Types of Traditional Witches
Apotropaic Witch (Protection Witch): Apotropaic magick or protective magick is a type of magick intended to turn away evil influences, as in deflecting misfortune or averting the evil eye. An Apotropaic Witch practices a magick intended to deflect misfortune or evil through the employment of rituals and symbols coming from local beliefs or out of tradition, such as Pennsylvania Dutch hex signs, charms (lucky horseshoes). amulets, or gestures such as crossed fingers or knocking on wood. It could be that at least some of today's internet "memes" might be attempts at protective apotropic spell work intended to counter the influences of those using memes for destructive aggressive magick.
Augury Witch: Similar to a shaman in practice, the augury witch will help to direct those witches 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 combine both the practices of witchcraft with 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): Cosmic 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.
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 computer technology and spell work over the internet and is related to the controversial idea of chaos magick and the "chaos theory". 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 ether your element then you are a cyber witch.
Eclectic Witch: An Eclectic Witch is someone who is constantly evolving and who incorporates many different traditions, cultures, and influences into their path. An Eclectic Witch will ensure that all tools and traditions used in their craft fit together harmoniously. They will make sure to research and to be open and accepting of many different cultures and traditions. Their craft will be a blend of many different paths, cultures, and beliefs. Over the course of their journey as a witch, they will blend what they have learned from other crafts to make it their own unique path. It’s an ongoing process of trying new traditions and learning about how they might fit into the witch world. (read also: 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.
Fairy Witch (Faery/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-Tradition of American Witchcraft.
Garden Witch (Green 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.
Grey Witch: Grey magick, also called neutral magick, is magic that is not performed for specifically beneficial reasons, but is also not focused towards completely hostile practices. It is seen as a continuum between white and black magic. Every thing in nature is usually seen as being dualistic, (black/white, male/female, positive/negative) and a Grey Witch is a person who practices witchcraft and is comfortable with the idea of duality. A Grey Witch is a person who has made a decision that humans are both good and evil and has decided not to favor either side. This means that they may not curse anyone, but they certainly aren’t blessing anyone either. A Grey Witch could also have the belief that they are a neutral force rather than a dual one. Grey witches often do not believe in karma or the rule of three and know that they have to be the ones to create justice in their life.This is the path that the grey witch has taken, recognizing in all things created by nature there is a balance between good and the evil that plagues us.
Hearth Witch (Kitchen or 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. A Hedgewitch is a witch who practices both wortcunning and hedge riding (see below) and has knowledge and skills about herbs and a great deal of wisdom about the natural world in general, particular their local ecology. Hedge Witchcraft is a path that is somewhat shamanic in nature 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.
- Hedge Riding or "Flying the Hedge" is the shamanic like practice of entering an altered state of consciousnesses to make a spiritual journey into the otherworld realms of the collective unconscious in order to contact animal guides, faery folk and nature spirits to seek to search for knowledge, divination and healing. This can be done using a variety of techniques, including drumming, dancing, chanting, flying ointments, or mind-altering drugs. Unlike meditation or spirit walking, hedge riding is not controlled and the traveler does not determine what will or will not happen on the journey.
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: 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 . Aggressive magick spells are often used to attract people with high levels of anger or hatred in order to augment the practitioner's power to inflame a situation and create irrational fears and aggression in order to create chaos and confusion. as with the employment of social media "memes" . To be fair, most everybody who works with magick will sometimes use aggressive magick, 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: 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.
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.
Water Witch: A water witch is simply one who works magick using primarily the element of water and their magick is most often recognized by the public for their ability to locate underground sources of water (dowsing). The water witch often incorporates lunar and solar magick into their practice. The moon and the sun's gravitational pull combine to control the tides, and as such, are seen as a part of water witchcraft. Another common practice of the water witch is weather magick. As the oceans also affect the weather, many water witches find working with the weather beneficial to their magick. (see also above "Elemantal Witch" ('Water Element Witch')
- 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.
