Alchemy Dream Meanings

Alchemy is a quest for inner perfection symbolized by the element gold; analytical psychologists believe that gold and many other alchemical symbols present themselves to us in dreams. According to Jung, the secret art of alchemy was a system of symbols that could bring about the transformation of the personality from its base state (lead) to its exalted state (gold). Alchemical symbols in dreams are therefore archetypal images from your unconscious, and if you dream of alchemy you may be undergoing a period of positive, but sometimes difficult, inner transformation. The message is that by combining your intuition with your intelligence you will achieve great energy and be capable of many things. In short, your dream suggests the healing power within you that can bring about transformation.

According to Jung, alchemical practice is a tangible display of the process of individuation—the balancing between the conscious and unconscious sides in the individual—which aims to produce a psychic equilibrium, a point where an individual becomes whole and has realized what Jung defined as their ‘Self’. In other words, alchemy is not only about changing base metal into gold, but also about psychological change; of turning a human being’s focus from base materialism into angelic gold.

If this symbol appears in your dreams, consider what in your life is changing or needs changing. Your dreaming mind is encouraging you to change for the better.

For Carl Jung, the art of alchemy was a system of symbols. The transformation of the subject occurred through them: the subject’s personality would go from a basic state (lead) to a different one (gold). So, he considered that the symbols from alchemy were archetypal images of the unconscious.

If you have this dream, therefore, it is possible you will go through an internal change.

Alchemy was, in the Middle Ages, what psychology is for us today. Its symbolism still identifies with internal success throughout the unconscious.

Psychological / emotional perspective: Alchemy from a psychological perspective is a philosophy of the cosmos and of mankind’s place in the scheme of things.

It is the refinement of thought, having the key through the archetypes to unlocking an understanding of the innermost and unconscious part of the psyche. As an agent for change it has a relevance in dreams through both its symbolism and processes.

Material aspects: Alchemy began as a rudimentary form of chemical technology, exploring the nature of substances, and in so doing developed a series of semi-scientific procedures in order to find the essence of those substances. It has that significance in dreams of a mundane nature when we are trying to get to the bottom of problems and situations.

Alchemy is the science of transformation and refinement, when crude material is turned into pure. While it is understood by most to be the turning of lead into gold, the spiritual significance is, in fact, the refinement of the spirit through understanding into a state of awareness approaching divinity and the knowledge of eternal life.

1. Something in one’s life needs changing from poor to good, base metal to gold.

2. One has hope for change, even though it seems impossible.