Calgary Jung Society

Although the Calgary Jung Society in Calgary was legally incorporated as a non-profit Alberta society in April 1992, its beginning can be traced to a weekend conference held in September 1991 at Nakoda Lodge on the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains. "The Symbolic Life: A Jungian Symposium" brought three distinguished Jungian analysts from Zurich, Switzerland–Kathrin Asper, Ian Baker, and Toni Frey–to meet with many Calgarians who were interested in Jung’s analytical psychology.

This symposium led to an organizational meeting in November 1991 at which prospective members chose the officers of the executive committee, the society’s governing body. They also decided that this society should be primarily an educative force, helping its own members to develop psychologically in accordance with, and assisting the general public to become better informed about, the ideas of C.G. Jung.

It was significant in these early years that the Jung family gave permission to use C. G. Jung’s name in the official name of the society. This fact, plus the many fine Jungian analysts who have come to Calgary as speakers for the society, established its solid reputation on the international scene.

The program of lectures and workshops was divided into the Foundation Series, to introduce the fundamentals of Jung’s work, and the Main Series, to present original works in Jungian field. These two series have been supplemented by continuing seminars on such topics as dreams and fairy tales conducted by local analysts and by other kinds of events.

Ian Baker delivered the society’s inaugural lecture on February 21, 1992. After him has come a growing line of well-known and respected Jungians from Canada (such as Guy Corneau, John Dourley, and Jan Bauer), from the United States (including Murray Stein, Michael Conforti, and Robert Johnson), Britain (Michael Edwards, Andrew Samuels, and Renos Papadopoulos), and Europe (Sonja Marjasch, Toni Frey, and Mario Jacoby)–to name only a few.

Several people were especially important in the forming and fostering of the society:

Josephine Evetts-Secker, the first certified Jungian analyst to practice in Calgary, tirelessly promoted the idea of the society and facilitated its operation in every possible way, even housing visiting lecturers in her home. In 1997 Josephine and her husband, John Secker, a fellow academic and staunch supporter of the society, returned to England to pursue working retirements. That the society survived this loss testifies to the fact that it has found its own footing.

Dr. Sonja Marjasch and Dr. Ian Baker, experienced analysts and instructors at the C. G. Jung Institüt-Zürich, consented to be the society’s patrons. They counsel the executive committee as required.

Barrister David Haigh, another founding member, in 1991 and 1992 shepherded the society’s application for registration as a non-profit society with the Alberta government through difficulties and delays to a successful result.

When Fred Miles, a local therapist who was a popular and active member, died suddenly in early 1994, the society designated the February Main Series lecture of that year–and then every year henceforth–as the Fred Miles Memorial Lecture.

Last mentioned–but perhaps most important–are our local analysts. In addition to their work with individuals, analysts Maureen Abbott, Zeljko Matijevic, and Mae Stolte have dedicated a great deal of time to presenting lectures, workshops, and seminars and have otherwise provided unfailing help and advice. Without their contribution, the society’s annual program of events would be not just poorer; it would be non-existent.

The number of members in the society peaked at 138 by the end of 1992 and since then–perhaps reflecting the economic difficulties of this decade–has dropped steadily. But a committed core of Jungians, augmented by a small but reliable flow of newcomers, remains, and presently our membership roster totals seventy persons.

With thanks to members of the Executive Committee of The Calgary Jung Society for their help.

October, 1999