| The Black Madonna is an image of great antiquity which historically has inspired cults and been credited with miracles. Today there is a new wave of interest in the symbol, as may be seen in contemporary writing and art. What accounts for this appeal over time, and for its renewed vigour in the twenty-first century? Historical continuity and contemporary interest in the symbol suggest that it answers to a need deeply held in the human psyche. In the first part of the seminar the Black Madonna will be situated in historical and cultural context with a focus on the Madonna of Montserrat, Spain, as an example.
Psychological implications of the symbol will be considered within the framework of C.G. Jung’s thought on the Great Mother and will include reference to how the symbol appears in dreams and creative work. In the second part of the seminar, participants will explore the symbol to discover what the Black Madonna means on an individual level. |
