What makes Hilma af Klint's artwork so groundbreaking? Did she really create her art with the aid of higher beings? And why did it take a century for the art world to catchup with her vision and finally recognize her genius? Join me as we discover the answers to all of that and so much more. ∞∞∞∞∞ Visit our sponsor, Magic Mind, and try one of three different mental performance shots. Get 60% off with promo code: CODEX60. Just follow this link: http://magicmind.com/codexmf ∞∞∞∞∞ Support Creative ...
Jul 02, 2025•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 54
By what mechanism does Tarot work? On this episode we answer that question through the illuminating writings and theories of Dr. Carl Jung and Marie Louise von Franz. ∞∞∞∞∞ Visit our sponsor, Magic Mind, and try their mental performance shots. Get 48% off with promo code: CREATIVECODEX. Just follow this link: https://magicmind.com/creativecodex ∞∞∞∞∞ Support Creative Codex on my Patreon and get access to my exclusive Tarot Exegesis episodes: https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian ∞∞∞...
May 14, 2025•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 53
Support my work and research by becoming a patron and get access to the full Tarot Exegesis series and many more exclusive episodes: patreon.com/mjdorian This is a preview of my Tarot Exegesis series, which analyzes every card of the Major Arcana. I've created this multi-part series as supplemental material to the main Tarot series. Each episode is an in depth exploration of the symbolism and psychological significance of several cards. On this preview I explore The Emperor & The Lovers (Maj...
Apr 29, 2025•20 min
When did the Tarot begin? Can it be traced back to Egypt or is it more recent in origin? The Tarot is a tradition with a varied reputation, over centuries it has been labeled: a card game, a divination tool, a creation of the devil, and a spiritual book of wisdom. What is it about the Tarot's symbolism that provokes so much emotion out of us? We will explore the cards through the theories of Dr. Carl Jung to find out. ∞∞∞∞∞ Companion gallery for this episode: http://mjdorian.com/tarot ∞∞∞∞∞ Reso...
Mar 19, 2025•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 52
What do J.R.R. Tolkien, David Lynch, Emily Dickinson, and Damon Albarn have in common? They each pursued ambitious projects—something challenging within their skillset that compelled their growth. On this video-minisode, we explore the benefits of ambitious projects and the many inspiring examples of artists pushing their limits. ∞∞∞∞∞ Check out the dark pop album (CATHARSIS) which I wrote & produced here: https://www.youtube.com/@mjdorian ∞∞∞∞∞ Support Creative Codex on my Patreon and get a...
Jan 30, 2025•14 min
Video not showing? Watch it on the Creative Codex YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/WLCVwqdw53o ---------- Why must the righteous suffer? This is a question at the heart of The Story of Job. On this special episode, we seek out the answer through the visionary artwork of William Blake. In 1805, William Blake was commissioned by his patron and friend, Thomas Butts, to create a set of watercolor illustrations depicting key scenes from The Book of Job. Blake clearly resonated with this 2,600 y...
Jan 02, 2025•46 min
Why did William Blake create his own gods? What does Blake's cosmology teach us about humanity? What role does Blake's visual art serve in fulfilling his creative vision? Join me on a journey to The Morgan Library & Museum, where we view Blake's original manuscripts & artworks, to answer these questions. ∞∞∞∞∞ View the companion gallery for this episode here, including a fully rendered copy of The First Book of Urizen with transcribed text and a diagram of Blake's gods : https://mjdori...
Nov 28, 2024•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 51
What makes Blake's Songs of Innocent & of Experience a work of genius? What is the nature of vision? What is Blake's concept of fourfold vision? Is it even graspable by the intellect? We will make the attempt. Join us for a deep dive into all of this and much more. ∞∞∞∞∞ View the companion gallery for this episode here, including read-along versions of the poems : https://mjdorian.com/blake/ ∞∞∞∞∞Support Creative Codex on my Patreon and get access to exclusive episodes, including the LIMIT...
Sep 30, 2024•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 50
William Blake is considered one of the greatest artists and poets of the English language, yet he lived most of his life in poverty. Why? Many of his acquaintances considered him mad while friends who knew his art considered him 'brilliantly mad'. What was so different about Blake? Join me on this William Blake series as we pry open the mind of this celebrated creative genius to find the true meaning of his enigmatic works. ∞∞∞∞∞ View the companion gallery for this episode here, including read-a...
Aug 07, 2024•1 hr 28 min•Ep. 49
Dr. Carl Jung began to have apocalyptic visions in October 1913 which compelled him to engage a dialogue with his unconscious. In the following months, he transcribed these experiences in his personal journals (Black Books). When World War 1 started in June 1914, Jung realized that his visions, dreams, and meditations may have been precognitions of the impending war. On this minisode, we explore the writings and journals of Dr. Carl Jung to help us better understand this pivotal moment in Jung's...
Jul 17, 2024•20 min
Where language breaks, art begins. Language routinely fails us in conversations about art and creativity. In the following essay, I elaborate on the reason for this problem and offer three terms which can help give more depth and clarity to our discussions of art. The three primary experiential aspects of art: Art-making : verb, a creative act that results in an art-object. Art-object : noun, a material or immaterial byproduct of art-making. Artessence : noun, the state of mind of an art experie...
Jun 06, 2024•23 min•Ep. 48
What happens to Alexander McQueen when he achieves his life's dream? Is he able to continue creating inspired collections in spite of the intense pressures of global fame? What are the personal meanings behind his most iconic collections? And what leads to his tragic end? We will explore all of those questions and much more on this finale to the McQueen series. ∞∞∞∞∞ View the companion gallery for this episode here : https://mjdorian.com/mcqueen/ ∞∞∞∞∞ Video of the McQueen's Eclect Dissect ...
May 09, 2024•2 hr 6 min•Ep. 47
All creative geniuses have visions throughout their lives which guide their work. What does it mean to have a vision? How does a vision differ from a goal? How do you discover your own vision? Let's talk about it. This insight developed from recent studies and reflections I've been engaged in, it is part of my current attempt to define creative genius through several traits which all creative geniuses seem to share. In searching through all of the insights gathered over five years of doing this ...
Mar 26, 2024•12 min
More than anything else in the world, Alexander McQueen at 21 years old wants to be a fashion designer. He embarks on a bold journey to flip the fashion industry on its head. But what makes his early collections so revolutionary and controversial? And what leads to him being 'discovered'? ∞∞∞∞∞ View the companion gallery for this episode (including the video of McQueen's graduate collection) here: https://mjdorian.com/mcqueen/ ∞∞∞∞∞ Support Creative Codex on my Patreon and get access to exclus...
Mar 07, 2024•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 46
How does a boy from a working class London background with no connections to the fashion industry go on to become one of the greatest fashion designers of all time? This is the story of Lee Alexander McQueen. Join me as we dive into the life and work of one of the most celebrated and controversial designers of the 21st century. ∞∞∞∞∞ Support Creative Codex on my Patreon and get access to exclusive episodes, including the Kurt Cobain series, the RED BOOK READING series, and all the Episode Exclus...
Jan 25, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 45
Ever feel like life is too busy to explore your creativity? Ever feel like you don't have enough time? On this Creativity Tip minisode we explore the idea of finding and utilizing the corners of your day. And the possibility that less time isn't always a bad thing–just ask yourself: What can I do with the time that I have? ∞∞∞∞∞ Help fund Creative Codex in 2024 with a donation to our Venmo: https://www.venmo.com/u/creativecodex Support Creative Codex on my Patreon and gain access to the Red B...
Dec 21, 2023•11 min
All of the questions in this episode were sent in by listeners via Instagram, Patreon messages, or Spotify responses. Support Creative Codex on my Patreon and get access to exclusive episodes, including the RED BOOK READING series and all the Episode Exclusives: https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian Questions (in order of appearance, with timestamps): Do you think sadness / heartache / trauma is the secret ingredient to making great art? - Nikita ( 3:33 ) Of all the artists featured so far in Cre...
Dec 07, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 44
What is your relationship to matter? On this episode–the fourth and final episode in the Jung & Alchemy series–we journey to the heart of alchemy. Through studying examples in alchemy we answer these questions: What are archetypes? What is the collective unconscious? What is individuation? And the question to end all questions on the matter: What happens when you practice alchemy? Does it confirm Jung's theories? Let's find out. ∞∞∞∞∞ View my Splendor Solis gallery here: https://mjdorian.co...
Nov 01, 2023•1 hr 35 min•Ep. 43
This is a preview of my new Red Book Reading series, which is now available on my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian Each month I read the next chapter of Dr. Carl Jung's visionary masterpiece, The Red Book (also known as Liber Novus). Each reading is complete with original music and sound design. Whether you've already read it once and hope to gain new insights, or you have it but haven't cracked it open yet–this series is for you. Thank you in advance for your support! ----------- All M...
Oct 04, 2023•11 min
Join me for a journey back to a time when alchemy was revered by Kings & Queens and practiced in the courts of nobles. A time when Prague was the alchemical capital of the world–drawing occultists to it from all of Europe, and ruled by a King who supported esoteric spiritual practices. Along the way we will find direct parallels between Jung's Red Book and the work of the alchemists, leading us to Jung's most misunderstood psychotherapeutic method: active imagination. We will also explore th...
Aug 31, 2023•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 42
What is the hidden link between play and creativity? Why do we discourage adults from play? How do you heal your relationship with play and improve your creativity? As we journey from childhood into adulthood, the world demands that we abandon play and daydream–relegating them to the domain of childhood. But of the many sacrifices we all must make in our transition into adulthood, this sacrifice is the most damaging to our creativity. It's time we heal our relationship with play and reimagine it...
Aug 06, 2023•14 min
Beneath the surface of Western history––deep within its cavernous tunnels––flows a river of gold. On this episode we explore the essential concepts of alchemy, alchemical artwork, Jung's theory regarding the projection of unconscious material, inexplicable dreams with alchemical symbolism, the paradox of consciousness & matter, and the unique role of revelation in alchemy. In the end, we return to The Red Book to track down a special passage which seems to prove Dr. Jung tapped into alchemy ...
Jul 13, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 41
What is alchemy? Where does it come from? When did it begin? What does Jung find in alchemy? What does it represent to him that is so important, so profound, that it causes him to abandon his inspired work of the Red Book? It’s time to find out. ∞∞∞∞∞ Join the Creative Codex mailing list: https://mjdorian.com/mail/ ∞∞∞∞∞ Support Creative Codex on my Patreon and get access to exclusive episodes, including the Kurt Cobain series and all the Episode Exclusives: https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian Buy ...
Jun 09, 2023•57 min•Ep. 40
This is a special guided meditation episode which takes you on a journey to meet your inner child and start a dialogue with them. It is inspired by Dr. Carl Jung's active imagination method. My hope is that this meditation will introduce you to a new way of relating to your inner world. A way that is playful and engages one of the most powerful and seemingly overlooked tools humans have: imagination. In becoming familiar with the method of active imagination, and how to engage a dialogue with a ...
May 12, 2023•33 min
This is the final part of a three part series about the legend of performance art: Marina Abramović. In this episode we explore Marina & Ulay's hypnosis inspired performance pieces, we follow them into the Australian outback for their six months living with aborigines, and finally explore what leads to their last performance–walking the Great Wall of China. Pieces discussed in order of appearance in the episode: • Hypnosis inspired series (1980): Nature of Mind, Point of Contact, Timeless Po...
Apr 19, 2023•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 39
Why do we start journals with so much enthusiasm, only to lose interest within a month? What is the point of a good journal? What are the profound benefits of journaling and how do we engage them? On this Creativity Tip, we explore the possibility that we are all journaling wrong. Pop culture has handicapped our ability to journal effectively, romanticizing the 'art of journaling' and externalizing our attention away from inner life. We explore two of the most important experiences a good journa...
Mar 21, 2023•12 min
This is Part 2 of a three part series about the legend of performance art: Marina Abramović. On this episode, we explore her intense relationship and art partnership with Ulay. The narrative weaves its way through their thirteen year collaboration, focusing on their early years, first performances together, and their Art Vital manifesto which encapsulated their life and art. --------- Support Creative Codex on my Patreon and get access to exclusive episodes, including the Kurt Cobain series and ...
Mar 03, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 38
This is Part 1 of a three part series about the legend of performance art: Marina Abramović. On this episode, we explore her childhood, Marina's first forays into art, and her controversial Rhythm series. In a first for podcasting, we explore her performance art through sonic simulations of the works as they are discussed. Her artworks as they appear in this episode: Rhythm 10 (1973) Rhythm 5 (1974) Rhythm 2 (1974) Rhythm 4 (1974) Rhythm 0 (1974) --------- Support Creative Codex on my Patreon an...
Feb 02, 2023•58 min•Ep. 37
This essay was inspired by the listeners of Creative Codex. It is dedicated to all the young artists who are unsure of their place in the modern world, and all the well intentioned parents, who want to encourage their child's creative journey. To them I say: art is not an option–it is a necessity. You can read this essay here: https://mjdorian.com/essays/ In the process of writing Letter to a Young Artist in the 21st Century , I realized 7 Universal Truths of Art . These are explored throughout ...
Jan 10, 2023•16 min•Ep. 36
The Hell Panel of Hieronymus Bosch is considered the most infamous depiction of Hell in art history. On this episode, we will venture deeper into Bosch's Hell than anyone has ever ventured before. At its depths we will find philosophical insights, critiques of the Catholic Church, and Bosch's visionary creative genius on full display. View a video companion of this episode on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2bfQsdvdVYpxTZGTaMt2Zn?si=aee56d57f19d4194 View a high resolution version of Th...
Dec 20, 2022•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 35
