Why Yennefer Can't Use Magic In The Witcher Season 2

As Geralt (Henry Cavill) says in Season 2 of "The Witcher", Yennefer of Vengerberg (Anya Chalotra) is one of the most powerful mages on The Continent. Her defiance and confidence in her ability may have something to do with this. But Geralt's comment was proven right at the end of the first season. During the Nilfgaardian invasion, Yennefer joined the efforts to combat them, though admittedly with some reluctance. She joins Tissaia (MyAnna Buring), Triss (Anna Shaffer), and Sabrina (Therica Wilson-Read), among others to stop Nilfgaard's bid for dominance.

The Battle of Sodden Hill left many mages scarred, including Triss, but it left more than scars on Yennefer. At the beginning of "The Witcher" Season 2, Yennefer discovers that all elements of chaos have left her and she is not the powerhouse she once was. This leads to Yennefer going on a journey to do anything she can to regain what she lost. But fans may still be confused as to why Yennefer's magical powers left her. Here's the real reason Yennefer can't use magic in Season 2 of "The Witcher."

Warning: Spoilers for Season 2 of "The Witcher."

Throughout the course of "The Witcher," fire magic is seen a time or two, but it comes at a great cost. The fire mage Rience (Chris Fulton) uses this ability during his attempt to kidnap Ciri, and he acknowledges the danger of this talent. In the universe of "The Witcher", fire magic is wholly unpredictable and takes something from the user. During the Battle of Sodden, Fringilla (Mimi Ndiweni) commands another mage to use fire magic, and they look visibly concerned. Unfortunately, when they oblige, they immediately perish.

Yennefer uses this same magic during the Battle of Sodden, a battle that would have been lost had it not been for her. Their forces were losing mages when Nilfgaard catapulted a tremendous ball of flame in the night. Using all her might, Yennefer contained the projectile and flung the flames away from them. In order to deploy this unwieldy, forbidden magic, Yennefer had to tap into the innermost part of herself. This resulted in all chaos being expunged from her — hence Tissaia calling what she did a "sacrifice." 

Yennefer was eventually able to regain the use of chaos, but only after embarking on an arduous journey to another sphere to have it returned to her.