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Air 
The element of air covers features that are more difficult to pinpoint and easy to overshadow. While a observation of the reagent shows that it is has roots in things such as travel, speed -- such things one would generally associate with air, property and symbolism wise. It is also delicate, reflecting in the wispy qualities to some of the plants of the symbol. Often it's effects on the mind, and other parts of the body -- namely parts that revolve around motion, awareness, and communication -- the reagent attributes to most; this is due to the quick, light, and ever present qualities of air. Air often covers stimulants and hallucinogens.

Common representations: Speed, Travel, Grace, Quickness, Fragility, Light(ness), Perception, Control, Sound, Wisdom, communication.

Earth
The Element of earth covers a wide variety of attributes, being so closely rooted with all things. Representations namely revolve around the properties and symbolism of Earth, typically some form of attachment, or fortitude, though it is not uncommon for earth to be rooted with health and nature; this is due to earth being something of a stubborn and very tough concept that is connected to many other things. Earth shares similarities with air in that it commonly covers drug like effects but in the opposite end of the spectrum; depressants. Chemically earth elements are often stable.
 

Common representations: Death, Resilience, Strength, Attachment, Perseverance, Impediment, Connection, Solidarity, Endurance, Structure, Hardiness, Continuity.

Fire
The element of fire covers features that are very spontaneous due to the nature of the volatile concept, after all -- representations are mostly based off properties and symbolism of Fire.These are mixed between the obvious and the subtle. A plant that uses the reproductive system of the mythological Phoenix is an obvious choice but on the subtle a parasitic life-form that slowly consumes another would hold the representation of consumption. The chemical features of the fire element are often volatile and acidic, though can sometimes be energizing and empowering; even linked to emotions. 

Common representations: Power, Consumption, Life, Heat, Destruction, Corrosion, Combustion, Burning, Anger, Vigor, Courage, light/luminosity.

Water
The element of water covers all representations in life, generally based off the aspects and symbolism that pertains to water; it is kind, calm, adaptable, nurturing; but it can also deal great harm to others. The symbol tends to be moderately notable, as any chemical properties are often harder to find, but it's almost always linked to water in  and the cold in a literal sense. Typically water elements are medicinal, or linked to health in nature, though much like water, some elements are dangerous; some emotional representations might be linked to things of a serene nature, much like water.

Common representations: Life, Balance, Adaptability, Life, Rejuvenation, Cold, Hydration, Rebirth, Calmness, Fluidity, Growth, Sleep.

Aether
The element of aether covers features that attribute to odd and mythical properties. This is a strange thing as an element of aether can quite literally an element of magic. While this element lacks many representations, it is notable for being used to give potions, oils, and other such concoctions, a near magical quality to it. One example would be the mana potion. Another usage of this element is the literal usage of magic in alchemy, such as directly using raw lifeforce as a reagent.

Common representations: Life, Death, Purity, Corruption, Control, Chaos, Arcane, Time, Eternity, Magic.

Weak
Reagents that are considered weak rest in the realm of common household herbs, and weak pharmaceuticals. Nothing capable of creating an effect stronger than cough syrup would be considered a weak reagent. Weak reagents are commonly used as household items by many who are not truly aware they're performing alchemy.

Moderate
Most alchemists will find that the majority of their work includes moderate reagents. It includes basically anything stronger weak reagents but still easily rationalised. Strong pharmaceuticals such as a painkiller capable of completely numbing a deep wound, or a chemical capable of withstanding flame are the core of this classification.

Strong
Strong reagents push strength, and reality; they sometimes does not always make sense. For a reagent to be considered strong its effects need to be counted as quasi-magical, if not fully magical.

Fission

This is often used by alchemist who want to separate multiple representations from a reagent. This process involves standard distillation, and then the step is repeated, separating one representation from the rest. An example would be using a reagent that represents overgrowth, strength, and life in fission, it would take out Strength, leaving overgrowth and life; the same process can occur to separate those two, and if an alchemist wanted to mix two representations together, they can do it via mixing the two fluids (though it would only work if they are part of the same symbol). Further distillation on the split apart reagents cna pull representations from their symbols, which is useful in tandem with Pyrolysis. 

Pyrolysis

Alchemists are renowned as philosophers of fire, using heat to crack open a reagent’s secrets. Pyrolysis involves dissolving the reagent via some means, either using heat, or some form of acid. Depending on the substance, it will either end up turning to a reduced liquid, or to ash. These substances will then be mixed with distilled water, and then inverted and shook multiple times to have the two fuse together. In doing this, Alchemists have a method of getting the symbols from reagents, rather than representation; it is effectively burning the reagent to its purest form. This symbol can then be used in tandem with a representation to combine the two. This can be done via an alembic or cauldron. To note, the usage of this requires the representation and symbol to be compatible, else the concoction becomes botched, meaning while one can make a fire symbol for life, they can not make a water symbol for destruction.

Evaporation

The process of evaporation is similar to Distillation except done in a manner where heat is slowly applied until all liquid has been removed and the only remaining substances are solid, effectively having reduced the concoction down. These substances are referred to as “Salts”, and can be done to any liquid at any point during the alchemical process. A salt also dissolves extremely easily in a liquid.
 

Fermentation

Whereas distillation is the act of purifying something fermentation is the opposite where it's the act of allowing an organic material to rot, or be consumed by microbes, and then using the waste product. This makes makes the reagent more reactive, which allows for a better quality. This boosts the reagent strength up one, meaning a weak symbol will become a moderate. 

Straining

This method is employed by alchemists who want to weaken their reagents. By turning their respective reagent to a paste, the alchemist then pushes it through a filtration tool. This only allows for some parts of the reagent to get through, effectively making it weaker. The larger the holes, the less effective the straining is. Alternatively, liquids can also go through the filtration as to weaken it, to the Alchemist’s discretion.
 

Infusing

The boon of Alchemists who seek to make magical effects. This step is done via soaking up reagents with liquid mana, allowing it to take on magical properties, and partially converting it to an Aethier symbol, making its elements linked with Arcane.

Decantation

The separation of liquid mixtures into immiscible liquids to once more, be separated completely. With the extremely laborious usage of pedal and flywheel powered centrifuge, similar to some types of potters wheel, a substance may be broken down to its base components then separated into its individual components through the same way one decants wine. This supplies a valid, if flawed, method of reverse engineering to the alchemist.

Undistilled water
Not the best base, but a base nonetheless. Undistilled water is likely to be contaminated which will tamper with the potion and reduce its potency. This is why Alchemists will typically distill water to gain a better base, or be in an incredible hurry to use something that will likely end up with the most failures.

Distilled water
Water that underwent a distillation process. It being pure and unsullied with any contamination means that it will not dilute or muddle with the potion in any way. The use of this will typically give the user moderate, if not fairly decent results, which is why it is generally used for most average concoctions, and is the best practice for an aspiring alchemist.

Aqua vitae
The most optimal base to work with, Aqua vitae is effectively pure alcohol, which is made via multiple fermentations, and distillations. Being an intensely pure substance that is very reactive, it  will enhance the potency of a potion far greater than distilled water. Concoctions made with an Aqua vitae base will typically be the most potent in regards to effect. 

Blood - identifier of the person, or body.
What blood does it is identifies the individual and supplies the potion with the framework of an individual person or framework of an entire species; that being descendant or beast.

Liquid Mana
Being mana in a tangible form, the use of liquid mana in a base will guarantee that the potion has magical properties -- though, liquid mana has been used as a representation for Arcane outside of being a base. Most alchemists mix liquid mana and aqua vitae if they want to make such quasi-magical potions, for effectiveness and these arcane properties. It also serves as a mean to make potions last for longer duration, given the eternal substance that is mana. 
 

Lard

A base typically used for helping make oils and viscous materials. Acquired through many means, mostly through the abdomen of a pig, the fat is then taken and rendered down to lard. Effectively removed of its contaminates, this allows lard to have the same potency as distilled water, which is often why some Alchemists who want a more potent potion might mix lard with aqua vitae.

Of course, the most crucial part of Alchemy is making the Formula for their creation. Without it, the Alchemist might be clueless as to what they’re doing; most formulas require the Alchemist to sit down and ponder, using their notebooks to work out what symbols and representations will be required, as well as  devices such as abacus’ to help them in their  calculations pertaining to amount of representation and symbols one would need. 
 

When it comes to representations and symbol usage in alchemy, they are paramount. While it doesn’t matter how many symbols you put inside, the representations very much matter. Depending on the representation, and the amount, one might get varied effects; for example, if one was to use only vigor in making a potion, they would find that the concoction would do just that; invigorate them, though likely ineffectively due to it being a singular representation being used in a potion. The creation of formula is most effective when there are multiple representations, meaning the previously described concoction would do well with rejuvenation and travel being added into it, making it far more effective by reinvigorating and energizing the entire body. In Addition, symbols are also crucial, as they are what the representations embody, and their strength and design could make for greater effects. An example would be  fire symbol of life and a water symbol for life. Life in fire is far more chaotic and spontaneous, truly mimicking what life is, whereas a Water Symbol would more so embody the health and condition. Symbol strength also plays a factor, which can allow for greater effects in the potion, typically making it far more potent.
 

While these representations and symbols can create wondrous effects when properly linked, the way one structures these representation for a formula is crucial, given that the structure and amount can define the formulae’s effects. 
 

Look at these concoctions, each of which are made with the intent to be used to protect one from the cold:
 

Formula 1:

-Vitae
- (Moderate Water) Cold x5
- (Strong Earth) Resilience x2
- (Strong Earth) Perseverance x4

While seemingly promising, the potion would do something grave and horrible. Due to the positioning of the Cold, and the amount, the potion would instead create a lingering cold in the body, and freeze up the stomach. It would be a horrifying death, to die of hypothermia.

Formula 2:

-Vitae 
- (Strong Earth Symbol) Resilience x3
- (Moderate Water Symbol) Cold x2
- (Strong Earth Symbol) Perseverance x3

Now, this formula is an improvement from the last. Rather than a lingering cold inside the body, this concoction would instead make the body more resistant to the cold. Due to the amount of Cold representations as well as Resilience, and Perseverance, the formula will let the user last in fairly cold climates without any warm clothing for a few hours, most likely. 

Formula 3:

-Vitae
- (Strong Earth Symbol) Resilience x4
- (Weak Fire Symbol) Heat x2
- (Strong Earth Symbol) Perseverance x3

Much like Formula two, this concoction serves as a fully functioning cold resistant elixir, though there is almost always more than one way to skin a cat in Alchemy. Borrowing from the previous two concoctions, namely the first; though this time, it uses a weak fire symbol instead, one that mean heat. This makes the user warmer and able to survive the cold in a similar fashion to the second Formula. The use of a stronger fire symbol with more quantity could possibly cause the user to die of a heatstroke, so such had to have been kept in mind.

Putting Formula together into a potion requires the use of a cauldron, or an Alembic. This process requires an Alchemist to be very careful, as small error might lead to the potion failing and becoming a ruined concoction. This is typically why teachers have most alchemists practice with minor healing potions, energizers, or poisons. However, once an Alchemist is well learned and able to carefully brewed, they will be greatly rewarded, able to make wondrous formula and grand discoveries.