SPIRIT ALCHEMY | ARCHETYPES
Symbols and Archetypes
Exploring the depths of human consciousness
I was a licensed clinical mental health and substance abuse counselor for ten years. They were some of the most rewarding years of my life and I cherish the connections I made with clients.
Each treatment program had its own way of conducting graduations and I quickly learned that clients came to depend on these rites of passage. They were important markers in their journeys to self.
My first job was with a harm-reduction co-occurring disorder outpatient clinic. The director had special peace tokens that were passed around the table at graduation and each person offered words of love and encouragement.
The healing energy of the group was infused into the small medallion and graduates often fashioned them into necklaces so they could have all that love close to their hearts at all times.
Afterward, the graduate’s primary counselor would choose and play a song devoted to the client. Often family members and friends would attend and ceremonies usually ended in happy tears.
Over the years, the settings changed, but there were always graduation ceremonies. Regardless of the facility, when a client of mine graduated from a program, I…
