Alchemy and Dreams

[Aluna]

Earlier this school year, I came across a book, A Little Course in Dreams by Robert Bosnack. A good portion of this book was dedicated to interpreting dreams through the use of principles in alchemy. Mainly two subjects in alchemy were breached upon.

One major topic was the sub-division of dreams into three categories.

The Nigredo: This category of dreams is associated with the metal lead. Also, it is based highly upon atrocious smells, disturbing imagery, odd conflicts, the color black, darkness, and death or rot. Dreams in which your teeth have rotted are a good example. It represents the beginning of a personal transformation.

The Albedo: This category of dreams is associated with the metal silver. Also, it is based highly upon the color white, peacefulness, water, reflections, and an overall feeling of well-being. Flying dreams are a good example. It represents the reflection period after a personal transformation. However, I have noticed that some dreams, even in the albedo, may hold an air of "something not right."

The Rubedo: This category of dreams is associated with the metal gold. Also, it is based highly upon the color red, the Earth, soil, nature, and passion. It represents the period of time between the beginning and the end of a personal transformation.

Another major topic was the use of active imagination in the interpretation of dreams. It is good for those times you awaken before the end of a dream, wish you had done something different while dreaming, or are perplexed by some symbolism from the dream.

You start by re-experiencing the dream you are interested in in your waking life. Try to recreate the same feelings and imagery from the original dream. When you come across a symbol you could not interpret, say a vase, you can actively interact with it. For a short moment, take control of the course of the dream, and break the vase. Then, give up control, and something should be in the vase (or on the floor, considering you've broken it). This new symbol can be used to help interpret the dream.

You can use active imagination also to continue with a dream that ended early, or walk down a different hallway to see what it leads to, or actively interact with things from the dream.

Some suggestions are talking to people, asking what others in the dream are doing, looking under things, acting strangely and seeing what happens, and joining with others in an activity.

Basically, just get creative.

Does anyone else know anything about using alchemy in relation to dreams?

[BeautifulEvil]

Does anyone else know anything about using alchemy in relation to dreams?

Well, I know C.G. Jung was quite interested in alchemy and its relation to dreams. He published a book entirely dedicated to psychoanalysis of dreams and how they relate to alchemy, and the alchemical processes.

C.G. Jung did not believe in practical alchemy.

[carabric]

It's a bit sad that Jung still has so much sway in regard to alchemy...sometimes I wish he would have kept his thoughts on practical alchemy to himself instead of dismissing them outright simply because he was never shown proof contrary to his theory.

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