The Heptagen
The Heptagen is a powerful symbol in mage society that represents not only the seven branches of magic, but it also represents creation itself. It represents balance and structure, and the forces that guide everyone and everything.
The flow of the Heptagen from top to bottom represents our universal search. At the top is one's self, consisting of Mind and Body. Our individual selves exist within the spiritual and physical worlds, and the energy that embodies them.
The Heptagen includes the Spiritual and Physical aspects of creation, which encompass the left and right halves within the symbol. The furthest left and right points in the Heptagen are also the Spiritual and Physical branches of magic. Below the Physical and Spiritual branches are the Perceiving and Seeing branches, as they represent study, comprehension, and insight.
The bottom half of the Heptagen overall represents search and understanding. The asymmetric bottom point of the Heptagen, where the Finding branch of magic is located, represents purpose. The center of the Heptagen is a kite structure called the Requain, whose origins are similar to (yet predate) the Latin Requaero - to seek, search, need, or require.
The Seven Branches of Magic
This is the branch of magic dedicated to intellect. It represents one’s own control over mental abilities. Archetypes include Telepaths, Crafters, Alchemists and Empaths.
This is the branch of magic dedicated to our bodies in physical form. Archetypes include Morphs, Regenerators and Martial Artists.
This is the branch of magic dedicated to understanding spiritual energy. Spiritual energy is energy within the universe that guides our evolution outside of physics. Archetypes include Dreamwalkers and Illusionists.
This is the branch of magic dedicated to controlling physical energy such as light, heat and matter. Archetypes include various elemental Mages, Transfigurers and Telekinetics.
This is the branch of magic dedicated to gaining knowledge and wisdom from the spiritual side of creation, and in applying Spiritual magic towards others. Archetypes include Flames, Perceivers, Profecists and Necromancers.
This is the branch of magic dedicated to gaining knowledge and wisdom from the physical side of creation, and in applying Physical magic towards others. Archetypes include Healers and Viewers.
This is the branch of magic dedicated to wisdom and purpose. Archetypes include Searchers and Travelers.
Balance Across Creation
The name of the Heptagen comes from its two roots, Hept for Seven, and Gen for Creation. It represents the balance in creation for all living things and the forces that guide everyone and everything. It is symmetrical across its vertical axis, as the right and left halves of the Heptagen represent equal and balanced forces that guide and control life, yet it is asymmetic across its horizontal axis, representing both a journey and a search.
The 7 Branches of Magic
Given that the Heptagen represents creation, it also therefore represents the energies that comprise creation. There are seven types of energies which are located at the vertices of the Heptagen that influence the universe, with perfect balance amongst themselves. The Lit have learned over time how to sense and even channel those energies. Channeling the energies is known to the Unlit as magic, though most Lit simply think of it as channeling. The seven branches of magic are Mind, Body, Spiritual, Physical, Perceiving, Seeing, and Finding. The changes in word tense are purposeful, given the meaning of each branch within the overall understanding and purpose of the Heptagen.
