JUNE 2025

The Spiral

meditations on an Archetypal Symbol

with artist and educator Chantal Powell, Ph.D.

“The spiral is the most ancient symbol of evolution;
it represents the idea of constant growth,
of something that keeps unfolding
and regenerating in ever-expanding circles.”


– Carl G. Jung, 
Man and His Symbols 

The spiral is one of our most ancient and profound symbols.

From the patterns of galaxies and plant growth to the mandalas and labyrinths of sacred traditions, the spiral is a universal motif that connects nature, psychology, and spirituality.

In this three-week course, we will explore the spiral symbol through the lenses of Jungian psychology, mythology, alchemy, and art.

Led by artist and educator Chantal Powell, you will uncover the spiral as both a natural and psychological pattern, a path to the divine, and a symbol of transformation.

We’ll examine its presence in nature, sacred traditions, mythology, and art, delving into its role in spiritual ascent, self-discovery, and renewal.

The course culminates with a special in-conversation event with Dr. Amy Hale and Simon Moretti, exploring the spiral’s significance in esoteric art, mystical thought, and contemporary creativity.

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THE SPIRAL

meditations on an Archetypal Symbol

WITH CHANTAL POWELL, PH.D.

SUNDAYS
JUNE 8, 15 & 22
11-1pm Pacific / 2-4 pm Eastern
/ 7-9pm GMT

Live Via Zoom +
Video Recording will be available
to all guests

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Course Outline:

Week 1: The Spiral as a Natural and Psychological Pattern

The Spiral as a Universal Structure

Spirals Across Nature – From Shells to Galaxies, Micro to Macro

Plant Intelligence and Indigenous Wisdom

Spirals in Myth & Symbolism – Labyrinths, Serpents, and Journeys

Spirals in Alchemy - Renewal and Psychological Transformation

Week 2: The Spiral as a Pathway to the Divine

Philosophy & Spiritualism – Symbolism in Different Religious and Mystical Traditions

Mandalas – The Spiral as a Tool for Inner Exploration

The Spiral in Art and Sacred Spaces

The Spiral’s Eye – The Psychological Journey to Our Divine Centre

Week 3: A Special In-Conversation Event
with Dr. Amy Hale and Simon Moretti

The Significance of the Spiral in Esoteric Art and Magic, with a Focus on Ithell Colquhoun’s Work by Dr. Amy Hale

The Spiral in Historical and Mystical Thought, Including Swedenborg’s Writings

Exploring the Spiral in Contemporary Artistic Practice, Including Simon Moretti’s Work

CHANTAL POWELL, PH. D.

Chantal Powell is an UK-based artist and educator. Her art practice explores the symbolic language of the unconscious and is informed by a PhD in social psychology (Southampton University,UK) and an ongoing study of Jungian theory and inner alchemy.

Over recent years she has been researching first-hand the imagery in alchemical manuscripts and notebooks from the 15th and 16th century. Combining archetypal symbols from these sources alongside those from mythology and personal inner work, she uses a Jungian art-based research approach to facilitate our understanding of the human psyche.

Chantal is also the founder of the artist residency program Hogchester Arts in West Dorset and hosts the speaker program "The Red Book Club". She presents illustrated talks and workshops on psychological alchemy from an artist’s perspective and has co-curated exhibitions with a focus on archetypally symbolic art.

Guests

Dr. Amy Hale

Dr. Amy Hale (PhD Folklore, UCLA) is an Atlanta-based writer, curator, and ethnographer specializing in magic, art, and culture. She has written extensively on artist and occultist Ithell Colquhoun, including Ithell Colquhoun: Genius of the Fern Loved Gully (2020) and Sex Magic: Diagrams of Love, Ithell Colquhoun (2024). Dr. Hale is an advisor for the current Colquhoun retrospective at Tate St. Ives. She is also the editor of Essays on Women in Western Esotericism (2022) and has contributed to numerous galleries and academic publications. Dr. Hale is an Honorary Research Fellow at Falmouth University and a trustee of Rediscovering Art by Women (RAW).

Simon Moretti

Simon Moretti is an artist and curator based in London. His work deals with psychoanalytical and philosophical concepts through context and display, the use of appropriated images, archives, curatorial, and publishing projects. Recent projects include the current Hereafter at The Swedenborg Society (2025), Eau Sauvage at Mackintosh Lane (2022), and Crocodile Cradle at PEER London (2021). Past exhibitions include Revolt of the Sage at Blain Southern (2016) and The Enigma of the Hourat the Freud Museum (2019).