Spirits and Souls

Overview

In the Continuum Universes, spirits and souls are fundamental entities of existence, embodying consciousness and free will. Unlike matter and energy, spirits and souls cannot be created by a single individual; their creation is a binary act performed by both a male and female entity. Most commonly, this occurs between two Divines, but there are exceptions where other entities are granted the Rights of Divine Creation.

Methods of Spirit and Soul Creation

The act of spirit and soul creation most often involves a binary pair of Divines, but there are rare cases where spirits and souls are formed through alternative means:

Primordial Gods – Some universes have deities granted the Rights of Divine Creation, allowing them to procreate spirits and souls.
Divine-Universe Bonding – A Divine may take their sentient universe as a spouse, provided the universe is of the binary opposite gender, thus producing spirits and souls.
Natural Occurrence – Some universes generate spirits and souls spontaneously, influenced by their inherent cosmic structure. However, these spirits are not of The Divine Family and cannot attain divinity, though they can achieve Immortality.

The Difference Between Spirits and Souls

While the terms "spirit" and "soul" are often interchangeable, their meaning varies across different universes:

In the Aroenious, spirits naturally occur, while souls are only created through Divine Conception.
In Lethurèa and Aerenda, spirits are remnants of universal organization, while souls are divinely conceived but assigned to spirit tribes.
Universes with the Rights of Divine Creation can manifest spirits, but these entities lack direct lineage to the Divine Family.

Laws Governing Spirits and Souls

Spirits and souls are never to be destroyed; instead, they may only be transformed as dictated by Divine Law.
Only those with the Rights of Divine Creation can create spirits and souls.
Universes that generate spirits can only do so if granted permission by their Divine Creator.
Unapproved entities attempting to create a spirit or soul will find it impossible.

The Binary Nature of Creation

The requirement of a male and female pair in spirit and soul creation stems from an unknown fundamental law instilled in the First Divine Parents.

The earliest Divine Parents were incapable of producing children alone, suggesting this is an intrinsic property of existence.
Spirits and souls inherit traits from their Divine Parents, similar to biological reproduction, but Divines cannot choose the gender of their offspring.

Spirit and Soul Development

Spirits and souls are born fully formed, but their knowledge and understanding must develop over time.
Divine Parents nurture their children through teaching, experience, and guidance, but they do not bestow divine knowledge directly.
Spirits and souls lack sensory experiences such as pleasure, pain, joy, and sorrow. To attain full understanding, they must experience mortality.

The Difference Between Divines and Immortals

Spirits and souls may undergo transformations based on their actions, potential, and origin:

Divines – Entities who are granted divinity, the Rights of Divine Creation, and the ability to reshape their physical form (except for gender).
Immortals – Beings who have been given a perfect, immortal body but do not possess divinity.
Naturally occurring spirits and souls may achieve Immortality, but never Divinity, as they are not of The Divine Family.

Transformations of Spirits and Souls

Since destruction is forbidden, spirits and souls may undergo various transformations:

Damnation – A spirit/soul is stripped of all divine power and cast into a Prison Dimension.
Shattering – A severe punishment where a soul is fragmented and scattered to prevent further transgressions (used for the most irredeemable spirits).
Uplifting – A spirit/soul is raised from mortality into Divinity, granting them the Rights of Divine Creation.
Immortalization – A spirit/soul is given a perfect physical body but does not gain Divinity.

Corruption and Redemption

Spirits and souls can only be corrupted by their own actions.
Corrupted spirits must either repent or face imprisonment, often in places like Outer Darkness.
The most vile spirits, those who repeatedly defy Divine Law, may undergo Shattering, preventing them from ever reforming.

Memory and Reincarnation

Spirits and souls retain memories across transformations, but in the case of reincarnation, a veil is placed over their minds.
Through deep meditation or divine intervention, past-life memories may be recovered, particularly in the case of chosen heroes or servants.

The Finite Nature of Spirit and Soul Creation

While universes contain an immense number of spirits and souls, they are not infinite.
Free will is a fundamental law of existence; spirits and souls cannot be created as mindless entities.
A Divine may refuse to create spirits and souls, but by Divine Law, they cannot create a universe without the intent to bring life into it.