4-week online class
Thursdays, March 3, 10, 17, 24
7-9 pm Eastern (NYC) time
$145 ($125 for $5/a month and above Patreon members)

Taught via Zoom by Brian Cotnoir
PLEASE NOTE: All classes will also be recorded and archived for students who cannot make that time

Splendor Solis, 1530-35 by Salomon Trismosin, is the most magnificent alchemical illuminated manuscript that depicts the Great Work, i.e. the making of the Philosopher’s Stone in 22 enigmatic images. Over the course of 4 evenings, we will open and unpack each of the 22 images and do an initial review and interpretation of each individual image and how it relates to the text and to actual 16th century alchemical practice. We will also consider the larger structure of the work, that is, how the images are shaped and grouped as a whole.

Part I - Splendor Solis: The Book.
In this first lecture, Brian will introduce the book, its makers and an overview of 16th century alchemy. We will then examine the first four images that depict the basic theories of the alchemical cosmos – the Title Page; and the three images from the two “Treatises” of the book.

Part II - Splendor Solis: The Parables
This evening we will examine the seven “Parables.” These are seven images and text that outline a deeper theory of the practice and are amongst the most surreal images in the book.

Part III - Splendor Solis: The Flasks
The next seven set of images and text also called “Treatises” shows the seven stages of the alchemical process. These images will be related directly to 16th century alchemical practice and will be considered in light of other alchemical texts from the time.

Part IV - Splendor Solis: “The Operation of the Whole Work”
This evening’s talk will focus on the last set of four images a recapitulation of the entire alchemical work. We will then take an overview of the work quickly reviewing all 22 images and from there explore the potential meanings for our own creative work, alchemical or other.

Brian Cotnoir is an alchemist, artist, and award-winning filmmaker. A contributor to Frater Albertus’ Parachemy, he is also the author of a series of Alchemy Zines. His books include Alchemy: The Poetry of Matter (2017), The Weiser Concise Guide to Alchemy, Alchemical Meditations, On the Quintessence of Wine, and the Emerald Tablet, his translations of and commentary on, the earliest Arabic and Latin versions of this seminal text. His Emerald Tablet was part of the Language of the Birds: Occult and Art show in 2016 in New York City.

He occasionally gives talks and has presented workshops and seminars around the world on various aspects of alchemical theory and practice based on his research.

His film work has been screened at Museum of Modern Art, Sundance Film Festival, HBO, PBS and other international venues.

Khepri Press, launched in 2014 with the publication of the Emerald Tablet, is the vehicle and portal for his alchemical work.