Black outfits with pointy hats, broomsticks, black cats, potions and cauldrons often come to mind when someone says the word "witch". Pop culture often depicts witches as women using magic for evil, which has caused a widespread misunderstanding of the craft as the stereotypes are far from the truth for real-life practitioners.
Word for word, witches have been around for centuries. In every part of the world, there must be communities who would have one or two "gifted" people who's able to cure illness, bring good fortune or good weather, repel evil spirits, and more. But of course, they don't dress according to society's image of a witch, do they?
Moreover, witchcraft has proliferated over the years and it has become increasingly diverse, decentralized, and open to personal interpretation. Because of that, types of witchcraft can be differentiated from one another. So, to get you acquainted with witches, here are some types of witches to learn more about.
 A Green Witch's Ingredients/ Foto: Unsplash: Katherine Hanlon |
Don't let the name trick you into thinking of a green skin witch like the Wicked Witch from Wizard of Oz! Instead, the green witch's territory touches the subject of nature, healing, and nurturing. They embrace the power of nature and draw energy, tools, and rituals from earth. Green witches utilize plants, flowers, oils, and herbs as a primary source of spell ingredients and ritual content. Moreover, this type of witch calls on nature for guidance and highly respects every living being no matter how small.
A concept that is often seen in pop culture including American Horror Story series Season 2. A coven is a gathering or community of witches. It is composed of a group of practitioners who gather together for rituals and sometimes led by a high priestess. The number of people involved may vary, but historian Margaret Murray theorized that ancient covens ideally have 13 members so that they can comfortably fit around the nine-foot circle, a circle that was meant to serve as a protective barrier between the witches and the entity that they summon. Yet, no matter how much the number of witches may make up in a coven, it does not determine the strength of the coven. Any group of at least three can be a coven. Moreover, they usually combine their magical powers and skills to create stronger, bigger spells, and manifest outcomes for the group and beyond.
Crystal witch
| A Witch's Crystals/ Foto: Unsplash: Katherine Hanlon |
Crystal witches possess a deep connection to the vibration and power of-you guessed it right-crystals, gems, rocks, and stones. They practice crystal magic to manifest, amplify, and attract energy. Apparently, crystals have been used by witches for centuries for their energetic properties and healing qualities.
| Objects Associated with Gray Witches/ Foto: Unsplash: Katherine Hanlon |
For gray witches, they often practice a magic that falls into a continuum between white and black magic. In other words, gray witches typically follow an ethic of working for the highest good but they don't hesitate to use curses and hexes when the situation may be deemed fit. Gray witches usually seek justice and the correction of unfair circumstances, for instance they may redirect "bad" energy to where it should've gone in the first place-right the wrong kind of practice.
Sea witch
| Seashells are Often Found in a Sea Witch's Shrine/ Foto: Unsplash: Katherine Hanlon |
If your first thought of the word is Ursula, I can't blame you, although they are a different kind of witch. Basically, sea witches have a special connection with the ocean and may practice water magic using seawater in their rituals or bringing seashells home for their little shrine. Sea witch is able to center their energy by the ocean, and use ocean's powers to heal, protect, cleanse, draw abundance, and more. Most importantly, sea witches often work with lunar magic, due to the fact that the moon rules the tides.
There are still several types of witches that didn't make it to the list, but whatever elements you can draw a magic from, use it for good!
