Pregnant Darkness: Alchemy and the Rebirth of Consciousness
by Monika Wikman
Book Discussion Group with Jeff Pinnette
Third Sunday of the Month | 10 am - 12 pm
(Special inaugural session on Sunday, April 27 at 10 am)

In Pregnant Darkness, numerous life stories, dreams, and visions are used to illustrate the mysteries of the divine dwelling and transforming in the human soul, as consciousness seeks rebirth in the depths during difficult life experiences. Alchemy is the art of transmutation. Far from being a quaint, ancient practice, alchemy is at work in contemporary, everyday life. Alchemical symbolism, properly understood, can be applied to unraveling the meaning of visions in. meditation, active imagination, and dream work.

 

We can all participate with divine energies to help miraculous changes occur in our lives. With the wisdom of the alchemical and Jungian traditions, we can discover means to build bridges of experiential contact between human and divine realms. Monika writes: "In the inner world, the spring of living symbols and accompanying presences is the source of dreams and visions, as well as the fountain of inspiration at the heart of poetry, art, ritual, mythology, and even religion.

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In this discussion group, we’ll read the book together during each session with no reading assignments. 

Monika Wikman is a Jungian analyst, clinical psychologist, and astrologer. She is a graduate of
the Jung–Von Franz Center for Depth Psychology in Zürich. She conducted dream research at
the University of California San Diego Medical Center with cancer patients, analyzing 1,500
dreams in her project on dreams of the dying. Monika has published articles in Spring,
Psychological Perspectives, and Quadrant. She has been featured in podcasts on Shrink Rap
Radio, Speaking of Jung, and Chasing Consciousness.

 

Jeffrey Pinnette is the facilitator for this discussion group. He is a long-term Jung Center member and current serves as co-chair of the Center’s Board and as the Program Committee chair. He lives in Topsham.