Alchemy can be experienced as quite esoteric and off-putting.  It is the ancient art of turning lead into gold.  Psychologically, it is turning negative experience into something of great value.  Fear not.  We are going to approach an alchemical series as one might a “symbolic graphic novel,” portraying relational individuation and the embodiment of spirit.

Jung outlined his view of the transference in his essay, “The Psychology of the Transference.”  Using the first series of alchemical plates from the Rosarium Philosophorum, The Rosary of the Philosophers, he explicated the basic form and vicissitudes of the analytic situation.  But there is a second series of 10 plates, which (for whatever reason) Jung found not so interesting.  This series could be understood as an approach to a conscious, mindful death.

The entirety of this alchemical series can be understood as a template, not just for understanding the analytic process, but for the greater dynamic of ‘”dying with life.”  Through this endeavor the Jung Society of Washington might be able to make some gold as we make more soul.  

August J. Cwik, Psy.D. is a Jungian analyst, clinical psychologist, and hypnotherapist in private practice in Chicago, Illinois.  He is a member of the Chicago Society of Jungian Analysts and of the Interregional Society of Jungian Analysts.  He is on the editorial board of the Journal of Analytical Psychology and is a board member of the Archives for Research in Archetypal Symbolism.  He was Co-Director of Training of the Analyst Training Program and Co-Director of the Clinical Training Program in Analytical Psychotherapy at the C.G. Jung Institute of Chicago.  He has published articles on the structure of analysis, alchemy, supervision, dreams, active imagination, and numerous reviews.