The Secret Behind Alchemy And Psychology

Alchemy, at least as Carl Jung’s followers understand it, is not about trying to transform lead or other metals into gold. Instead, perhaps some people performed the true secret of alchemy and psychology: to reverse the material, the earthly, and the unconscious into spirit, consciousness, and meaning in a symbolic way. This is real gold.

This important work is done under the hermetic assumption that it is important to embody the spirit and spiritualize the body. Basically, this consists of a journey under the protection of the god Hermes-Mercury, the mediator of contradictions. According to Jung, the whole question of transmutation of stones and metals has to do with the transformation of the psyche that is projected on matter.

The alchemical work is transformed into symbols, like the Holy Grail. Matter in form, the unconscious in consciousness. This is a kind of transformation of matter into pneuma or spirit.

The secret behind alchemy and psychology

Based on the above, when we discuss alchemy, we are actually talking about sublimation, distillation and condensation or coagulation. The central process is regressive (soluble) and progressive (condensation). These will be the basic steps in the alchemical process:

Step 1: Nigredo

Nigredo means darkness. This is the process of dissolution (melancholy), characterized by regression or descent into hell or the unconscious.

Step 2: Albedo

Albedo refers to the color white or cleansing and catharsis. At this point, it is important to confront your shadow and support yourself with anima or animus.

The individual must recognize, incorporate and master all the “black” content of the unconscious. In these phases, place the first pieces for enlightenment.

Step 3: Rubedo

Rubedo or glowing red gold refers to the iridescent or mysterious color that occurs in the middle of the alchemical process. During this transcendent moment, the incarnation of meaning takes place as symbolic gold, or the sun reborn from Mother Earth and her darkness.

The big secret behind alchemy and psychology

Here we suggest steps for an initial path that hundreds of people have traveled on. We have presented it in the form of ideas and concepts, so that the reader can create their own symbolic image during the journey.

• First, in order to liberate itself, the absolute individual constructs a magical octagon. From this place in time and space they perform their great work.
• Through alchemy, they unite the elements united in the world of forms and unite other elements that are separated through an emotional mirror.

• Through magic and spirit, they integrate into themselves everything that is dissolved by the mental fog of illusion.
• In an individual process, they build a bridge to existence, and rely on shadows, imagination and the symbolic, the three ancient sphinxes of the universe.

However, only a true individual can cross the four circles:

The four circles

• First, the first circle is where the personal unconscious resides. In this circle, the dead draw to the ground.
• The second circle, where the collective unconscious resides, where archetypal forces pull towards the planetary psychosphere.
• Then, in the third circle, the cosmic unconscious, where the demons draw towards the stars.
• The universal conscience lives in the fourth circle, where the gods draw towards their own ideas, and recruitment follows.
• Finally, from the four circles, the absolute individual frees himself by existing at each step and distilling his own being.

In conclusion, as you can see, there were already ways to achieve the perfection of being or becoming an absolute individual long before the idea of ​​modern psychology existed.

This means that alchemy was not only the forerunner of chemistry, it was also a forerunner of psychology. Hermes Trismegistus is the first advocate of these ideas.