Types of Traditional Witches
Augury Witch: Similar to a shaman in practice, the augury 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.
Cyber Witch (Techno Witch): The idea of an “internet or computer witch” is an interesting concept. In magick circles “cybermancy” (also called technomancy) is magick based upon technology and it has become an accepted magickal practice and therefore a legitimate arena for witches to enter into. Granted, a “cyber witch” may not sound like a type of traditional witchery, but it is intrinsically no different a concept than a kitchen witch or an elemental witch and if your computer is your kitchen and the internet your element then you may be a cyber witch. (read more: Cyber (Techo) Witch)
Eclectic Witch: An individual approach in which the witch picks and chooses from many different traditions and creates a personalized form of witchcraft that meets their individual needs and abilities. They do not follow a particular religion or tradition, but study and learn from many different systems and use what works best for them. (read more: Eclectic Witch )
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.
- Air Element Witch: (Wind Witch) The element of air is high and active, which is the opposite to the element of Earth.The element of air represents the mind, inspiration and imagination. It is the element of new life and new possibilities. Air Witches therefore cast spells suited to the element of air, searching for freedom, finding what is lost, travel, new business ventures and study of the occult arts. Air is the element of the east, connected to the soul and the breath of life. Air Witches If you’re do workings related to communication, wisdom and the powers of the mind.
- Earth Element Witch: (Wild Witch) At the core of witchcraft is a deep reverence for Mother Earth. Many Earth Witches celebrate the phases of the Moon and the seasons to attune with the natural rhythm of the Earth. These witches have always worked within villages to heal illnesses of the body and mind and perform midwifery. Most Wild Witches will share their homes not only with pets, but also wildlife and native animals. They tend to live in the country as even modern day Wild Witches cannot bear the noise and bustle of cities and find it spiritually and psychically draining. Most Wild Witches use natural tools for divination, such as water and crystals, rather than Tarot Cards or other modern tools. They believe in and share their homes with faery folk of all kinds. Knowledge is usually passed down within families.
- Fire Element Witch: (Solar Witch) The Fire Witches are considered to be the rebels of the Elemental Witches. The Fire Witches are all about individuality. Each one is unique. For the most part, their lives are beautiful and poetic, yet there lurks an underlying current of tragedy. There is no typical personal style to the Fire Witch; it varies, as does each flame. Fire is a creative element, especially when seen in its regenerative aspect. In the same manner that the phoenix rises from the ashes or the Sun undergoes an eclipse. A Fire Witch is going through a constant process of growth by tearing down in order to build anew. These witches are an ongoing changing flame and their magick is centered on the power and seasons of the Solar year, candles, bonfires, lava, anything that possess the fire element.
- Water Element Witch: (Water/Sea Witch) Water or Sea witches are traditional witches with a magickal bond with water and the weather. They find a calling with inland creeks, rivers, lakes and with the oceans and seas, though it is rare for them to limit themselves to any one type of water (fresh or sea) or one specific body of water. They generally align with all states of water, including rain, fog, snow and ice. (triple point of water). Some may work at a sacred water site such as a holy well and/or sacred bathing spots. The Moon plays a very profound role when it comes to the magick of the Water Witch. The Moon phases rule over the tidal waters and because of this, the Water Witch is instrumental in moon-lodge practices and coming-of-age rites. On the more practical side, many water witches are often called upon to find hidden sources of water through dowsing (water witching) and calling on the weather for rain.
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, it 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.
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: A type of magick or spellwork of certain witches. 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 things they want to conceal. They are said to able to tell if someone is lying and to see through other's deceptions. One might speculate that this is the type of witchcraft the British used in World War II in "Operation Cone of Power", the project designed as a magickal counter-measure to the Nazis occult conspiracies. In his Scottish play Shakespeare's witches are practitioners of the red witch's art of deception.
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-thei st 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. 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
I think that all women are witches,
in the sense that a witch is a magical being.
And a wizard, which is a male version of a witch,
is kind of revered, and people respect wizards.
But a witch, my god, we have to burn them.
Yoko Ono
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".
