Eliza Swann – The Star Inside: Alchemy and the Power of Plants

Join me to explore the role of plants in alchemy, focusing on their planetary connections and their use in alchemical medicinal preparations. We’ll delve into the mystical qualities and healing potentials of these plants, with particular attention to the work of Paracelsus—an influential figure in the history of medicine and alchemy—who developed a tincturing practice known as spagyrics. To bring these concepts to life, we’ll take a closer look at mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris), a plant revered for its historical uses and alchemical significance. Participants will also have the chance to engage in sensory exploration of mugwort’s aromatic properties while learning the principles of alchemical medicine.

Eliza Swann, aka Emerald, is an interdisciplinary artist, writer, and educator based in New York. They are the author of The Anatomy of the Aura (St. Martin’s, 2020), Green Mary (Cosmic Dog House Press, 2024), and The Alchemical Imagination (Weiser/Red Wheel, 2026), with additional writing featured in BOMB, Arthur, Contemporary Art Review LA, Momus, Perfect Wave, and other anthologies. They hold a BA in Painting from the San Francisco Art Institute and an MFA from Central St. Martins in London, and have exhibited artwork internationally, most recently at the University of California Santa Cruz and the Feminist Center for Creative Work. Eliza is the founder of the Golden Dome and now the Emerald School, both alternative mystery schools that explore the mystical dimensions of art. Emerald School produces exhibitions, performances, classes, and publications year-round across the U.S. In this capacity, Eliza has collaborated with numerous cultural institutions to bring queer intersectional mysticism and art to the public, including Coaxial Arts, the Feminist Center for Creative Work, the Hammer Museum, the Philosophical Research Society, and more.

https://www.emerald.school