The quaternity, a profound symbol of inner wholeness and the emergence of our true nature, holds significant implications for self-realization, spiritual awakening, and self-compassion. Carl Jung identified the squaring of the circle as the archetype of wholeness, highlighting its crucial role in our dreams and fantasies. This article explores the myth and symbolism surrounding the quaternity, delving into its transformative power and its capacity to guide us towards self-discovery and compassion.

The Archetype of Wholeness and Self-Realization

The quaternity serves as a representation of unity and integration, symbolizing the harmonious synthesis of our diverse experiences and aspects of self. It is intricately linked to the journey of self-realization, where individuals strive to recognize and embrace their authentic nature. The quaternity encourages us to explore the depths of our being, uncovering hidden potentials and embracing our wholeness with self-compassion.

The Quaternity and Spiritual Awakening Within

the quaternity lies the potential for profound spiritual awakening. It surpasses conventional notions of duality and points towards a higher truth. By recognizing and integrating the various elements within the quaternity, we open ourselves to the divine aspects of existence and cultivate a deep connection with the sacred. The quaternity acts as a guiding light on the path of spiritual transformation, leading us towards expanded consciousness and a heightened sense of connection to the divine.

Self-Compassion within the Quaternity

As we embark on the journey of self-realization and spiritual awakening, self-compassion plays a crucial role. The quaternity reminds us to extend kindness, understanding, and acceptance to ourselves throughout this transformative process. It encourages us to embrace our imperfections, honor our vulnerabilities, and practice self-care. By nurturing self-compassion within the quaternity, we create a foundation of love and acceptance that supports our growth and fosters a deep sense of inner harmony.

The Symbolism of the Squared Circle and the Quaternity

The squared circle, symbolizing the quaternity, holds significant meaning. It represents the synthesis and balance of the four elements – earth, water, fire, and air. Within this symbol, we find a reflection of our own journey towards wholeness and self-realization. The elements represent different aspects of our being, and through their integration, we unlock our true potential. The squared circle reminds us that the path to self-compassion and spiritual awakening involves embracing the diverse facets of our existence and finding balance within.

Embracing the Divine and Human Nature

The quaternity suggests a profound connection between the divine and human nature within us. It speaks to the potential for transcending conventional notions of self and recognizing the divine essence that resides within our being. By embracing the quaternity, we honor the intricate interplay between our human experiences and the divine spark within us. This understanding allows us to approach ourselves and others with compassion, recognizing the shared essence that unites all beings.

The quaternity, as a symbol of self-realization, spiritual awakening, and self-compassion, invites us to embark on a transformative journey of inner exploration. By embracing the archetype of wholeness, represented by the quaternity, we tap into our true nature and cultivate a deeper connection with the sacred. Through self-compassion, we nurture the growth and integration of our diverse experiences. As we walk the path of self-realization and spiritual awakening, may the symbolism of the quaternity guide us towards a profound understanding of ourselves, compassion for others, and a harmonious relationship with the divine within.

Quaternity in the Work of Carl Jung

“This abstruse problem was in itself a psychological projection of much older and completely unconscious things. But they knew in those days that the circle meant the deity: ‘Deus est figura intellectualis, cujus centrum est ubique,circumferentia vero nusquam.’ [God is a circle whose center is everywhere, but whose circumference is nowhere]…The image of the circle– regarded as the most perfect form since Plato’s Timaeus, the prime authority of hermetic philosophy– was also given to the most perfect substance, to the gold, to the anima mundi or anima media natura, and to the first created light. And because the macrocosm, the great world, was made by the creator ‘in forma rotunda et globosa’, the smallest part of the whole, the point, also contains the perfect nature.” (Carl Jung 1938, p. 66-67)

“The squaring of the circle is one of the many archetypal motifs which form the basic patterns of our dreams and fantasies. But it is distinguished by the fact that it is one of the most important of them from the functional point of view. Indeed, it could even be called the archetype of wholeness.” (Jung, CW 9i)

“These images are naturally only anticipations of a wholeness which is, in principle, always just beyond our reach. Also, they do not invariably indicate a subliminal readiness on the part of the patient to realize that wholeness consciously, at a later stage; often they mean no more than a temporary compensation of chaotic confusion. (Carl Jung, CW 16, para 536)

“the ‘God within’ is … dogmatically difficult. But the quaternity as understood by the modern mind directly suggests not only the God within, but also the identity of God and man.” (Jung, CW 11, p. 73-74)

“the quaternity is the sine qua non of divine birth.” (Carl Jung, CW 12, para 125)

“This abstruse problem was in itself a psychological projection of much older and completely unconscious things. But they knew in those days that the circle meant the deity: ‘Deus est figura intellectualis, cujus centrum est ubique,circumferentia vero nusquam.’ [God is a circle whose center is everywhere, but whose circumference is nowhere]…The image of the circle– regarded as the most perfect form since Plato’s Timaeus, the prime authority of hermetic philosophy– was also given to the most perfect substance, to the gold, to the anima mundi or anima media natura, and to the first created light. And because the macrocosm, the great world, was made by the creator ‘in forma rotunda et globosa’, the smallest part of the whole, the point, also contains the perfect nature.”  (Carl Jung 1938, p. 66-67)

“The fourth constituent, on the other hand, was the earth or the body. They symbolized the latter by the Virgin. In this way they added the feminine element to their physical Trinity, producing thereby the quaternary or the circulus quadratus…. The medieval philosophers of nature undoubtedly meant earth and woman by the fourth element… The quaternity in modern dreams is a product of the unconscious… the unconscious is often personified by the anima, a female figure. Apparently the symbol of the quaternity issues from her. She would be the matrix of the quaternity, a Mater Dei, just as the earth was understood to be the mother of God.”

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