination, and the work of analysis in understanding depression, trauma, and transformation of the soul. Marlan’s original reflections help us to explore the unknown darkness conventionally called the self.

©2005 Stanton Marlan (P)2018 Redwood Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"An exquisitely written and produced volume." (Journal of Analytical Psychology)

“No one has done a book as thorough, as rich, and as significant as this astounding work by Stanton Marlan.” (James Hillman)

“Marlan has succeeded in bringing this ancient esoteric art into a modern context in a most edifying manner.” (The C.G. Jung Society of Montreal Newsletter)

Emo Tyler Durden meets Paulo Cohelo

Bodhi:Surfing’s the source man,
Keanu :nah bro , is the black sun dude...
Paulo Cohello: if you want the ultimate, You’ve got to pay the ultimate price brah(Depressed enthusiasm dude!!! It’s the alvedo .
Me: Don’t know why I’ve listened to this... but is catchy. Anyone listening to this trying to embark in a cool alchemical voyage , go through The Kybalion, Morals and Dogma, and everything Eliphas Levi, and some Mark Booth and Aaron Ra,at last try some Alliester Crowley and Mannly P. Hall so that you go completely nuts already, why delay the unavoidable???
Good luck. :)

Issues

Voice is pleasant enough, but he badly mispronounces so many proper names: Derrida, Levinas, Munch, etc.

Repeat !

Not only will this get multiple listens, but have been inspired to purchase the hardcopy to view images described.

Insight

I was thoroughly impressed with this understanding. it has actually come to me during my journey into the darkness. with this understanding I find that I am enthusiastic to go even deeper.

Partner to Hillman's work.

Having both read and listened to James Hillman's Alchemical psychology i find this book really interesting and as if partnering Hillman's work. Filling his work and providing additional information/justification on Hillman's issue with many Jungians and how they interprent alchemy, which is something i am really interested of. Yet this book stands on it's own, there is no question about it.

The way book is written (and narrated) i enjoy this book very much.

spiritual alchemy at its best!

The deepness and darkness of the psyche and how we all see our own black sun that energizes our shadow uhg! This is so beautiful!

Deep and profound

The Black Sun, provides interesting insights into psychology and alchemy by presenting an array of sources and review of Jung’s work. The narrator was good as well.

Enchanting, philosophical psychology.

This book suggests that Jungian integration is not about recognizing your unconscious dark side and integrating it to become whole and complete. Instead it proposes that the process is more like recognizing, and holding in thought, the paradox of the complexity of unconscious. It doesn’t necessarily advocate for you to confront your unconscious, but I walked away with a more complete map if that is a trail for a future hike into the darkness.

i loved it!

a good read for those who seek for more, those who need for knowledge and understanding.

Worth purchasing the paperback as well!

This is a foundation-shaking book taking you through the alchemical processes of internal work. It explains well the source of darkness, the void and light of night. The book contains many photos and images. Good as an audiobook and to have in hand.