How do we connect with a deeper sense of knowing in times of transition? In the novel, ‘His Dark Materials’ by Philip Pullman, the alethiometer is a magic compass that tells the truth if asked any question. To read its ancient symbols, you have to hold a certain mental mindset, a relaxed concentration. Pullman quotes Keat’s ‘negative capability’ as a way to read his alethiometer – a state of being with ‘uncertainties, mysteries, doubts, without any irritable reaching after fact and reason’.

As arts psychotherapist, I’m often helping clients access their own truth-telling alethiometer by connecting to their unconscious through images, symbols, metaphor. In doing so, people can visualise new insights and truths, and bring them into awareness. Jung spoke of ‘active imagination’. Recently, I’ve discovered Schiller’s writings on ‘productive imagination’, and the play-drive’s role to free our imaginations to find personal solutions to challenges in the outside world.

I’ve written elsewhere about the importance of ‘rewilding imagination’ as a natural inner resource. As therapists, we see the visible glow on people’s faces, the way their breath slows, as they enter this creative, reflective, process, and reach these ‘aha’ moments. As creators, we tangibly feel it when there’s a breakthrough on a creative project or book we’re working on. I wonder if Philip Pullman was describing his own creative process, when he talks about the skills and mindset needed to read alethiometer, this magic compass and truth-teller.

And here’s what I find exciting. Our active, productive, rewilded imaginations, can be used not only to help guide us through personal journeys, but also to help creatives, educators, writers, problem-solve, develop and strengthen their ideas. In my studio, I pull out postcards, or make a sand tray when I design creative retreats, workshops, write books, and am looking for a new perspective. When I feel that moment of surprise… I know I’ve hit something deep.

There’s a real power that lies in our creative unconscious, this reservoir of images and archetypes. I think of it as a natural intelligence that exists deep inside us, potentially accessible to all, if we learn how to connect with it. It’s not easy to enter this deep flow state, stay with the unknown, follow the creative process, allow symbols, metaphors to speak in their own language. It’s easier to look outside for answers. It goes counterculture to take our time… stay still, listen to silence, and allow our own natural insights to emerge. Yet, it can offer real respite to take a breath, shut out the noise of the outside world, and go within.

Not only can we return from inner travels with new insights, but this kind of creative flow state can restore us too. In these challenging times, here’s a human resource and natural intelligence to ground and inspire us, while making us feel good too.