You are an alchemist; make gold of that.
Hello friends, and welcome to the second edition of the Transdimensional Pressure Cooker Conspiracy! As promised last time, this one will delve into one of the main inspirations for our work: alchemy.
Although there are many definitions of alchemy, the simplest one works well enough for me: seeking to transform lead into gold. And while some medieval alchemists were concerned with transforming literal lead into literal gold, much alchemical knowledge can be applied to psychology and self development, where the Magnum Opus (or Great Work) of the philosopher’s stone is not something tangible, but rather inner enlightenment and liberation.
“Aurum nostrum non est aurum vulgi” (“Our gold is not ordinary gold”)
I initially came upon alchemy through my interest in the works of Carl Jung. In his book Psychology and Alchemy Jung reinvigorated alchemy for the 20th century, spreading more widely the idea that the ancient methods could be understood metaphorically, and that the true prize is the journey to transform your own consciousness.
As an example, we can look back to the very first known alchemical text - the Emerald Tablet - and muse a bit about its prime message “As above, so below”. Seen through a metaphorical (or metaphysical) filter, we can understand it differently, right? Perception is everything.
So, I’ll admit up front that I believe all kinds of weird things, but I really believe that studying the seven stages of alchemy and applying their lessons to your own life is a process of self-examination and reflection that can only be a positive force in the world.
Looking with a symbolic eye, we can see transforming lead into gold as representative of many things in life. Transforming our bad habits into good habits. Transforming our neuroses into self-knowledge. Transforming the shit that gets handed to us into positivity.
“For the alchemist the one in need of redemption is not man, but the deity lost and sleeping in matter.” - Jung
As an example, the first stage of alchemy is called Calcination - heating the material over an open flame until it is reduced to ash, a purification by fire. In terms of our psyche this represents destruction of ego and destruction of attachment to material possessions. It is a process where we are humbled and overcome by the trials and tribulations of life. It is a time where we can choose to deliberately surrender our inherent hubris in the fire of introspection, burning away delusions, neuroses, anxieties.
Imagine - here we are in the crucible! In the crucible, baby! And since we’re burning in here anyway, we might as well burn with awareness.
Our upcoming word puzzle game VITRIOL is heavily inspired by alchemy. From the meaning of the title, to the seven stages of our levels, to the symbolism we used, to the wonderful collaboration with the artistic duo Credo quia Absurdum. In fact, our friends at Credo have a brilliant breakdown of the seven stages of alchemy we highly recommend reading.
When it comes down to it, so much of alchemy is expressed in the acronym VITRIOL:
Visita Interiora Terrae Rectificando Invenies Occultum Lapidem
(“Visit the interior of the earth and [by] purifying [yourself] you will find the hidden stone.”)
I must admit that I’m a slow spelunker to the inner earth of the self, but I do strive to uncover the hidden stone a bit more all the time: through making things, self-reflection, yoga, discussion with like-minded souls, meditation. And if you’d like to share any methods you recommend, I’m all ears!
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Up next time: Martin will share some thoughts about interactive cognition.