In this unique book, Lynne Ehlers elucidates the ancient alchemical sequence of color changes observed when making mercuric sulfide (cinnabar, vermilion): black, white, yellow, and red. She demonstrates—with two carefully documented case studies—that this very same color sequence emerged in the dreams and sandplay creations during depth psychotherapy and analysis.
Alchemy and Individuation integrates the work of Jung and Jungian scholars, alchemists, historical and literary references, religious symbolism, and the work of contemporary neuroscientists. Ehlers illustrates the text with magnificent alchemical paintings, art, and moving sandplay imagery—opening wide the doors into the emotional and psychological meaning of the colors and opening our hearts to the awesome power of the unconscious to heal.
Ehler’s research originated with an epiphany: reading about the color sequence, she suddenly wondered if the colors in her dream record might follow the same sequence. Her dissertation offered empirical statistical support that the black, white, and red were, indeed, discrete, sequential stages in the process of transformation. Years later, she observed that the colors chosen in a client’s sandplay followed the same sequence.
This beautifully written and illustrated book includes case studies that provide valuable material for further study and for teaching about dreams and sandplay. We witness the poignantly transformative journeys, vividly brought to life in the author’s dreams, poetry, and experiences in her personal analysis, and in the clinical amplification of her client’s depth psychotherapy, illustrated with sandplay scenes.