magic
The Six Amesha Spentas: Fundamental Spectrums
The six fundamental emotional and cognitive dimensions that all magic flows through—based on the Zoroastrian Holy Immortals.
The Foundation of Magic
All magic in Némand flows through six fundamental spectrums—dimensions of emotion, cognition, and existence that permeate reality itself. We call them the Amesha Spentas (Holy Immortals), after the Zoroastrian divine aspects.
The Six Spectrums
1. ASHA (اشا) - Truth & Order ↔ Lie & Chaos
Element: Fire (آتش - Atash)
Power: Revelation/Concealment, Structure/Dissolution
Chaos Pole: Deception, disorder, flux, creativity, spontaneity
Paradox: Perfect order → tyrannical control. Total chaos → incomprehensible flux.
2. VOHU MANAH (وهومنه) - Clarity & Wisdom ↔ Confusion & Mystery
Element: Air (باد - Bad)
Power: Perception/Awareness, Understanding/Delusion
Confusion Pole: Ignorance, mystery, madness, wonder
Paradox: Complete clarity → omniscient paralysis. Total confusion → unconscious existence.
3. KHSHATHRA VAIRYA (خشثرهویریه) - Strength ↔ Weakness
Element: Metal & Stone (سنگ/فلز)
Power: Force/Influence, Physical Enhancement
Weakness Pole: Submission, humility, fear, gentleness
Paradox: Absolute power → tyrannical oppression. Total weakness → erasure of will.
4. SPENTA ARMAITI (سپنتاارمیتی) - Union ↔ Separation
Element: Earth (خاک - Khak)
Power: Connection/Bonding, Division/Boundaries
Separation Pole: Hate, apathy, boundaries, independence
Paradox: Total unity → absorbed consciousness. Complete separation → atomized isolation.
Key Truth: Love and hate both access this spectrum—they are opposite faces of the same connection.
5. HAURVATAT (هئورتات) - Vitality ↔ Decay
Element: Water (آب - Ab)
Power: Life-Energy/Entropy (NOT healing)
Decay Pole: Death, entropy, grief, despair, exhaustion
Paradox: Eternal life → stagnant immortality. Universal death → total annihilation.
Important: Cannot heal wounds or cure disease—only amplify/drain stamina and will to live.
6. AMERETAT (امرتات) - Transformation ↔ Preservation
Element: Light & Time (نور/زمان)
Power: Transmutation/Stasis, Change/Permanence
Preservation Pole: Stasis, tradition, contentment, past, permanence
Paradox: Perpetual flux → chaotic instability. Frozen permanence → death-like stasis.
No Spectrum Is Good or Evil
This is crucial: Every spectrum seeks its absolute expression—and every absolute becomes tyranny. The Field doesn't judge. It amplifies whatever consciousness offers it.
Opposing emotions (love/hate, joy/despair) access the SAME power. Only the emotional experience differs.
How Powers Manifest
- Single Spectrum: Basic powers (sense bonds, enhance strength briefly)
- Two Spectrums: Complex emotions, combined powers
- Three Spectrums (Trinity): Exponentially powerful, stable patterns
See: Trinity Conduits