19 Types of Witchcraft: ‘Which Witch’ Are You?

19 Types of Witchcraft: ‘Which Witch are you? You’ve heard the phrases before: green witch, hedge witch, kitchen witch, and more. But what do they really mean, and what do those who practice these types of Witchcraft actually do? My Witchcraft 101 students are often surprised when they discover there are so many types of Witchcraft they could incorporate into their Eclectic practices.

One of the best parts of being an Eclectic Witch is the freedom it provides. That is because there are no rules in the way you practice Eclectic Witchcraft. There are only guidelines to help you find and develop the practices that resonate with you. In Eclectic Witchcraft, YOU create your own one-of-a-kind spiritual and magickal path. Sure, you do have to play by some rules, such as general energetic principles (we may be able to change a lot things, but physics isn’t one of them). But HOW you work with energetic principles in your practice is totally up to you. And that means you are free to weave as many types of Witchcraft into your practice as you like! Read on to discover some of the types of Witchcraft that you can incorporate into your practice.

19 Types of Witchcraft… so ‘Which Witch’ are you?

Here is a handy list of the most common types of Witchcraft you may find yourself practicing as a Witch. Which do you already practice? Which ones interest you most? Will you try to learn them? Also think about the types that don’t interest you and the reason why.

1. Eclectic Witch

The Eclectic path is unique to each Witch, and every Eclectic Witch’s practice is singularly their own. As mentioned, freedom is the operative word in Eclectic Witchcraft. It has no set practices or traditions, yet it is by no means a hodgepodge of practices. Eclectic Witchcraft is a carefully curated compilation of time-honored, globally referenced magickal, spiritual and occult practices that have great meaning and resonance to the individual Witch. These practices can include elements of Shamanism, Reiki, Yoga and Eastern philosophy, Buddhism, any of the many types of magickal practices, occult practices such as ceremonial magick, psychism, mediumship, any form of divination, the types of Witchcraft you will learn about in this post, veneration of deities or not, spirit work, spiritual work, and more.

Also, because every Eclectic Witch ‘rides their own broom’ so to speak, there is no dogma or hierarchy in Eclectic Witchcraft. The Eclectic path may be spiritually based or purely secular. It is truly the most liberating of all Witchcraft practices because it allows every Witch to be their unique, authentic self. What could be more empowering?

2. Ancestral Witch

This type of Witchcraft is an ancient form of magick contingent upon communicating with one’s ancestors. Ancestral Witches heavily on their ancestors’ guidance, protection and aid in magical workings. While many modern Witches tend to honor their ancestors around Samhain, Ancestral Witches honor their ancestors daily, year-round. 

3. Angel Witch 

Reminiscent of magickal workings found in ancient grimoires, the Golden Dawn and Thelemic practices, an Angel Witch is one that invokes, communicates, and works with angels. Sometimes the angels are the Witch’s spirit guides. Other times they are angels that the Witch has had vivid, visceral and definitive experiences with. They can also just be angels that the Witch wants to work with for specific purposes. Angel Witches also work with angels that they just has a natural affinity with. Cultivating a deep relationship with an angel can be a very powerful and meaningful part of a Witch’s practice. 

4. Ceremonial Witch

Ceremonial Magick lies on the fringes of what is considered Witchcraft. Its practice is considered more the domain of the Magician or Sorcerer than it is the Witch. Ceremonial Witchcraft is a blending of aspects of the Low Magick traditionally used by Witches over the centuries, and of High Ritual Magick. In Ceremonial Magick, spirits and entities are often invoked to assist the magician or Witch with their spells. It is a highly structured ritual and magickal practice.

This practice is the least intuitive and spontaneous of all the magicks. However, for some, its structure and deliberate nature is highly empowering. If a Witch likes to memorize and enact rituals (perfect for the Witch who loves drama and performing), this can be a powerful practice. If you are more spontaneous, hate following procedure, and consider it a chore to memorize even your own phone number, this is not the path for you. Lastly, if invoking angels or other spirits is not your thing, then this really isn’t for you!

5. Cosmic Witch/Star Witch

Cosmic Witches work with the cosmos and celestial energies, and is a wider variant of the Lunar Witch. It is a deeper lunar practice and reaches beyond the usual employment of lunar phases. Star or Cosmic Witches also incorporate astrological and zodiacal timing into their mundane lives and their spell work. Planetary magick falls into to this category as well, if not performed in a Ceremonial manner. Any spellcasting method (candles, poppets, sigils, etc) can be used in Cosmic Witchcraft, making it a very flexible magickal practice. The Cosmic Witch is also interested in astrology and feels a connection to space and the stars.

6. Crystal Witch (a subset of the Elemental/Earth and Nature Witch)

A Crystal Witch is one that works with stones for healing, energy work and magick. Some energy practices include reiki, chakra balancing and meditation. Many of us just love to decorate our homes and sacred spaces with them, too. The Crystal Witch will have extensive knowledge in, or a deep interest in stones and crystals. They know how to identify them and what their healing and magickal properties are. Are you drawn to crystals? How many do you have? How do you use them?

7. Dream Witch (can also be a Hedge Rider)

Dream Witches heavily integrate dreamwork practices into both their Craft and mundane lives. They do so to better understand themselves, heal past traumas, and as a form of divination. The Dream Witch may travel the etheric plane through astral projection (closely linked with the Hedge Rider). They may divine through precognitive dreams, and interpret matters of importance through dream symbolism as well. The use of entheogens (see Hedge Rider) may also be incorporated into this practice in order to induce deeper states of dream consciousness. 

8. Elemental Witch (closely linked to the Nature Witch)

Elemental Witchery is a very old form of the Craft. Early Folk Healers and Folk Magicians understood the power of the Elements—Earth, Air, Fire, and Water. They observed how those forces influenced the comfort and safety of their daily lives through everyday contact with them: fire for warmth and cooking, water for drinking and farming, the earth on which they lived and farmed upon, and the air in which they breathed. The weather, the seasons, and other occurrences such as natural disasters also played a role in how folk healers and magicians came to understand the power of the Elements. Instinctively, they began to incorporate these energies into their magickal and ritual workings.

The Elemental Witch may also establish relationships or connections with  Elementals. These are spirits/energies that are attuned with, or composed of, one of the Elements. Fairies, Divas, Undines, Green Man, etc.) are examples. Elemental Witches work with them for the purposes of veneration and reciprocity of favor. This Witch is very similar to the Nature Witch (see below), as the practice is pretty much identical. 

Types of Elemental Witches

Sea Witch

Witches may work with the Elements equally, or they may favor one particular Element that they personally identify with. For example, a Water Witch (Sea Witch) has strong ties to bodies of water such as oceans, lakes and rivers. The Water Witch may scry with water and love to do bath magick. Favored magickal and decorative objects are sand, shells, driftwood, or other natural objects that are found near water. The Water Witch will also collect jars of sea, storm, snow (stored in the freezer), river and spring water. They love the beach, lakeshores and the riverfront. Water Witches are drawn to all things aquatic including sea life, and find the energy of water and water environments not only healing, but powerful places of magick. 

Earth Witch

Earth Witchery is a nature-centric Witchcraft practice based around old European traditions. These traditions center on harmony with the earth. A devout reverence is expressed for Mother Earth. Very often this is the Witch who lives as naturally and as close to Nature as possible. Environmentalism may be a central focus in the Earth Witch’s practice, but Earth Magick is the Earth Witch’s strength. The Earth Witch uses many botanicals, stones and other natural items the Earth provides to do magick with. They often work with Gaia, the Earth goddess of the Greek pantheon, to invoke her energies in spellwork that benefits and heals all aspects of Nature. 

Air Witch

Air Witches feel a strong connection to Air Element and all things connected to it such as birds, feathers, wind instruments, chimes, and weather (wind). 

Fire Witch

These Witches feel deep connection to all things pertaining to fire, such the Sun and stars, candles and candle magick, bonfires, fireplaces and fire magick. Fire is the Element of transformation, and is associated with illumination, health, strength and creativity. 

9. Energy Witch

The Energy Witch is one who has a firm grasp of energy manipulation. This Witch does not need to rely upon the physical tools and supplies Witches usually use in their spellcasting. Instead, they use the power of their minds and the energy in their bodies. They may also use Divine energy that they drawn down from Source, as well as energies drawn down from planets. This type of Witchcraft is also known as mental magick.

10. Green Witch / Hedge Witch (linked to Kitchen, Nature and Elemental Witch)

Green Witches are deeply connected to the Earth and its energy. They are drawn to plants, trees and flowers of all kinds. The Green Witch is all about their botanicals, whether they be live plants, herbs, oils, resins, barks, seeds, fruit or flowers. Often, but not always, they grow their own herbs and flowers for use in their homes, kitchens and magick. A Green Witch may have a full garden or just a few pots on their city apartment windowsill. They will often know and use the plants in their local environment as well. The Green Witch loves the Earth and Nature, and is where much of their magick and spirituality are rooted. These Witches may be herbalists and healers, and are always magicians, casting their spells using botanicals of all kinds. 

11. Hedge Rider (different than Hedge Witch)

A Hedge Rider is a highly psychic Witch who journeys through the veil to the other side through a practice commonly called hedge jumping. Hedge Witches can communicate with the spirit world through astral projection, trance and divination. They use special flying ointments and other entheogens to help shift their consciousness so they may cross to the otherworld. Some even say the Witch’s actual spirit is what crosses over while their body remains tethered to the Physical Plane. A big part of Hedge Riding is being a master diviner. Some may also be healers of spirit versus healers of the physical body.

Hedge Riders are usually also Green or Hedge Witches. But what makes a Witch specifically a Hedge Rider is their ability to cross the hedge. The hedge is the boundary between this world and the spirit world. It is believed that the ‘flying on a broomstick’ legend is based on Hedge Witches flying into the spirit realm.

*Note: do not experiment with entheogens without proper training from a qualified herbalist or hedge rider.

12. Kitchen Witch / Hearth Witch / Cottage Witch / Tea Witch

Kitchen Witches, Tea Witches and Hearth or Cottage Witches, are very home-centric individuals. They can be extremely nurturing, and they love to make their home a special and sacred space. For this Witch, home is their sanctuary and welcome into it any and all of kind heart and intent.

Kitchen Witches love to concoct all kinds of culinary delights as they literally stir their magick into each dish. These Witches may have a good bit of Green Witch in them as well, growing their own herbs and vegetables for their magickal, gastronomical, and decorative creations. This kitchen magician combines their own magickal energy with the natural energies of the oils, herbs and foods they work with. The Kitchen Witch can turn a simple meal into a magickal plate of healing and manifestation!

In Cottage or Hearth witchery in particular, magick is weaved or imbued into mundane tasks. Cleaning, home repairs and improvements, and even hobbies or crafts are all done with magickal intent. 

The Tea Witch is a variant of the Kitchen Witch and Green Witch, but is also a tea aficionado! The Tea Witch blends their own teas, infusions, remedies and decoctions for healing and magick. They also blend teas just for enjoyment as well. The Tea Witch is usually skilled in tasseomancy. Tasseomancy is a divination method that interprets patterns in tea leaves, coffee grounds, or wine sediments. 

13. Hereditary Witch

A Hereditary Witch is born into Witchcraft; it is part of their family’s lineage. Magick and practices are unique to each family and are passed from generation to generation. However, a Hereditary Witch may work with their own individual practices in conjunction with, or instead of, their family’s. Being born into the Craft does not automatically make a person a Witch. Practicing Witchcraft is what makes one a Witch.

14. Lunar Witch

All Witches are Lunar Witches to varying degrees. Pretty much all Witches live and practice magick aligned with the phases of the Moon. The Lunar Witch is also very likely in relationship with the Moon, and may connect with it through a deities. Luna, Selene and Diana are examples of Lunar goddesses. Lunar Witches may also connect with the Moon simply through energetic resonance. Those who venerate the Triple Goddess may also be considered Lunar Witches. The Triple Moon is a Goddess symbol that represents the Maiden (waxing moon), Mother (full moon) and Crone (waning moon). The Moon is also associated with feminine energy, mystery, and psychic abilities, and plays a prominent role throughout all types of Witchcraft. 

15. Nature Witch

Nature Witches are those who regularly work with their local Nature Spirits in spells and rituals. Sometimes they can also be part of an overall gratitude and offerings practice. These Witches connect with Nature to be in relationship with it through the Elementals. Elementals are spirits that are attuned with, or composed of, one of the classical elements: air, earth, fire and water. Fairies, Divas, Undines, Sylphs, Green Man, etc, are examples of Nature Spirits that are linked to particular Elements. Relationship with Elementals is also created in order to be granted good favor by them. The practice is done in reciprocity, an offering of thanks, appreciation and gratitude in exchange for protection and provision. 

16. Poison Path

A Witch who walks the Poison Path works with poisonous botanicals. It is a branch of esoteric or occult herbalism, and the point of the practice is spiritual growth. These plants are considered magickal allies and aid in the alchemical process of transcending mundane consciousness in order to gain higher or esoteric knowledge. Poison Path Witches make salves and teas from microdoses of these toxic plants. Belladonna, henbane and mandrake are some examples.

*Note: do not experiment with entheogens without proper training from a qualified herbalist or Poison Path practitioner.

17. Secular Witch

Secular Witches cast spells without attaching spirituality to their practice. For some, their interest is only in the magickal aspects of Witchcraft. However, a Secular Witch can be very spiritual outside of their magickal practice, keeping both practices completely separate. Specifically, the magick of the Secular Witch relies upon their own energy/power and the magickal correspondences they are using. Deities, angels, spirit guides, etc are not called upon, as they are spiritual beings.

18. Traditional Witchcraft: British, Celtic, African, Italian, European and Norse

This type of Witchcraft is a culturally based Craft practice rooted in the ‘old ways’ of a specific culture. Traditional Witches take a historical (traditional) approach to their practice, incorporating the folklore, deities, and methods of spell-casting which were unique to their given culture into their practice. They may infuse Ancestral or Hereditary practices into their Traditional path as well. The key elements which form a Traditional Path are: working with magick (both black and white), working with spirits in the Otherworld, and connecting with nature/the natural landscape. British, Celtic, African, Italian, European and Norse Traditional Witchcraft are all examples of various Traditional paths of Witchcraft.  

19. Wiccan Witch 

This is a Witch who practices one of the many traditions of Wicca. Wicca is a Neo-Pagan, earth-centric, twentieth century religion that also practices Witchcraft. Wicca and Witchcraft are two separate paths.

To be a Witch does not mean you are Wiccan and vice versa, however a person can certainly be both.

Wiccan Witches practice their craft either as part of a coven, or as a Solitary. Covens are hierarchical structures with leaders (high priest and priestess). Coven members undergo rigorous training and earn degrees and undergo initiations in order to remain part of the group. Conversely, Solitary Wiccans tend to be more Eclectic in nature because they practice alone. This allows them the freedom to practice Wicca in way that is personally authentic and meaningful.

Which Witch Are You?

Well, if you love a lot different types of Witchcraft and want to practice them all, perhaps an Eclectic Witch is what you really are!

I am an Eclectic Witch. This ‘umbrella term’ includes my being a Cosmic, Lunar, Nature, Kitchen, Energy and Angel Witch. Additionally, I also practice yoga and am a reiki master, which I find compliments, energizes and amplifies my overall Witchcraft and magickal practice.

Tell me ‘which Witch’ you are in the comments below.

Which types of Witchcraft do you already practice? Are there any types that you are interested in trying?

I’d also love for you to tell me the types of Witchcraft that you have absolutely no interest in!

Write it all in the comments below. I’d love to know which ones you resonate with and want to pull into your own practice.

About Fiona

Fiona Duncan is the Creatrix of The Magickal Path School of Witchcraft, Tarot & Personal Transformation. She holds a Master of Art in Teaching, a Master of Science in Education, and is New York State certified in both Art and Special Education to teach grades K-12. She is a retired NY State public school teacher and college Graphic Design Instructor & Department Chair. Her professional strengths are Student Relations, Teaching, and Curriculum Development. In her spiritual and magickal life, Fiona is a seasoned Practical Magician, Reiki Master and is a practicing Eclectic Witch of 30+ years. She is not the type to be drawn to witchy ‘woo’, but rather, she practices and teaches Magick and Witchcraft as an empowering spiritual path that is both ‘Art’ and ‘Science’ in equal measure.

Fiona’s favorite thing in the world is teaching and coaching new and intermediate witches in her WAY OF THE WITCH: Witchcraft 101 Course & Coaching Program, available in the “1-1 Coaching Program with Fiona” and “Independent ‘Solo’ Study w/Email Support” course options, as well as her course, THE WITCH’S YEAR, also a “1-1 Coaching Program” or “Independent ‘Solo’ Study“

Check out some of the other courses at The Magickal Path. Tap the images for all the details.