What is a Hedge Witch?
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One of the most enduring archetypes of a witch is the Hedge Witch. Usually seen as a solo practitioner living at the edge of a community, a hedge witch was both feared and revered for her knowledge of nature and the spiritual world. Sometimes called a wise woman (or a cunning man) a hedge witch is closely associated with home and hearth and protecting her family. Whether you identify as a witch or just want to slow down and add more intention into your life, the path of the hedge witch offers insight and guidance.
Hedge-Rider, Hex and Hag
The term hedge is used to describe a border between civilization and the wilderness. In spiritual terms, it is used to describe the threshold between this world and the other world. In early medieval Europe a hedge was a physical boundary between a village and a forest. A hedge in those times wasn’t what we think of today - a nicely manicured green shrub. It was a wild tangle of growth between the forest and the village. Those that lived along the hedge, closer to the wild than to the community, were often thought to possess magical powers and wisdom. They would be called upon for help by locals, but otherwise largely left alone. As Christianity gained power through the early and middle ages in Europe, traditional nature based beliefs and healing were deemed evil and those that lived along the hedge were particularly vulnerable to accusations of witchcraft and persecution.
According to Judika Illes in her book Encyclopedia of Witchcraft, the term Hedge-Rider was a northern European synonym for witch. In Old English it was called Haegtessa, while in Old High German hedge-rider was pronounced hagezusse. These were later shortened to Hag and Hexe respectively and were associated with old women who lived near the hedge. Over time, again with the rise of Christianity, both these terms took on a negative connotation - the Lady of the Hedge was turned into an evil old hag who was a threat, especially to children (think of the witch in Hansel and Gretel).
In English speaking countries the term Hag is synonymous with a cantankerous woman, someone who does confirm to the patriarchy’s view of womanhood. A hag does not mean a woman is necessarily old in age, but rather she is outspoken and unapologetic. This makes me think of the character Ouiser (played by Shirley MacLaine) in the movie Steel Magnolias. She was rough around the edges, but with a big heart.
A Modern Hedge Witch
Within the rise of the modern neo-pagan movement, the term hedge witch has been reclaimed by those seeking wisdom and a deeper understanding of the natural world. There are a couple of (very general) distinctions when it comes to the term hedge witch. The first refers to someone who practices rituals like tarot, divination, or has some psychic ability. This would be the more classical version of a wise woman living alone, whom people seek out for help through a reading, herbal remedies or spell work.
The second popular image of hedge witch aligns more with the modern concept of a cottage witch or house witch. Arin Murphy-Hiscock describes this type of practice in her book The Way of the Hedge Witch, as someone who practices magic in the home as a way to ensure the spiritual well-being of herself and her family. This could include imbuing some magical thoughts into everyday life through cooking, cleaning or gardening.
Following Hedge Witch Path
Even if you don’t identify as a witch, the elements of a hedge witch offer simple and easy ways to connect with nature and cultivate a peaceful home. Common ways a hedge witch cares for her home and family include cleaning not just her physical space, but also the energy that fills it. She may sprinkle salt along doorways, to keep evil spirits away or hang a glass witch’s ball* to absorb light and deflect negative energy. She may say little prayer/spell/intention while stirring a pot of soup for dinner. Her magic is in the small moments that make up each day.
Home & Hearth
No matter what interpretation you use for a hedge witch, the home is an integral part of her practice. An important element in the concept of home is the hearth. A hearth is traditionally at the center of home life. It provides warmth and light in the dark months, and is where meals are prepared. Until the late 19th century tending the hearth was an all day job for women who kept their own homes. The hearth as a focal point of life has long been revered in many cultures.
Today’s hedge witch may call upon Hestia, the Greek goddess of the hearth for safety and peace within her home. A traditional fireplace hearth may be replaced by the modern day kitchen or other area that serves as a focal point for yourself and your family. The essence of the hearth, whether invoking ancient deities or tending to the heart of the home, endures as a source of comfort and connection in the modern world.
Some might argue a hedge witch is the original witch - from where our modern associations of witchcraft and the occult stem. Today a Hedge Witch can be a solo practitioner that folks call upon for help. Or she may focus her energies on tending her home, as an extension of her own spiritual practice. Either way, the path of hedge witch offers simple ways to connect to nature, connect with others and connect to one’s self.
References and Recommended Readings*
The Way of the Hedge Witch by Arin Murphy-Hiscock