Witches

Overview

As long as there has been magic, there have been witches. Any of even the earliest groups of humanoid life would have its wise woman or its shaman, etc. who would call upon the great powers for the aid of her/his people. Bear-Walkers, Druids, Theurgists, they went by many names but they were in essence practicing the same craft. People who had found the right words, numbers, symbols, objects, rites and/or rituals to tap into the Source. They may call the power behind their spells by many names but it all comes from the same place. Witches are the bridge between humanity and the source of all magick. To be a witch is to bear a great responsibility, those who enter into the craft for cheap power or their own glory often find themselves either getting nowhere or going down darker paths (see Warlocks). To be a witch is to be a force of balance and community, it's about service and wisdom not ambition.

Abilities

Elements. All witches attune to a particular element, which influences every aspect of their magic: their specialities, range of spells, etc. The main four have various attributes, sacred colors, scents and even foods that bring one closer to their element but the fifth more elusive element 'aether' has none of these as it doesn't "exist" in any physical way.

Most covens have at least one witch of each element, with witches of aether being the exception as they are so rare many covens exist without them altogether.

The elements (and a few of their symbols) are as follows:

Air - Intelligence - Sword/Athame - Birds - East

Earth - Physical - Coin/Pentacle - Mammals - North

Fire - Wilpower - Wand/Staff - Reptiles - South

Water - Emotion - Cup/Cauldron - Fish - West

Aether - Inapplicable

Air. Witches of Air are the brains. They are creative and witty. They restore antiques and run libraries. They are historians, teachers, executives, philosophers, chessmasters and artists. They make plans and machinations. They study magic even after they've already mastered it. Always looking for more knowledge.

Some forms of magick particularly aligned with this branch are: Telepathy, Illusion, Arithmancy, Astrology

Gods associated with Air: Thoth, Athena/Minerva, Hermes/Mercury, Nut, Arianrhod, Mimir, Shango, Quetzalcoatl, Clio, Urania

Earth. Witches of Earth are the realists. They are pragmatic and solid. They are protectors and guardians. They can be lawyers, manage the financials of their coven, own property, homemakers, teachers, etc. They make an ideal parental figure. They are the backbone, they keep everyone together and raise them up.

Some forms of magick particularly aligned to this branch are: Vitality, Spells related to career and money, Fertility, Grounding, Protection, Barriers,

Gods associated with Earth: Gaia/Terra, Geb, Hades/Pluto, Persephone/Kore, Demeter/Ceres, Eostre, Cernunnos, Pan, Cybele, Rhea, Baron Samedi

Fire. Witches of Fire are the adventurers. They are willful and wild. They go on the aggressive rather than the defense. They are passionate and impetuous. They are warriors, leaders, emergency response, showmen, sex workers, athletes, perfomers, etc. Extroverted people who put it all on the line.

Some forms of magick particularly aligned to this branch are: Destructive force, energy manipulation, Purification, Cleansing, Transformation, Tantric Magic

Gods associated with Fire: Hestia/Vesta, Set, Prometheus, Brigid, Hephaestus/Vulcan, Lugh, Sekhmet, Ra, Helios, Apollo, Erato

Water. Witches of Water are the counselors. They are empathetic and warm. They are advisors, healers, doctors, therapists, nurses, aides, nannies, etc. They deal in emotion and their connections with others are primary to them. They epitomize the friendship that makes up a large part of the witch community.

Some forms of magick particularly aligned to this branch are: Healing, Scrying, Potions, Purification, Love spells, Emotional work

Gods associated with Water: Aphrodite/Venus, Poseidon/Neptune, Amphitrite, Sebek, Manannan mac Lir, Calypso, Thetis, Nimue, Selene

Aether. Witches of the aether are mysteries. They are by far the least common type of witch and not much about them is known. They keep the ancient secrets passed down from coven to coven and serve as a living record of magic and its studies. It is not uncommon for an aether witch to have formerly been aligned with another element and only have come to find aether later in life as their years in the craft build up.

Some forms of magick particularly aligned to this branch are: Concealment, Meditation, Astral projection, Blocking, Longevity

There are no particular gods associated with Aether as Aether witches commune with the source directly.

Strengths

They develop an innate connection to the Source, "Enhanced empathy" to all living things, psychic connection among coven mates, this connection allows coven members to call from help from the others across great distance and to perform "group" spells that are greater in power than from an individual.

Witches in general also enjoy a place of neutrality in the supernatural world. Considered to be "allies" to most if not all other denizens (save those who are solely malicious towards all parties such as demons or wendigos). No matter what rivalries or vendettas are afoot witches and there places of power are a safe haven.

Weaknesses

"Enhanced empathy" can work against them as much as it can for them, leaving them open to harm as they open themselves up to all around them. They are not known for being physically adept like other denizens and while they are often long lived they are not immortal (on their own at least, human witches can be "turned" like anyone).

Non-humans can become witches but it's harder for them as their connection to the Source is "biased". Even if they do become practicing witches their magical powers will be lesser.

Covens

• Le Cercle De L’Eclipse: An older coven representing the old ways and the more classic idea of what a wiccan coven is meant to be. High Priestess: Annika Norwood

• The Ceridwen Collective: A newer coven, more "new age" and politically active representing the modern standard of collegiate-style covens. Lead Counselor: Ezra Yeardly