Early Material Files Worldview & Terminology – p. 523-525 of the Final Fantasy VII Ultimania Omega

Another Hypothesis

[Jenova]

Signifies a certain region of the brain, or genes. The name is taken from “Jenova”, a book left behind by a race known as the Ancients. Normally it isn’t used, but rarely there are people in whom it awakens naturally.

[Jenova (book)]

A book said to have been written by the Ancients. In legend known as both the Book of God and Book of the Devil, the reason for which lies in its remarkably precise and mysterious contents. The book is about the brain (or genes) of living beings, and apparently it details everything about the unknowns of the human brain (or genes). However, even if it does contain all that information, understanding it is a different matter entirely… Further, there exists many books which appear to be forged imitations of Jenova (it is plainly obvious that the majority of these are pure fiction).

[Ancients]

To be exact, a race which once existed and are now extinct (or died out gradually). Are said to be the race who wrote the Book of Jenova, and the race who created materia. According to legend they could use magic without materia, and had an advanced magical civilization, but the truth has been lost in the passage of time. It is thought that the normal race also existed at that time, and that there were wide-ranging exchanges between them, or that they were made into slaves (or that this was different based on region, and that both happened). Because it is still believed that they could use magic inherently, it is rumored that people who harbor supernatural abilities are their descendants.

[Thaumaturge]

A name given those whose Jenova has awakened. Used to denotes those with special senses ordinary humans do not have, regardless as to whether the abilities are innate (such as Aerith or the Ancients) or acquired (such as SOLDIER or Sephiroth). The abilities of the Thaumaturge vary, but they share a common ability to be drawn to and sense one another. Those especially skilled in these abilities are sensitive to the thoughts of others and to natural phenomena, and are able to sense clearly in regards to other Thaumaturge. For example the Turks, experts at searching out Thaumaturge, are skilled at such, as is Aerith.

[Materia]

An item, which human thought from Jenova that is only materialized based on a certain principle. By a ‘certain principle’ this means, for example, about fire or about water.

[Promised Land]

Handed down in another form, the Book of Jenova states that “those whose Jenova had been awakened by mako energy gain an acute sense for mako energy, and seek out even greater mako.”

[Sephiroth]

A man who had his Jenova artificially awoken using the power of mako energy. His original personality is extremely brutal and cruel, with a strong interest in destruction and slaughter. He also possesses a powerful will and ego, calm judgment and a sharp mind. However, he succumbs to mako addiction and usually suffers withdrawal symptoms. Any normal person would have be crippled at this point, but for some reason he is a unique exception: it was only his madness that was amplified, while he retained his composure.

[Mako Energy]

The life force of the planet. Shinra bathes SOLDIER operatives directly with this pure energy. Those who have been bathed in mako gain superhuman physical strength, vitality, and healing abilities, and their dormant Jenova becomes easier to awaken. However, when the energy runs out they take various mental damages, such as rapid weakness, anxiety, fear and loneliness. Also, though it is actually already known that it has addictive effects and withdrawal symptoms, and that if overexposed people will turn into something not human, Shinra continue to infusing SOLDIER with mako energy like stoking coal into an engine.

[Aerith]

Can inherently use Jenova. To her, this is completely natural, but because of it she is said to be a descendant of the Ancients, and is targeted by Shinra to use in their research.

[Hojo]

One of the people who read the Book of Jenova.

[ White Tower ]

A 2 meter tall white stone tower in a grass field, where the lore of Holy is handed down for all eternity. In the past this grass field had been the site of a massive city where many people lived, but in a single night it was completely wiped out. Due to the forbidden black magic, “Disintegrate”. Holy was created as the absolute defense against dangerous magics such as Meteor.

* The biggest differences are Jenova referring to an ability, and the existence of the ‘Thaumaturge’. Perhaps looking at the game from this perspective is another way of enjoying it?