Raisins and almonds - Poisoned Pen Press (UK)

Chapter Eleven
Mercury and Sulphur, Sun and Moon,
agent and patient, matter and form are the
oposites. When the virgin or feminine earth
is thoroughly purified and purged from all
superfluity, you must give it a husband meet
for it: for when male and female are joined
together by means of the sperm, a generation
must take place in the menstruum.
—Edward Kelley,
The Theatre of Terrestrial Astronomy
Phryne received reports as she was dressing for dinner. The girls
had enjoyed their afternoon with the Levin family, which had
been lavish as well as informative.
‘We’re coming up to the fast of Yom Kippur,’ Jane told
Phryne, sitting on her bed and watching her select a flame red
dress, shake her head and return it to the wardrobe. ‘On the
twenty-fourth of September. That’s the holiest day of the year.
The Day of Atonement,’ said Jane.
‘I like the sea green better,’ observed Ruth. ‘It’s just the same
colour as lettuce. What are they atoning for?’
‘Everything,’ said Jane. ‘They can’t eat or drink for the whole
day, from dawn to dusk. Everyone, though not sick people or