Whenever we attempt to solidify an idea to the point that it ceases to change constantly, the process of coagulatio is at work and the resultant form is consistent with the element earth. The element that precedes earth in the alchemical process defines the emotion that results.

Certain stages of the psychotherapeutic process can be understood in terms of the earth signs. Taurus says, "I have". This statement includes the beingness of things within the perception of having them. Wealth can be represented by the diamond, the ultimate in value. Yet the diamond comes from a black source. If we see the diamond in ourselves, then we must admit the possibility of the black "underground" as well; such a reality is difficult to accept. Many western religions are focused on the attainment of the goodness but find the accompanying dark side untenable. Yet Taurus says, "I have," without judgment.

Taurus represents the most fixed earth process. It also has to do with comfort and pleasure. This suggests that a useful psychic process is one that results in an inner sense of comfort and pleasure on an ongoing basis. A psychic process which results in momentary pleasure, but which returns to discomfort, is incomplete and unsatisfactory. No psychological or astrological counseling is going to work ultimately unless it results in an easing or cessation of pain and a cultivation of comfort, both with oneself and with one's environment.

Virgo says, "I analyze". In order to analyze, there must be something to analyze and that something has earth qualities. It is either a physical object or a mentation to which we give "reality". Psychotherapy often involves analysis of inner processes, attempting to define or at least to clarify them somewhat.

Each time the coagulatio process is invoked, Virgo shows the way toward that ultimate comfort. Virgo can examine the situation from the sensation posture, testing the result against the relative pleasure or discomfort that exists. Virgo can then judge the results and even make suggestions for what needs to happen in the future. This ability sometimes decays into skepticism and faultfinding but on the whole it is a valuable tool in the restructuring of one's inner world. Analysis is not the only psychotherapy but it is one way to evaluate and then to achieve change. Once we identify what we have and analyze the potential, then we can make better use of it. Just as coal can be made into a diamond, so we can use prima materia. Processes represented by the other elements will be used to further psychic development; yet we will return to coagulatio from time to time to evaluate our progress.

Capricorn, cardinal earth, is something of a contradiction in terms. Key words for cardinal signs such as impatient or impulsive are the apparent opposite of Capricorn traits such as caution and patience. In order to reconcile such differences, one must understand that the Capricorn may have a rather different view from the ordinary. If he has been through the alchemical "mill", he has come to see change in a very different light; his impatience may be the heart and soul of calm and self-discipline: what seems impulsive to him will seem like a carefully thought out plan to the rest of us.

What Capricorn shows to the world is the ability to take what there is and to create something useful from it. The creativity of this sign arises from experience; the well-studied alchemist has had the experience of many transitions from one element to another, from one psychic state to another. While an inexperienced Capricorn might be inept, the more considered one will carry on quite successfully. Self-control is possible not because there is no emotion within this dependable person, but because he or she has taken a good look at the psyche and has utilized what is found there.

Materia prima has characteristics that at first can be perceived as the element earth but this perception is founded in the linguistic lack of precision in describing the material. Matter is of the quality of earth to the extent that it has solidity; therefore "first matter" has an earthiness. However, in the context of alchemy, coagulatio is a process of becoming earthlike, not earth itself. (By the same token, calcinatio is the process of burning, and not fire; sublimatio is the process of becoming objective, and not air; solutio is the process of dissolving, and not water.)

Because of the nature of our senses, we often require something solid to look at in order to evaluate our own position; this is true within the psyche as well as in the material world. Concretizing is a process producing something that can be apprehended by the senses of sight, touch, hearing, etc. As physical beings we are equipped with senses; when we begin to encounter parts of experience which were formerly unconscious, we quite naturally develop metaphors to relate to that non-rational component through ordinary everyday senses. Being in the body and having pleasurable sensation is not a bad thing; clarity of sensation is one measure of the effective pursuit of human purpose, as we could not function in the physical sphere without senses to help us relate to the rest of the world. The alchemical metaphor suggests a method for refining one's senses, honing them in order to gather information about the world and oneself.

Psychotherapy involves speaking our innermost thoughts and fears, thus making them more observable. It is the fear of solidification which often keeps secrets deep within the psyche; if I speak of the unmentionable, then I must admit it into the sphere of "reality", a fearful prospect and one which I may try to avoid most diligently.

The earthy process is both a measure of progress and a source of difficulty within the psyche. If we have experiences that cause rigidity in the psyche, we may later have difficulty in adjusting to another point of view. For example, negative experiences concerning the archetype of the Mother prevent a positive mother-type person from fitting into the scheme of things. Only through change can a more flexible attitude develop, one that includes both good and bad mother experiences in consciousness. Personal development through he alchemical process refines the psyche, allowing for the inclusion of a greater variety of experiences without threat.

The myth of creation out of a fluid condition is one type of coagulatio process, the development of earth out of water. Earth can develop from the other elements as well. The Phoenix rising from its own ashes is an example of earth emerging from fire. This is seen as a creative miracle of sorts, something we don't perceive in the normal course of events. The development of earth from air, by contrast, is often experienced in dreams and fantasies as falling. An example would be manna falling from heaven to feed the Israelites in the desert.

All coagulatio process anything that solidifies life into concrete expression is of the nature of the feminine. "Jung has defined the feminine principle as the principle of relatedness. Thus we can say, relationship coagulates. (Edinger, 1985) The astrological delineation of a chart, the psychotherapeutic process and the alchemical process all share the goal of relating things to each other in order to create new understanding. In order to make better use of potential, we measure progress against the ground of the perceivable reality. Without such signposts we would be lost within the psyche.

How does one use the earth to advantage? Martial arts instructors encourage students to make friends with gravity. "Get grounded": if I walk about with my head in the clouds of sublimatio, I may be injured by the very real objects in my world. On the other hand, if I pay attention to my world, I can find out through empirical observation whether my ideas will work. Alchemists allow the material in the retort (container) to re-solidify in order to evaluate the transformation. In the end, however, coagulatio is designed to bind together inseparably the "fixed and the volatile principles". (Cirlot, 1971, p. 8) In the final analysis, the alchemical union will be successful only if the material is stable and that stability is associated with earth.

The process is never totally complete for human beings. Throughout life we will need to examine our path and as physical beings we can do this most effectively through earth processes. Objectivity is difficult when our shoes are too tight or the fabric of our clothing itchy; likewise the psyche needs properly fitting attire. The physical world provides a measuring standard of what is proper. Earth signs focus on such projects as eating, nutrition and movement. Many of the activities related to earth signs are designed to keep the "measuring device" in good working order. Only in this way can we have a useful method of evaluation of the ongoing process of life. coagulatio can result in a much more solid base from which to operate in the world, as it measures all decisions against the barometer of what works for the individual.

Ratna

The richness of the world is available through Ratna energy that exemplifies movement from fire to earth. The richness of the physical environment is enhanced by the application of fire to earth in the form of pottery, smelting metals for jewelry and tools, etc. The fullness of the complete circle is found in Ratna; the sense of needing to complete things and to reconcile opposites is uppermost. A Ratna individual is not satisfied only to experience the conscious part of the personality; he or she will go after the unconscious anima or animus vigorously in order to gain the fullness of possibility.

There may be a tendency for thoughts to spin with this energy. The desire to move from the opposition to the circle itself suggests movement in the direction of spinning and we need to develop a sense of the fullness without inordinate agitation of the spin. In this way we can experience the peaceful, full and complete feeling of Ratna. Rooted in earth, encompassing the whole world feels rich. We are able to both encircle ourselves and to be encircled. There is a dignity and warmth reminiscent of the feeling we once got from our parents.

The nurturing and fertile resourcefulness of Ratna can cause a feeling of being full the "felt sense" of bigness and mass. There is often a settled feeling with Ratna, placing emphasis on the earthy rootedness associated with mountain cultures like the Tibetan. Yet the world can feel overwhelming. There can be too much, too, rich, creating an irritation.

We also experience Ratna as lack of fullness: when we only see the baked earth of the desert in the outer world, we experience a belief of personal limitation. We look to others to fulfill our needs and desires. A natural quality in children, such dependence is eventually replaced with a growing sense of self-reliance as we begin to own our capabilities.

Any portion of the environment that is ornate and expansive speaks to the Ratna energy. Baroque decor is full of such richness. So are the Roman Catholic churches to be found in Mexico. From an Indian culture of depth and vision came the artisans who created fantastically ornamented cathedrals with carved and inlaid gold frescoes of incredible wealth. From a condition of dire poverty the Church created temples to God and Mary, bringing into the Indians' experience the richness which they might expect upon death. The magnitude of space in these churches is uplifting and nearly overpowering.

Conversation in the Ratna style states and restates a point, spouting endless streams of words intended to overpower the listener with the sheer weight and number of words, using every image that comes to mind, "snowing" the other person into agreement. This verbosity comes from an inner sense of inadequacy: one sentence will not be enough, I must say it all in order to be understood. Another saner direction is to use rich metaphors while remaining grounded in the initial idea. Then communication becomes truly effective.

Ratna psychotherapy is very nurturing, such as massage therapy. There is a solidity that emerges out of body therapy, a relating to the physical aspects of the world directly. There is also an integration of feeling and intellectual experience with the physical in a fuller, more expansive way. By focusing on the body we can rediscover the inner strength and beauty of our individuality, allowing the sun to shine within us.

Images used to describe Ratna emphasize both the earthiness and the fire. The fullness of the sun itself is indicative of the fire that resides deep within each living being. We know of this fire instinctively, as it is the very source of life; we sometimes need to go on an inner quest to rediscover the fullness of its power and meaning for us. As we find the richness of the world, we can begin to express it in our environment, much as the Mexican Indians have done in their churches. The inspiration for those beautiful spaces came from within the artisans, albeit that the Catholic fathers primed the pump with stories of the richness of the afterlife.

We face the creative challenge of identifying what is truly important and working to keep that while letting go of those things which no longer seem important. As we more fully understand creative fire and material richness, joining both experiences in consciousness, we move into surroundings that both meet our physical needs and feed our spiritual desires as well. We can develop simplicity within the moment to moment structure of our lives, providing an environment for growth and learning.

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