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Common Types Of Witches

A Guide For Beginners

By Jessica BuggPublished 3 years ago 4 min read
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Common Types Of Witches
Photo by Kayla Maurais on Unsplash

Think all witches are the same?

Not even close. Witchcraft varies as much as varietals of wine. A witchcraft practitioner can choose one path, a combination of several, or go their own way entirely. Some things to keep in mind while reading this article and pursing the practice of witchcraft:

You do NOT have to classify yourself or your practice.

You may never label your practice and/or you may find your practice evolves through different phases as your understanding expands.

As a reminder, Wicca is a religion. Witchcraft is a practice that may or may not observe Wiccan beliefs, traditions, and rituals.

Most importantly:

Witchcraft is fluid, practitioner driven, and extremely personalized. What works for me may not work for you and vice vedra.

Common Types of Witches

The following list is intended to be a very basic overview of the different paths for witches. This is not meant to be exclusive or exhaustive.

You may find that your personal practice combines elements of the following, all of the following, or even none of the the following, however most witchcraft practitioners find one or more categories that resonates with them more than others.

1) Kitchen Witch

For a Kitchen Witch, sometimes called a Hearth Witch, magic is pursued primarily within the home and (you guess it) in the kitchen.

Kitchen witches typically believe in practical magic, herbal remedies, and the use of oils for healing. Kitchen Witches also may grown their own garden including herb gardens for use within their practice.

These witches are referred to as healing witches and ironically were the target of most of the European witch trials under King James following the plague, when these witches were able to heal and cure illness while the church did not.

Kitchen Witch spell work can be put into recipes or ointments with intention during the preparation period.

2) Hedge Witch

A Hedge Witch gets the name from straddling the hedge between this physical world and the world of the spirits. This form of witchcraft is very nature based and has a lot in common with native Shamanism. Many practitioners of hedge witchcraft may also use astral projection (remote viewing, lucid dreaming, etc)

Many Hedge Witches will practice some form of mediumship (acting as a conduit or translator of messages from the spirit realm to people)

Typically, Hedge Witches will practice solitarily.

3) Cosmic Witches

Cosmic Witched work within the fields of astronomy and astrology playing close attention to the effects of the stars, moon, and planets; their movements, and interaction with Earth.

A Cosmic Witch may also work with a specific planet or other astrological body and the corresponding elements of that planetary body.

4) Green Witches

Green Witches are focused on nature and the elements. Their historical root is in folk cultures and traditions of native peoples.

Green Witches work within nature, they practice in nature, and many are avid gardeners. Connection with the outside and Mother Nature is paramount for a Green Witch.

5) Sea Witch

A Sea Witch has strong ties to the water, especially the ocean, but does not have to have a tie with the ocean if geography prevents. A Sea Witch may practice with the water of a river, lake, pond, even a glass of water.

Magic for Sea Witches will be focused on utilizing sand, shells, and water in magical practices; and may also involve practicing magic next to or in a body of water.

6) Elemental Witch

Elemental witches use the four elements found on Earth within their magical practices. Those elements are Earth, Water, Wind (Air), and Fire.

Elemental witches also work with astrological signs that correspond to the elements within their practice and may have a separate altar for each element within their home.

7) Solitary Witch

Very self explanatory. A Solitary Witch practices alone, outside of a coven. This individual form of practice may be incorporated into other paths we have discussed previously.

8) Wiccan (Traditional) Witch

The Traditional Witch follows the religion of Wicca and observes the traditions, rules, and rituals set forth from the governing body. You do not have to be Wiccan to practice witchcraft but most Wiccans practice witchcraft. I hope that makes sense.

9) Eclectic Witch

This final type of witch is most common. It is a combination of many forms of witchcraft, blended traditions, and may incorporate aspects of any other religion.

Eclectic Witches have a custom practice based upon their own level of understanding and knowledge. There is no set tradition or belief system for an Eclectic Witch, they keep what resonates and release what does not serve them.

Conclusion:

The previous nine categories are intended as an overview for different paths of witchcraft. Again, witchcraft is a very personal, individual practice.

Resources:

www.youtube.com/HearthWitch

www.youtube.com/TheGreenWitch

spirituality
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