Synchronicity research group | University of Essex

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Jung introduced the concept of synchronicity in his article in 1952 as a principle of non-causal connection, acknowledging that the evolution of this principle in his thinking spanned several decades.

He combined his supernatural experiences, mediumship, divination experiences, dreams, clinical practice, and interest in physics to formulate the final version of this concept. Not all of these areas, within Jung's context and the possibilities for further exploration by post-Jungians, have been fully explored and discussed. The significance of synchronicity in different fields continues to be explored.

The aim of this research group is to focus on and discuss the meaning of synchronicity in different contexts, and its historical and contemporary implications and applications.

Participation in this research group is by invitation or application. Primarily, we want to promote an international academic gathering, with scholars from diverse fields of research. If you would like to participate or to propose someone to be invited to join this group, please send your/their information (name, academic situation, email) to Nathan Fraikin (nathanfraikin1@gmail.com).

Group calendar

The group sessions will be held online on Wednesdays from 5 to 6:30 pm (UK time), for a total of 9 sessions during the year 2024-2025.

The autumn panel will focus on the connections between divination and synchronicity, starting with an annual discussion session based on Marie-Louise von Franz’s book On Divination and Synchronicity: The Psychology of Meaningful Chance.

In the spring we will explore more on the intellectual and experimental aspects of synchronicity by dividing into German philosophy, Parapsychology and boundary phenomenology. The summer panel will be concentrating on “Synchronicity and Altered States of Consciousness”, revisiting synchronistic experiences from three normal and paranormal perspectives.

2024-2025 meetings

Autumn term 2024 - Panel 1: Synchronicity and Divination

16 October 2024 - Initial discussion: On Divination and Synchronicity (Chapter 1, Marie-Louise von Franz).
6 November 2024 - Jessica Fink (PhD Candidate, Pacifica Graduate Institute, USA): Tarot and Synchronicity: An Invitation to the Unknown.
27 November 2024 - Nathan Fraikin (PhD Candidate, École Pratique des Hautes Études, France) and Jingchao Zeng (PhD Candidate, University of Essex, UK):The Quest of Synchronicity in Contemporary Astrology.

Spring term 2025 - Panel 2: Intellectual and Experimental Explorations into Synchronicity

22 January 2025 - Paul Bishop (Professor, University of Glasgow, UK): Is a Beetle Sometimes Just a Beetle? Swedenborg, Schwärmerei, and Synchronicity in a Kantian Context.
12 February 2025 - Walter von Lucadou (PhD, Scientific Society for the Advancement of Parapsychology, Germany): The model of pragmatic information and the concept of synchronicity in an experimental context.
5 March 2025 - Justin Parsons (PhD Candidate, California Institute of Integral Studies, USA): Synchronicity, Enantiodromia, the Transcendent Function and the Psychoid Archetype: Boundary Phenomenologies and the Modeling Relation.

Summer term 2025 - Panel 3: Synchronicity and Altered States of Consciousness

23 April 2025 - Angela Rossée (Dr. med., Jungian analyst, Germany): The Mystery of Synchronicity - Dreams, Events, Reflections
14 May 2025 - Roderick Main (Professor, University of Essex, UK): Synchronicity and the Hermeneutics of Exceptional Experiences
4 June 2025 - Rajiv Bhala (MAJ Student, University of Essex, UK): Psychedelics and Synchronicity: A Deep Connection in Meaning?

2023-2024 meetings

Autumn 2023

18 October - Group Discussion: Foreword and Exposition.
8 November - Group Discussion: An Astrological Experiment.
29 November - Group Discussion: Forerunners of the Idea of Synchronicity and Conclusion.

Spring 2024

24 January - Benjamin Swogger (PhD Candidate, University of West Georgia, USA): Synchronicity in Relation to Instincts and Archetypes.
7 February - Roderick Main (Professor, University of Essex, UK): Jung’s Epistemological Claims with His Concept of Synchronicity.
6 March - Alexandra Nagel (PhD, Independent Scholar, Netherlands): Synchronicity and Palmistry.
20 March - Regina Renn (DGAP Jungian analyst, Germany): Synchronicity and Analytical Practice.

Summer 2024

24 April - Keiron Le Grice (Professor, Pacifica Graduate Institute, USA): Synchronicity and Astrology.
15 May - Rico Sneller (Faculty, Leiden University, Netherlands): Synchronicity and Inspiration.
5 June - Victor Krebs (Professor, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, Peru): Synchronicity and the Unsayable.
19 June - Mathew Mather (PhD, Lecturer, Technological University of the Shannon, Ireland): Synchronicity and the Green Gold Scarab.

Achievements

Conference Panel at "ESSWE 10: Esotericism and Rationality" in June 2025. Chaired by Nathan Fraikin, titled "Esotericism and Psychology: Strategies of Rationalization", and featured presentations with Nathan Fraikin, Alexandra Nagel and Jingchao Zeng.