Complexity is a measure of both function and form. Often used interchangeably with Order, it represents the high goal of Etherists, to Ascend to beings of immense complexity. Complexity isn’t used in the sense of difficulty to understand or disorganized complexity so much as it is used in the evolutionary sense. A mess of molecules becomes more complex through added energy and takes on the form of a system of molecules, interacting with others in new ways. That molecular system, with more added energy, in turn becomes protobiont which is a form of pseudolife, that interacts with other molecules and molecular systems to perpetuate itself. This process continues as life forms and continues to grow in systemic complexity, both in interactions and form. Eventually the system itself evolves, as lifeforms become well integrated into a changing complex system. As humanity develops, we too exhibit that same evolution of complexity, with our social systems and our technological systems. Our capacity to affect our environment rises as our complexity rises and so the concept behind the Complexity/Order Aspect is made clear.

This Prime Aspect is the first and foremost one in an Etherist’s repertoire of knowledge. It represents our end goals and our own evolution. It also affects all of the Ether, countered only by one other Aspect with a similar reach.

Entropy in science is a description of the conversion of useful energy to less useful energy (generally resulting in waste heat) and is also used in a lesser fashion to describe a reduction of order into a more stable disorder. It has a host of other uses in multiple scientific fields, none of which are particularly relevant to this particular concept. In Etherism, Entropy is used to describe the Prime Aspect that acts as the spiritual reflection for the process of loosing complexity and reducing the usefulness of energy while gaining stability (through a reduction in fragile order and energy that could cause change). The counteracting Aspect to Complexity.

This Aspect is not only active in terms of the approaching heat death of the universe and the descent into stable chaos that many systems in our universe engage in without intercession but is also responsible for numerous similar effects on the Spiritual Side of the Ether. It is both a powerful and dangerous Aspect that exerts a pull on the entirety of the Ether. Channeling it is not recommended unless absolutely required. It also represents the worst fate an Etherist can have. To fall into Entropy is to lose one’s complexity, to become one with chaos and to become a static and powerless molecule among gods. The event wherein an Etherist loses one’s Self and falls from Ascension is even called the Path of Decay and Entropy of The Self, representing truly how wary we are of Entropy in the Ether.

This is not to say that Entropy is evil or is unnecessary. It is a natural force, an integrated part of the Ether and of intense necessity for the function of all things. It simply is dangerous like many natural forces and represents the opposite of what Etherists desire and need in their path.

The ebb and pull of Entropy and Complexity are often referred to as ‘primary resonance’ in the interconnective tissue of the Spiritual Ether. All other Aspects exert their own effects and in turn create resonance but they are often not considered as overwhelmingly relevant as Complexity and Entropy are to every interaction in the Ether. Interactions in both the Spiritual and Material reflections can be both resultant and evocative of both of these Aspects and ergo a representation of primary resonance.

Every spiritual reflection has a resonance. The resonance of a given spiritual reflection is the overall effects and closeness accumulated by that reflection to all Aspects in the entirety of the Ether. A spiritual reflection’s resonance has its most heavy effects from primary resonance, resulting in Entropy and Complexity having the greatest effect on the interactions of that particular reflection (and other Aspects resonance having a secondary effect that is in turn adjusted by the primary resonance). The effects of resonance are gone into deeper in The Spectrum and The Infinite Ether sections.

This is simply a simplified way of describing what is a complex multidimensional resonance of the interconnective tissue of the Spiritual Ether. These terms may be subject to change as more UPG is gained and confirmed.

As an example a rock falls down a hill and crushes a squirrel, that is reflective of Entropic resonance for both. A species develops cognitive function greater then before (dolphin learns something new) that is a Complexity resonance event. Most occurrences are a reflection of a blend of both primary resonances, also influenced by other Aspects, since almost nothing is absolutely reductive or creative in this universe (beyond the Aspects for those particular concepts).

The end results of an action are all that matter in terms of determining net resonance. (The consequences). That doesn’t mean, “The ends justifies the means” it means that if you do something ‘harmful’ to make something ‘beneficial’ happen, if that result is greater in Complexifying (used in terms of the Etherist definition of Complexity) resonance than the entropic effects then you have a net gain in Complexity, because the Entropy is surpassed by it. Your intent seems to matter little to the energies themselves, unless the intent itself creates an entropic or complexifying effect within you (certain forms of vengeful rage are actually damaging to the body).

Even more issues arise in the fact that truly, the end result is the most important part. An action done 300 years ago could still be accumulating resonance because of the ripple effect of its consequences in the future.

Actions we did at the beginning of our life are still affecting us even now.

It also means that the question, “Is this a bad or good thing to do?” is essentially moot for the purposes of Entropy vs. Complexity and flow of that resonance. Not even acknowledging perspectives, an action’s effects a century from now could change entirely its effects on your spiritual resonance. The idea is, shoot for the best possible outcome for yourself, one that creates the appropriate balance you need in your resonance to exist. Similarly, other Aspects’ effects on your resonance can cause problems for you or improve your situation so you should be mindful of them as well.