Aes Sedai

*This article is about the present-day group of channelers. For the ancient Aes Sedai, see Aes Sedai (Age of Legends). For the track, see Aes Sedai (theme).*

## Overview

### Positions

* Amyrlin Seat
* Keeper of the Chronicles
* Ajah Head
* Sitter
* Mistress of Novices
* Aes Sedai
* Accepted (trainees)
* Novices (trainees)

## Portrayal

### Appears in

* *The Wheel of Time* (TV series)
* *The Wheel of Time Origins*

## Status

### Status

Active

The **Aes Sedai** are an organization of female channelers who have trained in the White Tower of Tar Valon.

They are the only organization of channelers in the Westlands, giving them a vast amount of influence and power in the various nations of the landmass.

## History

In the Age of Legends, both men and women served as Aes Sedai. However, when the male Aes Sedai led by the Dragon Lews Therin Telamon failed to cage the Dark One forever, the One Power was tainted, causing all male Aes Sedai to go mad, leading to the Breaking of the World where civilization collapsed and all lands were reformed. At the beginning of the Third Age, the new Aes Sedai reformed as an exclusively female organization.

Later in the Third Age, Aes Sedai were later besieged by Artur Hawkwing. In order to lift the siege of the White Tower, the Aes Sedai agreed to be beholden to the Three Oaths, physically binding them to certain rules and regulations with the One Power itself.

## Overview

The Aes Sedai consist entirely of women in the present day, as the male half of the One Power, *saidin* was corrupted by the Dark One at the end of the Age of Legends. They are an extremely powerful organization who maintain an uneasy peace throughout the Westlands. Any woman who actively channels but does not train with them is known as a wilder.

Aes Sedai are divided into several groups, called Ajahs. These are dedicated to using their channeling or position for a more specific purpose.

The term "Aes Sedai" means "servant of all".

### The Oaths

The Aes Sedai are bound to the unbreakable Three Oaths, sworn on the Oath Rod using the One Power.

1. "I swear to speak no word that is not true."
2. "To make no weapon with which one person may kill another."
3. "And never to use the One Power as a weapon." (except in the extreme defense of their life, their Warder's life, or another Aes Sedai's life)

Although it is impossible for Aes Sedai to lie, they are known to manipulate the truth.

## Training

Women train for years in the White Tower before they can become Aes Sedai. They first serve as Novices, and then Accepted, and are only raised to Aes Sedai after they complete a brutal test involving the completion of one hundred weaves under intense pressure. Some women never reach the rank of Aes Sedai, with some of them being considered too weak in the One Power.

At some point in their training, initiates receive a Great Serpent ring, which initially has no gemstone. Once a sister is raised to a full Aes Sedai, the ring receives a gem in the color of her Ajah. Being raised to Aes Sedai is sometimes referred to as "taking the shawl", as they also receive a shawl in the color of the Ajah, but this is worn less frequently than their rings.

A fundamental aspect of their training is learning not to take too much of the One Power and therefore be overwhelmed by the sweetness of channeling. Initiates learn to control their behavior, so they can direct the One Power at will.

## Known Aes Sedai

* Adeleas (Brown Ajah)
* Alanna Mosvani (Green Ajah)
* Cadsuane Melaidhrin
* Elena Katab
* Queen Eldrene of Manetheren
* Farina (Red Ajah)
* Gitara Moroso
* Joiya Byir (Gray Ajah)
* Kerene Nagashi (Green Ajah)
* Leane Sharif (Blue Ajah)
* Liandrin Guirale (Red Ajah)
* Maigan (Blue Ajah)
* Marith Jaen (Amyrlin Seat)
* Moiraine Damodred (Blue Ajah)
* Nyomi (Brown Ajah)
* Ryma (Yellow Ajah)
* Sheriam Bayanar (Blue Ajah)
* Siuan Sanche (Amyrlin Seat; raised from the Blue Ajah)
* Tetsuan (Amyrlin Seat; formerly)
* Verin Mathwin (Brown Ajah)
* Yasicca (Brown Ajah)

## Trivia

* In the audition scripts, Aes Sedai were referred to as "witches" by all characters.

## Gallery

### Behind the scenes videos

The Wheel of Time- Aes Sedai Explained - IGN FirstNovember 2, 2021
## Changes from the book series

The Aes Sedai are adapted from the organization of the same name  (*book spoilers!*) from the book series.

* Agelessness - In the book series, Aes Sedai have an ageless look. Although older Aes Sedai may have graying or even white hair, their skin does not age at all even if they live for centuries. This signature appearance is absent from the television series, which is explained by Rafe Judkins as requiring too much budget to retouch every frame when an Aes Sedai character appears on screen.

In addition to the Aes Sedai who have been confirmed thus far, Rafe Judkins has made reference to other important Aes Sedai from the book series, such as Galina Casban  (*book spoilers!*), Pevara Tazanovni  (*book spoilers!*) and Chesmal Emry  (*book spoilers!*), making it likely that these characters will appear at some point in the series.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Official description from *The Wheel of Time - Explained* episode 1: "What is an Aes Sedai?"
2. ↑ *The Wheel of Time*, season 1 episode 7: *The Dark Along the Ways*.
3. ↑ Timeline on the official Prime Video page for *The Wheel of Time*.
4. ↑ *The Wheel of Time*, season 1 episode 2: *Shadow's Waiting*.
5. ↑ *Entertainment Weekly*, August 18, 2021.
6. ↑ Kate Fleetwood on *The Dusty Wheel*. Wheel of Time Interview with Kate Fleetwood: All About Liandrin Sedai. January 26, 2022.
7. ↑ IGN with Rafe Judkins, The Wheel of Time: Exclusive Trailer Breakdown with Showrunner Rafe Judkins - IGN First. October 27, 2021.
8. ↑ Who is the Dragon Reborn? From Prime Video's official page for *The Wheel of Time*.
9. ↑ Trivia for *The Wheel of Time*, season 1 episode 4: *The Dragon Reborn*.
10. ↑ Official X-Ray for Prime Video: *The Wheel of Time*, under the "Characters" section (login required), section labeled "Lady Amalisa Jagad". Retrieved December 17, 2021.
11. ↑ Rosamund Pike. Live Q&A with Rosamund Pike. November 19, 2021.
12. ↑ *The Wheel of Time Origins*, episode 1: *The Breaking of the World*.
13. ↑ IGN with cast and crew, The Wheel of Time: Aes Sedai Explained - IGN First. November 2, 2021.
14. ↑ *The Wheel of Time*, season 1 episode 3: *A Place of Safety*.
15. ↑ *The Wheel of Time*, season 1 episode 1: *Leavetaking*.
16. ↑ *The Wheel of Time*, season 1 episode 3: *A Place of Safety*.
17. ↑ *The Wheel of Time*, season 1 episode 6: *The Flame of Tar Valon*.
18. ↑ *The Wheel of Time*, season 1 episode 1: *Leavetaking*.
19. ↑ *The Wheel of Time*, season 1 episode 6: *The Flame of Tar Valon*.
20. ↑ *The Wheel of Time*, season 1 episode 1: *Leavetaking*.
21. ↑ *The Wheel of Time*, season 1 episode 6: *The Flame of Tar Valon*.
22. ↑ *Redanian Intelligence*: Leaked audition scripts for Amazon’s Wheel Of Time reveal a glimpse at Aes Sedai rivalries by Yslyven. September 22, 2020.
23. ↑ Official Twitter thread with Q&A: "On Moiraine's "ageless" look..." March 17, 2021.
24. ↑ Twitter thread with Q&A archived: "Part 14 of 14 #TwitterofTime" March 22, 2020.