Witch (Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode)

Template:Infobox Buffyverse Species 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. In the Buffyverse the term magic is commenly used as "Magicks"

Identification

A witch can be identified by using various ingredients; some of her hair, a little quicksilver (mercury), some aqua fortis (nitric acid), and "eye of toad". 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. This was used to discover that "Amy" (actually Catherine) was a witch.

Magic

File:Catherine Madison (Buffyverse).jpg

Catherine Madison

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.

File:Amy Madison (Buffyverse).jpg

Amy Madison

The magic can be used as a force for good. Willow uses magic to support Buffy 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 in dark magicks taking control of her, creating what is known as "Dark Willow".

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 a Techno Pagan rather than a Witch. Although not specifically addressed, the implication is that there is a difference in power levels between a Techno Pagan and a Witch, as Jenny ascribes in a season 1 episode in which Giles asks if she is a Witch. Jenny's answer, "I don't have that kind of power" indicates that witches are able to perform greater feats of magic than other, more normal practioners of magic.

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

See also

• Witchcraft (cultural and folklore)
• List of Buffyverse Villains and Supernatural Beings

Magic users in the Buffyverse

For a more complete list see here

• Jenny Calendar
• Rupert Giles
• Jonathan Levinson
• Tara Maclay
• Amy Madison
• Catherine Madison
• Rack
• Ethan Rayne
• Willow Rosenberg
• Wesley Wyndam-Pryce

Key witchcraft-related Buffyverse episodes

• "Witch"
• "Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered"
• "Gingerbread"
• "Something Blue"
• "Tabula Rasa"
• "Smashed"
• "Wrecked"
• "Villains"
• "Two to Go"
• "Grave"
• "The Killer in Me"
• "Orpheus"
• "Chosen"