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How Psyche Speaks: Archetypal & Mythic Perspectives for Life & Work


  • The Heritage Room, University College, University of Melbourne 40 College Crescent Parkville, VIC, 3052 Australia (map)

Presented by Dr Glen Slater and Dr Safron Rossi,
Pacifica Graduate Institute (USA)

Seminar Program Now Available

Phoenix. (2000). Alison Berry.

Phoenix. (2000). Alison Berry.

CG Jung’s understanding of psychological life focused on the influence of archetypal patterns. These timeless, universal forms, expressed in culturally variant and continually renewed ways, both guide and shape our sense of deeper purpose. Cultivating an awareness of where and how archetypal patterns appear in life provides a means by which we may join individual calling and the larger meanings of human existence.

Through engagement with imagination, metaphor and myth, this seminar will explore the language of the archetypal world. We will focus upon the way the work of James Hillman extended Jung’s understandings into an archetypal perspective—a way of seeing the world that allows us to perceive these deeper forms. We will discuss the different modes of this archetypal perspective and apply these modes to the events and significances that impact our lives. The goal of this work is what Hillman described as soul-making—a process by which life and work deepens into meaning.

The first day of the seminar, led by Dr Glen Slater, will set out the critical elements of an archetypal perspective. Through use of film clips, discussion of contemporary events and writing exercises, we will learn to listen to the language of the psyche. The second day of the seminar, led by Dr Safron Rossi, will take up the role of mythic figures and mythic moments, showing the way gods and goddesses still shape our lives, if only we have the eyes to see and the ears to listen. Together the two days will show the confluence of archetypal and mythic ways of knowing. 

This seminar is the residential component accompanying the 5 week online course Archetypal, Mythic and Cinematic Perspectives on Vocation.  Click here for course details.  The seminar may also be purchased separately, space permitting.  Registration details below

About the presenters

Dr Glen Slater

Glen Slater, PhD has a background in religious studies at the University of Sydney, before moving to the United States to study clinical psychology. He is the Associate Chair of the Jungian and Archetypal Studies program at Pacifica Graduate Institute in Santa Barbara, where he has taught for over 20 years, earning a reputation among students and faculty as one of the finest teachers in this field.  Glen has lectured internationally and written a number of articles for Jungian journals and essay collections. He edited and introduced the third volume of James Hillman’s Uniform Edition, Senex and Puer, as well as a volume by Pacifica faculty, Varieties of Mythic Experience. Glen is currently working on a book on depth psychology in the Information Age.

Read Dr Glen Slater's article "Between Jung and Hillman" here 

Dr Safron Rossi

Safron Rossi, PhD has spent her life steeped in literature, religion and mythology, fields in which she holds her degrees. She is Associate Core Faculty at Pacifica Graduate Institute (Santa Barbara, California) in the Jungian and Archetypal Studies MA/PhD program, and teaches courses on mythology, archetypal symbolism and scholarly praxis. For many years she was Curator at Opus Archives, home of the Joseph Campbell, James Hillman and Marja Gimbutas collections. Her work focuses on Greek mythology, archetypal psychology, astrology, goddess traditions, and feminist studies. Safron edited Joseph Campbell's Goddesses: Mysteries of the Feminine Divine (2013). She is co-editor of the forthcoming Jung on Astrology (2017) and is writing a book on the Kore archetype and triad goddesses.  

What participants have said about past seminars:

"I attended the opening weekend seminars of the Life Artistry Centre in 2016, with the intention to discern a deeper purpose and quality in my work beyond conventional standards and to understand the gentle but relentless sense of calling I have to a meaningful vocation and life. There was a soulful community energy present, which helped facilitate a safe and deep sharing of reflections and insights on the journey towards authentic vocation.
Throughout the presentations by Glen, Safron, and Suzanne I began to feel an eruption of new ideas, renewed dreams, and fresh healing insights. Since then I have been reflecting on these insights and my vocational path, by moving my attention to the margins of my consciousness and listening into the multiple 'voices' and images that had been previously exiled. A new way of being in the world is slowly emerging within me. I am listening and nurturing my inspirations with a new ‘lens’, which was born out of the seminar with Life Artistry."  

~ Leigh Johnston, Psychologist

"I found the 'Ensouling our Work' seminar to be rich, informative, and engaging. Both Suzanne Cremen and David Tacey are wonderful presenters and experts in their fields. I recommend this seminar to anyone wanting to gain a broader insight into the topic of vocation; the information delivered was unique and helped me to place vocation within a developmental perspective, which I found very helpful”

~ Rochelle C.,  Artist and Academic Researcher

"I have attended a number of Life Artistry events and always found them to be of the highest quality and well worth the investment of time and resources.   
The presentations at the 'Ensouling our Work' Seminar were as usual thoughtfully considered and most enlivening.  Dr Suzanne Cremen and Prof David Tacey coordinated their talks with great attention to detail and delivered their thoughts with the spirit of animation and personal devotion to topic, that lifts all such material into a realm of contribution that provokes the deepest response within the hearer.  The quality of engagement among the participants was outstanding as a result.  There were many memorable moments during the day, which was thoroughly well-organized for maximum benefit.  
Thank you to Life Artistry for its continued commitment to excellence!"

~ Sheila Lamont-Stacey, Vice President, C G Jung Society of Melbourne Inc.

YOUR REGISTRATION INCLUDES:

  • Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea (please advise us of your dietary requirements)
  • A list of recommended readings

Download a PDF flyer for this event.

To register:

Registration will be confirmed on receipt of payment for the Seminar. Payment may be via Direct Deposit, Credit Card or PayPal. Register now to avoid disappointment!

Full rate $345; Concession and Jung Society members $295.

Pay by Direct Deposit (preferred method):

BSB: 313 140 (Bank Australia, Kew, Victoria) 
Account number: 14073170
Account name: eContent t/a Life Artistry

Please advise us of direct deposit payment transfer, specifying your name, the amount, date, event and dietary requirements - james@lifeartistry.com.au or telephone +61 3 9444 0570.

or Credit Card/ PayPal:

Two Day Seminar Only
Dietary Preference

Cancellation policy:

  • $50 fee applies per cancellation received by 31 August 2017
  • $75 fee applies per cancellation received from 1 September 2017
  • No refund available after 21 September 2017

SEMINAR Accommodation:

Accommodation is usually available at University College or nearby Colleges (International House, Ormond College, Queens College).

Other options for accommodation that are close to University College include:

The Larwill Studio
Naughtons Parkville Hotel
Rydges on Swanston

Check their websites to see which meets your preferences.

We have also arranged a seminar discount with Vibe Hotel, 441 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC - 15 minutes walk or tram to seminar. Check the daily rate or request a 'University of Melbourne discount': tel. +61-3-9380 9222; carlton@vibehotels.com.au

There are plenty of accommodation options in Melbourne city, which is about 20 minutes on a tram from the seminar venue.