People have
often asked me what path I walk... and until now I could never find the right
way of explaining my ways.
Hedgewitch
By Janine
Donnellan
Hedgewitch
is a term denoting a witch who neither belongs to a coven nor tradition but
practices in a solitary fashion. The word "Hedgewitch" may come from
the Saxon word for Witch, haegtessa, which translates to
"hedge-rider". The Old Norse lay Havamal refers to
"hedge-riders, witching aloft". Generally this person relies upon
self-study, personal discernment, and intuition. Rarely does this person claim
to be initiated. This person leads a life similar to the ancient village witch
who was called upon for spells and healing potions by the local people.
Spirituality in hedgewitches varies and depends on the individual; usually they
look to their own heritage and ancestry. Most commonly hedgewitches today
practice some form of neo-paganism and some people consider it an offshoot of
the Pagan religion of Wicca. The daily spiritual practice of a Hedgewitch will
be adapted to his or her individual abilities, interests and life style.
Hedge craft
is a spiritual path and is considered a form of European witchcraft and is
loosely based on the old wise women (and men), cunning folk, herbalists,
healers and witches throughout history. The older and more traditional
practices of hedge witchery or hedge riding are shamanic in nature. Like the
Shaman the Hedgewitch is able to go into the Otherworld, and call back the
souls of those who are about to die. They can, in this capacity, be very
powerful healers. They are also able to speak with those who have passed
beyond.
In ancient
times in local villages, the hedge separated the town from the wilderness.
Crossing the hedge was considered dangerous, because the forest was regarded as
a place of uncanny happenings, including witchcraft. To the Hedgewitch and
witches alike, the hedge was not thought to be a physical boundary, but a
mental barrier to be crossed in trance work. It is the line drawn between this
world and the next; between reality and the dream world. From this perspective,
if the hedge is the border between a village and the wilderness, the Hedgewitch
walks the border with a foot in both worlds. The act of Shamanic Journey,
Astral Travel, and Soul Flight is often referred to as "Walking the Hedge,
"Crossing the Hedge" or "Riding the Hedge".
The
traditional Hedgewitch served her community in many ways including but not
only; midwifery, healing, protection spells, house blessings, crop and
livestock blessings, through the selling of magickal charms and even curses.
The Hedgewitch was respected, and often feared, because of these abilities, and
because they had such a close relationship with nature and the magickal world.
Hedgewitches
were known for using herbs and shamanic techniques in their daily practices,
such as drumming and meditation, to induce altered states of consciousness.
They work with familiar spirits, their ancestral dead, plant and animal totems
to assist in their Otherworld work.
In modern times,
a Hedgewitch is can be found inside and outside of the city, perhaps on an
acreage or farm, or in a suburban block, often practicing by herself or perhaps
within the family unit. They still work much as the old wise women of old,
helping neighbours, friends and family with ailments, shamanic healing and even
blessing the house or the occasional odd field.
Hedgewitches
today are mostly solitaries and fringe dwellers and may refer themselves as a
Gardenwitch, Greenwitch or Kitchenwitch. They may draw upon ancient healing
techniques or they may incorporate modern healing methodologies such as
kinesiology or Reiki etc into their practice. Although some still prefer to
spend their time gathering herbs and such from the wild places others may grow
their herbs in their cultivated suburban back yard gardens.
Reference
http://spheresoflight.com.au/index.php?page=hedgewitch
Hi Zenithe,
ReplyDeleteNice looking site you have ...glad to see you've found some information our our Spheres Of Light website to be helpful too. :) Please always remember to quote the source of anything you copy from anywhere on the internet, and if an article you copy has its own references at the bottom (which this one does) it's best to include those as part of your copy/paste also. Janine Donnellan's article (above) is from http://spheresoflight.com.au/index.php?page=hedgewitch
Cheers,
Jenwytch (Website Manager for Spheres Of Light)