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Archetype:Witch

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The archetype for the characters that possess or have traits of a witch. Combination of Magician and Mystic.

Also Called[]

  • Witch Physiology

Properties[]

User either is or can transform into a witch, a figure deeply rooted in mythology, folklore, and modern storytelling. Traditionally associated with women, witches are seen as individuals who wield profound magical power, often embodying mystery, wisdom, and a deep connection to the supernatural. While popular depictions frequently tie witches to stereotypical images—black cloaks, pointed hats, broomsticks, and cauldrons—these representations only scratch the surface of what witches truly represent.

Witches have long been depicted with a wide range of appearances, reflecting the duality of their archetype. Traditional folklore often portrays them as old, hag-like figures with warts, crooked noses, and sometimes even green skin, emphasizing their connection to the eerie and supernatural. However, this is far from the full picture. In many tales, witches can be as beautiful and alluring as fairies, using their charm and elegance to captivate those around them. Their appearance is often symbolic, mirroring the magic they wield: dark and foreboding for those who channel destructive forces, or radiant and ethereal for those in harmony with nature and light. This diversity highlights the witch as an archetype of transformation, embodying both the feared and the admired.

Witches are known for their mastery of magic, which manifests in diverse and extraordinary ways. Their abilities often include commanding the elements, crafting potions and elixirs, and performing spells to heal, harm, or influence the world around them. Many witches are skilled in divination, peering into the future or unraveling hidden truths through tools like tarot cards or scrying mirrors. Others explore darker paths, delving into curses, hexes, or even necromancy. Beyond their magical practices, witches often possess an intrinsic bond with nature, drawing power from the natural world and harmonizing with its cycles and forces.

While some witches practice what is labeled as dark magic—dealing with curses, hexes, or forbidden arts—this does not inherently make them evil. Dark magic, like all forms of power, is a tool, and its morality is shaped by the intent behind its use. However, the risks of practicing dark magic are significant, as it often demands a high personal cost and carries the temptation of corruption. The pursuit of forbidden knowledge or destructive spells can warp a witch’s spirit, leading to obsession or a descent into malevolence. Yet, those with strong willpower and noble intentions can wield such power responsibly, using it to protect themselves or others in dire circumstances. This duality underscores the complexity of the witch archetype, defying simplistic notions of good and evil.

Throughout history, witches have been both revered and feared. In some cultures, they are seen as healers, wise women, or protectors of their communities. In others, they are cast as outcasts or villains, persecuted for their perceived connections to dark forces. The infamous witch trials, like those in Salem, are stark reminders of how society’s fear and misunderstanding have led to the oppression of those who challenge norms or wield knowledge beyond the ordinary.

Witches sometimes form covens—groups bound by shared purpose and ritual. These gatherings reflect the shared pursuit of knowledge and power, though many witches prefer solitary paths, drawing power from their personal experiences, natural surroundings, or individual studies of the arcane.

The archetype of the witch transcends cultural boundaries, appearing in various forms around the world. In Slavic folklore, figures like Baba Yaga embody the dual nature of wisdom and danger, while in African traditions, spiritual healers often blur the lines between magic and medicine. Japanese myths feature yamanba, mountain witches tied to the wilderness, and Celtic traditions evoke the magic of druids and their deep reverence for nature. These diverse interpretations highlight the universality of the witch as a symbol of transformation, mystery, and power.

Though historically associated with women, modern interpretations of the witch have evolved to include all genders. While some traditions use terms like "warlock" for male practitioners, many contemporary witches prefer a gender-neutral understanding of the term, emphasizing the practices over the labels.

Associated Powers[]

Relationships[]

  • Baba Yaga
  • Beldam: Demonic counterparts of witches; perfect example of an actual wicked witch.
  • Enchantress: Are seen as the original witches in some myths.
  • Evil Sorcerer: Are often seen as evil users of magic.
  • Hag: Some witches are hags, in the form of wizarding old women. Not to be confused with beldams.
  • Magical Girl: Similar in nature to witches, but magical girls are typically good like good witches. Magical girls can be seen as a more modern interpretation of witches.
  • Wizard: Male counterpart.

Flaws/Weaknesses[]

  • It is thought that the user is going to corrupted oneself due to the nature of witchcraft, specifically when using the dark arts.
  • Users are vulnerable to witch hunters.
  • The user may be discriminated against or ostracized.

Example Characters[]

See Also: Witch Works.

Anime/Manga/Aeni/Manhua/Light Novels[]

  • The Immortal Witch/Witch (Brainless Witch)
  • Witches (BURN THE WITCH)
    • Ninny Spangcole
    • Noel Niihashi
  • Witchmon (Digimon)
  • Witch Fox Rumeta (Disaster Fox Kuzure-chan)
  • Witch (The Haunted House/Shinbi Apartment)
  • Le Fay Pendragon (Highschool DxD)
  • Witch of the Waste (Howl's Moving Castle)
  • Cinderella (The Hunters Guild: Red Hood)
  • Kiki (Kiki's Delivery Service)
  • Witches (Madan No Ichi/Ichi the Witch)
  • Witches (Monster Stein)
    • Vic
  • Nina (Nina-san no Mahou Seikatsu)
  • Witches of Sin (Re: Zero)
    • Carmilla
    • Daphne
    • Echidna
    • Minerva
    • Pandora
    • Satella
    • Sekhmet
    • Typhon
  • Witches (Release That Witch)
  • Ruby Tōjō (Rosario + Vampire)
  • Yukari Sendou (Rosario + Vampire)
  • Witches (Soul Eater)
    • Arachne Gorgon
    • Crona
    • Eruka Frog
    • Medusa Gorgon
    • Shaula Gorgon
  • Witches (Toaru Majutsu no Index/A Certain Magical Index)
  • Witches (Witch Watch)
    • Nico Wakatsuki
    • Nemu Miyao

Cartoons/Comics[]

  • Glitch Witches (Battle Kitty)
  • June Moon/Enchantress (DC Comics)
  • Dagmar (Disenchantment)
  • Tiabeanie Mariabeanie de la Rochambeaux “Bean” Grunkwitz (Disenchantment)
  • Helen (Kiff)
  • Witch Hazel (Looney Tunes)
  • Agatha Harkness (Marvel Comics)
  • Morgan Le Fay (Marvel Comics)
  • Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch (Marvel Comics)
  • Witches (The Owl House)
    • Eda Clawthorne
    • Lilith Clawthorne
  • Sarah Ravencroft (Scooby-Doo and the Witch's Ghost)
  • Tarot (Tarot: Witch of The Black Rose)
  • Raven Hex (Tarot: Witch of The Black Rose)
  • Dusty (Wishfart)

Folklore/Mythology[]

  • Morgan Le Fay (Arthurian Legends)
  • Hecate/Trivia (Greco-Roman Mythology)
  • Baba Yaga (Slavic Folklore)
  • Aradia (Wiccan Mythology)

Literature[]

  • Greenwitches (After the Forest)
    • Greta Rosenthal
    • Mira
  • Tattermages (After the Forest)
    • Liliane/Elisabeth
    • Fizcko
    • Junia “the Crone”
  • Doctor Emilia Rapunzel (Charming)
  • Doctor Hilda von Riesentor (Charming)
  • Goldlöckchen (Charming)
  • Amina (Cinderella is Dead)
  • Witches (Fablehaven)
  • Witches (Hedgewitch)
    • Miranda Morgan the Hedgewitch
    • Myrna Pentreath the Seawitch
  • Witches (The Land of Stories)
  • Meg (Meg and Mog)
  • Witches (Mirrorworld)
  • Witches (Pennyroyal Academy)
  • Witches (Spellchasers)
  • Witches (The Worst Witch)
  • Witches (Yesterday Crumb)
    • Yesterday Crumb
    • Miss Dumpling
    • Jack
    • Napoleon Prunesby
    • Lady Saturnine

Live Television/Movies[]

  • Witch Species (Charmed)
    • Prue Halliwell
    • Piper Halliwell
    • Phoebe Halliwell
    • Patty Halliwell
    • Penny Halliwell
    • Melinda Warren
    • Billie Jenkins
    • Christy Jenkins
  • Witch Species (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina/Sabrina the Teenage Witch)
    • Sabrina Spellman
    • Hilda Spellman
    • Zelda Spellman
    • Prudence Night
    • Dorcas
    • Abigail
    • Roz
  • Witches (Detetives do Prédio Azul)
    • Leocádia Leal
    • Theobaldo Trons
    • Berenice Bizâncio
    • Brisa Bizâncio
    • Alberta Leal
    • Rúbia Bizâncio
    • Zoraida Zorga
    • Sibila
    • Escorpionte
    • Marc
    • Heidrum
    • Cascuda
    • Margaret Zorga
    • Bartolomeu Leal
    • Bárbara Quem Quem
    • Rubão
    • Ludovico Ludoversos
    • Bruguilla
    • Nicanor
    • Gylon
    • Homero Hunter
    • Theodora Trons
    • Amaranta
    • Alejandro
  • Witches (Every Witch Way)
    • Emma Alonso
    • Maddie Van Pelt
  • Sanderson Sisters (Hocus Pocus)
    • Mary Sanderson
    • Sarah Sanderson
    • Winifred "Winnie" Sanderson
  • Rowena MacLeod (Supernatural)
  • Frigga (Marvel Cinematic Universe)
  • Agatha Harkness (Marvel Cinematic Universe)
  • Jennifer Kale (Marvel Cinematic Universe)
  • Lilia Calderu (Marvel Cinematic Universe)
  • Alice Gulliver-Wu (Marvel Cinematic Universe)
  • Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch (Marvel Cinematic Universe)
  • Witch Species (The Vampire Diaries/The Originals/Legacies)
    • Bonnie Bennett
    • Qetsiyah
    • Inadu/The Hollow
    • Esther Mikaelson
    • Dahlia
    • Freya Mikaelson
    • Davina Claire
    • Josie Saltzman
    • Lizzie Saltzman
    • Cleo Sowande
  • Elphaba Thropp (Wicked)
  • The Wicked Witch of the West (The Wizard of Oz)

Video Games/Card Games[]

  • Gruntilda Winkybunion (Banjo-Kazooie series)
  • Umbra Witches (Bayonetta)
    • Bayonetta
    • Jeanne
    • Rosa
    • Viola
  • Konoe Ayatsuki Mercury/Nine the Phantom (Blazblue)
  • Twitchy the Witchy (Cosmic Shake)
  • Witches (The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood)
    • Cupressa
    • Dahlia
    • Fortuna
    • Jasmine
  • Witches (Fantastic Night Dreams Cotton)
    • Cotton
    • Appli
  • Witches (Minecraft)
  • Grape (Princess Peach: Showtime!)
  • Rusalka Schwagerin (Shinza Banshou series)
  • Jeanne D'Arc Alter (TYPE-MOON)
  • Morgan (TYPE-MOON)
  • Multiple Caster-class Servants (TYPE-MOON)
    • Circe
    • Medea
    • Merlin (Prototype)
    • Nitocris
    • Queen of Sheba
  • Sweep Tosho (Uma Musume Pretty Derby); self-proclaimed
  • Little Witch (Valkyrie Crusade)
  • Newbie Witch (Valkyrie Crusade)
  • Witch (Valkyrie Crusade)
  • Multiple Monsters (Yu-Gi-Oh!)
    • Condemned Witch
    • Cyberse Witch
    • Mystical Sand
    • Witchcrafter Archetype
    • Windwitch Archetype
    • Witch of the Black Forest

Web Animation[]

  • Murasaki Shion (hololive)

Web Comics[]

  • Melissa Hellrune (Pixie Trix Comix - Magick Chicks)
  • Jacqui Brightmoon (Pixie Trix Comix - Magick Chicks)
  • Cerise Darkshade (Pixie Trix Comix - Magick Chicks)

Gallery[]

Anime/Manga[]

Cartoons/Comics[]

Folklore/Mythology[]

Literature[]

Live Television/Movies[]

Video Games[]

Others[]

Videos[]

Music[]

Examples/Fights[]

Analysis & Discussion[]

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