Cyprus is an island at the crossroads of the ancient Egyptian and Roman empires, and the birthplace of Aphrodite Kypris, where she arose from the sea and was worshipped as an aniconic black stone at her sanctuary of Paphos. Nearby is the site of Pyrgos-Mavroraki, a 4,000 year old  Bronze Age perfume factory. The island was a center for the worship of  Astarte, Ishtar and then Aphrodite, where the craft of perfume making  became closely associated with her attributes of love and beauty and led to the prestige of Cyprian perfumes throughout the ancient world. Ptolemy, the 2nd century astrologer, said that Aphrodite (the planet Venus) rules over people whose activities “lie in the scents of flowers or of perfumes.” Roman myths portray her divine perfume as a magical weapon that could cause destruction and madness in mortals.  
 
This class will discuss these skilled perfumers that were also associated with the sacred craft traditions of metallurgy and later alchemy, and how these crafts led to the Medieval Islamicate advances in distillation producing perfumes that had both magical and medical uses. Finally, Mary Magdalene assumed the role as patron saint of perfumery continuing the theme of a beautiful long-haired goddess associated with the sin of Luxuria.
 
About the Presenter:
J.W. Dotson, MD is a practitioner of plant magic and astrological medicine, and is on the advisory board of the UCLA Archive of Healing. He is also fascinated by supernatural fragrances and teaches at the Institute of Art and Olfaction in Los Angeles.
 
THIS IS A CLASS RECORDING
This class recording link will be included in your order confirmation email. Please download the attached PDF to access the class recording link. You will have access to the class recording in perpetuity.
 
By purchasing this class you agree to the following Non Disclosure:
This Agreement is between The Cauldron Black (“OWNER”); and the Purchaser (“RECIPIENT”). WHEREAS, OWNER has developed through substantial effort, research, time, and expense certain inventions, design concepts, methodologies, technical know-how, copyrightable material and trade secrets directed and related to this class. (“INFORMATION”); WHEREAS, OWNER desires to disclose the INFORMATION on a confidential basis to RECIPIENT. The OWNER wishes to maintain the confidentiality of the INFORMATION and the protection of OWNER'S intellectual property rights. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the  mutual promises, covenants, and conditions contained herein, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows: I. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION A. OWNER agrees to disclose INFORMATION to RECIPIENT for the purposes of an online class. B. RECIPIENT agrees to receive such INFORMATION and to refrain from copying, disclosing, using, selling, or offering for sale any and all of said INFORMATION. RECIPIENT agrees to keep confidential and refrain from disclosing any and all of the INFORMATION, and to take all necessary and reasonable steps to prevent unauthorized disclosure or use  of any and all of the INFORMATION.  Failure to uphold this NDA may result in legal action.