L’Opus Magnum

Chaos [kao] n.m (gr. khaos).

In reference to the divine work of creation and the plan of salvation 1. a state of utter confusion or dis­ within it, the alchemistic process order; a total lack of organi­ was called the “Great Work”. In it, zation or order any confused, a mysterious chaotic source mate­ disorderly mass. rial called materia prima, contain­ ing incompatible opposites and 2. g eomorph. Amas de blocs qui se in violent confl ict, it is gradually constitue dans certains types guided towards a redeemed state de roches (grès, granite) sous of perfect harmony, the healing l’action de l’érosion. “Philosophers Stone” or lapis phi­ losophorum: First we bring togeth­ 3. Th  e behavior of systems that er, then we putrefy, we break down follow deterministic laws but what has been putrified, we purify appear random and unpredict­ the divided, we unite the purified able. Chaotic systems very are and harden it. In this way One is sensitive to initial conditions; made from man and woman. small changes in those condi­ tions can lead to quite different outcomes. (Buchlein vom stein der Weisen,

1778)

Alchemy and Mysticism copyright Taschen “One needs a lot of chaos within to give birth to a dancing star” Friedrich Nietzsche

4. (physics) a dynamical system that is extremely sensitive to its initial conditions. 5. ( Greek mythology) the most ancient of gods; the personi­ fi cation of the infi nity of space preceding creation of the uni­ verse. 6. ( mathematics) A dynamical sys­ tem that has a sensitive depen­ dence on its initial conditions. 7. (obsolete) a chasm or abyss

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transmutation