Collected Works of C.G. Jung, Volume 12: Psychology and Alchemy

Carl Gustav Jung

4. Materia Prima, A. Materia, (page 111-113 czech version – Jung – Vybor z díla IV. Představy spásy v alchymii (Psychologie a alchymie II)

The base of any work is prima materia, which is one of the most famous secrets of alchemy. This is not surprising insofar as it represents an unknown substance that carries projections of autonomous spiritual content. Naturally, such a substance could not be mentioned because the projection is based on the individual and, as a result, is different in each case. Therefore, it is also incorrect to claim that the alchemists did not say what prima materia is; on the contrary, they gave too many links, and thus contradicted each other indefinitely. For one was prima materia mercury, for others bronze, iron, gold, lead, salt, urine, water, air, fire, clay, blood, living water, lapis, poison, ghost, cloud, sky, dew, shadow, sea, mother, moon, dragon, venus, chaos, microcosm (obr. 162). Ruland’s Lexicon Lists no less than 50 synonyms that could still be substantially reproduced. 

I inform you, sons of doctrine, that the beginning of all creatures is determined by the first, ever-existing and infinite nature, which cooks and controls everything, and whose active and passive aspect are known and recognized only by those who are given this familiarity with sacred art.