Philtre

also philter, "love potion," 1580s, from M.Fr. philtre (1560s), from L. philtrum, from Gk.

       philtron "love-charm," lit. "to make oneself beloved," from philein "to love" (from philos "loving")

                                               5 parts Damiana leaves,

                                               3 parts rose petals

                                               2 vanilla been pods

                                               1 true cinnamon stick.

                                               Enough distilled wine to cover for 8 days.

                                               Strain and Age.

In 55 BCE Lucretius was said to go insane then commit suicide after drinking a love philtre created by his wife. The power in a philter, or love potion, lies in the properties of the liquid used, the menstruum, or solvent, and it’s ability to dissolve a substance over time, or to pull out the essence of botanicals and distribute that essence in the liquid. During this process, the alchemical transmutation takes place, that is, a desired change from one thing to another occurs. The unmanifest intentions of the creator are transferred to the liquid menstruum. Through the tools of lens, shutter, and chemistry, I seek to capture the unmanifest desire suspended within the philtre, and to behold the mystery of transmutation.