The Ultimate Guide to the Five Threads of Power in Wheel of Time: Unraveling Their Secrets

This article contains spoilers for The Wheel of Time Season 2. The One Power in The Wheel of Time consists of five distinct threads, each with its own properties and uses. The world of The Wheel of Time is vast, and the One Power plays a significant role within it. While the Aes Sedai are the most well-known wielders of the One Power, there are others as well. The Seanchan have their own channelers called damane, and the Sharans refer to their channelers as Ayyad. Additionally, the Sea Folk and some Aiel Wise Ones possess the ability to channel, although the Sea Folk's channelers are typically kept hidden.

Different cultures utilize the One Power in unique ways, but they all utilize a combination of the five threads or powers: Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit. Some channelers have a stronger affinity for certain threads, but anyone who can channel is capable of using all five. The Wheel of Time season 2 begins to explore these concepts through Egwene and Nynaeve's training at The White Tower, but there is still a wealth of information about these threads that has yet to be introduced in Prime Video's adaptation of this beloved fantasy series.

5 Fire

Fire is a commonly utilized force against Shadowspawn and is generally more potent in men than in women. It can be employed independently for various purposes, such as hurling fireballs in combat or lighting candles and hearths for menial tasks. Additionally, fire can be combined with other powers to create intricate weaves. Among these weaves, the most formidable one involving fire is known as balefire. Balefire holds the distinction of being the most treacherous weave as it has the ability to obliterate anything it touches, erasing individuals or objects from existence within the Pattern itself.

Another example of a weave incorporating fire is the manipulation of lightning, achieved by weaving together fire and air. In Prime Video's Wheel of Time adaptation, the fire thread is frequently utilized. For instance, in the season finale of Wheel of Time season 1, Lady Amalisa harnesses the power of Egwene and Nynaeve to conjure a storm of lightning that annihilates an entire army of trollocs. The fire thread is exceptionally perilous due to its frequent incorporation into weapons like lightning or balefire.

4 Water

Water, typically stronger in women than in men, has various applications including healing and influencing the weather. In the premiere of The Wheel of Time season 2, Alanna Sedai instructs Egwene, Nynaeve, and other novices on filtering water to make it potable. Within the Wheel of Time book series, water is also incorporated into weaves to prevent eavesdropping. Furthermore, it can intensify lightning storms.

While fire tends to be utilized in combat, water finds more practical use in extinguishing flames or creating clouds for sun blockage. Nonetheless, water can also pose a danger, as demonstrated by Moiraine in season 1 when she summons a whirlpool to annihilate the Taren Ferry. Like the other four threads, water offers a wide range of uses and proves beneficial in numerous scenarios.

3 Spirit

Spirit is the least frequently utilized aspect of the One Power, but its weaves hold immense power. Both men and women possess equal potential in wielding spirit, making it unique among the threads. Remarkably, spirit can be woven even during slumber. Its primary applications include Healing, influencing the weather, and safeguarding dreams. Moreover, it grants access to the World of Dreams, known as Tel'aran'rhiod, by channeling spirit through a sleepweaver ter'angreal. Spirit also serves to shield individuals from the One Power or sever their connection, effectively depriving them of channeling abilities.

Notably, spirit is employed in the manipulation of minds through a technique called Compulsion, utilizing the One Power for control. Despite being prohibited by the Aes Sedai, Compulsion finds common usage among the Forsaken and members of the Black Ajah. Additionally, when engaging in duels, individuals can combine spirit with earth and fire to disentangle other weaves in the air. This is particularly highlighted in the Prime Video adaptation of The Wheel of Time, where any instance of Healing, such as Moiraine Healing Mat from the taint of Shadar Logoth, relies on the manipulation of spirit.

2 Air

Air, a thread of the One Power, possesses greater strength in women compared to men. It serves various purposes, including restraining individuals, generating gentle gusts of wind, demolishing structures, and countless other applications. More intricate weaves incorporating Air encompass creating warmth by combining Air and Fire, establishing a barrier using Spirit and Air, and fashioning cuendillar through Air, Earth, and Fire. Air proves highly beneficial due to its inherent telekinetic abilities, leading to comparisons between The Wheel of Time's One Power and Star Wars' The Force.

In Season 2 of The Wheel of Time, Liandrin employs Air weaves to immobilize Nynaeve against a wall in the hopes of provoking her to channel her powers. The show further showcases other Air-related weaves like Healing and summoning lightning strikes. Similarly, in Season 1, Rand employs Air to forcefully break down a door in a bid to escape from Dana, a dark friend.

1 Earth

Earth is the final elemental force, typically more potent in men than women. It possesses a range of applications, such as the creation of sturdy masonry using Power. Additionally, Earth can be harnessed to prospect for valuable metals beneath the surface, a task Egwene reluctantly undertakes as a damane in The Wheel of Time books. Furthermore, in combat, Earth weaves enable the manipulation of rocks, either hurling massive chunks into the air or causing the ground to undulate like a wave.

In The Wheel of Time series' second season, Earth finds employment as Alanna instructs novices in the filtration of water. Although the show has yet to extensively explore its possibilities, it undoubtedly holds crucial significance for future developments in the narrative. Similar to the other elemental threads, Earth weaves can be fused with various other weaves to yield a multitude of outcomes.