Witchcraft

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**Witchcraft** is the practice of magic used by witches. Before a witch has come into their power, they're considered "untapped", and their magic is considered pure. However, after awakening their power, witchcraft can encompass many different types of activities, such as spell casting, astrology, divination, and spirit communication, to name a few. This also includes the practices observed by many cultures, nations, and religions as well as many books and writings dating back to ancient times. Depending upon the individual, some witches practice their power by certain belief systems, such as Shamanism, Voodoo, Wicca, or any number of other magical practices. Although the majority of traditional witches are commonly portrayed as being kind and selfless humans who use their powers to maintain balance within the world, this is not absolute. Some witches go directly against the Balance of Nature by practicing their powers for dark and sinister or selfish deeds, while a few darker witches go so far as to subvert the very laws that Nature governs.

## Different types of Magic

### Ancestral Magic

Ancestral Magic is an extremely powerful form of witchcraft that is commonly practiced by the Nine Covens of New Orleans. Similar to Spirit Magic, this form of sorcery draws its energy from the power of ancestral witches who have been consecrated on New Orleans soil. However, according to Sophie Deveraux, this power can only be harnessed within the boundaries of New Orleans, meaning that should the witch abandon the area, their power will diminish and will be forced to utilize other forms of magic. In addition to this, should a witch abuse the power that has been given to them by the Ancestors, the spirits can repeal this power from any witch in New Orleans, including the Regent. Since the release of the Ancestors from the Ancestral Well, Ancestral Magic is extinct from New Orleans.

### Connective Magic

Connective Magic is a form of sorcery that allows a witch to create a semi-permanent bond that draws strength from other supernatural beings, such as another witch. The witch, Dahlia, however, invented her own brand of this magic which allows the casting which to channel another witch's power while also augmenting said witch's power. She also used this magic to draw on the strength of an immortal being to achieve true immortality in conjunction with her Immortality Slumber Spell. However, neutralizing or killing said immortal being would similarly affect the witch. Unlike Sacrificial Magic, the target in which energy is drawn from is not hurt.

### Dark Magic

Dark Magic, also coined "Black Magic", is a powerful form of sorcery that draws on malevolent powers and may be used for negative purposes; e.g. to cause destruction or misfortune, to injure or kill, or for the profit of oneself rather than for the benefit of others. In popular usage, the term "Dark Magic" is often used to describe any form of sorcery that is used against the Balance of Nature.

### Expression

Expression is an extremely powerful form of sorcery that draws on dark energy that is so malicious, it would supposedly demolish the world if it were ever called into existence. The details and history of expression remain unknown, however, according to the witch, Nandi LaMarche, the forces of expression are considered so powerful that many witches discredit it as magic, for it expands beyond the limitations of both ancient and modern witchcraft.

### Kemiya

Kemiya is an Arabian form of magic that allows a witch to physically destroy the elemental foundations of an object to create another or to magically imbue said creation with harmful, supernatural properties, thus creating a dark object. Requiring two witches to perform, the potency of its spells are determined by the chemistry between the two practitioners. Kemiya is said to cross the boundary between magic and science, utilizing aspects of both. One such notable example is the creation of the Gold Dagger; i.e. turning silver to gold.

### Necromancy

Necromancy is a brand of sorcery as well as a magical practice that allows a witch to contact and communicate with, control and even reanimate the dead. While most witches who practice necromancy are known to channel dark magic, it is known that a witch can use any magic of their choosing to practice necromancy. With the destruction of the Other Side, Bonnie referred to Alaric's attempt at raising Josette's spirit as necromancy, as her spirit wasn't behind a Veil that they could lift and she'd magically appear. According to Vincent, Necromancy is but one of the many branches of witchcraft and is popularly practiced by many of the witches in New Orleans. One such coven banished their members that became obsessed with dark magic, necromancy, and immortality spells - they became known as the Kindred. According to Dorian, necromancy is everywhere in occult literature and it is a form of sorcery that dates back to ancient Greece.

### Sacrificial Magic

Sacrificial Magic can be a powerful form of sorcery, though it is highly dependent upon the ritualistic sacrifices of natural and supernatural beings. Similar to expression, this form of sorcery can draw upon the energy, in various forms, from any supernatural creature that is sacrificed. According to the witch Vincent Griffith, sacrificial magic is but one of the many branches of witchcraft that is popularly practiced by many of the witches in New Orleans.

### Spirit Magic

Spirit Magic was a very powerful form of sorcery that drew its power from the Spirits who resided on the Other Side. Unlike other forms of magic, except for ancestral magic, spirit magic could only be used how the Spirits saw fit and if a witch abused the power that is bestowed upon them, the Spirits would break the connection between themselves and the witch, preventing them from further harnessing their power. Since the collapse of the Other Side, spirit magic may have become extinct. However, it's been shown that witch spirits that have found peace in the afterlife retain their ability to perform magic, though it is currently unknown if living witches can call upon these spirits for additional aid.

### Traditional Magic

Traditional Magic is one of the oldest and purest forms of sorcery inherent to the Earth and the forces of Nature. Traditional magic is undoubtedly the most popular form of witchcraft known-to-man, however, it is also the most exhausting. This is mainly due to the fact whenever a witch uses this power they must exert their energy, which can cause them to experience symptoms of dizziness, fatigue, and minor nosebleeds. Bonnie Bennett explained the limits of this power to Jeremy Gilbert, saying that if she pushed too hard, it would push back.

### Traveler Magic

Traveler Magic is a form of sorcery that is strictly practiced by a subculture of witches known as the Travelers. This form of sorcery specializes in spirit possession and its spells are performed in a language different from all other forms of witchcraft. Traveler magic is highly dependent upon the magic of the Traveler along with their connection to other Travelers. Only by joining together, in large gatherings, are Travelers able to perform powerful feats of magic. Without access to the magic of other Travelers, their power is considerably weak.

## Known Magical Practices

### Blood Magic

Blood Magic is a magical practice that refers to the mystical properties found in non-human blood. Blood from different supernatural species possesses different uses, with those most notably from a doppelgänger. Blood from various species can be used by witches to interconnect them with their rituals and spells to draw on their unique properties. One such notable example was when Vincent attempted to use Lucien's blood, as an Upgraded Original vampire to cure the venom in his bite on Cami.

### Elemental Magic

Elemental Magic is a magical practice that involves the utilization of the four alchemical elements: Fire, Water, Earth, and Air. A witch with enough magical power can interconnect Elemental Magic within their rituals and spells to draw on their unique properties. Davina Claire once used a subsection of such, known as Earth Magic, in *Ashes to Ashes*, during her attempt to resurrect Kol Mikaelson - to turn ash to bone and earth to flesh. Witches typically utilize fire, in the form of candles or torches, to aid them in their spells. Other witches like Esther Mikaelson and Ariane have used water as conduits in spells related to divination.

### Hoodoo

Hoodoo is a magical practice that mixes occult elements of African, European, and Native American witchcraft along with some Christian mythology. Contrary to Voodoo, Hoodoo is not a religion, but rather an eclectic practice of witchcraft that is strongly based on herbal knowledge and can be used negatively or positively. According to Vincent, Hoodoo is but one of the many branches of witchcraft and is popularly practiced by many of the witches in New Orleans.

### Representational Magic

Representational Magic is a magical practice that uses representative objects to manipulate reality. Its origins remain unknown; however, it has existed at least as far back as 10th Century A.D. According to Vincent, representational magic is but one of the many branches of witchcraft and is popularly practiced by many of the witches in New Orleans. Usually, such spells use much more power than one realizes. It's also very delicate magic that requires considerable concentration by the witch who practices it. One such use of Representational Magic is for the creation of a Chambre de Chasse.

### Shamanism

Shamanism is a magical practice used by indigenous witches known as shamans. Shamanism is described as a way of life, focusing on connecting with Nature and creation where interaction with the spirit world through altered states of consciousness is used to achieve divination and healing. A tribe of shamans was known to create the Huntress, by sacrificing their lives to imbue her with great power to destroy vampires. This practice has slowly faded from the world and is rarely seen, though legends and lore have kept this all but gone.

### Voodoo

Voodoo is a very old magical practice, that is also a religion, used by some witches. Voodoo is described as a set of spiritual folkways that originated from the traditions of the African diaspora. It is a cultural form of the Afro-American religions which developed within the French, Spanish and Creole population of the state of Louisiana. According to Vincent, Voodoo is but one of the many branches of witchcraft and is popularly practiced by many of the witches in New Orleans. The practice of voodoo, however, extends as far north as Chicago, Illinois with the witch Gloria, as she was a self-proclaimed "old-school" voodoo practitioner.

## Spell Casting

One of the main components of witchcraft is the ability of witches to cast spells. Spell casting is a power of witches and witch-related species such as siphoners, witch-vampire Hybrids and, possibly, werewolf-witch Hybrids to work magic through the recitation of incantations. This allows users to magically alter reality to a wide number of effects or to evoke forces to change their surroundings. Though this is an ability possessed by all witches, it can also be achieved through thoughts, gestures, and rituals, although generally spoken.

Spells are capable of producing a wide variety of effects, both harmful and helpful. They can produce physical or chemical changes in a person or object. They can also have profound mental effects such as altering memory, manipulating emotions, or causing magical compulsion (such as forcing someone to speak truthfully).

Spells can manipulate other kinds of magic, such as binding (preventing the use of) a witch's powers, transferring powers between individuals or objects, breaking magical barriers, lifting or casting curses, protection from harm, and range from healing to resurrecting the dead. Some spells require more than one witch to make them work to increase the amount of magic and therefore potential power available for the spell.

The capabilities of spell casting are nearly limitless, though it depends on the type of magic being invoked, the proficiency of the witch, and the spell being cast. A great majority of spells contain a spoken component, notably known as an incantation. An incantation is written and recited as a verse that can vary widely in length from a single word to a short phrase, to a long verse repeated to completion. Some spells consist of only an incantation where others have additional and/or specific components as well. A spell may require the use of certain tools, ingredients (herbs, stones and minerals) or the use of additional power such as from talismans, celestial events or a specific kind of magic.

### Spells and Rituals

One of the defining characteristics of a witch is their ability to cast spells; a "spell" typically being the word used to signify the means employed to carry out a magical action. A spell could consist of ritual action, a set of words, a verse, or any combination of these. For reasons unknown, the majority of spells used by practitioners of traditional and spirit magic are spoken in an ancient language very similar to Latin, while the ancient witch Qetsiyah performed her spells in Aramaic (a language that originated from the Middle East). However, witches who practice other forms of magic have been known to use spells in different languages; for example, the French Quarter Coven, which practices ancestral magic, performs their spells in French or French Creole, while the Travelers typically perform their spells in Czech. Dahlia and Freya Mikaelson have performed spells using a yet to be identified ancient magic in Old Norse, similar to the modern-day Norwegian, Icelandic, Germanic, Danish, Scandinavian and Swedish languages.