In this episode, we explore the role of desire and wanting in the Alchemy journey. While some spiritual traditions teach desirelessness, Alchemy actually begins with igniting your passion and understanding what you truly want from life. This episode clarifies why wanting isn't something to transcend—it's the fuel that powers transformation. We discuss the Nine Stages of Alchemy, the concept of "un-peopling" for clarity, and why the Alchemists in the caves knew that the real work starts with ordinary human nature, not transcendent experiences. Key Themes: Desire as fuel, not the enemy Why Alchemy doesn't ask you to kill your passion Beyond the "spiritual bypass" The Alchemist caves and retreating from distractions Beginner's mind The Nine Stages of Alchemy as a roadmap Stage one: Is your life flowing or is it hard? Stage two: What are you guarding against? Stage three: What did you inherit? Why the fast track doesn't work (and why that's good news) The role of Wood energy in forward momentum What "un-peopling" means and why Alchemists needed it Free Meditation — Start Here What Do I Really Want? (20-minute guided meditation) Access: AlchemyLearningCenter.com/want How to use: Do this meditation 2-3 times if nothing comes up the first time. There's no pass or fail. You're just slowing down and opening to what your heart truly wants. Homework for Listeners #1: Notice How You Reach Catch yourself trying to skip ahead Are you looking for shortcuts or the fast track? Are you trying to bypass steps? No judgment—just observe #2: Name Something You're Still Guarding Against Reflect on what you're protecting against You might think you already dealt with it (through therapy, meditation, etc.), but notice if you're still triggered Don't try to fix it; just admit it's there This observation is often the most important part of the work #3: Free Meditation What Do I Really Want? (20 minutes, guided) Give yourself permission to want whatever you actually want If nothing comes up the first time, do it again There's no pass or fail—you're just slowing down Access: AlchemyLearningCenter.com/want Resources & Links Learning Programs & Courses From Seeker to Alchemist (Self-Paced Online Program) A self-paced online program for anyone new to or deepening their alchemy practice Includes: Nine Stages of Alchemy, modules, and exercises you can do at home at your own pace Status: Almost complete (launching soon) Link: AlchemyLearningCenter.com/courses/from-seeker-to-alchemist Alchemy Life Strategy Sessions 1-on-1 sessions with Jaye Focus: Applying the Nine Stages to your life, building momentum, and discovering ease Learn more: AlchemyLearningCenter.com Alchemy Learning Center Full catalog of courses, workshops, and resources Website: AlchemyLearningCenter.com Books Cultivating the Thirteen Ghost Points (by Leta Herman & Jaye McElroy) Available: Soft cover edition (newly released for wider accessibility) Where to buy: Amazon and other major retailers Special campaign: Leave a review and receive Inspired Action Alchemy or Alchemy Learning Center swag (T-shirts, hats, mugs, including the limited edition "Gui Are People Too" tee) How to participate: Send review screenshot to leta@inspiredactionpodcast.com or jaye@inspiredactionpodcast.com Connecting Your Circle (by Leta Herman & Jaye McElroy) — FREE What it covers: How to balance all Five Elements and become flexible and fluid in any situation Access: AlchemyLearningCenter.com/connecting-your-circle Also available: In soft cover on Amazon Other books by Jaye McElroy & Leta Herman: Through the Mystery Gate The Energy of Love The Big Little Gua Sha Book Previous Episodes Referenced Episode 147: Plant Spirit Alchemy with Brittany Chowning Topics: Connecting with plant spirits, natural world wisdom, multidimensional travel, shamanic journeys Workshop: 3-hour live workshop on using artemisia (mugwort) and plant spirits to enhance alchemical journeys Pre-Order in the Alchemy Learning Center Episodes 140 & 141: Alchemy Stone Medicine with Mikhael Oskarrson Topics: Connecting with stone spirits, Alchemy Stone Medicine, natural world wisdom, multidimensional travel FREE Alchemy Stone Medicine Workshop: AlchemyLearningCenter.com Upcoming Episodes Episode 149: Rebellious Qi — What Happens When You Declare What You Want Teaser: The moment you identify what you really want, your mind builds a case against it (I can't do it, I don't have enough money/time, etc.). This is called "rebellious qi" in Chinese medicine—and it's not a metaphor, it's a real physical phenomenon you can work with. Episode 150: The Wu Wei State Teaser: A major milestone episode diving deep into Wu Wei (inspired action) and pure presence—the state Jaye and Leta work toward in their Alchemy practice. Quotes & Memorable Moments "The passion or the wanting isn't the challenge here. The passion is the fuel. It's what we do with it that gets interesting." "There is only now. That's all we have—every day of our lives, all we have is now." "Nobody ever built anything because they were content." "The ordinary human work in the beginning levels of Alchemy brings the most transformation, and quite quickly in the big scheme of things." "When you spend a lot of time with your monsters, you begin to see right through them—they're not that scary, big monster you thought they were." "Some things don't move when you just sit with them. They move by being met." "No hurry, no right, no wrong, no good, no bad, no fast or slow. It's what you bring to it." Ways to Support the Podcast Leave a Review Helps the podcast reach more people through algorithms Leave a star rating or written review on your podcast platform (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.) Review the Book & Win Swag Read and review Cultivating the Thirteen Ghost Points, take a screenshot, and send to leta@inspiredactionpodcast.com or jaye@inspiredactionpodcast.com Receive: T-shirts, hats, mugs, or limited edition "Gui Are People Too" tee Subscribe Click the Subscribe button on your podcast platform Stay updated on new episodes and content Suggest Topics & Questions Email ideas to leta@inspiredactionpodcast.com or jaye@inspiredactionpodcast.com Connect on Social Facebook: Inspired Action Facebook Group Instagram: @inspiredaction The Five Elements Quick Reference Wood: Growth, forward movement, vision, planning, anger (blocked), decisiveness Fire: Joy, passion, connection, anxiety/inflammation (blocked), intimacy Earth: Grounding, nourishment, thought, worry (blocked), stability Metal: Structure, order, respect, judgmentalne (blocked), letting go Water: Flow, frozen (blocked), wisdom, rest, deep listening Read more in Connecting Your Circle or explore courses on the Five Elements at the Alchemy Learning Center. Guest & Host Information Hosts: Jaye McElroy — Co-creator, Inspired Action Alchemy podcast; author, Cultivating the Thirteen Ghost Points, Through the Mystery Gate, Connecting Your Circle, The Energy of Love, and the Big Little Gua Sha Book; Alchemy teacher and Alchemy Life Strategist Leta Herman — Co-creator, Inspired Action Alchemy podcast; author, Cultivating the Thirteen Ghost Points, Through the Mystery Gate, Connecting Your Circle, The Energy of Love, and the Big Little Gua Sha Book; Alchemy teacher, Five-Elements specialist, and Alchemy/Chinese Medicine practitioner Podcast Details Podcast Name: Inspired Action Alchemy Hosts: Jaye McElroy & Leta Herman Frequency: Weekly (ish) Duration: 25-45 minutes per episode Format: Conversations, teachings, interviews, and guided meditations Distribution: Libsyn, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms Website: InspiredActionPodcast.com or AlchemyLearningCenter.com Contact: Leta: leta@inspiredactionpodcast.com Jaye: jaye@inspiredactionpodcast.com Next Steps Take the meditation: AlchemyLearningCenter.com/want Do the homework: Notice how you reach, name what you're guarding Leave a review to help others find the podcast Tune in next week (Episode 149) for Rebellious Qi Explore the Learning Center: AlchemyLearningCenter.com