Severing
From A Wheel of Time Wiki
Severing is an archaic gender neutral term from the Age of Legends for cutting a channeler off from the One Power.
The more common New Era terms are stilling when applied to a woman, gentling for a man, or burning out when done by accident.
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[edit] Use
Severing is considered the ultimate punishment for an Aes Sedai, often followed by execution. Most victims of the process experience strong depressions, suicidal tendencies, and a general lack of will to live. Previously, men who could channel were hunted down by Aes Sedai (particularly Red Ajah) and caught so they could be taken to the White Tower to be Gentled to remove their threat. This is changing though as Aes Sedai and Asha'man work together more. Rand al'Thor's cleansing of the taint on saidin also means that male channelers should no longer go mad - though most in the world still don't know of this feat.
[edit] Effects
Severing a person from the ability to channel is considered by most to be worse than death. A severed channeler can no longer feel saidin's or saidar's presence at all, let alone grasp it. It is often described to be as if part of the channeler itself has been cut away. Without the ecstasy of the One Power within themselves, those who are severed usually lose the will to live, and will often die of various direct causes connected to this. Death after being severed is commonly caused by suicide, refusing to eat or drink, or simply becoming too weak to continue on.
Living on after being severed isn't unknown to happen, however. Accounts on people who survive the ordeal say that to hold on to their will to live, the presence of something else in their life to fill the emptiness left by the One Power is required. Often, this involves a great hobby, duty, or a lover.
[edit] Healing
Severing was believed to be irreversible until Nynaeve al'Meara healed Logain Ablar, Siuan Sanche, and Leane Sharif. Since then, Damer Flinn has independently discovered how to do this as well. As the healing of a severed channeler was considered impossible even before the Age of Legends, the recent discovery is a relative unknown, and any side effects remain to be seen. Jordan confirmed the rumors, that one who has been severed will only regain their full strength if Healed by someone of the opposite gender.
It is not known whether a person severed by burnout can be Healed in the same way as a deliberately severed person.
[edit] Other Terms
[edit] Gentling
When a man is severed it is referred to as Gentling. This term came about sometime after the Age of Legends and reflects the view that male channelers are like wild animals (due to their eventual madness) that must be controlled. The act of hunting down and gentling men who channel is often the work of the Red Ajah.
[edit] Stilling
When a woman is severed it is referred to as Stilling. Occurring very rarely, Stilling is usually a punishment sentenced on Aes Sedai who have committed serious crimes against the White Tower and are considered too dangerous to be allowed to continue channeling. A stilled Aes Sedai loses all title and status within the White Tower, and is usually sent away to live the rest of her life in exile before she dies.
[edit] Burning Out
Burning Out is the act of severing yourself from the One Power by accident. It is most often caused by drawing too much of the One Power, and is fairly common in wilders when they first learn to channel. Other known causes include attempting (and failing) to pick apart a weave, trying to use a ter'angreal improperly, or losing the power due to sudden trauma or shock.
