The essence of alchemy transcends chemical experiments. Alchemists seek to experience psychological processes, conveyed through mystical terms and archetypal symbols. Alchemy employs rational, intuitive and metaphysical methods and thought.
Alchemy is influential in early Greek philosophy. Alchemical symbols appear in Egyptian tombs. As a practice, alchemy is over 2000 years old. Seeking the quintessence of being, alchemy reaches beyond the physical realm, probing into the human psyche.
"All is One - One is All" - alchemical saying
Alchemy proves the Whole is more than the sum of its parts as a practitioner unlocks hidden meanings in symbols or rituals. Alchemic thought is not linear but spherical and overlapping. Through process, one perceives the interconnectedness of self and the universe.
The spiritual alchemist seeks to transmute "base elements" of the psyche into gold. This is a reflection of the human quest for enlightenment and inner wisdom. Transformation extends beyond the physical realm into domains of mind and spirit.
The relationship between alchemy and the psychic process of individuation is studied by Carl Jung, founder of analytical psychology. The pressing need to address problems of the psyche (personality) comes from awareness of its cryptic vastness.
Observing individuals it becomes evident the human psyche is a realm of mystery. Through the psychotherapeutic journey, both therapist and patient seek to uncover the essence of the complete individual, or Whole, in terms of personal evolution.
As the alchemist conjures up chemical experiments, interplay between the personal and philosophical becomes the reality of the moment. Alchemists are widely known to experiment upon themselves. The alchemist might enter a trance or meditative state.
Self-experimentation is the modus operandus of the Chinese primordial god and divine farmer, Shennong. He teaches people many things including herbology. He consumes up to 70 poisons a day, and has a transparent stomach so he can observe their activity.
Within this type of subjective/objective space the alchemist encounters tangible reactions of substances, as well as visionary experiences. Each reaction, each observation, becomes a mirror reflecting external properties of substances and the activity of the alchemist's psyche.
Several archetypes exist within the sphere of the unconscious:
shadow
animal
trickster / fool
wise elder / healer
child
father - protection, wisdom, guidance - Sun
mother - compassion, innate knowledge, caregiver - Moon
maiden
self
persona (mask)
anima (feminine) in man
animus (masculine) in woman
The number of archetypes and symbols they produce into consciousness is limitless. Alchemists jot down symbols, coming from the unconscious mind, based on primal concepts like sun or birth. Shapes appear as symbols. Alchemists are also fond of dual meanings.
The relationship between the mysteries of alchemy and the psychology of the unconscious is critical. The psyche is considered to the only source for understanding the meaning of the alchemic lapis (stone). According to Jung the psyche encompasses three major realms:
In trying to understand the psychology of alchemical thought it's necessary to start with the psyche. Contents of the chemical research become projective symbols of empirical, collective archetypes. Symbols often reflect the immediate state of things.
For example, during the Golden Age of Alchemy in Greco-Roman Alexandria, Gnostics attempt to align Christian and Hebrew thought with alchemical and nature philosophy. Throughout Gnostic tradition, the symbolism of the lion carries multiple layers of meaning.
Solar symbolism, regal authority, alchemical transformation and dualistic nature appear in the image of the Lion. It's a powerful emblem expressing the Gnostic quest for reconciliation of the divine and material realms. Other symbols are less obvious.
Goethe’s Faust and Nietzsche’s Zarathustra are given by Jung as examples of what happens when identification takes place with the thing to be transformed. The result is an inflation of ego consciousness, a paradoxical regression into unconsciousness.
This happens when the ego consciousness takes too many unconscious contents upon itself and loses the power of discrimination. To avoid such a catastrophe it is necessary to recognize contents of the unconscious which do not belong to the ego consciousness.
These come from a "psychic nonego", the collective unconscious apparent in the archetypes of poets and philosophers. The alchemists’ attempts to find a panacea is regarded as a projection of the process of individuation.
Individuation is still riddled with mysteries. It's concerned with centralizing processes in the unconscious which form personality. Reason alone cannot resolve this mystery; only experience can grasp the significance of the system of processes.
Ancient alchemical texts mention projecting unconscious responses into chemical substances to unlock the mysteries of alchemy. This search for chrysopoeia of the soul reveals hidden messages and wisdom from the alchemist's unconscious mind.
Exploring the psyche, the alchemist encounters symbolic imagery, archetypal figures, and mythical narratives representing universal themes like creation, destruction, and rebirth.
Understanding the unconscious evolves to self-realization and spiritual awakening.
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