A Summer Alchemy

Alchemy is an ancient practice shrouded in mystery and secrecy. Its practitioners mainly sought to turn lead into gold, a quest that has captured the imaginations of people for thousands of years.

Alchemy: A seemingly magical transformation.  There was a very strong spiritual component involved – a belief in the connection of all things;  that there was a formula akin to Einstein’s Theory of Relativity, and like the embodiment of the Holy Grail, ultimately an enlightenment of the soul.

the sand people at Parksville

and my submission to the Monochrome Madness Gallery with Leanne Cole

daisies mono

coloured version is here

There’s courage involved if you want

to become truth.  

 We alchemists look for talent that

can heat up and change.  Lukewarm won’t do.

Halfhearted holding back,

well-enough getting by?  Not here.-Rumi

and wandering in Rathtrevor Park by the Sea

The boys of summer

 

The sorcerer in his raven cloak, is calling

between the whispering meadow and the singing sea

turning folds of light from green to golden.

Munin and the apple

 

 

Parksville Sand Sculpting

 

 

68 Comments Add yours

  1. effcaa says:

    Love the words and photos!💛✨

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Norma says:

    Moon, you have the golden touch of an alchemist and your images work wonders on anyone who sees them. Truly Captivated by them dear. 🙂

    Like

    1. I must have missed this Norma, thank you!!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Norma says:

        No worries, Moon. 🙂

        Like

  3. Reblogged this on Magick Thoughts ❤ Le meilleur de Second Life and commented:
    My friend CybeleMoon always amazes me. Such a lovely blog and so I am sharing!
    Please keep our minds wandering with enchanting thoughts and visions.
    –love AmandaMagick

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You are very sweet and thank you so much!

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Ali Isaac says:

    Wow! Incredible, as always, Cybele! I love your work, it’s just so magical! Definitely alchemy of a different sort.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. so pleased you think so Ali!! thank you!

      Like

  5. pattimoed says:

    Hi, Cybele. I love your submission to MM. Gorgeous. The birds in flight add just the right touch. I was thinking of alchemy as I was creating my post, but didn’t mention it. I’m glad you did.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Great minds Patti!! 😀 Thank you so much!

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Renee Espriu says:

    I always enjoy your photos and how you connect them often times to explanation. Alchemy, I believe, is a deeply profound but beautiful way to view our world. I have always believed spirit to be a part of everything living and for everything living to be a part of spirit. Thank you!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I agree Renee!! Thank you so much for commenting!

      Liked by 1 person

  7. PS to that last comment, I mean alchemists who were often accused of being sorcerers.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. alchemy is very fascinating stuff!! part science and part magic, part transcendence it seems. Yes, I knew that’s what you meant!

      Liked by 1 person

  8. All utterly enchanting, dear Cybele 🙂
    Reading what you said about the ancient sorcerers, it struck me that most of them were the equivalent of today’s scientists, carrying out experiments and research, but somehow the church managed to demonise them.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. indeed Sarah and thank you for your lovely comment!!

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Peter Nena says:

    Cybele the Alchemist! Your work is heartwarming.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. oh thank you so much Peter!!

      Liked by 1 person

  10. DG Hardy says:

    As usual, you alchemize the ordinary to extraordinary magic. You make the magic real and present…..What a gift! Thank you.

    I am moving to a slightly better apartment in this building…and am in a tizzy, of course..LOL…

    Please give me a call and let’s make a date for me to come to visit you…..

    Love & hugs, DG >

    Liked by 1 person

    1. yes!! thanks so much DG!! I will call!!

      Like

  11. You are an alchemist Cybele, turning images into the sublime – how can you make a picnic table look so magical 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I just love a picnic!! 🙂 Thanks so much my dear friend!

      Liked by 1 person

  12. smilecalm says:

    words & images
    which goldenly
    transform 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  13. Sherry Felix says:

    Excellent and magical as always.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you Sherry for popping over to comment!!

      Like

  14. DG MARYOGA says:

    Majestic thematic sceneries suffused with other-worldly lighting and mellow nuances.The magical fir tree image makes me feel small 🙂 xxx

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It did me as well!! Thank you for your poetic words and support always!

      Liked by 1 person

  15. sheldonk2014 says:

    Simply beautiful Cybele

    Liked by 1 person

    1. thank you Sheldon, I hope you are enjoying the summer!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. sheldonk2014 says:

        I am going away For a week
        On Sunday I can’t wait to unwind

        Liked by 1 person

  16. Amy says:

    These photos are magical! especially the last one. The mono madness shot, Wow!!!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. thank you so much Amy!!

      Liked by 1 person

  17. robert87004 says:

    I just discovered that I wasn’t following you, how totally bizarre is that? Probably because you were in my bookmarks-but still…
    Is fixed now. You seem to have taken to your new camera because your photos are lovely. Btw, I specialize in turning gold to lead. Something is wrong with that. 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    1. lol!! I think I’ve done that a few times myself ! Thanks Robert, I didn’t know you weren’t following me but welcome!!

      Liked by 1 person

  18. Your images are so wonderful .. magical

    Liked by 1 person

    1. thank you so much Julie!

      Like

  19. Lovely photos and music, my friend. Oh, how long since I’ve flown a kite! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. oh me too. I Loved going out with my dad so long ago!! Thank you dear Linda!

      Liked by 1 person

  20. Such fantasy and mystery are evoked by your work.

    Like

    1. that is a wonderful compliment coming from your poetic soul.

      Like

  21. Moz Loordes says:

    Wow, those photographs are so beautiful, my friend!

    I studied Alchemy in my youth, and I made the Plant Stone from Lemon grass. It basically is a homoeopathic remedy by the time you’ve finished distilling, baking, boiling and all the rest. It acts like a soothing balm to the emotional body.

    The ultimate intention of Alchemy was to change the spiritual body into a new being that was intrinsically connected to the Divine in a mystical way that wasn’t possible at the time. The changing of base metals into gold was the physical representation of the spiritual desire for connection.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. thanks so much Moz for your great response. I so agree with you. So lovely that you studied it. I love the story of Nicolas Flamel. I saw where he lived when I visited Paris.

      Liked by 1 person

  22. Pieter says:

    Very nice post Cybele, with beautiful imagery!
    And Alchemy is very interesting. To me it represents the inner transformation, although we mostly know it through the stories of the quest for the magic elixer to create gold. I prefer the inner gold 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. as do I Pieter!! Thanks so much!

      Liked by 1 person

  23. paula graham says:

    What stunning beauties…all of them but love the one with the kites. Well done, I am in awe.

    Liked by 1 person

  24. Suzanne says:

    I think of all these mysterious alchemic photos it is the very last that I like the best. The light on the dead tree seems to lead the eye straight to the bird. There is something metaphoric about this.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. oh into the mystic Suzanne!! you are a muse!! Thank you!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Suzanne says:

        you’re welcome 🙂

        Like

  25. Oh my a grand start in every way when I am just heading off to the hills for the weekend x

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yayy, Thanks Shey and enjoy your weekend!!!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I did xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

        Like

  26. The fir tree, Summer Flight, and endless afternoon are wonderful! Endless afternoon has a dragon guarding the beach! The light on it is stunning.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. thank you so much my friend!! it was such a gorgeous day!!

      Liked by 1 person

  27. Anita says:

    The pictures are magical, and feel like alchemical results themselves! ☺

    Liked by 1 person

    1. thanks Anita!! Sometimes a little alchemy goes a long way!! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  28. Love this and the Rumi quote! 🙏🏻

    Liked by 1 person

    1. so pleased you like it karen!

      Liked by 1 person

  29. sedge808 says:

    dreamy photos

    Liked by 1 person

    1. as usual eh? thanks Gavin!!

      Like

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