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{{Magic
|image=Visions of the Future.jpg
|related=[[Realmatic Theory]]
|universe=[[Cosmere]]
}}
{{update|sa4}}
{{quote
|The Spiritual Realm contains an object's soul—its essence—as well as the ways it is connected to the things and people around it.
|[[Shai]]'s description of the Spiritual Realm{{tes ref|12}}
}}
The '''Spiritual Realm''' is the realm of existence in the [[cosmere]] that contains the essence or soul of things. In this Realm, the [[Connection|interconnection]] between objects, people, and ideals are made apparent.{{tes ref|12}}
Everything in the cosmere has a Spiritual aspect, a soul, which represents the idealized form or concept upon which their existence is based.{{
== Nature ==
=== Space and Time ===
{{quote
|He thrust his right hand to the other side, touching something vast, something that wasn’t a place—it was all places in one.
|[[Dalinar]] grabbing the Spiritual Realm to create [[Honor's Perpendicularity]]{{book ref|sa3|119}}
}}
The Spiritual Realm is not a place.{{wob ref|11708}} The Spiritual Realm is made up entirely of [[Investiture]] in the form of [[spiritweb]]s and the [[Connection]]s between them.{{wob ref|8812}}{{wob ref|9280}} As such, time and space are "irrelevant" or "compounded into one" in the Spiritual Realm.{{wob ref|6129}} This timelessness means that the Spiritual Realm breaks causality, but in a controlled way.{{wob ref|9286}} [[Design]] remarked that time dilation was easier in the Spiritual Realm because time "flows like water into whatever container you provide".{{book ref|yumi|32}}
Because time is irrelevant, an object's Connection to its past as well as its future can be observed from the Spiritual Realm.{{wob ref|6129}} Some beings, like [[Atium#Allomantic_Use|Seers]], [[Moelach]], [[Sak|Sak the Aviar]], and [[Shard]]s can peer into the Spiritual Realm to gain insight into the future, though some methods are more likely to be successful than others and even some Shards have difficulty seeing the future.{{book ref|sa1|75}}{{wob ref|1729}} It is also possible to see into the past of others via similar means.{{msh ref|1|1}}
=== Spiritwebs ===
{{for|spiritweb}}
A person’s spiritweb, closely related to Spiritual DNA,{{wob ref|115}} makes up their presence in the Spiritual Realm. Measuring and quantifying a spiritweb is possible, if difficult, to do.{{wob ref|13361}} Spiritual DNA can be passed from parent to child like regular DNA.{{wob ref|5514}} Identical twins can have different Spiritual DNA, however.{{wob ref|7761}} A person's spiritweb can be damaged either through physical or emotional trauma. This creates "cracks" in the soul. It is easier for Shards to [[Invest]] in people who are damaged in this way, as Investiture can enter the soul through these "cracks". This is why [[Allomancer]]s need to undergo [[Snapping]] in order to awaken their powers, and is implied to be the reason why [[Surgebinder]]s tend to have psychological problems.{{wob ref|5469}} Spiritwebs can be damaged with weapons like Hemalurgic spikes and Shardblades. Those wounds can then be healed with a graft of Investiture. The healing process does leave a permanent wound on a person's spiritweb.{{wob ref|126}} Investing an object or person for a long period of time will warp and change their spiritweb.{{wob ref|2690}} In humans, this process leads to [[Savant]]ism.{{wob ref|7267}}
This spiritual aspect would exist for all thinking beings, including true artificial intelligence, as they would Spiritually and Cognitively operate the same as an organic sapient being.{{wob ref|11372}}{{wob ref|11982}}{{wob ref|16072}}
=== Properties ===
==== Connection ====
{{for|Connection}}
Connection is a Spiritual property that describes the relationships between people, objects, and even more abstract concepts.{{tes ref|12}} If a person can gain Connection to a region, that Connection will allow them to speak that region's language.{{book ref|mb6|22}}{{book ref|sa3|65}} Gaining Connection to a region does not cause a person to develop that region’s accent, as accents are tied to a person’s Identity, though a person’s Identity can be suppressed to allow a person to gain a region’s accent by Connecting to it.{{wob ref|2558}} Connection also includes information about bonds between one person and another, such as the [[Nahel bond]].{{wob ref|4548}} Like Identity, Connection is a crucial part of a person’s existence; being stripped of their Connection at the end of the [[False Desolation]] is part of what trapped the [[singer]]s in [[slaveform]].{{book ref|sa3|17}} In order to take up a [[Shard]] after a Vessel dies, a person must be Connected to that Shard.{{msh ref|5|2}}
==== Identity ====
{{for|Identity}}
[[Identity]] is a Spiritual attribute related to spiritwebs.{{wob ref|9431}} Each person’s Identity is as unique as their genetic sequence,{{wob ref|874}} and is tied to the place where someone is born.{{wob ref|4061}} Identity is not altered with general damage to the spiritweb. Instead, someone would have to try and do something with Identity specifically.{{wob ref|9434}} Most magic in the cosmere is keyed to a person’s Identity. Two people both blanking their Identity will almost always allow them to use each other’s Investiture.{{wob ref|1709}} A lack of Identity will make a person more susceptible to many things in the cosmere, including [[soulstamp]]s.{{wob ref|3547}} This does not mean that someone with blank Identity could use any soulstamp, as the soulstamp’s Identity still causes issues.{{wob ref|9435}} Identity can be very useful in things like healing, though it may occur in a roundabout method.{{wob ref|7836}}
==== Fortune ====
{{for|Fortune}}
[[Fortune]] is a Spiritual property.{{wob ref|10298}} Fortune can be used to learn things you would not know otherwise{{wob ref|2567}} or to see the future.{{wob ref|8481}} While there are ways to access the Spiritual Realm that do not involve Fortune, every use of Fortune involves the Spiritual Realm.{{wob ref|10298}}
== Access ==
{{quote
|Be wary of anyone who claims to be able to see the future, Shallan
|[[Hoid]]'s warning to [[Shallan]]{{book ref|sa3|68}}
}}
Future sight always draws upon the Spiritual Realm to work.{{wob ref|8147}} Any time someone sees the future, it will have ripples against someone else's ability to do the same.{{wob ref|11882}} Future sight can be used to gain knowledge of where and when the user needs to be somewhere, and what they need to do.{{wob ref|10011}}{{wob ref|2567}}{{wob ref|738}} This ability is not perfect, and can sometimes tell a user where they are supposed to be without the why.{{wob ref|2567}} Future sight can also alert a user to the presence of certain objects.{{wob ref|2753}} In general, it's been said to be a highly dangerous ability.{{wob ref|8904}}
[[Shard]]s can perceive the future, although it can be difficult for them. Some are better at it than others, with [[Cultivation]] and [[Preservation]] in particular being noted as particularly excelling.{{book ref|sa1|75}}{{wob ref|5309}} Shardic power can also be utilized by others to perceive the future like they do: examples of this are [[atium]], as well as the visions of the [[Returned]].{{wob ref|4645}}
=== Allomancy ===
{{image|Atium Shadow by Danrossidraws.jpg|side=right|width=350px|[[Vin]] surrounded by [[atium]] shadows}}
;Electrum:
Burning [[electrum]] will reveal possible futures of the [[Allomancer]] up to several seconds ahead by casting electrum "shadows" of oneself.{{book ref|mb4|part=ars}} While burning electrum, the Allomancer's future will not be revealed to enemy Allomancers burning [[atium]]. Rather, it will cause the Allomancer's observed atium shadow to split, preventing the enemy Allomancer from predicting one's actions.{{book ref|mb3|3}}
;Gold:
Burning [[gold]] allows the Allomancer to see a hallucination of who the user could have been, known as a "gold shadow".{{book ref|mb4|part=ars}} Touching the gold shadow while burning gold causes unpleasant side effects.{{book ref|mb1|37}} Each time an Allomancer burns gold, they see a different image, as it changes depending on their current situation.{{wob ref|9996}}
;Malatium:
[[Malatium]] works similarly to gold, albeit showing visions of other people's possible selves rather than the user's. Flaring it via [[duralumin]] or death seems to give an Allomancer a glimpse into the Spiritual Realm, allowing them to see a vision of a past event in another person's life by seeing their [[Connection]] and their past.{{msh ref|1|1}}
;Atium:
Burning atium allows the Allomancer to see a few seconds into the future by producing atium shadows of everything in sight, which perform future actions. It also expands their mind to be able to accept and process all of the information, even allowing them to dodge incoming attacks from behind. If another Allomancer burning atium is encountered, the atium shadows will split for both Allomancers, since each seeing into the other's future means that they can both make different decisions that affect both. The atium shadow will also split when the opponent is burning electrum. Burning [[duralumin]] with atium allows Allomancers to see the ultimate effects of their actions, allowing them to peer into the Spiritual Realm.{{wob ref|3610}}
=== Odium ===
;Enlightened Truthwatcher:
As a result of a [[Mistspren]] being corrupted by [[Sja-anat]], [[Truthwatchers]] have some ability to see visions of the future; these visions seem to appear similar to stained-glass images. This ability is imperfect, as the events it predicts can fail to occur.{{book ref|sa3|118}}{{wob ref|8461}}
;Regal Forms of Power:
By staying out in the [[Everstorm]], [[singer]]s are capable of bonding with a [[voidspren]], changing their form, which alters their physical appearance and mental capabilities.{{book ref|sa3|i|6}}{{wob ref|9897}} One [[Regal]] form of power is nightform, which allows the user to predict the future.{{epigraph ref|sa2|23}}
;Moelach:
[[Moelach]] is the source of the [[Death Rattle]]s, visions of the future experienced by some people on [[Roshar]] during the final moments of their lives.{{book ref|sa2|i|14}}{{epigraph ref|sa3|103}} Those experiencing the visions will often speak aloud in their final moments to communicate what they are seeing in the form of cryptic utterances.{{epigraph ref|sa2|82}}{{book ref|sa1|71}}
=== Other Methods ===
{{image|AU Sixth of the Dusk.jpeg|side=left|width=230px|[[Sak]] showing [[Sixth of the Dusk (character)|Sixth of the Dusk]] visions of his death}}
;Riino:
[[Riino]] has an ability to predict the future, assisted by some sort of shining globe. Whatever the globe is, it isn't a [[fabrial]], as it doesn't feature a gemstone. While Riino himself mentions that utilizing it requires specific training, the globe can grant visions to the uninitiated. It requires that its surroundings be highly [[Investiture|Invested]], which is why Riino uses it only during a [[highstorm]].{{book ref|sa3|97}}
;Returned:
Occasionally, when a person dies, [[Endowment]] grants them a glimpse into the Spiritual Realm, letting them see a possible future. She then offers a chance to [[Returned|Return]] and change the events of the vision.{{wob ref|5943}}{{wob ref|9589}}{{wob ref|143}}
;Wulfden:
[[Wulfden the Fourth]] uses some form of magical foresight.{{wob ref|2226}} The source and extent of his powers are unknown, though it appears to be related to [[Dominion]].{{wob ref|4682}} The mechanics of his ability are unknown, but parallel to similar skills in the cosmere.{{wob ref|4645}}
;Aviar:
One type of [[Aviar]] allows a person it's bonded with to see visions showing their possible deaths in near future (roughly a minute). These visions manifest in the form of an image of the individual's corpse in the area where a death could happen. The Aviar has control over when they share this ability, and with whom, and can see every vision it shares.{{book ref|sixth}}
;Hoid:
[[Hoid]] has access to an ability that allows him to make use of the Spiritual attribute of [[Fortune]],{{wob ref|2567}}, which grants him a limited amount of foresight. Hoid's Fortune ability lets him know where and when he needs to be.{{wob ref|10011}} While this ability may grant him knowledge of what he is to do,{{wob ref|2567}}{{wob ref|738}} usually Hoid does not know why his ability has brought him to a specific place.{{wob ref|2567}} Hoid's Fortune ability is not infallible; occasionally it directs him to go somewhere, but either nothing notable is happening or he is unable to discover the reason why he has been led there.{{wob ref|5821}}
== Inhabitants ==
=== Shards ===
{{for|Shard}}
Ordinarily, most of a Shard’s power exists in the Spiritual Realm,{{wob ref|6304}} which means they are less constrained by space and time and remain connected to all of the Investiture, even if it is spread out in the Physical Realm.{{wob ref|8605}}{{wob ref|9385}} Devotion and Dominion are the main exceptions to this, as their Investiture was forcibly pushed from the Spiritual Realm to the Cognitive Realm.{{au ref|selish}} If a planet has a Shard in residence, the Shard’s Investiture will naturally seep through to the Physical Realm; Shards can accelerate this process by actively doing things. While Shards can generally move freely, since location has no meaning in the Spiritual Realm, once a Shard’s Investiture is tied to a planet, it is harder for the Shard to do so.{{wob ref|1551}}
When a new Vessel Ascends, they gain some innate understanding of the Spiritual Realm.{{wob ref|6304}}{{wob ref|4384}} Because even a Vessel’s mind is not infinite, however, they do not have a perfect view of the Spiritual Realm.{{wob ref|8605}}{{wob ref|4384}} Because the Shards exist primarily in the Spiritual Realm, they can see possible futures, though the further they look into the future, the harder it becomes to interpret those possibilities.{{msh ref|3|3}}{{book ref|sa1|75}} Some Shards are better at this than others. For example, Preservation, who was able to make prophecies about events thousands of years in advance, appears to be one of the better ones,{{wob ref|5309}} Cultivation is better than Honor,{{book ref|sa1|75}} and Ruin has little skill in this area.{{wob ref|1251}}
=== Potential Other Inhabitants ===
Very few beings exist solely in the Spiritual Realm. It is possible for physical beings to travel to the Spiritual Realm, but the results are weird.{{wob ref|13522}} [[Elend Venture]], burning both atium and duralumin, managed to travel mostly to the Spiritual Realm.{{wob ref|6304}} While there, Elend saw “a mind-numbing wealth of information,” including Leras’s plan for Ati’s death.{{book ref|mb3|81}} Flaring one of the temporal metals at the moment of one’s death can also provide a glimpse of the Spiritual Realm.{{msh ref|1|1}} Shards can also give people a glimpse of the Spiritual Realm, generally via eye contact with the Vessel; Leras shows Kelsier the Connection between everything and the possible futures{{msh ref|3|3}} and Odium shows Dalinar the complete nature of his Shard.{{book ref|sa3|57}} Visions, such as the ones Honor left for potential Bondsmiths, almost always involved being pulled partially into the Spiritual Realm, with an additional "Cognitive framework" that allows people to understand them.{{wob ref|9562}} Traveling to the Spiritual Realm can be extremely dangerous for people, as it has the potential to break their brain.{{wob ref|2693}}
There are factions of some kind in the Spiritual Realm,{{wob ref|7000}} as well as native inhabitants.{{wob ref|7001}}
== Culture ==
=== Roshar ===
Well before the year 1173, the [[Roshar]]an scholar [[Gavarah]] proposed the existence of the three Realms.{{book ref|sa1|29}} That theory seems to be well accepted among modern Rosharan scholars, who are aware that the Spiritual Realm is a place of pure truth but that the Cognitive Realm is more flexible.{{book ref|sa2|24}} The [[spren]] are also aware of the three realms and know that the Shards live in the Spiritual Realm.{{book ref|sa3|93}} At least two religions on Roshar include the Spiritual Realm in their doctrine. [[Vorinism]] equates the Spiritual Realm with the [[Tranquiline Halls]]{{book ref|sa1|16}}{{book ref|sa1|i|8}} and the [[One]] teaches that the Spiritual Realm is the same as the [[Beyond]].{{wob ref|1729}}
=== Scadrial ===
[[Scadrial]] at large first became aware of the three realms when [[Sazed]] mentioned their existence in the [[Words of Founding]].{{epigraph ref|mb3|57}} As of {{date|342|PC}}, the people of the [[Elendel Basin]] have just begun learning about the properties of the Spiritual Realm, mostly by investigating the [[Feruchemy|Feruchemical]] metals that can store Spiritual properties.{{book ref|mb6|3}} The [[kandra]], [[Terris]], and [[Set]] are the primary groups involved in this research and have all done their best to keep it quiet.{{book ref|mb6|3}}{{book ref|mb6|part=ars}}{{book ref|mb6|17}} The Basin's newly-founded relationship with the [[Southern Scadrian]]s, however, may soon make knowledge of the Spiritual Realm more widespread in the Basin.{{book ref|mb6|31}}
The Southern Scadrians likely learned what they know of Realmatic Theory from [[Kelsier]]. While Kelsier only gave them [[unsealed metalminds|unsealed]] [[Brass#Feruchemical Use|brassminds]], they knew enough to reverse-engineer the process and are able to create unsealed metalminds for all abilities in the [[Metallic Arts]]. They also know how to make unsealed metalminds that grant two or three abilities, but all attempts to create ones that grant four abilities have failed.{{book ref|mb6|21}}
=== Sel ===
The [[MaiPon]] learned about the Spiritual Realm in order to understand how [[Forgery]] works and are aware that it contains a thing's Identity and Connection, though they may not use those words.{{tes ref|12}}
== Trivia ==
*Originally, the [[shadowblaze]]s from ''[[The Rithmatist]]'' were creatures from the Spiritual Realm.{{wob ref|1619}}
== Notes ==
<references />
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