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Alchemical Psychology: Old Recipes for Living in a New World

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Reviewer: Diana L. Klimek, Ph.D. student, Pacifica Graduate Institute, Santa Barbara, Calif.
Reading the first few chapters of Dr. Thom Cavalli's book, Alchemical Psychology, is a bit like listening to Bill Moyers interview Joseph Campbell as they meander and weave myth, religion, history and culture into a labyrinth of discovery. There is a powerful background in the field of alchemy spanning thousands of years and for some, it is still steeped in the mystical mixings and stirrings of elixirs and potions. To bring these mysteries into a modern world where demands for logic and reason overwhelm our sensibilities, Dr. Cavalli is indeed his own brave alchemist.
Stirring a pot with ingredients as diverse as ancient drawings, Carl Jung's notion of the Individuated Self, the four elements and a little quicksilver, Dr. Cavalli keeps the fire turned up. His determination to let alchemy speak for itself and to let alchemy find its natural connection to psychology is commendable, especially in doing a comparative analysis such as this.
The subtitle of this book is "Old Recipes for Living in a New World" and although each ancient recipe (there are ten in the book) is interesting and helpful, one struck me as unique to the symbolic nature of alchemy. It is important to understand that taking the ingredients literally loses the point of the experiment. For example, in recipe seven "the rose gives honey to the bee" which we all know is impossible in logic and in nature because roses do not give honey. However, as Dr. Cavalli walks us through the steps of the alchemical recipe drawing on his own personal career and Jungian psychology, we are encouraged to accept the immediate significance to the personal psyche and the power of collective symbolism.
Although it is helpful to have some background in Freudian and Jungian psychology, this book holds potential interest for both the novice and the professional. Dr. Cavalli has succeeded in bringing alchemy out of the archives and within focus of the modern world. This book is richly educational but it is entertaining as well because Dr. Cavalli still manages to pay homage to his archetypal muse, the Trickster.

This is a great read. Anyone interested in the transformation of the soul, the refinement of their base nature into pure golden light and transparency should read this book. Thom Cavalli has poured an enormous amount of love into this work and clearly shows. Not a work is wasted. You read a paragraph and have to walk away to ponder it. A book to return to time and time again as your understanding grows. It is rich with symbols, ancient alchemical art and mystery. I absolutely love this book.

This book takes the complex language of alchemy and alchemical processes and translates it into easy-to-understand language. The author guides you step-by-step through alchemical symbolism and alchemical operations as they relate to different psychological processes.

The alchemical recipes expressed through different alchemical operations presented in this book are intended to help you create desired psychological transformation - whether you desire to apply them in your therapeutic practice or to gain further insights and effect the desired transformation in yourself.

Understanding of alchemy is based on practical application and as the author points out "Unlike medical prescriptions, alchemical recipes require full engagement of the mind, body and soul, as well as active participation of the imaginative faculty to make them work." [As a hypnotist, I may add, that this truth applies to successful work with hypnosis, too].

The author does quote excerpts from Corpus Hermeticum - and this particular excerpt is the jewel of the Corpus Hermeticum:

"Rise up above every height: descend deeper than any depth;
Concentrate into thyself all the sensations of created things
Of water, fire, dry and wet.

Think of finding yourself simultaneously everywhere in the
Earth, sea and sky;
Think of having never been born,
Of still being an embryo;
Young and old, dead and beyond death,
Embrace everything at the same time;
All times, places, things, qualities and quantities."

The author also at times draws parallels from the world of quantum physics, and other spiritual and esoteric traditions,
to ellucidate specific points he desires to make.

... Is in this book. Dr. Cavalli's love of mystical alchemy focuses the practical wisdom from his decades of success as a therapist like a lens sharpens the beam of a lighthouse.

Alchemical Psychology invites us all to convert our leaden aspects into the shining gold of the Philosopher's Stone. It makes the often confusing day-to-day aspects of self-growth achievable. Deeply spiritual, it espouses no single religion. Dr. Cavalli shows alchemical thought crossing all religions and spiritualities over the millenia.

This book includes an alchemical introduction for those unaware of "The Work's" long, rich history. Like the Great Pumpkin's appearance in the most sincere pumpkin patch, alchemy taught that gold could only be found by alchemists who had brought themselves to a state of personal worthiness. The use of The Work for purely selfish gain will lead to failure. And, when it comes, success will not be instantaneous, in a single flash of fire. It may take a lifetime.

This book lacks the specific, concrete instructions of, say, Dr. Laura Schlesinger's "Ten Stupid Things ..." Instead, Alchemical Psychology makes clear that the path of growth seldom is clear, but that it can still be found and followed. For that, this book is more real, more likely to reach those struggling with life's foggy challenges. The book's price is, of course, a bargain compared to the costs paid by alchemists past whose learning and insights inform it.

It has been said that the nineteenth century was the Age of Invention, but nothing from Edison's laboratory was as wonderful as Abraham Lincoln's invention of himself. Through Alchemical Psychology, Dr. Cavalli shows how each of us can and should match Lincoln's great self-inventive result.

The heart of this book is ten ancient alchemical recipes. Cavalli interprets this recipes in terms of Jungian psychology, showing how they can be used to transform the ordinary elements of everyday life into gold. Until reading "Alchemical Psychology," while I was intrigued by alchemy, I was also confused by the esoteric imagery. Cavalli's clear explanations and practical advice have shown me a path for using this perennial wisdom in my own process of integrating my psyche, creating alchemical gold!

Every time I return to this book, I find something new, both in the text and in the beautiful reproductions of alchemical woodcuts.

Excellent book for the beginner and adept alike for a fresh and fun Jungian perspective on inner alchemy and the Great Work. I love Jung for his understanding of the consciousness of our being and Cavelli runs with this in a wonderful and facinating direction.

If you are new to the mystical approach of spirituality and self awareness, I highly recommend this as way to get your feet wet and wade into the tides of this journey.

"Old recipes for living in a new world!" An old practice which has helped bring humanity to where it is today: Alchemy. "Psychological Alchemy" helps give an understanding of the basics of alchemy and how it can be used to assist in your psychological development. The alchemists' use of psychology, symbolism, astrology, their practices and utilization methods assisted them greatly in the attainment of their goals. This work will give you a look at alchemy and foster an insight concerning how to become your "true self," and face whatever is holding you back from reaching your true potential.

Psychology is an art of science which is a very recent development, historically speaking. It was developed to give us a better understanding of ourselves and our psyche. Two of the most famous practitioners of this field, Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud, are mentioned in this literary work. The use of dream interpretations to assist in understanding the human psyche is a Jungian technique. Symbols helped alchemists protect their secrets and assisted in providing more insights into the human subconscious mind, which understands symbols on a higher level than does the conscious mind. Jung saw the importance of symbolism as symbols are the language of alchemy, causing him to conclude that dreams are many times symbolic of events or issues with which our subconscious struggles. Using symbolism, alchemy, and the combined product [psychology], the alchemist maintains the great balance and remains in balance and in touch with his/her higher self. Therefore, psychology is not only an integral part of alchemy, it is also a by-product of alchemy.

For many ages, different cultures have studied the stars to see where they were going in life, and to determine latitude and longitude at sea. Astronomical objects affect people all throughout their lives, yet many take no notice of them. Alchemists use the stars to direct energies and to strive for different states of consciousness. The solar system represents the mind, the outer shell or the orbit of Saturn is the conscious mind. As you do more work on yourself and go deeper into meditation, you progress deeper into the subconscious mind. The experiments of alchemists were used to gain a better understanding of nature and by doing so, gain a better understanding of themselves. In so doing, they worked through different levels of consciousness or through each orbit until they reached the center of their consciousness, and thereby transformed lead into gold. There have been two documented cases of this occurrence: Glenn Seaborg, 1951 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, succeeded in transmuting a minute quantity of lead (possibly en route from Bismuth, in 1980) into gold and an earlier report of 1972 in which Soviet physicists at a nuclear research facility near Lake Baikal in Siberia accidentally discovered a reaction for turning lead into gold when they found the lead shielding of an experimental reactor had changed to pure gold. Today particle accelerators routinely transmute elements, thereby indicating the conclusion that modern day physicists are also the new Alchemists, in a way.

The elements also play a large part in alchemy as well as the Elementals. Alchemy is, among other things, a combination of science and metaphysics. The symbolism of the elements and their elementals help the psyche to open up and become enlightened. Fire is symbolic of illumination, transformation, and purification. Water shows us energy in motion and is cleansing and will assist in keeping control of our feelings. Earth is the representation of our physical self and can assist us in guiding our feelings with more purpose. Air is the element which represents thought, carries sound and represents the soul. Lastly, but certainly not least, there can be no true transformation without the Divine; Akasha. Akasha represents true knowledge and wisdom. It is that for which we all aspire. The observation and the use of the elements in experiments, with the assistance of the Elementals, raises the level of consciousness which leads to the Higher Self.

Throughout history, many different cultures used alchemy to achieve their own goals. The Egyptians developed their mummification techniques. The Greeks formulated mathematics and are widely known for their philosophies. The Chinese discovered both herbal and massage remedies to be used in healing and they also developed gun powder. Indians used meditation techniques to weave the conscious mind with the subconscious mind, as well as with the Universe. Arabian alchemy incorporates Islamic and Judaic alchemy which led to the development of the Qaballa. European alchemy brought in such greats as Albertus Magnus, Leonardo Da Vinci, and Nicholas Flamel; all of whom were reported to have created the "Philosopher's Stone." All of these great civilizations have given us something to push us further into the future with the use of alchemy. America is next.

One major element in being an alchemist and taking the path to reaching the Higher Self is Individuation, which is the gradual integration and unification of the self through the resolution of successive layers of psychological conflict. In other words, the working through of one's problems coupled with the ability to leave them behind once resolved, and forget them. This process is why alchemists secluded themselves from others and became hermetic. This step requires the individual to lift themselves above what is expected of them from society. They must also accept responsibility for themselves and their actions and rise above their upbringing to find their true Self; or whom they really are. Developing a good self esteem is another part of this system, as you must respect yourself. Having confidence in your abilities so you can be confident in your work is another aspect of needing good self esteem. After all this has been achieved the indivual must be able to maintain this state, regardless of the company they keep and their surroundings. The state of Individuation can be something that some alchemists never truly reach, but one they must all aspire to achieve. To arrive at this state would mean that the individual is one step away from the Philosopher's Stone; not a physical stone, the Philosopher's Stone of their psyche.

Present is also the hidden element of interaction with the Trickster. The Trickster's symbols are Mercury, Loki, and Hermes. The Trickster will purposefully place an obstacle in your path to trip you up and teach you an important lesson, as none of them are mean-spirited or dark-hearted. The Trickster is to never be seen as a wall in your way, but rather as a switch on the railroad to put you on the right path. Many find it difficult to understand them but they are catalysts in any experiment you undertake. The presence of the Trickster in your work helps you learn faster and gain a more full understanding by teaching you new perspectives as well as many other lessons that will, at first, seem to be stumbling blocks but which turn out to be the very catalysts to discovery. These lessons will invariably assist you in life.

This literary work, "Alchemical Psychology", will help you understand the basics and purpose of Alchemy. Through the teachings that are outlined in this book, you will find ways to lift your psyche and heart. Experience, meditation techniques, psychological self-work, an understanding of symbolism and what they mean to your psyche, and a connection with the Divine Beings are major keys to reaching the Higher Self. Our world is ruled by the laws of nature and what we can do with the energies we possess from Nature, Herself. Reaching the Higher Self is the main goal of Alchemy. You must heal the mind, body, and soul to be truly healthy. "Alchemical Psychology" is a fantastic place to start this journey and gives a wonderful introduction into the processes of finding your Higher Self.

A word of warning. This work was written with a christian slant. You must overlook the occasional gratuitous references to Jehova and christianity to glean the real meat from the christian bones.

This is a fairly useful reference guide, especially when combined with other works on alchemy. I don't agree with the author's stance on laboratory workings or his occasional focus on judeo-christian values, but he does a good job of explaining the psychological components of alchemy as well as correlating the symbolism to the psychology.

What I also liked was that he took a complicated subject and broke it down to easy to read chunks that a reader could focus on over time. I also liked the ten recipes, which I think could be extended into some fruitful pathworking possibilities.

Thom F.Cavalli has written a handbook for the 21st century. The book will speak for itself.

I really did want to like this book. It held the promise of demystifying alchemy and applying it to my psychological growth. Unfortunately, I found it sorely lacking in practical applications, exercises, etc. It was also very disorganized, printed on extremely cheap paper and throws in cross-cultural references to Zen Buddhism. Excuse me, but I wanted a book on Western esotericism, not Eastern. ...