Lessons from alchemy to organizational science

I’m a big fan of the book Metaphors we live by and it has greatly influenced my perception to look for answers in a different domain than the domain of the problem.

I have been fascinated by Alchemy and the study of symbols because of it’s universal nature and fractal form to help see patterns in all things from the smallest to the biggest. I have used some of the teachings as sensemaking tools to connect the dots of an emerging and exponential future.

Alchemical thinking is definitely a wonderful mental model to acquire through the study of symbols and metaphors for systems thinkers.

For instance, the above symbol holds many mysteries and various levels of interpretation.

• It’s a geometric challenge of constructing a square with the same area as a given circle by using only a finite number of steps with a compass and straightedge (or an angle).
• It also means metaphorically an impossible problem to solve
• It also represents the formula of the philosopher’s stone
• The circle represents the infinite with no end, it can also mean something complete, the square represents the four directions or the four elements and the triangle in this context represents the trinity of the mind, body and soul or for the alchemists…