Finding the Center

A Practical Guide to Alchemy in the 21st Century

Methods

Written

Traditional

Traditional alchemical forumlae are written much in the matter of traditional maths- line after line describing each step that brings a principle to it's final form. While easy to read, and designed for chalkboards, this method often leads to very lengthy text and is best suited for laboratory work.

Circular Formula

Circular Formulae are something of a recent advent in alchemical study, and represent a comprehensive method for rendering complex and lengthy formulas into simpler, more compact forms. While a traditional formula must use a symbol for each effect and step, including relevant alignments and atmospheric conditions, the Circular Formula can set the appropriate bounds and limits as part of its shape and layout. This type of formula is quintessential to Internal Alchemy.

Verbal

The recitation of alchemical formulae holds a middle ground between the length and complexity of traditional forms and the ease of circular forms. A verbal formula must define all that a circular form specifies through shape, position, and symbology, but need not be as complex as the traditional written form. The principle reason for this is that the recitation is more a memory tool than a strict formula- while another alchemist would be able to ascertain what the reciter is attempting to do, they would not be able to reverse engineer the form from words alone without similar experience- and even with similar experience, the form their own recitation takes might be entirely different.

Formulae

Somatic Alchemy (Life)

Aqua Fortis (Water of Strength)

Aqua Tofani (Water of Death)

Aqua Vita (Water of Life)