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I only just realized we don't have an alchemy subforum around here.. Hmm..

I've seen so many differing texts on this, so I need to bring it here;
During the first steps of creating a tincture, when soaking the plant matter in alcohol, is it best to keep your jar in a cold and dark location, or a warm location? (dark is generally agreed upon, at least.)

Some sources say you should keep your mix cold. Some say moderate or warm temperatures. Yet others say you should keep it outside, to allow the changing days and nights to alter its temperature.

I understand that some plants could be different. For instance, there may be active ingredients that break down in heat, or something. I'm asking for general spagyrics though.

Any guidance would be appreciated.

I know keeping it cold would make the process take longer, and having it warm would make the ingredients separate quicker. This is of no concern to me, as my timings are based on having the proper astrological times; not when the process is actually "done".

Haelos wrote: I know keeping it cold would make the process take longer, and having it warm would make the ingredients separate quicker. This is of no concern to me, as my timings are based on having the proper astrological times; not when the process is actually "done".

Why not try both methods? Divide your matter into two and see which one turns out better?

And keeping it cold doesn't necessarily cause it to take longer. At low temperatures, the most volatile will be dissolved first, the alcohol has only this much 'potency'. As the temperature begins to rise, the alcohol becomes more active/subtle and penatrates more thoroughly. If you're looking for a clean, volatile tincture, working in the winter or a freezer is very helpful. Just make sure to freeze the herb for awhile first, otherwise it's internal heat will cause the less-volatile to be dissolved as well.

This 'freezer' technique is used by some to refine cannabis oils and resins.

why have 1 plant when you can have a garden of experiments?

aside that, if you're aiming for something specific, and since you're using astronomy in the mix.. what's the thing you're trying to achieve? i'm not sure how to to express this idea to words but.. say you want to do something that needs to invoke mercury power, or mars power. in such a case, whatever the effects of, say, the mercury hour, take place.. that'll be more potent towards your cause than some other planetary hour's worth of plant growth.

bad wording and stuff, yeah. i'm sleep deprived at the moment.

I have exactly two grams of material to use, so I don't have much options in doing both.

My experiment outline can be found at this link. I think you need an account to view it.
http://alchemyprocesses.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=640

Oh right, you're using psilocybin mushrooms!

I would keep the heat as low as possible. Nothing above room temp and indirect sunlight.

Think of where the mushroom would naturally grow, where it's most favorable environment is, and try to mimic that. Being a more 'lunar' material, it might be best to keep it beneath a cloth or wrapped in aluminium foil.

corvidus wrote:Oh right, you're using psilocybin mushrooms!

I would keep the heat as low as possible. Nothing above room temp and indirect sunlight.

Think of where the mushroom would naturally grow, where it's most favorable environment is, and try to mimic that. Being a more 'lunar' material, it might be best to keep it beneath a cloth or wrapped in aluminium foil.

That's what's so crazy about them though. They were grown indoors, in their most favorable environment.
They also have quite a bit of associations, depending on the species.

Currently, I'm switching the mix between indirect, partial sunlight every other few days, for a day or two, and mostly pure darkness, or mostly dark. We can't get any moonlight here without a ton of artificial light as well, so I keep it near to the floor and away from the windows, for the most part. Also, my building has steam heaters, and my front patio stays fairly cold as long as the door is closed. That's also where we keep our indoor garden, so it's a good spot for everything. Being that it's Winter, it's been quite a bit below room temp out there (and in my house in general).
For a few days, I kept the mix near my altar, but that space wasn't really productive. The air is sort of tight in that room, and over-saturated with scent. I don't have any type of formal laboratory otherwise. I did grind and mix my materials on my altar, however.

I was planning on ending it sooner than later, but that's probably just my impatience getting ahead of me.
We still have a nice bag to eat, should we desire. So I'm not wasting much if this experiment has any issues.
My phases were proper, and even if I end it early, I can still keep a fairly stable astrological cycle.
If I extend the time, I may need to keep it an extra cycle or two, and that would be unfavorable, at best.
Right now however, all is well. If I can finish everything else on time, that is.
Even if I can't, I should have a fairly powerful potion that anyone can feel. Soo. there's that.

Any other pointers, tips, or advice you guys can offer?
It would be much appreciated [thumbup]