I'm A Hedgewytch!!! I'm A Hedgewytch!!

[lamoka]

Finally...
It has all come together.. I thought I was eclectic and was really okay with that..
I know I'm not wiccan, and thought eclectic solitary witch was it.. then today I came across a bunch of definitions and voila..

What the Heck is a Hedgewitch Anyway?



Basically, hedgewitchery is a combination of Traditional Witchcraft (NOT Wicca) and Shamanism, with herbalism, healing, and a deep love for nature added to the mix.

Hedgewitchery is loosely based on the old wise woman (and man) Tradition. The wise woman Tradition is, quite possibly, the oldest eclectic magickal tradition. If you think “wise woman” and picture the strange old lady who sold herbs and magickal charms, acted as midwife and healer in the ancient times, you are not far off. This tradition never truly died out, and in recent years, more and more people are turning to it and adapting it to modern times.

The word "hedgewitch" may come from the Saxon word for witch, haegtessa, which translates to "hedge-rider". The Old Norse lay Havamal refers to "hedge-riders, witching aloft".

Some may spell it with a capitol H, and some do not. Others will use a spelling such as “hedgewytch”. A few other names attached to this Craft: Hedge-Rider, Night Travelers, Myrk-Riders, Gandreidh (wand-rider), and Walkers on the Wind.

In the past, towns, villages and farmsteads had fences and hedgerows marking the boundary of the town, keeping the wilderness out. Crossing the hedge meant walking into the wild, where predatory animals, and all manner of fae creatures lived. Back in the old times, many people never traveled more than a few miles from where they were born, and even then, they stuck to the roads and well known paths of traders and huntsmen. For the hedgewitch, the hedge is a metaphor for the line drawn between this world and the next; between reality and dream, between the Upper, Middle, and Lower Worlds.

In the old days, the wise woman or hedgewitch lived on the edges of the community, often on the other side of the town’s boundary hedge. They scratched out a living through herbalism, understanding nature, prophecy and divination as well as magick and healing. The hedgewitch served her community in many ways including but not only; midwifery, healing, protection spells, house blessings, crop and livestock blessings, through the selling of magickal charms and even curses. A hedgewitch might sell one member of her community a small curse or ill-wish one day, and then charge its victim a fee to break the curse the next. The hedgewitch was respected, and likely a little feared, because of these abilities, and because they had such a close relationship with nature and the magickal world.

Hedgewitches use herbs and shamanic techniques, such as drumming and meditation, to induce altered states of consciousness. They work with familiar spirits, their ancestral dead, plant and animal Totems to assist in their Otherworld work. Hedgewitches often refer to shamanic journeys as “walking the hedge” or “crossing the hedge”. They also have a tendency to spend much of their lives with one foot on either side of the hedge, which makes them eccentric to say the least. A hedgewitch walks freely into caol ait (Gaelic), the “thin places” between one world and another. More experienced hedgewitches learn not only to find such places, but how to use them effectively and how to open them even when the Veil is at its thickest between the sabbats. For the hedgewitch there is no separation between normal life and their magickal one, for their normal life is magickal.

In modern times, a hedgewitch is usually found outside the city, perhaps on an acreage or farm, often practicing by her self or perhaps within the family. They work much as the old wise women of old, helping neighbors, friends and family with ailments, shamanic healing and even blessing the odd field. Hedgewitches will work a lot in cultivated fields, gardens and farmsteads, but often prefer time spent in the woods and other wild areas. A Gardenwitch, Greenwitch or Kitchenwitch may work mostly in her cultivated garden; a hedgewitch will likely spend more of her time gathering her herbs and such from the wild places. Although the practices have changed quite a lot, you will find most hedgewitches practice as close to traditionally as possible in these modern times. Hedgewitches are very adaptable. You may find a hedgewitch casting an old fashioned prosperity or fertility spell on a modern tractor as a favor to a neighbor, for example.
The main distinction between hedgewitchery and other forms of witchcraft is that hedgewitches have less interest in the religious/ceremonial aspects of coven or group witchcraft, having an individual and often unique way of relating to life, spirituality and Creation. A hedgewitch is less likely to perform formal magickal workings, preferring simpler folk, or low, magic. The only tradition hedgewitches typically follow is a reverence for Nature, though some may come from a more formal pagan path originally.

Most hedgewitches do what ever comes natural to them; they follow their instincts, and their heart. Most use few made man objects in their spells and rituals. Their tools are typically very practical, such as a walking stick or pruning shears, and their tools are hand made by them as much as possible. They avoid complicated formulated magick, practicing an earthy and simple form of ritual and magick. Some hedgewitches do not cast Circles when practicing outdoors, for they feel it cuts them off from nature.

Hedgewitches usually study herbalism with gusto, as well as seeking knowledge and understanding of the ways of Nature, the cycle of the seasons and the wildlife and plant-life in their area. Hedgewitches will not only know how to grow herbs in a garden, but also where and how they grow in the wild and how to gather them. They usually have a great deal of lore on trees and plane life, animals and the wilderness in general. Healing, divination, the use of trance inducing herbs and all manner of fertility rites are also a part of this Tradition.

Hedgewitches tailor their Tradition to suit themselves, some may focus on herbalism, others study midwifery, some may practice reiki, and others may be well versed in healing with crystals. Some hedgewitches may choose to be a jack of all trades, but a master of none.

Sadly, there are few men called to this Path, and this may or may not change over time.

While hedgewitchery is typically a solitary path, this is not always so. Even the most hermit-like hedgewitch can still be found at local pagan events. Also, some of their practices, especially the shamanic ones, require a trusted friend to watch over their body while their soul is elsewhere. Hedgewitches are unlikely to become involved with witch wars within the community, and depending on the individual’s personality, are more likely to prefer maintaining friendly relations with the majority of the pagan community. Some may have friends or domestic partners who follow another pagan path, and they will often happily join in any ritual or activity if invited.

Spirituality in hedgewitches varies and depends on the individual; usually they look to their own heritage and ancestry. Most commonly hedgewitches practice some form of neopaganism. The daily spiritual practice of a hedgewitch will be adapted to her individual abilities, interests and life style. One hedgewitch may start her mornings offering up prayers of thanksgiving to her gods as she collects eggs from the chicken coop. Another hedgewitch may spend her mornings in quiet meditation on her patio; sipping tea and watching the deer graze in her lawn. A third hedgewitch may say a quick prayer at the household shrine before racing off to work.

So what the heck IS a hedgewitch anyways?

Some people may prefer rural and/or wild settings and be a little wild themselves. They may be looking for a Shamanic Witchcraft Tradition that leans heavily on natural magic, understanding the wilderness and the practice of healing lore. They may have little interest in organized religion. They may wish to blaze their own Path, like the wise women of old. They may just be 'hedgewitches'.



Thanks to

Wikipedia


THIS IS ME!!! THIS IS ME!!! :abanana:

[Tanya]

hmmmm really good post.... maybe that's me too...

Ive always been impatient/bored with my husband's rigid Alexandrian incantations which mean soo muc gobbledy gook to me... I mean I believe in the basic Wiccan tennets, but , it has always seemed a little artifucal to me...

I'm a ranger by trade.. fate has made me a water ranger... (blame climate change) so I spend about 1/2 my work time hiking along rivers, checking how they are going... the other half writing grants and running trainings for people who want to do more to look after our rivers.... and organic gardener, and poet.

I am mad on my herbs, and wild gatherings, of both plants and animals...my family have a pretty strong Applachian Wise woman tradition for gathering, healing, gardening and speaking to the Earth.....

maybe this fits!

thanks so much for the post!

[SparkleWytch]

I'm still forming my path. I may have to do a bit of Wiki searching :)
Congratulations. It's cool to finally know where ya fit sometimes :)

[lamoka]

It's been two and a half years I have been active on my path.. a little of this a little of that.. about nine years since I began my search.. wiki just brought it all under one heading.. like I said nothing really seemed to fit except eclectic solitary witch..
and then BAM!!
Very Cool..
walking my path, living my truth..
Lady Lamoka

[Windsmith]

Hi, lamoka. Congratulations on your discovery! If ya don't mind, I'm going to move your thread to the Paths: Kitchen, Green and Hedge Witches forum.

-Windsmith

[Kittee]

This sounds exactly like me too. =) Old Wise Woman well maybe not so old and not so wise yet but I hope to get there some day.

I need to read more into this. Thanks for posting it!

[Simply Puzzled]

Totally not trying to rain on your parade here, I think it's great you've found a path, but there is some questionable history here.



The word "hedgewitch" may come from the Saxon word for witch, haegtessa, which translates to "hedge-rider". The Old Norse lay Havamal refers to "hedge-riders, witching aloft".


I've seen no real evidence to suggest that this isn't a modern word legitimized by claiming it is Saxon. For starters, I haven't seen it used outside of publications in the last 30 years or so. I'd be interested if anyone had, for example, a case of it being used in Middle English that would show continuity from Old English to Modern English.


In the past, towns, villages and farmsteads had fences and hedgerows marking the boundary of the town, keeping the wilderness out. Crossing the hedge meant walking into the wild, where predatory animals, and all manner of fae creatures lived. Back in the old times, many people never traveled more than a few miles from where they were born, and even then, they stuck to the roads and well known paths of traders and huntsmen.

Which towns, which villages? Which countries? Which predatory animals? In Northern Europe, it seems only the larger cities and Roman Castra were walled off, with smaller cities having a wall or fence. Small villages were more organic and less well-defined, and they didn't really need much of a boundary. I'd be interested if anyone had an example of written or visual records of a town surrounded by a hedge. Secondly, which old times during which people didn't travel? During the middle ages, many people made pilgrimages across Europe to holy sites, not to mention thriving trade in areas like the Hanseatic League or the Mediterranian. Before that, the Roman Empire's stability mixed with well maintained roads facilitated trade, and before that, migratory tribes were quite common. I'm not saying travel was as common as today, but it wasn't unknown. Lastly, the idea of living outside the wall was not uncommon. The farmers lived outside the walls of a city. Cities often had an immigrant population that settled outside of the wall and might work inside or trade outside to avoid taxes of selling inside, etc.


In the old days, the wise woman or hedgewitch lived on the edges of the community, often on the other side of the town’s boundary hedge. They scratched out a living through herbalism, understanding nature, prophecy and divination as well as magick and healing. The hedgewitch served her community in many ways including but not only; midwifery, healing, protection spells, house blessings, crop and livestock blessings, through the selling of magickal charms and even curses. A hedgewitch might sell one member of her community a small curse or ill-wish one day, and then charge its victim a fee to break the curse the next. The hedgewitch was respected, and likely a little feared, because of these abilities, and because they had such a close relationship with nature and the magickal world.


Again, which old days? The functions listed were performed by many people over the course of history. At different times there were priests, diviners, cunning wo/men, bards, alchemists, astrologers, druids, doctors, etc. It's not that these functions didn't exist, but to say that they, in the past, were performed by a singular person living in these semi-mythical towns with a set of practices common enough to be called a tradition is probably a mistake. This says nothing of it as a modern practice though.

[Juniper138]

EDIT: There is an updated version of the article on the second page of this thread.

I'm glad you liked my article. Did you find it on my website, witchvox or where? Just curious.

PS, when posting other people's articles, please make sure to add their name eh? Thanks.

EDIT: Whoops, if you found it on Wikipedia, you must have got it from my website. Someone added my website to the links section of the Hedgewitch definition there. Hmm and cut and pasted some stuff from my website too! Though a a bit of it I did myself a while ago. It's nice to see more people working on the wiki definition.

[Juniper138]

Totally not trying to rain on your parade here, I think it's great you've found a path, but there is some questionable history here.



I've seen no real evidence to suggest that this isn't a modern word legitimized by claiming it is Saxon. For starters, I haven't seen it used outside of publications in the last 30 years or so. I'd be interested if anyone had, for example, a case of it being used in Middle English that would show continuity from Old English to Modern English.



Which towns, which villages? Which countries? Which predatory animals? In Northern Europe, it seems only the larger cities and Roman Castra were walled off, with smaller cities having a wall or fence. Small villages were more organic and less well-defined, and they didn't really need much of a boundary. I'd be interested if anyone had an example of written or visual records of a town surrounded by a hedge. Secondly, which old times during which people didn't travel? During the middle ages, many people made pilgrimages across Europe to holy sites, not to mention thriving trade in areas like the Hanseatic League or the Mediterranian. Before that, the Roman Empire's stability mixed with well maintained roads facilitated trade, and before that, migratory tribes were quite common. I'm not saying travel was as common as today, but it wasn't unknown. Lastly, the idea of living outside the wall was not uncommon. The farmers lived outside the walls of a city. Cities often had an immigrant population that settled outside of the wall and might work inside or trade outside to avoid taxes of selling inside, etc.



Again, which old days? The functions listed were performed by many people over the course of history. At different times there were priests, diviners, cunning wo/men, bards, alchemists, astrologers, druids, doctors, etc. It's not that these functions didn't exist, but to say that they, in the past, were performed by a singular person living in these semi-mythical towns with a set of practices common enough to be called a tradition is probably a mistake. This says nothing of it as a modern practice though.

You'll have to forgive me, I am not quite good at breaking up quote from other people's posts.

You're right, as far as I can find, there is no use of the word Hedgewitch, derived from Saxon or not, from before about 30 years ago. I've looked. But that does not make it illegitimate, just a modern word. A word does not have to be old to be legitimate. English is still a young language, we are adding to it and it is changing all the time. Us modern folk who "made up" the word Hedgewitch in the last few decades DID take it from the Saxon though. So that is correct, it does come from the Saxon, just in the last 30 years or so.
In earlier times, it seems such words as "cunning men/women" was used more commonly.

I guess I was thinking more of the old hedgerow type boundaries.
Used more to keep the cows in *grin* Fence, wall and hedge can mean different things.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedge_(barrier)

And, yes, farmers and such lived outside the township as well. I figured that was obvious. But then, I'm a farmer.

Of course people traveled back then. But the regular common farming folk still did not travel about all that much. Plenty of folk never went further than the next town. Heck, I know people in small middle of no where type communities who in this modern day have never been more than a few miles out of town.

A quick google of such things as "Celtic village" "Viking village" and such will find many great site and pics of different types of communities in history, and their different kinds of fences.

And there are enough superstitions about things in the woods, under bridges and such that we know folk believe there was all sorts of fey stuff out there.

All old days. and I was in a sense, referring to all the different priests, diviners, cunning women, bards, alchemists, astrologers, druids, doctors, etc. But mostly the cunning man/ wise woman types. What I was trying to get across is that through out history, there have been many people who have followed a path similar to the modern Hedgewitch, and we look to them for inspiration.

Thanks for the critique. You found a few "holes" in my article that will keep me busy for sometime, and help me to clarify and improve the article.
I am always looking for ways to improve and expand my writing abilities, research and the info I put out there. You have given me some wonderful food for thought. And some great fodder and ideas to help me with future articles and such. There is very little out there about Hedgecraft (and a lot of it is Wicca in disguise), a gap I hope to help fill. But I wish to do so with integrity and as little "fluff" as possible.

[lamoka]

I copied the article directly from the site on which I found it.. I yahood for different defnitions of green witch, hedgewytch, etc. and came across the article.. had I known who to give credit it would have been copied as I copied the entire page..
Sorry for any confusion..
So.. is this a made up definition of hedgewytch or what.. did I just find my niche only to find the niche does not exist..
PLEASE clarify...

[Juniper138]

It is indeed a valid path, followed by many.
It is a eclectic path in the sense that it takes from different spiritual, magickal, and healing traditions of old and blends them into one. It is a form of Traditional Witchcraft. It is a path that has been followed by many people for a very long time ... they just didn't call themselves Hedgewitches. They had their own names and definitions in their own languages for their own cultures. Hedgewitch is for our culture in our language. It is the modern interpretation of a very old thing.
One thing I have been working on is a list or collection of folk tales and mythology with "hedgewitch types" in them. The old village wise woman is a part of our cultural consciousness for a reason :)

Here's a few links that could be quite helpful. (my own website is new and I am learning to build webpages as I go, so it's not any kind of definitive guide to Hedgcraft or anything) You will notice certain important similarities in each different practice of, and definition of, Hedgecraft.

http://www.pookachild.com/

http://www.hedgewytchery.com/indexb.html

http://www.shadowdrake.com/

http://www.hedge-witch.com/index.htm

http://www.hazeyjane.co.uk/hedgewitch.php

http://www.hedgewitchescottage.co.uk/ **(I love these guys)**

** a personal favorite of mine, and a good laugh as well. *** http://www.scottishpf.org/hedgewitch.html

I checked, my name is at the bottom of the article, but centered (unlike the rest of the article). Making it easy to miss while copy and pasting. I shall have to fix that. :)

[lamoka]

I love this.. and thanks for the links.. can't wait to dig in..
The Hedgewitch (Hagwychia variegata)
by Louise P. Hedgewitch & Midwife


The Hedgewitch is very common in Britain these days, though it was once thought to be on the verge of extinction in most places due to government suppression. It is most commonly found in woodland and on riverbanks, though it also thrives in other habitats. It can, with difficulty, be cultivated in urban areas, though it much prefers the countryside. The Hedgewitch is often slow-growing due to its preference for shady hollows, and due to its solitary nature it is often slow to reproduce. In rich seams of knowledge it grows more quickly, and may attempt cross-pollination with others of the species. However, when a group of this species does meet, each specimen undergoes substantial growth spurts. Very rarely, this group may evolve into the subspecies covenii, but this is an unstable strain, and it usually reverts quickly to its former state.

It is often difficult to distinguish between the male and female of the species due to their similar attire, which has evolved to allow ease of spread in dense undergrowth and woodland areas. However, the male is very rare, so unless there are other indications one can usually presume that the specimen is female. Tell-tale signs include twigs in the hair, a thin covering of mud, and a distinctive odour of cat-piss caused by its close association with elderflowers and other pungent herbs. Under close examination, it may tell you to 'bugger off and mind your own business if you don't want this big stick rammed somewhere unpleasant', so care must be taken at all times. Protective clothing may be advisable when handling.

Though once considered poisonous, the Hedgewitch may in fact have healing properties, if used correctly. It may be governed by almost any deity, or could also possibly have told it to 'bugger off and mind your own business if you don't want this big stick rammed somewhere unpleasant', an unusual attribute almost unique to this species.

Extracted from 'The Reader's Direst Book of British Pagans' edited by Nodana Wink.

[Sage]

I have been meaning to congratulate you for some time now, but alas everytime I get on the net my son wants something :) So congrats on finding the name of your path, or should I say one of the words to describe it?!

Happy walking and discovering!
Sage

[Nitefalle]

Yes, congratulations Lamoka!! It is always a wonderful feeling to come home. Juniper, thanks for all the links! Can't wait to check them out.

[Juniper138]

No Prob guys.

If you're interested in Hedgecraft, you should be looking into Traditional Witchcraft as well. Especially if you do not want a Wicca based practice. I started as a Hedgewitch with a more Wicca style, but have been moving further and further away from it over the last few years.

[Simply Puzzled]

You're right, as far as I can find, there is no use of the word Hedgewitch, derived from Saxon or not, from before about 30 years ago. I've looked. But that does not make it illegitimate, just a modern word. A word does not have to be old to be legitimate. English is still a young language, we are adding to it and it is changing all the time. Us modern folk who "made up" the word Hedgewitch in the last few decades DID take it from the Saxon though. So that is correct, it does come from the Saxon, just in the last 30 years or so.

Thank you for clarifying the origin of the word. The way the article was phrased was rather confusing.


I guess I was thinking more of the old hedgerow type boundaries.
Used more to keep the cows in *grin* Fence, wall and hedge can mean different things.

Okay, now I know what you were referring to. A couple points should be clarified in the article: the hedges were not used to encircle whole towns, and they were rather sporadically planted, rather than being a universal feature.


And, yes, farmers and such lived outside the township as well. I figured that was obvious. But then, I'm a farmer.

Well, yes, it should be obvious, but most people's knowledge of history is absolutely abysmal. That's why I dislike sort of "back in the day" type descriptions. As someone studying history (specifically art) I tend to go "when, who, how do we know" etc.


All old days. and I was in a sense, referring to all the different priests, diviners, cunning women, bards, alchemists, astrologers, druids, doctors, etc. But mostly the cunning man/ wise woman types. What I was trying to get across is that through out history, there have been many people who have followed a path similar to the modern Hedgewitch, and we look to them for inspiration.

In my interpretation of the article, you missed making the point that Hedgewitchery draws from the traditions of days long since gone and instead that it is a continuous tradition dating back X number of years (where X is greater than 50).


Thanks for the critique. You found a few "holes" in my article that will keep me busy for sometime, and help me to clarify and improve the article. I am always looking for ways to improve and expand my writing abilities, research and the info I put out there. You have given me some wonderful food for thought. And some great fodder and ideas to help me with future articles and such. There is very little out there about Hedgecraft (and a lot of it is Wicca in disguise), a gap I hope to help fill. But I wish to do so with integrity and as little "fluff" as possible.

Thank you for responding so well and not being defensive. I really appreciate your response, as it lets me know where you stand better.

[Belgalad]

The article mentions that hedge witches work with "familiar spirits". How does that word translate into modern parlance, sans Inquisition-era Christian/Catholic biasing?

IOW, what's a familiar spirit, when you take away the whole "Satan" part of the usual definition?

[Juniper138]

Having never been Christian, I have a hard time removing Satanic connotations from things, as they never start that way for me.
By familiar spirits I would think along the lines of spirits you are familiar with. Trite, I know, but true enough.
Familiar of course, comes from the old Europe belief that witches had a familiar animal they could turn into. Whether this is based on some old belief of animal totem types, we really do not know for sure.
The familiar spirits Hedgewitches work with are typically ancestors, animal and spirit guides, the Fae and nature spirits.

[lil'BuddhistWitch]

Juniper...

i would like to know more about this as it sounds familiar....

i will look through your website.. . and the other links....


thanks!

[Juniper138]

A revised version for your scrutiny: :)

What is Hedgecraft? (or what the heck is a hedgewitch anyways?)

Hedgewitchery, or Hedgecraft, is a combination of Traditional Witchcraft and shamanism. With herbalism, healing, and a deep love for, and understanding of, Nature added to the mix. It is an eclectic tradition, but just how much so depends on each individual practitioner.

Hedgecraft is loosely based on the old wise women (and men), cunning folk, herbalists, healers and witches throughout history. If you think “hedgewitch” and picture the strange old lady who sold herbs and magickal charms, acted as midwife and healer in the ancient times, you are not far off. Nor are you far off if you picture the wise sage who would cast bones to divine the future or journey in the otherworld to heal members of his community.

Throughout history “medicine man” or “wise woman” type traditions have risen and fallen all over the world. These kinds of traditions never truly died out, and in recent years, more and more people are turning to them and adapting them to modern times. Modern Hedgecraft is the study, adaptation and practice of these ancient nature-based, spiritual and healing traditions in our modern lives.

Most hedgewitches look to their own heritage to find inspiration, practises and knowledge. Hedgewitches can come from any background, but the majority of hedgewitches seem to come from a European ancestry. While most study the traditions of their own ancestry, some may be drawn to the traditions of other cultures. Or they may seek to learn from other cultures to gain a better understanding of their own heritage, as well as a greater respect for others. Hedgewitches are not opposed to the study of modern tradition as well, for they strive to bridge the gap between old and new. To blend old traditions with a modern lifestyle in a workable and practical manner is a hallmark of Hedgecraft.
Sadly, there are few men called to this Path, and this may or may not change over time.

The word "hedgewitch" is, as far as we can tell, a fairly modern term. Though its true origin may never be known, it likely comes from Great Britain and may have started to be used only in the last 50 years. “Hedgewitch” may come from the Saxon word haegtessa, which translates to "hedge-rider". The Old Norse lay Havamal refers to "hedge-riders, witching aloft". Although hedgewitch is a modern word, that does not make it illegitimate, just a modern word, for a word does not have to be old to be legitimate. English is still a young language; it is changing and growing all the time. Our ancestors had their own names, in their own languages, for such traditions. Hedgewitch is for our culture, in our language. The basic modern definition of hedgewitch would be comparable to another ancient culture’s definition of wisewoman, cunning man, medicine man, shaman, healer etc.

Some may spell Hedgewitch, Hedgewitchery, or Hedgecraft with a capitol “H”, and some do not. Others will use a spelling such as “hedgewytch”. A few other names often attached to this Craft: Hedge-Rider, Night Travelers, Myrk-Riders, Gandreidh (wand-rider), and Walkers on the Wind.

For the hedgewitch, “the Hedge” is a metaphor for the line drawn between reality and dream, between life and death, between the Upper, Middle, and Lower Worlds. It is also simply the boundary between civilization and the wild. This concept of a boundary hedge in a spiritual and magickal sense is from the European (especially British) tradition of hedgelaying. Going back even to the Iron Age, the European landscape has been crisscrossed by hedgerows. Hedgerows are carefully grown and landscaped intricate layers of plant-life. These often-large and long rows of shrub, bush and tree were boundaries for farmsteads, pastures, villages, ditches and such. Often times, at the very edge of a human settlement was a sturdy hedgerow keeping the wilderness and wildlife out of field, pasture and garden.

Crossing a hedge often meant crossing a boundary of some sort, such as walking into the wild, going from wheat field to cow pasture, or entering another person’s property. A hedgerow is not just a boundary but is also a protective home and shelter to all kinds of wildlife, such as rabbits and birds, as well as providing shade and acting as a windbreak. Hedgerows were also very important in keeping the herds in and the predators out, as well as marking the territorial boundaries of human settlements. Often berry and fruit bearing trees and shrub are grown in hedgerows, making them a source of edible and healing plants for both animal and human alike. A hedgerow straddles many boundaries; it provides shade, shelter, food, medicine, and protection to plants, animals and the people of its community. In their own way, so do hedgewitches. The more one learns of the tradition of laying hedgerows and the tradition of Hedgecraft, the more the use of “hedge” for this Craft becomes clearly appropriate.

Throughout history the “hedgewitch” (wisewoman, cunning man, faith healer, shaman etc) often lived on the edges of the community, perhaps amongst the outlying hedgerows. They scratched out a living through herbalism, understanding nature, divination as well as magick and healing. They served the community in many ways including but not only; midwifery, healing, protection spells, house blessings, crop and livestock blessings, through the selling of magickal charms and even curses. A “hedgewitch” (wisewoman, cunning man, faith healer, shaman etc) might sell one member of her community a small curse or ill-wish one day, and then charge its victim a fee to break the curse the next. Therefore, people who followed such traditions were respected, and likely a little feared, because of these abilities, and because they had such a close relationship with Nature and the spiritual world.

In modern times, a hedgewitch is usually found outside the city, perhaps on an acreage or farm, often practicing by her self or within the family. They work much as the old wise women of old, helping neighbors, friends and family with ailments, shamanic healing and even blessing the odd field. Hedgewitches will work a lot in cultivated fields, gardens and farmsteads, but often prefer time spent in the woods and other wild areas. A Gardenwitch, Greenwitch or Kitchenwitch may work mostly in her cultivated garden; a hedgewitch will likely spend more of her time gathering her herbs and such from the rural and wild places, and the roadsides, ditches, fields and hedgerows that border wilderness and civilization. Although many of the traditions a hedgewitch draws from have changed and lost precious lore over the centuries, you will find most hedgewitches practice as close to traditionally as possible in these modern times. Hedgewitches are very adaptable. You may find a hedgewitch casting an old-fashioned prosperity or fertility spell on a modern tractor as a favour to a neighbour, for example.

Hedgewitches use herbs and shamanic techniques, such as drumming and meditation, to induce altered states of consciousness. They work with familiar spirits, meaning simply sprits that are familiar to them. Such as their ancestral dead, plant and animal totems, spirit guides, deities, nature spirits and such to assist in their magickal, healing, and Otherworld work. Hedgewitches often refer to shamanic journeys as “walking the Hedge” or “crossing the Hedge”. They also have a tendency to spend much of their lives with one foot on either side of the Hedge, which makes them eccentric to say the least. A hedgewitch walks freely into caol ait (Gaelic), the “thin places” between one world and another. More experienced hedgewitches learn not only to find such places, but how to use them effectively and how to open them even when the Veil is at its thickest between the sabbats.

The main distinction between Hedgecraft and other forms of Witchcraft is that hedgewitches have less interest in the religious/ceremonial aspects of coven or group Witchcraft, having an individual and often unique way of relating to life, spirituality and Creation. A hedgewitch is less likely to perform formal magickal workings, preferring simpler folk, or low, magic. The only tradition hedgewitches typically follow is a reverence for Nature, though some may come from a more formal pagan path originally. The hedgewitch walks the boundary hedge between a magickal, spiritual life and the every day normal life, for their normal life is magickal.

Most hedgewitches do what ever comes natural to them; they follow their instincts, and their heart. There is no set formula of rituals a hedgewitch must perform by rote; a hedgewitch creates her own rituals and allows Nature to inspire her Craft, practicing an earthy and simple form of ritual and magick. Most use few made man objects in their spells and rituals. Their ritual and magickal tools are typically very practical, such as a walking stick or pruning shears, and their tools are hand made by them as much as possible. Hedgewitches rarely cast Circles when practicing outdoors, for they feel it cuts them off from nature.

Hedgewitches usually study herbalism with gusto, as well as seeking knowledge and understanding of the ways of Nature, the cycle of the seasons and the wildlife and plant-life in their area. Hedgewitches will not only know how to grow herbs in a garden, but also where and how they grow in the wild and how to gather them. They usually have a great deal of lore on trees and plant life, animals and the wilderness in general. Healing, divination, the use of trance inducing herbs and all manner of fertility rites are also a part of this Tradition.

Hedgewitches tailor their Tradition to suit themselves, some may focus on herbalism, others study midwifery, some may practice reiki, and others may be well versed in healing with crystals. Some hedgewitches may choose to be a jack-of-all-trades, but a master of none. Ultimately the main focus of Hedgecraft is service to the community and Nature, healing, herbalism, Nature lore, folk magick, divination, witchcraft and shamanic practice.

While Hedgecraft is typically a solitary path, this is not always so. Even the most hermit-like hedgewitch can still be found at local pagan events. Also, some of their practices, especially the shamanic ones, require a trusted friend to watch over their body while their soul is elsewhere. Hedgewitches are unlikely to become involved with witch wars within the community, and depending on the individual’s personality, are more likely to prefer maintaining friendly relations with the majority of the pagan community. Some may have friends or domestic partners who follow another pagan or heathen path, and they will often happily join in any ritual or activity if invited.

Spirituality in hedgewitches varies and depends on the individual; usually they look to their own heritage and ancestry. Most commonly hedgewitches practice some form of neopaganism, and honor or serve Nature and/or healing oriented deities, if any at all. The daily spiritual practice of a hedgewitch will be adapted to her individual abilities, interests and life style; as well as her local climate, seasonal cycles, and such.

One hedgewitch may start her mornings offering up prayers of thanksgiving to her gods as she collects eggs from the chicken coop. Another hedgewitch may spend her mornings in quiet meditation on her patio; sipping tea and watching the deer graze in her lawn. A third hedgewitch may say a quick prayer at the household shrine before racing off to work.

So what the heck IS a Hedgewitch anyways?
Some people may prefer rural and/or wild settings and be a little wild themselves. They may be looking for a Shamanic Witchcraft Tradition that leans heavily on natural magick, understanding the wilderness and the practice of healing lore. They may have little interest in organized religion. They may feel the need to not only help and heal others, but to help and heal the Earth as well. They may wish to blaze their own Path, like the wise women of old. They may just be 'Hedgewitches'.

Source:
Wikipedia

~ By Juniper 2007 www.walkingthehedge.org
Permission to reproduce so long as the authors name and this disclaimer are attached.

[Nitefalle]

Excellent revision, Juniper!! It really filled on the gaps I felt the other article left; much more detailed. Thank you for sharing!!

[CloeOtter]

"a hedgewitch will likely spend more of her time gathering her herbs and such from the rural and wild places, and the roadsides, ditches, fields and hedgerows that border wilderness and civilization."

I always wondered why I felt so connected to the Hedgewytch path this really is how I do things a good deal the the time. Just this summer in June I asked permission and also just collected where I could find them lose rose petles and buds that had fallen and were about to for a spell and to store for later use. I do not have much of a green thumb. But I do know a bit about gathering with out harming the plants & herbs. Plus I find it fun & more natural to search out what I need in the border areas of town and wilderness.

I like the update as well, :weirdsmil

[princeether]

Ive just realised im a Hedgewitch too...and now i feel like I will never be lonely again, I actually now WANT to be alone, with the God and Godess and Nature, in my own way.
I never did care for all that ritual much, but felt like I was cheating by not doing it...Now I know better.
Juniper, your OP was perfect for me to gain some clarification and confirmation. Thanks!

Blessed be

[Arie]

Some people may prefer rural and/or wild settings and be a little wild themselves. They may be looking for a Shamanic Witchcraft Tradition that leans heavily on natural magic, understanding the wilderness and the practice of healing lore. They may have little interest in organized religion. They may wish to blaze their own Path, like the wise women of old. They may just be 'hedgewitches'.

Yeah...this is me.

[Juniper138]

:woot: Glad everyone likes it, that its been helpful! I've been busy renovating the website and working on a few more articles.
Cheers!

[Seraph BloodStone]

I can truly and whole-heartedly say that this is the path that I belong on as well. Thank you guys for all your information that you have given and the sites you have recommended. Though I have always just referred to my path as just simply Pagan, recently I have been calling my path "Folk Witchery". All of your posts have pretty much summed up my practices.

So now that I have found a community that feels like home to me, I feel it is time I get more into my study of it. My question is, is there a good book for one who is beginning to walk this road?

[watersprite]

I am still eclectic, and work in my kitchen and garden. I look for ways to make my garden a bit "wilder," despite my physical limitations. I think that makes it more important for me to work with the land in my tiny suburban space.
Congratulations on finding your path. I am still working on ways to preserve water here in north Texas.

[watersprite]

Just a question, though. Do you gather only enough that you need for the season?
I like to gather after they go to seed to preserve for the next year.

[Seraph BloodStone]

Sadly, I am horrible at growing and gathering. I am going to be looking into Horticulture for Dummies before long. :bigredgri Though I have to say a Farmer's Almanac does help a little bit as well as a book I picked up out of practically nowhere called The Green Pharmacy by James A. Duke, Ph.D. Should make for an interesting read.

Right now, I mostly work with stones. I find them a good medium for healing. Do you have a good stone collection?