Power Over Life and Death

The Power over Life and Death is a form of magic that lies at the very heart of the Old Religion. It can be use to revive people who are dying as long as a life is given. One of the most important laws of magic is in fact that life cannot be mirrored without giving anything in return and to save a life there must be a death, for the balance of the world to be restored. Once someone enters into a life-for-a-life bargain, it cannot be undone.

To summon the power of the Old Religion over life and death, the High Priestesses have used the Cup of Life.

This power can also be used to give a life to a baby if a woman is unable to give birth.

This form of magic is very powerful and can only be achieved by powerful and experienced sorcerers, those who serve the Old Religion and thous hold dominion over life and death. Only two known people have mastered this power - Nimueh and Merlin. The Questing Beast carries this power too.

This is a very dangerous power to use because if it may have disatrous effects. For example, when Uther Pendragon asked Nimueh to use her powers to help his wife, Ygraine, who could not conceive, her life was taken. Uther blamed the Old Religion for this and he started executing anyone who practiced magic. Its dangerous effect was also shown when the Old Religion almost took the life of Merlin's mother, Hunith, instead of his. When Gaius decided to sacrifice his life to save Hunith and Merlin, the young warlock killed the High Priestess Nimueh, and so the balance of the world was restored (Le Morte d'Arthur).