Cosmic Energy

Referred to by many names - ki, mana, origin - Cosmic Energy is what allows mortals to utilize metaphysical power. Whether it be empowering the punch of a Monk in Yugawa or calling forth a flaming meteor to strike tens of foes, it is the Cosmic Energy that allows these abilities to occur in the first place.
Cosmic Energy comes in many forms but the actual laws entail a number of factors.
The first of these is the law that...

Energy can neither be created or destroyed

This means that, in order to use magic, one must learn how to channel the energy from the cosmic plane the energy originated from. This may be through an enchanted artifact - something that inherently contains magic within itself - or through learning how to place a tiny rip in the cosmos, allowing the energy to flow. There are other ways, but, regardless of the method, the power to use magic doesn't come from within, but rather it uses the individual as a conduit.

This also means that, once cast, a spell will leave a latent essence of energy. This can be tracked by someone who knows how, but it also means that objects present at the time of spells being cast - especially in the case of prolonged exposure or high level spells - absorb some of that energy, becoming enchanted by proxy.

Second is the law that...

Opposite energies repel

Each of the cosmic planes has an opposite. These energies repel one another, creating large blow-back when they collide. This is why creatures born with Cosmic Energy imbued within themselves are wounded far beyond the actual power of the attack when they are struck with their elemental opposite. A Celestial doesn't receive heavier wounds from a Demon for any "divine" or "corrupted" nature, but because they are filled with opposing energies. Dark magic is the diametric opposite of holy magic.

Manifestation

This energy comes in many forms - referred to as "elements". Each one draws from a different one of the cosmos, obeying the Laws of Cosmic Energy. The elements are fire, ice, lightning, acid, holy, dark, and psychic. There is also purely cosmic energy. The first four draw from the Elemental Orbits - *Ignon*, *Alakas*, *Vinta*, and *Arbor* - while the holy and dark draw from *Celestia* and Pandemonium respectively. Psychic has an origin that no one has yet to pin down, but its association with Abominations suggests that it's of the void. Conversely, purely cosmic energy is the ambient power given off by every living thing in the material world. Theoretically, were someone in, say, Pandemonium, that wanted to cast a cosmic spell would need to do so by the same means that casters of Wyrth do for other elements.
Another aspect of this law is the Ilian belief in "chakra", something referred to in the Altian tradition as "gates" or "cosmic gates". In the case of Abian and Dumylan practitioners and scholars, it is called "dwir". These are the visualizations of portals or threads that link the living Soul to all the other cosmos. This even plays a role in the Law of Separation of the Cosmos, as those that believe it's possible to traverse the cosmos say that opening these gates is the only way to do so, as it's something of a spiritual compass for moving between planes. Regardless, as it applies to Cosmic Energy, these are the intangible tears in the walls separating the cosmos that allow the energy to pass through. Each chakra or gate is said to belong to a different element, so opening one does not equal opening all of them. In the case of chakra, these are linked to different parts of the body.

Localization

Due to the nature of Cosmic Energy, it tends to linger. This causes areas with a high use of said energy to become steeped in it. Some also believe that it's possible to locate the physical locations where the cosmos used to be when they were part of the material world and that those areas allow unlimited spell casting due to their richness with energy. There are also leylines that are said to be where the Deep Waters flowed, leaving behind powerful vectors of magic at their intersections.

Type

Metaphysical, Arcane