The silent observer: rehearsal of act III

…or The Inner Observer, “witness” of the part of the psyche that observes its own transformation in silence.

In alchemical terms, the Cat is able to see through Nigredo (dark). Symbol of intuition. It’s a spirit that stays, watches and waits, creating feeling that the “inner child” or “hidden observer” is present. My silent, inner, hidden observer is trying to grasp the world through listening, sensing all vibrations around. The vessel is like its own miniature eco-system, necessary to grow the Flos Sapientum. The Cat is catching the smell of this alchemical flower: the smell awakens homunculus. I know that sense of smell is also very important in neuroscience, as it suggests awakening that starts in a “dreamy” stage - the subconscious mind. I believe, that the smell my Cat is experiencing - it’s odor suavitas:).

Flos Sapientum - Golden Flower - geometric rose representing The Philosopher’s Stone Lapis, and the moment the wisdom blooms from the raw matter. It’s like a symbol of “integrated self”. For Zosimos, the Flos Sapientum was the “spirit of the stone”, implying that even the most dense “black, heavy” material contains a hidden, flowering soul. K. Jung associated the “Flower of Wise” with the Golden Flower in the Eastern mysticism. He saw it as a symbol of “Self” - the final result of the “Individuation” process.

In alchemy, the long neck represents “the neck of the retort”, where the most refined vapors (the spirit) rise away from the matter.

A votive to Jurga Ivanauskaite, the writer of my “awakening”.