"The spell initiates from the center, where you'll be holding the Codex. It's the focal point, able to process raw Nightmare Fuel into something workable. From there, the energy passes outward, moving through different layers of circumscribed geometry. I think it differs between magical traditions, but generally They favor ternary conditions- that is to say, I've found triangles are effective for laying out the conditions of a spell. Hexagons also work. Circles are fine for less potent operations, and they can also be used as a fail-safe to make sure there's no power leak from a poorly-defined polyglyph array. That's the very basic nature of it. I could explain more later over a drink, if you'd like, once we've settled these matters."