Wax & Wane Filigree & Shadow
Fragrance Story
WAX & WANE by Filigree & Shadow is a fragrance for women and men. WAX & WANE was launched in 2015. The nose behind this fragrance is James Elliott. Top notes are Bergamot and Coriander; middle notes are Cardamom, Broom and Saffron; base notes are Agarwood (Oud), Sandalwood and Tobacco.
Composition Profile
About the Perfumer
James Elliott
James Elliott is a perfumer associated with the niche house Filigree & Shadow, where he crafted a range of evocative scents. His creations include A Single Wish, A Way To Say Goodbye, and Aeon, among others. Elliott's work often explores abstract and emotional themes through fragrance.
Fragrance Notes
Character Profile
The Magician Archetype: Portrait of Wax & Wane Filigree & Shadow
Essence
The Magician archetype is a master of transformation, wielding the power of alchemy to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. Wax & Wane captures this spirit with its complex, evolving composition that shifts and changes like a ritual unfolding. The bright bergamot and coriander top notes are the spark of intention, while the heart of cardamom, broom, and saffron is the heat of transformation, a spicy, aromatic crucible.
The base of oud, sandalwood, and tobacco is the final transmutation, a rich, smoky, and deeply sensual foundation that lingers like incense in a sacred space. This is a fragrance for those who understand the power of ritual and the magic of intentional creation.
Style & Aesthetic
The Magician's style is dramatic and intentional, favoring pieces that carry symbolic weight and transformative potential. They might wear a velvet jacket with intricate embroidery, a ring set with a dark stone, or a scarf in a pattern that tells a story. Their aesthetic is one of curated mystery, where every element is chosen for its power to evoke and transform.
Colors are rich and deep: burgundy, midnight blue, charcoal, and gold. Accessories are talismans: a pendant with a hidden meaning, a bracelet of woven threads, a pocket watch that has been passed down through generations.
Philosophy & Values
The Magician believes in the power of intention, the ability of the individual to shape their own reality through focused will and ritual action. They see the world as a web of correspondences and symbols, where everything is connected and nothing is accidental. Their philosophy is one of active creation, not passive acceptance.
For the Magician, transformation is the highest art. They value knowledge, discipline, and the courage to change. They understand that true power comes from within, and they are dedicated to the ongoing work of self-mastery and personal evolution.
Relationships
The Magician forms relationships that are intense and transformative, often serving as a catalyst for growth in others. They are drawn to people who are open to change, who are willing to explore the depths of their own potential. Their friendships are based on mutual inspiration and a shared commitment to evolution.
In romantic relationships, the Magician seeks a partner who is both a mirror and a muse, someone who challenges them to grow and who is willing to be transformed in return. They are passionate and devoted, but they need a partner who understands the importance of mystery and the power of the unseen.
Lifestyle
The Magician's life is a series of rituals and practices designed to cultivate inner power and outer manifestation. They might be an artist, a healer, a teacher, or an entrepreneur, but their true work is the alchemy of the self. Their home is a sacred space, filled with objects of power: crystals, candles, books of esoteric wisdom, and tools of their craft.
Rituals are central to their daily life: morning meditation, an evening journaling practice, the careful preparation of a special tea. Wax & Wane is applied as part of a ritual of transformation, a scent that marks the beginning of a new phase or the closing of an old one.
Shadow
The Magician's shadow is the temptation to use their power for manipulation or control, to seek influence over others rather than mastery over themselves. They can become seduced by the illusion of power, mistaking the appearance of transformation for the real thing.
There is also the risk of becoming lost in symbolism, of mistaking the map for the territory. The Magician must remain grounded, remembering that true magic is not about escaping reality but about transforming it from within. The greatest alchemy is the work of the soul.
Conclusion
Wax & Wane is a fragrance of power and transformation, a scent that speaks to the Magician's ability to create and change. For this archetype, it is the perfect olfactory tool, a fragrance that evolves and shifts like a living spell. It is the smell of intention made manifest, of the sacred work of becoming.