Alchemy, Jung, and Individuation: The Transformative Journey of Self-Discovery
Alchemy is an ancient philosophical and spiritual tradition that seeks to transform base metals into gold, and has been a subject of interest for many scholars and practitioners over the centuries. Carl Jung was particularly fascinated by alchemy and saw it as a metaphor for the process of individuation, or the journey of psychological and spiritual self-discovery that he observed in his clients.
The alchemical process involves several distinct phases or stages, each of which corresponds to a particular aspect of the individuation process. These stages can be roughly grouped into three main phases: nigredo, albedo, and rubedo.
The nigredo (black) phase represents the initial stage of the alchemical process, which involves a process of purification and transformation. This stage is connected to the metal lead.In psychological terms, this stage can be seen as a period of crisis or breakdown, during which old patterns and structures are dissolved in order to make way for new growth and transformation. Jung saw this stage as corresponding to the process of confronting and integrating the shadow, or the repressed and unconscious aspects of the self.
The Initial phase of therapy, the start of individuation
Lead is associated with depression and feeling heavy in psychology. In alchemy, it is often symbolized by the wounded king, who needs a cure to be brought back to life. Jung refers to this stage, known as the "dark" or Nigredo stage, as the "melancholic phase." It is the phase where you can feel lost and potentially impotent or figuratively unproductive.
Images in dreams: feeling lost, dry, desert, chaos, masa confusa, dark, shadow, fear, nightmares.
Lead, a heavy and dark metal symbolizes ignorance and the unconscious. It represents the struggle between father and son, where the masculine law becomes dogmatic and inflexible. The child is devoured, and a revolution is needed for change. Saturn's devouring of his own children is a popular theme in fairy tales like Little Red Riding Hood and The Wolf and the Seven Young Kids.
The albedo phase represents a stage of reflection and clarification, and is sometimes called the "whitening" stage. This stage is often associated with the color white and involves a process of purification and refinement. In psychological terms, this stage can be seen as a time of reflection and introspection, during which the individual becomes more aware of their inner world and begins to develop a greater sense of self-awareness and self-understanding.
The rubedo phase represents the final stage of the alchemical process, which involves a process of integration and transcendence. This stage is often associated with the color red and is sometimes called the "reddening" stage. In psychological terms, this stage can be seen as a time of integration and synthesis, during which the individual begins to bring together the various parts of their psyche into a more coherent and unified whole. Jung saw this stage as corresponding to the process of individuation, or the journey of self-discovery and self-realization.
Images of the ‘red’ phase
In therapy, we often see Iron/Mars appear in images of swords, heroes going to battle, or performing other heroic deeds. The color red is a symbol of passion, anger, and strength, as seen in the imagery of blood flowing, burning, and heating up.
The presence of iron and copper in alchemy is significant as they represent the Yin and Yang. Copper, associated with Venus, symbolizes the search for a renewed connection with life and a quest for a better world. On the other hand, iron, associated with Mars, represents the need to cut ties with the mother's breast and embrace individuality. The color red is often associated with iron and plays an important role in the alchemical process, signifying liberation and anger.
The hero in alchemy is often compared to Zeus, who freed his older siblings by giving his father Saturn an emetic. The hero, like Siegfried, defeats the dragon and breaks free from the bond with the mother. The wild man is a liberating force in every person, asserting themselves and standing up for their beliefs. In "Iron John," the wild man leads the protagonist to a spring that turns everything into gold. For those interested in exploring the archetype of the wild man, Robert Bly's book "Iron John" offers insights into the development of man and his connection with his male shadow.
The red refers to sulfur and to fire. Sulfur is quite flammable. The image of the red woman also refers to a powerful part in the shadow of the woman or the anima of the man. The fire woman, the woman with red hair, the archetype of the Whore, also belongs to the iron phase. Carice van Houten plays Melisandre, the red priestess in "Game of Thrones". She is the priestess of the fire-god, symbolized by the burning heart. She has magical powers and can even bring people back to life. In addition, she is the driving force behind King Stannis Baratheon (she is his anima).
The Moon (Mother) and the Sun (Father) are hitting the Opus (The Dragon). They are ‘working’ with it. It needs to move.
The complex needs to be resolved (or actually outgrown), new energy needs to come through and that will help unite the two opposing energies of the Sun and the Moon.
The Parents
In the psyche, the Sun and Moon are the parents. On the one hand, they represent the genetic material, while on the other, they symbolize matter and spirit. Silver represents the most subjective aspect of our psyche, which is mirrored by the Moon. Astrologically, the Sun represents our core, our essence, and the path we ultimately need to follow. The Moon (silver) represents our conditioned nature and is more closely tied to unconscious processes.
Together, the Sun and Moon represent the opposing forces within our psyche. We can also refer to them as the light and dark principles of the psyche, representing the conscious and unconscious parts.
The conjunctio and the transference
The ‘nigredo’ stage is often associated with the winter season and the new moon, which represents the moment of death and the unconscious.
During the alchemical process, the goal is to achieve a union or integration of opposites, which is symbolized by the conjunctio or the union of the sun and moon. This union is often depicted by a copulating pair, which represents the creation of new life or the emergence of the new spirit of Mercurius. This new life is the result of the integration of the opposing forces within the psyche.
Jung also saw the importance of the conjunctio in the process of individuation, which involves the integration of the conscious and unconscious aspects of the psyche. In his work on the psychology of the transference, Jung emphasized the role of the therapeutic relationship in facilitating the process of integration and transformation.
Sources:
Jung, C. G. (1963). Mysterium coniunctionis: An inquiry into the separation and synthesis of psychic opposites in alchemy. Princeton University Press.
Jung, C. G. (1966). The psychology of the transference (R. F. C. Hull, Trans.). Princeton University Press.
Stevens, A. (1994). Jung: A very short introduction. Oxford University Press.
Hand out of the Jung Academy Netherlands.
In addition, the information about the alchemical stages and the conjunctio is based on a variety of alchemical texts and traditions, including the works of Paracelsus, Hermes Trismegistus, and others.
