Belief that the Oldest Sibling is the Most Powerful Witch?

[thenymphxmuse]

Hi guys! I am new here and hope I am posting this in the right spot! This is something that has always somewhat irked me because I felt that the oldest sibling being the most powerful by default unfair and somewhat counterintuitive. Now I won't presume to nor do I pretend to have the authority to question Charmed canon, but I would like so share my thoughts. 

Charmed lore has established that the Oldest sibling is usually the most magically gifted and powerful. This was stated I think in late Season 1 or early Season 2, but it is important to admit that Phoebe and Piper were perhaps a faulty indictors of power because they so championed offensive abilities like telekinesis. This is especially emphasized in "Witch Trials". That being said, I think that there is some in-show evidence and out-of-show rationality that pokes holes in the thread's subject. 


In Universe: 

• Phoebe, the youngest of 3 full sister witches was able to manifest Premonitions in the womb, much like the overpowered Wyatt Halliwell
• Paige, who is later revealed to be the fourth daughter, has the most amount of powers, but it is hard to argue if that actually makes her more powerful
• Paige has an active power (Telekinetic Orbing) which is often considered coveted and powerful, but her elder sister Phoebe, has less active powers, but by the same logic Phoebe should be more powerful due to seniority

Out of Universe: 

• Consistent practice and training can increase the skill of one's abilities
• Intelligence and other talents aren't distributed according to birth order
• Hard work can beat natural talent

My conclusions

• Magical aptitude and power is randomly decided like certain genes
• Exercising and advancing one's power usage can have a more important effect on power than inborn talent, it's like athletic ability
• Phoebe might actually be the most powerful Charmed One because her powers manifested so early. 
• Active/Offensive powers aren't suitable to determine one's power level, or until each sibling has developed an active/ all of their powers can they be "definitively ranked"

I hope that I wasn't rude or offensive. I only wanted to get my thoughts out into the open, and finally contribute to a website that I have perused as a guest for years. 

Please let me know your thoughts! Thank you!

 

[virgowitch]

I wouldn’t say that manifesting a power in the womb automatically makes someone more powerful. Based on the show, I would guess that whoever is the oldest tends to be the strongest. Prue was the strongest of the original Charmed Ones, Wyatt was strongest of Piper’s offspring. I would attribute Paige’s strength to the fact that she is technically Patty and Sam’s firstborn, not Victor’s and thus is not weakest. The only exception would be Billie being stronger than Christy despite being younger, but that is debatable.

[Melinda Halliwell]

I wouldn't say being the oldest sister automatically made someone the most powerful witch although Prue was strong no doubt obviously to me that would be whoever was the smartest then who knew how to get out of a tough situation, had studied the Book Of Shadows and magic generally, knew how to write good spells, and had a power that was useful and effective.

[zoeysmom]

I don't think you're being rude or offensive. I think you have a point about them being faulty indicators, since Phoebe had powers from the womb.

[Aaeiyn]

I don't like the narrative that the first born child is "the strongest". Unfortunately, S1E16 "Which Prue is it, Anyway?" made this garbage canon 'cause Gabriel needed to kill the first born witch 'cause they're "the most powerful", hence why he was chasing around Prue to which, I don't even think Prue is all that powerful 🤷‍♀️

I (actually) think Paige is the most powerful. She can deflect magic back towards her attacker (similarly to Prue), but I believe Paige's orbing power is more powerful (at least, handier) than Prue's Astral Projection. Plus, Paige can heal (not herself but other people's wounds). I just think Paige's powers are much handier than Prue's.

Hell, even S6 Empathy Phoebe is pretty powerful and is practically invincible, as long as she you can tap into everyone else's powers 🤷‍♀️

And, Piper's explosive is way more destructive than Prue's TK.

So, this narrative that Prue is "the strongest" just has me rolling my eyes 🙄

Because of this, is why Wyatt is so powerful compared to like Chris and Melinda, as well.

[rebooted]

I think the first born witch is considered the most powerful because they have spent more time with the matriarchy e.g.: their mothers and grandmothers (building a longer and more familiar bond) and they would have had longer to practice their magic and powers.