Being a Hedge Witch IMHO

[Crystal Raven]

Please remember this is IMHO only...there are probably thousands of definitions of a Hedge Witch, all of them correct, including mine :)

Broad Definition:
A solitary who uses Shamanic techniques for Journeying etc...(the hedge being a symbolic barrier between this world and other worlds) and consentrates on the more earthy elemental aspects of magic, spellweaving, etc...(working with herbs, rocks, trees).

I personally, am trying to become a modern day Village Wise Woman, in the old days they would have been the local healers, midwives and often seers. With this vein of thinking, I focus on the Celtic traditions, folklore and Goddesses, but am not a Recon, so I dont necessarily keep to historical accuracy. I also believe in the Fae and do my best to honour and respect them. Ancestors also have a part in my practice and I follow the Cycles of the Seasons, as opposed to the Cycle of the God and Goddess.

As a good Hedge Witch I am trying to build my knowledge of locally growing herbs and their medicinal and culinary uses. I do try to grow my own, though not always successfully, so I also know where to buy them if necessary.
I am also learning and studying quite a few bits of old lore, magical and otherwise and believe Story Telling is an important art that is becoming extinct and am trying to prevent that. I also practice meditation, visualization, astral projection and journeying. You can often find me in the woods or fields, or in the kitchen.

For spellweaving I use materials on hand as well as ceremonial tools (my athame is gorgeous, I love it and am not getting rid of it!!!). Some of my more useful tools are: a sharp knife for cutting, my mortar and pestal for grinding herbs and my sewing machine for making pouches. My staff is my right hand, I use it for long and short hikes, herding children, circle casting if I feel the need for it or it can serve as an outdoor altar in a pinch.

Divination is also important to me, for both personal guidance and as a community service (though donations are welcome :)) and I am becoming proficient in a few: Crystal Ball Gazing, Tarot and Ogham are for me!

Hedgies tend to do what makes sense in terms of magic, ceremonies and ethics and are often fiercely independent. There is no one code, so asking ten of us what we do or believe will often get you twenty different answers.

[Pagan Mantis]

I like that. I'm beginning to understand more and more that every path, regardless of what one personally calls it, has the same roots or background, with extremely similar practices.

[Crystal Raven]

yes, my way of thinking is that "Paganism" is like a tree...with many many many branches, but the same root system :)

[Nitefalle]

What you described is pretty much what I do, though less emphasis on divination and I couldn't astrally project to save my life. I would have been the crappiest shaman ever 8O I also blend Northern beliefs with Celtic and Gallic (as they have been blended throughout history, anyway) and work with those gods, as well.

I focus more on the healing aspect of the Village Wise Woman (which is what I aspire to be). I am working toward a BS in Nutrition and after school, want to become a certified herbalist (both for medicinal & cosmetic purposes - I want to fix you inside and out!). My ultimate, ultimate (probably never-gonna-happen) dream is to have my own shop one day, where I make my own products as well as treat people. Somewhere along the way, I'll probably get trained in massage therapy as well, and would do that out of my shop as well.

[Silver Nightfire]

Thank you for posting that. I enjoyed reading it :)
I'm currently in the process of learning all I can about uses of herbs, stones etc, divination, working with the seasons, shamanic practices. A green/hedge witch is what I'm striving to be.

[Crystal Raven]

My ultimate, ultimate (probably never-gonna-happen) dream is to have my own shop one day

Never say never!!! _tsk_

[skilly-nilly]

Please remember this is IMHO only...there are probably thousands of definitions of a Hedge Witch, all of them correct, including mine :)

Broad Definition:
A solitary who uses Shamanic techniques for Journeying etc...(the hedge being a symbolic barrier between this world and other worlds) and consentrates on the more earthy elemental aspects of magic, spellweaving, etc...(working with herbs, rocks, trees).

I personally, am trying to become a modern day Village Wise Woman, in the old days they would have been the local healers, midwives and often seers. With this vein of thinking, I focus on the Celtic traditions, folklore and Goddesses, but am not a Recon, so I dont necessarily keep to historical accuracy. I also believe in the Fae and do my best to honour and respect them. Ancestors also have a part in my practice and I follow the Cycles of the Seasons, as opposed to the Cycle of the God and Goddess.

As a good Hedge Witch I am trying to build my knowledge of locally growing herbs and their medicinal and culinary uses. I do try to grow my own, though not always successfully, so I also know where to buy them if necessary.
I am also learning and studying quite a few bits of old lore, magical and otherwise and believe Story Telling is an important art that is becoming extinct and am trying to prevent that. I also practice meditation, visualization, astral projection and journeying. You can often find me in the woods or fields, or in the kitchen.

For spellweaving I use materials on hand as well as ceremonial tools (my athame is gorgeous, I love it and am not getting rid of it!!!). Some of my more useful tools are: a sharp knife for cutting, my mortar and pestal for grinding herbs and my sewing machine for making pouches. My staff is my right hand, I use it for long and short hikes, herding children, circle casting if I feel the need for it or it can serve as an outdoor altar in a pinch.

Divination is also important to me, for both personal guidance and as a community service (though donations are welcome :)) and I am becoming proficient in a few: Crystal Ball Gazing, Tarot and Ogham are for me!

Hedgies tend to do what makes sense in terms of magic, ceremonies and ethics and are often fiercely independent. There is no one code, so asking ten of us what we do or believe will often get you twenty different answers.


What a beautiful post!

My Path is very similar to yours but I am naturally (being significantly older and having grown children--still need the big stick sometimes though) more of a Crone Wisewoman.

I do Granny Magic and psychological counseling simultaneously (the same thing, almost) and I also do divination with Ogham and Runes---what Ogham do you use??

[Crysiira]

I am still exploring different paths, trying to find the perfect fit. I love reading people's thoughts on their specific path. This was a wonderful view of your views! lol. Thanks for the good read.

[Cindlady2]

I like that!

[Crystal Raven]

what Ogham do you use??


the original

[skilly-nilly]

the original

You have yarrow sticks more than 2,000 years old? I'm surprized and intrigued.

I find that if a question is asked that I do not wish to answer/discuss, just not responding to it is the most polite route.
What I'm saying is, I find your answer brusque and dismissive. Since I also do Ogham divination, I was interested in comparing and learning about what you do, since there aren't many people who divine with Ogham.

If you don't want to discuss what you do....fine, but I don't see any reason to be all McTat about it. I don't think there was anything rude in my question, but feel free to correct me if I was wrong.

[Crystal Raven]

You have yarrow sticks more than 2,000 years old? I'm surprized and intrigued.

I find that if a question is asked that I do not wish to answer/discuss, just not responding to it is the most polite route.
What I'm saying is, I find your answer brusque and dismissive. Since I also do Ogham divination, I was interested in comparing and learning about what you do, since there aren't many people who divine with Ogham.

If you don't want to discuss what you do....fine, but I don't see any reason to be all McTat about it. I don't think there was anything rude in my question, but feel free to correct me if I was wrong.

hmmmmm sounds like someone needs some tea!!!

I didn't think the question was rude at all, but the response certainly was!

I meant the original form without the extra added letters. Seeing as I am fairly new at the Ogham I am really not sure what other answer there would be besides Q-Celtic (the original) or Proto-Q-Celtic (with the added letters). In other words I honestly thought it was an A or B question, to which I simply answered A.

Perhaps with that tea you may have some thoughts about perception as well. Sometimes a lengthy answer is not required, or perhaps there just isn't time for one considering work, children, chores etc...

[Silvana]

I really like the path your on. It sounds very rewarding. I'm on a similar path but only begining. I'm trying to steady my hand in the art of growing herbs right now and making oils. Lots of work ahead! :hahugh:

[Crystal Raven]

it is very rewarding, and wish you best wishes on your path!!!

and making oils

oh that's one I haven't attempted as yet!!! even though I have most of the supplies in the house _inabox_

[Nitefalle]

Yes, for those of you who have had success in making oils, please share your methods!!! I've read something about being able to do it with one of those potpourri hotplate things, where you make your own potpourri....will have to dig up that method and actually try it, then give feedback. Right now, thought, it's too hot to try anything of the kind.

Also, on the Ogham: I've tried reading descriptions of how you're supposed to read them when thrown on a square of cloth or board (isn't it divided into eight sections of something or other?) but find it very confusing without said cloth/board in front of me. Can anyone who practices give practical advice or point me towards a good site?

[skilly-nilly]

hmmmmm sounds like someone needs some tea!!!

In other words I honestly thought it was an A or B question, to which I simply answered A...

Sorry about the snarkiness..............

I have been divining with Ogham for years, and I am passionately interested in it myself and (because there are so few people who do) also comparing notes with other seers.

Looking back, I see that my question wasn't clear:

What do you use for divination? Fews (made of wood or something else?), cards, yarrow sticks....??

Commercially made divinatory objects or made by yourself or a crafts-person??

What references do you like best?? Worst???

Orrrrrrrrrrrr, to put it more succinctly:

Can you post more about what you use for Ogham, what Ogham you use (thanks for answering that one), and how you get messages?



I am realllllly interested, and was disappointed when it seemed you were brushing me off. No excuse for snarkiness, however, and I'm sorry.

I started with John and Caitlin Matthews, so I use 25. I wish I could use fews with the symbols carved on them but I am profoundly disnumeric and 4 strokes looks just like 5 strokes to me--it spoils the flow.

I'm at work, so I can't scoot over to the bookshelves and cite all the subsequent books I have read. I can't say that I have read the perfect book yet. As well as using 25, I use only local trees/plants/stuff(how does one catogorize 'lightning'?); that is, local to me. So I replace 'gorse' with 'goldenrod' and 'spindle' with 'the alternative symbology 'lightning'.

'Nativeness' or, to be more exact, 'locally found' is important to me, so I profoundly disagree with the Matthews' interpretation of 'Muin' as 'grapevine'. The Ancients all imported and drank wine, but the Irish didn't grow grapevines. I use the alternative 'vine' as in 'ras/black-berry bush'.
When I see a book on Ogham I don't have, that's how I decide whether to buy it or not---I look up Muin and see how it's interpreted.

Since I no longer really liked the Matthews' set and I can't just use fews, I created my own set of cards:
http://www.greenwisewoman.com/ogham/

I use them in a question/answer format mostly:
One formulates 3 questions and cuts the cards for the message. The up card and the next down card are the sending. The 6 cards (2X3 questions) also inter-relate.
I also make a big square out of the turned-over cards and draw 3 sets of 5 (re-making the square betwen sets) for a big past, present, future reading.

Hope you can get past my rudeness and carry on discussing.

[Zephyrstorm]

*jawdrop* Those are Gorgeous! Skilly-Nilly, I think I love you! j/k :D
Seriously, those are so just wow.

back to your regularly scheduled thread.

[Crystal Raven]

No excuse for snarkiness, however, and I'm sorry

Apology accepted, thank you.

Hope you can get past my rudeness and carry on discussing

So be it!!! :cheers:

What do you use for divination? Fews (made of wood or something else?), cards, yarrow sticks....??
I am currently using wooden skewers I shortened and carved on _inabox_
I cast them on a cloth I embroidered myself and read from closest to furthest.
I am slowly collecting each proper stick from each of the trees (so far I have birch, hawthorn, alder, willow, oak, apple, ivy and poplar)

What references do you like best?? Worst???
Funnily enough when I started on this particular trek my Aunt had the book for the Celtic Tree Oracle but not the cards, so she gave it to me. Then about a week later someone gave me the same book with the cards though. Unfortunately this is really the only reference I have been using, other than a very descriptive Tree Calendar I printed off the web.

I can't say that I have read the perfect book yet.
Any you would recommend?

I created my own set of cards
You created those? Beautiful work!!! Are they available retail?

[skilly-nilly]

Apology accepted, thank you.

:cheers:

I am currently using wooden skewers I shortened and carved on _inabox_
I cast them on a cloth I embroidered myself and read from closest to furthest.
I am slowly collecting each proper stick from each of the trees (so far I have birch, hawthorn, alder, willow, oak, apple, ivy and poplar)


Funnily enough when I started on this particular trek my Aunt had the book for the Celtic Tree Oracle but not the cards, so she gave it to me. Then about a week later someone gave me the same book with the cards though. Unfortunately this is really the only reference I have been using, other than a very descriptive Tree Calendar I printed off the web.

So if you use 20, do you then not use Grove, Spindle, Honeysuckle, Beech, and the Sea?

Or, what 20 do you use? Can you point to the Tree Calendar?
In my yard I have honeysuckle, ash, hazel, elder, yew, holly, and rowan/mountain ash, as well as the ones you already have. Except my ivy, like my heather, keeps getting winter-killed. And I use crab-apple for apple.

As you can see, I have made an effort to grow the Ogham Trees myself, except for ones like alder and reed, which need swamps.

Would you like some twigs? I see we live in the same country, so it wouldn't be a problem at-tall.

Any you would recommend?

The second book I got was Magical Alphabets by Nigel Pennick, which has a section on the Ogham. I have read some very McTat Re-Cons lambasting it, but I found it very useful.

I also have:
Tree Wisdom by Jacqueline Memory Paterson which isn't about Ogham (she barely mentions it) but about trees. About trees, it is a lovely and extremely informative book, though.

Ogam by Paul Rhys Montfort which I find to be portentiously fluffy. And he uses 'grape' for Muin. Still, knowledge is power.

Celtic Tree Mysteries by Steve Blamires. He also uses grape-vine (everyone who does includes some very defensive chat about it's not being local nor native--he goes right to 'climate change' as if archeology couldn't verify whether there were grapevines in Ireland then,,,,) and he is very OOOoooOOO mystical about Workings, but he has some interesting factoids as well about lore.

Omens, Oghams, and Oracles by Richard Webster which is the most uncritically fluffy book I have read on the subject. I only accept information he puts out when it is verified elsewhere because much of it is frankly made up and he doesn't reference anything.

I also have The
You created those? Beautiful work!!! Are they available retail?

[skilly-nilly]

Apology accepted, thank you.

:cheers:

I am currently using wooden skewers I shortened and carved on _inabox_
I cast them on a cloth I embroidered myself and read from closest to furthest.
I am slowly collecting each proper stick from each of the trees (so far I have birch, hawthorn, alder, willow, oak, apple, ivy and poplar)


Funnily enough when I started on this particular trek my Aunt had the book for the Celtic Tree Oracle but not the cards, so she gave it to me. Then about a week later someone gave me the same book with the cards though. Unfortunately this is really the only reference I have been using, other than a very descriptive Tree Calendar I printed off the web.

So if you use 20, do you then not use Grove, Spindle, Honeysuckle, Beech, and the Sea?

Or, what 20 do you use? Can you point to the Tree Calendar?
In my yard I have honeysuckle, ash, hazel, elder, yew, holly, and rowan/mountain ash, as well as the ones you already have. Except my ivy, like my heather, keeps getting winter-killed. And I use crab-apple for apple.

As you can see, I have made an effort to grow the Ogham Trees myself, except for ones like alder and reed, which need swamps.

Would you like some twigs? I see we live in the same country, so it wouldn't be a problem at-tall.

Any you would recommend?

The second book I got was Magical Alphabets by Nigel Pennick, which has a section on the Ogham. I have read some very McTat Re-Cons lambasting it, but I found it very useful.

I also have:
Tree Wisdom by Jacqueline Memory Paterson which isn't about Ogham (she barely mentions it) but about trees. About trees, it is a lovely and extremely informative book, though.

Ogam by Paul Rhys Montfort which I find to be portentiously fluffy. And he uses 'grape' for Muin. Still, knowledge is power.

Celtic Tree Mysteries by Steve Blamires. He also uses grape-vine (everyone who does includes some very defensive chat about it's not being local nor native--he goes right to 'climate change' as if archeology couldn't verify whether there were grapevines in Ireland then.....) and he is very ooooOOOOoooo mystical about Workings, but he has some interesting factoids as well about lore.

Omens, Oghams, and Oracles by Richard Webster which is the most uncritically fluffy book I have read on the subject. I only accept information he puts out when it is verified elsewhere because much of it is frankly made up and he doesn't reference anything.

I also have The Sacred Tree by Glennie Kindred but it's a hand-written non-mass-produced pamphlet I bought from one of the Pagan vendors at the Boston Irish Festival some years ago.


You created those? Beautiful work!!! Are they available retail?
Thank you very much. I sell them when I do shows, but the cost of professionally printing cards is soooo high that I have to charge a big buck and sell them as 'artwork' rather than 'tools' as I would wish.

[Crystal Raven]

So if you use 20, do you then not use Grove, Spindle, Honeysuckle, Beech, and the Sea?

I don't have all the trees as yet :(

Or, what 20 do you use?
The homemade skewers mentioned above.

Would you like some twigs? I see we live in the same country, so it wouldn't be a problem at-tall.

Oh that would be wonderful, yes please!!!

Can you point to the Tree Calendar?


[URL=]"http://www.faeriefaith.net/treecal.html" (]"http://www.faeriefaith.net/tree_energies.html"[/URL)


the cost of professionally printing cards is soooo high that I have to charge a big buck and sell them as 'artwork' rather than 'tools' as I would wish

awww thats a shame!!! tell me if you ever get that worked out so the price is down!!!

[skilly-nilly]

[QUOTE=shamengoddess]
Oh that would be wonderful, yes please!!![QUOTE]


What woods would you like, and what thickness and length?

[skilly-nilly]

You created those? Beautiful work!!! Are they available retail?

Since mine are cost-prohibitive, you might like these, if the artist uses the same 20 trees that you do...

http://www.electriccelt.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=eleccelt2&Category_Code=793-+VOTW

[CloeOtter]

Oh, I love the illustrations of your cards, silly-nilly. A few of them remind me of my Druid Amimal Oracle Deck, which has the ogham within it but is not its phocus. I am so tempted by your set. I am so glad to have found you here. I remember when I was doing research on Oracles and the ogham I came across your site and looked at your set for at less a half hour or more.

Since mine are cost-prohibitive, you might like these, if the artist uses the same 20 trees that you do...

http://www.electriccelt.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=eleccelt2&Category_Code=793-+VOTW

I have come across this set before your post here and really want it. I like that it has the leaf of the tree behind the ogham simbol on each peice.

As for the Hedgewitch path, Shamengoddess, I really like your discription.
I really identify with quite alot of what I have read here and else where about hedgewitchry. As a solitary though I do not grow anything as yet, though I do use herbs and such in my practice. As a healer and seer- plus working with inbetweens I feel very connected to this path.

As a Healer or wise women I share and guide women to learn about safe and more natural ways and products to care for there women's cycle or moon cycle needs and fertility that is not harmful to Mother Earth. As a Seer or Oracle I do theraputic and guided readings with oracles and the natural intuitive gifts I have been given by Mother Earth. I work with oracle cards and pendelem(sp?), alittle scrying, and touching objects or people to name a few. I also respect the Fae and work with animal guides in readings and in my spiritual workings.

As you have menchen I also include the Celtic traditions and foklore losely in my path, but also not as Recons do. For ritual and spellweavings I do not work ceremonial tools accept a wand, which for me is a willow branch very natural and fae friendly. All my tools are natural and nontraditional.

Alright thats more than enogh I'll stop now.
Peace and Love.

[Crystal Raven]

Sorry for not responding sooner...was on vacation! (First one in my life even!!!)

I love to read other people's thoughts and opinions, ty CloeOtter!

[xAGONYx]

yeah, it's harmony but without any either matter bouncing around. like that old rabbit in the movie who kept removing all the skin, hairs, etc.

paths are not unlike an umbrella, ensconsing us all in oneness, whether it's with love or not.

[AoibhellFaeryMoon]

I LOOOVE the description of Hedgewitch! I am very focused on divination, astral travel, dreaming, as well as kitchen-witchery, and using what is around me as tools for magick. I consider myself an "Urban Hedgewitch" with some kitchen witch thrown in for good measure. I am certainly NOT a Greenwitch, as I tend to kill most living plants I own (I have a black thumb).

As for the Ogham topic, I tried learning to read it, but it never worked for me. But, recently I began finding various divinatory methods much easier, so I may try again!

And I want to see skilly-nilly's cards, but the site says the page isn't there! :( Is there another link to them?