Ask The Alethiometer!

[Alphabeta]

Witch magic witch achieved wisdom

Only witches know how to do witch magic?

Witch magic witch alchemy

Some sort of chemical or genetic thing?

[Kappa]

The crucible is a non-canonical meaning I've used before.

[Alphabeta]

Witch magic witch nature

But that's not an answer! XD

[Kappa]

It is!

It means that the state of being a witch and the quality of being able to do witch magic are inseparable, or the same thing. Witch magic is a thing witches can do, because they are witches; it's part of their essential nature. Other people can't do it because, not being witches, they don't have that nature and therefore don't have that magic.

[Alphabeta]

Are you going to make me start asking "why" like a 5 year old? Is that what you want? :P

[Kappa]

<3

That seriously is the thing, though! It's innate. It's kind of like asking "why can only mints make coins" - being a mint is the condition of being able to make coins. That is what it is called. And being an Alethian witch is the condition of being able to use Alethian witch magic.

[Alphabeta]

Okay then, why women only? Why is it that particular kind of hereditary, or any kind?

[Kappa]

Should I answer that, or the alethiometer? :P

[Alphabeta]

Alethiometer, I guess, unless the answer is "dunno."

[Kappa]

Hmm. I think you'll find the alethiometer's answer re: women unsatisfying XD But here it is:



The thing about heredity is a separate question and I will have the alethiometer answer it as such, as soon as brain.