By Head Pharmacist Dr. Oswald, of the Ordo Aurum Omnia

All things have a spirit, whether it be materia or anima. Matter or form. In alchemy, it is often necessary to distill a spirit, not to be mistaken with a ghost, but of the animating principle inherent in all matter. Whether drawn from beast, bloom, or stone, the spiritus is that subtle, invisible quality which defines the function, memory, and potential of a thing. Distillation, a process of separating the ephemeral from the dross, allows the alchemist to hold in hand what once merely whispered from the aether.

I. The Principle of Essence

All materials contain layers. The body, the soul, and the spirit. While crude methods may extract oils or toxins, the goal of spirit-distillation is to isolate that which defines a thing: its essential archetype. The pride of a lion. The sorrow of wolfsbane. The tenacity of iron.

Such qualities are not metaphors but repeatable results. When prepared correctly, one may bottle boldness, patience, or even ruin.

II. On Temperature

Distillation requires three instruments:

- A crucible of separation (glass, lead-lined copper, or fired porcelain),

- A condenser (coiled or towered),

- And a receiving phial to contain the spirit.

The heat of the flame must be calculated to the boiling point of the various spirits one might hope to distill.

III. Process by Domain

Plant Spirits:

Botanicals are most receptive. Leaves and blossoms offer their spirit freely. Macerate fresh material in ethanol (or mild azoth solution) and apply gentle heat. Distilled plant-spirits are used often in medicine to administer healing, alleviation of the mind, or for their archetypical alignment. For example, mandrake is often used in the creation of homunculi.

Animal Spirits:

Only the freshest specimens yield viable essence. The brain, heart, and marrow contain the most concentrated inclinations. Spirit drawn from predator tissue may grant heightened awareness, aggression, or stamina. Ethical acquisition is... inconsistently observed.

Mineral Spirits:

Much slower to distill, but longer-lasting in effect. The essence of metals and stones requires dissolution through aqua regia. These spirits underpin transmutations and structural enchantments.

IV. Applications

Tinctures: Spirit combined with alcohol or oil for ingestion or topical use.

Infusions: Added to base potions to alter their archetypal alignment.

Imbibed Constructs: Homunculi and chimeras may be stabilized using a spirit distillate as mnemonic seed.

Retorts of Memory: In rare cases, human essence may be captured, allowing memories, impulses, and regrets to be transcribed and studied.

V. Warnings

Distilled spirits are volatile. Not always in reactivity, but in sympathy. If exposed to incompatible influences: environments, temperaments, conflicting materials, they may react unpredictably. Rage extracted from a bear will not sit calmly beside distilled peace from lavender.

Further, improper distillation risks bottling not only intent, but madness. The soul of a thing is rarely still. It remembers.

Conclusion

Distillation of spirits is a study in refinement, not only of matter, but of perception. The alchemist must listen, observe, and adapt. The great lie of transmutation is that it is a process of change. It is not. It is a process of discovery: of what was always there, waiting to be drawn forth.