Spirit Walk Ministry
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
United States
contact
Part 1: Types of Traditional Witches
Witchcraft is a way of life for individuals, not the masses,
and there's no point in you coming toward the Craft
if you are a wimp, a follower, a coward or a fool,
as sorcery is both a practice and a priesthood,
and it is not a garment that can be discarded when the going gets tough.
~ Ly de Angeles ~
Types of Traditional Witches
Augury Witch: Similar to a shaman in practice, the augury witch will help to direct those witch will help to direct those on a spiritual quest by interpreting the signs and symbols the traveler encounters. The term derives from the official Roman augurs, whose function was not to foretell the future but to discover whether or not the gods approved of a proposed course of action by interpreting signs or omen such as the appearance of animals sacred to the gods. It is important to note that augury witches are not "fortune tellers", as their gifts are of prophecy and not divination. In the context of prophecy, in his Scottish play Shakespeare's witches appear as augury witches. (Shakespeare's witches are also practitioners of the red witch's "Art of Deception". See "Red Witch")
Ceremonial Witch: Witches who combines both the practices of witchcraft and ceremonial magick, though they are more spiritually centered than most ceremonial magickians. Ceremonial witches are very exacting in the performance of ritual and their rituals are usually followed by the book, to the letter and with much ceremony. They may use a combination of various mystical disciplines drawn from the Old Ways, but will often incorporate scientific approaches such as sacred mathematics and quantum mysticism as well. They will call upon a ecclectic band of spiritual entities, leaning towards archetypal figures representative of the energies they wish to manifest.
Cosmic Witch (Astro Witch): Comic or astro witches are traditional witches who use planetary and celestial energy in their practice. Cosmic witchcraft is the umbrella term for all of those who utilize celestial or planetary magic. While there are many who work with multiple paths within cosmic witchcraft, they all fall under this umbrella term. Some cosmic witches are theistic and still work with deities, some believe that the divine lies within the cosmic energies, and some are not theistic at all and merely work with the planets and celestial bodies. A Cosmic Witch specializes in Astrology and is interested in the stars and the sky and they usually do magic around planetary alignments.
Crossroads Witch: Crossroads are heavily charged places of magick. According to Carl G. Jung, a crossroads is a mother symbol; in that respect, it corresponds to the emphasis placed on the Mother Goddess in contemporary witchcraft. The crossroads also represents the intersection of positive, neutral and negative forces. It is a place of flux and of change. The Greek goddess of witchcraft Hecate was also goddess of the crossroads, and sacrifices were made to her at such locations. It was believed that Hecate appeared at crossroads on clear nights, accompanied by spirits and howling dogs. Crossroads Witchs are said to stand at these Hecatian crossroads, embracing neither the light nor the dark and making no judgment or excuses for their actions nor for the manifestation of their magick.
Elemental Witch: Elemental witches study and practice witchcraft based on the four elements: Earth, Air, Wind, and Fire. Elemental Witchcraft is work based on and honoring each element. By using these elements to draw power into magic, they can generate results by focusing on each elements innate qualities and drawing them into their rituals and spells. The Elemental Witch may find that one of the elements speaks to them more than others, and can invoke that element as they do spell and ritual work.
Faery Witch (Fairy/Fey Witch): A Faery Witch is an eclectic witch who seeks to commune with faery folk and nature spirits in their magick workings. They have no organization or tradition and it has developed of its own accord through common practice. When a faery witch needs help or guidance they may call on a specific kind of fairy to help them. Fairies are also said to be big helpers in leaving signs and symbols but also can cause chaos and upset if they are angered. Fairies are quite powerful and easily offended, hence why many books will tell you to leave offerings a lot to keep the fey from playing pranks or causing chaos in the home. (Not to be confused with the Neo-Pagan 'Feri Movement' )
Folk Witch (Granny Witch): Folk (Granny) Magic is generally of a practical nature, meant to address the common ills of the community: healing the sick, bringing love or luck, driving away evil forces, finding lost items, bringing good harvests, granting fertility, reading omens and so on. A traditional folk witch typically practices the folk magic of his or her ancestors or of the people in the nearby geographic area. Those who practice traditional folk magic, are knowledgeable about the spirits of land and place in their area, as well as customs and folklore of their region. Folk magic blends the ancient knowledge of earth, nature energies, planetary forces, rituals, healing and herbal remedies, religious and superstitious beliefs and a wide range of regional custom practices. Common traditions of folf magic include the Appalachian 'Granny' Tradition and Pow-Wow Tradition of American Witchcraft.
Green Witch (Garden Witch): A practitioner of of witchcraft whose focus is on the use of natural items and places. The goal of the Green Witch is upon achieving magick through communion with Mother Nature and using Her energies. A Green witch is very similar to a Kitchen/Cottage witch (see below) with the exception that the Green witch practices in the fields and forest in order to be closer to the Divine spirit. The Green witch makes his or her own tools from accessible materials from outdoors. A Green or Garden Witch, that works primarily with floral materials and flowers in their practice is often called a Flora Witch and one who works with herbs and other plants a Herbal Witch.
Hearth Witch (Kitchen / Cottage Witch): A Witch who focuses their magical practice on the home and hearth and uses things commonly found in the kitchen as magickal tools. Kitchen Witchery may be an expression of religious faith and sharing a meal is a ritual in itself, there is a certain energy associated with this simple pleasure, and with the magic of food life is sustained. Some who hear the term “Kitchen Witch” may think it is a magickal art confined only to the kitchen or cooking, but it is much more. It is about the finding of the sacred in everyday tasks, no matter how mundane they may appear to be. A Hearth Witch may integrate Witchcraft into all or any aspect of his or her homemaking activities. Many Kitchen Witches are also “crafty” folks, enjoying handicrafts into which they may weave their magick. An increasingly popular type of witchcraft, it is about working with the energies of nature to make the hearth and home a secure and sacred place.
Hedge Witch: In early Roman Europe the “hedgerow” was used as a boundary marker of a field or village. The hedge also represents the boundary that exists between this world and the spiritual realm and it is the area that the local Hedge Witch was responsible for. Hedge Witchcraft is a path that is somewhat shamanic in nature, as they are practitioners of an Earth-based spirituality. These are the ones who engage in spirit flight and journey into the Otherworld. They can be very powerful midwives and healers. A bird (usually a raven or goose) is a familar of the Hedge Witch.
Hereditary Witch: Also known as a Family Tradition Witch, a Hereditary Witch is someone who has been taught "The Old Ways " as a tradition passed down through the generations of their family. Though you may be born into a family with the tradition, you can not be born a witch, a conscious decision and acceptance of “The Craft” is necessary to become a witch. Many witches claim to be hereditary witches when in fact, they are not. You must be brought up in a family of witches to be a hereditary witch.
Hex Witch (Anger Witch): The Hex Witch will utilize aggressive magick, a form of magick dealing with anger, aggression, and hatred. It is a very controversial element of witchcraft, more often associated with black magick than white magick, as it is primarily employed for curses and hexes and Traditional Witches often view Hex Witches as pariahs. Also refered to as Wrath Magic or Wrath Craft, aggressive magick spells are often used to attract people with high levels of anger or hatred in order to augment the practitioner's power and for other possible uses of these people's hightened emotions. To be fair, everybody who works with magick will sometimes use aggressive magick. The original Wiccans and some sects today still use overtly aggressive magic and cursing, but any spellwork utilizing aggressive witchcraft needs to be viewed with a critical eye, as its end results usually do not bode well for the emotional and spiritual well-being of the practitioner and runs counter to the spiritual goal of practicing the Craft.
Lunar Witch (Moon Witch): A witch who follows the cycles of the moon, being in tune with the moon and natural cycles and rhythms. They hold rituals and work Moon Magick on the new and full moons, and perhaps also on the waxing and waning quarter moons. The regularity of the Moon’s phases (its ability to shape shift) was a way for ancient civilizations to be able to keep time and Lunar Witches are intuned to time and the power of "shape shifting".
Red Witch (Mind Witch): These are witches who specialize in the Art of Deception. They endeavor to change their appearance and create illusions. They are very good at hiding themselves and the things they want to conceal. They are said to able to tell if someone is lying and to be able to see through other's deceptions.There are some who speculate that the origin of the name "red witch" may have had to do with blood rituals, however the most likely origin of the name refers to red haired witches in general. Historically red hair has been the supposed mark of an evil seductress and deceiver and in Christian Europe red hair was often seen as an indicator of guilt in the eyes of witch hunters. This prejudice towards "gingers" continues to this day.
"In England we burnt redheads at the stake, because we thought they were witches. There are still young redheads in Britain getting ripped for having red hair."
Damian Lewis.
Sea Witch: (see above: 'Elemental Witch ~ Water /Sea Witch') Some modern day water witches refer to themselves as Sea Witches to express their affinity for the sea and the sea shore. However in ancient mythology a Sea Witch (Sea Hag) was a malevolent magickal being known for tempting mermaids to give up their immortality and for luring sailors to their doom.
Secular Witch: One who practices a secular or non-theistic, non-relgious approach to the Craft, not connecting with deities in their rituals and magick. Secular witches believe the energy used in their magick comes from the Earth and natural world and they will use tools like plants and herbs, crystals and stones, or other things that they do not worship as deities.
Solitary Witch (Solitaire): One who practices alone, without a family or group and without following any particular tradition. Solitary Witchcraft is simply a choice one makes, in varying degrees of separation from others, to go within and listen to the quiet voice of the essential nature of all things. Sometimes they are among that class of natural witches whose skills have been developed in previous lifetimes. There is a legend among witches that when an individual soul has practiced "the Craft" over a period of several lifetimes, the knowledge is reawakened upon reaching puberty.
,
Men in Witchcraft
So light a fire!" Harry choked. "Yes...of course...but there's no wood!" ...
"HAVE YOU GONE MAD!" Ron bellowed. "ARE YOU A WITCH OR NOT!”
J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Warlock: In common, but incorrect usage, the definition of a "warlock" is said to be the male version of a witch. However there is much debate about the usage of the word among witches and male practitioners of the Traditional Craft, many of whom find the term offensive and prefer to be known simply as witches, never referring to themselves as warlocks. The most common etymology of the word can possibly be traced back to the old English or Scottish word "waerloka" which many centuries ago had the meaning "oath breaker" or even "traitor". In which case, the term oath breaker may have been applied to witches as they had 'broken their oaths' with the Christian church, by becoming witches.Conversely though, the word "waerlak" meant "honor bound" and exactly which word became associated with witchcraft is a matter of speculation. Today some wiccans will use the term "warlocking" to refer to the excommunication of someone from their group or "coven".
Wizard: In popular culture reference (Harry Potter), a male witch is often called a "Wizard". From the Old English “wys-ard,” meaning “wise one.” it originally referred to anyone whose wisdom was respected; but later came to mean a male witch; now it is used to mean a powerful and wise magician of either sex. In most cases male witches prefer to be called simply "Witch".
Further reading: "Men & Magic: Can Men Actually Be Witches?" (The Traveling Witch)
Other Common, (but misleading), Witchcraft Terminology
Christian Witch: Many people in the Pagan community were raised in a religion that wasn't Paganism and sometimes, it can be a challenge to set aside the beliefs with which you were raised. Occasionally, however, you'll encounter people who didn't set their beliefs aside at all, but have found a way to perfidiously scramble their Christian indoctrination with Wicca or some other pagan path that they've discovered later in life.
So, what then about the verse "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live" (Exodus 22:18) that appears in the Bible? If you go strictly by the very wording of the passage, one could not be a Christian Witch any more than one could be a Nazi Jew. There are those who may say they are practicing witchcraft within a Christian framework, but this is not honest witchcraft, merely the manifestation of an inability (or fear) to commit uncompromisingly to their spiritual evolution..
Satanic Witch: Satanic worshippers are not witches! This is pernicious epithet used by those who wish to demonize those practicing witchcraft. Traditional Witches do not worship Satan as this is a later Christian concept not recognized in traditional pagan beliefs. Accordingly, the labels of “white witch” and “black witch , (popularly meaning a “good witch” as one who practices “white magick” and a “wicked witch” as one who practices “black magick”), are also misnomers as Traditional Witches practice a “natural magick” drawing on the forces of Nature and they refrain from attempting to manifest any form of black magick and the drawing down of negative or demonic energies.
"The major misconception about Witchcraft today is that Witches worship Satan, which is just not so. We do not believe in Satan. That is a Christian creation. We don’t worship evil. Indeed, to give evil a name is not a real intelligent thing to do, because then you give it power."
~ Silver Ravenwolf ~
For information on "non-traditional" practices see our webpage:
"Paganism/Neo-Pagan (New Age) Movements"
Witchcraft Links
Spirit Walk Ministry
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
United States
contact