Overview
Jung delves into the astrological symbolism of the Age of Pisces, which began around the time of Christ and is characterized by the symbol of two fishes swimming in opposite directions. This chapter explores how this celestial configuration reflects fundamental psychological and spiritual dynamics of the Christian era.
The dual nature of the fish symbol - two fishes bound together yet moving in opposite directions - represents the essential tension between opposites that has characterized Western consciousness for two millennia.
Key Themes
Astrological Synchronicity: Jung examines the meaningful coincidence between the beginning of Christianity and the astrological Age of Pisces, suggesting a deep connection between celestial patterns and collective psychological development.
The Double Fish: The symbol of two fishes represents the fundamental duality in Christian consciousness - spirit and matter, good and evil, Christ and Antichrist - reflecting the challenge of integrating opposites.
Precession of the Equinoxes: The chapter explores how the gradual shift from the Age of Pisces to the Age of Aquarius corresponds to profound changes in collective consciousness and spiritual orientation.
Historical and Psychological Context
Jung traces how the fish became an early Christian symbol (Ichthys) and how this relates to the broader astrological context. He examines the psychological implications of living in an age characterized by duality and the tension of opposites.
The chapter also explores how the approaching end of the Piscean Age corresponds to the modern crisis of meaning and the need for a new synthesis of opposites in human consciousness.