A Coven of Witches
A witch is a man or woman with the power to affect change by magical means ("Witchcraft").
Classifications
Common Witch
A Common witch (also known as a Practical witch) is any person who has obtained their power through study and practice. These witches are known to have dedicated years of their lives to the Mystic Arts only to have manifested a fair sum of supernatural power. While it usually requires several years for a normal person to develop any real power, it is possible for someone to manifest immediate power with the help of another witch who is willing to share their own powers through an Initiation Ceremony. This ceremony allows for the individual(s) to mirror the powers of the other witch(es) who are initiated into their coven almost immediately after the ritual is complete. This was proven after Bonnie, Nancy and Rochelle had been studying and practicing witchcraft for more than a year prior to the arrival of Sarah Bailey, but had yet to experience any real power of their own. However, after the discovery that Sarah was a practicing witch, and initiated her into their coven, all three of the girls immediately manifested all of the same powers as Sarah.
Note: Common witches earned their name due to the fact that these witches are the most commonly found within the witchcraft community. While Sarah Bailey was initially mistaken as a Common witch by Bonnie and her friends, it should be noted that there is a significant difference between Common witches and Cradle witches. First and foremost, a Common witch is someone who develops their power from practice, whereas a Cradle witch is someone who develops their power from natural development, which usually manifests around the time of puberty. Cradle witches are also noted for being significantly more powerful than Common witches.
Cradle Witch
- Main article: Natural witch
A Cradle witch (or Natural witch) is any person who has obtained their power from biological development. Not much is known about these witches apart from the fact that they are known to have been born with a natural affinity to the supernatural energies that are found within the Universe. These witches appear to be a rare, and yet natural, occurrence in the world. Nevertheless, it appears that while some witches, such as Sarah Bailey, are born from one or two supernatural bloodlines, it has been implied that some Cradle witches are born from entirely normal families, and are simply the first witches to evolve into their lineage.
Note: Cradle witches earned their name due to the fact that these witches are known to have been born with a natural connection to the supernatural forces of the Universe. While all individuals have a connection to the Universe and can channel and utilize the supernatural forces that found within the Cosmos, a Cradle witch can utilize these forces with much less difficulty than the average person.
Contract Witch
A Contract witch is any person who has obtained their power through the invocation of a Divine Spirit, such as Manon. These witches are known to have summoned one or more Gods and surrendered themselves to their influence and power. However, before someone can become a Contract witch, the individual must have at least a small sum of supernatural knowledge and power in order to perform the ritual, meaning that before someone can become a Contract witch, they must either be a Cradle witch or must first become a Common witch. Nevertheless, it appears that Cradle witches who become Contract witches are once again more powerful than Common witches who become Contract witches, due to the fact that their own natural power is added to the divine power that is bestowed upon them by their God(s). This was proven after Sarah Bailey successfully invoked the same God as Nancy Downs, but seemed to easily overpower Nancy in spite of the fact that Sarah had been given the same amount power from Manon as he had given to Nancy.
Note: Contract witches earned their name due to the fact that these witches are said to enter a contact with the Divine which usually instates that the witch can use their power however they choose, so long as it does not intentionally cause harm to another person or themselves. If the witch violates their contact and uses their power for sinister purposes, the God(s) can enlist the service of another witch to bind them of their powers and prevent them from doing any further damage. Nevertheless, it is because of their connection to the Higher Powers of the Universe that Contract witches are believed to be the most powerful of all witches in the world.