What does the word Witch invoke in you?  Laughter? Fear? An irrepressible urge to look over your shoulder?  In many ways it depends on how you grew up.  But for many of us, the word Witch does cause a slight tingle of arms and neck.  The magical meeting the mundane.  The unreal almost coming to life in speech.

 

And for many it remains the unreal, simply shadows and tricks of mind.

 

I was raised a Roman Catholic, being baptised a month after I was born.  I went to Catholic schools, Catholic Church and ended up giving my free time to cantor and teach to children and to counsel adults changing faith.  Even after leaving the faith I still have sympathies for it, even though I don't agree with very many of the teachings.

 

The problem was that I was never really Catholic.  I knew I was a Witch for as long as I can remember.  And my ideas of what a Witch were did not fit into the Disney depictions of simply black and white.  I dreamt of being a Witch, starting when I was just four years old.  These serial dreams continued for years and contained such things as shapechanging, journeying, and a Mother watching over all of us.  For a long while I believed that I was evil and prayed to God to be cleansed from this evil, especially my uncanny knack of knowing future events.  Eventually I came to understand that these were gifts.  Things hit rock bottom when I was about to be confirmed into the Church.  I knew it wasn't what I wanted, but myself and my family were such well know fixtures that it would have looked weird to say the least if I declined the rite of confirmation.  I became fully depressed for the following few months, letting everything slide. 

 

I became seriously ill a few years later and realised that this wasn't worth it.  I knew who I was, who I was meant to be.  Although I am still a closet Witch, I am quite happy in my choice.  One of the reasons for hiding my name is out of deference for my parents.  They are still well known in the Church, and I do not want to cause any hardships for them.

 

Why a Hedge Witch?  Simply, it was just who I was meant to be.  Many people now seem to have the idea that all a Hedge Witch does is herbal/nature work.  This problem is further being expounded by the publishing house Llewellyn who states this misinformation on their website.  A Hedge Witch does work with herbs.  That is correct.  But we are also more of the shaman variety.  We travel into the otherworlds often, seeking advice and knowledge for ourselves and those who come to us for help. 

 

Why is a defenition so important?  What if you were a follower of a religion, and then someone came along and stated that they knew everything about your religion when they really didn't and started leading a lot of people astray with their incorrect knowledge?  You'd be upset and also concerned.  I don't want people to be lead astray, nor do I want this important facet and sect of Witchcraft to become twisted or wiped out becuase of this.  I fully encourage the practice of other Witches, no matter their path.  All I want is for people to have a full understanding of where their practices came from. 

 

Are you a Wiccan? No.  Even though I do know a lot of the Wiccan faith I am not a Wiccan myself.  I do not follow the rede or the law of three.  Many self-proclaimed Hedge Witches that I have met are very confused on this issue.  Although considering themselves more of the traditional Witch variety, they devoutly follow Wiccan practices!  In fact many still try to claim that these practices are thousands of years old!  In truth, Hedge Witches use a type of folk magic.  (I don't believe that there is lesser and higher magic which is why I do not use these terms)  We don't have the types of cermonies that Wiccans have, nor all the tools and are solitaries.  This doesn't mean that I don't like Wiccans however.  I respect all Wiccans who are serious about their faith.   

 

If you have questions regarding a certain issue, please feel free to email me (hedgewitchsite@hotmail.com ).  I'll try to answer questions in a timely manner.  For those out there that wish to use this address for spam I'll report you to your ISP.  I do not appreciate it, and will take full measures to stop any unsolicated mail. 

 

Christians - If you would like to write to me that's fine.  Please remember that I was fully trained as a Christian teacher, know the bible and that Catholics are Christians too.  If you want to try to convert me please use respectful language. 

 

Thank you for visitng and check in often for updates as this website has just started!

 

And please - NO EMAIL SPELL REQUESTS  Any other questions welcomed.