And now the actual alchemy. Gold powder, for the sun. Silver for the moon. Ground pearls for the sea. Volcanic stone for earth and fire. Tears for the soul. (I have no idea whose tears. I suspect a baby’s, diligently collected and sealed with wax. I didn’t specify in the main text, but I implied in a later footnote that the tears of an innocent might be the best option. I think I just wanted to make the process of gathering the materials as obnoxious as possible, but it has occurred to me since to wonder how many perfectly happy babies have been goaded to weeping by bearded arseholes in search of Holy Truth. Add another host of tiny sorrows to the list to be laid at my door.) Heat over a brazier. Mix. Do not melt the metal: this is not jewellery we are making. It is magic. The transformation is not chemical, it is impossible. Respect the discipline: the art of what cannot be.