Apologies if this has been discussed - but I've read several posts discussing the meaning of Egwene's dream of a crystal sphere falling apart, but haven't come across any firm suggestions of the meaning of the 23 stars.

For reference, here's the dream:

[i]She saw an enormous sphere made of the finest crystal. It sparkled in the light of twenty three enormous stars, shining down on it where it sat on a dark hilltop. There were cracks in it, and it was being held together by ropes.

There was Rand, walking up the hillside, holding a woodsman's axe. He reached the top and hefted the axe, then swung at the ropes one at a time, chopping them free. The last one parted, and the sphere began to break apart, the beautiful globe falling in pieces. Rand shook his head.[/i]

The two main theories seem to be that (as Egwene thinks) the sphere represents the Dark One's prison or that (as some here have suggested) that it represents the White Tower. I suggest the number 23 is key to resolving this.

The only thing I can think of that 23 represents is the leadership in the Tower: 21 Sitters, the Keeper and the Amyrlin. They are the bright stars that shine upon (guide) the sphere (the Tower). I can't think of any other significance that the number 23 has in the series - certainly none to do with the seals/the Shadow/the Forsaken/etc.

Interpreting the 23 stars in this way clearly leads to an interpretation of the sphere as the Tower, with Rand then leading to a collapse of its power and authority - something he would do with sadness (the shaking of his head) but would do if it were necessary. (The ropes are potentially the ties that bind the nations to the Tower). There is potentially an event coming soon at which he will do just that - the confrontation at the Field of Merrilor, where he and Egwene will confront each other over what must be done next, vying for the support of the world's leaders.

It is particularly ironic that Egwene has interpreted the dream in the opposite way, thus indirectly setting into motion the very events that will bring about the outcome it predicts.

Thoughts?