Carl Jung’s Red Book — also known as Liber Novus — is widely regarded as one of the most important psychological documents of the 20th century. But what’s actually inside it? And is the famous facsimile edition worth the price?
In this honest review, I share my experience with the full facsimile — the
stunning artwork, the Gothic script, the English translation — and why, despite its breathtaking beauty, I’m sending my $350 copy back.
Between 1913 and 1917, Jung deliberately entered the imaginal realm through active imagination, recording visions, dialogues with inner figures, and mythic encounters — what he called his “confrontation with the unconscious.” He later illustrated these in a large red leather volume. Kept hidden in a Swiss bank vault after his death, and published only in 2009, the Red Book is the raw source from which all of Jung’s theories emerged.
Watch the video for a comprehensive look at the book as it is available to us today.
If Jungian psychology resonates with you, you might be interested in the Psychemagination series, beautifully illustrated books that document my active imaginations during a period of reflection on my neurodivergence and guide readers through their own symbolic inner journeys.
