The Wheel of Time

VIDEO COMING SOON.

These WOT 101 videos are meant to simply define one or two topics each as an introduction for new fans of the Wheel of Time. These shorter format videos are often based on the glossary definitions found at the end of the first book and are intended to have very light to no spoilers. You can see the spoiler meter in the top left corner of each WOT 101 video. (add skip to text)

Every Wheel of Time book begins with this phrase: “The Wheel of Time turns and Ages come and pass.”

The Wheel of Time is a metaphysical wheel with seven spokes. Each spoke represents an Age. As the Wheel turns, the Ages come and go, each leaving memories that fade to legend, then to myth, and eventually these memories and myths are forgotten by the time that Age comes again. There is no set length to an Age, and one Age might be longer than another.

Robert Jordan borrowed heavily from many cultures and religions when developing the concept for the Wheel and the Ages. Just as the Ages repeat themselves, so do the lives of the people in the world. Reincarnation and rebirth are a major theme of the Wheel of Time series.

The Wheel of Time creates a Great Pattern, which makes up the reality of the universe. The Pattern of an Age is slightly different each time an Age comes, and each time it is subject to greater change, but each time it is the same Age. See the WOT 101 video about the Great Pattern for more information.

The Wheel was put in place by an entity called The Creator and it is powered by the True Source or The One Power. Another entity, called the Dark One, seeks to destroy or to remake the Wheel of Time in its own image. If the Dark One succeeds, the Pattern, which contains all of reality, will unravel. Hey, that’s the name of my channel!

The story of the Wheel of Time book series takes place during what some people call the Third Age. The previous Age was called the Age of Legends, and ended 3000 years before the start of the story in the books. The Age before that, which some call the First Age, is actually loosely based on our current history on the earth.

We are the source of myths and legends to the characters in the books, just as they are the source of our myths and legends. I have another deep dive video series called Wheel of Timelines, which covers all of the known history of the world, starting at the moment of Creation and the First Age, and leading up to the start of the Wheel of Time story. More simple WOT 101 videos about historical timelines will also be made available.

For a much deeper but still spoiler-light look at several topics from this video, please watch my deep dive video all about the Wheel of Time and the Great Pattern, or my Wheel of Timelines series. And, as always for more information about this and other spoiler-free Wheel of Time topics, please consider subscribing and check out the related videos and topics here and in the description.