Cortisol is a hormone in all our bodies that serves an important role in the stress pathway in our nervous system. It’s produced and released by the adrenal glands situated above our kidneys, and effects blood sugar (glucose) levels, metabolism, immune and anti-inflammatory responses, as well as heart and blood vessel contraction. As with many stress hormones, cortisol levels increase and decline in a cyclical fashion. The fast tempo of this composition and frantic nature of the melody reflects high levels of stress. Listen for the release of this stress from the body later in the composition.

Churn is designed to explore the suppression of strong, negative emotions - a habit we all encounter at one time or another. These feelings of frustration often brood inside us, churning to become quite a powerful feeling. Listen for the meter change - a point of release that represents the catharsis of pent up emotions into more of an angry frenzy.

Transfigurations takes the negative emotions from a traumatic or de