Witch (Buffyverse)

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In the fictional Buffyverse established by Buffy and Angel, a Witch is a person who has great knowledge and power over the use of mystical forces, commonly known as "magic", to perform various feats that defy the laws of nature. The term "witch" is commonly used to refer to female magic-users. Male witches are known as warlocks.

[Spoiler warningSpoiler warning]: Plot and/or ending details about some or all of information gradually revealed in Buffyverse productions: (Buffy, Angel, Fray..) follow.

Witch

Willow and Tara perform a powerful spell.

First appearance The Witch
Last appearance Chosen
Created by Joss Whedon

Statistics
Species Name Witch, Warlock, Sorcerer, Wizard
Kind Both humans and demons can use magic
Notable powers
Magical spells can be used in numerous ways. Including (but not limited to) enhanced strength, speed, mind control, transformations, memory alterations, and telekinesis.
Portrayed by (Various)

Contents

1 Identification
2 Magic
3 Techno Pagan
4 References
5 See also

5.1 Magic users in the Buffyverse
5.2 Key witchcraft-related Buffyverse episodes

Identification

A witch can be identified by using various ingredients; some of her hair, a little quicksilver and some aqua fortis (mercury and nitric acid). The ingredients are heated then applied to the possible-witch. If a spell has been cast in the previous 48 hours, the witch's skin turns blue. [1]

Magic

Becoming a witch involves a great deal of practice and work. Even those gifted with an unusually high ability can take several years to perfect their powers.

Spells can be performed by anyone by use of magical items whilst saying particular incantations (often in Latin). However witches have greater knowledge and power over the use of magic.

While every being is capable of performing magic, there are natural witches, women that are born with innate talent for the harnessing and manipulation of mystical forces. This talent is inherited from mother to daughter. Examples:

Catherine Madison and Amy Madison
Tara MacLay and her mother.

The magic can be used as a force for good. Willow uses magic to support Buffy Summers in the fight against the vampires, the demons, and the forces of darkness. However the growth of power can also become corrupting. Catherine Madison used magic to take over the life of her daughter's younger body. Willow gradually began to use magic in every part of her life, until she was addicted to it. Later tragedy resulted her giving up control to dark magics.

Techno Pagan

A Techno Pagan is a modern low-level practitioner of magic. They are not that different from a Witch, they are just more familiar with modern technology and its relation to the black arts. For example Jenny Calendar considered herself one. Jenny ascribes the difference in a season 1 episode, comparing witches and techno pagans by saying "I don't have that kind of power." The implication being that there is something that separates Witches from other, more normal practices of magic.

Willow could be seen sometimes uses modern technology and contacts to further her witchcraft (e.g. the internet). However she identifies herself as a Witch rather than a Techno Pagan.

References

1. "The Witch" - Buffy tries to discover if Amy is a witch using this technique

"The people who appeared in the opening credits (Scooby Gang & Fang Gang/FG) appear in the box, and the most important villains/friends who had a significant emotional impact on multiple of those opening credits characters - as long as they have a significant episode count, and preferably if they appear in three or more seasons."

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Buffyverse
Main	Canon \| Index Chronology: Ancient \| Modern \| BS1 \| BS2 \| BS3 \| BS4/AS1 \| BS5/AS2 \| BS6/AS3 \| BS7/AS4 \| AS5 \| Future \| Flashbacks
Buffy	Characters (main) \| Characters (minor) \| Episodes \| Plot \| Comics \| Film \| Pilot (unaired) \| Promo: History.. \| Novels \| Promos: Pre-"Bargaining"
Angel	Characters (main) \| Characters (minor) \| Episodes \| Plot \| Comics \| Corrupt (unaired) \| Novels \| Pilot (unaired)
Spin-offs	Comics \| Fan made productions \| Fray \| Novels \| Spike movie \| Undeveloped productions Buffy Animated \| Card Game \| RPGs \| Tales of Slayer (prose) \| Tales of Slayers \| Tales of Vampires \| Toys \| Video Games Upcoming: Blackout \| \| \| \| \| \| Portal Through Time \| Spike vs Dracula \|
Powers	Angel Investigations \| Circle of the Black Thorn \| Order of Aurelius \| The First Evil \| The Initiative \| Monsters \| Old Ones \| The Powers That Be \| Ra-Tet \| Scooby Gang \| Senior Partners \| Watchers' Council \| Wolfram & Hart
People	Adam \| Amy \| Andrew \| Angel \| Anya \| Buffy \| Caleb \| Connor \| Cordelia \| Dawn \| Darla \| Doyle \| Dru \| Eve \| Faith \| Fred \| Giles \| Glory \| Gunn \| Harmony \| Holtz \| Illyria \| Jasmine \| Jenny \| Joyce \| Jonathan \| Kate \| Kennedy \| Lilah \| Lindsey \| Lorne \| The Master \| Mayor Wilkins \| Oz \| Professor Walsh \| Riley \| Spike \| Tara \| Warren \| Wesley \| Willow \| Xander
Places	L.A. \| Sunnydale Bronze \| Caritas \| Hellmouth \| Hyperion \| Library \| Magic Box \| Pylea \| Sunnydale High
Music	Complete Tracklist \| Use of Music in Buffy & Angel \| Dingoes Ate My Baby \| Film \| \| \| Once More, With Feeling
Key Terminology	"Demon" \| "Slayer" \| "Vampire" \| "Watcher" \| "Werewolf" \| "Witch" "Child of Senior Partners" \| Shanshu \| Sunnydale Syndrome \| Tro-Clon

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Witch (Buffyverse)

Identification

Magic

Techno Pagan

References

See also

Magic users in the Buffyverse

Key witchcraft-related Buffyverse episodes