Last week we discussed the transformation of lead into gold in Medieval Alchemy, including the metaphorical transformation of the human heart from its default ‘leaden’ state into Enlightenment or Oneness with God. Commonly this was described as taking place in four steps. The first step is ‘Nigredo’ — darkness. One thing about seasons of darkness,
The Process of the Feathers
I would say that in the last few years my music composition facility has almost exploded. My composition is much better (not just MY opinion) but also is much more facile — a day or two at most for a finished 5 minute piano piece including the polished score. A shift in my process has
I would say that in the last few years my music composition facility has almost exploded. My composition is much better (not just MY opinion) but also is much more facile — a day or two at most for a finished 5 minute piano piece including the polished score. A shift in my process has
Alchemical Transformation: 1. Darkness (‘Nigredo’)
Alchemy is an ancient philosophical and proto-scientific tradition historically practiced in China, India, the Muslim world, and Europe. Alchemists attempted to purify, mature, and perfect certain materials. Common aims were the transmutation of “base metals” (e.g., lead) into “noble metals” (like gold); the creation of an elixir of immortality; and the creation of panaceas able
Alchemy is an ancient philosophical and proto-scientific tradition historically practiced in China, India, the Muslim world, and Europe. Alchemists attempted to purify, mature, and perfect certain materials. Common aims were the transmutation of “base metals” (e.g., lead) into “noble metals” (like gold); the creation of an elixir of immortality; and the creation of panaceas able
New Piece: Philosophical Mercury
According to medieval alchemy, “philosophical mercury” is what’s left when you take a substance and remove the earth, air, fire and water. It is associated with prima materia (‘first matter”), the substance from which all other matter is composed.
According to medieval alchemy, “philosophical mercury” is what’s left when you take a substance and remove the earth, air, fire and water. It is associated with prima materia (‘first matter”), the substance from which all other matter is composed.
New Piece: The Dance of Life and Death
In many cases, seeming opposites are actually ‘dance partners’ in the never ending flow of the Cosmos. Protons are positively charged, electrons negatively so, and their balanced pairing is what holds atoms together and makes all the matter in the universe possible. The force of gravity by the Sun on our planet is balanced by
In many cases, seeming opposites are actually ‘dance partners’ in the never ending flow of the Cosmos. Protons are positively charged, electrons negatively so, and their balanced pairing is what holds atoms together and makes all the matter in the universe possible. The force of gravity by the Sun on our planet is balanced by
New Piece: Mystery
Here in the West we tend to think that we largely have The World figured out — well enough to live comfortable, predictable and safe lives — that WE are in control. And that Mystery and Paradox are exceptions, outliers, ‘not the norm’. Anymore I wonder if we have that backwards, that Mystery and Paradox
Here in the West we tend to think that we largely have The World figured out — well enough to live comfortable, predictable and safe lives — that WE are in control. And that Mystery and Paradox are exceptions, outliers, ‘not the norm’. Anymore I wonder if we have that backwards, that Mystery and Paradox
“Mary’s Room”
This much from Wikipedia (for convenience): The knowledge argument (also known as Mary’s room or Mary the super-scientist) is a philosophical thought experiment proposed by Frank Jackson in his article “Epiphenomenal Qualia” (1982) and extended in “What Mary Didn’t Know” (1986). The experiment describes Mary, a scientist who exists in a black and white world
This much from Wikipedia (for convenience): The knowledge argument (also known as Mary’s room or Mary the super-scientist) is a philosophical thought experiment proposed by Frank Jackson in his article “Epiphenomenal Qualia” (1982) and extended in “What Mary Didn’t Know” (1986). The experiment describes Mary, a scientist who exists in a black and white world
“Loss”
A new piece for piano, about experiencing Loss.
A new piece for piano, about experiencing Loss.
Sir Elfred the Blind plays “The Hermit Knight”
Sir Elfred the Blind plays “The Hermit Knight” on the organ at the Grail Cathedral. This is the first piece in a set I wrote inspired by “The Order of Chivalry” by Ramon Llull (1232-1315), a polymath Christian mystic, in which he equates the various accoutrements of a knight with spiritual virtues. (See The Order
Sir Elfred the Blind plays “The Hermit Knight” on the organ at the Grail Cathedral. This is the first piece in a set I wrote inspired by “The Order of Chivalry” by Ramon Llull (1232-1315), a polymath Christian mystic, in which he equates the various accoutrements of a knight with spiritual virtues. (See The Order
“The Sorrow of the World”
A new piece for piano, on the sorrow of the world: in Ukraine, and Sudan, and Afghanistan, and Libya, and Syria, and… Just the mp3:
A new piece for piano, on the sorrow of the world: in Ukraine, and Sudan, and Afghanistan, and Libya, and Syria, and… Just the mp3: