The Great Work by Paolo Turchioe

Alchemy, Chemistry's precursor, aimed to transmute metals into gold via the "Great Work." This later became a metaphor for self-growth. The "Great Work" has three stages: "nigredo," the first, signifies facing one's shadow self and dark personality traits; the second stage, "albedo," symbolizes the alchemist's mental purification, promoting wisdom, compassion, and humility; lastly, "rubedo," denotes transcending limitations, leading to heightened consciousness.