In this sense, the literal meanings of 'Alchemical Formulas' were like a veil, hiding their true spiritual philosophy.
ɪn ðɪs sˈɛns, ðə lˈɪɾɚɹəl mˈiːnɪŋz ʌv ælkˈɛmɪkəl fˈɔːɹmjʊləz wɜː lˈaɪk ɐ vˈeɪl, hˈaɪdɪŋ ðɛɹ tɹˈuː spˈɪɹɪtʃˌuːəl fɪlˈɑːsəfi.