The Seba library treats Opus Magnum in 7 passages, across 4 authors (including Edinger, Edward F., Giegerich, Wolfgang, Hillman, James).
The opus magnum had two aims: the rescue of the human soul and the salvation of the cosmos…. This work is difficult and strewn with obstacles; the alchemical opus is dangerous.
Edinger transmits Jung’s definitive formulation of the opus magnum as a dual project — psychic and cosmic — whose dangers are inaugurated by the encounter with the nigredo.
, Anatomy of the Psyche: Alchemical Symbolism in Psychotherapy, 1985thesis
In the opus magnum, the soul is not working on my consciousness, on my problems, on me as an individual. It is working on the ‘great problems of the soul,’ on the individuation, on the form and status of consciousness at large.
Giegerich argues that the opus magnum operates on a transpersonal, culturally significant plane — the logic of the soul itself — rather than on individual psychological development.
, The Soul’s Logical Life Towards a Rigorous Notion of, 2020thesis
This distinction is what separates the opus magnum from the opus parvum.
Giegerich crystallizes the critical conceptual division between culturally objective great work and merely personal psychological development, making the boundary between opus magnum and opus parvum theoretically decisive.
, The Soul’s Logical Life Towards a Rigorous Notion of, 2020thesis
JUNG’s magnum opus consists in the creation of this oeuvre, in the development of what was to become ‘Jungian psychology’ and ‘objectively’ opened up in and for our age new ways of understanding oneself and life.
Giegerich applies his own distinction to Jung himself, locating Jung’s opus magnum in his published work rather than his personal dreams or inner development.
, The Soul’s Logical Life Towards a Rigorous Notion of, 2020supporting
It is right that the magnum opus should begin at this point. Black Intentions. What does black intend to achieve? Why is it an accomplishment?
Hillman, citing Jung, places the initiation of the magnum opus at the blackening — the nigredo — arguing that depression and mortification are not obstacles to but the very commencement of the soul’s opus.
, Alchemical Psychology, 2010thesis
An inflated vision of supreme beauty is a necessary fiction for the soul-making opus we call our lifetime.
Hillman reframes the opus magnum as soul-making sustained by necessary fictional goals — gold, healing, immortality — whose value lies in their motivating power rather than literal attainment.
, Alchemical Psychology, 2010supporting
accomplishes the opus magnum, the ἆθλον of salvation and victory over death. As regards the actual performance of this entirely metaphysical work, man is powerless to do anything really decisive.
Jung frames the opus magnum as a soteriological act — salvation and victory over death — whose ultimate accomplishment exceeds human agency and belongs to the divine or transpersonal dimension.
, Psychology and Alchemy, 1944supporting