Talk:Granny Weatherwax

"The Sea and Little Fishes" contradicts Granny Weatherwax's aversion to pyrokenesis. She wins the Witch Trials by hurling a fireball at the bonfire, causing it to explode violently and leave "purple after images" in the eyes of other witches. This story also mentions an instance where she makes the pumpkin head of a jack-o-lantern explode due to a curse. This explosion does not, of course, specifically mean there was fire involved, so its sort of a moot point. The bonfire, however, is irrefutable. Also, the section on Pyrokinetics in this article states that Granny is able to light a log on fire by staring at it. These seems evidence enough that she is capable of magic that involves fire. I'd fix the contradiction in this section of the article myself, but I've proven terrible at editing Wikis and thought it best be left to somebody with a little more experience.

JamesLisle 07:26, 12 October 2007 (UTC)


 * Please re-read The Sea and Little Fishes. I believe she only hurled a fireball at the bonfire, because she was really, really angry then, but she didn't want to hurt anyone. So it was like a last resort for her, rather than an act she liked. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 94.21.247.35 (talk) 19:51, 27 March 2018 (UTC)

I question the assertation that Granny is "the most powerful witch in the Ramtops." Pratchett has said on several occasions that he believes Nanny probably has more power.
 * I dont remember reading it in the books. One book stated that Nanny has more talent, yes. But Nanny herself said that while she is better in sheer talent, Granny is capable of doing more, because of her determination. So, when we are talking about actual power, rather than talent, Granny is the most powerful one.
 * 94.21.247.35 (talk) 19:55, 27 March 2018 (UTC)

"It has been speculated that Granny Weatherwax also posesses a form of the summoning dark, like Commander Samuel Vimes of the A.M city watch (see Thud!) Amongst other effects, this is speculated to account for her known aversion to being invited kindly. (If you invite her in you can't get her to go with ten monstertrucks pulling at her, but if you explicitly say she cannot come, then you'll be glared at from one inch away before you know it.)" Never heard this before, any evidence?

"In the books, the triple nature of the coven is always referred to as "the maiden, the mother and... the other one" in her presence" - Sure? That phrasing is used in other cases, and when in characters own minds, this seems to be more of a case of not naming something so as to not call it.

I think this is just because the characters are uncomfortable of drawing attention to the fact that Granny has the least flattering title. After all Nanny Ogg names it a couple of times when it looks like she might have to take up that position in the group.

proof reading
I've updated and expanded the page, could somebody please double check my spelling and grammer, as I'm useless at checking my own stuff.

--perfectblue 11:22, 25 July 2006 (UTC)

Why do people say she has the summoning dark?

"It has been speculated that Granny Weatherwax also posesses a form of the summoning dark, like Commander Samuel Vimes of the A.M city watch (see Thud!) Amongst other effects, this is speculated to account for her known aversion to being invited kindly. (If you invite her in you can't get her to go with ten monstertrucks pulling at her, but if you explicitly say she cannot come, then you'll be glared at from one inch away before you know it.)"


 * I've removed this section. The writer obviously doens't know what the Sumoning dark actually is. The summoning dark isn't a characteristic, its an entity that possesses you and it has nothing to do with not liking being invited to do things.

perfectblue 20:12, 25 August 2006 (UTC)

Removed the words "possibly demonic" in reference to Greebo. The-Dixie-Flatline (talk) 13:53, 17 February 2009 (UTC)

The bit about moving the cut hand through time isn't explicitly explained as such in Maskerade. The impression I got was that she was injured at the time, but used her self-control to prevent bleeding and either block or not react to the pain - much as she did earlier with the effects of Nanny Ogg's "special sauce". She could have prevented the injury by making her skin hard as steel, but chose not to because it wouldn't be "Right". She hides the injury until she is alone and has time to deal with it. However, that's only an interpretation.

Actually, speculation on this matter has always confused me, as it seems highly unnecessary and quite contrary to her character. Suppose instead, that she did in fact use magic to strengthen her hand. This is quite like her, as she regularly states over her books that certain things can't be done in spite of the fact that she can (and ultimately does) do them herself. However, cause without effect is Wrong, and she can't accept that. When she gets home, she "repays the balance" by cutting her hand open with a razor. True to her nature, she does this *before* going out to dig a new privy hole, so that the cut is still the inconvenience and source of pain it should have been. -Calemyr —Preceding unsigned comment added by 167.206.235.143 (talk) 20:05, 5 December 2007 (UTC)


 * I disagree. I think that scene was included only because of the sheer humour of the contradiction: Granny says she cannot make herself invulnerable, yet after that she makes herself definitely invulnerable. In the end, the reader gets to know that while Granny cannot make herself really invulnerable, she can transfer the damage in time to a later, more appropriate moment. So, in terms of a battle, she should be regarded as invulnerable, still, she did not lie. She only told part of the truth, and let the others be awed by their own thoughts.
 * 94.21.247.35 (talk) 20:07, 27 March 2018 (UTC)

I question the reference to [i]three[/i] apprentices (after which four are listed...).

Esk, certainly. Magrat - to my recollection, no canononical reference suggests that Magrat was recruited by or trained by Granny. When we are introduced to Magrat, she is a witch in her own rights (as a very wet hennish maiden), having taken over for another witch (who's name escapes me).

Agness Nitt was certainly recruited by Granny and Nanny - reluctantly - but what canon suggests that Agness is/was her apprentice?

Tiffany, per canon, has been apprentice to Ms. Level and Mistress Treason. She has certainly learned from Granny, borrowing, removing pain, etc., but she has not, to my knowledge, resided with Granny as a formal apprentice. Indeed, Granny seems to view Tiffany as her eventual successor as "Best witch on the disc", and treats her more like an equal than a student.

Physicality
The article mentions nothing about Granny's likely height, weight, stature etc. I seem to recall some reference in Carpe Jugulum to her being not as tall as people suppose, creating the illusion of a great presence through the way she carries herself and behaves. Can someone with greater knowledge of Pratchett expand on this and work it into the article please? --Shockeroo 16:12, 26 February 2007 (UTC)

"Her physical description has evolved from the "traditional" witch aspects Pratchett first gave her in "Equal Rites" - warty hands, white hair, hooked nose"

Wasn't it mentioned in Equal Rites that she had tried several traditional wart-causers and none had worked? My copy is out on what's starting to look like permanent 'loan' at the moment, so I can't check. The-Dixie-Flatline (talk) 13:44, 17 February 2009 (UTC)


 * Well... I've always imagined Granny Weatherwax to have quite a lot in common with Granny from The Beverly Hillbillies, at least in terms of drive and persnickitiness. But I do think she's a mite taller. kcylsnavS (kalt) 00:52, 13 May 2010 (UTC)


 * Equal Rites is a very early book, describing a less complex Granny. So I don't find it strange that she has warty hands in that book and she does not have in the others. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 94.21.247.35 (talk) 19:58, 27 March 2018 (UTC)

Powers
Granny was said to have the ability to fade into the foreground, not fade into the background. Might consider rewording it.203.12.85.25 (talk) 05:09, 5 May 2015 (UTC)

Granny the Astronaut?
I have no idea what this means:

"Modern portraits give Granny a visage not unlike an idealised Cold-war NASA Astronaut."

Maybe I'm just ignorant of what an idealised Cold War astronaut is supposed to look like. Feel free to restore this statement if you understand NASA history better than I do. - Shrivenzale 10:16, 21 May 2007 (UTC)