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The Italians call them Strega. The Yoruba of West Africa call them Iya, meaning mother. Where my mother was from, they called them Häxa. And here, we call them witch. Over the centuries vampires have fought them and fought beside them, bedded them and burned them. Whether adversary or ally they have been a force to be reckoned with.
Elijah on the Witches

A witch is a man or woman with the power to affect change by magical means (Witchcraft).

The Balance of Nature

The Balance of Nature is a spiritual belief system based around the observance of the Earth and reverence of Mother Nature. The goal of many witches is to honor the design of nature and to maintain balance within the natural world. The balance of nature is intimately tied to one's spiritual relationship with the Earth, and the idea that all living things (e.g. animals, humans, plants, etc.) are considered sacred, as they are all different aspects of nature. Contemporary witches would also agree that using modern ceremonies, rituals and shamanic practices is the best way to attune themselves with the natural rhythms of the universe in their efforts to obtain guidance and knowledge from wiser known witches called "The Spirits". However, according to Gloria, who referred to herself as "old-school voodoo", it is implied that not all witches follow this belief system, and have the freewill to choose how they wish to practice their power.

History

The origin of witchcraft remains unknown, however it is known that witches have existed for many centuries passing down their knowledge and skills through generations of family lines. Contrary to popular belief, witches do not receive their powers from demons, nor do they worship the devil. Instead, witches consider themselves "The Servants of Nature", as they make it their duty to maintain balance within the world.

Magic

Magic is a practice of witchcraft that encompasses many different types of activities including astrology, divination, spell casting, and spirit communication. It includes the practices of many cultures, nations and religions as well as many books and writings from 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 from countries and cultures all around the world. 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; in the case of Esther and Qetsiyah, it has been proven that some witches are independent thinkers who may go against the Balance of Nature by practicing their powers for dark and sinister deeds.

  • For a complete list of different types of Magic, see Witchcraft.

Magic Powers

Basic Powers

The basic powers of every witch include:

  • Channeling: The act of invoking extra forms of energy by focusing on external forces.
  • Spell Casting: The act of changing and controlling events through the use of incantations and more.
  • Witches Brew: The act of brewing and concocting magical potions that have supernatural properties.

Other Powers

With practice and training, witches can develop other powers that include:

  • Divination: The act of divining future, past, and present events based off extrasensory perception.
    • Clairvoyance: The practice of divination through the perception of emotions, objects, people, or physical phenomena.
    • Empathy: The power to identify the emotional feelings of another person.
    • Intuition: The practice of divination through the use of instinctive knowledge.
    • Mediumship: The practice of communicating with the spirits of the dead.
    • Premonitions: The practice of divination through the observation and study of dreams.
    • Psychometry: The practice of divination through contact with or proximity to a certain object or person.


Spells and Rituals

Tools

  • Amulets: An object that is used to protect its wearer from harm.
  • Athames: A ceremonial dagger with a double-edged blade that is commonly used to direct energy.
  • Candles: A block of solid wax with an embedded wick that is commonly lit to to amplify a witch’s spell.
  • Cauldrons: A large metal pot that is commonly used to hold the ingredients for elixirs and potions.
  • Grimoire: A family journal is documented with magical recipes, rituals, and spells.
  • Talisman: An object that is used to magnify a witch's power.

Weaknesses

  • Disbelief: The act of denying or disbelieving in ones magical potential could cause a witch to inadvertently suppress their paranormal power.
  • Fear: A distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the condition or feeling of being afraid could cause a witch to involuntarily block their own powers for a short time.
  • Mortality: Based off the fact that witches are still human, they share many of the same weaknesses as non-supernatural beings (e.g. age, decapitation, disease, heart-failure, suffocation, etc.)
  • Overexertion: The excessive use of magic could lead to disorientation, nose bleeds, unconsciousness, and if taken to the extreme, death.

Relationships

Earth

"Witches have a connection to the Earth. We can literally feel nature."
— Bonnie Bennett

The relationship between the Earth and the witches is a very deep and spiritual connection. While the majority of witches seem to respect the Earth with just as much commitment and reverence as religious factions do about their churches or mosques, it has been proven that not all witches share this belief and have made malevolent acts against the Balance of Nature.

Humans

The relationship between humans and witches is generally a positive relationship, although this was not always the case. Throughout the past, over half of the human population lived in fear of the supernatural community. This fear caused many of the human parents to teach their children to hate and persecute all creatures who were different from them, especially witches. This eventually lead to some of the world's most infamous witch trails that massacred hundreds (possibly thousands) of witches. While it has been implied that more than half of those who were accused were entirely innocent, according to Elijah Mikaelson, many of those who were killed in Mystic Falls were true witches. Throughout the centuries, it appears that the belief in occult has dramatically declined to the point where Sheila Bennett suggested that many humans like to poke fun at witchcraft.

Spirits

"Witches talk, even on the Other Side. Who do you think makes all the rules?"
— Sheila Bennett

The relationship between the Spirits and the witches was more of a political relationship than a spiritual one. The Spirits were highly involved in the activities of witches and often communed with them during their rituals and spells. The Spirits were known to have created the laws on witchcraft and distributed punishments to any witch who disobeyed their rules. Since the collapse of the Other Side, all relationships between the Spirits and the witches have become extinct.

Travelers

"They're more like the ugly stepsister."
— Liv Parker

The relationship between the Travelers and the witches is an entirely negative relationship that dates back over two thousand years. During the Archaic period in Greece, the witches of the Greek community originally lived in blissful harmony with one another until a powerful witch named Qetsiyah created an immortality spell. This controversial act caused the witches to divide into two groups: conventional and unconventional. The conventional witches saw the immorality spell as a violation of the natural law that all living creatures must die. These witches sought to border the limitations of magic by creating religious commandments that every witch should adhere. However, a subgroup of witches who held unconventional beliefs about magic saw the immorality spell as a revelation of divine potential and flouted the testaments of their peers. These differences of opinion created a rift between the witches that has lasted for more than two millennia.

Vampires

"Witches being pulled down by vampire problems...as much as we tried to do to stay out of it."
— Sheila Bennett

The relationship between the vampires and the witches is a complicated relation that is more often negative than positive. This is mainly due to the idea that since vampires were created from dark magic and flout the natural design that all living creatures must die.

Werewolves

The relationship between werewolves and witches is a neutral to negative relationship. Werewolves and witches have been shown to be at odds more than allies. Apparently the two species did once have a strong relationship with one another, however this was ruined with the inception of the vampires.

Witches

"Well the way he sees it all witches are family. We're all bonded together by a code of loyalty to help each other."
— Luka Martin

The relationship between witches and the witchcraft community is generally a positive relationship where the witches not only help and protect each other, but often treat one another as members of an extended family. However, while the majority of witches feel it is there duty to help their fellow man, it has been proven that some witches may disregard this belief and turn against their own people. 

Known Witches

Witch Description Status
Qetsiyah-S5
Qetsiyah
Qetsiyah was one of the most powerful witches of all time who is most notably known for the creation of the Immortality Spell, as well as the Cure to immortality, the Anchor and the Other Side. Deceased
Silas-S5
Silas
Silas was a very powerful witch who was notable for becoming the very first Immortal. Deceased
TO-S4-The Hollow
The Hollow
The Hollow is a powerful, Native American witch that was bestowed power from her tribal elders, which made her crave more power in life. Upon her death at the hands of her tribesmen, she created the Werewolf Curse. In death, she grew even more powerful and, according to Vincent, is one of the most powerful witches in history. She utilized Elijah's death to resurrect herself. After her second death, her spirit has been neutralized and contained within Klaus. Along with Elijah, they sacrificed themselves to end the Hollow. Deceased
Markos-S5
Markos
Markos was an ancient witch and also the leader of the Traveler subculture. Deceased
TO-S2-Dahlia
Dahlia
Dahlia is the elder sister of Esther Mikaelson and was also one of the most powerful witches in history. Deceased
Ayana-S8
Ayana
Ayana was a powerful Bennett witch and the mentor of Esther Mikaelson. Deceased
TO-S2-Esther
Esther Mikaelson
Esther Mikaelson was one of the most powerful witches in history who is notable for the creation the Original family of vampires. Deceased
Legacies-S4-Freya
Freya Mikaelson
Freya Mikaelson is the firstborn child of the Mikaelson family and was an extremely powerful witch due to the connective magic that bound her to Dahlia. Though the link has been broken and has been weakened, she continues to remain a powerful witch. Alive
Witch of the Five-S8
The Witch of The Five
The Witch of the Five was a Bennett witch who was notably known for the creation of the Brotherhood of the Five. Deceased
Legacies-S4-Cleo
Cleo Sowande
Cleo Sowande is a witch with a special power of inspiration. She was born a muse, the seventh daughter of a seventh daughter, like her grandmother. She was taken by Malivore in 1464 but eventually escaped. She sealed herself away for centuries in an artifact until it could be opened by the one capable of killing Malivore. She attented the Salvatore Boarding School until she was consumed by Malivore. Alive
Katherine-S8
Katerina Petrova
Katerina Petrova was a witch before transitioning into a vampire. After she ingested the cure centuries later, she was once again a witch and, to temporarily avoid death, performed the passenger spell on Elena. Her father was a former member of the Traveler subculture. Deceased
TO-S1-Celeste
Celeste Dubois
Celeste Dubois was a very powerful dark witch of the French Quarter who was notable for the possession of multiple bodies over the course of a hundred years. Deceased
Beatrice
Beatrice Bennett
Beatrice Bennett was a very powerful ancestor of the Bennett family who lived during the 18th century. She, along with her mother and coven, are notable for imbuing the Maxwell Bell with magic to drive out the sirens as well as protecting the town from Hellfire. Deceased
Emily-S5
Emily Bennett
Emily Bennett was a very powerful ancestor of the Bennett family who lived during the 19th century. She is known for trapping the Tomb vampires underneath Fell's Church, as well as creating enchanted objects, such as the Gilbert Ring. Deceased
TO-S2-Mary-Alice
Mary-Alice Claire
Mary-Alice Claire was a French Quarter witch and the ancestor of Davina Claire. She is known for the creation of many Dark Objects, alongside Astrid, under Kol Mikaelson's tutelage using Arabian witchcraft, known as Kemiya. Deceased
TO-S2-Astrid
Astrid Malchance
Astrid Malchance was a French Quarter witch. She is known for the creation of many Dark Objects, alongside Mary-Alice, under Kol Mikaelson's tutelage using Arabian witchcraft, known as Kemiya. Deceased
TO-S1-Papa Tunde
Papa Tunde
Papa Tunde was a very powerful dark witch who specialized in Sacrificial Magic. Using this form of magic, he successfully desiccated and channeled the Original vampire, Rebekah. He's also known for the creation of the "Tunde Blade". Deceased
TO-S1-Genevieve
Genevieve
Genevieve was an very powerful dark witch of the French Quarter. She was skilled in herbalism as well as having an adept mind for spellcraft, such as when she combined various spells from Esther's Grimoire to create the enhanced Moonlight Rings. Deceased
TVD-S3-Gloria
Gloria
Gloria was a powerful witch who was able to slow down the aging process, living for over a hundred years. Deceased
TO-S2-Josephine
Josephine LaRue
Josephine LaRue was a very powerful witch, patron of the Dowager Fauline Cottage, and former Regent of the New Orleans covens. Her Safe-house Spell upon St. James Infirmary was powerful enough to even warrant Dahlia's wary. Deceased
TO-S1-Bastianna
Bastianna Natale
Bastianna was an Elder and a powerful dark witch of the French Quarter. She advocated the Harvest and Reaping until her untimely death. Deceased
TO-S1-Agnes
Agnes
Agnes was a powerful Elder witch of the French Quarter. She is known for the hex she cast upon Sean O'Connell that lead to the massacre of his fellow seminary students. Deceased
Grams-S8
Sheila Bennett
Sheila Bennett was the grandmother of Bonnie Bennett and a very powerful witch. She is known for mentoring her granddaughter in magic and guiding her whenever the veil to the Other Side was down. In Bonnie's greatest need, she along with the other Bennett witches returned from peace to aid her in saving Mystic Falls. Deceased
TO306-Moroccan Witch
Moroccan Witch
The Unnamed Santeria witch of Morocco is a powerful practitioner who is known for taking down the Original Vampire, Rebekah. She is the creator of a powerful and dark resurrection spell, that Kol was weary of, as well as, presumably, the Cursed Stakes. Alive
Joshua-S6
Joshua Parker
Joshua Parker was a powerful witch and former Leader of the Gemini Coven. He was notable for the incarceration of his son Malachai Parker via the Prison World Banishment Spell. Deceased
TVD-S2-Jonas
Jonas Martin
Dr. Jonas Martin was a powerful witch and also the father of Greta and Luka. Throughout his life, he collected a vast array of grimoires. Despite his knowledge and skill, he could not resurrect he deceased son. Deceased
Legacies-S1-Josette
Josette Parker
Josette "Jo" Laughlin is the firstborn daughter of Joshua Parker and twin sister of Malachai "Kai" Parker. She decided to relinquish her magic in her youth when Kai slaughtered her siblings. She would later regain her magic only to give it to Kai after the improper Merge Ritual. Deceased
TO-S3-Kara
Kara Nguyen
Kara Nguyen was an Elder and very powerful witch of the Ninth Ward Coven. She was also a Versailles witch and the mother of Van Nguyen. Deceased
Lucy-S8
Lucy Bennett
Lucy Bennett is a witch of the Bennett family and cousin to Bonnie. She was known for sealing the Armory's vault prior to her death. Deceased
Jane-Anne profile
Jane-Anne Deveraux
Jane-Anne Deveraux was the mother of Monique Deveraux, sister of Sophie Deveraux and also a powerful witch of the French Quarter. Deceased
TO-S5-Vincent
Vincent Griffith
Vincent Griffith is a very powerful witch of the Tremé Coven who was under the possession of Finn Mikaelson. He was the Regent of the New Orleans Witch Community, until his impeaching by The Ancestors. With the Ancestors gone, he continued to lead the Witch Community and built peace among the vampires. Vincent was partially responsible for the re-connection of the Ancestral Plane with the completion of the new Harvest and Reaping Rituals. Alive
TO-S2-Eva
Eva Sinclair
Eva Sinclair was a very dark and powerful witch who had been possessed by Rebekah Mikaelson. She excelled at sacrificial magic as she attempted to complete the Rite of Nines in an attempt to gain more power than that of the New Orleans Regent. Deceased
TO-S5-Ivy
Ivy
Ivy was a witch and the "Oracle of Jackson Square." According to Vincent, she was known to be the greatest seer in the city of New Orleans. Despite this power, she claimed that she didn't believe in looking further than one ought to into the future and that endings are not predetermined. Deceased
Sabine Fruit
Sabine Laurent
Sabine Laurent was the last witch who Celeste Dubois took possession of throughout the past. Deceased
TO-S1-Sophie
Sophie Deveraux
Sophie Deveraux was the maternal aunt of Monique Deveraux, sister of Jean-Anne Deveraux and was briefly an Elder witch of the French Quarter Coven. Deceased
TO-S3-Alexis
Alexis
Alexis was a witch and cypher who prophesied the destruction of the Mikaelsons and the coming of "The Beast". Deceased
TO-S4-Dominic
Dominic
Dominic was a powerful witch as well as the High Priest of the Hollow. Due to his loyalties to the Hollow, he circumvented death twice before being slain for a third and final time. Deceased
Maddox-S2
Maddox
Maddox was a witch and a member of Klaus' inner trusted circle. Deceased
TO-S3-Van
Van Nguyen
Van Nguyen was a Versailles witch and a member of the Ninth Ward Coven. He was also the son of Kara Nguyen. After Vincent was shunned by the Ancestors, he was given Regency over the Nine Covens, and considered a very powerful witch until his untimely demise. Deceased
Legacies-S2-Emma
Emma Tig
Emma Tig is a witch, teacher, and guidance counselor at the Salvatore Boarding School for the Young & Gifted. She mainly watches over the lower grade level students and acts as the Younger Student Representative on the Honor Council. She protected the younger students and Lizzie Saltzman from the gargoyle, Petrotho, with an illusion spell. Alive
8x16-Bonnie
Bonnie Bennett
Bonnie Bennett is a very powerful witch and the last living witch of the Bennett bloodline. She is most notably known for repeatedly saving the town of Mystic Falls and the people living there with the use of her magic. Alive
Liv 6x21
Olivia Parker
Olivia "Liv" Parker was a powerful witch and also a member of the Gemini coven. Deceased
Luke-S6
Lucas Parker
Lucas "Luke" Parker was a powerful witch and also a member of the Gemini coven. Deceased
TO-S2-Kaleb
Kaleb Westphall
Kaleb Westphall was a French Quarter witch who was possessed by Kol Mikaelson and was killed while still being possessed by him. Deceased
TVD-S2-Luka
Luka Martin
Luka Martin was a witch and also former friend of Bonnie Bennett. Deceased
TVD-S2-Greta
Greta Martin
Greta Martin was a witch and a member of Klaus' inner circle. She is the daughter of Jonas Martin and sister to Luka Martin. She is known for breaking the Hybrid Curse. Deceased
TO-S3-Madison
Madison
Madison was a powerful dark witch and a former member of The Sisters. Deceased
TO-S3-Ariane
Ariane
Ariane was a powerful dark witch and untrained Seer to her coven, The Sisters. Deceased
TO-S5-Davina
Davina Claire
Davina Claire is a very powerful, former Harvest witch, former Regent of the New Orleans covens prior to being shunned, as well as a former member of the Sisters Coven. She has since left New Orleans and her ancestral coven behind. Alive
TO-S1-Monique
Monique Deveraux
Monique Deveraux was the daughter of Jane-Anne Deveraux, maternal niece of Sophie Deveraux and also a powerful Harvest witch. Deceased
TO-S1-Abigail
Abigail
Abigail was a powerful Harvest witch. Deceased
TO-S2-Cassie
Cassie
Cassie was a powerful Harvest witch who was under the possession of Esther Mikaelson. Once freed, she became apart of the Kindred before being killed by Freya. Deceased
TO-S4-Amy
Amy
Amy is one of the 2019 Harvest witches who was chosen in order to perform the Harvest Ritual and reestablish the Ancestral Plane. With Jessica and the other two Harvest girls, they've successfully sent Klaus and Hayley to the Ancestral Plane to speak with Davina. Alive
TO-S4-Jessica
Jessica
Jessica is one of the 2019 Harvest witches who was chosen in order to perform the Harvest Ritual and reestablish the Ancestral Plane. With Amy and the other two Harvest girls, they've successfully sent Klaus and Hayley to the Ancestral Plane to speak with Davina. Alive
Legacies-S4-Josie
Josie Saltzman
Josie Saltzman is the twin daughter of Alaric Saltzman and Josette Laughlin. She is also a Siphoner, a sub-classification of unique witches. Alive
Legacies-S1-Penelope Park
Penelope Park
Penelope Park is a witch and former student at the Salvatore Boarding School for the Young & Gifted. She left with her mother, who got a job in Belgium, and plans to attend a witch-only school. Alive
Legacies-S3-Alyssa
Alyssa Chang
Alyssa Chang is a witch and student at the Salvatore Boarding School. After she accidentally blew up her childhood home that left her orphaned, she essentially grew up at the Salvatore school. There, she has had a complicated history, particularly with Lizzie and Josie. Years later, this ultimately leads her to send them and Alaric to the 2018 prison world when an opportunity arises for her to take advantage of. Despite these troubles, she remains at the school. Alive

Former Witch Description Status
Finn
Finn Mikaelson
Finn Mikaelson was a witch while possessing Vincent Griffith. While being a spirit imprisoned within his sister's necklace, he still possesses the ability to use magic. Deceased
Legacies-S4-Kol
Kol Mikaelson
Kol Mikaelson was a witch before his transition into an Original vampire, as well as when he was possessing Kaleb Westphall. Undead
Legacies-S4-Rebekah
Rebekah Mikaelson
Rebekah Mikaelson was a witch while possessing Eva Sinclair. Though she had the witch gene, she never tapped into her power. Undead
Abby-S8
Abby Bennett Wilson
Abby Bennett was a powerful witch who is notably known for the desiccation of the Original vampire, Mikael before being turned into a vampire by Damon. Undead
TO-S2-LenoreLenore Lenore was a New Orleans witch who was skilled in sacrificial magic until she was possessed by Esther. She was later turned into a vampire by Rebekah and eventually, killed by Freya. Deceased


Trivia

  • According to Abby Bennett Wilson, all magic is monitored by nature and has consequential effects. She explained this to her daughter, Bonnie Bennett, when she informed her of how she always dreamt of a normal life and how after she defeated an Original vampire named Mikael, she made the decision to abandon her family in order to live the life she so desperately desired outside of Mystic Falls. As punishment for deserting her lineage, Abby said that it was nature (not the Spirits) that slowly took away her magic until she was completely powerless. Its revealed the spirits are actually the ones in control of taking away magic.
  • According to Bonnie Bennett, almost all witches have a spiritual connection to the elements of the Earth and the forces of nature. Since most witches derive their magic from nature, Bonnie explained how witches can literally feel the essence of life itself.
  • According to Emily Bennett, vampirism was an evil curse created from dark magic. She explained how some humans (such as Stefan Salvatore) were unfit to become vampires due to their gentle nature. Since vampirism is known to enhance the characteristics and magnify the emotions of a person, humans who are naturally benevolent will become even more benevolent as a vampire. However, since the basic nature of a vampire is to kill, many kindhearted vampires struggle to fight their urges to murder and more often than not, fall off the wagon by cutting off their humanity and going on a killing spree. These vampires become known as "rippers".
  • According to Esther Mikaelson, the creation of the Original vampires was an accident as she never intended to turn her family into monsters, but merely to protect them from harm. After the death of her youngest son, Henrik, Esther and her husband, Mikael, feared the power of the werewolves and wanted to exceed them in superiority. With the support of her husband, Esther created a spell that would not only grant her family immortality, but would also make them faster and stronger than the wolves. Despite the countless warnings given by her mentor, Ayana, Esther used dark magic to successfully enact the spell.
  • According to Sheila Bennett, the Spirits are responsible for creating the laws on magic. Contrary to her granddaughter, Bonnie Bennett, Sheila has presumably always practiced spirit magic whereas Bonnie originally practiced traditional magic. Sheila hinted that she practiced spirit magic when she first met Damon Salvatore, whom she immediately disliked. When Damon asked how Sheila could hate him without even knowing him, Sheila informed Damon how the Spirits "talked" to her, and told her that he was an enemy of the Bennett family and discouraged her from trusting him. One year after her death, when Bonnie performed a manifestation spell which allowed the supernatural spirits of Mystic Falls to materialize, Sheila confirmed that the Spirits were responsible for creating the rules on witchcraft.
  • Hope Mikaelson
    • Hope is a hybrid Werewolf/Vampire/Witch
    • Hope is an active witch because her blood is vampiric, but she is not a vampire.
    • It is unknown if activating her werewolf gene will negate her witch abilities. 
  • The Bennett Family was said to have migrated to Mystic Falls from Salem, Massachusetts after the witch trials of 1692, however, it was revealed in a later season that an ancestor of the Bennett Family, Ayana, migrated to the place that would be Mystic Falls from Europe with the Mikaelson Family. It can be speculated that Ayana's descendants may have traveled south to the Caribbean or possibly back to Europe before Salem was settled some six hundred years later.
  • While the term "warlock" was originally used to differentiate the male witches from the female witches, it appears that "witch" is a gender-neutral term that applies to men and women. Luka Martin and Papa Tunde are the only characters that have been referred to as warlocks.
  • According to Kol he was the only one out of his siblings who used witchcraft before becoming vampires. Klaus later goes onto say that he planned to compel Rebekah after she took the cure. This is heavily implying that if a witch never activates their power, they stay human.

References

Gallery

Tools

See also

  • List of Witches - a complete list of all witches who have appeared in the series.
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