C G Jung and the Alchemical Process Alchemy

C. G. Jung and the Alchemical Process

Alchemy (In its purest form) a spiritual path to return fallen man to his state of perfection in the Garden of Eden; “the art of the transmutation of the soul” (Granger). o Man is essentially spirit, then soul, then physical body fell from Grace, lost the interconnectedness of these elements became lead (the physical body). o Alchemy = the path back to gold (spirit), but process difficult. Need to burn away the impure. The alchemical process was one of purification through obedience and meditation. o The alchemist used catalysts and purifying agents to affect changes in the materials (and in himself)---next slide. o Ultimately, alchemy was a cathartic experience, one meant to promote human transformation. **

The Alchemical Process Breaks down and reinvents or rejuvenates a base material (“lead”) into a pure one (“gold”). Vitriol ---often referred to as “the green lion”---is associated with th color green. It is the first material applied to crude matter, and it begins the process of breaking down and purifying this matter. Next, 2 catalysts applied to the broken down base substnce, and these reflect the masculine and feminine polarities of existence: o Alchemical sulfur: the masculine, impulsive, red pole o Alchemical mercury (or “quicksilver”): the feminine, cool complement o Sulfur and quicksilver are often called “the quarreling couple”

Separatio • Separatio is the alchemical process that involves, as its name suggests, the separation of elements. Sometimes this is represented in a gentle way, like sorting and organization. Sometimes it’s violent, like cutting. • In alchemy, it has to do with becoming aware of the opposites that exist within oneself.

There are 3 stages to the alchemical process: 1) The nigredo (or black) stage – the stage of dissolution, of breaking down, of burning away, of destroying tin order to rebuild or to make reborn. 2) The albedo (or white) stage – that of purification, which follows a washing of the material, which causes it to turn a brilliant white. Frequent symbols of this stage are the moon (Luna) and the lily. 3) The rubedo (or red) stage – that of recongealing or perfection, when the purified matter is ready to be reunited with the soul/spirit. At this point, one attains eternal life.

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

Alchemical Symbols Phoenix: “renewal and resurrection signifying the philosopher’s stone, especially the red stone attained at rubedo, capable of transmuting base metals into pure gold”; destruction and recreation/rebirth Lily: purity, immortality, salvation; the lily opens the path to God. James: the patron saint of alchemists, the Fisher King, who heals the world/reclaims the Wasteland; he embodies the search for God. The Doppelganger: a creature’s complementary figure, or shadow, that reveals otherwise unknown aspects of the being. (Examples would be creatures who can change form, who incorporate 2 “natures, ” twins, etc. )

Animals: often used to symbolize the basic components and processes of alchemy. They may be used to symbolize the four Elements such as the lion or ox (Earth), fish or whales (Water), eagles (Air), or salamanders or dragons (Fire). Aerial animals generally indicate volatile principles, while terrestrial animals indicate fixed principles. Whenever two animals are found together, they signify Sulfur and Mercury or some relationship between the fixed and the volatile. Dogs: signify primitive matter, natural sulfur, or material gold. A dog being devoured by a wolf symbolizes the process of purifying gold using antimony (a metal symbolizing animal nature). Caduceus: the magical staff of Hermes, the Messenger of the Gods and revealer of alchemy. The staff is entwined by two serpents representing the solar and lunar forces. Their union is the Conjunction of alchemical principles and their offspring, if it lives, is the Stone. This Stone is represented as a golden ball with 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 14 th 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.