Mind Over Matter: A Poem

You strange story from childhood whose origins I know not— I remember you said we should be guardians of the woods of crisis wrought. So long ago, I can’t recall if the story’s birth was true but thinking back, above else all I was given the wherewithal to become a statue. A wounded woman, arms …

Alchemy of Self: Conjunction

Conjunction is the bringing together, the reconciliation and amalgamation of parts. The many facets of ourself and our life are ready to start showing a whole reflection. This is the coagula of ‘solve et coagula’. In this phase of Albedo we’ve found clarity after acknowledging what hinders us, which in turn reveals what enriches us.  …

Socratic Method: Coping with Negative Self-Talk

Background chatter pervades our thought processes and for many of us, a prominent voice is one of self deprecatory slander. We’re hardwired by our critical environments to regularly shame ourselves. Any pressure, abuse, or bullying will have installed patterns of self perception that warp into shadows of these traumas, continuing to punish you. “You’re not …

Codependency, Trauma, and Mental Illness

Interpersonal relationships are to be a source of self improvement practices, they ought to leave you feeling fulfilled, well rounded, and secure. These bonds need to be made sustainable if they should endure healthily for many years or a lifetime. Anyone will struggle with balancing relationships but people coping with mental illness or trauma can …

Bird Symbolism in Alchemy

Concepts are carried easily on the feathered backs of birds. There are many animal symbols within alchemical scripture and art, wolves, dragons, unicorns, dogs, deer, insects, lions, toads, but above all most often allegories are represented by birds. They permeate all world religions perhaps due to their ability to fly, crossing the domains of earth …

Common Cognitive Distortions

Everyone experiences problematic thinking, it’s part of being human. Our job is to just be aware of how our train of thought may warp to create negative mindsets which distort how we perceive reality. We may develop automatic reactions, instinctive tendencies toward problematic thoughts without realizing. It’s incredibly easy not to notice we’re falling into …

The Triangle: Ending Conflict

Cycles can be found in every corner and dark nook of social interaction and human experience. Conflict easily spins out of control, refusing resolution or self awareness, as participants fall into a specific cycle of roles. A system known as the ‘drama triangle’ by Stephen Karpman has been used with me in therapy numerous times …

Alchemy of Self: Phase 2 — Clarity

After accomplishing the emotional and psychological tasks of identifying the toxic parts of your life, you’ll begin to find clarity in noticing the good and healing aspects. You have taken a clinical hand to separating the hindering from the elevating, and separating yourself from overwhelming or distracting emotions and sentiments. You can begin to see …

Self Respect is Clarity

Once you begin to value yourself, hidden secrets come to light. Mysteries unravel, answers come from within, and the outside questions begin to make sense. Your worth is more than what you can contribute to society and your life has meaning, always.  I’ve long struggled with self respect. I abused myself and sought out danger, …

Art and Alchemy: Calcination

Art of burning to complete ash. Historical imagery and allegory of the process of fire with attributions. Alchemy of the Self Psychological Calcination I saw during my sleep a certain little man, a barber dressed in a red robe and royal clothing, who was standing outside the place of punishment, and he said to me: …