Through Darkness to Light
The Alchemy of Writing
BY SUSAN TIBERGHIEN
MAIN TOPICS
Darkness gives birth to light…what is unconscious becomes conscious. C.G. Jung (p. 102, Commentary, Secret to the Golden Flower)
In this program, we will see how alchemy opens the way through darkness to light. Jung’s journey toward selfhood in The Red Book was an alchemical journey: going into the unconscious (nigredo), encountering and listening to its contents (albedo) and bringing them to the light (rubedo). After an introduction to alchemy, we will follow Jung on his journey in and out of darkness as written in The Red Book. We will then look at how we can make our own alchemical journey. There will be examples and excerpts from contemporary writers—Marion Woodman, Orhan Pamuk, and Elaine Pagels—along with guided writing exercises. We will become alchemists, finding our stories in the dark, remembering that we cannot hoard our bits of gold, our growing awareness. Rather we need to share our light in the world around us.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
How darkness contains light.
How alchemy opens the way through darkness to light.
Why Jung’s journey toward selfhood in The Red Book was alchemical.
How we can make our own alchemical journey.
Ways to do so through journaling and active imagination.
Appreciation of excerpts from CG Jung, Marion Woodman, Orhan Pamuk, Elaine Pagels
We each have a light to bring into the world.
Your Instructor
Susan Tiberghien is an American writer living in Geneva, Switzerland. She holds a degree in Literature and Philosophy and did graduate word at the Université de Grenoble and the C.G. Jung Institute of Zurich. She is the author of four memoirs: Looking for Gold, Circling to the Center, Side by Side, Footsteps, and the writing book, One Year to a Writing Life. Her two recent books, Writing Toward Wholeness, Lessons Inspired by C.G. Jung and the 20th Anniversary Edition of Circling to the Center, Invitation to Silent Prayer were published in 2018 and 2019 by Chiron Publications.
For twenty-five years Tiberghien has been lecturing and teaching creative writing at C.G. Jung Societies and Institutes, at the International Women’s Writing Guild, and at writers’ centers and conferences, both in the US and in Europe She is a founding member of the International Writers Residence at the Château de Lavigny and an active member of International PEN. Tiberghien founded and directed the Geneva Writers’ Group (250 English-language writers) for twenty-five years. Married with six adult children, sixteen grandchildren, and one great grandson. www.susantiberghien.com.
WHO IS IT FOR?
–for all who are looking for light in their lives today
–for all who are journeying toward selfhood
–for those who are helping others to do so
–for those interested in writing
–for those who until now distrusted alchemy!
WHAT DO STUDENTS HAVE TO SAY
"I have just finished your masterclass and will go back to it again. I am extremely happy that this is a possibility. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your instruction and inspiration!"
- Barbara, United States / Switzerland
"Thank you for the very inspiring invitation to connect with the path which leads us to those precious moments when we experience Wholeness. Important and wonderful guidelines. You are a most inspirational wonderful teacher!"
- Katya, Ecuador / Switzerland
"I was at your session last weekend I want to thank you for such an engaging and stimulating experience. The structure and content was excellent and your own personality shone through.I hope to see you at another workshop."
- Bill, Scotland
"Susan is my mentor and inspiration. I am deeply grateful for
her advice and support in my writing."
- Marcus, UK
"A deeply life enriching seminar. I feel such a sense of inner and outer renewal. You're a very gifted teacher who provides rich content - marvelously illustrating major points with texts from excellent sources - while remaining lovingly, sharply attentive to participants' needs."
- Mary, France
Frequently Asked Questions
Get started now!
WHAT YOU WILL GET
- Video recordings of each class (total video content)
- Audio recordings to download on your digital devices and listen at your convenience
- Suggested Writing Exercises and Handouts
- Discussion Group where you can connect with each other and leave your comments
- Transcripts of all classes; We’ve designed your transcripts with clear formatting, space for you to take notes and helpful highlight quotes so you’ll have the information easily accessible
- The transcripts make it easier to integrate new concepts. You can also go back and double check citations and names that are mentioned
- Having the transcripts allows you to jot your notes on how you’re going to use the ideas rather than transcribing the presentation
- Some people simply learn better by reading than by listening or watching
- You will be able to print out and share information presented in the program with your clients or patients
"How grateful I am for your gift for sharing the transformative power of writing with me and many others."
- Mary, Vietnam
" Each time it’s a precious moment for us with unexpected sacred gift. I’m always living with a sensation of wholeness and gratitude. I have the feeling that through all these yearly workshops we are creating something together, like a dance encrypted somewhere and revealing to us in different levels. Thank you Susan for hosting us today with open arms and great teaching…. I’m already looking forward to next year."
- Marlyn, Chile
"I had a wonderful time today at the workshop this afternoon in Newton [Jung Institute of New England]… I wasn't sure I could read my work out loud as I was having trouble holding back my emotions during the exercises! I wanted to thank you as I feel the workshop kindled something within me to continue engaging my dream images."
- Mark, USA
"Participating in your workshops has immeasurably enriched my life. I deeply appreciate the Christian-humanist-Jungian values that you bring to discussions of writing. Somehow through what you share, you are giving a spark of light. Thank you!"
- Kristine, Canada
"Creating an inspired piece of prose or poetry is hard work, requiring hours of sweat and tears, patience and determination. You have taught these traits to many a budding writer. Grateful to have you as teacher and mentor."
- Iqbal, Pakistan/Switzerland