Witches

A witch is a human being born with a piece of the All, which enables them to manifest magical powers. Like mortals, witches can be either good or evil, but only good witches serve as protectors of the innocent.

## History

### Origin

The origin of witchcraft dates back to the beginning of the Earth itself. Since then, witches have existed for untold centuries, passing down their knowledge and skills through generations in family lineages. Contrary to popular belief, witches do not receive their powers from demons, nor do they worship the Devil. Instead, witches use their powers to hunt and vanquish demons in order to protect the innocent and to make the world a safer place. The term "witch" is not exclusive to females, and is extended to males as well.

### Witch Trials

During the late 17th century in Salem, Massachusetts, several men and women were persecuted for practicing witchcraft. During this period in Colonial America, many of the Puritans who had settled in the Northeast believed that witches were servants for the Devil. These events became known the Salem Witch Trials, in which numerous people witches and mortals, were hanged or otherwise killed.

One of these people was Melinda Warren, the founder of the Warren Line and ancestor of the Charmed Ones. She was burned at the stake after being outed as a witch by the warlock Matthew Tate.

## The Charmed Ones

The Charmed Ones is a prophesied sisterhood of Witches that are deemed to be very powerful. Prue, Piper, and Phoebe become the First Charmed Ones. After Prue had departed, Paige Matthews joined the others and became the next Charmed Ones.

### In Charmed: Chosen

Phoebe's girls, are later, near the end of season 1 are chosen to become the next Charmed Ones taking on the next legacy of their mother and aunts.

## Good/ Evil Witches

### Good Witches

Good witches are assigned Whitelighters by the Elders to guide and protect them. All good witches, regardless of their level of power, are immune to the effects of Molecular Immobilization. According to Gammill, good witches have the selfless instinct to help people in need.

### Evil Witches

An evil witch, sometimes confused with a warlock, is a witch who renounces the Wiccan Rede, and redirects to using his/her powers for Personal Gain and evil means. They may also use his/her powers to punish the guilty. They typically do not kill witches for their powers, but if they desire so, they use other methods to obtain them. They also do not sell their soul to pure evil. When witches turn evil, they renounce their right to a Whitelighter.

One memorable evil witch was P. Russell, who was a distant relative of the Charmed Ones as well as Phoebe Halliwell's past life, who turned evil when she fell in love with a warlock named Anton. Another was the Evil Enchantress of the Dark Ages, who was Paige Matthews's past life. Other examples include Tuatha, the Sea Hag, the Wicked Witch from the Magic Mirror, Stillman Sisters, The Wicked Witch of the Enchanted Forest and Vicus's Collective.

## Sub-Species

### Cupid-Witches

Cupid-Witches are the offspring of a witch and a Cupid. These hybrids possess the basic powers of their Wiccan heritage and may inherit the powers of Cupids. Unlike pure Cupids, they do not require a Cupid Ring to activate their powers. The only known half-Cupids are the three daughters of Coop and Phoebe Halliwell, the eldest of which is P.J. Halliwell.

### Darklighter-Witches

Darklighter-Witches are the crossbreed between a witch and a Darklighter, and can inherit powers and abilities from both species. The first Darklighter-Witch was evil Paige, followed by evil Wyatt and evil Chris Halliwell. When trying to send Chris Halliwell back to the future, Gideon sabotaged the attempt as a distraction and instead traded the good Leo and Chris for their evil counterparts. Like their Whitelighter counterparts, a Darklighter-Witch can use the power of Black Telekinetic Orbing to move objects. They can also summon Darklighter Crossbows and arrows like any other Darklighter.

### Demon-Witches

Demon-Witches are the offspring of a witch and a demon. Only one of these hybrids is known to have existed. The Source's Heir was the child of Phoebe Halliwell and Cole Turner, who at the time was possessed by the Source of All Evil. The union between Cole and Phoebe created a massive concentration of power. The unborn child was later stolen by the Seer and its overwhelming power destroyed them both.

### Phoenix Witches

The Phoenix is a coven of assassin witches who have risen from the ashes from the Salem witch trials. Powerful, agile, and cunning, these witches will stop at nothing to collect whatever bounty they have been hired for. Such witches are born with the birthmark of a phoenix on their bodies as proof of their legion. These witches are neither pure good or evil and possess powers that appear demonic in nature. They also possess Grimoires instead of a Book of Shadows.

### Whitelighter-Witches

Whitelighter-Witches are the offspring of a witch and a Whitelighter. These hybrids possess the basic powers their Wiccan heritage and may develop the powers and calling of a Whitelighter. These hybrids are also able to develop unique hybrid powers, such as telekinetic orbing, which is the combination of telekinesis and orbing. These hybrids are vulnerable to the poison of Darklighter arrows and susceptible to being called by the Elders and their charges.

## Powers and Abilities

### Basic Powers

* **Spell Casting:** The ability to cast spells and perform rituals.
* **Potion Making:** The ability to brew potions.
* **Scrying:** The ability to locate another being or object with a crystal and a map, sometimes other tools.
* **Mediumship:** The ability to commune with spirits of the dead.

### Other Powers

* **Individual Powers:** Powers within each witch is varied depending on their own skill, lineage or level.