Crystal Raven
November 15th, 2005, 11:55 AM
Mild rant here...
I HATE the term Eclectic!!! Dictionary definition:
1 : selecting what appears to be best in various doctrines or methods
To me (and no offense to anyone) when I think eclectic I think scattered, unfocused, undecided.
Most "Eclectic" Pagans/Neo-Pagans/Witches that I know are NOT scattered, unfocused nor undecided!!!
I am sure this is just me and I am half insane anyhows, 5 kids and all, but I just hate that word. I don't even like saying it, it feels "off" coming out of my mouth. I, personally, would like to have a more clearly defined path. Something I can specifically work on and goals to work towards. A coven is out of the question as I live out in the boonies, and I don't think I'd "fit" with most coven Traditions anyhows. Though when I lived in the city I was involved with classes, attended open & closed circles and at one point was in the process of forming a coven with some others.
So this is my jumping off point, for a start I basicly fit this...
A Hedgewitch is a solitary witch, not necessarily Wiccan. Generally unconcerned with overly formal magical workings, preferring more simple, folk magic. Often an herb worker, working for healing of self and others
A term denoting a Witch who neither belongs to a coven nor tradition but practices in a solitary fashion. Generally this person relies upon self-study, personal discernment, and intuition. The person does not claim to be initiated. This person leads a life similar to the ancient village witch who was called upon for spells and healing potions by the local people. A.G.H
Hedge Witch
One who is very knowledgeable in Nature, usually a Wise Woman, Midwife, Seer, or Healer.
The only place I can see that has a completely different slant is Crooked Heath...
This description has been employed by authors such as Rae Beth in the case of a 'hedgewitch'. From the previous links of the hedge to witchcraft, it's quite obvious that a hedgewitch isn't merely someone who tinkers with plants in their back-garden.
They also state...
Hedgewitchery is a path, usually within the traditional path of witchcraft, and as stated above, uses psychotropic herbs and mushrooms to achieve a trance state, compared to those who use blood control and dancing to achieve the same desire. Hedgecraft isn't used as much today, than as it was when witches thrived. The reason being that most 'witches' of today are Wiccan, and do not use deep trance states to journey to the sabbat, but rather hold them in the physical. Whether this is "wrong" or not is up to the individual witch looking down upon them.
as well as...
Now in our modern age, the term 'Hedgewitch' has become mistranslated. We can blame Rae Beth for this. Rae Beth goes to say on her website that: "The work of the hedge witch is to take the insights of the wildwood mystic and apply them in the service of life, through spells that help and heal the land, other people or creatures, or our own selves."
My "practice" is this...
I celebrate eight sabbats, as well as The Dark Moon Esbats and on occasion the Full Moon Esbats.
My focus is soley on the feminine aspects, my Matron is The Morrigan, and I call upon/worship/dedicate to and whatever else Her for everything even if it is not "listed" somewhere as one of Her specialities or aspects.
At this time I do not work with nor call upon any God.
My rituals include music, dance, chants, prayers, circle casting, consenscrations & cleansings, inviting the quarters, inviting the Goddess, crafts, spell work, meditation and anything else I feel like... ie at Beltaine I do a working to invite a House Guardian.
I have an altar in my kitchen upon which my Guardian has a place.
I believe in and attempt to work with Faeries and otherwordly beings and creatures, and leaving offerings for The Fae is always incorporated in whatever I do.
I have done journies on occasion, and work with/honour animal guides as best I can.
I do not follow The Rede per say, but I do follow "modern celtic pagan ethics" of Respect, Honour, Truth, Service, Loyalty, Hospitality, Justice & Courage.
I honour my ancestors who were all from either Scotland or Wales.
If it is not time for a ritual I do spell work in my kitchen, athame at hand, as my kitchen as well as the rest of my house, is sacred.
I love my "fancy smanshy" tools, athame, staff, crystal chalice etc..
I do divination, tarot, oracles, carteomancy, scrying with a crystal ball and tea leaves.
I have a BOS that is for my eyes only and is not a family book.
I am trying to be a better herbalist and have a few straggely herb plants that put up with me.
I love rocks of all kinds, pretty, plain, from a store, from a driveway, on a beach...doesn't matter.
I love trees, they are the bestest friends one could have and they DO hum!!!
I like folk lore, folk art & other folksie stuff, but am not a historian as "history" per say bores me.
So unless anyone has any HUGE objections (not that I'd really care anyhows) or better thoughts...to hell with everyone...
I AM A HEDGE WITCH!!!
p.s. anyone know of any good books on this? :lol:
I HATE the term Eclectic!!! Dictionary definition:
1 : selecting what appears to be best in various doctrines or methods
To me (and no offense to anyone) when I think eclectic I think scattered, unfocused, undecided.
Most "Eclectic" Pagans/Neo-Pagans/Witches that I know are NOT scattered, unfocused nor undecided!!!
I am sure this is just me and I am half insane anyhows, 5 kids and all, but I just hate that word. I don't even like saying it, it feels "off" coming out of my mouth. I, personally, would like to have a more clearly defined path. Something I can specifically work on and goals to work towards. A coven is out of the question as I live out in the boonies, and I don't think I'd "fit" with most coven Traditions anyhows. Though when I lived in the city I was involved with classes, attended open & closed circles and at one point was in the process of forming a coven with some others.
So this is my jumping off point, for a start I basicly fit this...
A Hedgewitch is a solitary witch, not necessarily Wiccan. Generally unconcerned with overly formal magical workings, preferring more simple, folk magic. Often an herb worker, working for healing of self and others
A term denoting a Witch who neither belongs to a coven nor tradition but practices in a solitary fashion. Generally this person relies upon self-study, personal discernment, and intuition. The person does not claim to be initiated. This person leads a life similar to the ancient village witch who was called upon for spells and healing potions by the local people. A.G.H
Hedge Witch
One who is very knowledgeable in Nature, usually a Wise Woman, Midwife, Seer, or Healer.
The only place I can see that has a completely different slant is Crooked Heath...
This description has been employed by authors such as Rae Beth in the case of a 'hedgewitch'. From the previous links of the hedge to witchcraft, it's quite obvious that a hedgewitch isn't merely someone who tinkers with plants in their back-garden.
They also state...
Hedgewitchery is a path, usually within the traditional path of witchcraft, and as stated above, uses psychotropic herbs and mushrooms to achieve a trance state, compared to those who use blood control and dancing to achieve the same desire. Hedgecraft isn't used as much today, than as it was when witches thrived. The reason being that most 'witches' of today are Wiccan, and do not use deep trance states to journey to the sabbat, but rather hold them in the physical. Whether this is "wrong" or not is up to the individual witch looking down upon them.
as well as...
Now in our modern age, the term 'Hedgewitch' has become mistranslated. We can blame Rae Beth for this. Rae Beth goes to say on her website that: "The work of the hedge witch is to take the insights of the wildwood mystic and apply them in the service of life, through spells that help and heal the land, other people or creatures, or our own selves."
My "practice" is this...
I celebrate eight sabbats, as well as The Dark Moon Esbats and on occasion the Full Moon Esbats.
My focus is soley on the feminine aspects, my Matron is The Morrigan, and I call upon/worship/dedicate to and whatever else Her for everything even if it is not "listed" somewhere as one of Her specialities or aspects.
At this time I do not work with nor call upon any God.
My rituals include music, dance, chants, prayers, circle casting, consenscrations & cleansings, inviting the quarters, inviting the Goddess, crafts, spell work, meditation and anything else I feel like... ie at Beltaine I do a working to invite a House Guardian.
I have an altar in my kitchen upon which my Guardian has a place.
I believe in and attempt to work with Faeries and otherwordly beings and creatures, and leaving offerings for The Fae is always incorporated in whatever I do.
I have done journies on occasion, and work with/honour animal guides as best I can.
I do not follow The Rede per say, but I do follow "modern celtic pagan ethics" of Respect, Honour, Truth, Service, Loyalty, Hospitality, Justice & Courage.
I honour my ancestors who were all from either Scotland or Wales.
If it is not time for a ritual I do spell work in my kitchen, athame at hand, as my kitchen as well as the rest of my house, is sacred.
I love my "fancy smanshy" tools, athame, staff, crystal chalice etc..
I do divination, tarot, oracles, carteomancy, scrying with a crystal ball and tea leaves.
I have a BOS that is for my eyes only and is not a family book.
I am trying to be a better herbalist and have a few straggely herb plants that put up with me.
I love rocks of all kinds, pretty, plain, from a store, from a driveway, on a beach...doesn't matter.
I love trees, they are the bestest friends one could have and they DO hum!!!
I like folk lore, folk art & other folksie stuff, but am not a historian as "history" per say bores me.
So unless anyone has any HUGE objections (not that I'd really care anyhows) or better thoughts...to hell with everyone...
I AM A HEDGE WITCH!!!
p.s. anyone know of any good books on this? :lol: