This site contains notes from various readings on the definition and meaning of synchronicity: for bibliographic references see citations
Notes from Aziz
Aziz, R. (1990). C. G. Jung's psychology of religion and synchronicity. New York: State University of New York.
Jung's Model (Aziz, p. 61-62)
All synchronistic phenomena can be grouped under three categories:
1 The coincidence of a psychic state in the observer with a simultaneous objective, external event that corresponds to the psychic state or content, (e.g. the scarab), where there is no evidence of a causal connection between the psychic state and the external event, and where, considering the psychic relativity of space and time, such a connection is not even conceivable.
2. The coincidence of a psychic state with a corresponding (more or less simultaneous) external even taking place outside the observer's field of perception, i.e. at a distance, and only verifiable afterward (e.g. the Stockholm fire).
3. The coincidence of a psychic state with a corresponding, not yet existent future event that is distant in time and can likewise only be verified afterward.
Two Fundamental Types of Synchronicity (Aziz, p. 59)
1. One in which the compensatory activity of the archetype is experienced both inwardly and outwardly. [the event seems to emerge from the subconscious with access to absolute knowledge, which cannot be consciously known]
2. One in which the compensatory activity of the archetype is experienced outwardly only. [ these convey to the ego a much-needed wholeness of the self's perspective, they show one a new perspective]
Essential Characteristics of the Synchronistic Event
1) The specific intrapsychic state of the subject defined as one of the following:
a) The unconscious content which, in accordance with the compensatory needs of the conscious orientation, enters consciousness [something is in our conscious]
b) The conscious orientation of the subject around which the compensatory synchronistic activity centers [something happens concerning what is in our mind]
2) An objective event corresponds with this intrapsychic state [may be literal or figurative correspondence]
a) The objective event as a compensatory equivalent to the unconscious compensatory content
b) The objective event as the sole compensatory of the ego-consciousness
3) Even though the intrapsychic state and the objective event may be synchronous according to clock time and spatially near to each other, the objective event may, contrary to this, be distant in time and/or space in relation to the intrapsychic state [as in telepathy, clairvoyance, etc.]
4) The intrapsychic state and the objective event are not causally related to each other [acausality]
5) The synchronistic event is meaningful [excludes some coincidence, but does not require the meaning to be understood]
a) The intrapsychic state and the objective event as meaningful parallels
b) The numinous charge associated with the synchronistic experience [feeling of spiritual experience]
c) Import of the subjective-level interpretation [the content must reflect back on the issues of the individual]
d) the archetypal level of meaning [transcends the individual and implies absolute knowledge].
Why Does Synchronicity Happen: various sources
Definition of Grace
From Peck, M.S. 1978.
Phenomena that:
a) serve to nurture -support, protect and enhance- human life and spiritual growth;
b) whose mechanism of their action is either incompletely understandable (as in the case of physical resistance and dreams) or totally obscure (as in the case of paranormal phenomena) according to the principle of natural law as interpreted by current scientific thinking;
c) whose occurrence is frequent, routine, commonplace and essentially universal among humanity; and
d) whose mode of origin, although potential influenced by human consciousness, is outside of conscious will and beyond the process of conscious decision-making.
In other words, miracles;.