Solve et coagula – dissolve and coagulate
This is the alchemical phrase/concept I have been planning to apply to my own life in order to respark my creativity and resurrect my currently lifeless soul. For those unfamiliar with alchemy, the point of dissolving and coagulating a substance is to create a purer substance. Most people who are at least a little familiar with alchemy are privy to the old alchemical claim to be able to turn lead (or other simple metals) into gold. While this claim is false (most of alchemy’s scientific contributions to society were basic chemical procedures and distillation), it is the metaphor that is actually important. As a matter of fact, early alchemists such as Zosimos of Panopolis viewed alchemy as a spiritual discipline rather than a magical or scientific practice. There is also the belief that all the alchemical formulas were a front for the actual philosophy so that its practitioners avoided charges of heresy.
It is with these revelations that I have truly become intrigued by the whole philosophy and application of alchemical principals. My personal application of these principals will focus on the four stages presented in the Magnum Opus: nigredo (blackening), albedo (whitening), citrinitas (yellowing), rubedo (reddening). Furthermore, my passage through these phases will directly involve my re-recording (and in some cases re-writing) of Transdusk’s debut album “Skeleton Psalms”. This being said, it is my intention through this blog to let you, the reader, know that once I finally obtain my new recording setup I will be “shutting myself off” from as much of the world outside Transdusk as possible. I will only log onto to my profiles to check for mail, friend requests, etc… I will rarely be heading out for social gatherings and any contact with the “outside” world will be subject to its importance. Though I may offer an update or two on my progress via this blog.
In regards to the four stages, I will now offer a brief explanation of how I plan to progress via the creation of this album.
Nigredo (blackening) – This is the stage I am currently in. It is the putrefaction and dissolution of the subject. To put it simply, it is the low point. To be consumed by the “Sol Niger” or black sun.
Albedo (whitening) – This will be the obtaining of the recording setup/learning of the new system. It is the purification and thus the burning out of the impurities. Through focusing on learning and becoming savvy with the new system I will free up as much creative energy as possible making way for the next phase.
Citrinitas (yellowing) – This will be the actual recording process which will encompass recording, mixing and mastering. It is the enlightening and in my opinion, where the most significant change will occur.
Rubedo (reddening) – This will be the end result of the whole process. It is unification of the limited with the unlimited. The proverbial “philosopher’s stone” for this cycle and the true beginning of Transdusk.
So with this I only ask that you understand that my disconnect for the next month or two is nothing personal and wish you all the best during my “time away”.
This is the alchemical phrase/concept I have been planning to apply to my own life in order to respark my creativity and resurrect my currently lifeless soul. For those unfamiliar with alchemy, the point of dissolving and coagulating a substance is to create a purer substance. Most people who are at least a little familiar with alchemy are privy to the old alchemical claim to be able to turn lead (or other simple metals) into gold. While this claim is false (most of alchemy’s scientific contributions to society were basic chemical procedures and distillation), it is the metaphor that is actually important. As a matter of fact, early alchemists such as Zosimos of Panopolis viewed alchemy as a spiritual discipline rather than a magical or scientific practice. There is also the belief that all the alchemical formulas were a front for the actual philosophy so that its practitioners avoided charges of heresy.
It is with these revelations that I have truly become intrigued by the whole philosophy and application of alchemical principals. My personal application of these principals will focus on the four stages presented in the Magnum Opus: nigredo (blackening), albedo (whitening), citrinitas (yellowing), rubedo (reddening). Furthermore, my passage through these phases will directly involve my re-recording (and in some cases re-writing) of Transdusk’s debut album “Skeleton Psalms”. This being said, it is my intention through this blog to let you, the reader, know that once I finally obtain my new recording setup I will be “shutting myself off” from as much of the world outside Transdusk as possible. I will only log onto to my profiles to check for mail, friend requests, etc… I will rarely be heading out for social gatherings and any contact with the “outside” world will be subject to its importance. Though I may offer an update or two on my progress via this blog.
In regards to the four stages, I will now offer a brief explanation of how I plan to progress via the creation of this album.
Nigredo (blackening) – This is the stage I am currently in. It is the putrefaction and dissolution of the subject. To put it simply, it is the low point. To be consumed by the “Sol Niger” or black sun.
Albedo (whitening) – This will be the obtaining of the recording setup/learning of the new system. It is the purification and thus the burning out of the impurities. Through focusing on learning and becoming savvy with the new system I will free up as much creative energy as possible making way for the next phase.
Citrinitas (yellowing) – This will be the actual recording process which will encompass recording, mixing and mastering. It is the enlightening and in my opinion, where the most significant change will occur.
Rubedo (reddening) – This will be the end result of the whole process. It is unification of the limited with the unlimited. The proverbial “philosopher’s stone” for this cycle and the true beginning of Transdusk.
So with this I only ask that you understand that my disconnect for the next month or two is nothing personal and wish you all the best during my “time away”.
See you on the other side,
T.S. Moth
