Witchcraft is a very individualized thing and difficult to define. Even those of us within Hedge Meadow aren’t always in agreement about definitions and practices. The following answers may not be reflective of each of us, or of Hedge Meadow as a whole. We tried to keep them general so as to not get caught up in minutiae. As they say, “Your mileage may vary.”

What does it take to be a witch?

The criteria for being a witch vary, depending on the person or group that you’re studying with. Traditionally, one studies for a minimum of a year and a day, learning about Pagan deities, the elements of ritual, magic, etc. This is often followed by a formal initiation, when one is officially recognized as a witch. Many people study on their own if they are unable to find a suitable teacher. Those individuals must decide for themselves when they are ready to call themselves witches. 

Isn’t witchcraft the same as Satanism? 

Not at all! Satan is a Christian concept. Witches do not worship Satan; they don’t even believe in Satan. Occasionally you’ll hear of a Satanist who refers to himself as a witch. We consider that an appropriation, but there’s not much we can do about it. People can call themselves anything they want; that doesn’t make it so.

Are all witches psychic?

No. Some witches are psychic, and some psychics are also witches. But the two practices do not necessarily go hand in hand.

Can a witch marry a non-witch?

Sure.

Where do witches fit on the political spectrum?

Most witches are fairly liberal-leaning, although we have come across a few here and there who were surprisingly conservative.

What is a witch’s ritual like? 

It’s hard to describe because the rituals can vary so much. But most of them involve words and actions that sanctify the space, then invocations to deities and elements of nature. This could be followed by any number of activities, depending on the focus of the ritual (healing, celebration, etc.) They could include chanting, singing, dancing, drumming, meditation, feasting, and much more.

What’s the difference between a Wiccan and a witch? 

There are a lot of different opinions about this. Suffice it to say that a Wiccan is a follower of Wicca, a specific form of witchcraft that originated in England. A witch may incorporate some Wiccan elements into his/her practice, but may also include a number of other traditions from a wide range of cultures. Most Wiccans tend to think of Wicca as a spiritual path. Some non-Wiccan witches see what they do as more of a discipline or magical pursuit. 

How can I tell if someone is a witch? 

You can’t always tell, any more than you can tell if someone is a Presbyterian or a Methodist. Some witches wear symbolic jewelry, such as pentagrams, goddess necklaces, etc., but a lot of people wear that kind of jewelry because they like how it looks. If you really want to know if someone is a witch, you can always ask, but that might be seen as prying. Many witches are rather private about their practice.

Can men be witches too? 

Absolutely! Lots of men choose to practice witchcraft. Although some male witches may occasionally refer to themselves as “warlocks,” most reject that term in favor of the more inclusive label of “witch.” 

What kind of magic can witches do? 

Magic, as we’re talking about it here, is part art and part science, and is hard to quantify. One is not always sure if the magical work one does is effective, or if things just happen to fall into place. But in our collective experience, the results tend to indicate that magic does often work, that there is something more than coincidence at play. The magical work witches do includes healing, protection, prosperity, obtaining a job, finding an affordable house or car, helping someone conceive, tempering the weather, and so on. This is usually not easy work, and not done frivolously. And it must usually be combined with footwork on the material plane. 

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