Powers

Cyd shoots a sonic ball and Macy deviates it telekinetically.

**Powers** are magical capabilities possessed by individual magical beings and certain magical objects that allow one to cause a supernatural effect in a manner that cannot be explained by scientific means. This can manifest as a number of different powers (e.g. telekinesis, mind-reading, cryokinesis, freezing time and teleportation), which allows one to perform specific magical feats without the need of a spell or potion. Powers vary with every magical being, usually dependant upon the species. With witches, they are usually a reflection of their personality or lineage. Powers are normally accessed by one's emotions, mind or instinct. They are displayed through supernatural beings such as demons, pixies, spirits, as well as witches and magical objects or substances. A power is most commonly shown to manifest itself for the first time as a reflex when a being is in direct need or just when the being is ready to receive the power.

Powers are often a distinguishing trait between supernatural beings and humans. Due to the ability to defy natural limitations, beings with powers have an edge over beings without powers. Some use that advantage to do good, while others use it for personal gain or evil. With the passage of time, certain powers have become associated with either one of the sides. For example, pyrokinesis is associated with evil and is supposedly one of the most coveted powers in the demonic realm.

*Also see: List of Magical Powers*

## Classification of Powers

### Active and Passive Powers

Powers can be classified as active or passive, depending upon whether the power directly affects the user or allows the user to achieve a desired effect.

Active powers are powers that allow the user to achieve something or to cause a change. For example, a person with telekinesis can channel their power to move an object. Other examples include freezing time, pyrokinesis, etc.

Passive powers are the ones whose effects are inward to the user, meaning that the power affects the user directly instead of other things. For example, immortality is a power that protects the user from aging. Empathic telepathy is the power that allows the user to read others' minds. Both of the effects of these powers are inward, as they affect only the user.

Powers like teleportation and shapeshifting are considered active, even though they affect the user, since the effect is not inward and instead allows them to achieve something.

### Categories of Magical Powers

Depending upon what they are used for, powers can be classified into various categories. Some powers, such as telekinesis, can belong into multiple categories. In most cases, passive powers are supportive in nature, but there are times in which certain passive powers could also be considered defensive, such as enhanced durability and immortality.

## Development of Powers

### Acquisition of Powers

Most beings, such as witches and demons, acquire their powers through genetic inheritance. However, despite being born with the powers, not all powers manifest after birth.

Powers can also be acquired through other means such as:

* Coming into contact with certain magical beings, objects or substances - e.g.: black amber
* Stealing or transfer
* Afterlife - e.g.: ghosts, spirits
* Power granting through rituals - e.g.: Whitelighters

## Losing Powers

Beings with powers can lose them completely if the powers are stripped from them, bound, or transferred into/stolen by other beings.

### Aura Stripping

Aura Stripping is the process through which a witch's aura is temporarily or permanently removed, which causes the witch's powers to be rendered dormant. The effects are not necessarily permanent if the witch desires, as she can develop a power after that, whether it's a new power or the same as before, but it can seemingly only happen through external means, such as contact with black amber.

### Stripping Powers

Power Stripping is the process through which magical powers are temporarily or permanently removed, rendering the being mortal and unable to use their magical abilities anymore.

For example, there exists a special dagger that allows a demon to perform a ritual to strip demonic powers.

### Binding Powers

Binding is the process through which magical powers are disabled, usually through a spell, rendering the person powerless. The powers are not removed but rather they are made dormant. Unlike aura stripping, it doesn't only cause a being's individual powers to be dormant, but all of their magic, such as spell casting and potion brewing.

This is often performed on young witches by their parents to protect them from magical harm. Bound powers can be unbound through an unbinding spell or due to a tragic/emotional event.

For example, Marisol Vera performed a power binding spell on Macy Vaughn, Mel Vera and Maggie Vera when they were babies to protect them and to give them a normal life. After sensing danger just before her death, she performed a Power Unbinding Spell causing their powers to become reactivated when the sisters were all in the same room.

### Transferring and Stealing Powers

In certain circumstances, powers can be transferred from one being to another. A power transfer ritual may require special magical objects such as the Prism of Souls.

The ability to transfer powers opens the potential for evil beings to steal powers from others either by killing them or tricking them to transfer powers. For example, an imposter demon once tried to trick the Vera-Vaughn Charmed Ones in order to steal their powers using the Prism of Souls.

## Trivia

* Unlike in the original series, powers do not have a particular sound effect when a power is used.

## See Also

* Magic
* List of Magical Powers
* Spells

## References

1. ↑ Pilot
2. ↑ Let This Mother Out.