I have seen many thoughts and theories on different message boards that voiced the circular nature of time in WoT as something bad. If everything is predestined, if my efforts will make no difference, why bother? Possibly though, this could not be farther from the truth.

The glossary says as follows: "As the Wheel turns, the Ages come and go, each leaving memories that [...] are forgotten by the time that Age comes again. The pattern of an Age is slightly different each time an Age comes, and each time it is subject to greater change, but each time it is the same Age."

Time does not repeat itself perfectly. Slight changes happen. So what does "slight" mean in this case? Well, in the grand scheme of things, this might imply greater changes than we would guess. I mean, in what perspective are these variations "slight"? On a personal level, a world-wide level, a galactical level? Universal? Even if we see them merely as slight on the level of our world, such variations as the length of a life-thread or the taking or non-taking of a certain action could well be considered small.

But then comes the chaos theory, saying that even the smallest actions may have great consequences. If, for example the Dragon was to die at Tarmon Gai'don or two days before, the Age might consider this a slight variation, but it would likely change the outcome of the battle.

If the Dark One had lived eternally imprisoned, he would probably try to make things differently each time he got the chance in order to gain the upper hand. What changes might have been introduced this time that the Previous passings did not see? Two things come to mind: The taint on saidin and Balefire. The variations would indeed be slight - an unexpected backlash here or a new weave introduced there - but the consequences of each would be great. It is, then, quite possible that the Dragon faces one or more aspects this time that has not already been tested and overcome - and the outcome of the war could depend on it.

Now, not wanting this post to be all too long, I would also like to add a final thought. The Dark One and the Creator are depicted as opposing forces or entities, each an antithesis of the other. We think of the Creator as good and the Dark One as bad, but can we in any way be certain about this? The Creator has in fact given us nothing to suggest that "he" is good. Sure, there was peace and stability when the Dark One was incarcerated, but this only proves that there is stability when one of them is in power and the other is subdued.

What would the Dark One do if he broke free, then? I doubt that he would actually destroy the world, as he is still in some way part of it. Remake it, possibly. The most probable thing to happen is that he would assume control and subdue the creator. Then the tables would turn. The upper entity will control the world but take no part in it, as the effort of keeping the world running probably hinders him from this. And the subdued entity would cause trouble and seek to break free, as no one would prefer being caged to being in control.

And how many times might this not have already happened? If the Dragon wins, the circle is simply reset. If the Dark One wins, there comes a new beginning with a world made in his image. Then the Wheel of Time turns and memories fade - and soon no one even remembers if the opposing enteties switched places or not.

"I win again, Lews Therin" the great philosopher of the Age of Legends said, time and time again. Whether the Dark One and the Creator have changed places before the conclusion is the same: what the characters do, what efforts they make, matter.