NIGREDO

The Dark Night of the Soul

Sometimes, life brings us to a place of deep darkness. We feel lost, empty, or confused. This is what people call the dark night of the soul, a mysterious and transformative period. In many ways, it is like an alchemical process, where the soul is being purified and transformed, just like base metals become gold.

The first stage is called Nigredo, the blackening. Everything feels heavy and unclear. Old habits, beliefs, and attachments dissolve. We may feel sadness, fear, or anger, as if the world has lost its color. But this darkness is not punishment it is the fire in which the old self melts. During this time, it helps to simply be present with your feelings, to observe them without judgment, and to walk slowly through life, letting yourself feel each emotion fully.

Alchemists faced the Nigredo with inner practices and rituals: meditation, temporary isolation, observing their dreams, and writing down their thoughts. Working with symbols and colors was also important: black was not just darkness, but the fertile ground where light could grow. The idea was that by confronting suffering and emptiness, the soul could purify itself and emerge stronger and more radiant.

After the blackness, light begins to appear. This stage is called Albedo, the whitening. Here, we start to see clarity. We begin to understand the patterns that kept us trapped, and small moments of insight bring relief. It is a time to reflect, to write, to create, and to explore spiritual teachings that can guide us. The dark night is becoming a teacher, and we slowly learn to listen.

Then comes Citrinitas, the yellowing, when the soul starts to integrate the lessons it has learned. We feel more balanced, more aware of our thoughts and emotions, and we can face life with a calm mind. Gratitude and intention become natural. We start to align our actions with our values, and even simple acts of kindness help to strengthen this new harmony. It is as if the soul begins to shine from the inside, warming everything around it.

Finally, the journey reaches Rubedo, the reddening, the creation of gold. The darkness has passed, and what emerges is inner peace, wisdom, and authenticity. We feel connected to life and to ourselves in a way that was impossible before. The soul has transformed. Now, we can live intentionally, choosing our actions consciously and sharing our light with others.

The dark night of the soul is not a curse. It is a sacred journey, a crucible in which the soul is purified, transformed, and made radiant. Each phase Nigredo, Albedo, Citrinitas, Rubedo—has its challenges and gifts, and by embracing them, we discover a deeper, more luminous version of ourselves.

A powerful symbol that can help during the Nigredo phase is the “Raven”🖤

In alchemical and spiritual traditions, the raven represents transformation through darkness. It is the messenger of change: it looks into the darkness, moves through it, and brings hidden wisdom. Meditating on or reflecting with the raven can help us accept the shadow side and understand that emptiness is necessary for rebirth.

A useful practice during Nigredo is “shadow journaling”:

1. Find a quiet place and take a notebook.

2. Write freely about your emotions, fears, doubts, and anything that comes up, without censoring yourself.

3. Reflect on what these feelings want to teach you.

4. At the end, close the notebook with gratitude, as if you have transformed part of the darkness into awareness

   
   

This combination of symbol and practice helps us observe the darkness without fear, turning it into fertile ground for inner growth

Which phase do you find yourself in?