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Considering how many times the spirit Mercurius is mentioned in Jung's writings and how large an importance Jung clearly attaches to this figure, not the least in writings after 1928, it is remarkable how little the figure actually appears in secondary literature. Apart from individual chapters from loyal colleagues such as Emma Jung and Marie-Louise von Franz, Mercurius is as good as gone. This is remarkably contrary to figures such as Christ or Hermes, and contrary to the status of a psychological-mythological figure such as Philemon who has entered the Jungian world in recent years. Mather's book therefore opens a forgotten area of Jung's writings, and brings it forth in modern, intellectual-academic research. As such, the book is more than welcome.
One could choose to address the topic of Mercurius in the currently revived research into esoteric traditions in Western history, as rejected knowledge in the history of philosophy, and in the history of ideas and sciences, or as hermetic philosophy. It could also be studied as part of the natural philosophy of alchemy, its theory and practice; or where theosophy, theurgy, and the theory and practice of rituals such as the kabbala and gnosis are constantly undergoing serious and profound reinterpretations. From a different perspective, one could choose to analyse the Mercurius figure in Jung's writings primarily in relation to Jung's own biography. Mercurius' importance can be seen within Jung's writings as a whole, and not least in Jung's actions accompanied by his socio-political analyses—in essence by his motivation and dedication as a cultural critic. Finally, one could easily focus on Mercurius' role in Jung's life-myth or self-understanding.
Mather has courageously decided to research and discuss all three areas. He manoeuvres and balances amongst the Jung biography, intellectual history, and