Types of 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.
Ceremonial Witch:
One who combines both the practices of witchcraft and ceremonial magic. They may use a combination of disciplines drawn from the Old Ways, but will often employ more scientific precisions such as sacred mathematics and quantum mysticism as well. They will also call upon an eclectic blend of spiritual entities, leaning towards archetypal figures representative of the energies they wish to manifest. They are more spiritually centered than most ceremonial magicians, using an Earth-centered path with focus on the Divine within.
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.
Faery Witch:
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. (Not to be confused with the ‘Feri Movement’
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 magic through communion with Mother Nature and using Her energies.
Hedge Witch:
Hedgecraft 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, 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.
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.
Kitchen (Cottage)Witch:
A practitioner of witchcraft who uses the tools at hand to work their spells and create their rituals and who deals with the practical sides of religion, magick and the Elements of the Earth. 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. 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.
Solitary Witch (Solitaire):
This is one who practices alone, without a coven 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 after practicing for several lifetimes, the knowledge of “The Craft” is awakened upon passing puberty.
Wild Witch:
(Usually Hereditary witches and will work on their own (solitaire) or in family groups, similar to, but not as strict in guidelines, as a Coven. They are healers, using things of the Earth to do their healing; including crystals, herbs, oils and potions. They do not usually worship any deities, but worship the Earth and the Moon.
Wild Witches are not Wiccan, in fact Wild Witchery is much much older than Wicca. But since the days of old, Wild Witches have worked within villages to heal illnesses of the body and mind and perform midwifery. They do not believe In harming anyone or anything. 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 Fey of all kinds. Knowledge is usually passed down within families (generally to the first female of each generation, although in some families, the knowledge is passed down to all females). Most, if not all Wild Witches will be naturally psychically gifted, and the gifts are usually inherited only by the females in the family.
Water Witch:
Source: spirit walk ministry