I have to admit, the first time I stumbled across Carl Jung’s writings on alchemy, I had no clue what I was getting into. Honestly, I thought, Why would a famous psychoanalyst be so obsessed with turning lead into gold? But the deeper I went into his work, the more I realized that he was talking about a whole different kind of alchemy — one that had nothing to do with bubbling cauldrons and everything to do with our inner world.

Let’s face it: we all have stuff we’d rather not look at. The parts of ourselves that we hide even from ourselves. The fears, the insecurities, the shadows lurking in the corners of our minds. And, if you’re anything like me, you’ve spent a good chunk of your life trying to avoid those dark corners. But here’s where Jung hit me right between the eyes with his wisdom.

He said, “One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious.” That’s the essence of what he was getting at with his whole alchemy obsession. It’s not about pretending everything’s fine and trying to stay positive. It’s about diving into the darkness, facing it head-on, and transforming it into something meaningful.

Alchemy as a Map for the Inner Journey
Here’s the thing: Jung saw alchemy as this symbolic map for the soul’s journey. It’s not about turning physical lead into gold — it’s about taking the heavy, painful stuff in your life and using it to become something more. The alchemists had this process, these stages of transformation, and Jung was like, Wait a minute, that’s exactly what happens in the human psyche.

The first stage? The Nigredo, or the “blackening.” This is where everything falls apart, where you’re faced with the darkness. It’s that moment when life pulls the rug out from under you, and you’re left scrambling, trying to make sense of it all. I’ve been there. We’ve all been there. And let me tell you, it’s not pretty. But it’s necessary.

Embracing the Darkness
What Jung teaches us is that running from the darkness just makes it stronger. It’s like trying to shove a shadow into a closet — the more you ignore it, the bigger it gets. So instead of fighting it, you’ve got to turn around, shine a light on it, and see what’s really there.

For me, this looked like getting honest with myself about the stuff I’d been avoiding. The fears, the self-doubts, the stories I’d been telling myself about who I was. I started journaling, really letting all the raw, messy thoughts spill out onto the page. And you know what? It was freeing. Because once you drag those shadows into the light, they’re not nearly as scary as they seem.

After the Nigredo comes the Albedo, the “whitening.” This is where you start to see glimpses of light. It’s not about everything suddenly being perfect — it’s more like the clouds parting after a storm. You start to see things clearly. You realize that the stuff you’ve been hiding from is actually where your power lies.

I remember one moment in particular. I was deep in my own muck, feeling completely lost. And I had this realization that all the stuff I thought was breaking me was actually pushing me to grow in ways I never would have chosen on my own. It’s like the fire that refines gold. It hurts, but it’s the only way to purify.

Applying Jung’s Alchemy to Your Own Life
If you’re feeling weighed down, if you’re stuck in the darkness, here’s what I’ve learned on my own alchemical journey:

1. Face the Shadows
   Stop running from the things you don’t want to see. Instead, turn around and look at them. Write it all down, talk to someone you trust, or just sit with the feelings. It’s not comfortable, but it’s how you start to break free.
2. Find the Gold in the Lead
   The stuff that feels like it’s dragging you down? That’s where your growth is. Ask yourself: What is this teaching me? How can I use this to become stronger, wiser, or more compassionate? It’s not easy, but it’s worth it.
3. Trust the Process
   The alchemists knew that transformation doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a long, sometimes painful process. But if you stick with it, if you keep showing up for yourself, eventually you get to the gold. You get to that place where you can look back and see how every bit of darkness led you to the light.

Carl Jung’s alchemy isn’t about escaping the darkness. It’s about diving into it, rolling up your sleeves, and getting messy. Because in the end, the darkness isn’t the enemy. It’s just a part of the journey. And the more you embrace it, the more you transform it into your own personal gold.

So if you’re feeling stuck, if you’re wrestling with your own shadows, know this: you’re not alone. And the journey? It’s worth it. Because when you emerge, you’re not just a shinier version of yourself — you’re the real deal.