Be the alchemist of your own life.

Alchemists aimed to transform base metals into pure gold, categorizing substances by their perceived worth.

C. G. Jung's take is more psychological: alchemists realized they needed personal change to affect materials' change. Like turning 'base' metals into gold, they too sought redemption.

Alchemical work, as per this view, mirrors the psyche's evolution: from depression (nigredo) to restructuring values, seeking unity in opposites (coniunctio), reaching new consciousness and psychic change. It's like alchemy reflects the human journey.