Chapter Three
The Alchemy of Emotions: Transforming the Self Through Inner Trial
By engaging deeply with intense emotions—such as grief, rage, and sorrow—these feelings serve as the “raw materials” for the alchemical transformation of the self.
Dr Hartley
The ancient alchemists sought to turn base metals into gold, but their work was never solely about physical transformation. At its heart, alchemy was a spiritual and emotional journey that required deep engagement with the psyche. The alchemists believed that just as matter could be purified and perfected through their craft, the human soul could transform its emotional experiences. In this chapter, we explore how emotions have been viewed as the key to unlocking the mysteries of the self, profoundly shaping our psychic identity through the lens of alchemical philosophy. We also examine the deep connection between alchemy and astrology, mainly as seen in Carl Jung’s work, emphasising Liz Greene’s insights in *The Astrological World of Jung’s Liber Novus* and *Jung’s Studies in Astrology*.
Alchemy has always been about more than chemistry; it is a metaphor for the most profound change processes in the human soul. The transformation of base metals into gold parallels the transformation of the self, where life’s raw and chaotic materials—emotions—are refined and purified. Just as alchemists needed intense heat, pressure, and time to transmute lead into gold, so do we need to subject our inner lives to emotional trials, enduring and processing powerful feelings to arrive at a more unified and enlightened sense of self.
Alchemy, Astrology, and Jung’s Vision
Carl Jung’s exploration of alchemy was deeply tied to his understanding of the psyche and its development, mainly as reflected in his magnum opus, *Liber Novus* (also known as *The Red Book*). Jung saw alchemy as a rich metaphor for psychological transformation, particularly for the process he called individuation—the journey toward the realisation of the self. However, Jung’s vision of alchemy did not stop in psychology; it also extended to astrology. In *Jung’s Studies in Astrology*, Liz Greene highlights how astrology, particularly in Jung’s later work, became a crucial framework for understanding the larger cosmic forces that mirrored the individual’s internal transformations.
According to Greene, Jung viewed astrology as “the psychology of antiquity” and alchemy as the language through which those psychological processes were understood. Just as the planets in astrology are seen to influence the course of human life, Jung also believed that the alchemical process mapped out the transformation of the psyche. Jung’s fusion of astrology and alchemy provided a comprehensive system where internal psychological work and external cosmic influences aligned to facilitate deep emotional and spiritual transformation.
In *The Astrological World of Jung’s Liber Novus*, Greene explores how the archetypes and images in *Liber Novus* are imbued with astrological and alchemical symbolism. Jung’s descent into the unconscious, documented in *Liber Novus*, can be seen as an alchemical process. The stages of dissolution and integration in alchemy mirror Jung’s inner confrontation with shadow aspects of his psyche, while astrological symbols—such as Saturn, representing death and renewal—punctuate his journey. The alignment between these two disciplines offers a rich, symbolic language for understanding the transformation of emotions in the context of both personal and cosmic evolution.
Alchemy as Emotional Transformation
The metaphor of alchemy offers a robust framework for understanding how emotions work within the human psyche. Raw materials are subjected to intense heat and pressure in the alchemical process, purified in stages, and ultimately transformed into great value. Emotions, too, often arise out of raw and chaotic experiences, creating heat and pressure in our inner world. Yet, as alchemy teaches, this rawness should not be rejected or feared. Instead, it is the essential starting point for a more profound self-transformation.
Consider how intense emotions like rage, grief, or passion can feel overwhelming as if they are burning us from the inside out. These emotional “fires” mirror the intense heat needed in the alchemist’s furnace to break down the base material. When harnessed correctly, anger can motivate change, just as sorrow, when fully experienced, can lead to profound insight and compassion. The alchemical process teaches that these painful and challenging emotions are necessary for the journey toward a more refined self.
Astrological alchemy, as explored by Liz Greene, adds another layer to this emotional process. Mars, often associated with the alchemical element of fire, represents the aggressive, forceful energy that drives emotional confrontation. When Mars transits through significant parts of the natal chart, it triggers intense emotional experiences, igniting the fires of transformation. These moments of heat are necessary to break down old emotional structures, much like the alchemical principle of *solve et coagula*—dissolve and coagulate—where emotional breakdowns pave the way for eventual reintegration.
*Solve et Coagula*—Dissolution and Coagulation
One of the most essential principles in alchemy is the concept of *solve et coagula*—dissolve and coagulate. This principle speaks to the cyclical nature of breaking down and rebuilding, which mirrors how we experience emotional change and growth. The alchemists believed that, for transformation to occur, the original material must first be dissolved and broken down into its fundamental parts. A new, more refined substance can be created only once this dissolution occurs.
Emotionally, this process reflects how significant changes break us down before we can rebuild. Intense emotions like grief, anger, or fear can often feel like a dissolution of the self, a breakdown of who we once were. Imagine a person who has just experienced the loss of a loved one. The initial shock and sadness dissolve the person’s sense of stability, leaving them raw and vulnerable. Yet, as alchemy suggests, this dissolution is not an ending but the beginning of transformation. We begin to reform through the breakdown, reshaping our identities in more refined and meaningful ways.
In astrology, Saturn and Pluto often play the role of the cosmic dissolvers. Greene highlights Saturn as the “lord of karma”—a planet whose transits signal times when we must confront our limitations, grief, and responsibilities. Pluto, the alchemical ruler of transformation and death, intensifies this process by dissolving the very foundations of our psyche. Together, these planets enact *solve et coagula* on a grand scale, forcing us to face the disintegration of old emotional patterns, making way for new growth and integration.
The Cyclical Nature of Emotional Alchemy
One of the most compelling aspects of alchemy is its insistence that this process is cyclical. The work is never done in a single moment, just as emotional growth and transformation are never linear. Alchemists spoke of the *opus magnum*, or Great Work, as an ongoing process that might take a lifetime—or many lifetimes—to complete. Likewise, the emotional work we do on ourselves is never fully finished. We cycle through stages of dissolution and coagulation, breaking down and rebuilding, as we move through life’s joys and challenges.
Take, for instance, a person struggling with long-held feelings of inadequacy. Early in life, they may experience moments of personal failure that trigger a deep sense of inferiority. Over time, they might dissolve their old beliefs about themselves through self-reflection, therapy, or spiritual practice, leading to a new sense of self-worth. However, this newfound self-esteem is not the end of their emotional journey. New challenges, disappointments, or crises may arise that force them to revisit old insecurities, beginning the process of *solve et coagula* once again. Emotional transformation is not a linear ascent but a cyclical journey through the peaks and valleys of human experience.
Astrologically, this cyclical process is represented in planetary returns. Greene draws attention to Saturn’s return at ages 28-30, 58-60, and 88-90—times when we face significant life transitions- periods of emotional dissolution and rebuilding. Each Saturn return is a cosmic invitation to confront our internal limitations, dissolve old structures, and begin anew. These planetary cycles mirror the cyclical nature of alchemical transformation, reminding us that emotional growth is an ongoing process, always in flux.
*Prima Materia*—The Chaos Before Creation
In alchemical philosophy, the *prima materia*—the original, undifferentiated material from which all things arise—was essential to the transformation process. This concept aligns closely with the emotional state we often find ourselves in during times of upheaval. When we face loss, heartbreak, or radical change, we are frequently plunged into emotional chaos, a return to the raw, undifferentiated feelings that lie at the core of our being. While uncomfortable, this state of *prima materia* is necessary for transformation. It is in this space of emotional rawness that the potential for growth lies.
For example, after a traumatic event such as the death of a loved one, people often experience a deep sense of disorientation. Their usual emotional structures collapse, leaving them in a state of chaos. This emotional *prima materia* is not a void but a fertile space for creation. In the aftermath of such grief, a person has the opportunity to rebuild their emotional life in a new way—one that integrates the loss into their psyche and allows for a more profound understanding of love, life, and death. Alchemy teaches that chaos precedes creation, and emotional chaos is the raw material from which new psychic identities are formed.
Astrologically, the *prima materia* is linked to Neptune, the planet of dissolution, illusion, and spiritual transformation. Neptune transits often bring periods of confusion and emotional vulnerability, where the boundaries between self and other dissolve, creating a chaotic space. Yet, as Greene notes, this dissolution is also an opportunity for profound spiritual insight and emotional rebirth. The chaos of Neptune’s influence mirrors the alchemical process of returning to the *prima materia*, where all possibilities for transformation begin.
Jungian Psychology and Alchemical Emotions
Carl Jung, profoundly influenced by alchemical thought, brought these ideas into modern psychology. He viewed alchemy as a metaphor for the individuation process, each person’s journey toward becoming their true self. In Jung’s view, emotions are not just fleeting reactions to external events but messages from the unconscious, symbols of deeper psychic processes at work. By paying attention to our emotional experiences—particularly those that arise in dreams or during periods of intense inner conflict—we can uncover the hidden aspects of our psyche, much like the alchemist uncovering the secrets hidden in base metals.
One of the critical stages in both alchemy and emotional transformation is the *nigredo*, or blackening. This stage represents the death of the old self, a necessary breaking down before any new growth can occur. In alchemical texts, this stage was often symbolised by a raven or a skull and images of death and decay. Emotionally, the *nigredo* corresponds to those dark periods in our lives when we are forced to confront the end of something—whether it be a relationship, a job, or an aspect of our identity. These are the moments when we feel lost, disoriented, and uncertain when everything familiar seems to be crumbling around us.
As Greene discussed, Jung’s engagement with astrology deepened his understanding of the *nigredo* process. Jung viewed astrological transits—particularly those involving Saturn, Pluto, or Neptune—as triggers for the *nigredo*. These transits bring us face to face with shadow elements of the self, those parts of our psyche that have been repressed or ignored. In Jung’s psychology, astrology and alchemy illuminate the emotional blackening that precedes renewal.
*Albedo* and Emotional Renewal
Yet, according to alchemy and Jungian psychology, the *nigredo* is not an end. It is a beginning. From this darkness, new light will emerge. Once the old self has been dissolved, we enter the stage of *albedo*, or whitening, where clarity begins to dawn, and we start to see the first signs of new growth. Emotionally, this is the first glimmer of hope after deep sadness or the realisation that we have survived a challenging experience and can now move forward. The *albedo* is a time of emotional cleansing and renewal when we integrate the lessons learned during the *nigredo* and rebuild our sense of self.
Astrologically, *albedo* often corresponds with Venus transits or favourable aspects of Jupiter, which bring harmony, healing, and emotional renewal. After the darkness of Saturn or Pluto, Venus softens the emotional landscape, inviting us into a time of growth, love, and balance. This alignment between astrological symbolism and alchemical transformation is a crucial insight from Greene’s work, demonstrating how astrology and alchemy offer a map for emotional development.
*Rubedo* and the Philosopher’s Stone
The final stage in the alchemical process is the *rubedo*, or reddening, which represents the completion of the work. In this stage, the purified substance is transmuted into gold, and the alchemist achieves the philosopher’s stone, the ultimate goal of their quest. Emotionally, the *rubedo* is the stage where we fully integrate the insights gained during our emotional transformation and emerge as a stronger, more unified self. It is the stage where we feel a sense of wholeness, where the disparate parts of our psyche have come together to form a coherent identity.
In astrology, the *rubedo* can be represented by the Sun, symbolising the full integration of the self, the expression of personal identity, and the realisation of one’s life purpose. When the Sun transits significant points in the chart, it can signal moments of completion and achievement—times when we feel whole, radiant, and aligned with our core identity. Like the alchemical transformation into gold, this culmination represents the end of one cycle and the beginning of a new, enlightened state of being.
The Ongoing Process of Emotional Alchemy
The idea of alchemical emotions invites us to see our emotional experiences not as obstacles to be overcome but as essential components of our psychic evolution. Emotions are the fire that heats the cauldron, the crucible in which the raw material of the self is transformed. When we experience intense emotions—whether they are positive or negative—we are engaging in a process of psychic alchemy, one that has the potential to shape us in profound and lasting ways.
In this chapter, we have explored the metaphor of alchemy as a framework for understanding emotional transformation and how astrology offers a cosmic map for these processes, primarily through the insights of Carl Jung as illuminated by Liz Greene. Like the old alchemists, we are engaged in a Great Work of the soul, a lifelong process of dissolution, purification, and integration. Our emotions, far from being fleeting or insignificant, are the very tools by which this transformation is achieved. They are the *prima materia* from which the philosopher’s stone—the true self—is ultimately created.
As we explore emotions and psychic identity, let us remember the alchemical wisdom that transformation is not a one-time event but an ongoing process. Each time we face emotional challenges, we are allowed to dissolve the old and create something new, to transmute the base metals of our experiences into the gold of self-understanding. The alchemical emotions are the key to unlocking the mysteries of the self, guiding us through the cycles of death and rebirth that define our inner lives.
**Sources**
1. Claire Martin, *Alchemy: The Soul of Astrology* (London: Thorsons, 1997), 87-102.
2. Lyndy Abraham, *A Dictionary of Alchemical Imagery* (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1998), 134-158.
3. Carl Jung, *Psychology and Alchemy* (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1980), 45-82.
4. Liz Greene, *The Astrological World of Jung’s Liber Novus* (London: Routledge, 2018), 112-135.
5. Liz Greene, *Jung’s Studies in Astrology* (London: Routledge, 2021), 54-79.
6. Mircea Eliade, *The Forge and the Crucible: The Origins and Structure of Alchemy* (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1978), 102-120.
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