The Whale Journey

The Whale Journey, also known as the 'night sea' journey, is a descent into the unconscious.

It is referenced in the old alchemical texts and the biblical story of Jonah and The Whale.

On this journey, the conscious mind is consumed by the underworld realms.

It may retaliate in fear but there is a purpose to the perilous quest.

"Only in the region of danger can one find the treasure hard to attain"

The hero/alchemist/protagonist descends (willingly or unwillingly) into the long hidden parts of themselves, that hold their pains, fears, desires...

Parts of themselves connected to all of the suffering, terror and evil of humanity...

The risks are great- loss of the self, madness, delusions, annihilation...

but they are necessary.

This shadow must be looked at and accepted if one is to safely leave the whale.

Once the journey is complete, our knowledge of self and universe has been greatly increased.

Through the trials, we can learn to know and love even more of ourselves and others.

And end denial of those places within us all that are hard to look at.

The treasure hard to attain is the totality of Self that can only be found if we look into our inner, hidden counterpart;

The majesty of the whale, living within the boundless depths of the ocean herself.

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I dreamt this symbol the other night. I was in a double bed with my inner masculine inside the belly of the whale. I proclaimed "it is time to leave". And we begun the ascent; having to squeeze through a very tight black space, hold our breath through another and finally time the exit right to avoid the tongue and teeth of the whale.

The exit is just as- if not more- perilous than the entry, as we must recollect ourselves and learn how to exist with this new knowledge.

We have to use our conscious mind as a tool of integration and alignment; to steady our boat once we are back above water.

Ready to sail to the next journey...

Art by Silke Denteneer- Lyswen