This post will serve as a guide to the Splendor Solis, an “illuminated manuscript” of Alchemical knowledge. It also contains a nod towards Jung’s notions of Mandalas;… Read more “The Splendor Solis and the Jungian Mandala: 22 Images of the Soul”
Category: Alchemical Texts
The Dao of Dying: Zhuangzi Dreams of Being a Butterfly
After Lao-tsi’s Dao Teh Ching, perhaps the most important Daoist text is the Zhuangzi. It is mythic, poetic and satiric. And as for its author? Well, his… Read more “The Dao of Dying: Zhuangzi Dreams of Being a Butterfly”
A.E. Waite’s Second Tarot: the Waite-Trinick Deck
First, my thanks to Dr. Emily Auger for chairing the Tarot and Divination group at the Pop Culture Association of America conference (here’s a link to her… Read more “A.E. Waite’s Second Tarot: the Waite-Trinick Deck”
The House of Wisdom
The House of Wisdom was one of the greatest libraries in the ancient world, before it was toppled by an invading Mongol horde. What makes this story… Read more “The House of Wisdom”
Splendor Solis: Plate 22
The reason why all natural things are put together in a body is, that there may be a united composition. – Solomon Trismosin Plate 22 is the… Read more “Splendor Solis: Plate 22”
Splendor Solis: Plate 21
This being the proper philosophical sublimation, by means of which the perfect method is carried out. And this is why this Art is compared to Woman’s Work,… Read more “Splendor Solis: Plate 21”
Splendor Solis: Plate 20
Wherefore is this Art compared to the play of children, who when they play, turn undermost that which before was uppermost. – Trismosin In this plate, we… Read more “Splendor Solis: Plate 20”
Splendor Solis: Plate 19
DISSOLUTION is the FIRST Operation which has to take place in the Art of ALCHEMY -Trismosin Plate nineteen heralds us into the last section of the Splendor… Read more “Splendor Solis: Plate 19”
Splendor Solis: Plate 18
Is the Force of the heat thus mixed with heat in the earth, that it has made light the collected parts and resolved them so as to… Read more “Splendor Solis: Plate 18”
Splendor Solis: Plate 17
It arises from the earth and descends from heaven; it gathers to itself the strength of things above and things below. – The Emerald Tablet In plate seventeen… Read more “Splendor Solis: Plate 17”
