Aether

Aether is the power of the soul. All aether is essentially the same and technically interchangeable, but it does come in a number of flavors, determined primarily by density, meaning and how close it is to the Source. This spiritual meaning is a quasi-limit on how the energy can be used; as unrelated, incompatible and opposing meanings require progressively more spiritual effort to "digest" to the point that it can be used for another purpose. 
Sources and distance
* Aether - Power directly attached to and produced by a soul
* Aura - the shroud of aether around a soul, essentially denoting the souls reach.
* Chi - Aether that has been metabolized by the body. 
* Mana - energy from a multitude of sources that has pooled within the environment. 
* prana - energy that is regularly cycled between a magic user and their environment
* chakra - energy taken from multiple sources and melded together.
* Reiki - energy that is shared/traded between two souls.
* pneuma - energy from an artificial soul, such as an enchanted item.
* ruach - power granted by a patron.
* baraka - power stolen directly from another.
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Flavors of meaning.
* Elemental - Fire, Earth, Air, Water, Growth, Decay, Metal, Electricity, natural elements. 
* Concrete - Forest, Plant, Beast, Land, Sea, Storm, Time, Distance, real things chi can attach itself to that dont quite fit an elemental wheel. 
* Abstract - Heaven, Hell, War, Peace, Yin, Yang, Truth, Corruption, distinctly human spiritual meanings.
* Emotional - Love, Hate, Despair, Hope, Wonder, Terror, Joy, depression, the base emotions. 
* Conceptual - Technology, destiny, business, Family, imperial, Dao, philosophical elements that only exist in the human mind but still hold definitive spiritual weight.
Density ratings. 
* Plasma - the density of aether in an unawakened soul, and typical density of environmental energy.
* Gaseous - typical density rating for the environment around a school or sect. 
* Liquid - typical density rating for a hidden realm or dungeon.
* Solid - Typically described as waxy when found as a deposit, this is the first and lowest level of spirit mineral.
* Metallic - veins of spirit ore are made of this density aether. It is capable of being crafted into armor and weapons, though this requires a master mage or cultivator and is considered an extravagant waste by most. Only weapons specialists do this.
* Crystal - the highest grade of natural spirit stone, crystalized aether is known as Lyrium and typically found at the core of a genus loci or grave of a god. 
* Star - does not occur naturally and can only be found in the aura of a god.