Promethea.

This morning I read the second volume of Alan Moore's Promethea. I read the first volume years ago and always thought it was pretty good... but not the caliber of Watchmen or League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. I'd tried to read volume two but got lost in the long sex and tarot explanations. I put it down and didn't pick it up again for years.

Perhaps it was due to the efforts and research I've put into writing this book. Maybe I'm just older and more patient. Whatever the reason, when I picked up Promethea volume two today, the light clicked on.

This is the definition of inspiration and there are so many ways I'd like to echo and incorporate Promethea into what I'm working on: Promethea is a young woman, transitioning into adulthood. She has a (series of) supernatural mentors who help initiate her into her new role. The literary bookish angle is there as is the connection to Hermes (and the syncretic 'Thoth-Hermes').

This morning I'm focused on documenting two particular angles:

First, a reference that Moore made to the three principles of alchemy - salt, sulphur and mercury. There is a great deal of questionable material out there in the world focused on this subject. Lots on basic alchemical theory. One fascinating modern interpretation from Rudolph Steiner that focuses less on "folk wisdom" and more on the balance of "will" and "knowing" in pre-modern man.

Second, the tarot as a descriptor of the evolution of human culture. Of particular interest and relevance to me were his interpretations of the "fortune" and "death" cards as symbols of change - perfect symbolism to incorporate into a coming of age fantasy!

For the curious, there is a lovely collection of Promethea annotations here.