Arcane Knowledge Neil Morris and Akuura Kulak collaboration

Neil Morris and Akuura Kulak collaborated on Arcane Knowledge photo AI by Neil

The new perfume Arcane Knowledge was destined to come into being eventually (Neil had long wished to co-compose a series of mystical perfumes with Akuura, but it took some convincing). Perfumers Neil Morris of Neil Morris Fragrances and Akuura Kulak of Aroma Sanctum Perfumes have been friends for 25 years – and they have created a fragrant collaboration inspired by their shared experiences of Massachusetts’ famous Witch City, Salem. Anyone with any interest in either early colonial American history or the occult is aware of its import. I first experienced and wrote about Akuura Kulak’s perfumery in April of 2014 – 12 years ago. “How does Salem smell? Perhaps, like Akuura Kulak’s Aroma Sanctum boutique, for one” (my words). Salem, the Witch City, is the infamous New England seaside town where whalers, merchants and fishermen carved out a living from American colonial times onward, until the whales became scarce. Salem, Massachusetts: a city reviled for its notorious witch trials which occurred from February 1692 – May 1693. It was this same city where Neil Morris first began selling his handmade fragrances in quaint little boutiques. Akuura, at that time, was displaying and selling her perfumes in a corner of a (now closed) cutting edge niche emporium called Fool’s Mansion which specialized in gothic, retro, and alternative clothing, accessories and art – the only shop of its kind on Boston’s North Shore. Neil and his friend just happened to saunter into the shop to browse – and when he and Akuura met, it was magic of the kindred connectivity sort. Separately, each perfumer has followed the beat of their own drum –  which led them rather swiftly to a mutual point of convergence. Both artists are drawn to the esoteric, and are well-versed in divination and astrology. Neil had taken a course on arcane wisdom under the tutelage of the famous Laurie Cabot; Akuura’s fascination with ancient erudition developed through her intimate involvement with the creation of scent (she was also living in Salem and had attended high school there). Initially, Akuura began researching essential oils when she realized that she was highly allergic to most of the ingredients in commercial perfumes, and consequently proceeded to study aromatherapy. Both Neil and Akuura compose mixed media fragrances and enjoy creating bespoke perfumes – and each has been crafting original fragrances for 30 years and more.

Arcane Knowledge AI by Neil

Arcane Knowledge is the aromatic culmination of two creative, insightful beings – and as such, it elicits powerful emotions. This perfume eschews the approach of being perceived as a dulcet lullaby, an erotic explosion of flowers, a paean to the vast oceans, or an herbal/green wraith. I have smelled many perfumes over the years, and there are none like it. It delves deeper than the traditional churchy incense emitted from a censer – to a more primal, visceral place which is none the less sacred.

Arcane Knowledge photo by Akuura

“Unlock the scent of ancient manuscripts, whispered secrets, and the flickering glow of candlelit inquiry. Arcane Knowledge is more than a fragrance, it is a key to the enigmatic, a portal to the past where mystery lingers in the air.” ~ Neil Morris

Label for Arcane Knowledge

Arcane Knowledge’s initial impression, at first blush, may perhaps belie its ensuing intensity. Its introductory triad of citrus, bitter orange, and black pepper is vibrant, clear-sighted – which explains why the heady floral/herbal chapter which follows feels unanticipated. Gardenia and narcissus are no fragrant ingenues, and they are enhanced by undisclosed botanical notes; after all, Arcane Knowledge is all about mystery. Neil likens this stage to a deep breath taken in a darkened garden, while I perceive it as Persephone’s perfumed prelude to entering the Underworld. These are not dissimilar constructs; they lead us to the potent fragrant foundation which intimates dimly illuminated libraries stacked from floor to ceiling with leatherbound tomes of receipts from ancient times, sequestered secrets amassed over centuries of inscrutable wisdom. This furtive quality is implied by a balsam-abundant base of smoldering resins, frankincense, and smoky notes which I perceive (rightly or wrongly) to possibly include those of cade, nagarmotha, and patchouli (these facets are also undisclosed). I find myself in a profoundly contemplative state of awe, wonderment, and curiosity.

Neil Morris of Neil Morris Fragrances and Akuura Kulak of Aroma Sanctum Perfumes photo courtesy of the perfumers

Neil and Akuura have assured us a complete Knowledge Collection. We, the perfume community, will eagerly await the following fragrances: Carnal Knowledge (fan me, fan me!) is next on the roster, and the third will taunt us with Forbidden Knowledge. I can scarcely wait.

Notes: citrus, bitter orange, black pepper, gardenia, narcissus, assorted rare botanicals, frankincense, warm resins, smoky wood notes, benzoin (perceived notes: cade, nagarmotha, patchouli?)

A bottle of Arcane Knowledge was offered to me for review – many thanks! My nose is my own…

~ Ida Meister, Deputy and Natural Perfumery Editor

photo courtesy of Neil Morris

Thanks to the generosity of Neil Morris Fragrances and Aroma Sanctum Perfumes, we have a 30ml bottle of Arcane Knowledge for one registered reader in the USA only. You must register in order for your entry to count. To be eligible, please leave a comment saying what interested you based on Ida’s review and confirm that you live in the USA. Draw closes 5/28/2026

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Note: Suspended in Glass is the second of the Radiance trilogy. Last October, Sandi reviewed Shimmering, which was the first in the series and one of Sandi’s Top 10 perfumes of 2025.  Neil Morris was awarded Michelyn’s Best of Scent 2020 Hall of Fame

Please read Ida’s piece, The Three You Should be Wearing and enjoy Neil Morris’s Profile in American Perfumery.

Neil created I Will Bring You Flowers for ÇaFleureBon’s 10th Anniversary

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