The Power of the Witch

[CharmedSlayer85]

I'm wondering, something that the Buffyverse never really explained where exactly does a witches power come from? Like we know from Charmed that the power was given by the Elders and that you have to be born into a family of witches in order to be a witch, however that's not the case with Buffy as Willow was not born a witch, she stumbled into it out of sheer curiosity and is now arguably the most powerful woman in the world

 

[T.I.P]

I though its like theres mystical energy all around, and Witches just leasn how to channel it an use it. And anybody could do it if they wanted.
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I dont understand what you mean::huh1::

 

[Ripper 08]

i always thought that in the world of buffy anybody had the capability to learn how to be a witch and anybody could use magick if they new how to,but that some people where more natually gifted and more powerful in the works of witchcraft. i always thought it was these people who where classed as being true true witches.

they are the natrually gifted as people are natrually gifted in different areas in like like some people are natuaral at sports where as others have to work harder to be as good


hope that makes sence :S,it does to me any way

i look forward to your opinions

 

[ILLYRIAN]

The Elders? They couldn't organise a p_ _ _ up in a brewery, they couldn't have said who would be a witch or they would have known about Paige.
As it was they didn't have a clue.

In Charmed it stated quite early in episode one how all witches were wiccan or some blatantly hollywood-ised rubbish, so as not to upset the mainstream religions.

Just because one show makes it up how you get to be a witch, it doesn't follow that other shows have to follow the same load of rubbish. ( Blatant lies )

Where does the power of witchcraft come from?, it certainly doesn't come from family, cos according to the bible all life came from Adam and Eve, to say that they were witches, you might have a few problems there.
I'd say that witchcraft comes from people, as all the witches I know are people. I haven't met any animals who have told me they are witches, not ones I could understand anyway.

 

[Lindsey McDonald]

^Eh...k?

I think in the 'verse Witchcraft is a mixture of innate power and lots of practice. Tara was born a witch, we know that. Willow on the other hand, wasn't. Amy was. I think being born a witch gives you a certain initial advantage, but Willow showed that anyone can become a powerful witch. Similarly, Giles was able to reach a level of proficiency without having a magical lineage. So it would seem that Witchcraft is nothing but the manipulation of the energy already present in nature, but a child of a witch is born a little more in tune with it than a regular person.
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littlewilly agrees: how was Tara born a witch

Wasn't Tara's mother a witch too? Didn't she mention that in Family or something?

 

[T.I.P]

I only remember her family pretending she was born part demon, and that all the women in the family are part demon.
And altough Amy was born to a witch, id think she just had to learn like everyone else.
Id say its just about having good focus and concentration, i mean, Willow had Great Focus and concentration when it came to school, computers and demon research, so its probably no coincidence she was also a very good witch.

 

[white avenger]

Probably the witch's power is something like the Slayer's power. Anyone can learn a few spells, or even quite a few, like Giles and Ethan Rayne, but then there a few, like the Potentials, who have an innate quality that allows them to absorb and focus their magical abilities. Remember what Amy said in Season 6? "We have to work twice as hard to be half as good." That's Willow. The witchs' equivalent of the Slayer.

 

[Kemy]

Tara's mother was a Witch, as was Amy's, both of them became Witches themsevles.

Willow's father was always absent from the show, a few lines about his faith make it sound like he is quite devout, maybe overcompensating for something, and her mother is quite good at the denial thing. Either of them might be and repressing it.

Rack well, I wouldn't be surprised if that bad attitude came from some mummy issues, a Witch who didn't like how he was using his power?

 

[Lindsey McDonald]

Probably the witch's power is something like the Slayer's power. Anyone can learn a few spells, or even quite a few, like Giles and Ethan Rayne, but then there a few, like the Potentials, who have an innate quality that allows them to absorb and focus their magical abilities. Remember what Amy said in Season 6? "We have to work twice as hard to be half as good." That's Willow. The witchs' equivalent of the Slayer.

STOP SAYING WHAT I MEAN BUT COHERENTLY WITH EXAMPLES!!!! You make me look like a rambling fool!!!!

 

[white avenger]

Something else to consider is that Willow's power seemed to increase drastically beginning in Season 4, specifically after the events in "Hush," when she and Tara joined hands, creating enough energy to move the soft drink machine when the Gentlemen were after them. That connection could have been a catalyst that released the innate power in both girls, initiating a reaction that would result in both girls' powers increasing to a much higher level. By the end of Season 7, Willow had reached a level of proficiency that surpassed the combined power of all three Shadowmen, creating literally thousands of Slayers where they were only able to create one.

Which brings to mind another instance of two tremendously powerful beings joining hand. Until the famous "hands bursting into non-consuming flames" scene between Buffy and Spike in the hellmouth. Did it have a similar reaction? Well, Spike beat Angel in a stand up fight for the first time after that. Whadda you think? (But that's a discussion for a different thread)