Witches and Witchcraft

Witchcraft, referred to as The Craft, it is utilizing energy and one’s own personal power (the desire) to influence the environment around them and the outcome of situations to the desired expected results.  

This can be done by directing a person’s personal power (the desire) to achieve a desired result.  

This direction of power can be achieved with visualization, mantras, positive thinking, and rituals designed to place a person in the desired emotional, spiritual and energetically powerful mindset to achieve their goal.  

The use of herbs, stones, colours, candles, natural objects, divination tools and other objects, that will empower an individual, are often used to enhance one’s ability to reach this energetically powerful mindset.

The Witch commits his or her life to the ‘Ancient Ways’, in the practice of Witchcraft and in using all the natural paths available to enhance the energies around them.

THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF WITCHES

TRADITIONAL WITCH

Traditional witches focus on the old ways–the ways that came before witchcraft based religion. Ancestral folklore and the historical accounts of witchcraft are important to traditional witches, as they want to honor the old ways of practicing their craft.

ECLECTIC  WITCH

The eclectic witch draws inspiration from the many different types and styles of witchcraft and infuses them into their craft in a wonderfully blended mixture. An eclectic witch tends to make their own path, and it varies depending on the individual witch.

KITCHEN WITCH

Kitchen witches work much of their magick in the home or in the kitchen, and love to bake, cook and welcome new guests. The home is the focal point of their magick, and the offer a warm, nurturing and beneficial environment for anyone in it.

GREEN  WITCH

Green witches are drawn to the energy of earth more than most. They use plants, herbs and flowers in much of their magick and are often practicing their craft in gardens, wooded areas and anywhere that contains natures essential energies.

SOLITARY WITCH

A solitary witch chooses to practice their craft alone. Where many witches will be drawn to gather in a coven. Generally, solitary witches choose to work their magick alone, because they feel a strong connection to their craft early on and have less of a need to work with others.

 HEDGE  WITCH

Hedge witches practice astral projection and other forms of communication to “jump the hedge” between this world and the spirit world. They send and receive messages between both worlds more easily than other witches.

ELEMENTAL WITCH

Elemental witches work their craft heavily based on the four elements of water, fire, earth and air. They call on the elements to bring about their magick and incorporate these elements with various items that represent each element respectively.

DIANIC  WITCH

Dianic witches worship the Goddess Diana through three aspects of the Maiden, the Mother, and the Crone. Typical Dianic witches have heavily feminist values and infuse their craft with these values as well.

SEA WITCH

A sea witch practices their magick as they draw power and inspiration from the ocean and the moon. It’s the deep mystery and steadfast energy that draws many sea witches to this type of witchcraft and they often use elements of the ocean as tools in their practice.

CEREMONIAL  WITCH

Many witches prefer the aspect of ritual more than others. These witches are often referred to as ceremonial witches, and they invoke many different spiritual aspects in their ceremonial magick to assist them in their practice and spellwork.

SECULAR  WITCH

Witchcraft doesn’t ask for any specific belief system to be followed, and that goes for witches who are secular by their nature as well. Secular witches don’t attach spirituality to their craft or worship spiritual aspects to gain power from them.

HEREDITARY WITCH

The hereditary witch is one that is born into witchcraft is one way or another. They are part of a lineage of witches and the craft has been passed down and accepted by them.

COSMIC  WITCH

Cosmic witches use the stars, cosmos astrology and astronomy to work their craft and look to celestial energy to bring power and purpose to their work. Cosmic witches are generally infatuated with cosmic events.

CORRELLIAN WITCH

Correllian witches follow Wiccan tradition of the line founded by Caroline High-Correll. The tradition is based upon the teachings of members of the High-Correll family.

GARDNERIAN WITCH

Gardnerian witchcraft is a Wicca school of witchcraft that became know in the 1950s when Gerald Gardner began teaching what he had learned in his own journey. Gardnerian witches generally have strong ties to nature and strongly ritual based.

ALEXANDRIAN WITCH

Alexandrian witchcraft is a Wiccan tradition that was founded by Alex and Maxine Sanders Maxine Sanders in the 1960s. Alexandrian Wicca is similar in many ways to Gardnerian Wicca, and receives regular mention in books on Wicca as one of the religion’s most widely recognized traditions.

WHAT KIND OF WITCH AM I?

By now, you’re probably feeling a bit of information overload.

If this is you, take a deep breath, trust your intuition and allow time for your journey to unfold.

You’ll find yourself being drawn toward elements and tools from each type of witchcraft above, and maybe even elements that aren’t included!

The beauty is in the process, and you’re in the right spot if you’ve opened your mind to the possibility that there’s something more for you in this world and that you can make a bigger impact with your craft.

Experiment, learn, grow and use your heart to guide you over the next several months. And as you do these things, keep your mind open to these different types of witchcraft to cultivate a new level of respect for yourself, the earth and the power that you have inside you.

Source: The Witchcraft Way.

The Witch Within You

From Old World Witchcraft we offer some great reminders about Witches and Witchcraft.

The Broom

Are You A Witch?

Witches are men or women who use the energy of the universe to accomplish what they desire to do.

The Old Religion is the magic of Nature itself. It is the essence which binds all things together.

Are you a Witch?

Let's take a look at the signs and characteristics that you may recognize within yourself.

Witches, don’t create or fix problems, they work with nature and energy to bring things into alignment.

You Are Connected With Nature

This is one of the most revealing signs. Witches work with the energy of the magic of the earth and nature. 

They align many of their practices to the lunar and solar phases. 

Have you ever felt unexplainable energy on a full moon or new moon? 

Have you ever felt more at peace in nature—deep in a forest or near a body of water—than inside a crowded place?

Feeling at peace in nature says a lot about that you.

You feel alive and your senses are essentially heightened when you are in nature.

You Have Rituals

Rituals can be anything from smudging your environment on a certain lunar phase or feeling the need to ground yourself with the soil beneath your feet.

If you use herbs regularly or use essential oils simply because you have a natural tendencies to do so, you are likely connected to the Earth’s energy.

You Communicate With Animals

You already know if this describes you.

Animals are drawn to you and are you drawn to them.

You may have discovered that many animals find you and you find them during your lifetime. 

This is a good sign.

Your Intuition Is Strong

Have you ever felt the vibes and energy from people, places or situations?

This may be because you are likely in-tune with universal energy. Trusting your intuition means you have a strong feeling in your "gut." This extra sense often leads you to the right answer about a situation, the right path, person, or thing whether present, past, or future.

You Have a Familiar

In the Dark Ages, "familiars" were taken more seriously than they are today and were actually thought to be demons by Christians.

Pagans and Witches however, have a much different view, and often refer to their household animal compnaion as their familiar. Familiars can be your cat, dogs, rabbits, wolves, toads and frogs, owls, or other wildlife.

What Is a Familiar?

Familiars are special animals that connect with the Witch they are drawn to and they tend to be smarter, deeper and more attuned with you.

You Collect Natural "Tools"

Rocks, shells, feathers, precious stones, crystals, abalone shells, or natural anomalies. If you have collected these items over the years, you may have been collecting them to "do work." Learning how to use them will often require the guidance of an experienced witch or research by you.

You Have an Understanding of Herbs

Herbs are very important to witches. Herbology is simply the use of herbs to cure or treat physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, or psychic ailments.

You're Introverted by Choice

Many Witches stay busy and avoid distractions and negativity for peace of mind, protecting or keeping your energy positive and healthy. 

Some people can be energy vampires, and Witches much prefer to be in peaceful environment, away from chaos, negativity and mindless activities.

You can feel the energy of people and the places that surround you. 

Witches often can assess an environment or an object's energy.

If something is dark and negative, they will know.  If something has positive energy, a Witch will know.

You Are Open-Minded

Witches are attracted to other unusual, obscure, or atypical individuals. 

The have a deeper appreciation for the arts, tarot, astrology, energy healing, and EARTH, AIR, FIRE, and WATER, the four elements. 

Storms and Natural Events Energize You

If you feel excitement with rainstorms, lightning, the sound of thunder, the crashing of waves or the rush of heavy winds, this is a strong indication of you being a witch.

Some Final Thoughts 

Even though Witchcraft can be taught, Witches often inherit their ability from Grandmothers, Aunts and Mothers.

Perhaps in your family history, someone, somewhere at sometime was a Witch.

Regardless, there is a reason you are attracted to Witchcraft.

If you were drawn to this post it's probably because you have this gift, perhaps it's calling for you.

Black Is The New Black

Anyone can be a Witch - Even The Virgin Mary

In 1524 a statue of the Virgin Mary — yes, a statue — was tried for being a witch.

The statue was placed in the water, where it floated — so it was declared a witch and burned at the stake.

We kid you not.

Witchcraft and You

Witches and the craft is understanding nature, the Old Religion.

Witchcraft is the essence that’s binds the Earth’s magic together with our daily lives.

Throughout history Witches and their craft has been practiced for the benefit of all.

Paganism Sets You Free

The Witch Trials of Scotland

Historians have uncovered evidence that the chapel, built during the 15th century, was a prison for accused witches while they faced trial and before they were taken away to be executed.

Many historians believe that Aberdeen buried more witches than any other city. 

An iron ring in the north wall of the chapel is all that's left of it's murderous past.

Records have been discovered from Aberdeen's city archives revealing that this ring was installed to chain the witches up while they were being held in the prison.

Aberdeen has meticulous records of their witch trials. These records include payments to the black smith for installing the iron rings that were used to imprison the accused. 

They discovered that 23 women and one man were tried and executed for witchcraft in the city during the Great Scottish Witch Hunt of 1597.

This ring was installed specially to secure those who had been accused of committing witchcraft.

This was the last place these people saw before they were taken off to be killed and their bodies burned.

In 1597 Scotland was in the middle of it's great Witch Hunt under the order of King James VI of Scotland. (that's the King below)

They had everything needed for witchhunting – peat for burning, tar barrels, rope and stakes.

The city’s records include a detailed cost of materials that were used to tar and burn the accused women.

Like so many other stories of accusations of witchcraft, they were often made by people in the community who just maybe perhaps had a motive to see the accused convicted.

The names and crimes of each ‘witch’ are recorded in the city’s records and signed by the provost of the time. There's even a plaque with Alexander's name still in the church. (See below)

Each of those found guilty of witchcraft were taken from St Mary’s chapel, strangled and then their bodies were burned.

No remains of the witches have been found at the site, but excavations at the church have found the remains of more than 2,000 individuals buried at the site.

The remains of the accused “witches” would have been buried somewhere else near or on “unhallowed ground.”

Witch Camp

HausWitch — part natural healing emporium and educational facility has brought their workshops to witches-in-training in Salem. 

Participants have learned about Herbalism, Book Binding, Spell Crafting and Astrology.

Check HausWitch.com/events for more info.

Founder Erica Feldmann (that's her in the photo below) says her team is “hoping to create a supportive, inclusive and empowering experience for young people” while also exercising restorative and healing practices that can be utilized into the stressful lives of students.

We are impressed with the Witch Camp, we all want to go...

Check HausWitch.com/events for more info.

Enchantments is the oldest Witchcraft store in New York

For more information you can visit their website: Click Here

Enchantments is the oldest witchcraft store in New York. It's located in the East Village, it's been in business over 34 years.

Even though spell casting isn't available in the store, you'll find carved candles, apothecary, custom oils and incense, tarot cards, jewelry and a large selection of books.

Witch and store owner Stacy Rapp (photo below) says the shop is successful because it puts out positive energy, so positive energy comes back to it.

Customers come from all walks of life, “we get doctors, lawyers, bartenders, people who have been practicing pagans for 20 years and people who have never done any of this before in their life,” says Rapp. She says Witchcraft is popular because people are looking for a spiritual practice that gives them a measure of control.

Nothing can be created out of thin air, so lighting a candle or burning some incense won’t create a million dollars, but it can help give a boost to a job search, she explains. "The idea of magic is that it is a proactive spirituality."

Rapp also credits part of witchcraft’s attraction to its emphasis on the strong female role, which can often be lacking in other spiritual practices. "It is much more balanced in terms of male and female energy and you have strong female energies."