How to explore alchemical symbolism 3 

I very much agree. Magick and alchemy go hand in hand

However, I must admit, most of the later jungians are misinterpreting Jung too and it is they who are twisting his approach into new age mythology.

'a sea of engaging but decontextualised images' is a good descriptor of our visual environment in general!

Yes Alexander Rob‘s book does leave you mystified. I have to say I love it because I’m an artist and an astrologer and I have read it maybe four times. I just keep going back to the images because they speak to me as a person with Roman Catholic and Hindu background. I wish she would try to explain some of the things but of course there is no explanation so you are right it’s just all out there without any deep understanding. But perhaps our ancestors were just as mesmerized by the beauty of the symbols and the two did not have understanding. PerhapsAlchemy is about jumping into a soup looking for answers but we are too low on the ladder to put them together. I think her ancestors were just in the same soup.

Yes, I believe you are wrong. Please allow me to explain. I think Adam was trying to emphasize that Alchemy can take on a meta narrative, but the inherent danger with any such narrative (overarching or meta) is that it may detract the learner and dilute Alchemy's core ideology or purpose. I think this is especially valid with the Jungian "meta-narrative". Psychology is a fantastic context to amalgamate with alchemical principles. However this context can also remove important guides, markers and validity to the learner's journey. "Anything" "can" become potentially valid within a Jungian Alchemical context, and learners may take on false beliefs or become subsumed within the unlimited potentialities of such a context (In this case psychology or even the Jungian collective unconsciousness). If you have read Jung or Von Franz you will see that "leaps of logic and association" are often made for context and meaning. These leaps are so vast and stretched one could often wonder if they are valid and how they could be re-mapped for personal re-use or context. This in no way disrespects the work of Carl Jung or his disciples. Jung and Von Franz's work on Alchemy and psychology are of great benefit to esoterical mapping and human psychology. They were however, well practiced physicians, and well read Alchemists (both well over the age of 50, Jung personally developed a vast library of Alchemical texts). My point being that I believe Adam is trying to say "Stick to the core text/s", meaning the core and acknowledged works within Alchemy. Put in the time and develop a direct relationship to them. That is the best way to find a valid context, meaning or vital next step...

@@localmo88 I think what Hermetic Dragon was attempting to say (without putting words in his/her/their mouth) is that there was always a “Hermetic/Esoteric” form of Alchemy, it’s not something that simply began between the 18th-20th centuries, and I totally get what the OP is saying because after watching this video I thought omg have I learned nothing about Alchemy though the lens of, i.e., Carl Jung?!?! Or better yet have I been scammed/bamboozled?! After sitting on this for a while, I came to a conclusion which is a HUGE aspect of how I view Esoteric/Occult study and that is that I instinctively will separate fantasy/conspiracy theory from academic research… Though, detailing what I would consider to be fantastical through the lens of Esotericism isn’t an easy task to take on… I’ll give an example of what I’m talking about… (Some of the) theories which came out of Theosophy apparently came from a group of entities known as “The Masters” or “The Adepts” {similar to Thelema by Aleister Crowley}… Now, instinctively, I was immediately skeptical when I heard this for the first time, but after studying both Theosophy and Thelema, there are some insightful and interesting theories to be extracted from these systems of theories. So, I immediately ignore the nonsense and pay closer attention to what I would personally deem more pertinent and important information - the exact same idea can be applied to the Bible - at the least this is how a philosophical yet more logical person would view Esoteric material, in my own opinion… The issues here, more or less, not only lie in people who exhibit “cult-like” behavior/mentality where they take these ideas and concepts and create some kind of quasi or pseudo religion out of them, but also by re-interpreting scriptures and texts through the collective biases of that particular group. This can be VERY DANGEROUS. The lines between truth & opinion, logical & illogical thinking, fantasy & reality become blurred which can lead to mania… So, with that being said, ultimately, as bluntly as I could put it, the above mentioned paragraph is where I think the creator of this video was attempting to go… even though he did come of as being anti-Hermetic and anti-Jungian superficially, I just don’t think that was his intention according to his other content which to me does appear to be at the least somewhat Esoteric in nature… also remember this video is technically over 5 years old, whereas this cult-like behavior became much more relevant and highly publicized directly afterwards {coincidentally}…

The problem with appreciating alchemy in our own time, is precisely the fact that so many people fabricate their own interpretations and insights. I do not wish to be part of that muddled crew. The important thing is to read alchemical material in its proper context, and not merely drag it kicking and screaming into our own preconceptions.

What would you say are the main, and absolutely indispensable reading materials to start out? Would be much appreciated.

The esoteric is by its nature mysterious. Take the rituals of freemasonry today and the mysterious origins of their symbolism - that still many scholars don't know the meanings of. Take the G inside the compass and square - I haven't heard any definitive answer to what it means. Not even Masons understand its meaning. It just exists as a ludibrium - a mystery for the sake of a mystery. Then there's the Tarot that no one seems to know from where it originated. Once again the scholars have little definitive answers. I think it's the case that certain images, symbols become signs for the mysterious. Alchemical imagery's weird and wonderful world - has become a signified of the hidden, the occult, the mysterious. But let's take a symbol of the occult in our own age - such as crystal sculls. Once you lose context - future generations might be at a miss as to understand why crystal sculls became associated with the occult

It is not so much that one establishes a canon of alchemical texts, more that people read this material without filtering and interpreting this through their own belief system external to alchemy. It has been my experience that many people merely read alchemical texts in order to amplify and confirm their own beliefs. Thus the Jungians, various esotericists, even people immersed in Eastern spiritual philosophies, mine alchemical texts in order to find confirmation of their own beliefs. They look for confirmation of their own beliefs, rather than trying to understand what the alchemical author was saying. It is best if we read alchemical text from within themselves in order to come to some understanding of alchemy. Also one must always keep in mind the historical context, as to what place the alchemical text one is reading stands within the historical timeline. Many people draw ahistorical links between texts written centuries apart, even sometimes seeing later works as paradoxically influencing earlier. The study courses I wrote in the early 2000s were my attempt to provide some pointers as to how one can approach alchemy.

Where can I find those study courses? And how much do they cost?

The Alchemical Mandala book was written from 1978-1983, over 40 years ago. My perspective on alchemy gradually evolved during the 1980s as I gained access to and read my way into the original writings of the alchemists. The Alchemical Mandala does provide my detailed analysis of the symbolism found in alchemical emblems, and is still worth reading if one avoids being drawn into the metanarratives.

See my series of videos on alchemical symbolism.

Scepticism - research - historical context

I am sorry but it would need more explanation than can fit into these reply boxes.

Is there somewhere I could read about it? Do you have any other contact information? Thanks for your videos!

I wrote that commentary on the Book of Lambspring in 1986, some thirty-two years ago. Since then, my ways of looking at alchemical material have deepened and I have over this period been able to see more clearly into the nature of the subject.

@@AdamMcLean I just ordered your introductory course, so I'm looking forward to what new insights you may have gained. I do have to say though that that initial interpretation rang quite true to me as an active meditator. Moving through duality, into equanimity.