Alchemical Psychology

James Hillman was a master of alchemical psychology. He uses metaphors borrowed from ancient alchemy to show the nature of the deep structures of creative imagination. Creative processes are not random. By studying alchemical psychology, we come to an understanding of ourselves and other people in an amazing way. Such knowledge can give new vitality - and attract wonders into life.
Hillman studies the transforming processes described in secret alchemical treatises, which were subsequently adapted in Jung's later work as a basis for understanding depth psychology. Hillman goes further, claiming that the images and language of alchemy provide a much more reliable, less abstract picture of human nature: instead of cold concepts - sensual images. Including an aesthetic approach, alchemy teaches us, according to Hillman, "with its colors and minerals, its attributes and mysterious figurative instructions... This is aesthetic psychology.