The prima materia is featured in several of Jungs works, particularly those on alchemy.[i] However, the term predates Jung and the alchemists by hundreds of years. The first known usage is in Aristotle, who considered the “first mater” to be a substrate of substances.

Creative entrepreneurs often find that the biggest challenge isn't their craft but the business hurdles that arise. Issues with pricing, client expectations, and daily admin can create stress, clouding focus and slowing progress. Many talented makers, designers, writers, and artists experience common pain points: overwhelming noise, lack of clarity, and the fear that business is overshadowing their art. The goal is to create simple systems that safeguard energy and help sustain creative inspiration.

This article began as a review of Against the Machine by Paul Kingsnorth and has subsequently expanded into a reflection on the psychological consequences of technology and the Machine. While Kingsnorth’s reservations about Capitalism are an overreach, the book is spectacular.[i] The Machine is a key, unlocking the era we’re in. It makes evident our analogous relationship with the dawn of Christianity. The Machine is a name for the Gnostic Demiurge or Lucifer that contemporary people can comprehend without recoiling. If you don’t know what that means, don’t worry. You’ll get it by the end of this article, and certainly by the end of Against the Machine. This article became an integration of Kingsnorth’s views, and subsequently, brought them down to earth. Kingsnorth speaks history. I speak psychology. Thus, this article won’t be a raving review of the book, but an elaboration through psychology and philosophy.

I wanted to like Conclave. It won the Best Adapted Screenplay award at the Oscars. It is a beautifully composed film. The use of color and shadow, chiaroscuro, resemble a renaissance painting. At times, it delivers insightful dialogue, and its main monologue captures the exhaustion of our era and the concomitant longing for humility. The film is at its best when it critiques ambition, certainty, and egotism. However, Conclave is ultimately a parody of Christianity and uses it as a mask to import its anti-Christian ideology. In fact, Conclave takes ideology to be the antidote to ambition – erroneously. And for this reason, Conclave amounts to sophisticated, beautiful, well-acted propaganda.

Do you think the politics of today are guided by serious philosophies of governance?

The philosophies of the Woke and the Groypers are merely tribal impulses rationalized post hoc. We are not having political discussions, we are having tribal arguments while wearing our party’s mask.

What if hobbies weren’t about productivity or talent, but about gentle experiments in being human? Small, low-pressure activities—drawing for 20 minutes, taking a short walk, finishing a tiny tech project—can quietly reshape how you feel, think, and connect with others. This guide explores approachable hobbies that build wellness and personal growth by starting exactly where you are, not where you think you “should” be.

Using “Messy” by Lola Young as a symbol rather than a confession, this essay explores a modern pattern of romantic decadence—where identity fractures under the weight of idolized relationships and unexamined self-expression. What looks like honesty and freedom may actually be chaos, revealing how meaning collapses when a romantic partner replaces a higher purpose.

Hobbies play a powerful role in personal growth, mental health, and overall well-being. Whether creative, physical, intellectual, or lifestyle-based, hobbies help reduce stress, improve focus, and bring meaning to everyday life. In a culture driven by productivity, playful pursuits offer a proven way to restore balance, spark curiosity, and thrive beyond work.

Every season carries its own rhythm—winter’s calm, spring’s renewal, summer’s energy, and autumn’s grounding. When we try to move through the year at one constant pace, we burn out or lose our spark. Aligning your self-care with the seasons—resting, renewing, connecting, and re-centering—creates a more natural sense of balance. Even small rituals can bring steadiness, joy, and clarity throughout the year.

Sometimes the most profound shifts in mental health don’t come from the usual advice, but from unexpected corners — the stillness of a forest, the jolt of a new flavor, or even an hour bathed in a single color. These small experiments in silence, sensation, and curiosity invite you to treat mental wellness not as a chore, but as a living exploration.

Stress doesn’t always scream. Most days, it whispers—tight shoulders, racing thoughts, and that low hum of “too much” in the background. You don’t need hacks. You need habits. This isn’t about escaping stress—it’s about reshaping how you meet it.

From five-minute silences to movement that resets your mind, these simple shifts help you build calm instead of chasing it. Real tools, for real life. Let’s get grounded.

Under one roof, three generations—each with their own rhythms, needs, and voices—come together not just to live, but to thrive. A multi-generational home can be a haven of support, love, and shared strength—but it takes more than just extra bedrooms to make it work. From carving out personal space to protecting peace of mind, here are seven smart strategies to help every generation feel at home, together.

“Being brilliant isn’t enough — you’ve got to be visible.”

You’ve spent years honing your craft, perfecting every detail with heart and grit. But talent without strategy is like shouting into a void. Eyes on the Work is your wake-up call: a guide for creatives ready to stop waiting for permission and start building a career on their own terms. Whether you're a fashion designer, painter, maker, or multidisciplinary artist, this is your roadmap to getting discovered — and staying sustainable. From harnessing the power of social media to mastering pricing and business strategy, this isn’t just about making art. It’s about making art that gets seen, shared, and sold.

Explore how history offers a continuum of human cultures through Paul Cooper's 'Fall of Civilizations.' From mighty empires to their inevitable decline, this article sheds light on the rise and fall of civilizations, the resilience of human spirit, and the impact of technology and disease. Gain a new perspective on how past civilizations are much like our own and ponder the legacy we will leave behind for future generations.

Understanding the profound connection between your food choices and mental health can empower you to make positive changes in your life. By recognizing and addressing unhealthy relationships with food, you can enhance your mental well-being and foster a more balanced lifestyle. In this article, we’ll go over several ways you can work healthy eating into your routine and start feeling better.

Are we ready for a world where AI dictates our future, or should we take control to ensure technology enhances rather than erases our humanity? Join the conversation on navigating the age of AI.

Creativity is more than a skill—it’s the heartbeat of innovation, personal growth, and professional success. But what happens when inspiration fades, and every idea feels stuck in neutral? In our latest article, we dive into actionable strategies to reignite your creative fire. From stepping out of old routines to exploring mindful art practices, this guide is your roadmap to fresh thinking and boundless imagination.Rediscover how curiosity and perseverance can transform the way you approach life’s challenges. Ready to fuel your passion and unlock endless possibilities?

Netflix’s Arcane is a modern myth, intertwining art deco aesthetics and alchemical symbolism to explore humanity’s eternal struggle with chaos and order. Central to this tale are Jayce and Viktor, whose journeys reveal the dangers of unchecked ambition and the duality of progress. Hex Tech serves as a metaphor for technological marvels that can save or destroy, depending on their wielders. While Jayce learns humility through his trials, Viktor’s transformation warns of losing humanity in the pursuit of perfection. Ultimately, Arcane urges us to embrace balance and compassion, reminding us that progress devoid of love leads to stagnation and ruin.

In Looking for Heaven, the author embarks on a profound exploration of “heaven,” stripping away centuries of dogma and cultural misconceptions. Blending personal anecdotes, theological critique, and psychological insights, the essay challenges the idea of heaven as a distant, metaphysical realm. Instead, it redefines heaven as an intimate domain of human experience rooted in consciousness, meaning, and connection. With references spanning mythology, modern psychology, and personal reflections, this work invites readers to rethink what it means to seek heaven in a world fragmented by materialism and postmodern skepticism.

In one of his most influential works, Psychology and Alchemy, Carl Jung argues that alchemy was far more than a failed science. Instead, it was an undifferentiated mix of object and subject. Alchemy was chemistry insofar as it was a science, and it was a psychological practice…