Alchemical Symbolism in the VMS

[Barbrey]

It seems my interpretations have gone down like a lead weight. I’ve enjoyed investigating with you!  I think I’ve done what bi3mw asked for at the beginning of this thread: showing patterns of symbols, rather than isolated ones, that provide evidence of alchemy. And I think I’ve provided what Adam McLean suggested was needed:a semiotic viewpoint rather than an alchemist’s. I’ve written most of this on my phone, so I think I should try to write a proper essay on this topic. What has really struck me is how the VMs writer has employed dissonance in narrative and substance; not only do you have to know an amazing amount of detail before getting a base interpretation, you have to know it well enough to know where it strikes a dissonant chord. So that might be my thematic focus. 

My goal has been to provide enough evidence to interest an alchemy images scholar to systematically review the manuscript for signs of alchemical substance and process. I have much more than I conveyed here, but believe it or not explaining the symbolism is even more convoluted for the rosette page. I doubt a scholar will have the patience to bear with me as I discuss minute symbolic details so I don’t hold out much hope. Nevertheless, I will send the essay in to some of the well-known scholars in the field. Two have already said they will at least take a look. And perhaps their investigations will further our understanding of the manuscript. 

If you are interested, please PM me for a look at the essay before I send it. Nablator and Matthias, I would welcome any input. I would also love the opinions of @searcher and @renegadehealer and anyone else who believes there is an alchemical context that deserves further investigation.