C.G. Jung Letters, Vol. 1: 1906-1950

To Georgette Boner

Dear Dr. Boner, 8 December 1938

My most cordial thanks for your extremely valuable reference to Tristram Shandy.

To begin with I did not have the feeling at all that I was guilty of plagiarism with my [anima/animus] theory, but in the last 5 years it has become more and more uncanny as I have discovered quite suspicious traces of it also in the old alchemists, and now the misch ief seems complete since it turns out that I was discovered already in the 18th century.

I can only think that Laurence Sterne drew upon the secret teachings (presumably Rosicrucian) of his time.

They contain the Royal Secret of the King and Queen, who were none other than the animus and anima, or Deus and Dea.

With kind regards,

Yours sincerely.

C.G. Jung ~Carl Jung, Letters Vol. 1, Page 248.