“My altar is of open brass work”

Thought I’d do a really quick analysis of this statement from Liber AL (III:30) as I always wondered about it. A quick Google search doesn’t pull up much that really describes “open brass work,” although I’m guessing it has to do with brass plating or something of the sort. We do have this interesting reference [source]:

In the middle was an altar, bearing a brass plate, upon which were engraved the letters, A. C. R. C; and the words, Hoc Universi Compendium vivus mihi Sepulchrum fec

. . .and of course Solomon’s Vessel of Brass.

So what is brass exactly? According to Wikipedia, “Brass is any alloy of copper and zinc; the proportions of zinc and copper can be varied to create a range of brasses with varying properties.”

My next step was to look into the alchemical properties of copper and zinc. Some research led me to the following information [source]:

• Copper is a planetary metal dominated by Venus
• Zinc is considered a “mundane element”

Additionally, the Thelemic Golden Dawn had this to say:

The Magister Templi grade refers to Binah, the third Sephira on the qabalistic Tree of Life. . .Its corresponding astrological Planet is Venus, and its alchemical Metal is Copper or Brass.

The seemingly obvious information here, is that [Ra-Hoor-Khuit's?] altar — bearing a good deal of brass, the alloy of copper and zinc — represents the union of the Higher (copper, planetary metal) with the Lower (zinc, mundane element) in the Great Work.

Now, my astrology is a little rusty currently, but I seem to remember Venus representing love and beauty, love being considered “the union of opposites” by some. Taken with the idea of the union of the two metals into an alloy — one representing a higher principle and one being a mundane metal — the symbolism is furthered and brass becomes a more suitable alloy than another which may also consist of a planetary metal combined with a base element.

In all, this symbolism is entirely appropriate to Ra-Hoor-Khuit, in my opinion, as he is the Crowned and Conquering Child of Hadit and Nuit, a union and synthesis (and dare I say, alloy?) of the two former principles, and of course a very important part of Thelemic magick.

Hopefully this provides a starting point for those interested in exploring this verse of the Book of the Law. I would love to hear what others might think!

Possible discussion material:
- Why brass and not bronze? Maybe because bronze isn’t always the same combination of materials, or because the typical recipe using tin has a different alchemical connotation.
- What is the significance of the *altar* being of open brass work, and not another element?
- What is the significance of burning thereon in silver or gold?
- What is the nature of this “brass work” on the altar? And what makes it “open”?
etc.