Theories of Flow Interaction

The purpose of this presentation is to supply the student with a knowledge of how the different flows react with each other so that the channeler may more easily determine which flows to use in each weave. Since Robert Jordan was not consulted in this matter, it is all just opinion and speculation. Hopefully, it will be usefull to our guild.

Each of the five flows has attributes which determine how it reacts with the other flows. Aptitude with Fire and Earth is more common in men, so we will refer to these flows as masculine. In general, the use of Water and Air come more easily to women. We will label these as feminine. Fire and Air are more energetic flows, so will be referred to as active. Water and Earth embody the passive principle. Spirit is not masculine or feminine. It also seems to function in an active or passive role, depending on what is needed.

Fire (masculine/active)

Fire is used to control heat energy, adding or removing it from a weave. Care should be taken when using Fire to remove heat, as drawing the energy into one's self is dangerous and very often fatal. It reacts with other flows as follows:

Air -- These two flows tend to compliment and strengthen each other. Adding the two actives tends to make them even more active. The male/female aspects support each other. To burn strongly, a fire needs plenty of air.
Earth -- The tension and conflict caused by both being male, but one active and one passive, can cause explosive reactions if twined closely.
Water -- These two flows are diametrically opposite. Combining them can result in violent, energetic reactions.
Spirit -- Combination with spirit can produce various effects.

Air (feminine/active)

Controls wind movements and can be used to manipulate objects as if an extra appendage. Where fire is heat energy, Air is kinetic energy. Interactions:

Fire -- Already dealt with under the fire discussion.
Earth -- These are complete opposites, like fire and water. They react vigorously, although not as violently as would fire and water because the active principle in this reaction is feminine.
Water -- Both are feminine, which can cause conflict. However, they can also support one another. The passive nature of water can provide a foundation for strengthening the actions of the air element.
Spirit -- As always, combination with spirit can produce different results depending on how it is used.

Earth (masculine/passive)

Earth is used for manipulating solids. It is passive, forming a foundation for other flows to build upon or react with. It controls cohesion, being used to reinforce and strengthen or to weaken and crumble.

Fire -- Dealt with in the fire discussion.
Air -- Dealt with in the air discussion.
Water -- These flows are complimentary, much as fire and air are. One is masculine and the other feminine, causing them to mesh well, while they are both passive which causes no conflicts.
Spirit -- Various results.

Water (feminine/passive)

Much like earth, water controls cohesion, providing or undermining the structure of a weave. Because of the feminine nature, it is more likely to provide support than to be used destructively. It is also used to manipulate liquids.

The way water reacts with the other flows has already been addressed in the sections for those various flows, with the exception of Spirit, which reacts in various different ways depending on how it is used and what is needed.

Spirit

Spirit is neither masculine nor feminine. It can active passively or actively or even neutrally. It can act as a catalyst to increase the effects of other flows, or it can dampen them. Its realm is life energy and things dealing with the one power itself.

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