When upward movement [sublimatio] is combined with descending movement [coagulatio or incarnation], we get another alchemical process, namely circulatio:
A paragraph from the Emerald Tablet of Hermes refers to circulatio: “It ascends from the earth to heaven, and descends again to the earth, and receives the power of the above and below. Thus you will have the glory of the whole world. Therefore, all darkness will flee from you”
AOP ¶ 0ASTROLOGICAL IMAGERY
In astrological imagery, circulatio refers to the repeated ascent and descent of the planetary spheres whereby each of the archetypal principles, symbolized by the planetary archons, is encountered successively
AOP ¶ 0CHEMICAL SIGNIFICANCE
Chemically, circulatio refers to the process in which a substance is heated in a reflux flask. The vapors ascend and condense; then the condensed fluid is fed back into the belly of the flask, where the cycle is repeated. Sublimatio and coagulatio are thus repeated alternately, again and again
AOP ¶ 0PSYCHOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE
Psychologically, circulatio is the repeated circuit of all aspects of one's being, which gradually generates awareness of a transpersonal center uniting the conflicting factors. There is a transit through the opposites, which are experienced alternately again and again, leading finally to their reconciliation. Jung describes circulatio in these words:
AOP ¶ 0Jung: Ascent and descent, above and below, up and down, represents an emotional realization of opposites, and this realization gradually leads, or should lead, to their equilibrium. This motif occurs very frequently in dreams, in the form of going up- and downhill, climbing stairs, going up or down in a lift, balloon, aeroplane, etc. It corresponds to the struggle between the winged and wingless dragon, i.e., the uroboros.This vacillating between the opposites and being tossed back and forth means being contained in the opposites. They become a vessel in which what was previously now one thing and now another floats vibrating, so that the painful suspension between opposites gradually changes into the bilateral activity of the point in the center ( CW14: par. 296 )
AOP ¶ 0CIRCULATION MOTION
AROUND A CENTER
Circulatio is an important idea in psychotherapy. Circular motion around a center and up and down are common in dreams. One must make the circuit of one's complexes again and again in the course of their transformation. The “powers of the above and the below” are combined to the extent that the unified personality is created that connects the personal psyche (below) with the archetypal psyche (above)
AOP ¶ 0ALCHEMICAL ATTITUDE VS
THE CHRISTIAN ATTITUDE
The above passage from the Emerald Tablet gives a clear expression of the difference between the alchemical attitude and the Christian religious attitude. Jung emphasizes this point since it makes clear the nature of the psychological-empirical standpoint of which the alchemists were forerunners:
AOP ¶ 0Jung writes, “[In the Emerald Tablet] it is not a question of a one-way ascent to heaven, but, in contrast to the route, followed by the Christian Redeemer, who comes from above to below and from there returns to the above, the filius macrocosmi starts from below, ascends on high, and, with the powers of Above and Below united in himself, returns to earth again. He carries out the reverse movement and thereby manifests a nature contrary to that of Christ and the Gnostic Redeemers” ( CW13: par. 280. )
AOP ¶ 0RELIGIOUS FAITH VS
PSYCHOLOGICAL EMPIRICISM
The difference in the images corresponds to the difference between religious faith and psychological empiricism. In another place Jung puts it this way: “[From the religious viewpoint]man attributes to himself the need of redemption, and leaves the work of redemption, the actual athlon or opus, to the autonomous divine figure;[From the alchemical viewpoint] man takes upon himself the duty of carrying out the redeeming opus, and attributes the state of suffering and consequent need of redemption to the anima mundi imprisoned in matter” ( CW12: par. 414 ). And again, “[The alchemist's] attention is not directed to his own salvation through God's grace, but to the liberation of God from the darkness of matter” ( CW12: par. 420 )
AOP ¶ 0BEGINS AND ENDS ON EARTH
The alchemical filius philosophorum begins and ends on earth. This suggests that primary importance is given to the concrete, spatio-temporal reality of the ego. The fulfillment of the limited human condition is placed above ideal perfection. Nevertheless, this distinction must not be pushed too far. Very interestingly, our chief scriptural reference to the ascension of Christ ( Acts 1 : 9-11 ) is immediately followed by a statement concerning his return to earth
AOP ¶ 0The images of ascending and descending birds may be understood as follows: