"What the Holy Grail symbolizes is the highest spiritual fulfillment of a human life. Each life has some kind of high fulfillment, and each has its own gift from the Grail." 

~ Joseph Campbell

The epic tale of Parzival by Wolfram von Eschenbach is a story that resonates with a timeless power. It is a story of adventure and peril, failure and success, courage and compassion, and much more. It is also a unique retelling of the myth of the quest for the Holy Grail, a symbol that continues to capture the imagination today. The Grail is a symbol that speaks to our deepest spiritual longings and offers insight and hope for a world in which the traditional religious structures are in decline. 

In this course, we will explore several of the main themes of Wolfram’s Parzival. We will pay close attention to its rich symbolism and its connection with alchemical imagery. Through this examination we will discover the relevance of the Parzival myth to the modern experience of individuation. Finally, we will consider some of the ways such a tale might deepen the search for healing and meaning in our own psychological and spiritual lives. 

Recommended reading:

Parzival by Wolfram von Eschenbach (The translation by Helen Mustard is suggested, though any translation is fine.)

The Grail Legend by Emma Jung & Marie-Louise von Franz

The Romance of the Grail by Joseph Campbell

Jason E. Smith is a Jungian analyst in private practice in Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA. He is the creator and host of the podcast Digital Jung and the author of Religious but Not Religious: Living a Symbolic Life (Chiron Publications). Jason is a past president of the C.G. Jung Institute of Boston (now of New England) and serves as a training analyst and faculty member for the New England Institute.