Lazy_Metaphors
08-27-2006, 09:38 PM
"One principle of alchemy is 'Solve et Coagula,' to dissolve and recombine. 'Solve' is reductionism, taking things apart for study (or 'analysis'). 'Coagula' is holism, reconnecting everything into a better and more accurate picture (or 'synthesis'). Alchemy, then, is rather than transmuting metals, is more concerned with transmuting humanity. According to Alchemy, before this fiery illumination, this gold, can occur, there is a period of uncertainty, darkness, putrefaction, and despair."
-Alan Moore, Promethea #32
Another word for "transmutation" could of course be "metamorphosis."
Alchemy frequently involves a trip to the forge, or the crucible, for a trial by fire.
"The Crucible," of course, now better known as the title of a work focusing on an oppressive culture and viciously attacking a similarly oppressive government climate.
"Unless correction are made from the inside out. The Noh is on the wrong side of history... A war of ideas? Not in the sense of 'The Art of War. But in the sense that this is The War of Art." -Akemi
Crowley called magic "A Disease of Language."
McLuhan's medium vs. message.
Hermes Trismegistus, the first Alchemist, spoke often of the dual snakes of the caduceus ("as above, so below") that we now know to echo DNA. Coded messages in separate cells, cellular division the first fold in biological origami. Eventually a coterie of animals from the same stock, each carrying their coded messages.
As above, so below. Solve et Coagula. Nigredo, Rubedo, Albedo. Armageddon and Rapture. Death and Rebirth.
The first paper came instead from Egypt, however, along with one of the very first symbols of death and rebirth, echoed in mummification - cocooning - and whose hieroglyphic character means "to transform" (to transmute, to metamorphose):
The Scarab.
-Alan Moore, Promethea #32
Another word for "transmutation" could of course be "metamorphosis."
Alchemy frequently involves a trip to the forge, or the crucible, for a trial by fire.
"The Crucible," of course, now better known as the title of a work focusing on an oppressive culture and viciously attacking a similarly oppressive government climate.
"Unless correction are made from the inside out. The Noh is on the wrong side of history... A war of ideas? Not in the sense of 'The Art of War. But in the sense that this is The War of Art." -Akemi
Crowley called magic "A Disease of Language."
McLuhan's medium vs. message.
Hermes Trismegistus, the first Alchemist, spoke often of the dual snakes of the caduceus ("as above, so below") that we now know to echo DNA. Coded messages in separate cells, cellular division the first fold in biological origami. Eventually a coterie of animals from the same stock, each carrying their coded messages.
As above, so below. Solve et Coagula. Nigredo, Rubedo, Albedo. Armageddon and Rapture. Death and Rebirth.
The first paper came instead from Egypt, however, along with one of the very first symbols of death and rebirth, echoed in mummification - cocooning - and whose hieroglyphic character means "to transform" (to transmute, to metamorphose):
The Scarab.