Aether

Magical Aether, or simply Aether/Ether, is a fundamental and often primordial energy that is the basis for all magic. It is found in numerous works of literature and pop culture. It acts as both a conduit and catalyst for the magical world via spells and enchantments and possibly other effects. It may be powerful and all-encompassing. It is also said Aether cannot be percieved by the five senses. It is invisble .To detect it, one must use magical attunement with magic or specific arcane instruments.   While this is a general overview throughout the numerous works it is used in, maybe I should explain it in my world.   Aether, or Ether, is the unseen particles of the belief in magic that is fundamental to spell-casting, enchanting, and weather magic survives or dies on Gaea. It is the basis for magic to exist, to thrive, and for spell-casting and enchanting. It is powerful. It is invisible. To detect it requires a high-level sorcerer. The Guardians do count.  

Properties

Magical Aether or ether varies widely depending on the universe. However, several core characteristics are asribed to it.  

Invisible

Due to the supernatural force that twists the senses of mortals from seeing or smelling or touching mystical beings, people and places are considered invisble. Although this isn't always the case. Especially after magic returns. But some things continued then as well.   Aether is one of them.   In one of the mystical world's rare circumstances, even humanity is unable to be percieved or seen by those who don't have powers.   This thing that happens has no name. Some call it The Mist. Others call it Energy/Power Detectors. The Mystical World refers to it as Achfor Diat Wakico.  

Universal Presence

Universal Presence: It is often theorized to exist everywhere — in the air, beneath the earth, and even within living beings.   Aether is everywhere. Even unseen. But it flows. To where? To many Metaninaite Crystals of Ancient Power. And eventually to the Ancient Power Staff Collection.  

Mutable

Aether is channeled by the highest of mages, Legendary and Mystical Guardians of Humankind and Goodness. Each Guardian helps to ensure that humans believe. And when magic returns, they do.   But many forgot for centuires before then. Although magic returning caused something of a suprise attack on humans so much that collectively they had to really think about their beliefs.  

Source of Power

The origin of magic overall is due to the Mystic-Protogenoi but Aether is specifically known to be originated from Incantus, God of Ancient Power and Isis Mystic, Goddess of Ancient Power. However, they both ensured it would regenerate.   To generate more would be simple. Ensure that humans believe. This way, Ley Lines are powered. The more humans believe in magic, the more there is for the Guardians to use and do spells and rituals.  

Applications

In many magical practices, Aether is tapped into by sorcerers/mages and other supernatural entities.   Do they perform spells and/or rituals? Yes.   Do they use it to find ancient magical artifacts? Yes.   Do they make magical dust from Aether? Yes.   What about traditions? Yeah, maybe.   There might be traditions and rituals for storing and gathering Aether. It is possible that some may manipulate Aether. Or even to use Aether with crystals, wands or staffs, and other magical items.   Sometimes, Aether has been corrupted or depleted which can and do have catastrophic effcts on the mystical world. This may lead to disasters or collapse of magic.     In imaginative fiction, however, aether endures as a potent symbol of the mysterious connection between the known and the unknown, order and chaos, the natural and the supernatural.See AlsoManaLey LinesQuintessence (philosophy)Astral PlaneArcane MagicReferencesAristotle, Meteorology.Paracelsus, Four Pillars of Medicine.Modern fantasy literature (e.g., J.R.R. Tolkien, Brandon Sanderson).