2025 Winter Conference
Forging the Self:
Dreams and Alchemical Fire

Session 1:
The Alchemical Foundation of Dreaming 
(2 CE hours)

This workshop explores the intersection of alchemy and the dreaming psyche, drawing from Jungian depth psychology to illuminate how alchemical processes mirror inner transformation. Through lecture, discussion, and experiential practice, participants will engage with alchemical symbolism and its application to dream work, amplification, and active imagination.

In this opening session, we will establish the foundational concepts necessary for understanding the interplay between alchemy and the psyche, particularly as it manifests in dreams. Alchemy, as C.G. Jung recognized, is not merely a historical precursor to modern chemistry but a symbolic system reflecting deep psychological processes.

We will explore:

• Fire as a significant alchemical image

• Core alchemical stages (nigredo, albedo, citrinitas, rubedo) and their parallels in psychological transformation

• The relationship between alchemical imagery and dream symbols

This session will be presented in a lecture format, introducing key concepts while allowing for discussion and questions. Participants will be encouraged to consider their own dreams through an alchemical lens, beginning to recognize how transformation unfolds in the unconscious.

Session 2: Amplification,
Circumambulation, and Active Imagination in Dream Work
(2.5 CE Hours)

Building upon the theoretical foundation established in Session 1, we will turn to the practical application of alchemical principles in working with dreams. Participants will explore how the unconscious communicates through images, often using symbols that require amplification—an approach that broadens our understanding of an image by connecting it to mythology, alchemy, and collective unconscious material.

Key areas of focus will include:

• Amplification: How to expand dream images by connecting them to broader symbolic systems

• Circumambulation: The Jungian method of approaching the meaning of a symbol from multiple perspectives rather than rushing to a fixed interpretation

• Active Imagination: A method of engaging directly with dream material to facilitate dialogue with the unconscious

Throughout the session, we will work with example dreams and alchemical imagery, demonstrating how these techniques can bring forth deeper psychological insight. Discussion and Q&A will be integrated throughout to allow for reflection and exploration.​

Session 3: Active Imagination and Experiential Integration
(2.5 CE Hours)

In this final session, participants will engage in an experiential active imagination exercise, allowing them to directly apply the concepts explored in the previous sessions. Active imagination, as developed by Jung, serves as a bridge between the conscious and unconscious, permitting a more dynamic engagement with the psyche.

This session will involve:

• Guided active imagination practice, inviting participants to work with a personal dream or spontaneous imagery

• Reflection on the experience, with space for discussion on how the process unfolds individually

• Considerations for integrating these methods into personal and professional practices

We will conclude with a final discussion, addressing any remaining questions and exploring how participants can continue their engagement with alchemical psychology and dream work in their ongoing personal and professional development.