Jung’s Soul-making process

Before the scientific method, what were the great thinkers of the day doing? Without a context for developing scientific technology, to where did they turn their intelligence? With great care and precision, medieval thinkers were exploring the interior worlds. In the works of alchemists, amongst whom Isaac Newton was counted, we see an attempt to map out processes not of material change, but of psychological development. The alchemical goal of transforming lead into “gold” is described as the magnum opus or great work. In material terms, this process produces the philosopher’s stone, an object that was all things to all men; capable of becoming whatever it was needed to be. As a psychological function, we may see this as a state of deep adaptation; where we are able to become what is needed in any situation. The magnum opus process begins with the prima materia, or first material which in psychological terms is considered to be the unconscious mind. By a series of distinct phases, the unconscious mind is integrated with the conscious mind, to produce something different to both; a state that can alchemise our current situation to produce gold.

The Nigredo, or the Blackening

The Nigredo is the dark night of the soul. When we come face to face with our unconscious, the first response is often despair. We realise that we are not the captain of our own ship, and that the forces driving our behaviour are not as benevolent as we may view ourselves. We may consider that our narrative self is distinct from our primary affect, how we automatically and unconsciously respond to the world. Hidden beneath the layer of who we believe ourselves to be are goals and reactions that we may prefer remained hidden.

The Albedo, or the Whitening

The Albedo is the purification of the unconscious by means of self-awareness. Instead of being driven by projections, we learn to notice them and meet them with humour. This phase explores the relationship with parents, with the childhood and with the opposite sex, to observe how these relationships are enacted outside of their confines.

The Citrinitas, or the Yellowing

Where the awareness of the albedo may produce a staticness, the yellowing is the putrefaction; the noble rot that produces sweet wine. In this phase, we step back into the unconscious with renewed self-awareness; taking immediate reactions to soulful matters like anger and beauty.