Divinations

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Hi Everyone!

Part II of The Heroine’s Quest series is complete. We took a step downward, into darkness and the destructive forces of the psyche with this month’s fairy tale: Bluebeard.

One thing I touched on in class is precisely how important it is that we have these horrific, dark, scary, off-putting stories to work with. Fairy tales and myths give us symbolic and archetypal maps by which we can explore the many experiences of life we find ourselves in.

One day, we will likely encounter an inner or outer Bluebeard. Without the knowledge these stories offer, we are more susceptible to the dynamics that seek to undermine consciousness and development.

Bluebeard holds so many potent keys for navigating these situations, of following curiosity, learning how to question, trusting instincts, entering the forbidden chambers of the psyche, and claiming psychic authority.

The class was rich and explorative, and I truly appreciated everyone’s thoughtful questions and comments which deepened our studies to new levels.

As a reminder, The Heroine’s Quest is a 3-part workshop series and inner work experience here at The Artemisian, and you can still join along before we complete our journeyings. Next month we’ll be tending the fairy tale Rapunzel, weaving it with Jungian analyst Donald Kalsched’s theory of the Self-Care system.

If you’d like to watch part I, follow the link here:

The deeper symbolism and psychological meanings of Bluebeard awaits in the replay. I hope you enjoy!

~Alyssa

Today I was joined in conversation with Mariana Louis to discuss her new book, Tarot and the Psychology of the Soul, as well as themes of individuation woven through out the Major Arcana. Listen in as we explore the marrying of Jungian thought and the tarot :) Mariana’s new book comes out next year and is available for pre-order!

Connect with Mariana:

* Subscribe to her Substack Living the Questions by Mariana Louis

* Follow her on Instagram @persephonessister

* Check out her offerings at persephonessister.com

Join us in the membership for this month’s gentle read along of Jung’s Memories, Dreams, Reflections

This month in The Artemisian’s membership, we are engaging in a gentle read-along of Jung’s semi-autobiographical text — Memories, Dreams, Reflections. Reading the book is a recommendation but not a requirement. My greatest hope is that this will spark some curiosity into one of the most accessible of Jung’s texts that we have.

Last week I sent out the Oracle, a tarot-dreamwork divination inspired by Jung’s experiences, to prime and guide inner work this month — read it here.

Coming up next…

* Substack Live: Archetypal Guidance Readings — Wednesday, December 17th @ 12:30 PM PST: Tune in for a livestream as I offer members archetypal guidance on their inner work questions using a blend of the Uusi Supra Oracle (a Jungian-Gnostic inspired deck) and the RWS tarot. Submit your questions ahead or attend live!

* Solstice Gathering — Sunday, December 21st @ 11:00 AM PST: Attend a special live class marking the ending of the year. Together, we’ll explore the major themes from Memories, Dreams, Reflections and how it relates to core principles of Jungian psychology. A replay will be available the following day. Register here!

Thank you Emma | Psychology of Desire, Matt Stine, marietha conrado, Vicky Tate, Tom Donaldson, and many others for tuning into my live video with Mariana Louis!

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.theartemisian.com/subscribe

Welcome to The Psychology of Tarot series, a Jungian reimagining of the cards as pathways into the psyche. Each episode draws on a key psychological concept and archetypal themes to offer insights that deepen both inner work and your tarot practice.

The IX of Swords is not a card most of us greet with enthusiasm. Its nightmarish image reflects the hauntings that stalk us in the darkness, the sleepless nights riddled with anxiety, overwhelm and despair.

What if we reimagined the card as a reflection of the archetypal dark night of the soul, honoring the painful and overwhelming experiences as an initiation into deeper psychic evolution? With this in mind, we can lean into and welcome the intensity, uncovering the fertile seeds of change that lie in the unconscious and the symptoms that plague us.

In this episode I cover:

* The classic definition and interpretations of the IX of Swords

* Quotes from 78 Degrees of Wisdom by Rachel Pollack and Practice of Psychotherapy by C.G. Jung

* How the IX of Swords represents the archetypal dark night of the soul along with its mythic counterparts

* A Jungian perspective on meeting psychological darkness as part of the individuation process

* Example readings and approaches to interpreting and reimagining the card

Join the conversation

How do you typically read the IX of Swords? Which mythic dark night of the soul do you feel most drawn to? Which card should I explore next in the series?

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.theartemisian.com/subscribe

Welcome to The Psychology of Tarot, a series that offers a Jungian reimagining of the cards as pathways into the psyche. Each episode draws on a key psychological concept and archetypal themes to offer insights that deepen both inner work and your tarot practice.

The Ace of Cups is usually read as a new depth of feeling and emotional resonance, a renewal of the heart bringing love, connection and relational unfolding. As an elemental card of water, we can connect it to the alchemical operation of solutio, the process of dissolution where the prima materia is submerged in a liquid and broken down.

Through this lens, the Ace marks the necessary softening of rigid attitudes, outdated beliefs, or stagnant elements of life. These are drawn into the dissolving waters not simply to be destroyed, but to be transformed, creating the conditions for renewal, openness, and the deeper gifts the Ace of Cups holds.

In this episode I cover:

* The classic definition and interpretations of the Ace of Cups

* Quotes from 78 Degrees of Wisdom by Rachel Pollack, Tarot by Library of Esoterica, Practice of Psychotherapy by C.G. Jung and Anatomy of the Psyche by Edward Edinger

* How the Ace of Cups represents the dual qualities of destructive dissolution and vivification

* Example readings and approaches to interpreting and reimagining the card

Join the conversation

How do you typically read the Ace of Cups? Are there any other principles or archetypal themes you would connect to the card? Which card should I explore next in the series?

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.theartemisian.com/subscribe

Welcome to The Psychology of Tarot, a series that offers a Jungian reimagining of the cards as pathways into the psyche. Each episode draws on a key psychological concept and archetypal themes to offer insights that deepen both inner work and your tarot practice.

Today, I’m exploring the relationship between The Hermit and the Senex-et-Puer, drawing from James Hillman’s theory that these two figures exist as a dual-faced, interwoven archetype. Together, they represent the tension and interplay between permanence and possibility, structure and inspiration, withdrawal and expansion.

The Hermit is often read through a Senex lens — the wise elder, the solitary guide who withdraws from the world, the necessary boundaries to cut off and hold energy within. What if we viewed The Hermit as containing both, that within his lantern he holds the fiery spirit of the Puer, always nearby to bring forth renewal, openness, potential, and awakening?

In this episode I cover:

* The classic definition and interpretations of the The Hermit

* Quotes from 78 Degrees of Wisdom by Rachel Pollack and Senex & Puer by James Hillman

* How the The Hermit embodies the dynamic interplay of the Senex and Puer

* A Jungian–Archetypal approach to balancing the Senex’s structure and wisdom with the Puer’s inspiration and openness via The Hermit

* Example readings and approaches to interpreting and reimagining the card

Join the conversation

How do you typically read The Hermit? Do you see elements of the Senex-Puer present? Which card should I explore next in the series?

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.theartemisian.com/subscribe

Working with the images, symbols and meanings of the tarot is rarely simple. Each card brings a layer of nuance, a range of potentials that must be drawn out and woven into the inquiry. Today, I gave live tarot readings for members of The Artemisian, using two cards to showcase how to bridge multiple themes into coherent guidance.

I’d love to hear your thoughts, feedback or reflections on the readings. Join me in the comments to discuss.

Need insight on a life situation or inner work dynamic?

If you’re seeking guidance while navigating a challenge, difficult pattern, a moment of uncertainty or opportunity, I invite you to join me in an Archetypal Guidance Session to explore your experience. We’ll draw on a creative blend of tarot, dreamwork, alchemy, or mythology to reveal the deeper symbols, patterns, and psychological forces at play, offering insight, perspective, and pathways for integration.

Members receive 15% off! Find the discount code on the benefits page here.

Thank you Christopher Marmolejo, Lisa Laughy, Erica Phillips Graves 🔮, Cauldron Conversations, Connor Kroll, and many others for tuning in!

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.theartemisian.com/subscribe

Hey everyone :)

This week I did a live mini lesson on utilizing alchemy for inner work. There were some technical issues during the stream, so I’ve re-recorded it. Hope you enjoy!

Mimicking the style of my workshops, the mini lesson explores the foundational principles of alchemy from a Jungian and Archetypal psychology perspective, the deeper meaning of alchemical symbolism and ways to utilize alchemy in personal practice. I also did a brief introduction of Alchemical Inner Work, the technique I designed that re-imagines inner dynamics through the metaphorical language and concrete practices of the alchemical art.

Below are direct links to a few items I mentioned:

* Alchemical Inner Work Guidebook — Serving as both a reference manual and a practical resource, the guidebook outlines the foundational three-step technique and explores 14 core alchemical operations.

* If you’re a member of The Artemisian’s All-Access tier, you can watch all the Alchemical Inner Work classes in the archive (click here).

* Or, purchase the classes separately on my Gumroad store.

* Read the Alchemy of Relationships article.

Join the conversation

What do you think of this format? Should I do more live mini lessons? Any thoughts or reflections on the alchemical ideas explored?

Curious how alchemy can help you shift relational dynamics and deepen connection?

Next Saturday, we will join together in the member’s community for part two of the Alchemical Inner Work: Relationships series (watch part one in the archive!). We’ll be diving into coniunctio, the alchemical process of union, and what it means to enter relationship from the grounded clarity that follows separation. This class will guide you through the alchemical mysteries to hone a relationship where a deeper, more resilient bond can emerge.

In class you will:

* Learn three steps to apply coniunctio to relationships, drawn from Jung’s alchemical studies and psychological writings

* Explore coniunctio as a key to deepening intimacy, sustaining connection and anchoring relationship in psychological wholeness

* Deepen your understanding of archetypal dynamics through mythic stories, dream images, and alchemical manuscripts featuring themes of coniunctio

* Apply the Alchemical Inner Work technique to relational patterns in service of meaningful connection and transformation

Thanks to Lisa Laughy, John D. Selig, S Calvert, and many others for tuning into my live video!

Have you been feeling the call to deeper inner work?

I invite you to join us in The Artemisian’s membership where we explore the symbolic and archetypal dimensions of life to deepen self-understanding and support personal transformation.

Through immersive workshops, educational resources, and a supportive community, you’ll learn to recognize the influences shaping your inner and outer life, interpret psychological patterns, and develop a meaningful and consistent inner work practice grounded in Jungian thought and archetypal frameworks.

If you’re curious to join but have questions, just leave a comment and let me know :)

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.theartemisian.com/subscribe

Back in 2021, Chris Gabriel and I joined together (along with Arran Rogerson & Matthew K Johnson) in the Dialectical Tarot series, an exploration of the tarot from the perspectives of Rider Waite Smith, Thoth and Marseilles. Today we went live in a similar spirit, exploring The Moon card, its relationship to the unconscious, and its esoteric mysteries.

Some themes we explored:

* The classic symbolism of The Moon card in both Rider Waite Smith and Thoth traditions, including its links to illusion, the night realm, and psychic passage

* The Moon as an indicator of the unconscious and how it reveals shadow material through dreams, symptoms, and intuitive stirrings

* Related archetypal figures like Anubis, the High Priestess, the Hermit, and Ereshkigal, as guides through darkness and transformation

* Neptune’s connection to the Moon card, the trickster quality of fairies, and how the unconscious “plays” in the natal chart depending on Neptune’s placement

Chris is the creator of the MemeAnaylsis YouTube channel, writer for Rick Rubin’s Tetragrammaton.com, and writes Effluvia here on Substack. Check out his work for more insight into psychoanalysis, philosophy, and the occult.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.theartemisian.com/subscribe

Welcome to The Psychology of Tarot, a series that offers a Jungian reimagining of the cards as pathways into the psyche. Each episode draws on a key psychological concept and archetypal themes to offer insights that deepen both inner work and your tarot practice.

Today I’m exploring the relationship between The Moon and the unconscious. Often associated with the chthonic underworld, dream-like states, illusion, distortion, and the imaginal realm, The Moon evokes the hidden and mysterious dimensions of the psyche.

Drawing this card hints to us that powerful forces of the unconscious are at work, shaping our perceptions, stirring our emotions, and inviting us into the unknown. It is a threshold moment, a movement into darkness that illuminates psychic life.

In this episode I cover:

* The classic definition and interpretations of the The Moon

* Quotes from 78 Degrees of Wisdom by Rachel Pollack, Tarot for Change by Jessica Dore, Civilization in Transition by C.G. Jung and On Divination and Synchronicity by Marie-Louise von Franz

* How the The Moon reflects the unconscious aspects of the psyche

* A Jungian perspective on recognizing unconscious material and patterns

* The Moon as an opportunity to meet the unconscious and communicate with the deeper layers of the psyche

* Example readings and approaches to interpreting the card in a psychological context

Join the conversation

What are some of the ways you connect with the unconscious? How do you typically read The Moon? Which card should I explore next in the series?

Join the membership to deepen your inner work

The Artemisian is a school of inner work and archetypal study. Membership gives you access to immersive workshops, guided study paths, and a vibrant community designed to help you understand the psyche, work with symbolic systems, and navigate your journey of becoming with clarity and depth.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.theartemisian.com/subscribe

Alchemy’s metaphorical language and concrete practices offer a way to re-imagine inner life and the process of psychological growth. Its arcane symbols, various stages and operations, and mysterious hermetic philosophies invite us to stand between the worlds of spirit and matter, to bridge conscious and unconscious.

In this episode, I introduce the Jungian and Archetypal psychology foundations that inform the Alchemical Inner Work technique, a framework I’ve developed and will be guiding members through in our upcoming workshop series. I reflect on how Jung and Hillman each approach alchemy, sharing select readings from Psychology and Alchemy and Alchemical Psychology.

Listen in as I explore how weaving their perspectives opens both practical and imaginal pathways for deepening inner work and examples of the technique in practice.

Join the conversation

Which approach of alchemy do you resonate with, Jung’s or Hillman’s? Is there an alchemical symbol, operation or concept that you feel most drawn to?

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.theartemisian.com/subscribe