Obviously, for those who are frightened by the sea – since they do not master it – Solomon’s royal formula “ABYSSUS ABYSSUM INVOCAT” seems obvious. The abyss calls the abyss, the sea calls the sea; and fear too, and death too.

The Phoenicians, for their part, excellent ancient navigators if there were any, courageously knew how to face the abyss, the sea, and undoubtedly the rest. This people, who according to Pliny, had the great honor of having invented the letters of the alphabet, sailed, if I may say so, from “abyssus” to “Pontos” Pontos, son of Gaia – the earth – is the god of the waves. This time designated, this terrifying and fascinating abyss becomes as if domesticated, mastered. And even during the night, the Phoenicians could, thanks to the star called “Little Dipper”, move there, while the compass was not invented.

The secrets of Phoenician navigation were kept for a long time; but following them, the passage from “abyssus” to “Pontos” can now be taken. There are those who bravely face fear and boldly face death. There is even one who walked on the sea, thus triumphing over the dark mass of waters and death: omnia vincit Amor.

Master Conscience – known for his great art and his famous tea – didn’t he want, by the truism “ABYSSUS ABYSSUM INVOCAT” to make us go from “abyssus” to “Pontos”? I mean, did he not want us, and him with us, to understand that beyond this vague sea, that beyond this dark and anguishing abyss, there is a higher reality of where can light, knowledge, consciousness flow? Lux fiat! Nunc is vivendum.

I congratulate Master’s remarkable enterprise, vir bonus, dicendi peritus. Always fair and precise, his work once again exhibits thought that is masked under the guise of humor. Both are like a bridge that invites passage.

Romain CARDUS. 2008