Find Your Gold and Own Your Story: Alchemical Psychology and Jungian Coaching for Women
Ever get that nagging feeling like you're not quite measuring up, that you're just playing pretend in your own life? It's more common than you think. We all grapple with it—a mix of guilt, shame, and not feeling quite good enough. Back in '78, Clance and Imes dug into this phenomenon, especially in high-achieving women. That fear of success we all feel? Totally universal. It's tied up with guilt and shame and this sense of not quite cutting it.
Now, let's add a touch of Jungian coaching and alchemical psychology to the mix. Picture it as an alchemical psychology process: turning that picture-perfect image of yourself into something more realistic. It's like ditching a superhero cape—because let's be real, you're human, not Wonder Woman. Forget the mask, and know that your best isn't just okay; it's pretty darn extraordinary.
What you seek is seeking you - A Jungian approach
So what is happening during a Jungian coaching session? I help you find your unique ways to work with your treasure. We’ll start by finding out which tools you need to dig it out in the first place, before tapping into that glorious potential. I'll help you create a new life that's fueled by your inner strength.
Sometimes, you might sense this dormant potential—a subtle stirring that reaches out through synchronicities, signs, and events. It’s the lingering whisper of a blurry night dream, the annoying question of whether there’s more to life than this, what meets the eye. Can you truly become the person you envision? Can you embrace a life that resonates with your deepest desires? How do I achieve balance and become a conscious co-creator of my desired reality? Do I even know what truly makes me happy? Is it possible to be surrounded by my kind of tribe and vibe people? Live fulfilling and authentic relationships? Give more to my community? Can I even do that from where I stand now?
Our goal in Jungian Coaching is to help you find your treasure and create a new vision for your life. We work with dreams, we search in the depth and rich world of your subconscious for your foundation rock, your gems of inner wisdom. We find our way back to your source. We spin fresh stories with the power of the archetypes; we imagine creative new avenues for the heroine’s journey. We face the shadow and create a new way to serve you, so you can bring your gifts to the world.. We restore your disowned and inaccessible aspects that weigh you down and trigger the same type of experiences and reactivity in our life, through active imagination and expansive emotional movement.
Venus in the Underworld | 40 days of shadow work and empowerment of the Feminine | An Alchemical Journey
After the 40-day period when Venus disappeared from the sky, during her cycle as an evening star, bright and visible in the sky near sundown, she will rebirth as she crosses a threshold in the underworld, and becomes a morning star for the next nine months. It is the beginning of a new cycle.
And so it is also for the individual who has imitated her journey into the underworld and experienced a time of soul-searching, releasing old patterns, and seeking spiritual renewal, finding balance and harmony, and realizing individual empowerment.
Like the mythical figures of ancient myths and stories (Jesus tempted in the desert, Buddha before realizing samadhi, the Sumerian myth of Innana), we emerge from the depths of our psyche, the Self is now unified, we are bringing home our inner gold.
Follow me on Threads for the #40dayshadowworkchallenge daily prompts during this Leo Venus Retrograde. Find there the magic of the alchemical journey within us and the world around us, and empower your Self.I’ll guide you on your journey.
What is Shadow Work? - Part 2
This is the most powerful process that involves self-accepting, owning, and reconciling with the disowned parts of ourselves. Integration entails recognizing the positive potential and transformative power hidden within the shadow, leading to a more balanced and authentic sense of self.
Shadow work is the gateway to reclaiming our power as women in our roles at home, at work, and in society. From this deep perspective of past conditioning and childhood wounds, we are invited to explore and bring home all parts of us, forgotten and hidden wounds that have shaped our sorrows and crisis, enabling us to become our authentic selves and embark on a journey of self-discovery and transformation. Only then, we can participate actively in the co-creation of meaningful and fulfilling relationships, do the work we dreamed of, and feel a whole sense of the Self.
We can free ourselves from unconscious patterns, biases, and suppressed emotions, by consciously confronting and integrating these shadow aspects, we can foster healing, self-compassion, and personal growth. It allows us to break free from limiting patterns, cultivate self-awareness, and create healthier and more inspiring lives for us and others, in an authentic manner, fostering our fullest potential. Everything else, until we step through this gateway, it is just partial. The whole becomes accessible only when come and face our own limits, we can (re)discover the new boundaries of limitless magical power
The integration of the shadow emerges as a transformative odyssey. It beckons us to acknowledge and embrace the concealed fragments within, unlocking the golden age of a harmonious and holistic existence. By casting light upon the veiled patterns, biases, and suppressed emotions that dwell within, we embark on a voyage of personal metamorphosis, the alchemical inner journey that forges a profound bond with our innermost essence.
What is Shadow Work? - Part 1
Shadow work is a term used in in-depth psychology, spirituality, and personal growth to describe the process of exploring and integrating the unconscious or disowned aspects of the Self. In-depth psychology explores the concept of the shadow as proposed by Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung.
According to Jung, the shadow is comprised of the rejected, forgotten, or disowned parts of our psyche. It encompasses qualities, desires, emotions, and behaviors that we find unacceptable, undesirable, or contrary to our conscious identity. These can be things like our fears, insecurities, or even our more aggressive or selfish tendencies. The shadow is not necessarily negative or evil; it simply contains parts of ourselves that we may have difficulty accepting. It embodies the enigmatic corners of their psyche, where veiled emotions, desires, and thoughts linger, deemed unsuitable or daunting by the ego and the persona.
So, to understand the shadow we need to talk about the ego first.
The ego, as a central aspect of our conscious identity, the I that perceives all that is around us and thinks it is the center of it, often strives to maintain a sense of cohesion, social acceptance, and alignment with our learned, given, chosen values and beliefs. It seeks to present a version of ourselves that is in line with societal norms, family & personal ideals, and moral standards taught in school.
At the edge of Light and Darkness
This eternal alternation of dark and light, invites us to reflect on the eternal moving duality that exists within each of us and shapes our world, through this movement between conscious and the unconscious.
We all possess within us both light and shadow, joy and sorrow, strength and vulnerability. Embracing these opposing aspects allows for the realization of our full potential. It is through the integration of these opposites that we can find harmony and discover our true selves and a new and deeply personal symbolism for our journey.
Coincidentia oppositorum, a Latin term meaning "union of opposites," stems from philosophy and is very well represented in the Jungian work on in-depth psychology. It refers to the unity and integration of seemingly contradictory elements. In this context, opposites are not seen as irreconcilable or conflicting, but rather as complementary and necessary for the wholeness of existence.
Midsummer magic, with its enchanting aura and mystical allure, has captivated human imagination for centuries. It evokes images of bonfires, dancing maidens, and the ethereal glow of twilight. In exploring the realm of midsummer, we are reminded of Mircea Eliade's novel, "The Forbidden Forest," which delves into the transformative power of ancient rituals and the liminal spaces that exist between the ordinary and the extraordinary.
Uncovering your hidden power
From a feminine point of view, self-empowerment takes on a unique significance. It means women embracing their inherent strength, wisdom, and abilities, and reclaiming control over their lives and narratives. Self-empowerment for women involves acknowledging and valuing their own voices, experiences, and desires, as well as cultivating self-confidence and resilience.
From a Jungian perspective, self-empowerment takes on a deeper psychological significance. It involves exploring the depths of the feminine psyche, deeper into the realm of the unconscious and its archetypal forces. Self-empowerment, in this context, entails integrating the various aspects of the masculine psyche, like the Spirit and the Animus, or the masculine aspect within women, and the individuation process.
Jungian psychoanalysis recognizes the transformative potential of embracing and integrating the shadow aspects, those parts of ourselves that we may have repressed or denied. Through self-reflection and introspection, women can confront their own shadow elements, acknowledging and reconciling with the aspects they may have disowned or suppressed.
An invitation
In the journey of life we can’t expand and grow into our true selves without self-discovery and transformation. While on this journey, having a Jungian coach can be invaluable. While it is true that we have the power to shape the scenes of our lives, the ego often hides itself beneath the mask of the persona, making it challenging to access and work with our shadow aspects alone.
A Jungian coach serves as a mirror for all your invisible patterns, lost memories, repressed experiences, your subconscious mind. Through the coach-coachee relationship, a safe and non-judgmental space is created where you can explore the depths of your psyche. The coach acts as a guide, assisting you in uncovering blind spots, revealing paradoxes, and delving into the wounds that lie beneath the surface.
To finding deeper meaning
If you’re currently doubting yourself and unsure where to begin or restart your inner journey, this post for you. If you feel stuck, lacking clarity or focus in your life, or emotionally burned out in your job or relationships, I understand how you feel because I’ve been there too. And I want to help women become their best supporter and wise counsel. That is why I have a in-depth technique & structured framework that it is complimented by an intuitive approach. Let’s take a closer look at what to expect from a Jungian coaching session with me.
I guide my clients to explore the narrative behind their resistance and identify any defense mechanisms or fears of being seen in a certain way. By understanding the stories you tell yourself and the personas you adopt, you can uncover the underlying motivations behind their decision-making.
On one’s journey
In embarking on this beautiful journey of self-discovery, dear seeker, take a moment to delve into the depths of your inner world and explore the intricate tapestry of your emotions and experiences. To guide you on this self inquiry journey, I invite you to ponder upon these questions, allowing them to reveal the hidden layers of your being. Delve into the depths of your failure/ lack/ annoyance/ sadness/ anger and inquire into its roots. What triggers this intense reaction within you? Is it a particular person, situation, or behavior that consistently ignites this response?
By examining the source of your irritation, you unlock a gateway to deeper self-understanding. Because where there is triggering, there is a wound. And where there is a wound, there it is your alchemical power —where the transmutation magic lies beneath.
Through the dark night of the soul
So, dear seeker, take a step into the realm of Shadow work. Embrace the journey of self-discovery, for it holds the keys to unlocking your true potential and living from the depths of your magical being.
As we make the darkness conscious, we begin to embrace the totality of who we are. We integrate the rejected aspects, transforming them into catalysts for growth and self-understanding. In this alchemical process, we move closer to enlightenment, transcending the illusion of solely focusing on figures of light and embodying the full spectrum of our human experience. By engaging with the shadow and integrating its contents, you can experience a greater sense of wholeness and authenticity. This integration process allows for personal growth, increased self-compassion, and the development of a more balanced and harmonious psyche. Jung's quote serves as a reminder that true enlightenment and self-realization require delving into the depths of one's own psyche, embracing the complexity and richness of the human experience, and making the unconscious conscious.
The Goddess rises
Venus Rising is my Signature Program that will allow us through the exploration of our vast world emotions and thoughts at their foundation, to understand our personal and collective role on the journey of self-actualization. It is an experience that goes far beyond the individual level, expanding into a social quest that is leading us to a life of true meaning and higher purpose.
Ladies, I invite us to finally step into our true power, embrace our unique gifts, and create a life that is authentically ours. As true Goddesses of the land, sky and sea, we become our own better versions, courageous delicate beings that reluctantly embarked on the heroine’s journey, now we rise and gather around other women in need of self empowering.
From star dust and earthly musings..
During this transformative journey, I had a moment, when all the pieces of my life story fell into place. I began to see the world anew, and started cherish both the positive and challenging aspects, consciously moving away from toxic behaviors and relationships, and establishing healthy boundaries. Passionate pursuits and desires were no longer mere dreams but became tangible realities. Stepping back to gain perspective, I was looking at the broader landscape that had previously been obscured by the blurring details. I took few steps back and I looked at the forest I couldn’t see from the trees before. And while taking a good look at the new scene, I saw a new perspective rising between the blurry misty lines of the personal horizon. A vision of healing the wounds of the feminine and of embracing the goddess within. It was during this profound self-discovery that the vision for my women-only coaching program, Venus Rising, took shape. I understood that women needed a safe and nurturing space where they could explore their inner landscapes, heal past wounds, and reconnect with their own unique gifts and strengths.
My personal journey of self-discovery and transformation served as the catalyst for the creation of my signature program —Venus Rising. Through experiences of personal loss and identity crisis, I embarked on a profound inward journey to rediscover my authentic self while journeying a dark night of the soul, as Jung calls it. The integration of Jungian coaching played a pivotal role in this process, providing invaluable insights and guidance.
This program with its three options – Night, Golden and Bright Lotus package, has the same foundation. And, it offers a holistic approach that addresses the emotional, psychological, and spiritual aspects of personal growth. It explores the dynamics of relationships, self-love, self-care, and the development of intuitive wisdom.