Melancholy is the state of mood where the soul awaits between a spiritual dawn that never comes and an endless twilight... For most people, melancholy is associated with depression. However, since ancient times, it has been recognized as the disease of philosophers, poets, and creative individuals. Why does this happen? Why does sadness become the cause of internal search and existential questioning?
Psychologist and author George Ioannidis provides an overview of the incredibly rich history of melancholy - from the time of Empedocles and Plato to the symbols of Alchemy and from Mythology to modern philosophers and Psychoanalysis - highlighting how the night of melancholy is not without light, as at its core, even in a latent state, resides that archetypal power capable of transforming mourning into a frenzy of life and self-awareness.

At the same time, other important issues are explored, such as happiness, the meaning of life, the significance of forgiveness, and the role of Love in achieving self-transcendence - from the suffering (and unhappiness) of the Ego to the active participation in life (and happiness) of the Self.