Ep. 179: The Hermetic Marriage of Art & Alchemy With Marlene Seven Bremner
Oct 9, 2023
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Renowned artist Marlene Seven Bremner discusses the harmonious dance of art and alchemy, exploring stages of creativity, transforming darkness for healing, the unity of art and alchemy, balancing the five elements, finding an indestructible essence through meditation, practical application of art and alchemy, navigating vulnerability and public speaking, the intersection of art and alchemy, and the power of imagination in creating positive change.
The four stages of alchemy (Nigrato, Albedo, Citrinitas, Rubedo) relate to the creative process and emphasize the importance of balance and integration.
Bringing personal experiences and ideas into the public sphere requires trust in oneself, consistency, and finding a balance between personal expression and engagement with the external world.
The speaker plans to dedicate several years to a new writing project exploring the 36 decans of the Zodiac in Hermeticism, combining creative and analytical writing.
Deep dives
The Four Stages of Alchemy and Creative Process
The podcast episode explores the four stages of alchemy and how they relate to the creative process. The first stage, Nigrato, represents the dark night of the soul and the exploration of shadow work. The second stage, Albedo, involves the dissolution of boundaries between self and other, and the engagement with the unconscious through practices like active imagination. The third stage, Citrinitas, is a solarization process where ideas and concepts are refined, integrated, and allowed to gestate. The final stage, Rubedo, represents completion and the unification of consciousness and unconsciousness. The episode discusses personal experiences within each stage and the importance of balance and integration in the creative process.
Balancing Personal and Public Expression
The podcast episode delves into the challenges of bringing personal experiences and ideas into the public sphere. The speaker discusses feelings of vulnerability, insecurity, and the fear of not being able to express oneself effectively. They share their own journey of adapting to public speaking and emphasize the importance of trusting oneself and being consistent. The episode highlights the pressure to show up and be available while maintaining a commitment to the ongoing creative process and finding a balance between personal expression and engagement with the external world.
Future Writing Project: Exploring the 36 Decans of the Zodiac
The podcast episode reveals the speaker's plans for a new writing project that focuses on the 36 decans of the Zodiac. They explain their curiosity about the significance of decans in Hermeticism and the desire to explore and understand them on a deeper level. While the project may evolve over time, the speaker expresses their intention to dedicate several years to its completion and envisions it as a combination of creative and analytical writing. The episode acknowledges the ongoing nature of the project and the potential for it to be transformed into a book in the future.
The Importance of Creativity and the Permission to Be Creative
Creativity is a vital aspect of being a human being, and it is crucial to emphasize that everyone has the capacity to be creative, regardless of their artistic background. In our culture, creativity has been devalued and replaced with AI, and creative arts are no longer taught in schools. Hence, it is essential to give people permission to be creative and overcome imposter syndrome and self-doubt. To cultivate creativity, one should become more observant of their environment, including the body, nature, and dreams, making subtle connections between the inner and outer worlds.
The Alchemical Process Within the Physical Body and Ancient Egyptian Influence
The alchemical process primarily takes place within the physical body, specifically through understanding the language of the unconscious communicated through the body. Observing bodily sensations and understanding the elemental and symbolic meanings can provide a deeper understanding of oneself. For example, associating hip pain with water energy, emotionality, and the masculine side of oneself. Ancient Egyptian mythology and cosmology reflect many alchemical philosophies and goals, suggesting that alchemy has its roots in ancient Egypt before being translated through Greek and Arabic periods and further developed in the Renaissance.
In this immersive episode, we explore the harmonious dance of art and alchemy with renowned artist Marlene Seven Bremner. Drawing from her seminal work, "The Hermetic Marriage of Art and Alchemy," Bremner unveils the transformative power of alchemical processes as they relate to human creativity.
Moving beyond traditional conceptions of artistry, we dive deep into the Hermetic arts, exploring how they can act as a bridge to liberate the authentic creator within each of us. Bremner's profound insights shed light on the intersections between Surrealism and alchemy, the profound symbolism woven into alchemical art, and the pathways through which the creative spirit can be elevated and refined. As we navigate this journey, we uncover the layers of how alchemical opus, the Great Work, offers tangible routes to attain true self-knowledge or gnosis
This enlightening conversation promises to reshape your perceptions of creativity, transformation, and the endless possibilities that emerge when they intertwine.
