ACTIVE IMAGINATION
The Practice of Inner Alchemy
Carl Jung’s most powerful technique for engaging the unconscious and achieving psychological transformation
WHAT IS ACTIVE IMAGINATION?
Active imagination is the practice of directly engaging with the unconscious mind through symbolic dialogue and interaction. Developed by Carl Jung, it is the work of inner alchemy—transforming unconscious material into conscious understanding and integration.
You engage with images, figures, and symbols that arise from the unconscious, allowing them to reveal their nature and meaning through direct experience. This creates a conscious relationship with autonomous psychological forces.
“…this is the indispensable second part of any analysis that is really meant to go to the roots.”
— Carl Jung
Jung considered active imagination essential to depth psychology—yet it remains massively underserved. Much of therapy, coaching, and even Jungian analysis neglects this vital practice. Make it Conscious offers over 140 guided exercises to make this transformative method accessible.
WHY PRACTICE ACTIVE IMAGINATION?
The Work of Inner Alchemy
Active imagination is how intellectual understanding becomes lived psychological transformation. Through symbolic engagement, you:
- Engage your shadow – Work directly with avoided qualities and denied aspects
- Integrate opposites – Transform inner conflicts into creative synthesis
- Develop psychological functions – Strengthen underdeveloped aspects of your personality
- Access inner wisdom – Develop a conscious relationship with the unconscious
- Achieve genuine transformation – Move beyond insight to embodied change
“Active imagination is thus the most powerful tool in Jungian psychology for achieving wholeness—far more efficient than dream interpretation alone.”
— Marie-Louise von Franz
HOW TO BEGIN
Starting Your Practice
Active imagination works best when:
- You have a quiet, uninterrupted space where you can focus
- You’re neither too tired nor overly stimulated – a balanced, alert state
- You approach with openness and respect for what emerges
- You allow images and figures to reveal themselves rather than directing them
- You engage consciously in a dialogue, rather than just observe passively
Not Sure Where to Start?
The exercises below are organised by theme and purpose. If you’re new to active imagination:
- Begin with Core Practice exercises to learn the fundamental approach
- Explore Shadow Work exercises to engage avoided aspects
- Take the Personality Dynamics Assessment to discover which content to engage with
FREE EXERCISE LIBRARY
Make it Conscious has published an extensive range of both free and premium guided active imagination exercises for many requirements. Extended and premium exercises are available inside our Hestia membership community at hestia.makeitconscious.com.
Explore our free library below, sorted by category – core practice, shadow work, Anima/Animus work, symbolic investigation, archetypal engagement and emotional integration.
CORE PRACTICE
Foundation exercises for learning active imagination and establishing your practice.
These exercises introduce the fundamental approach of active imagination—how to enter the practice, engage with what arises, and integrate the experience.
SHADOW WORK
Exercises for engaging with avoided qualities, denied aspects, and the parts of yourself you typically reject.
Shadow integration is central to psychological development. These exercises guide you in working with the dark side of your strength and the qualities you naturally avoid.
ANIMA/ANIMUS WORK
Engaging with the contrasexual aspects of your psyche—the inner feminine for men, inner masculine for women.
The anima and animus represent undeveloped aspects of consciousness. Working with these figures is essential for psychological wholeness.
ARCHETYPAL ENCOUNTERS
Working with major archetypes—figures and forces that shape human experience across cultures and time.
Archetypes are autonomous psychological patterns. These exercises guide you in conscious relationship with archetypal forces.
SYMBOLIC INVESTIGATION
Exercises using tarot, zodiac, and other symbolic systems as entry points for active imagination.
Symbols provide structured pathways into the unconscious. Through active imagination with established symbolic systems, you gain deeper understanding not only of the symbols themselves but of the structure of reality they represent.
EMOTIONAL INTEGRATION
Working with specific feelings, emotional patterns, and psychological states that require integration.
Emotions are not just feelings to manage—they’re psychological forces requiring conscious engagement and integration.
PERSONALITY ALCHEMY
Exercises tailored to specific personality types—working with all four of your psychological functions to develop integration and wholeness. These exercises use your type’s patterns as the foundation for transformation, supporting the Premium Personality Alchemy pack in Hestia.
DEEPEN YOUR PRACTICE WITH HESTIA
Join our Hestia community for structured learning, premium exercises, and live practice.
The membership includes the “How to Talk to Yourself” course and Know Yourself Programme—structured courses on active imagination, shadow work, and individuation. Access exclusive exercises, themed development packs, and extended versions not available publicly.
Practice with the community through regular group active imagination sessions, coaching circles, and shared exploration with sincere practitioners. Direct guidance from Max Chegwyn and ongoing support for your development journey.
