Music of the Periodic Table

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An exploration of the vibrational qualities of the physical world by Mark Stephen John.

Dancing Particles in the Key of Hydrogen

hydrogen spectrum

Rumi in the Key of Hydrogen

Hydrogen, the most abundant element, the lightest known element, the element that is in every part of our body is the framework for this composition. As I work with the tones from the elements, I find a beautiful consonance between the colors. It is quite mind bending to step out of my experience with tuning based upon 440 Hertz and the equal tempered tuning of the piano, and, into tones that are vibrating from, into, with, the world around us.

My intent is to create music that is healing for us and for the planet. As I held this intent I wondered how I could approach combining tones from the elements and words. The human voice and words add so much to music. I have decided to begin with the Poetry of Rumi as rendered by Coleman Barks. This is my first attempt as I find my voice and merge it with the tones of the colors.

Let me know what you think.

Dancing Particles in the key of Hydrogen

The Human Elements

 

After what seems like an inordinate amount of time, I have finished working through the elements of the human body. The question now is what to do with this body of work? Or is it, work of the body? While traveling in Europe the summer before last visiting a dear family friend, her partner listened to the ideas behind the project and said, “Oh, Art!” That certainly helped to put this all in perspective. If it is not full of art, then it is probably missing the point. The initial idea to make a scale of the earth has transformed into turning the electromagnetic colors of the elements into individual element scales. Played together, they are not too consonant, but internally, many of the colors are internally harmonious.

Now is a time for forming a small ensemble and doing some recordings that highlight the quality of the amazing light harmonics. I am interested to see if I can communicate this new scale system to a group of musicians who have not the slightest idea how to put these tones into a traditional context. I will certainly keep you posted to when I have the next phase started.

Here are some of the most important things I have learned while following this thread of inspiration:

  • Our entire world is vibrating and hence everything an has an electro-magnetic interaction.
  • That means we are constantly exchanging our energy with everything around us.
  • Consciousness extends minimally to the cellular level and most likely to the molecular.
  • First Nation religion extends this to what we consider inanimate. I agree.
  • Healing is the process of removing hindrances.
  • Vibrational healing with crystals, aroma, ceremony, sound, light, tinctures, touch, all are different vibrational modalities that accomplish bringing the organism back into balance.
  • The first thing the earth does when it has been harmed is begin healing. This includes bringing plants and microorganisms to the site of harm to begin the process. Gaia employs a sophisticated vibrational skill.
  • Likes attract. Focusing on what you want to see will attract what you consciously work on. I am trying to figure out how to apply this given the current trends.
  • Love harmonically brings living systems into balance.

Ripples waves bee

 

Tones of Lead


This is the last element in this series that I am analyzing. Lead, Pb, (plumbum-Latin), element 82 is the second heaviest stable element. It is soft, malleable, blue-white element that tarnishes quickly in moist air to a dark grey. It may be the first metal that was ever smelted at approximately 7,000 BCE. The Wikipedia article was quite interesting the perspective of history, qualities and toxicity. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lead

It was established as toxic in the late 1800’s and is quickly integrated if ingested or inhaled. Basically, lead is toxic to every system of the body, especially the nervous system, though it is incorporated into various enzymes and mimics the elements it is supplanting causing biological havoc.

Alchemy is the oldest and first of the 7 metals of alchemy. It is related to redemption and transformation. Saturn’s metal is lead. It symbolizes contraction, stability, structure and materialism. Again, there are many aspects of the alchemical qualities and as a start; this is an article that was well written. https://theorderofthequest.wordpress.com/alchemy/saturn-lead/

Lead Scale


Lead Soundscape

Tones of Gold

Gold is the 79th element and one of the heaviest naturally occurring elements. It has been known since ancient times and artifacts from the ancient Ur (modern Iraq) civilization have been found and dated to 3,800 BCE, or 5,800 years ago. It is a shiny, soft, yellowish red, heavy malleable and ductile element. A one-gram piece of gold can be hammered into a one meter square sheet that is semi-transparent. It is one of the least reactive elements and will not react with oxygen at any temperature. It is resistant to heat and acid except “aqua regia” (nitric acid and hydrochloric acid) which will dissolve pure gold.

Because of its long association with humans and their crow like attraction to shiny things, it was an object to collect, adorn, barter and obsess over. Alchemically, gold is the symbol of transition to love, virtue and compassion. Interestingly, gold is considered a transition element within the periodic system. Vitality, life, health, radiance, wisdom, clarity, unification, virtue and light are all qualities associated with this element.

Though it is also considered to be biologically inert, some salts of gold are used to treat inflammation from arthritis. If pure gold is ingested, it is not absorbed or processed by the body at all.

Gold Scale

Gold Soundscape

Tones of Iodine


Iodine is the 53rd element of the periodic table. It is a black, shiny, crystalline solid that melts at 237 degrees Fahrenheit, just above the boiling point of water and boils at 361 degrees Fahrenheit, a good temperature to roast beets. Interestingly, it is important in the stability of the ozone layer and there is a relationship between atmospheric iodine and oxygen-based reactions with sodium, potassium and chlorine. It sublimes directly from solid to form a violet gas.

The human body has about 20 milligrams of iodine and is important in the thyroid production of T3 and T4 hormones. It is the heaviest element commonly needed by living organisms. Seventy percent of the body’s iodine is stored in other parts besides the thyroid gland. It is yet another essential element that has sketchy information about its role in human physiology.

Iodine Scale


Iodine Soundscape

Tones of Molybdenum


Molybdenum is the 42nd element in the periodic table. It was apparently known to the ancient civilizations, though was often mistaken for lead as they have similar appearances. It does not appear as a pure element in nature or an easily identifiable mineral, hence, there is no alchemical symbol for this element. More is written about molybdenum in its role in earth functions and the water soluble forms are important in the initial development of life on the planet.

There is not a lot of definitive information about how molybdenum is incorporated in the living sphere. It seems that humans and bacteria need trace amounts. It is associated with the sulfur balance in the body and important in liver detoxification. The molybdenum based enzymes are important with this function. They also cleanse nerve cell transmitter molecules and keep the nervous system working in balance.

Molybdenum Scale

Molybdenum Soundscape

Tones of Arsenic

Arsenic is a metalloid meaning that it has characteristics between a metal and non-metal. It is number 33 in the periodic table. The references to arsenic go back to ancient times with numerous cultures using arsenic compounds, it is rarely found in a pure state. Our name comes from the Greek. Zosimos, the Greek Alchemist, (circa 300 AD) describes working with arsenic. Alchemical records show that it was recognized as a poison, but also it was used medicinally in small doses. It was the poison of choice for the royalty in medieval Europe and had the title of the, “Poison of Kings and King of Poisons.”

Although some references state that arsenic is used in the human body, I could not find any clear evidence that this is so. It has been added to the feed of commercial meat producers to increase weight. Poultry producers have used it extensively; the birds aren’t going to live that long anyway—yuck! It is mostly used industrially, as a semi-conductor- when you throw away that phone chances are it contains arsenic. It shows up in treated lumber – don’t use treated lumber for play structures or raised vegetable beds! – food, fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides and drugs. Because of this, most of us have measurable arsenic in our bodies. It is especially prevalent in water. I just couldn’t find much to commend this element for humans, plants or animals.

Arsenic Scale

Arsenic Soundscape

 

Tones of Zinc

Zinc is a metal and number 30 in the periodic table. The earliest record comes from India about 3,000 years ago. The alchemist, Paracelsus, is thought to have named the element. Alchemical names include philosopher’s wool and nix alba. In current metaphysical texts zinc is related to the planet Mercury, the heart chakra, heart, circulation, respiration and nervous system. It helps harmonize and integrate the body systems.

It is an essential mineral for the human body with about 2 to 3 grams in each human body. Zinc is considered an essential trace element for humans, animals, plants and microorganisms. In fact, it is the only metal that appears in all enzyme classes. Between 100 and 300 different enzymes require zinc and up to 3,000 out of 100,000 proteins contain zinc.

I have included a representation of “zinc fingers” helping to read sequences in DNA. (See Wikipedia for credits.)

Zinc Scale

Zinc Sound Sketch

 

Tones of Copper

150px-cu-scheibe

29-Cu-Copper

I am consistently amazed by the qualities of elements and their interaction with life. Mendeleev, when he organized the elements in the periodic table by their qualities put them in a system that, quite often, aligned them in a manner that also reflected human attraction to those elements. Copper, silver and gold are all elements that are in the same grouping, and, they are also found in pure form on the earth. Hence, they all have had a significant impact on the psychic attraction to people. Humans do love shiny, malleable metals.

 

Copper is one of the ancient metals. There are indications of its use 10,000 years ago and evidence of it first being refined 7,000 years ago. The first alloys include copper. The name comes from Latin-cuprum. It is a soft, malleable metal that has a high thermal and electrical conductivity, second only to silver. It imparts a blue or green color in minerals such as: azurite, malachite, and turquois. Like silver, it is an anti-microbial substance and bacteria cannot live while in contact with copper. Copper handrails, doorknobs and cooking surfaces all prevent the spread of virulent microbes. Also, it is one of four metallic elements with a color other than silver or grey.

220px-natcopper

Copper is essential for life. It is part of a respiratory enzyme, it is found in the liver, muscle and bone. Copper is considered an essential micronutrient with an average of about 0.1 grams in a body. Some crustaceans use copper instead of iron to transport oxygen.

copper-alchemy

In the realm of alchemy, Copper is ruled by Venus. It is connected to the nurturing aspects of women, love and lust, charisma, feminine beauty, artistic creativity, affection, curing and balance. It is a healing metal that teaches about living a fulfilling life.

Copper Scale

Copper Sound Sketch

Tones of Nickel

nickel-periodic-table

Nickel is very similar to cobalt, though there is no known role in humans. Recently, the biological role in some microorganisms and plants has been established. If those microorganisms are in the human body and there is an excess of nickel in the body, then there can be some toxic responses to these organisms. Navy beans can contain this element. Interestingly, it is believed that a substantial amount of nickel arrived on our planet via meteorites. Early cultures used nickel with iron to make a non-rusting steel and also added it to glass to create green glass. Also, the Peruvians identified it as a type of silver.

nickel-image2

Nickel Scale

Nickel Sound Sketch

Tones of Cobalt

 

 

cobalt-periodic-table

Cobalt is found only in chemically combined forms. The distinctive color, cobalt blue, is a compound of Cobalt, Aluminum and Oxygen. Like many discoveries, the Chinese have the earliest know uses of cobalt. Examples have been found in Tutankhamen’s tomb about 1350 BC, in Persian glass and jewelry and even back to the bronze age about 5000 years before present.

cobalt_blue_flask

In the body, cobalt is an important micronutrient used in a coenzyme, B12. Also cobalt is important in blood formation and in the nervous system. Bacteria, fungi and algae also use cobalt in their metabolisms. On average, there is one milligram of cobalt in an adult body.

Kobalt

Cobalt Scale

Cobalt Sound Sketch

 

Tones of Silver

 

Silver image 2

47-Ag-Silver

Silver has been part of the human experience for at least 5,000 years. There is evidence of smelting the element in ancient excavations in the mid-east. Humans like crows and ravens seem attracted to shiny things. The Ag come from the Latin word “Argentum” and Silver comes from Middle English “Slolfur”.  It is the best reflector of light known. It also has the highest electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity of any metal. It is a relatively soft metal and has been used for trade for millennia. Although silver does not have a direct biological role in humans, it is well know for its antibacterial properties. It can even be used to purify water in the presence of oxygen replacing chlorine.

Silver_Alchemy_Symbol2-150x150                                                                                            Silver_Alchemy_Symbol-140x150

Since silver is found in a pure state, it has also been considered one of the primary metals used in alchemy. Silver is connected with the moon, intuition, self-reflection, inner wisdom, Isis, the 6th chakra, divination, healing, protection, emotion, love, dreams, vision, clarity, awareness and focus. It has also been used in Ayurvedic medicine.

Silver image 1

Silver Scale

Silver Sound Sketch