Wheel of Time Lore: The Wheel and the Great Pattern

What is the Wheel of Time? What is the Great Pattern? How does the mythology of Robert Jordan's the Wheel of Time work? All of these questions and more will be answered in this SPOILER-FREE video.
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#WheelOfTime #DeepDive #WhatIsTheWheelofTime?
Script and References: docs.google.co...
Additional References and Attributions: docs.google.co...
Next episode: I don't know yet!

[@UnravelingthePattern]

What do you think the next "deep dive" should be about? I'm planning on "The One Power," but what do you guys think? Also, come chat with us about it on The Dusty Wheel Discord! (link in the description)! Thanks everyone!

[@MurderMondays]

I'd do that one and then the Breaking. Lots of people don't totally understand how long the breaking lasted and how much knowledge was lost(and how the land changed).

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Great idea!

[@RobChristianson]

Do one on The Dragon - who he is, the Age of Legends, Time of Madness, the Dragon Reborn etc.

[@ColonelOv9]

All of the magic systems, not just the One Power with Saidin and Saidar, but also the True Power, the wolf power, the ability to enter Tel’aran’rhiod, the ability to enter other people’s dreams, ...

[@UnravelingthePattern]

@@ColonelOv9 I think I would have to include the "True Power" in a spoiler version of the video, but definitely the wolf stuff and Min's abilities and dreaming could be covered! Good idea!

[@mattmacaulay2900]

These videos are so well animated. Documentary quality, expect this documentary is better because it's about the Wheel of Time. Well done!

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Thank you so much!

[@randylinton2896]

Have read ENTIRE WOT books (10 times? in last 5 yrs) and am Superfan! You are a WONDERFUL addition to our Fandom! Please just keep doing as you wish, and we will follow. EXCELLENT CONTENT and PRESENTATION!!! You ROCK, Man!!!!

[@eduardoo31]

this was so worth the wait!!! and your take on the show being another turning of the wheel just kind of gave me this sense of peace? with the show, like it's okay if they change it a bit, or even a lot. the wheel will keep on turning.

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Exactly! Even if the show is terrible, we'll always have the books!

[@WoTUp]

Holy snapping doglips! What an amazing video my friend! You are such a great addition to The Wheel of Time community

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Awww shucks! Thanks!

[@Reckless-mindfulness]

The video was a treat, I can see the hard work you did and you are a true fan and did not want to spoil the story for newbies like me. Thanks.

[@Runeify00]

Your Videos are about to blow up!!!! Congrats!!!! You deserve it!!!!!

[@indianagibbons]

Love the cosmic wheel animation and explanation. Been a while since I read the series, but this video definitely helped me remember / understand the larger mythology.

[@MurderMondays]

These videos are SO GOOD. I really hope the channel takes off big.

[@UnravelingthePattern]

You and me both :). Thanks!

[@ThereseHope]

I haven't been able to read the books as of yet but your videos are really really well put together.

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Thank you!

[@Chilrona]

Dear God your videos are glorious. I will be sending links to these to everyone I try to get to read the WoT (which is a lot of people).

[@UnravelingthePattern]

You're kind. Thanks for watching!

[@auhsojonalos7558]

This is a high quality video. Kudos!

[@Apollo9898LP]

As someone who hasn't read the books yet, but has watched an enjoyed the Amazon show (yes I'm aware it's quite different from the books), it's neat to know that the show chose to began with those same words that every book begins with

[@ananda_miaoyin]

I read these back in the 90's - most of them. Thank you so much for this channel. GREAT shit! Also, thank you for respecting our TIME!

[@n0zenzur]

Great video. Relly profesional. I read only The Eye of The World and couple of pages of the next one. I want to continue with the series before the TV series drop.

[@shaz5200]

Look into the audiobooks. I'm rereading the series for the first time and it's definitely helped me get through them.

[@BariiAlyn]

These are great, and I'm loving the visual imagery. Keep it up.

[@VillageMattressZionsville]

Great video. I’m very impressed. I’m so glad to have found your channel.

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Thank you! I'm so glad you have found my channel as well! More to come!

[@jasontodd5356]

The quality of your videos are just INCREDIBLE!

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate it!

[@jasontodd5356]

Unraveling the Pattern I can’t wait for your new video!!!

[@ReadingthePattern]

Excellence takes time, well worth the wait!! I love the discussion of concepts as much as the beautiful animation.

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Thanks! You're awesome!

[@tinasedaiwotcheroftheseals5993]

The One Power would be a great start. Deep dives into each of the races/cultures would be pretty epic too. Manetheren/Two Rivers would be a great start since it's the first one we've been introduced to in EotW.

[@UnravelingthePattern]

All great ideas! Thank you for your support!

[@TheEternalElir]

Should be studying but here I am filling out the ONLY video on my "watch later" list. Light! but these videos are amazing. Tai'shar Manetheren!

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Why study when you can learn more about the Wheel of Time? :) Tai'shar Walters!

[@TheEternalElir]

Exactly :) I'm from South Africa by the way so you can scratch Global Audience of the to do list. What's up with all the "list" today, can't wait to watch you tackle the One Power, Wolfbrothers and Tel'aran'rhiod... and don't forget the black veiled Aiel

[@UnravelingthePattern]

@@TheEternalElir Awesome! I'll definitely tackle all of those topics... eventually :)

[@khemikology]

Wow, not sure if anyone already commented on it since this video has been on for almost a year but describing the tv show as another turning of the wheel perfectly explains how it will be different than the books are. It explains how both stories are still part of the same ages just a different turn of the wheel. Good job on these videos. I re listened to them last year in anticipation for the tv series but I may go at it again after viewing your videos since they really help visually and fill out the spots that you don’t fully see with your imagination

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Thank you so much. It is very flattering when people come back and re-watch my older videos and continue to engage! I really appreciate your kind words.

[@khemikology]

@@UnravelingthePattern keep up the good work. Will definitely follow and watch more of your videos

[@diddeny1]

Keep doing these, they are very well made and people will love to have them when the yv shows starts comming around

[@Meatrose]

These videos are really great. This channel deserves to blow up. Keep up the very good work! :)

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Thank you! I hope so!

[@supernorry3847]

Yow, you describing what you think the TV series will be is amazing :D

[@johncharles236]

Such an incredible video, man. I'm sharing this video and its prequel with friends so they can get into it before November 19, 2021!

[@shashikirandhabole]

Thankyou. Keep up the good work. 👍

[@christianmiller4946]

I love the Greendale human beings!

[@Ari-xr2ye]

What a great video! Very high quality :). Keep it up. I love your voice over style.

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Thank you!

[@robbieswhatever]

Love it, even as a long time reader still learning after so much time. You should re-introduce this vid

[@UnravelingthePattern]

By re-introduce do you mean re-share it? Glad you liked it!

[@robbieswhatever]

@@UnravelingthePattern yeh to re-share the vid, maybe after the trailer is released to introduce wot to new fans.

[@eranmalloch]

wow, great video. Super impressed with your efforts. Looking forward to watching more of them.

[@TheSpreymando]

Great job!

[@oldPan]

Up until a month ago, I haven't even heard of The Wheel of Time". I am in the 5th chapter "Winternight" of the first book, The Eye of The World; audiobook. I know what is happening but I don't know what is the significance of it. This video did shed a bit of light. I'll come back for more videos in the future. Thank you for this.

[@UnravelingthePattern]

So excited for you and your journey! Enjoy the ride my friend, and beware of spoilers! Even my "spoiler free" videos are dangerous at the very start. We'll be here whenever you're ready for more info!

[@azizajili]

this video is pretty amazing , good work and hopefully this channel takes off

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Thank you so much! I hope so too! Don't forget to check out my other deep dives!

[@azizajili]

@@UnravelingthePattern i binge watched them all

[@UnravelingthePattern]

@@azizajili I love to hear that! THANK YOU!

[@JamesI88]

Just found your videos. Real high quality stuff here. Excellent job all around. Subscribed.

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Thank you so much! Did you watch all three parts? Also, what would you like to see next?

[@JamesI88]

@@UnravelingthePattern only the first two so far. The editing and visual appeal is incredible. Any type of videos that dive into the lore and history I always find interesting, as someone that was always looking for hints in the story, but could never compile it all.

[@UnravelingthePattern]

@@JamesI88 Glad you like them! The One Power one was especially fun to do! Next up are some really deep looks into the history and lore behind the Age of Legends and everything leading up to the start of the books. Enjoy!

[@SeiShinCasios]

fantastic summery, thanks a lot! I am really looking forward to the spoiler filled videos, I think the "2 parts" are an awesome idea! and dont rush yourself, the wait is well worth the time :D

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Well, I intend to dumb down the quality a TON for the spoiler sections. They'll be more of a discussion and less visual candy. :)

[@SeiShinCasios]

@@UnravelingthePattern I understand, but it makes me a bit sad. The eye candy is what what makes these videos fresh and exciting. Wot is not exactly a new series, so most subjects have a bunch of great discussion already. Problem is that these videos/podcasts are "slow and bland", not for the content they deliver, but for the visual stimulation and structure. While I would enjoy another well written and structured deepdive into topics, that's not really what I am excited about :) Please don't take this to negatively but as an honest feedback. I can hardly imagine all the work that went into this masterpiece, so I am sure you will want to do what's possible and find a good balance for yourself.

[@UnravelingthePattern]

@@SeiShinCasios No offense taken at all! I really appreciate your honest opinion. If only I could do this full time, then I would put more effort into the spoiler videos too, but for now... I just don't have the time or energy! Maybe someday!

[@ferransilves907]

This was incredible to watch! I always watch your videos twice because omg! It’s like watching a movie

[@iselcq]

OMG just found your videos and I am stunned! amazing quality, excited for your upcoming work 👏👏👏

[@MSpotatoes]

Really great video, thanks for these.

[@UnravelingthePattern]

You're very welcome!

[@NJ-sx5hn]

Such a great breakdown, Amazon should just use this series of videos as ads haha. I've read the WoT 2x and listened once and still always learn something new.

[@UnravelingthePattern]

I'd be okay with that :)

[@comicreliefboy1]

Excellent video. I will now commit myself to this series!

[@UnravelingthePattern]

You can do it!

[@phlatbrim2732]

I really do like the gif/meme theme you got going on here. Neo just made me LOL for real

[@carolbriscoe9337]

Thank you for clarifying how the wheel operates. It wasn't very clear after the 7th turn was complete if a 'reset' took place and you have explained that it does. History repeats, but people have choices which determines how history will continue. Which I'm glad to know; I'd hate to know the exact history would repeat continuously till the end of time.

[@roxelaneelmira4678]

Wonderful imagery, you explain it all in such a simple yet quite complete way! Much talent, looking forward for more!

[@SaintADW]

Yoooo such an amazing video!! Fantastic work!

[@danalou_who7765]

I was so caught up in watching that I completely forgot to comment in the live chat. 😆 I am looking forward to Part 2.

[@willchazeal2000]

Woah...These videos are amazing man.

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Thank you! What topic would you like to see me cover?

[@TheGeekyHippie]

Dude! This was fantastic all around! Well written, brilliantly edited, excellently narrated (as Eliks said on Discord, you've got a great voice for VO) and some incredible choices of imagery. And the animation you worked up was wonderful. Yes, I am very happy to be subscribed to this channel! *_BRAVO!_*

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Thank you!

[@TheGeekyHippie]

@@UnravelingthePattern 🤟🤘🖖👍👊😎

[@Visceralreality]

New viewer, new sub. Good job. I've been a wanderer of the pattern for since the early 90's. This type of video is really valuable to new fans.

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Glad to have you! I'm so happy you liked it! What would you like to see next?

[@Visceralreality]

@@UnravelingthePattern probably more spoilerish stuff. How about a "Heroes of the Horn" overview? Sort general overview of those few special souls that are tied to the Wheel for ages. Bound to help explain a few of those 2700+ characters! Haha

[@UnravelingthePattern]

@@Visceralreality that's definitely on my list. Great suggestion!

[@gaiden81]

Nice usage of the art of Merciless Eviction

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Haha, thanks!

[@FriiKKi]

Very, very good video! Keep doing what you're doing and great things will happen :)

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Thank you! I hope you're right!

[@BleedingFish]

I just love your video style, these are gonna get so much heat if the show becomes popular

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Thank you! I hope you're right! Did you see the video about the One Power? It's my favorite so far!

[@BleedingFish]

@@UnravelingthePattern I did see that, i just popped back and watched this one after that

[@BleedingFish]

@@UnravelingthePattern Also as a current first time reader its awesome to see good content like this, to have as side content

[@UnravelingthePattern]

@@BleedingFish Thank you! How far into the books are you? My next deep dive will have some minor spoilers (which I'll appropriately label), but I'm curious how you feel about including "spoiler warnings" in the middle of these deep dives as needed?

[@BleedingFish]

@@UnravelingthePattern I'm in the latter half of Lord of Chaos, at some point you can't avoid talking about spoilery things i guess, so a good warning and maybe a timestamp back to saftey.

[@tracihk9964]

Ugh! My heart! This always, always, always gets me!

[@yuriquadros1805]

You are really good man! Greetings from Brazil!

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Thank you! You're not so bad yourself ;)

[@mmorgan1980]

Excellent video! Wonderful animation :)

[@yanivtoyerman1285]

thanks, great video!

[@fast.food.ninjalarry954]

You gave me goosebumbs awesome video !!! (And to think i've read till book 5 and New Spring now i NEED even more LORD OF CHAOS !!!!

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Yes, finish that series! Thanks for watching!

[@richardharvey981]

That’s the most positive way to look at the changes I totally dig it now at peace with changes was ok now good damn mind blow

[@UnravelingthePattern]

It helps me to sleep at night, haha.

[@someguythatlookslikeme8306]

At this rate everyone is gonna be 50yrs old if they finish the series! They need to get a schedule like Walking Dead; 2X16 episode jolts per year = 4 books per year. Thats the rest of the story finishing in 5years. . .the correct age of everyone. I know I watch each episode 6-10 times already. By the time S3 comes out, I will have seen ep4-8 of S2 10 times each too. BTW: Matts crazy face and laughter in S2E7 was awesome. He looked SO MAD!! I liked Barney, but Im ready now for this guy completely!

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Great comment! But not sure why it's on this video

[@B00STERG01D]

Damn, that is really good editing

[@TheWheelReads]

Amazing work!

[@Jesse-B]

"Different in SMALL ways" 🤣

[@OmnipotentO]

Cool premise. I decided I will read this series. Idk when but I'll read it. Got a bunch of sci fi stuff to go through first.

[@LordOwenLongstrider]

At the time of viewing this I had just finished Book 3 earlier today; a very interesting ending, and I just wanted to learn more about the lore and background of that world before continuing. :D

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Awesome! I hope this was helpful!

[@harshrai7073]

Been waiting for this

[@EradasLendas]

So anxious, the first video was incredible, how wonderful will this second be?

[@UnravelingthePattern]

I hope it is good :) :(

[@EradasLendas]

@@UnravelingthePattern It's EXCELLENT, AMAZING, congratulations 👏👏👏👏 Just came out, and I can't wait for the next one

[@rmppresents9337]

Great video. More please!!!

[@solidhugo8855]

Can you do videos which go up to a certain book. I am on book ten. Also great editing.

[@UnravelingthePattern]

What do you have in mind specifically? I would love to do videos that only contain spoilers for one book at a time eventually! What sorts of topics would you like to see discussed one book at a time?

[@robertronson8666]

Great video. So let’s think about the end of the 7th age for a minute. This video got me thinking. As the wheel turns the ages come again. So maybe at the end of the 7th age the dark one finally breaks free, explodes the wheel, thereby creating a Big Bang that starts time again. And hey presto the 1st age starts again.

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Whoa!

[@TraderJoe888]

Great Video.

[@ColonelOv9]

Great video ! Love the quality and details you’re putting in your explanations. For the spoiler videos, could you indicate which books the spoilers will cover ? As a first time reader who is not done with the series yet (currently on WH) I’d like to know whether I can watch your video. Keep up the good work, you will definitely earn the support of the whole WoT fandom !

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Chances are the spoiler videos will cover all of the books! But if I ever spoil just some of the books I'll try to specify that. Thanks for watching!

[@thesmuli83]

Awesome WOT videos, continue to the same pattern. Certainly the best made WOT videos, don't hurry, keep the same awesome level.

[@phlatbrim2732]

still looking for my red spoilers kid? i can forgive the lack of white boards! lol! No newbs finding or looking for WOT channels GIVE US THE RAW UNCUT STUFF! lol! Keep up the good work!

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Haha. In all seriousness I have every intention of doing more spoiler heavy stuff eventually. I just am trying to prep for the show for now so I've decided to hold off on super spoiler heavy stuff until I have a backlog of "newb" stuff for first timers. I promise, raw is coming 😉

[@khomo12]

Thank you!👍👍👍

[@JY-tq4ir]

very professional graphic

[@Serevarno]

Fantastic vid!!

[@nargleinafez]

love your videos

[@UnravelingthePattern]

And I love you!

[@Chronocrits]

Sir, your production values are absolute. I have had no interest in the wheel of time, but your presentation and imagery and passion has convinced me that I shall at the very least try out the show.

[@UnravelingthePattern]

That's awesome to hear! Out of curiosity, why no interest in the books?

[@Chronocrits]

Unraveling the Pattern In truth, the covers put me off for a while. The art style didn’t strike me, and it looked like very generic fantasy. Then I found out there were 14 of the damn things, and I was well and truly put off. Lots of people will be intimidated by the sheer scale.

[@UnravelingthePattern]

@@Chronocrits I don't blame you one bit! Hopefully the show will be good!

[@omaridavis8088]

Very good. Very good indeed.

[@rmppresents9337]

13 min. Killing me here dadimation!

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Haha, me too! I should've just released it!

[@walt3223]

Oh gee, think of the wheel of time as the ecliptic and its spokes as the change of the season as well as the mid seasons.

[@UnravelingthePattern]

It is that but just on a much grander scale!

[@collector4551]

Good job

[@Panyc333]

I believe there was a linear timeline before the turning of the wheel of time. I think it’s possible that the dark one threatened this linear time line and so creator looped time into the wheel to seal out the dark one.

[@UnravelingthePattern]

That's a very interesting theory

[@viniciusribeiro6451]

Amazing mythology.

[@seesidex3230]

Thank you! Another great channel for WoT fans.

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Thank you!

[@leanneolsen9228]

An interesting future topic could be an Ogier history of Builders.

[@randylinton2896]

My 1st EVER sub!

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Wow, I'm honored! May you find water and shade!

[@amberantk1]

Wow, Kid! Are they going to make use of your talents for the Show?

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Thank you! I do hope to do in-depth show explanations and reviews once it comes out!

[@kght222]

you put the dragon's fang on my door because i know what is to come!?!?!? (just some foolishness, sounds fun)

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Haha

[@MarrisaPlays]

oh that is an amazing way to look at the TV show. Its the same story with minor changes.... I think i probly look at it more like another world of "If" threw the portal stones. I hope its one that is pretty close to our story but we shall see

[@UnravelingthePattern]

I hope so too, but some variation could be a good thing!

[@billberndtson]

08:00 This is a great viewpoint that I'm happy to steal and use to combat the book purists whose attitudes bug the crap outta me. 😃

[@ripitupaa]

Wait! Are you asking if the Dark One succeeded by the story's end?

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Which part exactly? I'm more leaving it open to interpretation to avoid specific spoilers.

[@ripitupaa]

Sorry it's taken me so long to reply. This is a spoiler free channel and I'm not giving any spoilers, promise. My question is regarding the Great Pattern itself. As it's stated throughout the novels, the Dark One, never sayy his name, is imprisoned by the Creator. How does anyone know that? The people in the know seem to just know. And since, both Creator and Dark one are in a symbiotic relationship, existence is defined by both. It seems the balance is necessary. The wheel weaves as the wheel wills. Win or lose, the Wheel continues to spin the Pattern, the Lace of Ages. It's a thought I had after watching your, awesome, video. Good work. Love it.

[@ThePreciseClimber]

So how do they fix the problem of the Dark One having infinite chances to win?

[@UnravelingthePattern]

I'm going to discuss this in the spoiler video... there is an answer... sort of. :)

[@CriticalxMiss]

Sorry I might have missed it- did you mention why this age thinks there are 7 ages? I have always been confused as to how they would know that

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Great question! And no, I didn't mention that. But now you've got me wondering and I realized, I don't know! Something new to research!

[@CriticalxMiss]

@@UnravelingthePattern yeah, I have always heard people speculate on what the ages were in relation to us (us being the 1st age I guess... though I never liked thinking of WoT happening in our future even though RJ has heavily hinted that it is) but never really how we know the wheel has 7 spokes or why it has seven ages or how anyone knows any of this lol

[@hollieschaefer6358]

The Greendale flag on the moon landing 🤣🤣🤣

[@haterzrmymotivators3]

Just. Wow.

[@angabluewellness8604]

Is the dark one... dark matter? You know the unstable atoms that balance the light.

[@UnravelingthePattern]

Could be! It's a pretty major spoiler to discuss that, have you read the books?

[@angabluewellness8604]

@UnravelingthePattern no I haven't lol. I will now.

[@alexcavoli6191]

I'm stealing your idea that the TV show is just another variation of the same part of the Age Lace for arguing with my buddy who is all but hurt about the story not being exactly the way he wants it to be.

[@UnravelingthePattern]

We're all going to be disappointed if we expect the show to match our head canon. Good luck convincing your buddy!

[@Rennies-World]

Why did you include a picture of Adama from BG?

[@UnravelingthePattern]

I showed him onscreen when I said, "all this has happened before and will happen again" which is a reference to BSG. Thanks for watching!

[@Rennies-World]

@@UnravelingthePattern Gotcha. Didn't catch the reference, but I only paid attention when Leoben was onscreen. :D

[@alexolivera3151]

Do we know how many times the wheel has cycled (ages 1-7 playing out fully) before eventually in a second age the hole in the dark ones prison was made?

[@UnravelingthePattern]

We don't know. No beginnings or endings so, infinite?

[@alexolivera3151]

Hmm. Interesting how after that initial occurrence in a random second age of the hole being opened was eventually permanently woven into the pattern and repeating itself as the wheel cycles and turns. The dark one is able to influence the pattern at one instance in the second age and then this is set to then begin reoccurring as the wheel continues to cycle. So he has already created/influenced the pattern in his own image to some extent since this initial occurrence.

[@machadomoy]

The Greendale flag on the moon made me laugh 😃