Harmony

Harmony as a Force
Nopony truly understands what Harmony is exactly. Philosophers and theorists have spent countless hours, over many centuries attempting to peer into the Aether for clues about the most important force known to Sebbians. Every race that inhabits the world of Sebbia has a concept of Harmony. It is notable that, between the various races and traditions, the ideas and sentiments towards Harmony do not change. There are slight variations of expression but the core of the idea has always been the same.

Harmony is described as a force. It is different from any other cosmic force in that it appears to be sapient. Harmony has also been described as a being. It transcends all and governs the flow of Spectra. It has been called the Will of the Matriarch among the ponies of Equestria for as long as they can remember. Some take this a step further and say that Harmony is the Matriarch.

It is generally accepted that Harmony is now represented by the Living Elements. It took several years for the inhabitants of Equestria to come to this conclusion. Now there are some who believe that the Six are somehow in tune with Harmony and are therefore privy to its Will. This puts the Six on the same plane as the Sisters Royal in their eyes.

Harmony as Magic
All mages and scholars of the arcane agree that Harmony is linked to magic. How this linkage is constructed and the nature of its implications is what they cannot agree on. Many folow the school of thought introduced by Starswirl the Bearded in his later years. The Centralist Theorem suggests that Harmony acts as a container and regulator of Spectra. Spectra is the actual energy of magic. It is unclear how Starswirl came to this conclusion, but it is rather hard to disprove him. There have been only two unicorns that have reached the same level as he and the second unicorn of those two has only just started her magical career. Supporters of the Theorem use examples of spells constructed to imitate Harmony to prove their point. They claim that leylines placed just so, as a riverbank holds water, are more stable and achieve more powerful results.

A new school of thought has emerged with the advent of the Living Elements of Harmony. The Regulatory Proof is the idea that Harmony acts not as the conduit but the regulator. Spectra will flow along leylines and magic can be performed, even if it is against the principles of Harmony. Magic must respond to and obey the caster, regardless of the caster's intentions. They stress, however, that such magic is never as strong as it should be. Proof, they say, that Harmony acts as a buffer and regulator.

More detail on Harmony's role in magic can be found under Magic