Page 19 - June 2024

The Symbol of the Sun

Briefly, the symbol of the Sun in our
birth chart is our ego consciousness or

identity. It is our sense of volition, our
will. It also describes our solar need to
shine — symbolizing where we seek to be

validated for our creative self-expression
and individuality. When we are living the

Sun, it’s house and aspects authentically,
it gives us our inherent need for joy and
self-esteem.

In his third book on Alchemy, Mysterium

Conuinctionis, a monumental work which
contains many astrological references
and descriptions, Jung says, “Sulphur

represents the active substance of the Sun
or, in psychological language, the motive

factor in consciousness: on the one hand
the will, which can best be regarded as a
dynamism subordinated to consciousness,

and on the other hand compulsion, an
involuntary motivation or impulse ranging

from mere interest to possession proper. The
unconscious dynamism would correspond
to sulphur, for compulsion which is the

great mystery of human life. It is the
thwarting of our conscious will and of our

reason by an inflammable element within
us, appearing now as a consuming fire and
now as life giving warmth.”

— Carl Jung, Mysterium Coniunctionis,
paragraph 151

For the Alchemists, Sulphur described
drivenness, i.e. being overwhelmed

with desire. Sulphur can also be towards

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