The 10 Essences and their Historical Associations:
Number 1—Jas gemstone, Zephyr essence, and Inhalation body focus.
Transmutation Properties: Translucent gas, air;
Divine Attributes (Primary/Secondary): Protection / Leadership
Number 2—Nan gemstone, Smoke essence, and Exhalation body focus.
Transmutation Properties: Opaque gas, smoke, mist;
Divine Attributes (Primary/Secondary): Justice / Confidence
Number 3—Chak gemstone, Spark essence, and Soul body focus.
Transmutation Properties: Fire;
Divine Attributes (Primary/Secondary): Brave / Obedient
Number 4—Vew gemstone, Light essence, and Eyes body focus.
Transmutation Properties: Quartz, glass, crystal;
Divine Attributes (Primary/Secondary): Loving / Healing
Number 5—Fay gemstone, Pulp essence, and Hair body focus.
Transmutation Properties: Wood, plants, moss;
Divine Attributes (Primary/Secondary): Learned / Generous
Number 6—Ishi gemstone, Blood essence, and Blood body focus.
Transmutation Properties: Blood, all non-oily liquids;
Divine Attributes (Primary/Secondary): Creative / Honest
Number 7—Bebat gemstone, Tallow essence, and Oil body focus.
Transmutation Properties: All types of oils;
Divine Attributes (Primary/Secondary): Wise / Careful
Number 8—Gal gemstone, Leaf essence, and Fingernails body focus.
Transmutation Properties: Metal;
Divine Attributes (Primary/Secondary): Resolute / Builder
Number 9—Tenat gemstone, Talus essence, and Bone body focus.
Transmutation Properties: Stone and rock;
Divine Attributes (Primary/Secondary): Reliable / Ingenious
Number 10—Vani gemstone, Sinew essence, and Flesh body focus.
Transmutation Properties: Flesh and muscle;
Divine Attributes (Primary/Secondary): Pious / Guiding
The numbers above is an imperfect collection of traditional Valorin symbolism associated with the Ten Essences. When brought together, they form the Double Eye of the Almighty—an eye with two pupils, representing the creation of flora and fauna. This symbol is also the origin of the hourglass shape frequently associated with the Lightners.
Ancient scholars also aligned the ten Orders of Light with this system, as well as the Heralds themselves—each one classically tied to a specific number and Essence.
As for the Ten Levels of Surgebinding and its cousin, the Old Magic, I am still uncertain how they fit into this paradigm—if they fit at all. My research suggests there may be an entirely separate system of abilities, even more arcane than Surgebinding itself. Perhaps the Old Magic belongs to this category… though I'm beginning to suspect it is something wholly different.