Essence is, amongst other things, the highly concentrated extract of certain substances which give a smell and a taste to a product.

Essence is also the nature of things, what they really are, what is most characteristic and important in them. And, finally, the ‘fifth essence’ is the original matter that gives rise to all things. The finest part of this matter engendered the bodies of the angels. Another part, less fine, fashioned the stars and the planets. The least pure part of this essential matter created
earthly bodies.

The vessels in this work of mine contain elixirs and substances of the greatest purity, awaiting the Great cooking.