"The alchemists had an excellent image for the transformation of suffering
and symptom into a value of the soul. A goal of the alchemical process was the
pearl of great price. The pearl starts off as a bit of grit, a neurotic symptom
or complaint, a bothersome irritant in one's secret inside flesh, which no
defensive shell can protect oneself from. This is coated over, worked at day in
day out, until the grit one day is a pearl; yet it must still be fished up from
the depths and pried loose. Then when the grit is redeemed, it is worn. It must
be worn on the warm skin to keep its luster: the redeemed complex which once
caused suffering is exposed to public view as a virtue. The esoteric treasure
gained through occult work becomes an esoteric splendor."
- James Hillman