What happens when a Jungian analyst who has spent over 40 years researching alchemy writes a fictional saga based on the ancient art? Listen in as Robert Bosnak describes the debut of his thrilling 5-novel series filled with intrigue, magic, love,and passion, and founded on historical documents about the act of turning lead into gold. Set in the 17th century when science is on the ascendance and alchemy is in retreat, this story is about the miraculous Red Sulphur—the so-called philosophers' stone—and the lives of those who have dedicated themselves to the fantastic art.
Robert Bosnak grew up in Holland and has studied alchemy for over 40 years. He is a senior Jungian psychoanalyst with a practice in Los Angeles and is the author of 5 books of non-fiction in the fields of dreaming and creative imagination translated into over a dozen languages.
He developed a method called embodied imagination, used widely in psychotherapy and applied worldwide to a variety of creative endeavors. The Red Sulphur saga is his first published work of fiction. He lives in the mountains of Santa Barbara.
Join Jungian analyst and author, Robert Bosnak, in conversation with Bonnie Bright for Depth Insights™ as, as they discuss the relationship between humans and matter and role of alchemy in our lives today.
Recorded 12-14-14
Posted December 27, 2014
Approx 37 mins
>Get info on the upcoming online alchemy webinar series, "Salt, Black, and Blue" with Robert Bosnak and Pat Berry. Starts Jan. 8. Depth Psychology Alliance members get 15% OFF!
Replies
In Jung, Vol. 9, Pt. 1, pg. 119, Jung refers to ‘loss of soul’ as a diminution of personality, referencing Janet’s “abaissement du niveau mental”.
“It is a slackening of the tensity of consciousness, which might be compared to a low barometric reading, presaging bad weather.”
“The latter (systematic amnesias) are well known as hysterical ‘loss of function’ phenomena. This medical term is analogous to the primitive loss of soul.”
I had some personal associations to this terminology, so I enjoyed the explanation and remembered where I read about it, if I can add that to the discussion. The connection to alchemy, at this time, just before the enlightenment, would make it a hot topic of the day and relevant in the fictional setting of Robert’s book.
It was a very good interview.