Which Witch is Which?
A very common question I receive when meeting new clients or mingling with new friends at a paranormal event, is ‘which kind of witch do you think I am?”
I always find this to be an interesting question to ask a near stranger, as the content is so personal, but I can only assume this is because they know I’ve struggled down this path and that I’m psychic - so I must know ‘something’ right?
The truth is, I can usually profile a person’s zodiac sign, their lovers’ sign, and also what type of crime they’d likely commit but also what type of witch they are - in a few moments time. The tattoos, jewelry, even dress code will give away a lot of spiritual information if one pays attention, but it’s not a guarantee. So, I usually as that person to think of who, what, when, where and how they are already practicing magic and after thinking and establishing those things - write the indicators down and profile yourself.
My issue becomes that I’m so many different TYPES, it’s the same problem with marketing a bubble or checking a box: It doesn’t tell the whole story. I’m a Cherokee, Sinti ancestor whose ways were lost to recent genocide - so the recovering Southern Baptist ways, changing to Neo-Pagan hippie rockstar changed winds, inspired by Wiccan vampire culture and Voodoo sisters - world travels and past life regressions - a family dinner that simply cannot be written down onto a single note-card.
I utilize astrology. alchemy, cooking, rituals, spells, communing with the dead, ancient divination, methods taught by family, spells spoken by my grandmother and techniques circled in a rented library book. I have candles from the thrift store and those melted by hand. I have deities from historical realms with richly dramatic personified art online and then I have guides like George Carlin who will still lecture me with late night stand-up.
I have charms from Voodoo priestesses, hummingbird bodies entombed with my dad, rabbit’s feet dangling from a rest-stop somewhere on a haunted drive, and also feel as though I share my magic freely and yet harbor it like a secret. There is no right or wrong - but labels can help…
Ask yourself WHEN and Where are you doing the most magic? In your home, outside, holding gems or cooking dinner? Think of the elements and intentions and how often you’re aware and mindful of magic; then consider a frequency. Many wonders what ‘type of witch’ they are, and where they can begin to explore others like themselves. Here are some great beginner labels for those with more ‘witch-like’ spiritual paths.
Conjured online with links to articles and added commentary- use the following exerts to help find your witch way :
1: GARDNERIAN WITCH
A Gardnerian Witch is someone who follows the belief system of Gardnerian Wicca, which was created by Gerald Garner in the 1950s. Gardnerian Wicca is hierarchical system that consists of a high priest and priestess as well as various initiations. So, one is not a Gardnerian Witch until they have learned their specific traditions and have gone through proper initiation. Those who practice Gardnerian Wicca have strong ties to nature, challenge societal norms, and have many rituals that are the foundation of their practice. In order to be a Gardnerian witch, you must be initiated, members cannot initiate themselves. There is also an incredibly structured system of advancing as a witch and with your practice as you grow and learn more about your craft. Highly associated with ritual practice, secrecy and hierarchy.
2: ALEXANDRIAN WITCH
Alexandrian Witchcraft is like Guardian Wicca in that it is a formalized belief system which contains its own traditions and initiations but is a branch away from Gardnerian Wicca. Alexandrian witches follow some of the similar traditions in Guardian Wicca, but also incorporate ceremonial magic as well as the Qabalah. Alexandrian Wicca is seen as “more eclectic” and is less structured than Gardnerian Wicca. They follow the belief of “if it works, use it,” and evolve their magical rituals as needed. Witches still must be initiated in order to practice, and there are degrees and levels of advancement that can be achieved as a witch moves along in their practice. Their covens meet on new moons, full moons and during Sabbat festivals.
3. SOLITARY WITCH
A solitary witch is someone who performs spell work and rituals alone and without a coven. This may be by choice, or perhaps they just haven’t yet found a group of fellow witches they would like to work with. A solitary witch can incorporate various paths based on their interest and may or may not use witchcraft as part of a wider spiritual path or religion. A solitary witch can be any type of witch, but they choose to practice alone rather than with a coven, partner or group; making initiation a private and intimate ceremony. There are also legends that solitary witches are reincarnations of witches who have been practicing for generations and at puberty, their knowledge is awakened. Since they already remember and understand the craft, their need for a coven is less than a newer witch who may feel more support with validation and mentorship.
Some associate solitary witches with those who prefer alien magic and/or animal communication/familiars to human companionship and energy work.
4. ECLECTIC WITCH
An Eclectic witch is someone who pulls from various witchcraft traditions for their spell work and rituals. They rely on a variety of different cultures, beliefs, and systems to formulate their own personal witchcraft practice which may change and evolve over time. An eclectic witch does not have one set religion, practice, tradition, or culture that binds their belief system. Their practice derives from many sources and, ultimately, becomes the witch’s own. They may worship a higher being, or their practice may be primarily secular, or it might be its own kind of spiritual. An eclectic witch ultimately makes their own “rules” with their practice—it is entirely unique based on the individual witch. Although some eclectic witches identify as NeoWiccan, there are plenty of non-Wiccan eclectic witches out there, using the parts of different magical traditions that resonate with them the most. Eclectic witches might use a combination of historical sources, information read online, some knowledge from a class they took, and their own personal experience, all rolled together to form one single, practical method of performing rituals and spells. In some cases, the word eclectic is used to distinguish a modified magical tradition from its original form, or to differentiate an uninitiated person who is practicing their own version of otherwise oathbound material.
Eclectic Witches refer to themselves as Solitary Practitioners, Sorceresses, Hedge Witches, Green, White, and Grey Witches. Some consider themselves Wicca, if the Rede is adhered to, the Earth and the Universe revered. One main complaint made against the Eclectic Witch is that they are not true Wiccans because they build a taylor-made religion or tradition for themselves from the ground up rather than following an established or correct form of Wicca. Their minds remain open and are receptive to knowledge, ideas, beliefs and methods that others practice. They adapt well to different situations and create their own paths by what they believe to be true and right at that time in their life (simply put – they don’t follow rules). They like to explore and make their own mistakes and take from experiences in turn creating their own rules and traditions. It’s why you can bring 2 Eclectic Witches into a room, yet they are totally different in the way they practice, live, and believe as they are all different in some way.
5. TRADITIONAL WITCH
A traditional witch is someone who takes a historical approach to witchcraft. They look at old grimoires, witch trials, various witch lore, and historical accounts to lay the foundation for their own spells and rituals. Often traditional witches focus on working with the nature and history of the place they live and may work with the genius loci, or the local spirits. They perform Shamanic journeying by inducing trance that involves drumming, rattling, heavy dancing, rocking, entheogens, meditation, flying ointments, and more. Hedge-riding is a practice that involves traveling to the spirit world through the use of trance work and other various techniques to alter the conscious mind (including entheogens, which are herbs and other substances used to induce trance) which allows the spirit to leave the body. Animism is a part of Traditional Witchcraft because they believe everything on this earth has a spirit or soul. They believe in an Upper World, Middle World and Under World. Under – those who’ve died, awaiting reincarnation or choosing not to pass on or can’t ascend. Middle – the here and now. Upper – spirits/souls who have ascended and no longer need a body as they can survive without the recharging of the spirit/soul that life is or were never bond to a physical form/body to begin with.
Traditional Witches love history, lore, storytelling, proximity magic, psychometry and the study of haunted history and previous, past events.
6. HEREDITARY WITCH
A Hereditary witch is someone who was born into a family that practices witchcraft. Usually their knowledge is passed down through generations and each family may have their own traditions and belief system. Though, just because someone is born in a witch family it does not necessarily mean that they will be more knowledgeable or powerful than a non-hereditary witch. Because a hereditary witch is a witch that was born into witchcraft, it is a part of their family and/or their lineage. Their magic and practice are passed down from previous generations, though they may work with their own individual practices as well or instead of their families. However, there is still choice. Hereditary witches must be born into witchcraft, but if you do not choose to practice witchcraft you won’t STILL be a hereditary witch.
Blood borns, blood witches, generational witches and those born into this path can also be ‘marked’ with a birthmark or scar from their parents or ancestors. Voodoo priestesses and priests must be hereditary witches in order to be a high order of the church, as does most royalty in Europe.
7. HEDGE WITCH
A Hedge witch works with the liminal spaces and the spirit realm. In the past a ‘hedge’ would mark a boundary of a village or settlement and thus represents the boundary between our physical reality and the spirit world. A hedge witch may be skilled at crossing that boundary through practices like astral travel. Hedge witches practice what’s known as “hedge jumping” which is venturing out of this world and into the Otherworld. Hedge witches can communicate with the spiritual world and can send messages between both worlds. Hedge witches practice astral projection as well as work with herbs and Earth based magic. But what makes them specifically a hedge witch is their ability to cross the “hedge” aka: the boundary between this world and the spirit world. It’s thought that the “flying on a broomstick” legend was a misunderstanding based on hedge witches “flying” into the spiritual realm.
The hedge witch of old usually practiced alone and lived magically day to day—performing simple domestic actions that were infused with magical ideas and intentions. These practices are sometimes referred to as green craft and are highly influenced by rural customs and folk magic. Similar to kitchen witchcraft, hedge witchery often focuses on the hearth and home as the center of magical activity, and the place where a hedge witch lives is designated as sacred space. Unlike kitchen magic, however, the focus of hedge witchcraft is on the interaction with the natural world, and that often expands outside the kitchen.
A hedge witch typically spends time working on herbal magic, and might cultivate related skills like herbal knowledge or aromatherapy. A hedge witch doesn't just have jars of plants—she probably grew or gathered them herself, harvested them, and hung them up to dry. She most likely has experimented with them to see how useful they are, and kept track of the results for future reference. Trial and Error, Practice and Trust.
Hedge craft is a path that is somewhat shamanic in nature, (sometimes referred to as wise man & wise woman) as they are practitioners of an Earth-based spirituality. These are the ones who engage in spirit flight and journey into the Other world. They can, in this capacity, be very powerful midwives and healers. A bird of one kind or another is usually associated with the Hedge Witch, most commonly the raven and the goose. The term “hedge” signified the boundary of the village and represents the boundary that exists between this world and the spiritual realm. (they are said to be Night travelers or walkers on the wind). Their main function is mediator between the spirits and people. They may also work as an herbal healer or midwife. Some claim it to be the continuation of the practices of the cunning folk and wise women, while others say that it is a modern tradition.
8. KITCHEN WITCH
A kitchen witch enjoys making their home and surroundings a sacred space. They often like to incorporate witchcraft with their cooking and put their energy and focus into to the food and the meals they create. They care deeply about the ingredients and may have their own herb and vegetable garden. Kitchen witches love to cook and brew and use herbs, sometimes gathered from their own garden space or loved ones. When practicing they combine their own personal and individual magical energy with essential oils, herbs, food, and everyday objects to create their spells, rituals, and magic. In kitchen witchcraft, meal prep becomes a magical activity. A kitchen witch might have a stovetop or countertop altar, there are probably fresh herbs in jars and pots, and magical practices are incorporated into recipes and cooking. When you take the time to prepare a meal from scratch, it helps to make it a sacred act, and your family will appreciate the work and energy you share with them. By changing the way you see food preparation and consumption, you can craft practical magic at the stove, in your oven, and at the cutting board.
The Kitchen Witch, (aka – Cottage Witch & Hearth Witch) This Witch carries practical sides of the Wiccan / Pagan religion, magic, gemstones, the elements and the earth. A Kitchen Witch is usually recognized as practicing Celtic Wicca: Goes by the elements, the Ancient Ones and nature. They are usually healers, respected highly and once they are past their 40’s tend to take on a “Wise Woman” role as they have an abundance of knowledge and are admired for it. They work with plants, stones, flowers, trees, the elemental people, the gnomes and the fairies. But above all performs her magic in the Kitchen and has Goddess given talents for food crafting. Potions, herbal remedies, and natural instincts for over protection of hearth and home. Most often they make the best mates as they are very crafty in love and relationships – and it is said one who is a friend of a Kitchen Witch has many perks.
9. GREEN WITCH
Green witches are extremely nature based. They are likely to be in-tune with the seasons and often use natural materials to create their own magical tools. They most likely try to perform all their spell work and rituals outside in nature when possible. Also called garden witches or forest witches, green witches are highly connected to the earth the energy that it possesses. Green witchery Is the practice of nature-based and earth oriented witchcraft, drawing on the folklore, folk religion and folk magic of ancient cultures as they connected to the forest; such as the tree worship of Druids, the kitchen craft of Italian witches or the keeping of sacred groves as presented in Gallic paganism. Green witches usually practice a traditional form of witchcraft in which the earth, trees, herbs, plants and flowers are consulted for their medicinal and magical value. They will grow their own herbs or Wildcraft them and are very good at making herbal remedies. Belief in deities depends on the individual witch, though many Green witches acknowledge and earth mother or series of nature spirits as their deity. Usually, the spirits of nature, the dead (that of humans and animals) or the Fey have a large part in Green traditions. A form of green witchcraft which is better classified as Green Wicca was popularized by Ann Moura.
A Green witch may have their own garden where they grow their own herbs, but they also study their area and practice with local plants and their own environment. Green witches use plants/greenery in their spells and magic and sometimes, even their cooking and in their home. Green witches are often very natural and love to be in nature and near anything “green”—plants, trees, flowers, etc. They do this to be as close to Mother Earth, and the spirit she encompasses, as possible. Creating potions, tinctures, elixirs, lotions and other healing creations from growth and power.
Grounding, Centering, Healing and Communication is a strong vibration in green witchery.
10. COSMIC WITCH
A cosmic witch incorporates astrology and astronomy into their witchcraft. They most likely closely follow the alignment of the planets and they will often coordinate their spells and rituals based on the location of the planets and the moon. Cosmic witches are contemporary witches who look to the cosmos, astrology, and astronomy and work those elements and celestial energy into their practice. Also called “Star Witches”, these witches often follow the planets and the alignment of the stars and base their spells and rituals on the different placements.
Some Cosmic witches also utilize ancient beliefs of inter-dimensional travelers and angels, star travelers, aliens and ancestors that guide us with information from across the Universal veils. Utilizing alchemy, astronomy and binary magic with mathematical language and ancient beliefs of faith in something higher, from above in the sky.
11. Elemental Witch
Elemental witches’ study and practice based on the four elements: earth, air, wind, and fire. An elemental magic is work based on and honoring each element. An elemental witch may have an altar for each specific element. Elemental witches call on the elements when casting spells and performing rituals and may even have an element that they personally identify with and work towards finding. Elemental Magic is a specific niche to Cosmic, Traditional and other forms of witchery but is focused on the number FOUR and its structure within sacred Geometry in Nature. Earth, Air, Fire and Water can also work well with North, South, East and West and therefore can create symmetry and foundational building blocks to greater understanding; a bell curve of growth and abundance. Elemental Witches usually are fond of Sacred Geometry, Fibonacci, Symmetry and can utilize the invisible language of organisms and symbiotic structures like the Bee, the Seashell, the Agate.
12. Necromancer
A witch who primarily uses guides from the deceased and utilizes spellcasting and channeling for communing with the dead or afterlife. Strictly speaking, "necromancy" is the practice of conjuring the spirits of the dead for divination or prophecy – although the term has also been applied to raising the dead for other purposes. A Necromancer, dark witch or practitioner utilizes Necromancy, communication with the dead, usually in order to obtain insight into the future or to accomplish some otherwise impossible task. Such activity was current in ancient times among the Assyrians, Babylonians, Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and Etruscans; in medieval Europe it came to be associated with black (i.e., harmful, or antisocial) magic and was condemned by the church.
Its practitioners were/are skilled magicians who use a consecrated circle in some desolate, sacred spot, often a graveyard, to protect themselves from the anger of the spirits of the dead. In the event of a premature or violent death, the corpse was thought to retain some measure of unused vitality, and so the use of parts of corpses as ingredients of charms came to be an important technique of witchcraft. Psychometry, residual magic, past-present-future magic as well as shadow work is heavily included within Necromancy and those who utilize divination of the mind-body-spirit.
Necromancy was especially popular in the Middle Ages and Renaissance, and its temptations and perils were vividly described in the Faust stories of Christopher Marlowe and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
Necromancing is found heavily in Southern Voodoo, Vodun, Southern Baptist Folklore magic within the United States and the ‘Bible Belt’ is often quoted with reminding practitioners:
The biblical Witch of Endor performed it (1 Sam. 28), and it is among the witchcraft practices condemned by Ælfric of Eynsham. "Witches still go to cross-roads and to heathen burials with their delusive magic and call to the devil; and he comes to them in the likeness of the man that is buried there, as if he arise from death.”
13. Correllian Witch
Correllian-Nativist Tradition, or Correllian Wicca, was founded in the late 20th century by Caroline High Correll. She claimed to come from a line of hereditary witches, and was a psychic, spiritual healer, and herbalist. Heavily influenced by her supposed lineage and Aradian witchcraft, she was head of the church until her death in the 1940s. Correllian Wicca was not recognized as Wicca until the 1990s and was seen more as eclecticism and universalism. Correllian Wicca is one of the most widespread practices still in existence today.
14. Sea Witch
As the name implies, sea witches are believed to be able to control many aspects of nature relating to water, most commonly an ocean or sea. They specialize in water-based magic and worship Sea Gods & Goddesses. However, in more modern times, sea witches can also practice witchcraft on or near any source of water: lakes, rivers, bathtubs, or even simply a bowl of saltwater. Sea witches use witchcraft related to the moon, tides, and the weather, and are believed to have complete control over the seas. In some folklore, sea witches are described as phantoms or ghosts who have the power to control the fates of ships their passengers. Sea witches often improvise on what they have, rather than making purchases from a store or from another person. Common tools include clam, scallop, or oyster shells in place of bowls or cauldrons. They are beachcombers and collect items including seaweed, fishing net, shells, sea grass, driftwood, pieces of sea glass, and even sand. Driftwood was used as walking sticks and charged as wands. Sea Witch works with what is termed ‘grey magic’ to maintain a balance of light and dark – most are solitary. A sea witch has strong ties to water and the ocean and uses that element often in their practice. Sea and ocean magic will often use sand, shells, driftwood, or other elements that come from that place. Sea witches feel connected to water and ancient folklore involving sirens, mermaids, selkies, etc.
15. Dianic Witch
Dianic witches practice the most feminist of all witchcraft practices. Followers of the Cult of Diana are all women, so no men allowed. Dianic witches worship the Goddess through all three of her aspects—Maiden, Mother, and Crone. Rituals and worship can vary, but all have feminist aspects and come from a feminist standpoint. Also explore: The ritual format of contemporary Stregheria (another name for those who follow Diana), is roughly similar to that of other Neopagan witchcraft religions such as Wicca. The pentagram is the most common symbol of religious identity. Most followers celebrate a series of eight festivals equivalent to the Wiccan Wheel of the Year, though others follow the ancient Roman festivals. An emphasis is placed on ancestor worship.
Sometimes Dianic witches are considered Lilith-followers or even the “Satanic Eastern Stars” of the witch community as they find a path of light within the contrast and duality of darkness and the power of feminine choice, control and power of freewill-choice to defy.
16. Ceremonial Witch
Ceremonial witches have many practices, but ceremonies and rituals are practices that they hold in especially high regard. Ceremonial magic is worked into most of the elements of their practice. They likely work a ritual or ceremony into whatever they’re casting or trying to accomplish. Ceremonial witches often call on specific beings and spiritual entities to assist them with whatever they’re casting. In ceremonial witchcraft, also called ceremonial magic or high magic, the practitioner often uses specific rituals and invocations to call upon the spirit world. Ceremonial witchcraft uses as its base a blend of older occult teachings like Thelema, Enochian magic, and Kabbalah. Although information on ceremonial magic often seems to be limited, this is due in part to the need for secrecy within the community. In fact, many people who practice ceremonial witchcraft don't identify with the word witch at all.
(Natives, shamans, priests/priestess, Volva…)
17. Traditional or Folk Witch
A traditional witch typically practices the folk magic of his or her ancestors or of the people in the nearby geographic area. Often, they take a historical approach—they're using the magical practices and beliefs that were around long before Wicca existed—and they may have access to a wealth of information about spells, charms, talismans, and herbal brews that date back centuries. You'll find that those who practice traditional witchcraft, or folk magic, are usually pretty knowledgeable about the spirits of land and place in their area, as well as customs and folklore of their region. Many traditional witches use a blend of old beliefs and practices combined with modern tools and ideas.
A unique niche of the Folk Witch is the ability to channel and retell post-cognitive information, to bring to life ancient magic. The Folk Witch may dress-up, role play, get into entire costume and recreate the space, time and belief of the scenario that births the magic and LIVES the spirit of the tale. Their ability to channel, retell the past and ‘take others on a ride into the past’ often is associated with heavy drug use, drug-related assistance for spiritual journeys and perhaps mental health or post-trauma such as NDE/OBE.