circulatio

When upward movement [sublimatio] is combined with descending movement [coagulatio or incarnation], we get another alchemical process, namely circulatio:

(a)

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”

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ASTROLOGICAL IMAGERY

(b)

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

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CHEMICAL SIGNIFICANCE

(c)

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

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PSYCHOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

(d)

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:

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(d-1)

Jung: 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 )

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CIRCULATION MOTION

AROUND A CENTER

(e)

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)

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ALCHEMICAL ATTITUDE VS

THE CHRISTIAN ATTITUDE

(f)

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:

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(g)

Jung 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. )

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RELIGIOUS FAITH VS

PSYCHOLOGICAL EMPIRICISM

(h)

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 )

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FILIUS PHILOSOPHORUM

BEGINS AND ENDS ON EARTH

(i)

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

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(c)

The images of ascending and descending birds may be understood as follows: