Carl Jung on the “Solstice” – Anthology
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Taurus and Scorpio are equinoctial signs, and this is a clear indication that the sacrifice was primarily connected with the sun cycle: the rising sun that sacrifices itself at the summer solstice, and the setting sun. Since it was not easy to represent sunrise and sunset in the sacrificial drama, this idea had to be shown outside it ~Carl Jung, CW 5, Para 295
The symbol for that portion of the zodiac in which the sun re-enters the yearly cycle at the time of the winter solstice is Capricorn, originally known as the “Goat-Fish” (αίγόχερως, “goat-horned”): the sun mounts like a goat to the tops of the highest mountains, and then plunges into the depths of the sea like a fish.
The fish in dreams occasionally signifies the unborn child, because the child before its birth lives in the water like a fish; similarly, when the sun sinks into the sea, it becomes child and fish at once.
The fish is therefore a symbol of renewal and rebirth. ~Carl Jung, CW 5, Para 290
In astrology, Cancer is a feminine and watery sign, and the summer solstice takes place in it. In the melothesiae it is correlated with the breast. It rules over the Western sea ~Carl Jung, CW 9i, Para 605.
The German youths who celebrated the solstice with sheep-sacrifices were not the first to hear a rustling in the primeval forest of the unconscious. They were anticipated by Nietzsche, Schuler, Stefan George, and Ludwig Klages ~Carl Jung, CW 10, Para 375
As Cumont observes, Cautes and Cautopates sometimes carry in their hands the head of a bull and of a scorpion respectively.
Taurus and Scorpio are equinoctial signs, and this is a clear indication that the sacrifice was primarily connected with the sun cycle: the rising sun that sacrifices itself at the summer solstice, and the setting sun.
Since it was not easy to represent sunrise and sunset in the sacrificial drama, this idea had to be shown outside it. ~Carl Jung, CW 5, Para 295
The ancients had in mind chiefly Pagurus bernhardus, the hermit crab. It hides in its shell and cannot be attacked.
Therefore it signifies caution and foresight, knowledge of coming events.
It “depends on the moon, and waxes with it.”
It is worth noting that the crab appears just in the mandala in which we see the phases of the moon for the first time.
Astrologically, Cancer is the house of the moon. Because of its backwards and sideways movement, it plays the role of an unlucky animal in superstition and colloquial speech (“crabbed,” “catch a crab,” etc.).
Since ancient times cancer (καρκίνος) has been the name for a malignant tumour of the glands.
Cancer is the zodiacal sign in which the sun begins to retreat, when the days grow shorter.
Pseudo-Kallisthenes relates that crabs dragged Alexander’s ships down into the sea.
Karkinos” was the name of the crab that bit Heracles in the foot in his fight with the Lernaean monster.
In gratitude, Hera set her accomplice among the stars.
In astrology, Cancer is a feminine and watery sign, and the summer solstice takes place in it.
In the melothesiae it is correlated with the breast. It rules over the Western sea.
In Propertius it makes a sinister appearance: “OctipedisCancri terga sinistra time” (Fear thou the ill-omened back of the eight-footed crab).
De Gubernatis says: “The crab . . . causes now the death of the solar hero and now that of the monster.”
The Panchatantra (V, 2) relates how a crab, which the mother gave to her son as apotropaic magic, saved his life by killing a black snake.
As De Gubernatis thinks, the crab stands now for the sun and now for the moon, according to whether it goes forwards or backwards. ~Carl Jung CW 9i, Para 605
