| Not much is known of the origin of the 3 aspects of balance, for those bound to these entities are silent on the subject. All that is known of Atropos, the Aspect of Destruction or Death-- the sower of disease and dread-- is his place in the triad. The 3 aspects hold a balance in the universe, keeping the cosmos from distorting into a mass of seething, volatile energy. The roles of the 3 aspects are best perceived by simple, mortal minds as representing the 3 main aspects of human life. those aspects are Birth (clotho), when humans are created; Conflict (lachesis), when humans live out their lives and interact with others, their environments and must fight for their very existence; and the aspect of Death (atropos), when humans ultimately die and become soil, giving rise to the birth of new life, thus completing the cycle. Atropos represents the Earth and Air elements, and totally dominates the rumored "shadow" element. In fact, the symbol of Atropos, which represents the ghost or spirit, is actually used as an abbreviation for the Shadow element in studies of elemental magicks. Atropos is traditionally depicted as a skeletal figure draped in flowing, tattered garments of the deepest black. His hair hangs in wildly distended cords and the symbol of Atropos is etched on his skeletal forehead (this symbol is also carved on the mask of Atropos). The Pentagram is also believed to appear on his cloak, most likely a result of Earthen dabblers into the arcane studies of the aspects of balance, as this symbol of the devil and general evil could only have come from Earthen sources. |
