whollybooks‡
2013 has started sweetly with a brilliant bright morning and a limpid gently waning Moon still high in the Western sky.
Matthew and I discuss Margot and Lesley, their background, their temperaments, their physical appearance, against a framework of a Cabinet of Rarities.
A first glimpse into the Sealed Museum:
MUSÆUM CLAUSUM,
or,
Bibliotheca Abscondita:
Containing
Some remarkable Books, Antiqui-
ties, Pictures and Rarities of
several kinds, scarce or never seen
by any man now living.
…
12. The Skin of a Snake bred out of the Spinal Marrow of a Man.
…
18. A transcendent Perfume made of the richest Odorates of both the Indies, kept in a Box made of the Muschie Stone of Niarienburg, with this Inscription:
Deos rogato
Totum ut te faciant, Fabulle, Nasum.
…
25. A Glass of Spirits made of Æthereal Salt, Hermetically sealed up, kept continually in Quick-silver; of so volatile a nature that it will scarce endure the Light, and therefore onely to be shown in Winter, or by the light of a Carbuncle, or Bononian Stone.
…
And perhaps, for Now at least, some suitable listening:
Happy New Year One and All!
‡
We opened the year on the Mississippi levee, with the moon making a circular rainbow around itself, rather eclipsing the fireworks in its grand natural aliveness….formed of ice crystals in the upper stratosphere, what do they see when the look down?
Hello Mishlen,
Since you Commented we added the material on Sir Thomas Browne and the Musæum Clausum, also the link to the Coil song ‘Batwings (A Limnal Hymn)’ which references it… Can’t help thinking that the cover-image from their album (which is shown on the YouTube link) resonates with the scene you describe… A Moon forming a White Rainbow of itself.
Thank You for stopping by, and Very Best Wishes for the year ahead!
Was reading your post and immediately recognised the lyrics to Coil’s ‘Batwings’ – one of their very best works, in my opinion. Here and there I find Coil affectionados and am always happy when I do so. Bless you and happy new year!
Thank You owlwoman, always a pleasure to connect with those rare individuals who truly appreciate Coil! They were great friends & mentors to Raoul & myself, and I have to say I still miss them both. In case you haven’t seen it yet, the ‘Ghost Town London’ excerpt ‘Down Among The Dead’ (17th January 2012, with the ‘Necropolis’ photo) is in large part based on a visit to West Kennet Long Barrow by Geff (‘John Balance’), Raoul & myself during a hot ‘n’ hazy Summer of the 1980s… Hope you enjoy it.
And belated Best Wishes to you for the rest of 2013, too!