Re: For Sam

[Guest guest]

>this article will explain the different levels that the 'alchemical processes' work. If u read it, >alchemy will make more sense.

Thanks for the cite, Alice. I've saved it for more thorough reading later.

I really think I don't have a problem with the alchemical process as such but more with the arcane and confusing terminology. And for someone who took four years of Latin (even if it was nearly 50 years ago!) that's frustrating. I mean, I can read the terms and figure out what they (more or less) indicate or even understand them quite clearly in some instances but I still sometimes struggle with applying the terms (not the processes) to real life processes.

Now, things like dissolution as a step in transformation calls to mind the butterfly pupa that turns to "soup" before it becomes a butterfly are not difficult to understand. Even my own "crash and burn" that was such an ego destroying event (not complaining, mind you, I'm pleased with the results even if it wasn't very much fun at the time) makes sense to me in that context.

The alchemical progression as a metaphor for individuation is not hard for me to understand. But when folks discuss alchemy and throw those terms into the mix I get lost trying to "translate" the term to something I can understand and too often fail to see how the term that has been used relates to the process as I understand it. I guess it's like trying to listen to a lecture in a different language than my native English; I might understand the words but by having to translate as we go along I lose the meaning of the lecture. Sigh.

Or maybe it's that I don't have a background or training in psychology as such and get lost when those concepts are blended with alchemy. I'm pretty smart and I have a fairly good understanding of at least the basics of psychology and transpersonal concepts but the just plain technical aspects, language, and terms get in the way of my full understanding. IOW, I'm not a "student," per se, but I guess I'm an experiencer who happens to be able to recognize processes in both my own life and in others but I'm not able to really get on the "psychology bus."

>it requires a diff way of thinking.

OK, I can see that fershure! LOL

>Well, most of us have been involved daily w/alchemy but don't realize it! It is at the very basic level >learning to think sym-bolically.

Actually, this is very obvious to me. I don't have much problem with symbolism and metaphor and actually use them fairly often to describe things that are sort of undescribable. So, I guess what that means is that we're back to the alchemical terminology. I'll have to work on that. If I can learn Spanish, surely I can learn Alchemy! At least at the basic level. *G*

>Am enjoying visit of newest grtgrand son, mother, n my oldesd d. Awesome!

I hope you have a wonderful visit!

Blissings,

Sam

Don't believe everything you think. ~ Bumper StickerWho looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes. ~ C.G. Jung (from a letter to Fanny Bowditch, dated 22 Oct 1916 in Volume I of the Letters of C. G. Jung)Just because I believe something doesn't mean it's true; just because I don't believe something doesn't mean it's untrue. ~ Sam

[Guest guest]

p.s. I've purchased von Franz's book on Alchemy. Think it'll help?