An Institutional Presence Across Three Continents for over 30 years
Elixir; Stone, Soul, and the Secret World: A Master’s Retreat Curriculum
Escape the Tyranny of the Digital Clock. Invest in Geological Time.
“Arete is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution.” Aristotle
THE PROPOSITION: A MIND-SET UNATTAINABLE BY LOGIC.
This is not a class; it is an exclusive invitation to step entirely out of the digital current and plunge into a profound, tangible dialogue with history.
In an age where everyone competes to save time, true mastery is proving you can afford to slow down. You will be guided by a Master Mason whose unbroken Lineage stretches back nearly a millennium to 1080—a connection that instantly transforms creation into the ultimate act of self-discovery.
You are not just learning a skill; you are gaining access to the closed lexicon and grammar once reserved only for the elite Guilds and Courts. This is a profound, holistic methodology that defines true court craftsmanship. We don’t teach stone carving; we recalibrate your mind to compose a great poem in stone.
THE INVESTMENT IN LINEAGE: £3,500 (A Filter, Not a Price)
This intensive, five-day immersion is strictly limited to six students. This extreme scarcity ensures unparalleled, individual attention and acts as a necessary filter: we select only those committed to the uncompromising pursuit of excellence (Arete).
Your investment of £3,500 secures five full days of Master-level tutelage, working with premium, historical materials—Portland Limestone, Carrara Marble, Welsh Slate.
The Artisanal Ritual: Daily lunches are served in the tradition of “Bukë Kripë Dhe Zemër” (Bread, Salt, and Heart), transforming a meal into a deliberate ceremony that fosters camaraderie and cultivates the discerning taste and social graces befitting a court artisan.
The Unseen Value: The fee is a financial commitment that acts as a Commitment Device. It guarantees your focus and signals to the Master—and yourself—that you are serious about achieving profound, personal mastery.
THE ELIXIR LEGACY COLLECTION: RESERVED, NOT PURCHASEABLE.
THE ELIXIR LEGACY COLLECTION: RESERVED, NOT PURCHASEABLE.
Your enrolment fee includes the complete Elixir Legacy Collection—a private selection of four essential elements reserved solely for those accepted into the course.
These items are deliberately unavailable for individual purchase through any other channel. Their value is derived entirely from the fact that they must be earned, not bought.
- The Foundational Text: A bespoke Master’s guide to the hidden geometries of the craft.
- The Personal Signet: A unique mark of your official induction into this exclusive lineage.
- The Legacy Chisels: A set of bespoke, personally calibrated tools.
- The Lignum Vitae Mallet: A profound, tangible gift that signifies your commitment to the Arete of the craft.
Please note: The investment excludes travel to and from the venue, accommodation, and evening meals (unless specified for a special event).
The Curriculum: A Conversation with Antiquity
That’s an excellent move. By merging the powerful, narrative-driven language from the Rory Sutherland rewrite with the granular, day-by-day detail from your original copy, you create a curriculum that is both aspirational (Alchemy) and tangible (Logistics).
Here is the merged and refined curriculum copy, structured for a high-end webpage:
The Curriculum: A Conversation with Antiquity
We move beyond mere technique to explore the profound guiding principles that inform every stroke, leading directly to Eudaimonia—the deep satisfaction found in realizing one’s highest potential. Our daily practice is deliberately enriched by concepts like the deliberate application of Harmonic Proportion (The Golden Ratio), the rhythmic consciousness of Fóli, the pursuit of excellence (Arete), and the spiritual imbuement of Baraka. These ideas, alongside Gestalt Laws and the structural understanding of Musical Theory, inform a holistic approach to creation.
Day 1: The Foundation of Mastery and Tactile Awakening
The week begins not with simple instruction, but with a Tool Immersion ceremony and the solemn introduction to the Master’s 1080 Lineage and the Renaissance ideal. After selecting your initial premium material, the afternoon is dedicated to your first cuts, feeling the cool, hard resistance of the stone. Guided exercises awaken your Proprioceptive and Kinaesthetic senses—the subtle, unseen internal awareness crucial for transforming the mallet and chisel into a sharp-edged extension of your own hand.
Day 2: Form, Flow, and Inner Rhythm
You will rapidly progress to more complex shapes, learning to ‘read’ the stone’s grain and resistance. We explore Fóli—the rhythmic consciousness of the universe—applying this universal rhythm to your creative work. Focused practice enhances your Equilibrioception (inner sense of balance), guiding you into a sustained Flow State where the boundary between artist and material simply dissolves. This meditative rhythm of hammer against steel becomes a true conversation with a material older than memory.
Day 3: The Unseen Language of Creation
This pivotal midpoint uncovers the Symbolic Geometry and Harmonic Proportion that underpin all enduring beauty. You will learn how to apply the Golden Ratio to coax forms that resonate with universal balance. We delve into Chronoception, the innate sense of time essential for pacing your strokes, and study the unwritten laws of Space, Volume, and Void. An optional evening offers informal “Conversations with the Master” to discuss the subtle pull of intuition in artistic decisions.
Day 4: Imbuing Spirit and Pursuing Excellence
We turn to the Metaphysics of the Craft—exploring the profound idea of listening to the stone’s inherent spirit. The afternoon focuses on Arete—the uncompromising pursuit of excellence in refinement and finishing. Through meticulous detail, you will seek Baraka, the divine grace or spiritual energy that imbues an object crafted with unwavering dedication and soul. Communal lunch serves as a structured journey in refining the social graces of a court craftsperson.
Day 5: Legacy, Metaphysics, and The Enduring Song
The final day is the great integration. You will apply the universal Gestalt Laws and Musical Theory to achieve cohesion and resonance in your finished piece. We reflect on “The Song”—the whispering current of generational wisdom and silent stories flowing through the craft. You will then complete your personal masterpiece, imbued with your newfound understanding, ponder its enduring presence, and receive your official certificate of acceptance into the Lineage. A final optional evening conversation is available for reflection and networking.
Post-Workshop: The Privilege of Access
Your commitment grants you exclusive access to members-only content and activities, fostering a continuing community of dedicated craftspeople. This is not a mailing list; it is a private network whose members have all proven their commitment to mastery.