Routes of Wholeness:
Jungian and Post-Jungian Dialogues with the Western Esoteric Tree of Life
Lloyd Kenton Keane
A thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy
Centre for Psychoanalytic Studies
University of Essex
2007
i
Abstract
This thesis compares and contrasts what could be considered two psycho-spiritual
traditions: analytical psychology and the Western Esoteric Tradition. A common link
between these two traditions is the use of symbols and metaphors of wholeness,
specifically the sefirot of the Western Esoteric Tree of Life.
Chapter One introduces the sefirot of the Tree of Life as found in Judaism,
Christianity, the Hermetic tradition, and the Western Esoteric Tradition. Chapter Two
analyses how Carl Jung applied and utilised the sefirot, generally in relation to alchemy,
in his work. Chapter Three defines the Western Esoteric Tradition while the fourth and
fifth chapters introduce an analytical psychological interpretation of the Western Esoteric
Tree of Life as a way to bring analytical psychology and the Western Esoteric Tradition
together in dialogue. Areas of investigation for these latter chapters include: the
connection of the ego-complex with the material world, the polytheistic and monotheistic
nature of the psyche and synchronicity and the realms of dualistic and non-dualistic
transpersonal experience. Finally, Chapter Six presents several theoretical and pragmatic
applications for an analytical psychological interpretation of the Western Esoteric Tree of
Life. The summation is that both analytical psychology and the Western Esoteric
Tradition can offer each other various areas of complementation.
This thesis includes four diagrams, an outline of two common rituals from the
Western Esoteric Tradition and a glossary of non-Jungian terms.
ii
Acknowledgments
There are several people whose influence, assistance, or very presence in my life
was essential to the completion of this thesis. First and foremost I woul