Earth, Ground, Soil

Depending on the context, "earth" can refer to the body but also to our basic shadow qualities (which are often tied to the body); it is the earth/shadow that makes us human. (See Toad and Serpent, animals that symbolize earth.)  

Symbolically, it represents something concretized (by the ego). Many creation myths describe how earth is drawn from the sea to form the world upon which humans then walk. For the alchemist, coagulatio is a concretization that follows solutio (dissolution), which, according to Edinger, signifies its incorporation into the ego (1994, p. 83).  

In our culture, the earth is undervalued while the heavens—symbolizing reaching great heights—are overvalued. As a result, the unconscious often emphasizes the importance of the earthly and the subterranean. (See Height.)

Truth Emerges from Below  

Jung writes in Aion (par. 132):  

“From [Pistis Sophia] it is evident that Jesus is ‘the truth that sprang forth from the earth’ [and] ‘... “truth” is the power which proceeded from you when you were in the lower regions of chaos. Therefore, your power has spoken through David: “Truth has sprung out of the earth…”’” 

Edinger comments on this as follows (Aion Lectures, audio recording):  

“Truth springs forth from the earth, while justice looks down from heaven. … Truth and justice have very interesting meanings in the Old Testament. The idea is that truth signifies sincerity, authenticity, fidelity to one’s reality—in psychological terms, being genuine, truly oneself—and this is what springs up from below. Established values, on the other hand, come from above. The authentic personality grows from the earth, the concrete.”

Black Face

Figures associated with the symbolism of the earth sometimes appear in dreams as black or with black faces. Similarly, Artemis and other fertility goddesses were occasionally depicted with black faces (even the Virgin Mary has been portrayed in this way). The association points to the extremely fertile black soil, which is particularly well-suited for grain cultivation.

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