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Channeling, in its broadest sense, is the ability to channel the powers of others to the point where users can take control of activated powers and use them for themselves.
Description
It can be used to channel all kind of supernatural powers such as Energy Balls and Premonitions, which can be very helpful when it comes to magical combats. However, a major drawback of this ability is that users can only take control of powers that are already in use, they cannot replicate a being's power. Furthermore, some powers such as premonitions and spells cannot be controlled, however users can still benefit from them. For example, Teresa channeled a vision that was meant for Phoebe, and through Phoebe's power foresaw that a Gypsy Hunter was coming for her.
Whitelighters can also channel their healing ability through each other. As previously mentioned, it was also shown by Teresa that gypsy magic can be used to channel the power of another individual.
Some users of Empathy and Telepathy can develop the ability to channel as an extension of their power. However, emphatic and telepathic users may not be able to channel the same type of powers. Empathic beings, for example, can channel powers that are linked to emotions, such as active powers, while telepathic beings were only ever shown channeling powers linked to thoughts, such as spells. Now, while the end result is the same, as they are two separate abilities, both sets of users use different methods to achieve it.
Through Empathy
Compared to other methods, using empathy to channel a being's power is by far the simplest and probably the easiest method to use. Since powers are attached to emotions, by channeling one, the user channels the other. From there, the user will be able to counteract the power of the being they are channeling. It's a defensive aspect of Empathy, which only highly skilled users can use. Users of this power can channel it through both the eyes and the hands.
Furthermore, the user will have considerable resistance to the power they are channeling, which makes the power, when used against them, ineffective. Though never shown, it may also be possible to channel spells while they are being cast, as it's a basic magical power, and reap the benefits of the magic.
List of beings who use(d) Channeling
Original Power
- Phoebe Halliwell
- Christy Jenkins
- Teresa - Charmed character
Through spell, potion, power, stealing, etc.
- Paige Matthews (When healing through Leo's power)
Notes and Trivia
- Pilar, Phoenix and Patra used a form of power channeling to channel the Charmed Ones' Power of Three in the Charmed episode Repo Manor. However, when they reverted to using their demonic powers the sisters were able to regain control over to the power of three.