ALCHEMY
Alchemy - Transforming Lead into Gold
In what the Guinness World Records considers to be the best-selling storybook of all time - the Bible - God comes to King Solomon in a dream and tells him to ask for whatever he wants. Solomon didn’t ask for money and he didn’t ask for fame. He asked for wisdom. He knew that riches would come from a deep well of knowledge, and that is exactly what happened. There are people to this day looking for King Solomon’s hidden treasures. I believe that this well-known story holds a hidden Truth in plain sight: The Key to Solomon’s Mine is Consciousness.
The word Alchemy is probably better well-known as a physical process of turning the material properties of lead into gold. There is a psychological transformation symbology, however, which I believe is the true gold an alchemist strives to create. Within the process of Alchemy, an alchemist undergoes Self Transmutation.
Magnum Opus - Four Alchemical Stages of Transformation
Nigredo
“Blackening” - metaphorically speaking it is the initial dissolution and chaos that arises when one starts addressing their unconscious stuff. Many find themself lost and confused.
Albedo
“Whitening” - clarity and purity begin to emerge. One gains insight and perspective.
Citrinitas
“Yellowing” - a higher state of awareness and intuition arises. One is able to sense a deepened insight and comprehension of the world around them.
Rubedo
“Reddening” - a fusion of one’s conscious and unconscious selves.
Carl Jung’s Psychoanalytic Process
Carl Jung described these 4 steps as a symbolic process of self-improvement. He spoke of a psychoanalytic process that mimics the four stages of alchemy.
Confession
This is a significant step in the process as it requires the integration of one’s unconscious material, similar to integrating the shadow. This includes processing traumatic memories, the realization of suppressed feelings, viewing inside the realm of the collective unconscious, and confronting anything that may be holding you back.
Verbalizing this unconscious material is a process of confession. It’s cathartic, and it helps to bring information into conscious awareness. Ways that one may confess include talk therapy and journaling. This allows for the freeing of the stuck energy within the unconscious spaces.
“People will do anything, no matter how absurd, in order to avoid facing their own souls. One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious.”
It is within this phase that one experiences nigredo - the burning away of false truth and facing one’s unconscious self. This is a key step in accepting one’s current state of consciousness and processing the unconscious. This can be very uncomfortable at first, but this single step brings about significant change in one’s life.
2. Elucidation
Jung’s view was that this process mirrored Albedo, due to the clarity and purity that occurs during this stage. Within it is the process of giving relevance and meaning to the unconscious components that were brought into the light during the first step.
Clarity and direction in one’s life can be obtained by focusing on the integration of one’s unconscious content. This can lead to a deeper and more fulfilling life.
3. Education
This step corresponds with Citrinitas - or the “Enlightenment” stage. It is here where a person achieves greater clarity and insight as a result of their educational pursuits. In this stage, a person starts to see the world in a new way and sees a deeper meaning and purpose. The significance of self-development and transformation is understood.
Contemplation - This stage holds within it a lot of introspection and self-reflection. A person begins to investigate their own psyche and learn more about the alchemical process. This leads to a greater understanding of both oneself and the world. It opens new doors of opportunity for growth and development.
Contemplation is highly important as it’s only through this self-education that an individual is able to properly integrate the insights that were gained in the phases before it. This helps them work towards a greater sense of wholeness and purpose.
4. Transformation
This step corresponds with Rubedo. It is here that a person undergoes a radical shift and enters into a realm of pure spiritual awareness.
This is the ultimate Gold of Alchemy. A person undergoes a complete metamorphosis like that of a butterfly. A new Self emerges. This is when a person realizes who they truly are and starts to act accordingly and in line with their innermost desires.
This represents the realization and remembrance of one’s own unique potential through the realization of one’s own self-awareness. A person is able to transcend their own ego. This holds a much broader significance, however, as it aids in the transformation and healing of the Collective.
Alchemical principles are highly advanced concepts that alchemists historically spend their whole lives studying.
Ultimately, the goal of the alchemist is to find the Philosopher’s Stone, which is the source of knowledge and understanding that will unlock the hidden mysteries of the Universe. This knowledge can then be used to create a higher quality of life. It is said that the Philosopher’s Stone will grant its holder access to the secrets of the Universe, allowing them to be one with Nature and control the forces of the Universe.
Alchemy is both a physical and psychological process. It requires dedication and hard work to turn lead into gold, just as it requires dedication and hard work to turn consciousness into the Philosopher’s Stone. This process requires an understanding of the power of the mind and how it can be used to create positive change. It is a means to achieving a greater understanding and connection with the Universe. It’s an endeavor that requires a person to look within themselves and understand the core of their being.
The Alchemy of energetics
Within Wombifest, we are energetically embarking on an Alchemical Process during a Monthly Moon Cycle. We take a person beyond the limitations of words on paper that describe what this means. We take a person into the process to know for themself.
The alchemical process of self-improvement is a transformative journey of inner growth, akin to the ancient art of turning base metals into gold. Just as the alchemists sought to refine and purify materials, individuals on the path of self-improvement strive to transmute their inner qualities, shedding limitations and embracing their highest potential. However, this alchemical journey is not without its challenges. It demands courage, resilience, and a willingness to confront the shadows within. The challenges may manifest as deeply ingrained patterns, self-doubt, fear, or resistance to change. They serve as catalysts for growth, inviting individuals to face their fears, heal past wounds, and confront the aspects of themselves that hinder their progress. The alchemical process of self-improvement requires a steadfast commitment to inner work, self-reflection, and a willingness to embrace discomfort as a pathway to transformation. Through perseverance and a dedication to personal evolution, individuals can emerge from these challenges stronger, wiser, and more aligned with their True Selves.
There is a plethora of Spiritual and Self-help information available, and it is sufficient for most people. In my opinion, however, it is surface-level advice that lacks depth… but I can be a little ‘extra’ and I definitely love to dive into the depths. My aim is not to provide you with something to regurgitate or repeat like a parrot, as that doesn’t impress me much. I instead desire to be your guide on a journey of self-discovery and exploration. I take you on a deep dive into the unknown, so you can unravel the mysteries of your own being.
“If you give a person a fish, you feed them for a day. If you teach a person to fish, you feed them for a lifetime.”
I don’t think you would be here reading this if you didn’t want to learn how to fish.
As we expand our knowledge, it trickles out into the Collective Consciousness, thus moving humanity beyond Ignorance (Lead) into Wisdom and Knowledge (Gold). It is within this process that we also re-remember who we truly are.
