The One Power/True Source

As a reminder, these WOT 101 videos are meant to stick to one or two main topics each as an introduction for new fans of the Wheel of Time. The info for these shorter format videos is often based on the glossary definitions found at the end of the first book or the Wheel of Time Companion. Spoilers for these videos are always very light or moderate and never give away plot or story details. You can always see the spoiler meter in the top left corner. For a much deeper but still spoiler-light look at the One Power and several other topics that will be briefly mentioned in this video, please watch my deep dive video all about the One Power. As always, there are multiple links to related topics, deep dives, and shorter WOT 101 videos in the description. (add skip to text)

Okay, with that out of the way (pause)... What is the One Power?

Simply put, the One Power is the Power that is drawn from the True Source. The True Source is the driving force of the entire universe and turns the Wheel of Time. Some people can access or tap into the True Source and then use the One Power as a type of magic in the Wheel of Time universe. There are other types of magic in the books that are not related to the One Power as well. Technically the term “magic” isn’t even used in the books, but basically the One Power is the main “magic” system of the story.

A person who can draw on the True Source and use the One Power is called a channeler. The word “channel” is used as a verb. For example he channels the One Power or, she channeled flows of the Power.

Speaking of flows, when a channeler uses the Power, it is divided into five types of flows called “The Five Powers.” See my deep dive video or the WOT 101 video about the Five Powers for more information.

The glossary in the first book says, “The vast majority of people are completely unable to learn to channel the One Power. A very small number can be taught to channel, and an even tinier number have the ability inborn. For these few there is no need to be taught; they will touch the True Source and channel the Power whether they want to or not, perhaps without even realizing what they are doing. This inborn ability usually manifests itself in late adolescence or early adulthood. If control is not taught, or self-learned (extremely difficult, with a success rate of only One in four), death is certain.”

So, chances of learning to channel the One Power are very slim, and if you are one of the unlucky ones who has the ability inborn, without proper training your chances of survival are one in four.

The True Source is divided into a male half (saidin or saidin) and a female half (saidar or saidar). Only a male can draw on saidin, only a female on saidar. Saidin and saidar work at the same time with and against each other to create a balance of the True Source and keep the Wheel of Time turning. When male and female channelers work together with the One Power, the most incredible feats can be accomplished.

Anciently, male and female channelers were called Aes Sedai and this was their symbol.

Unfortunately, 3000 years before the main story, the balance was shifted. The male half, saidin, was tainted by the evil of an entity known as the Dark One. To this day, the Dark One’s evil corruption on saidin, or, the taint, causes male channelers to go mad, which often results in terrible destruction and the death of many innocent people.

The ancient symbol of the Aes Sedai, which used to represent balance and unity, is now divided into two halves. The remaining Aes Sedai in the current Age, are all female channels. They are trained in The White Tower in a city called Tar Valon or Tar Valon. Their symbol is now called “The Flame of Tar Valon.”

Male channelers are now hunted by Aes Sedai and have the ability to channel removed or they are killed to prevent further destruction. The dark half of the symbol is now considered to be a sign or omen of evil and hatred, and is sometimes used by people as a mark that is scrawled in the night on the doors or houses of others as an accusation of evil against the people inside. Often those who scrawl this symbol are evil themselves and are spreading hatred and fear. The symbol is referred to in the current Age as The Dragon’s Fang.

More specific WOT 101 videos about saidin, saidar, the Dragon, the Dark One, the Wheel of Time, and much more will be available soon or, if you’re watching this later, may already be available now!

For more information about this and other spoiler-free Wheel of Time topics, please like and subscribe and remember to check out the related videos and topics here and in the description. Also, you can watch this recommended viewing order playlist of WOT 101 topics. Finally, if you are commenting on this video, thank you! But please remember to keep your comments spoiler free! Peace.