Gaia Alchemy: The Reuniting of Science, Psyche, and Soul

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A bold exploration of the reintegration of rationality and intuition, science and soul, to foster individual and planetary healing • Examines how integrating important alchemical images with Gaian science can offer insights into our interconnectedness with Gaia • Looks at how the four components of the living earth--biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere--mesh with the four elements of alchemical theory and the four functions of consciousness as understood by depth psychology • Offers guided meditations and contemplative exercises to open your receptivity to messages from the biosphere and help you connect more deeply with Gaia During the scientific revolution, science and soul were drastically separated, propelling humanity into four centuries of scientific exploration based solely on empiricism and rationality. But, as scientist and ecologist Stephan Harding, Ph.D., demonstrates in detail, by reintegrating science with profound personal experiences of psyche and soul, we can reclaim our lost sacred wholeness and help heal ourselves and our planet. The book begins with compelling introductions to depth psychology, alchemy, and Gaia theory--the science of seeing the Earth as an intelligent, self-regulating system, a theory pioneered by the author’s mentor James Lovelock. Harding then explores how alchemy, as understood through the depth psychology of C. G. Jung, offers us powerful methods of reuniting rationality and intuition, science and soul. He examines the integration of important alchemical engravings, including those from L’Azoth des Philosophes and the Rosarium Philosophorum, with Gaian science. He shows how the seven key alchemical operations in the Azoth image can help us develop deeply transformative experiences and insights into our interconnectedness with Gaia. He then looks at how the four components of the living Earth--biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere--mesh not only with the four elements of alchemical theory but also with the four functions of consciousness from depth psychology. Woven throughout with the author’s own experiences of Gaia alchemy, the book also offers guided meditations and contemplative exercises to open your receptivity to messages from the biosphere and help you develop your own Gaian alchemical way of life, full of wonder and healing. Title Page Dedication Epigraph Acknowledgments Foreword by Stephen Harrod Buhner INTRODUCTION. Science Meets Alchemy Chapter 1. First Steps Chapter 2. Psyche and Alchemy THE STRUCTURE OF THE PSYCHE WHAT IS ALCHEMY? Chapter 3. Descartes’s Sky God Chapter 4. Descartes Meets Alchemy Chapter 5. The Unus Mundus ARCHETYPAL GAIA SCIENTIFIC GAIA Chapter 6. Carbon and Gaia’s Temperature Regulation Chapter 7. A Gaia Alchemy Meditation USING YOUR GAIASCOPE FURTHER GAIASCOPE VARIATIONS Chapter 8. Gaia and the Tabula Smaragdina Chapter 9. The Seven Stars THE RAYS OF THE AZOTH MANDALA Chapter 10. Sir Isaac Newton’s Azoth Mandala THE SEVEN STAGES OF TRANSFORMATION IN SPECIATION THE SEVEN STAGES OF TRANSFORMATION AND OTHER GAIAN PROCESSES Chapter 11. Gaia Alchemy on Granite Chapter 12. Of Loops and Stars Chapter 13. Gaia Alchemy and Deep Time CALCINATION DISSOLUTION SEPARATION CONJUNCTION PHOTOSYNTHESIS AND CONJUNCTION ENDOSYMBIOSIS AND CONJUNCTION FERMENTATION DISTILLATION THE PRESENT MOMENT AS COAGULATION Chapter 14. An Alchemical Conversation Chapter 15. The Fungus and the Rose Garden Chapter 16. Living a Gaian Alchemical Life: The Ecosophical Tree Chapter 17. Experiencing Gaia Mercurius Footnotes Bibliography About the Author About Inner Traditions • Bear & Company Books of Related Interest Copyright & Permissions Index