Welcome to the Canberra Jung Society

Friday, 4th October 2019

Dorothea Wojnar:

"Carl Jung's Alchemy (not just a matter of turning base metals into gold!)"

(at the MacKillop Conference Centre, 50 Archibald St, Lyneham 8-10 pm)

The ancient practice of alchemy, which thrived in Europe until the seventeenth century, dealt with the phenomenon of transformation--not only of materials (ore into gold) but also of the human spirit (self into Other). Through their work in the material realm, alchemists discovered personal rebirth as well as a linking between outer and inner dimensions.

Carl Jung first turned to alchemy for personal illumination in coping with trauma brought on by his break with Freud. Alchemical symbolism eventually suggested to Jung that there was a process in the unconscious, one that had a goal beyond discharging tension and hiding pain. This process created new structures from old ones, with the self, the alchemical lapis, the philosopher’s stone, being the ultimate creation.

The Opus (work) of alchemy becomes a symbolic account of the fundamental process the human psyche undergoes as it re-orients its value system and creates meaning out of chaos. The opus beginning with the nigredo (blackening, akin to depression or nihilistic loss of value) in order to descend back into the manipulable prima materia and proceeding through a process of spiritual purification that must unite seemingly irreconcilable opposites (the coniunctio) to achieve new levels of consciousness.

This presentation will be an introduction to alchemy and respond to the question what we could gain from studying alchemical symbols.

The presentation will be followed by discussion and work in small groups, where each person is encouraged to share some of their own journey.

Dorothea is a Jungian Analyst, Counsellor and Psychotherapist in private practice. Dorothea has extensive experience as a group leader and therapist across a range of people and issues and has worked in both a public health facility as well as in private practice.

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Canberra Jung Society is an incorporated non-profit organisation which aims to provide a contact for people interested in the psychological insights of Carl Gustav Jung.

Through monthly meetings, workshops, other activities and our library, we seek to help people to understand their own inner journey and the world today - from a Jungian perspective.

Yearly membership is $75 (or $60 concession), to be paid in March each year,
entitling members to attend our 10 meetings plus receive two newsletters.

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We normally meet on the first Friday each month (February to November)

from 7:30pm for tea and coffee and snacks, music, discussion and library.

Then the Guest Speaker's presentation is at 8pm for an hour or so, then we break for supper,
then resume for questions and discussion, finishing at 10pm.