Circles and Polygons

Circles
The circle is what I consider to be the simplest element of a functioning transmutation circle; it's in
the name! Whether its on the outside, inside, on another circle, or anything, its still a circle and its in every
array.
The circle is used to represent a steady, balanced flow of energy. In retrospect, the circle was
considered the perfect shape because all points are equidistant from the center. It also holds a steady flow
of energy while pushing the energy forward at all times.
The energy is like water in a cup. If you thrust the cup forward and suddenly stop it, water will spill
out; energy wasted. In opposition, if you were to hold a bucket by the handle and twirl the bucket around
with your arm, the water will stay in the bucket; energy preserved.

This is why alchemists use circles as a base. If you were to lose all
your energy to a transmutation, you would surely die.

Circulation
The circle holds the elements inside of it and keeping it flowing. For that reason, we often use it to
circulate elements. Its like a holding chamber, and when done properly can be used to separate certain
materials.
There are two main classes of separation. There is separation by parts and whole. By parts is when
there are several circles, each containing a different element. This is often to avoid mixing two elements
that would react together.
These are often used in more complex arrays that have parts that cannot come into contact. Other
than that, its not usually necessary to have very many circles to hold separate elements. It is still possible
to have all your elements in one circle and sort them out. This involves the strategic placement of symbols
and can be found on page ###.
Separation by whole separates masses of elements. This cuts down on the number of circles needed
in the array. Within each circle, multiple elements are stored. There are usually elements that will not react
with each other.
This method is commonly used with basic transmutation circles and arrays. It is much like molding
with clay; your just reshaping it as a mass, not by individual parts. For that reason, there are few circles
and simple shapes.

Non-Circles
While we might not want to use them often, we still have things that aren't circles, but still look like
circles (or at least similar). The wavy non-circle thing is best used to derail energy. Imagine a train on a track
like this. If the rail were a wavy, either side-to-side or up-and-down, and the waves were close enough
together, the train would begin to rock softly, then get harder and harder. It wouldnt be long before the train
would derail. Its no different with elements. The fast moving elements will travel through the figure until it
becomes so unstable, it is tossed from the lines.
Never use one of these on the outside of an array. You will lose all your energy and wont accomplish
anything. Using one of these on the inside of an array would be different. The outer circles and figures would
contain the tossed elements, but the loose elements can interfere with other elements of the array and create
problems in the array.
The only reason I would use a warped circle is to create some sort of elemental discharge. If you were
to focus this elemental discharge, you can create a ray of alchemic power. This would mainly be used as a
weapon because the unstable energies are perfect for that. But when using a warped circle, make sure you
find some way to focus the discharge, mainly, extending the reach of the array (###).
An oval is another non-circle. It is very similar to stopping a moving cup of water. When the elements
reach the farthest point from the center, they have a tendency to be thrown from the array. Its the same way
with the wavy circle, only in this case, there are usually only two points where this can occur. From these
points, you can collect the elements and redistribute them in the array.
The oval does the job of a circle and a polygon. The oval will partially break down materials while
circulating them. Once the elements reach the farthest point from the center, the elements can either be
thrown, or will pass and continue circulating. Either way, the elements will pick up speed, heating them
temporally and will help mix the elements.
The best use for an oval is in mixing arrays that you dont want to use polygons in. You can do that
for decoration effects. It also commonly used in chimera creating arrays (###).

- Element

When the elements leave the warped

circle, they are also going to be slightly
unstable. Eventually, they will stabilize,
but even in the unstable state, they will be
usable and can be stabilized by placing
them on a straight line.

- Circle Center

- Element

There are two types of ovals: The two pointed oval

(left) and the one pointed oval or egg (right).
In all cases with non-circles, massive energy is
generated. This is very useful in many types of arrays,
yet the elements are still perfectly usable. It is the next
best thing to nuclear power.

Polygons
By definition, a polygon is a many sided, enclose figure composed of three or more sides. We use
polygons in alchemy to break down and recompose materials within a transmutation circle.
The first main thing to remember is that with polygons is that we mainly use regular polygons to
maintain balance. If you do use any irregular polygons, they are usually symmetrical, once again, to
maintain balance. If not symmetrical, usually it is symbolic to some purpose.
A polygon works by using the lines and vertexes, but it also works with other figures in the array.
The lines will carry the elements until they reach the vertexes, where the elements are tossed. From there,
the elements can be picked up by the next line, or the elements can carry on to another figure.
When the vertex touches another figure, such as a line or circle, the tossed elements will flow onto
that figure as well.

The polygon is breaking down materials and circulating it around the

array. The polygon works with the circle to breakdown and recompose
the elements. The elements are tossed from the vertexes and sent into
the circulation of the circle. The elements are then taken in by the lines
of the polygon and the process is repeated. This constant breaking down
and rebuilding. It is similar to tossing a salad.

So basically, just having having a polygon wont work. Same thing with just a circle. They both
work together to accomplish a simple task. You can also have more polygons in the array for a stronger
blending process.
The number of sides on a polygon determines what it does to elements in and array and with what
elements it reacts with. Each different polygon has its own specialty and what type of array it is best for.

The triangle is used to break down materials to the finest possible or instructed elements. This is usually the
atomic or subatomic level.
Used in a transmutation circle, the triangle will break down materials to the base elements, in most
cases. It can also be used to reform the base elements into the desired shape or form. You can sort out the
elements and choose various ones to transmute in then end, or use all the elements. I simply depends on how
you build the array.
Like all other polygons, the triangle doesn't always have to break materials down. It can mix or
recompose elements. This is often done in arrays where you are building something specific out of multiple
components. A fine example is making bread. You don't want to break everything down to base elements,
but rather mix the ingredients. Instructions on how to specify this can be found on page ###

The square breaks down materials by smaller parts of the whole rather than by atoms. The parts can be as
small as a molecule, or as large as a bolder.
In a transmutation circle, the square will break down materials into parts. These parts can be sorted
out and used in accordance to the final product. These parts can also be combined as individual parts being
attached or thatched, or they parts can be blended:
When binding or thatching materials, it would be like making a cloth doll. You cut the fabrics and
sew them together, perhaps even stuffing the doll. Tats using the parts individually to create a final product.
You can also blend the parts, such as by when creating a fruit smoothie. You can still pick out fruit
chunks and find your parts, but they are well blended.

The Pentagon mainly transmutes energies. It is also very commonly used in organic transmutations
involving living creatures.
The pentagon, transmuting energies, works with a wide variety of energies. These can be life
energies, human energies, world energies, geothermal energies, alchemic energies, and about any other
energy you can think of. It is also commonly used in association with Ether, the fifth element. Ether is more
commonly known as 'Magic'.
When using the pentagon to work with energies, its vertexes often extend beyond the outer circle.
This is to send the energies outside the array for extending the reach of a transmutation. More information
on this can be found on page ###
When using the pentagon to perform organic transmutations, the pentagon is often enclosed in the
array. This is the main difference between an organic and energy related array. Now the organic array still
deals with energy. When dealing with organisms and keeping the cells alive, you must supply energy. This
is mainly for cell reproduction, such as for aging and organism.

The hexagon is a very common polygon in alchemy. It is mainly used in elemental arrays as a
representation of the elements as an entirety. For this reason, it is often used in organic transmutations or
transmutations that involve chemistry.
Inside an array, the hexagon works by representing all that lies within the elemental realm. It beings
with the Four Prime Elements. The hexagram is the direct relative of the hexagon, and it is the universal
symbol for the Four Prime Elements and the elements as a whole. When used in an array, it is usually for the
purpose of working with atoms or molecules. This can be for simply obtaining one specific element, mixing
elements, creating atomic bonds, etc.

The heptagon is used for transmutations that involve a living being. Above anything else, the
heptagon is used for medicinal purposes and to heal ones body.
The heptagon works with your body to allow for a human transmutation that works with your body
to heal it. Rather than just transmute cells or molecules, it transmutes multiple elements that deal with the
human body. These elements are energies, cells, molecules, atoms, and more. They are all needed together
in order to transmute the body.
Many people would think this is the polygon to use in a transmutation circle that would create a
human. This would not be possible as the heptagon does not create cells and structures from base elements,
but rather, it accelerates the healing and regeneration process of existing cells.

The octagon is used mainly for the transmutation of energies, mostly within or around a body. This
is mostly the human body and is used to gather the energies for various purposes.
Like the Pentagon, the octagon harnesses energies that lie within the human body. The energies of the
human body can be harnessed for numerous reasons. Mainly to strengthen another part of ones own body. It
can also be used to amplify the energies of a transmutation circle. There is also the outlying human energy,
known as ones aura. This energy can also be harnessed and used to power an array or ones own body.
The octagon can also work with other energies in order to duplicate, replicate, or create human
energies. For this reason, it is more commonly found in human transmutation circles. It can also convert
human energy into other energies when used properly.

The nonagon is most commonly used to represent the material plane, or more so, existence. It is
mainly used in alchemy to transfer energies into another plane or effect a certain plane.
It is unfortunate, but on its own, the nonagon does not do anything. It must be used in conjunction
with a nonagram. The nonagrams can be found on page ###. When the nonagon encompasses a certain
nonagram, it aids in the enclosure of space the reaction takes place is. Otherwise, you will always see the
nonagon inside a nonagram (unless drawn as a nautical or outlined nine-sided star).

Interpolation
In transmutation circle construction, you cant just have a circle. Its like attaching the two terminals
of a battery with just a wire; its a waste of time and energy. You also dont want just a shape. You probably
dont want to throw the two together in hopes everything will work. You need to have a plan and lay out
the circles and polygons in a way they can work together. There are many possibilities for laying everything
out.
A steady reaction will take place inside the array. All materials need to be placed
above the array in order to be used in the array. This is very simple and widely used
in alchemy.

Transmuted object

Not Transmuted object

The main reaction will take place outside the array. The elements are not generally
lost outside the array. The reaction is simply taking place outside the array. There
is very little control, though, on where the transmutation takes place.

Certain reactions will extend past the array, but not in a random sort of way like
when the polygon passes the outer circle. These are the reactions that take place on
the extending figure. These reactions are then sent outside the array, but in a more
organized manor that extends to another object. This can be an object near or atop
the array.

This just enhances the blending process. It helps it both break down to finer element
and rebuild it stronger. Its very similar to forging steel into a Damascus blade; the
more folds you make, the better quality the blade becomes.

This is a generally odd setup because the smaller polygon is usually touching a
circle, but in the even you encounter or use this, you are very often transmuting
something below the array, such as earth. The small polygon is taking the elements
from the earth, allowing the array to transmute them, then puts the elements back.

In an array format like this, instructions are often drawn in the area between the two
circles. The reaction will remain inside the array, but the transmutation will be
conducted under the instructions.

Now we begin to cross various setups. In this setup, the main effect is very
similar that of a reaction moving outside an array, but still staying contained. You
would use this setup mostly on complex objects that you only want to transmute a
small piece of, say, a human body.
It is very similar to the setup that reaches to a near by object, only this one
can pass multiple objects to reach an outlying object. The transmutation does not
effect the objects it passes. You must remember range, though. The energy can only
travel so far before it dies away or you lose control of it. For that reason, you should
always be within a couple hundred feet of the object you wish to transmute. It also
must have a median to pass through. Air is not generally thick enough, thus, we use
earth.
In essence, the transmutation takes place within the main object, effecting a
part of that object, but not the rest of the object. Like all other setups, the reaction
will depend on what polygon you use, but this one is perhaps the most dependant on
a special polygon. This is because you are working inside or near something else
that you might not want to effect. It is very similar to surgery in that it must be well
planned and executed perfectly.
As for controlling the reaction, it would be similar to using a whip. The
reaction travels to the object in one fell swoop. If it misses, it can be really, really
bad. Thus, its always good to have knowledge of energies you are working with.
Though, with a skilled alchemist, you can set a path from the beginning. It all
depends on how you use the energy.

Applied Alchemy
Using the basics of everything you have just learned, we will compose several simple
transmutation circles. This should aid in teaching you the basics of transmutation circle creation.
Hopefully, understanding how to build an array part by part will help you better identify transmutation
circles in the future.
The first transmutation circle we will build is a simple one. It will break down compounds and
rebuild them into a new shape. This would be like taking a lump of clay and molding it into a statue, only
you will be doing so with energies and your mind in conjunction with the array.

First, we start with the

basic circle for the base and
circulation. We then add the
triangle because we are breaking
down and recomposing the
materials, as this is a simple array.

Now we will add a smaller

internal circle. This is so the
reaction is extended to object
above the array, making sure we
only transmute it.

We add one final triangle

here to expand upon that breaking
down and rebuilding effect. This
gives us a better built final
product.

This array, though incredibly simple and only

composed of four parts, would complete a wide array of tasks.
It could also be redesigned to extend its area of effect. As
displayed below, the triangles are replaced with squares. This
breaks down materials as more whole rather than parts. With
the triangles, you could make glassy stone using sand. With the
squares, you could make a sand castle and the kick it back down
later.

Applied Alchemy - Examples

These are visual examples of other transmutation
circles that could be created using simply shapes and
circles. I believe each of these to be simple enough to
understand by simple examination, as they were all
composed in accordance to what was taught in this chapter.

Simple Transmutation Circle

Effects Nearby Objects

Energy Sending Array

Simple Transmutation Circle

Effects distant Objects (Little Control)

Energy Receiving array

Relatively Simple Transmutation Circle
Transmutes Objects and Atomic and Molecular Levels