Alchemy Quote by Gary Valentine Lachman
““Opinions differ on the details, but most serious students today recognize that alchemy was, and is, a spiritual pursuit, and that whether or not an actual outer physical transformation takes place during its operations, if these are carried out correctly, an inner spiritual one does. “Aurum nostrum es non vulgi” (“Our gold is not the vulgar gold”), Gerhard Dorn, one of Jung’s favorite alchemists, said. The “gold” the true alchemists sought was inner transformation.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Alchemy: An Introduction to the Symbolism and the Psychology of the Great Work by Gary Lachman, 1995
Alchemical practice aims at inner spiritual transformation, using symbolic processes that may or may not affect the outer world.
In simple terms: Inner change is the true goal of alchemy.
Key Takeaway
Focus on personal growth over material outcomes.
Themes
spirituality
transformation
symbolism
inner work
Mood
reflective
introspective
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal meditation
- psychotherapy
- creative practice
- ritual work
Key Concepts
alchemy
psychology
Jungian
inner alchemy
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you tell if inner change is occurring?
- What symbols guide your personal alchemy?
A Different Perspective
Transformation may be abstract and hard to measure, leading to misinterpretation.
![“Everybody can close their eyes, picture a dream house or a perfect place [where] they'd like to have a picnic. But actually creating it - how do you create something from nothing? Anyone who's creative understands that that's the magic, that's the alchemy.” quote by Billy Corgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1ab/billy-corgan-1014_alchemy_everybody-can-close-their-eyes-picture-a_86053.jpg)
