4-week online class taught online via zoom

Thursdays, September 26 -October 17, 2024
7 - 9 pm ET
$125 Paid Patreon Members / $145 General Admission

Splendor Solis, 1530-35, attributed to 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 four evenings, we will open and unpack each of the seven treatises and the 22 images and do an initial review and interpretation of both the text and the individual image and how they relate to each other as they elucidate an actual 16th-century alchemical practice. We’ll also consider the larger structure of the work, that is, how the images are shaped and grouped as a whole.

Each class will have time for Q&A and further discussion.

1) Splendor Solis: The Manuscript and 16th Century Alchemical Practice.
This evening will introduce the book, its makers, and an overview of 16th

century alchemy.

We will then review the final two imageless chapters, Treatise 6 and Treatise 7, which outline the goals and process of alchemical practice. With this grounding in actual alchemical theory and practice, we will then examine the first four images that depict the fundamental theories of the alchemical cosmos – the Title Page and the first two “Treatises” of the book.

2) 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.

3) 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. 

4) 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 quickly review the final chapters once again this time in light of an overview of the work. And finally, a review of any of the images or texts the group wishes to discuss.

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), Practical Alchemy: A Guide to the Great Work, Alchemical Meditations, and the Emerald Tablet, his translations of and commentary on, the earliest Arabic and Latin versions of this seminal text. And most recently, On Alchemy: Essential Practices and Making Art as Alchemy.

He 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.