2017 Week 9

WHITE

 

White (albedo) is one of the four major stages of the alchemical magnum opus; along with black (nigredo), yellow (citrinitas) and red (rubedo). Following the chaos or mass confusion of black, the alchemist undertakes a purification in white – the washing away of impurities. In this process, the subject is divided into two opposing principles to be later coagulated to form a unity of opposites.

2017 Week 7

BLACK

 

In alchemy, black (nigredo) refers to putrefaction or decomposition. As a first step in the pathway to the philosopher’s stone all alchemical ingredients can be cleansed and cooked extensively to a uniform black matter.