Astral Projection

Astral Projection is the ability to project one's consciousness into an astral form outside the body. When a person astral projects, their physical body falls to the floor, slumps over or remains still until they return.

While in "astral mode", powers are dormant. However, some advanced users have mastered the skill to use their powers whilst astral projecting.

Types of Astral Projection
There are two types of Astral Projection that have been shown:
 * Projecting yourself onto the physical plane with a corporeal body.
 * Projecting yourself onto the spiritual plane as an invisible spirit.

Corporeal Form
This form of astral projecting allows the user to interact with other people and vice versa. In Prudence Halliwell (I)'s case, telekinesis is used to move her astral form outside the body and to keep her in "astral mode". Because of this, she can not use Telekinesis during the projection. However, this limitation can be overcome after excessive exercise with the power. Though her Telekinesis is neutralized, she still demonstrates the basic witch ability to cast spells.

When astral projecting, the user's body will become unconscious. When new to the power, the body will collapse and fall to the ground, although, more experienced users will be able to let their body stand still.

This form of Astral Projection is most common for beings such as witches and can be recognized by a pink flash that accompanies the projection when it appears and disappears. Demonic beings astral project with another form, and invisible form.

Invisible Form
This form of astral projection allows the user to appear invisible and make a telepathic connection with someone. While in "astral mode", the user of this form can implant thoughts and suggestions to other people. The suggestions can be heard by anyone or by an individual, depending on the concentration and strength of the user.

Barbas is a prime example of demons who use this ability. He learned to astral project from another demon, whilst in purgatory, in return for that demon's freedom. Together, with his power to read fears, Barbas gained much strength over his victims, allowing him to plant subliminal thoughts into the mind of his victims and creating illusions. It also allowed Barbas to attack and manipulate his victims without them ever knowing that he implanted any thoughts, as well as attack them from a distance.

Exhaustion
When new to the power, astral projecting can be exhausting for its users as it requires a lot of energy to maintain two corporeal selves. This also causes their astral selves to not last very long. Over time, users will master the skill to use their ability without fatigue and maintain an astral self for a longer period of time.

Very advanced users will even master the skill to be awake in both their physical body as well as their astral form. However, this would require a lot of energy, exhausting even the most advanced users.

Teaching Astral Projection
Astral Projection is one of the few (if not only) powers that can be taught to those who do not naturally possess it. However, spells and potions are favored for those who do not possess the power and do not have or want to take the time to learn this ability.

Examples

 * In 2001, shortly before her death, Prue Halliwell taught Leo Wyatt how to astral project. She probably learned how to teach it from books she read during the time that she wanted to refine her skills.


 * In 2005, Leo passed on Prue's knowledge to them when they had to vanquish Zankou. As vanquishing him would not only kill Zankou but the sisters as well in the process.
 * Mrs. Winterbourne, the nursery teacher at Magic School, taught the librarian, Miss Donovan, how to astral project before she went on a sabbatical. Miss Donovan displayed her newly acquired astral projection skills to Paige Matthews while trying to get the post of Literature Professor after the death of Mr. Monkeyshines. Although it seemed like she began to learn it a few weeks back before demonstrating it to Paige, the power still exhausted her, which makes sense because she was not born with the power and thus will need more time to get skilled with the ability.

Users
Natural Power Learned skill Through Spell, Potion, etc.
 * Prudence Halliwell; formerly, before becoming a Whitelighter.
 * Melinda Halliwell;
 * Phoenix Witches; all phoenix witches have been shown to have this power.
 * Leo Wyatt; mentioned by never used.
 * Barbas; invisible form only
 * Miss. Donovan; she learned this power in the early 2000's.
 * Paige Matthews through a spell
 * Piper Halliwell through a spell
 * Phoebe Halliwell through a spell


 * Billie Jenkins through projection
 * Christy Jenkins through Billie's projection

Astral Premonition
Astral Premonition is the ability to project one's consciousness into a future event, either as a physical astral form or through the body of one's future self; allowing the user to experience a premonition first-hand. This is a combination of Premonition and Astral Projection and is the closest a Charmed One has ever gotten to natural Time Travel. The only known users of this power are Phoebe Halliwell, and her daughter, Prue Halliwell. It allows them to see things in more detail and to stay within the future for a longer period of time.

Notes and Trivia

 * The most powerful demonstration of Astral Projection is when a magical school student using his Telepathy to copy Astral Projection and still use both his and Piper's Molecular Immobilization in astral mode.
 * A monkey was able to astral project after its blood was mixed with the blood of Prudence Halliwell. This was the work of Dr. Williamson who wanted to study The Charmed Ones' blood.
 * He later accidentally mixed the blood of the sisters with his blood but never used the power of astral projection.
 * While Prudence was temporarily an Empath, her power of astral projection was augmented by empathy, which allowed her to stay awake in both her physical body as well as her astral self.
 * The Demonic Wasteland is located on the Astral Plane. In order for someone to visit the wasteland, they have to astral project onto the plane.
 * The Halliwell's Book of Shadows contains a spell which allows witches without this power to astral project. Phoebe used this spell once to entice Barbas, who stood on the verge of becoming the next Source of All Evil, to attack her and her sisters.
 * The book also contains a spell that allows witches to summon an astral form to their location against their will
 * While in astral mode, a user's fears can not be read by Barbas.
 * When a being astral projects, their astral self would ways manifest wearing the clothes they currently have on.