Understanding Different Types of Witches
Asked by
WanderingHorizon
I'm feeling a bit lost with all the new terms I've been hearing in the witchcraft community. When I first started practicing, terms like 'hedge witch' and 'green witch' were pretty much it. Now that I'm engaging more with animistic paganism, I've come across labels like 'chaos witch,' 'star witch,' 'hedge rider,' and 'nocturnal witch,' and honestly, it's kind of overwhelming. I'm curious how these terms relate to your own craft. What names do you use, and what do they mean to you? Personally, I describe myself as a pagan nature-based witch, as I work closely with nature spirits, faeries, plant spirits, and elemental spirits.
Answers
Labels like 'chaos witch' or 'star witch' often reflect personal aesthetics or approaches to practice. It's becoming common for people to identify themselves using these trendy labels, but they can mean completely different things to different people. Your practice is yours to define!
Reply to this answer
Many of these new terms popping up seem more about aesthetics than actual practices. For instance, I identify with hedgewitchery because it's rooted in traditional practices. The newer labels can be quite flexible and personal; they might not denote any specific set of beliefs or practices.
Reply to this answer
I call myself a 'thread witch' because I incorporate embroidery and knot magic into my work. It's more of a fun label than anything else, since I only use thread in a small part of my practice. I feel like the terms we use are more for connecting with others rather than strictly defining the craft.
Reply to this answer
Thanks for all the insights! I appreciate hearing everyone's perspectives. It sounds like there's a mix of genuine tradition and current trends influencing how people choose to identify their practices.
Reply to this answer
Honestly, you don’t really have to label yourself at all. Some folks might call me a divination witch, but at the end of the day, you can pick whatever title you like. I once joked I could be a 'boogiewoogie witch' and it wouldn’t change a thing about my practice.
Reply to this answer
Add your answer
Answers are reviewed before publication.