Alchemy

I’ve been tracking and writing my dreams for most of my life. Fascinated with Symbolism, I’ve landed on Dr. Jung’s work, discovering both, his analytical as well as symbolic work. From his take on Archetypes, Dreams analysis, his Memoirs to his Red Book, I’ve learned a lot about the mystical meaning of symbols.

In 2015, an urge to learn about alchemy woke up in my heart. I wanted to create something meaninful and personal in regards to Alchemy and Symbolism by my heart and mind were not ready to take on such knowledge.

So, to learn more and illustrate myself on the zeigeist of the Medieval period, I acquired Taschen’s Alchemy & Mysticism, The Book of Symbols, Codices Illustres, and Harmonia Macrocosmica.

For 5 years, they’ve roamed in the back of my mind, growing and finally on December 2020 I took action to create art about these mystic practice and concepts.

Finally, on March 2021, I got to meet a psychologist who happens to inroduce me to Marie Von Franz’s Alchemy: An Introduction to the Symbolism and Psychology, deepening my understanding on this mysterious and naive pseudo-science.

It’s been a long journey, but finally the creative stage is taking part and handmade designs are being born.
Delmy Alvarenga, author

Fire

12″ x 16″ x 3.5″

Dry leaf, colour pencils

Through the ages, we are born, we are grown… we are weathered by the sun, we are species dying under the changing moon. From space and air, from land and earth, we are purified through fire.
Delmy Alvarenga, artist

In alchemy, fire represents emotions such as passion, love, anger, and hate, which are sometimes referred to as “fiery” emotions. Aristotle labeled it as hot and dry, and it is represented by the colors red and orange, as well as the humor yellow bile.

Additionally, fire is also seen as a more masculine symbol.

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Conjunctio

11.5″ x 15.5″ x 1″

Dry leaf, colour pencils

Putrefaction is the gate to the conjunctio and conception. It is the key to transmutation.
Delmy Alvarenga, artist

Inspirada en alquimia, astronomia y arte medieval.

La obra entera de la alquimia se basaba en la separación y síntesis de opuestos, que culminaba en las “bodas químicas” del Sol y la Luna.

La fantasía alquímica prefiguró el proceso psicológico del que Jung fue pionero y que en última instancia provoca una unión de lo consciente e inconsciente. El objeto de la obra era la obtención de la piedra filosofal. Su equivalente psicológico es la producción de una sensación interna de unidad, un espíritu de la verdad de naturaleza paradójicamente ambivalente.

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