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] 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.
[edit] Stilling
When a woman is severed it is referred to as Stilling.
[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 with out knowing what it does, or losing the power due to sudden trauma or shock.
