In addition to the four metaphysical elementals associated with the physical plane of existence, there is a fifth metaphysical elemental: Quintessence (after "quint" meaning five), which naturally exists in the astral plane of existence. Also known as Aether, Quintessence is the vital essence of life and the wellspring of all magic. Sitting above the others, Quintessence is the most powerful of the five metaphysical elementals and provides the ability to manipulate and transform the other four.
Quintessence is the source of all magic. In fact, a magic spell is nothing more or less than the will of the witch or wizard made manifest in the form of pure Quintessence. Quintessence is the essence of all spells and necessary for any spell to work.
The elemental Quintessence is the substance of magic and thus strongly associated with:
- The astral plane of existence (the natural place of Quintessence)
- Magic spells
- The land of Faerie (the natural abode of magical beings and beasts)
- The spiritual plane of existence (the natural abode of ghosts and other spirits)
The Alchemical Symbol for the Elemental Quintessence
All wands are enchanted with Quintessence and thereby enable the casting of magic spells. While all spells are composed of Quintessence, some spells are primarily associated with Quintessence rather than one of the other elementals. The most common of these quintessential spells include spells intended to enable the mage to:
- Travel to and from Faerie
- Summon magical beings from Faerie to this world
- Communicate with magical beings and beasts
- Travel to, within, and from the spiritual plane of existence
The following incantations with their translations and desired results are a few of the most useful magic spells primarily associated with the elemental Quintessence:
Adepto magicae a astral plano (gather magic) gathers Quintessence from the astral plane of existence.
Aperire porta (open portal) opens the existing portal between Earth and Faerie that is the subject of the spell.
Claudere porta (close portal) closes the existing portal between Earth and Faerie that is the subject of the spell.
Incantationem (enchant object) enchants a new wand, amulet, charm, or staff with Quintessence.
Invenire porta (find portal) makes the wand point in the direction of the nearest portal between Earth and Faerie.
Revertatur a spiritus regni (return from spiritual plane) directly returns the subject's mind to her body from the spiritual plane of existence.
Vade ad regno Faerie [destination] (apparate to Faerie) directly sends the subject to the named destination in the realm of Faerie without use of a portal.
Vade ad spiritum regni [destination] (journey to spiritual plane) directly sends the subject's mind to the named destination in the spiritual plane of existence while the subject's body remains, apparently asleep.
Vade ad terréno regno [destination] (apparate to Earth) directly sends the subject from Faerie to the named destination in our world without use of a portal.
Note that the proper pronunciation and the specific wand movements to be used with the spells are the subject of a spell casting class and will not be covered in this class on wand lore.