Saturday, October 11th, 2 PM: Tsunami Worker-Owner Steve Ellerhoff launches his new book - Jung and Star Wars: A Contemporary Mythology
Free
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Tsunami worker-owner Steve Ellerhoff, PhD, will talk about his new book, which is a mythological study of Star Wars through a Jungian lens. He has given seminars and taught online courses on this subject, and is eager to share his findings with readers around the world. Much of this focus developed while earning his PhD at Trinity College Dublin in Ireland, researching Jungian ideas about mythology in the short stories of Kurt Vonnegut and Ray Bradbury. Closer to home, he is a past board member of Eugene Friends of Jung and is now involved with Jung Archademy, an online teaching platform based in Canada.
His book, newly published by Routledge, will be available for purchase.
The cover of Steve’s new book, featuring a photo of Yoda Cave in Iceland.
Publisher’s Description:
Jung and Star Wars is a comprehensive deep dive, analyzing the Star Wars phenomenon from the perspective of analytical psychology as a living mythology in our time.
Drawing from Jungian perspectives, as well as the influence of both Joseph Campbell and James Hillman, this book examines the rich characters and history of the saga using concepts developed in the field of analytical psychology. It explores Disney's acquisition of Lucasfilm in 2012 and the concept of canon, as well as examining the Force and a number of iconic characters, including Yoda, Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, Princess Leia Organa, and more. By coming to understand the psychological ground of its mythic aspects, we learn to see Star Wars as a grand narrative of the human condition.
With Star Wars being ubiquitous in mainstream pop culture, this book will be of interest to both Jungian analysts and scholars, as well as academics in the fields of film studies and popular culture, offering a fresh and lesser-known perspective on depth psychology.
Critics’ Reviews:
"Few narratives emerging from popular culture have achieved the stature of modern mythology as convincingly as Star Wars. Ellerhoff delivers a compelling and incisive exploration of its central characters and themes through a Jungian framework. Drawing upon foundational Jungian constructs—including archetypes, synchronicity, and the Transcendent Function—he offers a sophisticated analysis that seamlessly integrates rigorous academic inquiry with the widespread cultural resonance of the franchise, engaging both scholars and dedicated Jedi enthusiasts alike."
John Bucher, PhD, Executive Director, Joseph Campbell Foundation
"Truly brilliant! Ellerhoff amplifies the archetypal magic of the Star Wars saga with an analytical eye kin to the Jedi masters. He takes a classic hero’s myth of the modern age and grows it, greens it, with the wisdom of a new ethic. A recommended read for anyone looking to deepen their associations to the force within."
Alexis Durgee, Jungian Psychotherapist and curator of Alchemical Toil: Inner Work Library
"By applying a Jungian lens to the franchise, Ellerhoff has crafted a fascinating exploration of the way myths and mythmaking infuse Star Wars. This book will be required reading for all who want to better understand the conceptual links between our world and those far, far away."
Chris Kempshall, PhD, University of Exeter, author of The History and Politics of Star Wars (2022) and The Rise and Fall of the Galactic Empire (2024)
"Fluidly exploring the symbolic and archetypal aspects of its characters and themes, Jung and Star Wars takes us through the George Lucas-Joseph Campbell connection and beyond, into a galaxy that’s very close to our hearts. A fun read but also an important contribution to the scholarship on its subject, Ellerhoff was called by this lineage and he has heeded the call. The Force is strong with this book."
Gary S. Bobroff, Founder, Jungian Online / JUNG Archademy
"In his lively, infinitely knowledgeable guide to the Star Wars universe, Ellerhoff tells us that Myth works to reenchant our sense of existence,’ and this is precisely how he treats the legendary saga. This exquisitely detailed, meticulously researched book will undoubtedly be of interest to Jungian scholars and analysts, as well as to scholars of film and popular culture. However, his accessible tone and encyclopaedic knowledge of the franchise’s history will also endear him to Star Wars fans searching for comprehensive analyses of the saga."
Miranda Corcoran, PhD, University College Cork, author of Haunted States: An American Gothic Guidebook (2024)