Welcome to the adoration of scent........
Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab, affectionately called BPAL by its crazed masses of fans, formulates original, exotic, complex and affordable perfume oil blends with a dark, gothic, neo-Victorian, hip, exotic, mysterious bent. Beth, the mother of BPAL and creatrix-perfumer extraordinaire, draws inspiration from history, myth, geography, and popular fiction. Take a tour of the literature, myth, and artistic influences of the Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab.
*Disclaimer* I am in no way affiliated with BPAL, nor do I recieve any compensation whatsoever from the lab. I'm just a devoted fan in love with the oils, the company, and the influences.
Here There Be Dragons
"Whate'er the Eastern Magi soght,
Or Orpheus sung, or Hermes taught,
Whate'er Confucius would inspire,
Or Zoroaster's mystic fire;
The symbols that Pythagoras drew,
The wisdom godlike Plato knew.
What Socrates debating proved,
Or Epictetus lived and loved;
The sacred fire of saint and sage,
Thro' every clime in every age,
In Bohme's wondrous page we view,
Discover'd and revealed anew"
---Thomas South
Scented humanity
A brief history of perfume
Throughout history people have used perfumes for pleasure, for enticement, for religious devotion, and for the necessity of covering up their stinky selves. The art of perfumery, dates at least as far back as ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt. It reached new heights of refinement in Persia and the Roman Empire.The Unguents of King Tutankhammun
Archaeologists have recently found what may be the world's oldest perfumes and perfume making apparatus (dating from approximately 4,000 BCE) in Pyrgos, Cyprus. The find included distilling equipment, bottles, and funnels.
The Bible mentions Hananiah, described as "one of the perfume makers" in the Book of Nehemiah.
Perfumes were originally based on herbs, woods, and spices, but no flowers. The fragrances were essentially wearable incense blends.
Distillation of flowers was developed much later and eventually introduced to Europe around the 14th century by way of the Persians.
Perfume in the "modern" sense was begun in Hungary. Hungarian perfume was made of scented oils mixed with alcohol. In 1370 the Queen of Hungary was presented with what would later become known as Hungary Water.
In Renaissance Italy, the making of perfumes was elevated to an art. The wealthy enjoyed lavish blends to entice lovers, cover the stench around them, and show off (or "smell" off) their wealth.
Catherine de' Medici kept a personal perfumer on her staff and kept his workshop connected to her private apartments by a secret passageway to keep her special formulas secret.
Odoramentum
Essence and Alchemy
Amazon Price: $11.53 (as of 12/05/2008)
The Oils
Perfume your soul
BPAL's perfumes are 100% oil-based - no alcohol or added water or other "junk" that you may not want in your fragrances. The blends have a very high fragrance oil to carrier oil ratio giving them exceptional depth and clarity of notes. The blends are NEVER tested on animals and are nearly all vegan (a few do use honey, however)BPAL's general catalog (GC) is divided into different categories based upon the inspirations behind the scents. Lunacy blends are limited editions released each month to coincide with the full moon.
Imps: A 1/32 oz. glass sample perfume vial with label for $3.50 each or in a group of six for $19.50. Not all scents are available for imps and some may be available only as a set.
There really is a Wiki for everything, isn't there?
Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab, also known as BPAL, is an online company selling perfume oils. BPAL is owned by Elizabeth Moriarty Barrial and Brian Constantine, and is based in Los Angeles, California, United States.
Bibliothecula Amazon
The Magic of Alchemy
Beyond lead and gold...
Alchemy,(Arabic) a part of the Occult Tradition, is both a philosophy and a practice with an aim of achieving ultimate wisdom as well as immortality, involving the improvement of the alchemist as well as the making of several substances described as possessing unusual properties. The practical aspect of alchemy generated the basics of modern inorganic chemistry, namely concerning procedures, equipment and the identification and use of many current substances.
Alchemy has been practiced in Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, Persia (Iran), India, Japan, Korea and China, in Classical Greece and Rome, in the Muslim civilizations, and then in Europe up to the 20th century?in a complex network of schools and philosophical systems spanning at least 2500 years.
My Passions
This humble lensmaster's absolute favorite BPAL scents (in no particular order, it would break my heart to have to rank them).
- Ulalume - In Bewitching Brews
- The Castle - From The Order of the Dragon
- Carfax Abbey - From The Order of the Dragon
- Lear - In Illyria
- Rose Red - Yule Blend
- The Caterpiller - In Mad Tea Party
- Highwayman - In Bewitching Brews
- Arkham - From A Picnic In Arkham
Influences
BPAL's scents draw inspiration from a multitude of sources.
LUNACY
Gives "that time of the month" a WHOLE new meaning.
lunacyMain Entry: lu·na·cy
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural lu·na·cies
Etymology: lunatic
Date: 1541
1 a: insanity b: intermittent insanity once believed to be related to phases of the moon
2: wild foolishness : extravagant folly
3: a foolish act
taken from The Mirriam Webster Online Dictionary
Coinciding with the full moon each month, Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab reveals a special Lunacy Blend. Very limited qualities of a unique Lunacy design shirt are also available through the Trading Post. These are made for a VERY short time and are avialable for only a few days only to then disappear forever.
A Beginer's Lovecraft
Neil Gaiman Discussing Lovecraft
Neil Gaiman
Neil Richard Gaiman ()Author Name Pronunciation Guide - Neil Gaiman (born November 10, 1960Comics Buyers Guide #1636 (December 2007); Page 135) is an English author of science fiction and fantasy short stories and novels, graphic novels, comics, and films. His notable works include The Sandman comic series, Stardust, and American Gods. The extreme enthusiasm of his fans has led some to call him the "rock star" of the literary world.Author Neil Gaiman Inspires Starstruck Fans, Columbia Daily Spectator, Oct. 1, 2008 [http://www.columbiaspectator.com/node/55992]
He lives near Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, in an "Addams Family house". "I thought," says Gaiman, "you know, if I'm going to leave England and go to America, I want one of those things that only America can provide and one of those things is Addams Family houses." He is married to Mary T. McGrath and has three children, Michael, Holly and Madeleine.
Essential Gaiman
Excursions
Brick and mortar stores
If you are blessed enough, you live near a source...
Nail Polish Etc.
1140 Cocoa Ave
Hershey, PA 17033
717-312-0444
Dark Delicacies
4213 W. Burbank Blvd
Burbank, CA 91505
818-556-6660
888-DARKDEL
Le Pink & Co.
3820 W. Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90026
323-661-PINK
Whole Foods Market
aka Harry's Farmer's Market
1180 Upper Hembree Rd.
Roswell, GA
770-664-6300
THE HOLY GRAIL
Each month, coinciding with the full moon, the Lab opens it's doors for sniffing and purchasing in person. The storefront is open only during willcall events.
Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab
12120 Sherman Way
North Hollywood, CA 91605
Many of My Treasured Favorites Are Purchased on Ebay
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
Not BPAL, but still awesome......
For when all of your lunacy T's are in the washer
Never More 2 Women's V-Neck Dark T-Shirt
Price: 24.99
Miskatonic University Dark T-Shirt
Price: 22.99
I am a Neil Gaiman Character - Women's Sizes
Price: 22.00
Alchemical Owl Diagram Hooded Sweatshirt
Price: 36.99
A portion of the procedes from the sale of items on this lens goes to Ferrets Unlimited Ferret Shelter.Enraged Ferret Musk anyone?
Get your fix..........
You know you want to.
- The Lab Homepage
- The homeopage for the lab. Enter at your own risk.
- Official BPAL merchandise
- The Black Phoenix Trading Post - purveyors of fine clothing, bathing delights, curiosities for the home, and more.
- Ritual oils
- The creatrix of BPAL brings you her special blends of ritual oils. All original blends for all of your ritual needs.
- The Art of Jennifer Williamson
- Creator of BPAL designs and imagery.
- Holistic consultations and Flower Essences
- Compassionate, Affordable, and Professional Homeopathic care and personalized Flower Essence remedies from a Classically Trained Homeopath and BPAL collector.
Other places of interest
For the curious........
- Moonalisa
- The BEST creatrix of bath and body products on the planet. Seriously, maybe even the whole universe. All hand-made, natural ingredients, essential oils. Moona, like Beth is a master perfumer - just gifted.
- Moonbeam Arts
- You have GOT to see these cards!
- Wyrding Studios
- Wire wrap jewelry beyond compare. Pendants, earrings, bracelets, intent pieces, wands, and more from a gifted artisan and free spirit.
- Gothicrow Photography
- Hauntingly beautiful gotically-inspired images from an insanely talented photographer.
- Occultopedia
- A comprehensive source of the occult.
- Tarts
- A guide to burning tarts with a list of the most popular e-tailers on the web.
- H. P. Lovecraft
- A site with extensive resources on the author, his works, and how his stories continue to influence our culture today.
Fans and Forums
Awesome-tastic sites devoted to the adoration of BPAL
Go forth and preach to the choir.....
- BPAL Madness
- The officially unofficial forum for the Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab - find news, updates, forum specials, and reviews for every scent ever made.
- Excathedra
- The official BPAL Live Journal.
- Sin and Salvation
- The Officially Unofficial BPAL Fan Community.
Peruse Squidoo
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Incense - Sacred Smoke
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For religious observance, for its olfactory delights, or for other purposes, incense has been around for nearly as long as we have. The first incense was most likely discovered accidentally, as early man sat around the fire and noticed that certain s...
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The Gryphon of Legend
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The Gryphon (also spelled Griffin, Griffon, or Griffyn) is a legendary animal in myth, literature, legend, film, art, and lore. Whether an attacking protector of valuable lands, friendly napper, noble protector, or fantastical beast, the gryphon has...
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Dark and Noble Ravens
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....while I pondered, weak and weary, Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore, While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping, As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door. "'Tis some visitor," I muttered,...
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The Poe Toaster
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Each year on Edgar Allan Poe's birthday, his gravesite receives a visitor......who is this stranger who arrives in the wee hours for a toast at a headstone? Why does he or she do it? What symbolism is hidden in the gifts left for a long dead poet? "...
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New Orleans' "Cities of the Dead"
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New Orleans is a place of great mystery and intrigue. It is well know for its "cities of the dead" which are full of history and architectural appeal. Besides the French Quarter and other well know places like Jackson Square, the cemet...
Share your obsession
What are you wearing today?
starlitparlit wrote...
wonderfully interesting lens! I have never tried anything from them but now that I am hearing about them I just might
Posted October 11, 2008
EelKat wrote...
I love Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab! Esp their Alice in Wonderland series. I was stunned to see a Squidoo lens about them, they are a bit niche, so I don't normally find others who even know about them!
Posted September 23, 2008
OddRachel wrote
I have a lot of imps but my favorite and the only one I have bought in a large size is Bewitched. I love it!
Posted July 12, 2008
ElizabethJeanAllen wrote...
Interesting topic. I guess I'm out of touch. I never heard of BPAL before.
Great lens.
5*
Lizzy
PS Congradulations on making Giant Squid
Posted July 04, 2008
rms wrote...
thank you for another fine addition to the Gothic Temptations group.
Posted June 11, 2008
gothicrow
I'm going to check out BPAL,s Lab it sounds yummy. This is another cool lens done by a very cool and very talented writer. The links here are the best!
Posted June 07, 2008
The_Homeopath wrote...
Kerry, you should try Ravenous! It's in the Ars Amatoria section of the lab and described thusly - "An utterly feral, thoroughly rousing perfume. Red patchouli sweetened by orange blossom." It's very earthy on me, but the dry down leaves a delightful afterthought of ever-so-subtle orange blossom.
Gregnelisa - Blasphemy, I know, but I've never been able to fully appreciate the wonder that is Snake Oil. It disappears with my body chemistry.
Posted May 27, 2008
