Part I: Exploring the Unconscious Through 'Active Imagination': Alchemy, Tarot, Astrology, and Dreams—Turning Knowledge ('Lead') Into Art ('Gold').
The dual way we Shape our World: Logic and Intuition working together. Individuation to Wholeness. The "alchemist" archetype.
Certain things must be explored in order to be understood/integrated.
This post is one of them.
Part I: Alchemy, Archetypes, Individuation, — This Newsletter
Part II: How Tarot, Astrology, Dreams, and Other Tools Work with Archetypes — Future Newsletter
As every artist has a soft spot, perhaps this is mine, it is easier to write about what is obvious and out there and simply connect the dots, whereas it can be challenging to play (explain) in the realm beyond our daily reasonable life, where there is much collective skepticism of what is ‘hidden’.It requires the reader to go beyond logic, arguments, and fixed ideas.
I hope this post takes you inward to a place where you are free from doubt, where you can see (the wide beauty) in the relationship between spaces and dimensions, where everything: “becomes what it was destined to become from the beginning.”-C.Jung
Playing with metaphors, symbols, and archetypes allows us to access instinctual truths buried within the psyche, helping us find meaning where logic cannot, and bring unconscious material into consciousness.
Active imagination (Jungian concept) involves calling up an image or dream, focusing on it until it moves and creates something of its own.
It requires waiting, engaging, and seeing what rises to the surface, while being willing to receive it.
Take seriously what rises to the surface, even if it seems like a silly thing. Do not dismiss it, and trust the unconscious.
“Active imagination requires a voluntary involvement with the fantasy content of the unconscious, where one consciously interacts with the dreamlike images and thoughts, allowing them to unfold and transform.”
(The Red Book: Liber Novus)
What is an archetype?
An archetype represents recurrent human experiences/patterns, roles already within you, or instinctual truths, shared across cultures and time.
Systems That Work with Archetypes:
-Alchemy and Astrology
-Tarot
-Depth Psychology (Jungian Psychology).
-Mythology
-Psychoanalysis
-Dream Analysis
-Narrative Therapy
-I Ching (Yi Jing)
-Symbolism in Art and Literature
-Folklore and Fairy Tales
You can also read my post about female archetypes, link in resources:
An Overview of the Seven Greek Mythological Goddesses as Archetypes.
All women carry within them the timeless expressions of the goddess archetypes.
In this post, I will (try) explore how we interact with the external world to better understand our inner structure, and how the flow of information between the internal and external takes place.
This process (our human way of reflection, projection, and manifestation) gave birth to science, transformed Alchemy into modern chemistry, and evolved medicine into what it is today.
It’s how we manifest our reality, whether from within outward or from external forces inward. We influence the outer world, and it influences us back.
While we consciously shape our reality through decisions, personal transformations, and reason, we also do so subconsciously by repeating patterns and sometimes living lives that don’t align with our true purpose.
We often resist change, prioritize reason, and shield ourselves from vulnerability—closing ourselves off from what doubt, dreams, and our inner voice might reveal.
This post explores the expression of humanity from my limited perspective and the belief that by actively engaging our imagination, we can all access the "alchemist" archetype.
We incorporate archetypes, belong to a shared collective energy, and have the ability to transform—if we allow ourselves to change not only through logic and external influences, but also through intuition and hidden knowledge within us.
I’ve been inspired by the works of Jungian psychologist Marie-Louise von Franz, particularly her books The Way of the Dream and Alchemical Active Imagination, both of which shifted my perspective inward.
These insights, along with Carl Jung’s pioneering ideas, heavily influence this article, as they often do in my articles and personal life.
I resonate with Jung’s approach to understanding life, particularly his ability to balance logic and intuition in his teachings. Some people tend to favor one side—reason-oriented, going strictly from A to B—which offers some perspective but a limited one.
I prefer the infinite perspectives that arise from embracing both: engaging with science while also listening to intuition.
I feel this deeply, as my path, though I recognize it may not be the way for everyone.
"Whoever speaks in primordial images speaks with a thousand voices; he enthralls and overpowers, while at the same time he lifts the idea he is seeking to express out of the occasional and the transitory into the realm of the ever-enduring."
Carl Jung
What does this mean? I’ve read it a few times to grasp its significance.
Carl Jung believed that archetypes, or “primordial images,” exist within the collective unconscious—a shared collection of human experiences.
When we “speak with a thousand voices” we access multiple meanings, perspectives, and interpretations, as well as emotions, thoughts, and unconscious associations.
This variety can lead to a richer dialogue not just in our conscious mind but also in the deeper, often unarticulated aspects of our psyche—insights that we may not have previously acknowledged.
I know it sounds fancy, but “speaking in archetypal language” guides the psyche from the busy, temporal perception of life that most of us experience each morning to a “timeless symbolic understanding.”
We navigate life in the first half, trying to develop healthy egos.
Humans first seek to meet their basic needs externally, though extroversion.
Building a home, family, career, and skills and competencies are common first-half life goals.
Jung believed the second half of life should be a journey into ourselves- though introversion.
This “inward turn” starts “Individuation.”
This is where our inner world meets the outer world, not only through logic as we may want, but also through symbols that contain both the past, future, instinct, and meaning.
The process of ‘Individuation’
In a general sense, individuation simply refers to the process of separating from the “collective”—including one’s parents and cultural norms—to become a unique individual.
”Individuation is the process, simple or complex as the case may be, by which every living organism becomes what it was destined to become from the beginning.
Becoming whole is the ultimate goal of individuation.
Bringing what’s unconscious—what a person doesn’t know about themselves—to consciousness helps guide an individual to wholeness in the psyche.”
”Private Myths: Dreams and Dreaming”- Anthony Stevens
Our understanding of the world, from science to the obscure, is based on two types of observation and knowledge: introversion and extroversion- intuition and reason.
Alchemy is a philosophical tradition that has evolved over four millennia and three continents.
Alchemy- craft as "the Art" or "Knowledge".
Exoteric (external) and Esoteric (internal) knowledge.
"The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances:
if there is any reaction, both are transformed."
Carl Jung
It is divided into three major strands: Chinese alchemy, Indian alchemy, and Western alchemy.
A brief overview of the origins of Alchemy and, consequently, the Science we know today.
Marie-Louise von Franz's in her book Alchemical Active Imagination dives extensively into how alchemy evolved from a mystical practice to a precursor of modern science.
Marie-Louise von Franz describes how ancient alchemists sought material and spiritual transformation by combining early chemistry with inner psychological analysis.
Her work highlights how alchemy's symbolic language supports Jungian psychology (inspired by Jung's own research into alchemy and archetypes), especially in terms of personal transformation and individuation.
“Alchemical Active Imagination” provided me with a deep understanding of the complex historical roots of alchemy and its influence on modern scientific and psychological thought. I found myself in a rabbit hole for a week, and this post slightly conveys some of those ideas.
If you are truly interested in alchemy, you can read her book for free; the link is in the references.
Alchemy is an ancient branch of natural philosophy, a philosophical and protoscientific (pre-scientific methods) tradition that was once practiced in China, India, the Muslim world, and Europe.
It was first mentioned in texts from Greco-Roman Egypt in the first few centuries AD. Greek-speaking alchemists frequently referred to their craft as "the Art" or "Knowledge" and were described as mystic, sacred, or divine.
Chinese alchemy was closely connected to Taoism and Indian alchemy with the Dharmic faiths, while Western alchemy developed its philosophical system mostly independent of but influenced by various Western religions.
The origins of Western alchemy can be traced to ancient and Hellenistic Egypt, where Alexandria was a center of alchemical knowledge.
“Western alchemy, in the narrower sense of the word, had two parents: Greek rational philosophy or, you could say, a nature philosophy on the one hand, and Egyptian technology combined with Mesopotamian astrology on the other.
The Greek philosophers—who introduced rational thought into their concept regarding the problems of nature, of matter, space, and time—made very few or no experiments.”
-Marie-Louise von Franz
Alchemists sought to purify, mature, and perfect specific materials, with common goals including chrysopoeia, the transmutation of base metals into noble metals, the creation of an elixir of immortality, and the development of panaceas capable of curing any disease.
Although they didn’t have the technology, their intuition was correct: it is now possible to create gold but this process is not sustainable.
Gold can be synthesized through nuclear reactions, such as bombarding mercury or bismuth with neutrons. However, this method requires immense energy and technology, making it impractical for large-scale production, but not impossible.
The alchemical "Great Work" was thought to be the source of human body and soul perfection.
The alchemical "Great Work," often referred to by its Latin term Magnum Opus, is a foundational concept in alchemy that symbolizes the process of personal and spiritual transformation. This term represents the ultimate goal of the alchemical process, which is to achieve a state of perfection or enlightenment.
Islamic and European alchemists created a foundational set of laboratory techniques, theories, and terms, some of which are still used today, and contributed significantly to the development of early modern science, particularly chemistry and medicine.
Modern discussions of alchemy are typically divided into two parts:
Exoteric (intended for general public) practical applications and Esoteric (intended for specialized knowledge) spiritual aspects, despite criticisms that they should be viewed as complementary.
Simply put, modern science is based on external observations, whereas occultism (“that which is hidden/secret”), spirituality, esoteric, and mystic understanding go beyond logic, it is based on intuition and introversion observations.
“You know that from Greek philosophy all the basic concepts still valid in modern physics were created: the concepts of matter and space, the problem of time, if you think of
Zeno; the concept of energy, that would be Heraclitus; the concept of the particle, created by Leukippos and Democritus; the concept of affinity of the elements, the idea of the four elements, which prevailed till right up to the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries in Western civilization—
all these concepts were created by the different pre-Socratic Greek philosophers.”
-Marie-Louise von Franz*
Introverted alchemists, such as Zosimos and Mohammed ibn Umail, presupposed that the mystery of the universe was in themselves, their bodies, and the collective unconscious.
They believed that they could directly contact the collective unconscious through meditation, consulted these powers directly, and sought the right hypothesis or information about the materials they examined.
For example, they would talk directly to quicksilver or iron, filling the gap with personification.
I believe it is important to distinguish between personification, a constructive and imaginative practice used to improve the creative process, and delusion, which refers to a harmful detachment from reality. It encourages deeper engagement and insight, and the other can obstruct clarity and rational thinking.
This approach allowed artists to seek the right hypothesis or information about their work and materials, allowing them to better understand the mysteries of cosmic existence.
In alchemy, the psyche and matter were always one entity, with both of them appearing differently depending on whether we looked at it from the outside or inside.
This dual trend is evident in early Greek treatises like The Physical and the Mystical Things, where the term "physika" means the recipe aspect of chemistry and "mystika" means the theoretical religious philosophical aspect attained through meditation.
Our human curiosity about the cosmos and existence has led to the pursuit of knowledge about the divine mystery.
This mythological archetypal impulse behind the true investigating urge of scientists still exists in the great scientists of today.
The ultimate dynamic impulse to become a physicist is based on the desire to find out more about how the universe works.
The birth of alchemy was influenced by the collective conscious religious situation of the time, with educated people adopting a half-religious, half-philosophical outlook, while simple agricultural people had an astrological and magical outlook.
The Roman Empire introduced syncretism, translating archetypes to assimilate people into their empire, creating a syncretistic religion where people believed in a higher father god, great mother goddess, or god of intelligence.
This led to more religiously oriented individuals dedicating themselves to mystery cults, such as Mithras, Isis, Osiris, Egyptian mysteries, and Eleusian mysteries.
Understanding our past can help us gain some insights of who we are today by exposing how archetypes have traveled over centuries and cultures.
Ultimately, these archetypes remain the same, yet under different names, assisting us in discovering the origins of our thoughts and beliefs:
”The Romans had a clever way of assimilating people into their empire—
by translating the archetypes.
If, for instance, they conquered an Etruscan tribe, or when they later conquered the Celtic tribes, they would find out who the main native gods were and assimilated them to their own gods.
As they were all Indo- Germanic, they all had the same pattern.
The main male god became Jupiter So-and-So and the great goddess Juno or Hera So-and-So, and if the god of commerce was called Kerunnus, he became Mercurius-Kerunnus.
Thus we find temples everywhere in France dedicated to Mercurius-Kerunnus. It was a clever trick to avoid fanatical religious fights and to achieve integration into the Roman Empire.
It gradually created a kind of syncretistic religion in which people were accustomed to think indirectly in archetypal terms, in the sense that they believed in a certain higher father god, a great mother goddess, a god of intelligence, and so forth.”
-Marie-Louise von Franz*
The Alchemy and the psyche-symbolical meaning.
I believe exploring alchemy represents our deepest archetype “the alchemist”—the drive to explore the outer world while intuitively accessing our inner selves and vice versa.
"The Alchemist" symbolise the transformative process of exploring the external world while also seeking inner transformation and discovering oneself. This archetype reflects a process of integration and growth by balancing outer-world action with inner intuition.
Traits of the Alchemist archetype:
Alchemists are catalysts.
Alchemists are creators.
(chemists, psychologists, spiritual leaders, artists, and inventors, all of whom explore transformation and the unknown)Alchemists seek to bring forth a change in consciousness.
Alchemists use their knowledge to make things happen.
”Alchemist” archetype can also access the dark side of transformation, like Lord Voldemort (Harry Potter series)- His quest for immortality through dark magic and Horcruxes is an extreme example of using transformation to defy death, but at the cost of his humanity and soul.
Or- Hannibal Lecter (Silence of the Lambs) – Though not a traditional alchemist, Hannibal embodies the darker transformation of intellect into manipulation, using his profound psychological understanding to destroy others for his own twisted purposes.
We are constantly shaped by our beliefs, the world around us, the collective unconscious, archetypes, and celestial synchronicity.
Alchemy provides a framework for transformation, it teaches us to work with our own content.
We perceive only as much as we allow ourselves to see.
"People will do anything, no matter how absurd, to avoid facing their own souls."
- Carl Jung
Alchemy: The Physical Transformation of the Outer World and Its Symbolic Correspondence to Our Inner World.
Alchemy is the transformation of matter from "lead"-prima materia, or the base material from which all things originate- (fears, traumas, base emotions) to "gold"-highest stage of transformation- (healing, enlightenment, deeper understanding).
Lead, the unrefined state of matter in the self, is associated (as we will see later when we discuss Astrology) with Saturn, the planet of structure and limitation, of earthly qualities.
Lead represents the potential for transformation from the material to the spiritual level, from ignorance to wisdom or enlightenment, the hidden aspects of ourselves that must be filtered and given a golden shine.
Gold represents the (Individuation state), purity and enlightenment, which is the ultimate goal of the alchemical process, the awakening of the self from the earthly state to spiritual wholeness and divine unity.
Gold is a symbol of the Sun/Masculine Energy, meaning warmth and clarity, as well as the conscious mind.
In alchemy, the Solutio phase, also known as the "dissolution" stage, is one important stage in substance transformation.
It is the stage at which solid elements breakdown in fluid.
We may deduce that this phase represents the breakdown of rigid structures in the psyche, as well as the breakdown of ego defences in order to release repressed emotions or forgotten experiences.
Letting go of old beliefs, patterns, or identities in order to make room for growth and understanding necessitates a ritual/phase of "dissolution".
The Seven Stages of Alchemical Process; Calcination, Dissolution, Separation, Conjunction, Fermentation, Distillation, and Coagulation.
The Calcination phase involves heating solid materials to ash, which represents the breakdown of rigid structures and limiting beliefs, indicating a shift from dissolution to transformation.
The Solutio phase follows, in which the ash dissolves into a fluid state, representing the release of suppressed emotions and forgotten experiences.
The Separation phase follows, which involves distinguishing between various components and reflects the process of discovering essential qualities and truths within oneself.
This is followed by the Conjunction phase, in which the separated elements are combined, symbolising the integration of various aspects of the psyche into one harmonious whole.
The Fermentation phase initiates a transformative process, similar to spiritual awakening, in which new insights and perspectives emerge.
The Distillation phase follows, which involves purifying and refining the essence of the materials, symbolising the clarification of thoughts and emotions in order to achieve a deeper understanding.
Finally, during the Coagulation phase, the dissolved elements are reformed into a new, unified whole, representing the emergence of a renewed identity and the integration of previously separated aspects of the self.
For example:
The Solutio Phase and Ego Dissolution
In our society, when asked who we are, we say our job title; we mostly identify with our profession.
But what happens if we change that identity?
Consider a professional who has dedicated their entire identity to their job; for years, they have defined themselves as a successful lawyer, deriving their self-worth from their titles; their status in society is associated with this job.
This type of rigid identification forms a solid structure in their psyche, where ego defences are strong, protecting their self-image.
Dissolution process.
Assume he is losing his job, either through a layoff or a personal crisis, which challenges their identity. This event serves as a catalyst, highlighting the fragility of their ego and the limitations of their self-perception.
Structure Breakdown.
During the Solutio phase, the lawyer begins the process of dissolution. They begin to question their self-worth, realising that their identity is overly tied to their profession. This breakdown can be uncomfortable because it requires confronting repressed emotions, fears, inadequacy, and uncertainty about the future.
Releasing Repressed Emotions.
During this phase, the lawyer may experience emotional release, such as grieving the loss of their job, admitting to fears about their identity, and confronting the pressures they felt to succeed. This emotional catharsis enables them to rediscover previously forgotten experiences, such as hobbies or passions that they had put aside in pursuit of their career.
Letting Go.
As he processes his emotions, he begins to let go of his fixed ideas about success and identity. He may come to realize that his worth is defined by more than just his profession, prompting him to explore previously unexplored aspects of himself.
Space for Growth.
This dissolution allows for personal development and transformation. The lawyer may choose to pursue interests other than their profession, such as art, writing, or volunteering, allowing them to reconnect with their authentic self and redefine their identity in a more holistic manner.
During the Solutio phase, the lawyer's ego dissolves as they release old identities and beliefs, resulting in a more expansive understanding of themselves. This transformation is similar to the alchemical process, in which solid structures are broken down to create something new, reflecting the opportunity for growth that arises when we allow ourselves to experience ego dissolution.
Alchemy works if one is cooperative with their ego.
When you begin to recognize the "alchemy phases" within yourself, you start to understand how the world works and how to live life at your own pace.
One thing I’ve learned is that what society values isn’t necessarily what we, as individuals, value. What is considered “normal” is not always good for everyone or a standard for how to live.
Society’s values shift with trends, which is why it’s important for our health to practice awareness and give yourself permission to live a life that may be different in every way from the collective.
One unsolicited piece of advice, and perhaps the conclusion of this post: Be a creator, an alchemist—transform and play with archetypes to challenge perspectives, shape your reality, and enjoy your inner world.
Make peace with not knowing.
Ask questions, even if the answers don’t come right away.
Being true to yourself it inspires others to do the same—to accept themselves as they are without shrinking or altering their true selves.
It's not just about your authenticity; it's also about creating space for others to grow, change, and live meaningful lives.
As Mahatma Gandhi said: "Be the change you wish to see in the world."
Quick fixes may work for a while; yet, you cannot skip phases, as each one has a purpose. If you skip them, you will eventually return to confront what you’ve overlooked.
What we don’t repair, we will repeat.
“Everything in the unconscious seeks outward manifestation, and the personality too desires to evolve out of its unconscious conditions and to experience itself as a whole.”
Carl Jung, Memories, Dreams, Reflections
Not everything follows a linear path; sometimes, the answers will defy logic.
You may need to take a leap, lose control, play, and let go of the need to find the “right” answers immediately.
Next step may simply be a small step—trusting the process means allowing yourself to be fully present in your own life, not in the ideal life. “Work” with what you have now. Rest when you're tired, but don’t give up.
Analysis is a temporary, artificial state of complete introversion, and the waters dry up, causing people to return to their former way of life.
However, when analysis proceeds properly, the danger of relapse does not occur. Instead, something precious has taken place in an inner conception, similar to an inner child.
The oneness and wholeness of the personality exist at the back of the ego complex, but when realized through conscious effort, it becomes a part of our conscious personality.
This awareness of the importance and activities of the Self increases, attracting more libido. (life force)
Some individuals are cooperative with their ego, while others do not fully engage with psychology.
A unified inner personality permeates all activities of the conscious person, and this realization can lead to a healing process.
This can be seen in two ways: naively and literally, as a truly individuated personality emanates a feeling-effect on others by triggering the same process.
This can be attributed to the positive, contagious effect of a more conscious personality, which involuntarily stimulates others and becomes more effective. (When we heal, we help others heal; we inspire others to heal)
On a higher symbolic level, the effectiveness of the Self increases through synchronicity, where more synchronistic effects occur outside and around it.
This experience of oneness with the cosmos or the whole outer world can be seen as an expansion of the archetype of the Self. *
The inner experience of the Self can be approached through meditation, which leads to a constant awareness of the Self.
This connection with the Self (engaging in conversations with the unconscious) creates a quietness and constancy in the personality.
"Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart.
Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes."
Carl Jung
My soft spot is also planting a seed in everything I create, nurturing the hope that one day, somewhere, for someone, this seed will blossom and grow in its own beautiful way as it did for me, inspiring ‘somebody’ to become a 'alchemist'.
Coagulation Phase – As I write this, I find myself in the phase of sharing and being open, letting my fire burn brightly.
I have dedicated my life to pursuing whatever transforms me further, allowing both the mystical and the scientific to shape my reality.
Playing beyond logic is my current playground, and I follow where intuition and synchronicities guide me. I embrace doubt as a guest, allowing it to take a seat.
This is the gift of coagulation and individuation.
In conclusion, reflecting on my own alchemical phases and transformation, I became a jeweler (the “alchemist” archetype) and a certified gold and silversmith a decade ago.
Writing this article from a place of knowing how to work with gold has given me great pleasure. I hope you’ve enjoyed reading it as much as I’ve enjoyed creating and distilling what I’ve learned. I also hope it resonated with you.
Stay (in) tune for what’s next:
Part II: How Tarot, Astrology, Dreams, and Other Tools Work with Archetypes — Future Newsletter
I write because it’s how I make sense of the world—how I listen, how I speak, how I stay close to what matters.
But this isn’t just something I do in the quiet hours, in that space we artists share—our solitude.
It’s also work. A lot of work. It takes time, presence, and energy—resources as real and limited as anyone else’s.Art is not a luxury. It’s how we live on.
And like anyone living, money matter—not to chase anything extravagant, but to keep going, to stay rooted, to keep making.If you find something here that moves you or lingers in you, consider becoming a paid subscriber or offer a coffee. It’s a simple act that carries weight.
You’re not just supporting a writer—you’re helping someone continue the work that feels most true. And you receive something real in return.
Thank you for reading, for arriving, for being here. That, too, matters more than you know.
References books & notes:
Jungian psychologist Marie-Louise von Franz books
(read for free)
The Way of the Dream
Alchemical Active Imagination
Carl Jung- was a Swiss psychologist and psychiatrist who founded analytic psychology, in some aspects a response to Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalysis.
Besides the development of new psychotherapeutic methods that derived from his own experience and the theories developed from them, Jung gave fresh importance to the so-called Hermetic tradition. He conceived that the Christian religion was part of a historic process necessary for the development of consciousness, and he also thought that the heretical movements, starting with gnosticism and ending in alchemy, were manifestations of unconscious archetypal elements not adequately expressed in the mainstream forms of Christianity.
He was particularly impressed with his finding that alchemical-like symbols could be found frequently in modern dreams and fantasies, and he thought that alchemists had constructed a kind of textbook of the collective unconscious.
He expounded on this in 4 out of the 18 volumes that make up his Collected Works.If you’ve skipped one of my first posts about archetypes, here it is:
The goddess archetype Aphrodite. Sensuality, seduction, aesthetics, and creation.
The art of balancing female goddess archetypes in a society obsessed with beauty and youth. Archetype of Aphrodite (Venus)-shadow and light.
A glorious essay Lady Katerina, I’m singing with the birds and over the moon reading your distilled and integrated, “golden apples of the sun and silver apples of the moon”.
I appreciate your knowledge, wisdom and cosmic sense and your stellar humor, thank you. I am prone to flights of fancy, and yes I am a grown seed, indeed.
Your chosen art work is stunning, a valuable and healing work of art!
Merry Autumn, peace love and music, Geraldine
Thank you for your writing, insights and the seeds you are planting. I can feel something is blooming.