Harbinger.

 

 

 

 

The name conjures visions of plump-breasted robins, crocus and snowdrops, fuzzy nascent buds on dormant magnolias.

 

 

 

 

Liz Zorn has given us a gentle thing, airy and earthy-

With much to contemplate in-between the two.

 

 

 

 

 

Harbinger is a prime example of how NOT to judge by the components;.

Looking at the list, one might anticipate a heavy, sickly-sweet substance- sticky and cloying.

No room to breathe.

 

 

 

 

WRONG.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes:

 

Cumin, honey absolute, white rose accord

Cinnamon, peach aldehyde, orchid musk, coffee bean

Civet, castoreum, caramel, vetiver, chypre base

 

 

 

 

 

For me, the experience is an intimately musky caress, soft and sweet, imbued with a tender lightness of touch-

More impassioned and ‘present’ at first, then lingering delicately yet tenaciously-

Like the animus of some furry wraith, or a departed loved one.

Harbinger hovers over the skin like a beneficent, loving presence.

 

I could ‘tear it apart’ and analyze it; I’m rather loathe to.

I believe that I understand the components and their interactions well enough…

 

 

 

 

We could talk about aldehyde C-14 and its waxy, fruity aspects that blend perfectly with cinnamon [much like it does in Mitsouko].

Or how the orchid musk is resolute enough to anchor and temper the civet and castoreum in the base. Smooth and blend, while amping up “floral”.

How the grassiness of vetiver is a perfect counterpoint to caramel.

Why cumin and honey absolute echo the animalic.

How coffee bean sits quietly, breathing deeply- while white rose accord mates well with the animalic, if only to demonstrate her own very costly floral beauty.

And, of course- Liz has her own system of bases, one of which is a delightful chypre…

 

In the final analysis-

So what?

What really matters to me, is how it makes me FEEL.

 

 

 

 

And I feel comforted, loved, and in the presence of a complex, lingering goodness.

 

 

 

Photo Credits:

Photos of Liz and Harbinger image-  soivohle.com
Crocus of Istanbul- hurriyetdailynews.com
Snowdrops- remarc.com
Honey- botulismblog.com
Aldehyde C-14 – molecules.gnu.darwin.org
Artwork of William Blake :
Oberon and Titania- artnet.com
Angels in prayer- flickr.com
Soul's Union- gailgastfield.com

 

–Ida Meister, Senior Editor