Alchemist No. 19

Both the name and configuration of this page come from Crowley-Harris’s The Sun (the 19th in the Major Arcana). An ouroboros circles the page, signifying humanity’s never-ending pursuit of a “better life,” whether through longevity or quality. I incorporated the Hand of the Mysteries, alchemical symbols, and zodiac signs, combining each sign’s element and modality into its own visual code. The crow, marked with Mercury, represents “lead,” while the colorful sun becomes unattainable “gold.” An alchemical transformation with the end goal of achieving immortality. Inspired by Gustave Doré, I kept most forms black-and-white, using gilded edges and saturated sunlight to create an illusory hope (marked by the extra pair of wings) that human life might shine forever like a celestial body.