Journaling with the Alchemist: Turning Everyday Lead into Gold
One of my absolute favourite fairytales growing up was Rumpelstiltskin. I’ve always had a soft spot for an underestimated heroine who uses her wits to escape a tight spot, but what truly hooked me was the magic of spinning straw into gold. The idea of transforming something ordinary into something valuable is a story I keep returning to—in myths, in books, and in real life.
Naturally, that same curiosity led me to the alchemists of old and their legendary quest to turn base metals into gold and discover the Philosopher’s Stone. Though if I'm being honest, my very first introduction to alchemy didn't come from ancient texts—it came from Blackadder:
Lord Percy: "Behold" Blackadder: "Percy, it’s green."
That scene always makes me laugh, but Percy’s reaction is secretly brilliant. He isn't disappointed that he didn't make gold; he’s genuinely thrilled: "Behold! An outcome!" That is such a fantastic mindset for any creative or reflective experiment. Sure, it might not be what you intended, but it’s still something.
The Experiment
During this month’s SpeakEasy, I decided to run an experiment of my own. Instead of our usual archetype or fairytale journaling framework, I wanted to explore this concept of inner alchemy.
Don't worry—we didn't gather in a lab with bunsen burners and metallurgy equipment! Instead, we looked at the symbols, metaphors, and language we use when we talk about our problems.
Think about how you describe a tough week or a feeling you can't shake:
"I feel like the whole house is on fire."
"It feels like I’m drowning and can't keep my head above water."
"I know I need to move forward, but I can't see the path through the woods."
"I feel like I'm standing right on the edge of something."
We call this the Primary Image.
From there, we spent time feeling into the specific qualities of that image. Was the situation heavy? Restricted? Overwhelming? What other symbols or sensations started to surface as we wrote and talked?
Where the Alchemy Happens
The actual alchemy begins when we ask: What does this situation need in order to transform?
The original alchemists weren't just trying to get rich; for them, the physical world and the spiritual/psychological world were deeply interconnected. By bringing that same approach to our journaling, we can start to shift our psychological landscape.
The secret is that the answer almost always lies within the material itself—right inside that initial image:
If your primary image is running scorching hot, does the situation need cool water to temper it, or does it need you to crank up the heat and let it burn out completely?
If you feel heavy and trapped in cold mud, do you need warmth to soften it, or structure to give you footing?
By taking standard alchemical processes (like heating, cooling, dissolving, or solidifying) and applying them symbolically to our journal entries, we open up completely new ways to navigate stuck places.
A Quick Journaling Prompt to Try at Home
If you'd like to try this on your own page today, follow these three steps:
Find your Primary Image: Write down a current problem or feeling using a raw metaphor or image (e.g., a heavy fog, a pressure cooker, a tangle of wire).
Examine the Qualities: What does it feel like? Is it hot, cold, dense, volatile, sharp, or dark?
Apply the Catalyst: Ask yourself—What alchemical element does this image need to change its state? What happens to your problem if you add heat, add water, let it settle, or break it apart?
Join Us for the Next SpeakEasy: Journaling with the Dreamer
If you enjoyed exploring the primary images and metaphors of alchemy, our next monthly SpeakEasy session is taking us even deeper into the subconscious.
In Journaling with the Dreamer, we’ll be learning how to work directly with the vivid symbols, narratives, and landscapes of our dreams. Whether you have a recurring dream, a strange symbol that stuck with you, or just want to tap into the creative wisdom of your sleep mind, bring your journal and join us as we translate dream logic onto the page
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