Gather

The concept of "gather together" is an archetypal expression of the individuation process. The human being is fragmented, the right hand does not know what the left hand is doing, and the inner world is a mass of confusion. The individuation process strives for wholeness or unity. This is often expressed as a gathering together, in dreams and myths.

The most famous myth is that of Isis searching for and gathering together the body parts of Osiris. According to alchemical traditions, Mercurius was scattered across the world, and the adept's role was to gather the pieces and make him whole again. Similar ideas can also be found in the writings of the Church Fathers and other traditions. If one dreams of searching for and gathering something, it may refer to this archetypal theme. (See also Dismemberment and "Individuation – the gathering" under Multiplicity.)

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