Alchemy, at least as understood by Jungian analysts, is not intended to convert lead or other metals into gold, perhaps there are those who, under this pretext, have exercised the real activity of alchemy: symbolically overthrowing the material, earthly and unconscious in spirit. , awareness and meaning. It’s real gold.
This enormous work was done under the so-called airtight of incorporating the mind and spiritualizing the body; basically, it was a journey or a transition under the protection of the god Hermes-Mercury, mediator of opposites. stones and metals has to do, according to Jung, with the transformation of the projected psyche into matter.
- Alchemical work is transformed into a symbolic world.
- As in the case of the Holy Grail.
- Question of form.
- Nonsense in the sense.
- Unconscious in the conscious.
- It would be like a kind of transubstantiation or transformation of matter into pneuma or spirit.
Therefore, it is not surprising that in alchemy we talk about sublimation, distillation and condensation or coagulation, since the central process is regressive (dissolution) and progressive (condensation), these would be the fundamental steps of the alchemical process:
Nigredo means darkness, black: it is the process of dissolution (melancholy), characterized by regression, descent into hell or the unconscious.
Albedo refers to white color, purification, catharsis, it is essential at this time to face shadows and support the anima or animus.
It is necessary to recognize, incorporate and master all the “black” of the unconscious. Thus, in these phases are placed the first stones of light.
Rubedo or bright reddish refers to the iridescent or mystical complexion that occurs in the heart of the Coniunctio or alchemical marriage, in addition, at this transcendent moment, the incarnation of meaning is given as the symbolic gold or the reborn Sun of the womb of Mother Earth and its darkness. .
Next, we propose an outline of the path of initiation followed by hundreds of people to date, which will be presented in the form of conceptual ideas, so that it is the reader who creates his own symbolic image.
In conclusion, as we can see, long before there was even the simple idea of modern psychology, there were already initial ways to attain the fullness of being, the absolute individual or the individual.
As we can see, alchemy was not only the forerunner of chemistry, but also the forerunner of psychology, Hermes Trismegisto is our furthest ancestor.