C. G. JungC. G. Jung

and the Alchemical Processand the Alchemical Process

AlchemyAlchemy(In its purest form) a spiritual path to return fallen man to (In its purest form) a spiritual path to return fallen man to his state of perfection in the Garden of Eden; “the art of his state of perfection in the Garden of Eden; “the art of the transmutation of the soul” (Granger).the transmutation of the soul” (Granger).

o Man is essentially spirit, then soul, then physical body Man is essentially spirit, then soul, then physical body fell from Grace, lost the interconnectedness of these fell from Grace, lost the interconnectedness of these elements elements became lead (the physical body). became lead (the physical body).

o Alchemy = the path back to gold (spirit), but process Alchemy = the path back to gold (spirit), but process difficult. Need to burn away the impure. The alchemical difficult. Need to burn away the impure. The alchemical process was one of purification through obedience and process was one of purification through obedience and meditation.meditation.

o The alchemist used catalysts and purifying agents to The alchemist used catalysts and purifying agents to affect changes in the materials (and in himself)---affect changes in the materials (and in himself)---nextnext slideslide..

o Ultimately, alchemy was a cathartic experience, one Ultimately, alchemy was a cathartic experience, one meant to promote human transformation.**meant to promote human transformation.**

Breaks down and reinvents or rejuvenates a base material Breaks down and reinvents or rejuvenates a base material (“lead”) into a pure one (“gold”). (“lead”) into a pure one (“gold”).

Vitriol ---Vitriol ---often referred to as “the green lion”---is associated often referred to as “the green lion”---is associated with the color green. It is the first material applied to crude with the color green. It is the first material applied to crude matter, and it begins the process of breaking down and matter, and it begins the process of breaking down and purifying this matter.purifying this matter.

Next, 2 catalysts applied to the broken down base substnce, Next, 2 catalysts applied to the broken down base substnce, and these reflect the masculine and feminine polarities of and these reflect the masculine and feminine polarities of existence:existence:

o Alchemical sulfur: the masculine, impulsive, red pole Alchemical sulfur: the masculine, impulsive, red pole

o Alchemical mercury (or “quicksilver”): the feminine, Alchemical mercury (or “quicksilver”): the feminine, cool complementcool complement

o Sulfur and quicksilver are often called “the quarreling Sulfur and quicksilver are often called “the quarreling couple”couple”

The Alchemical ProcessThe Alchemical Process

SeparatioSeparatio• Separatio is the alchemical process Separatio is the alchemical process

that involves, as its name suggests, that involves, as its name suggests,  the  separation of elements.  the  separation of elements. Sometimes this is represented in a Sometimes this is represented in a gentle way, like  sorting and gentle way, like  sorting and organization. Sometimes it’s violent, organization. Sometimes it’s violent, like cutting.  like cutting. 

• In alchemy, it has to do with In alchemy, it has to do with becoming aware of the opposites becoming aware of the opposites that exist within oneself.that exist within oneself.

There are 3 stages to the alchemical There are 3 stages to the alchemical process:process:

1) The 1) The nigredonigredo (or black) stage – the stage of (or black) stage – the stage of dissolution, of breaking down, of burning dissolution, of breaking down, of burning away, of destroying tin order to rebuild or to away, of destroying tin order to rebuild or to make reborn.make reborn.

2) The 2) The albedo albedo (or white) stage – that of (or white) stage – that of purification, which follows a washing of the purification, which follows a washing of the material, which causes it to turn a brilliant material, which causes it to turn a brilliant white. Frequent symbols of this stage are the white. Frequent symbols of this stage are the moon (Luna) and the lily. moon (Luna) and the lily.

3) The 3) The rubedorubedo (or red) stage – that of (or red) stage – that of recongealing or perfection, when the purified recongealing or perfection, when the purified matter is ready to be reunited with the matter is ready to be reunited with the soul/spirit. At this point, one attains eternal soul/spirit. At this point, one attains eternal life.life.

ConjunctioConjunctio

• The joining of two opposite The joining of two opposite components, often seen as the union components, often seen as the union of the male and female, the subtle of the male and female, the subtle and gross, or even the elements. and gross, or even the elements.

Alchemical SymbolsAlchemical SymbolsPhoenixPhoenix: “renewal and resurrection signifying the : “renewal and resurrection signifying the philosopher’s stone, especially the red stone attained at philosopher’s stone, especially the red stone attained at rubedorubedo, capable of transmuting base metals into pure , capable of transmuting base metals into pure gold”; destruction and recreation/rebirthgold”; destruction and recreation/rebirth

LilyLily: purity, immortality, salvation; the lily opens the path : purity, immortality, salvation; the lily opens the path to God.to God.

JamesJames: the patron saint of alchemists, the Fisher King, : the patron saint of alchemists, the Fisher King, who heals the world/reclaims the Wasteland; he embodies who heals the world/reclaims the Wasteland; he embodies the search for God.the search for God.

The DoppelgangerThe Doppelganger: a creature’s complementary figure, : a creature’s complementary figure, or shadow, that reveals otherwise unknown aspects of the or shadow, that reveals otherwise unknown aspects of the being. (Examples would be creatures who can change being. (Examples would be creatures who can change form, who incorporate 2 “natures,” twins, etc.)form, who incorporate 2 “natures,” twins, etc.)

Animals: Animals: often used to symbolize the basic components often used to symbolize the basic components and processes of alchemy. They may be used to and processes of alchemy. They may be used to symbolize the four Elements such as the lion or ox symbolize the four Elements such as the lion or ox (Earth), fish or whales (Water), eagles (Air), or (Earth), fish or whales (Water), eagles (Air), or salamanders or dragons (Fire). Aerial animals generally salamanders or dragons (Fire). Aerial animals generally indicate volatile principles, while terrestrial animals indicate volatile principles, while terrestrial animals indicate fixed principles. Whenever two animals are found indicate fixed principles. Whenever two animals are found together, they signify Sulfur and Mercury or some together, they signify Sulfur and Mercury or some relationship between the fixed and the volatile.relationship between the fixed and the volatile.

Dogs:Dogs: signify primitive matter, natural sulfur, or material signify primitive matter, natural sulfur, or material gold. A dog being devoured by a wolf symbolizes the gold. A dog being devoured by a wolf symbolizes the process of purifying gold using antimony (a metal process of purifying gold using antimony (a metal symbolizing animal nature).symbolizing animal nature).

CaduceusCaduceus:: the magical staff of Hermes, the Messenger of the the magical staff of Hermes, the Messenger of the Gods and revealer of alchemy. The staff is entwined by two Gods and revealer of alchemy. The staff is entwined by two serpents representing the solar and lunar forces. Their union is serpents representing the solar and lunar forces. Their union is the Conjunction of alchemical principles and their offspring, if it the Conjunction of alchemical principles and their offspring, if it lives, is the Stone. This Stone is represented as a golden ball with lives, is the Stone. This Stone is represented as a golden ball with wings at the top of the caduceus.wings at the top of the caduceus.

The Philosopher’s Stone

A legendary substance that supposedly could turn inexpensive metals such as lead into gold and/or create an elixir that would make humans younger, thus delaying death.

Nicholas Flamel: a French alchemist who lived in the 14th century. He is alleged to have been the most accomplished of the European alchemists, and it is claimed that he succeeded at the two magical goals of alchemy -- that he made the Philosopher's Stone which turns lead into gold, and that he and his wife Perenelle achieved immortality.