Arcana

Arcana is an exploration into the mysteries of plants. The word was popularized by alchemists during the sixteenth century as they sought to unveil the greatest secrets of plants, minerals, and animals - the ‘arcana of nature’. At that time, the western world was transitioning from the middle ages to the Renaissance and the desire for knowledge both spiritual and physical was exploding. Alchemists understood that all plants and minerals contained their own spirit, or ‘essence’ which could be extracted and utilized for healing. This knowledge was recorded through art and symbolism in order to bypass language and act directly on the subconscious.

Arcana chooses the highest quality ingredients with a focus on plants that are either wild harvested or grown through biodynamic farming. Ingredient choices are mostly informed by the biodiversity of the places that have shaped Arcana — Scotland and southern Appalachia. Arcana’s formulation approach is consciously rich with dualities; common weeds sit alongside the most expensive actives, primitive folk remedies mingle with exotic oils. This is their complex universe, rooted in deep intention and knowledge.