Volume 4 of the Collected Works of Marie-Louise von Franz – Archetypal Symbols in Fairytales: Opposition and Renewal

In this landmark volume of her Collected Works, renowned Jungian analyst Marie-Louise von Franz explores one of the most fundamental themes in fairytales and the human psyche: the dynamic interplay of opposites—and the possibility of redemption through their reconciliation.

Drawing on decades of penetrating analysis, von Franz unearths the symbolic power of fairytale narratives as blueprints for inner transformation. Through rich interpretation of stories from diverse cultural traditions, she illuminates archetypal oppositions—light and shadow, masculine and feminine, ego and unconscious—and reveals how these polarities are not merely sources of conflict, but invitations to growth and wholeness.

This new translation by Mark Kyburz brings von Franz’s profound insights into vivid contemporary language, making her essential wisdom more accessible than ever. A vital resource for therapists, scholars, and seekers alike, Archetypal Symbolism in Fairytales: Opposition and Redemption offers a compelling journey into the mythic foundations of the soul’s healing.

“In fairytales, nothing is superfluous—every symbol carries the weight of centuries of psychic truth.” — Marie-Louise von Franz