Psychology. Explore the human mind.

It took the genius of Carl Jung to discover within the philosophy of alchemy a parallel to the process of individuation in personal development. Demystify Jung's use of alchemy and explore the way it influenced his work on individuation, psychological transformation, instincts and sexuality. We will look at alchemy in its historic setting and how the language of alchemical symbolism can explain the psychotherapy process.

Content

This course covers the following topics:

Introduction

• Alchemy in its historic setting
• Jung’s position in relation to pre-scientific European thought
• The psychological projections underlying the key concepts of alchemy

Individuation

• Jung’s concept of individuation and psychological transformation as reflected in alchemical symbolism

The instincts and sexuality

• Jung’s compensation principle in relation to masculinity and femininity
• Personal complexes and sexuality as symbolised in alchemical processes

Symbols of the shadow archetype

• The problem of evil in relation to human personality
• Gnostic philosophy, alchemical symbolism and metaphors of the Shadow archetype

The synthesis of psychic opposites

• Components, personifications and stages in the conjunction (conjunction of opposites) as they relate to Jung’s individuation process and as they are reflected in the Rosarium philosophorum

Psychotherapy and alchemical symbolism

• Ego bound states, the ascent of unconscious material and the pathway of transformation as reflected in alchemical symbols

Intended audience

Suitable for those interested in psychology - not only for gaining personal understanding and self-help but also for those interested in understanding others’ behaviour and thought forms. It is also suitable for those who have already completed a course on Jung’s psychology.

Delivery style

Delivered as an interactive lecture with open and structured discussion, including DVD’s with summaries.