In all our creativity, we destroy and rebuild the world, and at the same time we inevitably rebuild and reform ourselves. – Rollo May

In early spring of last year, I published a self-fashioning narrative titled, Woman of the Flowers, who is, in may ways, akin to the maiden archetype and who, to my mind, very much represents the spirit of eternal springtime. As today is the first day of spring (and also the first day I will begin cleaning up my flower beds and making preparations for planting), I thought it would be appropriate to write another spring-themed narrative. This one is about the inner alchemist.

The Alchemist, for me, has a very witchy energy. She is also wise. And she represents the transformative powers of creativity, healing and regeneration, and rebirth.

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The Alchemist is the inner force that transforms my reality. She is not quite young and not quite old. She has a deep understanding of the healing power of beauty. Her greatest gift is the transformation of energy. Her spirit is overflowing with abundance, wisdom, and effortlessness. Everything she touches turns to gold.

If ever I lose perspective and become pessimistic or begin to grow resentful and discouraged, hers is the voice that calls me back to a place of alignment. She is an ever-present reminder that perspective is everything: whether I live out my days with a spirit of enthusiasm or zest for life is up to me. Whether I appreciate the gifts I’m given each day, or whether I choose to dwell on that which is not perfect is up to me. Whether I approach obstacles with courage, creativity, and confidence, or whether I allow myself to be consumed by fear and negativity is up to me. Whether I accept myself and others—flaws included—or whether I choose to be harsh and unforgiving is up to me. 

The Alchemist reminds me that I already have the tools to transform my inner experiences and my attitude. Hers is the voice that encourages me to use creativity, ingenuity, and self-awareness to destroy old, outworn patterns and create new ways of being. For her, this is a law of nature: she is emblematic of the cycles of life, death, and rebirth within the human soul. She knows the creation of new forms is a way of aligning our pulse with the pulse of the universe. She is wise, gentle, quietly reassuring, and above all, she is strong. 

The Alchemist is the inner voice that tells me to get back up whenever I feel down. “Let’s turn this into something good,” she whispers. “Let’s turn this into something beautiful.” She also reminds me not to get so bogged down by the work I’m doing that I forget to take a step back and see how far I’ve come. Hers is the voice that tells me I owe it to myself to acknowledge my growth and my accomplishments. I owe it to myself not to quit pursuing what matters. And I owe it to myself, as much as anyone else, to try and use my talents as best as I am able to do some kind of good in the world.

The Alchemist is a force of my personality and a part of my inner world that I have come to cherish and rely on. She continually inspires me to positive action: to creativity, beauty, humility, and goodness. She is medicine. She knows how to transforms obstacles into gifts. This is how she heals.