Alchemical Complication · S∴C

Opus

The Great Work, wound by hand.

Dissolve · Reconstitute · Fixed in gold

Press and hold to wind the Work
solve et coagula, the movement cannot be rushed

Coagula. The movement is wound; the work is fixed in gold.

The Complication

A rite you can
wind on the wrist.

Opus is one mechanism doing two things at once. It runs like a grande complication and it works like the Great Work: base matter set turning, dissolved, and fixed into gold. You do not spray it. You wind it.

ConcentrationExtrait 33%Parfum, cold-macerated.
Power reserve14 hoursMeasured trail on skin.
ComplicationSolve · CoagulaThree wheels, one work.
CaseGilt & carbonHand-cut crystal, 24k, numbered.
I
Saturn · LeadThe black sun. The base matter, dissolved to the bottom. First wheel · Blackening
Nigredo
The dissolution, matter broken down to its base.
Topcold ash · birch smoke
Heartblack tar-resin · wet iron
Baseburnt cade · cured leather
S∴C·001·NIGREDO · assay on file

It smells like the bottom. The wheel starts here, in the dark.

II
Luna · SilverThe moon. Purification, stripped and washed to bone. Second wheel · Whitening
Albedo
The purification, stripped and washed to bone.
Topcold clean breath · silver birch
Heartorris root · ambrette seed
Basemineral salt · white musk
S∴C·002·ALBEDO · assay on file

Everything volatile has burned off. What turns now is clean and mineral.

III
Sol · GoldThe sun. Completion; the gold that survives the fire. Third wheel · Reddening
Rubedo
The completion, the tincture, fixed in gold.
Topblood-orange rind · dry saffron
Heartmyrrh · tobacco leaf
Basewarm amber · a trace of gold-leaf
S∴C·003·RUBEDO · assay on file

Rebuilt stronger than the one that broke. The gold that survives the fire.

Wound from the bottom.
Fixed in gold.

The OPUS flacon, black to gold, sealed with the alchemical mark
Acquisition

By appointment.

Opus is wound and sealed in numbered series. Register your interest; the atelier will arrange a private winding.

Pre-release · Cape Town · The Alchemical Complication

Nothing here is claimed without proof.

Three wheels · one work · assays on file
A Gilles Colruyt rite & complication · Cape Town · MMXXVI
S∴C