Talk: Witches

What about Spell-casting?

I wonder if the witches can cast spells outside of ritualistic settings? You know, minus the candles, engraved symbols, all the preparation and such. For example, if they wanted to simulate a power they didn't already have, like telekinesis/pyrokinesis. It'd make sense if they could just say a spell, something in Latin most likely, and create the effect they desire.184.190.204.77 23:42, November 4, 2013 (UTC)Logan

In that case, a spell would be like a little ritual, and we're treating them interchangeably. FishTank (wall/email) 17:54, November 8, 2013 (UTC)

Origin of Witchcraft

I don't buy the whole witchcraft started in Salem-thing suggested by Marie Laveau; I think TItuba taught the white witches about their inherent gifts, the magic they already possessed; she didn't make them witches to begin with. I guessing witches can sense each other's magic, then form covens.

I think their powers (witches and voodoo practitioners) stem from the same place; one didn't necessarily give way to the other. 

For some reason, I just think the whole system of women and magic, one Supreme per generation, would go further back than Salem.184.190.204.77 14:27, November 14, 2013 (UTC)Logan

Serious cleanup

A serious cleanup is about to happen on this article. It is far too long, and many of the sections do not meet the AHS:SIGNIFICANT guideline. FishTank (wall/email) 04:22, December 14, 2013

I was wondering if we put the Supremes in the Seven Wonders section?  I mean since they are the Supremes, they possess the Seven Wonders, so it's only right that we add them to the list. Andrewh7 (wall) 02:03, May 23, 2014 (UTC)

No, for a lot of reasons. Namely, we shouldn't assume that the Supremes all passed the Seven Wonders. The Seven Wonders may not have existed as a ceremony in the time of the first Supreme. In addition, with all of the duplicity, cheating, politics, trickery, and "bitchcraft" we shouldn't assume that the other Supremes fairly passed the tests as given. So, if we didn't see it, we shouldn't put that it happened. Good thought, though. FishTank (wall/email) 15:42, May 23, 2014 (UTC)

Voodoo is NOT (exactly) Witchcraft

Mind control (the dust Marie throws) and the "War cry" are not witchcraft. It's obvious that she summons a loa to do the war cry! Also, I don't think "potioncraft" should be an innate ability ... it's something Delia learn over time. SJBlood (talk) 13:11, January 10, 2014 (UTC)

I agree. No matter how many times I remove that, it gets edited back in. FishTank (wall/email) 16:19, January 10, 2014 (UTC)

Clairvoyance/divination

When was it stated on the show they are the same thing? To me clairvoyance=mind reading, divination=what zoe did on the bookshelves and what fiona did with the box with lalauries head. In fact if divination=clairvoyance, why didn't Fiona find Lalaurie by herself? She only managed to do so with Nan's help. It's also very clear Nan also hears people's thoughts like she heard Lalauries on episode 2, this has never happened to Fiona that we know of, she didn't even know the witches were trying to kill her on the sacred taking until spalding told her.

Neilandio (talk) 07:01, January 23, 2014 (UTC)

They're definitely not the same thing.

FishTank (wall/email) 07:09, January 23, 2014 (UTC)

Clairvoyance is a mix of mind reading, forecasting and "feeling bad vibes".  It's not necessary that a clairvoyant has to have all of these, she could has only one of them. I think, divination is knowing something that you cannot know. It's really easy to confuse.

Klainatta (talk) 19:52, January 23, 2014 (UTC)

Changes as a result of Go to Hell

I can't make these changes right now but:

1. Transmutation (Changing matter) and Transportation (Teleportation) are not the same thing, unless I missed something. I was wrong, sadly.
2. Divination and Clairvoyance are not the same thing. The Sight is Divination. Mind Reading is Clairvoyance (at least, as far as AHS is concerned).
3. Essential Drain is now to be incorporated into Vitalum Vitalis. Resurgence is neither of these.
4. Descensum can also be called Astral Projection, and that should be included in the definition.
5. War Cry goes in Category:Voodoo#Magics, as should any other Voodoo derived powers BUT it should be noted that the effect is IDENTICAL to Concilium/Coercion.

FishTank (wall/email) 07:22, January 23, 2014 (UTC)

Pyrokinesis

It has been theorized that Zoe used Pyrokinesis in the first episode when the candles in the room and fireplace flared when she was scared by the other girls. This has not been confirmed.

Axemanlove (talk) 21:04, February 3, 2014 (UTC)

Descensum and Zoe

Ok, I've two things to say:

First: What's the use of Descensum? Ok, you go to hell ... but for what? It all just seems so silly ...

Second: Zoe also manifested all seven wonders

1. Telekinesis, Descensum, Transmutation - in the last episode

2. Vitalum Vitalis - in go to hell - she revived that hobo

3. Pyrokinesis - first episode and after she reads the incantation when Delia is attacked by the Axeman (though that might just have been the ritual)

4. Divination - she "feels" which book she needs when Delia is attacked by the Axeman.

Any answers on these 2 things? SJBlood (talk) 16:04, January 31, 2014 (UTC)

Spirits

How were the axman and spalding able to minifest themselves to do phyisical acts after being killed eg the ax man killing the delphi members. it was never shown to my memory how they were doing such. Were they bought back? Was a spell cast? Or as spirits were they just able to minifest to others in the house and be tangible190.213.201.20 11:11, April 14, 2014 190.213.201.20 11:22, April 14, 2014 (UTC)jr wolf

New Definition Of Divination

So I found a definition of Divination based on the idea of clairvoyance (mainstream definition not AHS depiction) which divination abilities seemed to involve:

"The ability to obtain direct knowledge about an object, person, location or physical event through means other than the user's physical senses. This can be activated by just being around a person[5], focusing on specific tasks[9], searching for information [14], and touching an objects."

1.can be activated by just being around a person. Ex; Fiona knew Madison was the cause of the bus flip when it was still an investigation, and Zoe was the only other witness.

2.focusing on specific tasks. Ex; Girl from the seven wonders skit drew the same exact bird behind the other girl's back.

3.searching for information. Zoe was able to locate the book with the spell she needed.

4.touching objects. Ex; the seven wonders trial, Cordelia used this method.

Note: Misty had knowledge of physical events and locations of Zoe spell, Myrtle's burning and her body, and the ramsey's death next door.

In conclusion I feel this definition is broad enough to touch each base of the users, and specific enough to not leave any loose ends. --Kai200995 (talk) 22:47, August 1, 2014 (UTC)Kai200995

This one is pretty difficult to determine. They may very well all have Divination. We have to go with how the show creates the universe in which these powers operate (no matter how oddly they are named: "Clairvoyance" has nothing to do with audio, "Transmutation" should involve changing the substance of something not transporting it, etc), and if I remember correctly, the only time we have confirmed "Divination" is remote viewing. Am I remembering that right? FishTank (wall/email) 23:07, August 1, 2014 (UTC)

That's true, I was looking for a definition that fits the bill of all the depictions we've noticed on the show. As far as the name of the power I understand the writers formed their own definitions and names for certain abilities. The numbered parts I wrote are methods observed and believed to be apart of the same ability via Divination, ability to obtain direct knowledge about an object, person, location or physical event through means other than the user's physical senses. "Extrasensory perception of people, places, and things" is a mediocre definition. I believe this definition is clear and straight forward in explaining what actually occurs when Divination is used. --Kai200995 (talk) 00:12, August 2, 2014 (UTC)Kai200995

I don't have a problem with the bolstering of the definition. Here's the rub:

1) Buses don't FLIP on their own. Common sense would tell Fiona that witches were involved, and Madison was the only Telekinetic.

2) That was the definitive demonstration of Divination, so yeah...

3) Probably, but they never called it that and so we don't know what it was. Evidence inconclusive.

4) "The Sight" = a more powerful version of Divination anyway, but defined as different. Either way, Myrtle said Divination is what it was.

FishTank (wall/email) 01:03, August 2, 2014 (UTC)

Now I see what your saying. Fiona and Zoe examples aren't sufficient examples because it was never explained. I thought it still applied to Zoe because it involved finding information she wouldn't be able to find by normal means, at that time she had no knowledge of any of the books of magic. Your right about the example I used for Fiona, I remembered her saying she read the girls files before she took them on a tour. So as far as the definition I'll delete "just by being around a person" because Fiona knew Madison was telekinetic.--Kai200995 (talk) 18:03, August 2, 2014 (UTC)kai200995

Should we add pages for the Supreme, the title, and for each indiviual power or no?Andrewh7 (talk) 03:31, August 11, 2014 (UTC) Andrewh7

No, thank you. This setup works well. The idea is that tiny articles (like one for each power) are less desired; as the topic of The Supreme Witch is inextricable from the idea of witches, it should stay as it is as well. FishTank (wall/email) 05:34, August 11, 2014 (UTC)

Anne Rice's Mayfair Witches Chronicles

IDK how many of you have heard about it, but the way the Supreme is chosen is EXACTLY the way the Mayfair witch is "chosen" in Anne Rice's witch books.

There's one witch per generation in the Mayfair family, and when that witch dies, the spirit Lasher latches onto another psychically gifted descendant (usually a woman, one exception being a man), and more of their powers are activated. Some are more powerful than others.

The similarities between the two are STAGGERING. It takes place in New Orleans, the witches live in an old mansion, being the Supreme is a burden, just as having to put up with Lasher's bullshit is a burden despite the powers. There's even similarities between Cordelia and Rowan.

Also, there's one Mayfair witch in The Vampire Chronicles named Merrick, and she uses Voudo. She's half black, and she doesn't have anything to do with the rich white Mayfairs. She also says that she's not interested in the white Mayfairs' magic because she likes ritual magic. In Coven, Voodoo seems to be more ritual-based, whereas the mostly white witches seem to be based more around powers they can activate at will. This is all like in Anne Rice's books.

It makes even more sense when you take into account that Anne Rice writes about gay relationships and she's a Catholic (well, grew up as one, became an atheist, then became a Catholic, now left the Church). Ryan Murphy is a gay Catholic, so it wouldn't surprise me if he's read her books.

I'm going to add some of that to the article later. Not the entire thing, just the part about a Mayfair witch "inheriting" Lasher. Squall L. (talk) 01:52, February 19, 2015 (UTC)Squall L.

“	I'm going to add some of that to the article later. Not the entire thing, just the part about a Mayfair witch "inheriting" Lasher.	”
	— Squall L.

Given that it has absolutely nothing to do with American Horror Story, I'd rather you wouldn't... FishTank (wall/email) 04:10, February 19, 2015 (UTC)

Ah, my bad. I meant in the notes underneath where it mentions the similarities between a Slayer's ascension and the Supreme. I thought it would be fine to add other similarities besides Buffy since someone already that. Squall L. (talk) 05:08, February 19, 2015 (UTC)Squall L.

More Witches in Apocalypse

Do you think we will be introduced to more witches/students at Miss Robichaux's Academy or another house in Apocalypse? Andrewh7 (talk) 01:12, August 24, 2018 (UTC) Andrewh7

Witches around the world

I don't know if it was ever stated officially, but do witches exist all around in the world? How long have witches been around? Before Scathach? There had to be witches long before Scathach. Witches didn't start existing when Scathach was made a witch by the old, bloodthirsty gods. Magic has existed since the beginning of time. Andrewh7 (talk) 02:04, September 6, 2018 (UTC) Andrewh7