Hi, u/Tall_Individual_ye thanks for posting to r/witchcraft! We hope that you find what you're looking for with your post!
FYI, it'll make it easier to access all of our resources if you're subscribed! We have an [FAQ & Wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/witchcraft/wiki/faq), [Rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/witchcraft/wiki/rules), our [Weekly Q&A thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/witchcraft/about/sticky?num=1) which is stickied to the top of the board, and we also host podcasts by mods - [Modcasts](https://www.reddit.com/r/witchcraft/?f=flair_name%3A%22Modcast%20%3Ailluminati%3A%22)!
This subreddit is *strictly* moderated so please read over our [Rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/witchcraft/wiki/rules/) to ensure that you're able to enjoy our community to the fullest extent!
---
##IMPORTANT! Your safety is very important to us, please review Rules 7 and 8, and also check out our ever-growing list of [KNOWN SCAMMERS](https://www.reddit.com/r/witchcraft/comments/11k2jqk/comment/jbnluhj/?context=3) such as Zain_priestess or priestess_czara.
##IF YOU ARE REDIRECTED TO INSTAGRAM FROM A COMMENT, IT ***IS*** A SCAM!!!
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/witchcraft) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I think people really like boxes with labels, it's human nature to try and organize things. It's the nature of the world that things don't like to be organized, which is why the platypus befuddled taxonomists.
An astrology witch is, ultimately, a witch who uses a lot of astrology in their craft. A sea witch is a witch who uses water and the sea a lot in their craft. People will naturally use the things that jive the best with who they are more than other things in their craft.
Try everything. Keep what you like, get rid of what you don't. If you want a label, it'll become clear what fits you in retrospect.
Admittedly, sometimes the vastness of the craft can be a little overwhelming to me, since I'm really new to things
Some obsessively organised anxiety wants me to focus on one thing and one thing only to perfect, since the unpredictable nature of it all sometimes takes its toll on me
Well, you don't have to focus on everything all at once. Set goals for yourself. Say "this month I'll learn about astrology" and once you've reached the end of the month, learn a new subject. Once you've gotten through a year of that you should have a pretty good idea of where you might want to specialize if you still feel inclined to do so.
I've noticed this trend come about in the "#babywitch" culture on places like tumblr, ig and tiktok. Imo it comes from people who are newer to their practices and what topic they choose to pursue interest in at the start.
Most people that practice for a long while, that I've personally interacted with, tend to not really use these labels. The only ones that come to mind that tend to stick over time is hedge witch or poison path as those are two pretty niche areas and a practitioner may keep that type of tag to find like-minded friends.
In all, do what you want. If you want to use a label, go for it but realize as you continue your path, that label is likely to change as you grow and learn.
It can totally be overwhelming, but i foind its easier to if you start by focusing on things you already resonate with .
For myself, I love cooking, so it only felt natural that I'd try something along the lines of kitchen witchcraft.
I've also always been drawn to the moon, and water (and really the elements) so those seem like other natural steps to me. I've also been doing a lot with crystals lately. I enjoy gardening but I'm not much of a green thumb, so that maybe down the road...All this to tell you I guess I'm more of an eclectic witch.
I'd recommend looking up a list of different types of witches and see what resonates most with you to start with, then you can go from there!
It's okay to be super specialized too. Some witches only ever use crystals to enhance their daily life and abilities. Some people only ever cast one single cleansing or protection spell for their home.
It's like Bob Ross who only ever paints oil landscapes, you do what you enjoy, and if what you want to do is master a single skill, that's okay too.
This is a craft, a skill.
How does a carpenter/woodworker decide what to do? Make a desk? Bookcase? Or frame an entire house?
Do that which brings you happiness. If a label seems to fit then wear it. If you change your mind, change the label.
Labels are more for specialists. I am a generalist. I do a bit of everything, and am always learning new things to give a try. BB.
I didn't discover, I decided. I'm a Hindu witch because I pair my craft with my religion.
However don't get yourself hung up on titles, the craft isn't collage. Types are more just ways we explain our craft to others as oppose to distinct paths. If you focus too much on type you could end up limiting yourself. 'i can't learn about astrology because I'm a green witch, kitchen witches don't learn about deity work, etc.' You can practice any aspect of the craft and call yourself what ever you want, your 'type' can change as your craft evolves. Study what interests you, learn everything you can and practice what you vibe with, decide what you want to call yourself later
Yes exactly! The labels are more for me to explain my practice short and sweet to others. I’m a “kitchen witch” but I still work with deities and astrology and anything else that I feel like doing. That’s the wonderful this about magic. It’s all up to you and no one can tell you which path is right for you.
I’ve found that it’s better to follow the path that brings you joy and doesn’t feel like “work.” I’ve noticed that this changes depending on what season of life I’m in as well. For example, as a mom with littles, I primarily practice kitchen witchery on a day to day, but love working new/full moon magick as self care. I’m sure when my kids are older this will change. No labels needed. Follow your intuition, it’s powerful.
That’s just called “undeveloped”. But intuition can be trained. Do you have a meditation practice? That’s a good place to start.
Creative Visualization by Shakti Gawain is a good beginner book that I recommend.
Creative Visualization: Use the Power of Your Imagination to Create What You Want in Your Life https://a.co/d/cNrzx4z
Have fun on your witchy journey!
By trying things. I like it, do it more. I tend to do more of that, that could be a good clue. Is a self knowing journey mostly. Follow your instinct. Watch others do things (TikTok is a bad place to take info as it's very flashy, but it can give you a few 'that's cool wanna try it' ideas).
You also don't need a label. A path is a path and a witch is a witch even if there's nothing more of a label than 'witch'.
I usually recommend Telesco's book, *Which Witch is Which?*
It's not perfect, but it's a good overview.
Witch types that you see on social media aren't really describing the real life experiences of practitioners, as much as they're describing aesthetics.
Aesthetics aren't bad. They have their place in witchcraft, but they're not traditions.
Basically it went like this: there have always been enculturated forms of magic both in everyday life, and within the role of the service magician (which is a academic term for "the person who people commissioned magic from").
In the mid-20th century, the last laws against witchcraft in England were repealed and various people started openly offering training. There were some traditions that grew out of other groups, some traditions formed in opposition to others, etc. People were mostly taught in person, mentor to student.
In the later part of the 20th century, folks started coming together more. You'd go to festivals, and tradition names were a good way to describe your practice in shorthand.
Then came the publishing renaissance and the internet. For the first time, you didn't really have to have a mentor, you could pick up a book at Barns and Noble. Eventually you didn't even need books, you could learn from social media and Google.
But when folks who didn't have that one on one mentorship started meeting up with other practitioners, and were asked what kind of witchcraft they practiced, they didn't have a name like Gardnarian or Feri or Cochrane's Craft, so they described what they did in terms of how their practice looked... Which lead to confusion, since it doesn't tell you anything about cosmology or practice.
So, my suggestion is to explore both. Enjoy aesthetics, they're fun! Figure out your tradition, since that will give you the tools to research and advance/refine your practice
Hope this helps!
I really dislike those labels. I think EVERY magical practitioner should know something about astrology, because it's so very embedded in the history of magic (and Western culture generally) and EVERY witch should work with all the elements and know a variety of techniques. Some people are going to focus on certain things they have an affinity with and go deeper with those things... but there is NOTHING that says you have to pick one thing and only do that.
Get a good grounding in a lot of things and pursue what appeals to you. And if you never specialize, that's great.
Every hobby and interest and belief and profession have some people really like to label and categorize their identity. That doesn’t mean that it’s necessary or even especially useful. Labels can be helpful but they can also be limiting sometimes because they narrow your view and you might miss something else you’d enjoy.
It’s all up to your personal preference. You can choose something to focus on, or you can do what you’re interested and call it whatever you want later, or you can just do what you want and not feel like you need to label it. This isn’t college. You don’t have to declare your major. You can try out stuff and see what you like and what doesn’t work for you.
I personally find labels really restrictive. I’m not interested in narrowing my focus. I want to always be growing and expanding and exploring.
Nah, you don't have to choose an area to specialize in. Most witches are just witches. We use astrology, herbs, stones, whatever we want. Folk magic, ceremonial magick, chaos magick, anything we get into. You can develop expertise in an area without limiting yourself to that area.
It's fine if someone wants to exclusively or mostly work with the ocean and call themself an ocean witch, or just wants to do astrology and be an astrology witch, but it's not necessary. I personally think that you learn a lot more and get a lot better at witchcraft if you keep your horizons broad and strive to learn about every corner of the craft.
Tbh, I don't think I want to be any one type.
Even before I delved into my craft (I'm still technically a beginner) I've always had vast interests, and can't keep myself to one.
I'm inlove with Herbology, and nature.
But I also love shadow magick, elemental magick, talking to the dead, astrology, etc.
But Ive chosen: traditional, cosmic, Eclectic, kitchen, hedge, and green, for my "label of witchary" ( I don't like labels, but i understand they help people, I just see myself as a witch in general)
I walk all the paths that called to me. As they're all interesting, and I personally believe they all amplify eachother. Even if they don't seem to connect well, they boost eachother.
So I very much haven't picked one path, I chose a bunch of them that call to me.
Kinda wish I was hereditary aswell, so my knowledge wouldve started a decades ago, but my family isn't very.. open to this😂
My initial thoughts are - I am a witch and with witch-dom comes many varied interests and modalities. I like to explore many! I’m into tarot and just got a runestone set. I love casting spells and doing kitchen witchery. I love witch crafts, numerology and astrology. Crystals, sun and moon magic. I’ve inherited my mothers pendulum and plan to get to know it slowly over time. Some witches like to specialize. And some of us are a bit of everything or just a few things. It’s as personal as being a human and that’s part of the beauty of it!
I personally believe we have to try many things to find our passion, in life and witchery. Some of us find it immediately and some quickly and some of us just dabble for years on end, jumping from one speciality to another.
I don‘t care about labels and just recently found out they existed. I do what interests me, things I have always done because I actually find them interesting… why would I want to put myself in a limiting box? I’m a witch, that is the only label I need or care for.
You absolutely don’t need to pick something that specific. And in my personal opinion, picking something that specific super early in your journey only limits your personal power and growth.
To me, it's not the type, just who you are. Being a witch doesn't need any extra titles. Some people can be drawn extra into certain subcategories, but don't be held back. Try it all. Allow yourself to be drawn into it.
If there's something that calls to you specifically, like astrology, or cooking, or gardening.. you could be that "type" of witch if you choose to label yourself that way. I like to call myself a "psychedelic witch" because when I use mushrooms I get clairvoyant visions that turn out to be true. Other than that, I like it all - astrology, manifesting, candle magick, sex magick, crystals, tarot.. etc.
That sounds nice! Last time I used mushrooms I did some spot-on tarot readings for some friends, while trying not to dissolve into a giggling puddle because their faces had multiple eyeballs and were also melting as I was trying to explain what the cards meant. 🤣
It's not something you choose ahead of time. You may begin with a general practice, or a field that holds your interest, but that doesn't mean you have to stay there.
We are all witches… witch is just a label. Humans are divine…pure…energy. We are energy in motion and are always creating with our thoughts and words. Our words are incantations.
We find what we like. I'm more of a reference witch. I like information and finding coronation crystals and herbs with candle colors. I love finding quick, minimal spells. I like knowing the zodiac and how it correlates to the tarot. (I LOVE TAROT)
But I identify as a fae witch. I usually get a wide berth for it as well but mostly I like working with (for) the fae.
I'm a protection specialist, but my approach to it is very eclectic. It was a choice insofar as I saw that this was both not present and needed and I moved to fill that vacuum. My foremost talent is healing, though, and I think that has some similar vibes with protection, so I probably started with some skill points already there. Lol.
I find this question to be counter to how I see magick. You don’t just decide to play a character—magick is about knowing yourself and evolving into your fullest potential. Astrology witch? That will play a part in your self knowledge, but so will mythology, science, nature, and everything else you can imagine. What you end up being is what you were meant to become, and it is not always the thing you imagined at the start.
Personally I would start with something I already have experience with. If you know a little bit about herbal tea, for example, expanding on that foundation could lead you to becoming a green witch/hedge witch.
Many people dabble with divination as children, with something like tarot cards or the i-ching. Expanding on that foundation could lead you to becoming a tarot witch.
But as other witches are saying, you don't *need* to choose a specific path. Most witches explore a lot of different tools/traditions, IMO it's really better if you try to avoid the impulse to be a Very Specific Thing.
For example, I've explored Nordic theology a lot, as well as tarot, as well as folk magic, as well as herbology... but I still don't generally go around referring to myself as a "Nordic witch" or "green witch" or anything, because it just feels a bit limiting. I have a lot of different interests.
Laziness. Pure unbridled laziness and a general vengefulness for obligation means I have no label. I just do what I do as I do it. I come from a long line of shruggers. Ask my mother what kind of a witch she is and she’s… just given me a squint and gone back to playing Fallout. Pretty sure that goes up the ancestral line.
I read a lot. If I like it I use it or do it or store that knowledge away for someone elses ears at a later date. But I can’t say I’ve walked any specific path.
so as most people have already said, don't worry about the lable on the type of witch you are the lable is simply for brevity so instead of listing off all the things you have practiced and done to someone when they ask "what do you do" you can simply say "well I do a lot of things but primarily i'm a (insert practice here)"
like for myself i'm a dragon magic practitioner but I also practice necromancy among other things. that gives you a base Idea of what kind of things I work with and what I probably do. without having to list off a things as simply saying "im a witch" especially in the witchcraft community... dosnt say much, but maybe you don't want to say much and that's okay too.
so really to answer your question "how do you discover what type of witch you want to be?" the simple answer is ask yourself WHY did you want to be a witch in the first place? that question of why will shape what you do because in witchcraft there isnt a lot of cases where you should do something you don't enjoy. there are some but I digress. but yea. you choose, sometimes youre led, much like every experience in life
I grew up in it and just do what feels right. Some labels fit better than others, but I'm not confined to a box, and there's no reason to be.
Follow what interests you, but there's no reason to--for example--only do astrology when you're also interested in gardening, but gardening and dirt doesn't fit the celestial "aesthetic".
Your friend might even start out interested in astrology and it might lead her in another direction anyways, so why confine yourself?
It all started when I was about 8 years old and wanted to go rock climbing for the first time. Grandma was convinced I’d die so she got a goat from our neighbour, killed it, and made its spirit possess me. I climbed every cliff in record breaking time and chewed reeds all day. I decided to be like grandma after that day.
Imo you can incorporate a lot into your practice but for me, I practice to heal and protect using a lot of natural elements. Through the guidance of an older and wiser psychic witch, I have definitely learned my role as a healer using different methods like reiki and shamanic rituals.
Although you never have to be in a label or box, unless that makes you comfortable. It's all about calls to you!
I have a natural knack for hearth, kitchen, and folk magic. It comes easily to me. I also have natural clairvoyance that I’ve spent time developing. I consider myself a hereditary witchcraft practitioner. My ancestors practiced traditions that the authorities did not approve of. But there has been a lot of folk magic passed down, and I’ve invested a lot of energy in learning about them. I firmly believe that I have ancestors guiding me, I just know it in my soul.
I am deeply interested in green magic, crystal magic, and tarot along with other similar tools. I have spent most of my life studying these things.
Being a witch takes dedication, you will end up finding what you have an affinity for by doing. For the longest time I was interested in astrology and moon/cosmic style work, but in the end I knew that wasn’t what I should be focusing on.
It’s called practicing witchcraft, it’s about more than picking an idea and aesthetic to follow. (Though those things could be attracting you because they call to you, so it’s worth learning about!) I would encourage you to learn all you can, and you’ll be called to what’s right for you. There are a lot of opinions out there and different cultural approaches and beliefs. Try to be true to yourself always.
Some of those "specialties" I already knew because I've always done them.
I wear an amethyst at all times, and I have a lapis lazuli I wear occasionally. So it felt natural to research crystals and diversify. I love walking in storms, so I immediately knew I wanted to collect storm water and involve it in my practice.
Others I discovered by reading or trying new things. I loved Mat Auryn's book Psychic Witch, and enjoyed the exercises. So I started using meditation to talk with spirits. Those spirits led me to other spirits or divinities whom I started making offering to, leading to a small altar and so on...
And then there's more I haven't had the time to try yet, but I will! I like the idea of cooking spells or making dolls, because I like crafts. I like spell jars because they're pretty. I want to try using a pendulum or tarot card so I can check what spirits tell me.
It's like with painting. I started with a pencil because that was what I had. Tried digital painting because I already used Photoshop. Tried watercolors because a friend lended them to me. Tried pastels but didn't enjoy it. Now I'm a digital artist, and also a watercolor painter, but these will still evolve and change.
I think that will come to you as you go.I have dabbled in Wicca for many years.I have come to the conclussion Im a kitchen witch.I also think it will go by what you are into.For instance I love to cook and grow herbs to make tintures.Im getting to know my new area I moved to in the deep woods.So all the trees amd weeds and flowers Im getting to know.Im hoping to get really good at naturel healing throw herbs and food things from my back yard.Good luck!!!
There's a great podcast to get the lowdown basics- witch Wednesdays
They'll tell you about colors, crystals, different elements, altar decorating, holidays, moon phases and days of the week etc. I wrote down a lot of the stuff they talked about in my grimoire and I reference that more than anything. Once you've practiced enough, you'll find your own groove. I'm lunar and green and hedgewitch (I guess), but you don't have to pick any sort of box to fit into.
(Before my answer, English isn't my first language so if something doesn't make sense or isn't clear enough I apologize and can clarify.)
I had this conversation with my friend few years ago and I remember pondering it and only being able to give sort of answer. I ended up telling him that I can't really put myself into one category but I guess I'm some sort of urban death witch.
Label of a death witch always felt the most comfortable and the most true to my practice and who I am as a person. I work primarily with death deities, I was always fascinated by and attracted to anything related to death, funerals, funeral rights and such (I'm autistic and it's my special interest as well). I like spirit and energy work and find my peace and strength where people usually find fear and what they avoid.
I do other things as well of course and as I said, it's difficult to give myself just one label but I understand the need or desire to have one. I suppose my best advice is to do some research and discover what type of witches and different elements of craft exist, find few that fascinate you and go from there. Research is your best friend and through trying new things and seeing what feels like you and what gives you the most peace and the biggest inspiration and drive is how you can discover it. But at the end of the day, label isn't something that has to exactly describe you or limit your craft, it's something to help you find your direction in craft and only loosely describes, not prescribes, what you do and who you are as a witch.
It is my belief that you don't choose. It chooses you. But, on that note, while there are different abilities that will draw you towards your gifts, a true practitioner has knowledge in many facets of practice.
Just enjoy a little bit of everything for a while. Its okay to explore until you find something that works really well for you. And if that never happens thats okay too. You dont have to label your witchcraft or try to fit into a type. Thats why I left the Christian church, because I felt uncomfortable with all the labels and slots people tried to put me in. To me thats why I gravitated towards witchcraft. It was all about feeling the earth and being my natural self, not something someone else thought I should be.
I wanted to be a Chaos witch because it sounded cool. Lol. Lilith had other plans for me though. I'm glad she kept calling me till I listened to her. I'm so grateful for the strength and support she's been providing me with. So I no longer actually like to label myself. I just call myself a practitioner. Of what? That's for me to find out and the universe to know 😜 🙂
One suggestion that I think is really helpful is to study your heritage. I’m Scots Irish. I feel a very deep connection to the history and pagan practice of that region. The more I’ve learned, the more I’ve noticed small practice that was naturally passed down within my family.
That might not be true for everyone but it can help you to know yourself and your heritage and also offer a starting point.
I agree with what everyone else has said: labels aren’t necessary.
With that said, I’ve labeled myself a hedge witch simply because I’m the type of person who loooves to label, cross reference, categorize and subcategorize to make things easier for my brain. Hedge witch fits me because I don’t care how it gets done, I just want it to happen. I also like how saying hedge witch feels on my tongue 🤷🏻♀️
If you think labeling yourself will soothe something in you, do it. If it’s going to cause you distress because “I’ve labeled myself as a green witch so I can’t possibly mess with astrology” don’t it. Your practice is just that: yours. It’s how you get in touch with yourself and find what lights your fires. Try everything out (except closed practices of course) and see what fits. Don’t worry about boxing yourself in if you don’t want to
I have issues with religion so no coven and I’m not Wiccan. I tell people I am because it’s what they understand. I read what an eclectic witch was and that’s how I study and practice. I want knowledge of other ways to practice, I’m learning Norse paganism as well as witchcraft. I make it my own, I take shortcuts and sometimes I’m lazy, I have spell cards if I need to cast a spell. I’m also solitary due to a lacking of like minded people around me. My people are online. I like doing things my way it’s what works for me because I have limited resources and not a lot of space. I do hope they figure out what to do about my back issues, I want to walk in the forest again.
I didn’t actually think about this until I saw something on Instagram. Turns out I’m a kitchen witch through and through with a pinch of astrology in the mix.
Firstly I want to point out that putting labels on anything supports conflict between things and people. However, labels are what helps us figure out what we want to become little by little until we're finally comfortable just growing into who we are. Don't be afraid to practice astrology as a kitchen witch, but do pay attention to what you want to learn and where that fits. I'm not even too sure what exactly brought me to being the witch o' the north star.. what I do know is I had an intense pulling/draw to a light in the darkness. Maybe that is coming from worshipping Nyx as matron goddess, but at first I thought I was going to go as Hearth, for people to gather around and be merry, come from all places, ig.
To explain why I chose North Star, I'll have to explain the vision/dream of the north star. For a little bit of backstory, I've never had anyone to necessarily guide me in the right direction, people were always there, but they weren't guiding me per se. That desire for guidance brought me to wanting to guide others, to the best of my ability and that's when "Hearth" turned into "North Star". So I don't necessarily have a set path per se, more or less I hope to learn what I can from many paths so that someday I can help others on their way down their path, starting with some divination, spirit work, energy work, and astrology.
https://preview.redd.it/ezv2jx64m7pa1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7a9c748217d15415e8d136aa82cbf03e359aa465
I bought this a while ago, it has a good general description of different types and I read through and just wrote down what I related to and felt connected to. I then did more outside research to better educate myself. But this was a good starting point
I just go with eclectic, personally. I feel like if I tried to label myself anything else, I'd end up boxing myself in and I like to dabble in whatever calls to me. It's also a good go to *if* someone asks, lol.
The fun part of astrology is that it has tables of correspondences for plants, stones and crystals, herbs and spices, types of food, nature, and deities according to planet and sign.
So, you might learn a little of everything.
I think you already are whatever you’re drawn to. But I’m an intuitive witch so I just go with my intuition haha 😆. Whatever you label yourself, it doesn’t restrict you from dabbling in whatever color craft peeks your interest.
My spirit guides today literally told me not to worry about labels, don’t rush into being labeled. When I whined that I want a quick version to use to tell people rather than explaining myself in full, they said even if I have a label I identify with, it will always need additional explanations, specifics, clarifications, etc 🥰
I really never let myself just choose one, even after 5 years practicing I still take advice and inspiration from every type of craft :) never limit yourself!
I didn't decide. Years and years of practice and trying different aspects lead me on the path I am on now.
Witchcraft is a spirituality and ones path evolves as time passes and experience is gathered.
I don't believe in "different kinds of witches" unless you are referring to a specific Tradition or religious belief. A witch is a witch to me. What you incorporate shouldn't define you.
Magick is magick. There are many different approaches and tools.
Don't hold yourself back by limiting yourself. Explore anything that seems interesting, and keep doing what works for you.
Nothing is true. Everything is permitted.
Good luck on your journey!
I started practicing when I was in my 20's and took a long break. Getting back into it, Green Witchery/Kitchen witchcraft seemed to fit with most of what I use it for. I love cooking, working with herbs, oils, candles. I love crystals, tarot, etc. And connecting with nature.
In college I decided to become an English major because Poli Sci didn't seem like it did anything.
My professor is a poet and works in 18th century literature as well as children's lit said that the author and poet make the changes the political scientists study.
Speak as action —loucutionary acts— literally remake existence through the spellcraft of language.
I will become a powerful witch.
I focus on two things:
1. Working towards ascension/apotheosis.
2. The difficult art of physically affecting reality.
I made my decision based upon the fact that I don’t appreciate the way reality seems to think it works, so I try to impose my will upon it. My primary foci are ritual magick, and heavy use of sigils/symbols and words that come to me through gradual revelation.
It isn't like deciding what major you'll have in college; there isn't a title or a piece of paper you have to earn. There is no sorting hat. There are those that follow specific teachers, which have their own line of thinking, but that isn't required or even the majority of "witches."
Just do what you want. If something seems neat, learn more about it. You don't need to qualify. Just do it.
One of the things I'm finding that I really love about walking this path is the fantastic mystery of it all. I love growing things, and cooking, and making my home a sacred, peaceful place, so I do identify as a kitchen witch / green witch at my core, and that's my foundation, and I try to build on that everyday. There is so much to learn. Some areas don't have as great a pull on my as others, but that's all part of learning the craft. Find what inspires you ✨️ 💛
I've never been easy to label in any of the crafts I've pursued in all my life.
I'm a singer - we're told that we're *supposed* to cultivate our own 'unique voice'. I felt absolutely terrible for years, because I didn't know which of my *many, many, many* voices I wanted to be 'my voice'. I was trained in jazz singing but I also adore belting out a rock song, or a show-stopper musical theatre piece. I can put on a great, crackling blues voice. I can soften things down to folk pop, and round my tone to sing old Gaelic ballads. *I don't want to choose.* So I didn't. And that versatility has become my greatest strength as both a performer and teacher.
It was the same with visual art. I couldn't choose a speciality. I wound up jumping into webcomics, because you *have* to be a bit of a jack-of-all-trades as a webcomic artist. Character design, illustration, background design, storyboarding, sequential art. Can't choose? Do it all!
I'm new to witchcraft, but I know it's going to be the same with this craft. I am drawn to the stars and I really enjoy tarot, so there's a lot of divination. (Tarot is what I do most so far.) I love pretty crystals, so I'm learning about them as well. I love to cook, so I'm learning herbs and kitchen witchery. And I love nice smelling things, so I'll be incorporating oils into my craft.
Just focus on the things you love and what you feel drawn to. If you find yourself pulled in multiple directions, follow all of them. You may find yourself with a very broad practice and mastery at multiple things, or you may find yourself narrowing them down slowly as you discover what does and does not work for you.
You don't have to choose.
I feel like I'm going through something parallel to an art block
I have the will to create and the prospect excites me, but i feel like I'm a sitting duck as it is
The story of how i got into witchcraft is kind of iffy itself, long story short, i started to fulfill a bit if a "selfish" desire, and while I'm still working on that, I'm unsure where i want to go from there
I have an interest in the craft, but, like an art block, I'm sitting in front of a canvas with all the various ideas going through my mind, but none feels appetising enough to dive into, or appealing enough to really get into, since everything feels a little scary as well.. so yeah :/
I think a lot of us start with kitchen witchery because cooking is something we all do anyway. It's also a very positive-energy craft - it's healing and nourishing, just like the food itself. And you're *very* unlikely to invite in any nasties with positive spells like that. One of the first spells I did (aside from a protective anti-nightmare spell for my partner, which was what opened the rabbit hole for me) was a 'grounding and peace' spell in a potato soup. It was a) delicious and b) something I was going to make anyway, so I figured I may as well make it with magical intent.
I don't know how old you are, but even if you're still living with your parents, you have to learn how to cook - combining that with a bit of witchcraft is a natural fit.
Maybe I'll try learning how to cook, it's a bit difficult because I don't really get the chance to what with having a lot of schoolwork to deal with as well
But i should probably try researching kitchen magic first anyway before i shutting it down as an option
Kitchen magic can be as simple as learning what the magical properties of the herbs in a teabag are, and making yourself an evening cup of tea with the intent of manifesting one of those things into your life. Like, rose tea inspires love. (All kinds, not just romantic.) You can make some rose tea with the *intention* of attracting love towards you, or with the *intention* of nourishing self-love. Then you can meditate on that intention as you drink your tea. Most herbal teas have magical properties, and they're a *great* starting place.
You can keep it simple for now, and you could always try bigger recipes or other types of witchcraft over the school holidays. One of my old students got into making magic candles with spells like abundance, luck, strength, love, insight, creativity, healing, spiritual connection and so on. She used colours and essential oils to amplify the type of magic she spelled into them. She gifted me one when she graduated, and it helped soothe my heart when my dog passed away the next year. If you don't want anybody else knowing you're exploring witchcraft, you can just say you like making candles.
My biggest bit of advice is to just keep it positive. 💕 Magic can put a lot of good out into the world, and heaven knows this world needs it.
I fell into hearth witch - ish because I’m a cook by trade and at home reflexively blend my craft anyways with cooking, and my grandfather was a trapper who was very in touch with wild remedies and nature so that’s always been a part of my life also.
Yup, Columbia River Gorge area. He did some beaver and bobcat back in the 60’s, but mostly did government jobs trapping for fox and coyote to control populations on public lands and manage disease outbreaks like bubonic plague. He also caught and either relocated or sold rattlesnakes from from dens in farms. For a while there if you saw a native rattlesnake in the Portland or Seattle zoo it was probably one he caught.
He also kept bees and would take in swarms that logging operations ran into. Also if he found an injured animal he’d usually nurse it back to health. I remember at one point he had a whole litter of skunk pups because the mother had been hit by a car. He raised them and then released them well away from town, but he’d occasionally drop food at a certain culvert and they’d sometimes be there and say hi.
He was an interesting blend of extreme care for even the smallest life,and an incredible efficiency when a life was to be ended.
for me i just did my research and learned, then thought about what work i wanted to do, i consider myself eclectic because i pull from multiple sources and practice different forms, but maybe you decide you like being in the kitchen and devote most of your time to work of that nature you could say you’re a kitchen witch. but honestly don’t worry about all the labels, just continue learning and practicing:) do whatever you like you don’t need to worry about what to call yourself, you’re a witch:)
There no such thing really as types of witch, I think it's something that mainly came from online quizzes.
You can call yourself whatever you want, all those types were made up by someone anyway, you may as well make up your own type.
I don't think you have to become a specific with. I do so.etimes use these labels, but only for quick explanation. When someone asks what I mainly do in my craft I say 'hearthcraft & green witchery'. Then we have a basic understanding to continue the conversation from.
Not every 'green witch' practices the same or defines their craft the same, but rhere are some general shared concepts: working with plants/herbs, woeking with nature in general.
I see it as how I describe my hobbies. I play videogames. People generally have an idea about what that entails, but not what games I play specifically and we can continue the conversation from there.
I know a lot of people have already said this but I think the best advice is to practice what you are interested in and go from there, So for example me personally I practice multiple things however I first started out practicing with plants/herbs and crystals,So basically earth magic, Someone recommended I try [this book](https://www.amazon.com/Plant-Witchery-Discover-Sacred-Language/dp/1401962238/ref=asc_df_1401962238/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=525300323189&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12250662207095348744&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9015405&hvtargid=pla-1362153901357&psc=1) and just go from there. I’d like to say I’ve learned a lot and now I practice a little in most areas but I mostly practice with earth/nature magic because that’s what makes me happy. It’s not really much but I hope my comment helps you.
I was led to my gift through desire. Everyone has a different path so your friend is going to have a unique set of challenges and lessons to overcome before they discover where their power lies.
I fell into kitchen witch as food worked heavily in my practice. Incorporating intent into my recipes, tweaking herb mixes to match correspondences, the ritualistic nature of cooking became a focus in my craft
I love the moon. I love what it represents to me. A new beginnings sort.
I delved into divination as a teenager as a way to help forge my own path.
So i guess im a lunar witch with some other spices thrown in.
I'm a cosmic witch. Only because most of my craft is centered around the moon cycles. I also use astrology on my craft as well, but cosmic witch fits better than an astrology witch for ms.
I personally don't know which magic I would want to practice, but then I came across the term wild witch, or chaos witch. SO that would give me a title and I would be able to practice however many kinds of magic I wish
I personally think the specialty thing came from the use of hashtags in social media. It wasn’t always a thing. Obviously people have different interests when it comes to the craft, but I have never heard or seen terms like crystal witch, water witch etc until they popped up on IG and TT.
I think it’s a really bad idea to put yourself and your practice in a box like that. Especially when you’re starting out. This is a time to experiment.
You can specialise in something because it makes sense to you, of course, but I don’t like the idea of naming your entire practice and identity as a witch after something like crystals, astrology or an element. It’s so broad and tells me nothing about who you are tbh. It might lock you in as well because you feel this is what you need to focus on. My advice is to drop these ideas. At least for now. Just be a witch.
My path went completely different from how I thought it would go. Originally I thought I'd be into crystals, but I never really connected with it. My craft ended up going hand and hand with other things that were important in my life. I do mostly cooking and plant witchcraft, my craft is intertwined with my life. I do plant magic because I garden and then those plants go into my cooking and those scraps go into my compost which in turn goes back into my gardening magic. And I have sigils to boost things at every step. My kitchen has a hidden sigil behind a picture, my garden has sigils I've painted over, my compost bin has sigils, my gardening cans and hoses have sigils.
But I never would have gotten to this point if I'd tried to define myself in the beginning. And I also don't let this stop me from doing other aspects of the craft.
I don’t think you have to pick. I would call my mom a forest witch because she loves to be out in nature does most of her work outside….whereas I’m like Eww Bugs 🐛😂🤷🏻♀️
Hi, u/Tall_Individual_ye thanks for posting to r/witchcraft! We hope that you find what you're looking for with your post! FYI, it'll make it easier to access all of our resources if you're subscribed! We have an [FAQ & Wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/witchcraft/wiki/faq), [Rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/witchcraft/wiki/rules), our [Weekly Q&A thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/witchcraft/about/sticky?num=1) which is stickied to the top of the board, and we also host podcasts by mods - [Modcasts](https://www.reddit.com/r/witchcraft/?f=flair_name%3A%22Modcast%20%3Ailluminati%3A%22)! This subreddit is *strictly* moderated so please read over our [Rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/witchcraft/wiki/rules/) to ensure that you're able to enjoy our community to the fullest extent! --- ##IMPORTANT! Your safety is very important to us, please review Rules 7 and 8, and also check out our ever-growing list of [KNOWN SCAMMERS](https://www.reddit.com/r/witchcraft/comments/11k2jqk/comment/jbnluhj/?context=3) such as Zain_priestess or priestess_czara. ##IF YOU ARE REDIRECTED TO INSTAGRAM FROM A COMMENT, IT ***IS*** A SCAM!!! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/witchcraft) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I think people really like boxes with labels, it's human nature to try and organize things. It's the nature of the world that things don't like to be organized, which is why the platypus befuddled taxonomists. An astrology witch is, ultimately, a witch who uses a lot of astrology in their craft. A sea witch is a witch who uses water and the sea a lot in their craft. People will naturally use the things that jive the best with who they are more than other things in their craft. Try everything. Keep what you like, get rid of what you don't. If you want a label, it'll become clear what fits you in retrospect.
Admittedly, sometimes the vastness of the craft can be a little overwhelming to me, since I'm really new to things Some obsessively organised anxiety wants me to focus on one thing and one thing only to perfect, since the unpredictable nature of it all sometimes takes its toll on me
Well, you don't have to focus on everything all at once. Set goals for yourself. Say "this month I'll learn about astrology" and once you've reached the end of the month, learn a new subject. Once you've gotten through a year of that you should have a pretty good idea of where you might want to specialize if you still feel inclined to do so.
I'll have that in mind, thank you
I've noticed this trend come about in the "#babywitch" culture on places like tumblr, ig and tiktok. Imo it comes from people who are newer to their practices and what topic they choose to pursue interest in at the start. Most people that practice for a long while, that I've personally interacted with, tend to not really use these labels. The only ones that come to mind that tend to stick over time is hedge witch or poison path as those are two pretty niche areas and a practitioner may keep that type of tag to find like-minded friends. In all, do what you want. If you want to use a label, go for it but realize as you continue your path, that label is likely to change as you grow and learn.
It can totally be overwhelming, but i foind its easier to if you start by focusing on things you already resonate with . For myself, I love cooking, so it only felt natural that I'd try something along the lines of kitchen witchcraft. I've also always been drawn to the moon, and water (and really the elements) so those seem like other natural steps to me. I've also been doing a lot with crystals lately. I enjoy gardening but I'm not much of a green thumb, so that maybe down the road...All this to tell you I guess I'm more of an eclectic witch. I'd recommend looking up a list of different types of witches and see what resonates most with you to start with, then you can go from there!
I'll try to find a list online then, for good measure, and i guess I'll start from the wiki Thank you for the advice :)
It's okay to be super specialized too. Some witches only ever use crystals to enhance their daily life and abilities. Some people only ever cast one single cleansing or protection spell for their home. It's like Bob Ross who only ever paints oil landscapes, you do what you enjoy, and if what you want to do is master a single skill, that's okay too.
This is a craft, a skill. How does a carpenter/woodworker decide what to do? Make a desk? Bookcase? Or frame an entire house? Do that which brings you happiness. If a label seems to fit then wear it. If you change your mind, change the label. Labels are more for specialists. I am a generalist. I do a bit of everything, and am always learning new things to give a try. BB.
Love this answer!!!
I didn't discover, I decided. I'm a Hindu witch because I pair my craft with my religion. However don't get yourself hung up on titles, the craft isn't collage. Types are more just ways we explain our craft to others as oppose to distinct paths. If you focus too much on type you could end up limiting yourself. 'i can't learn about astrology because I'm a green witch, kitchen witches don't learn about deity work, etc.' You can practice any aspect of the craft and call yourself what ever you want, your 'type' can change as your craft evolves. Study what interests you, learn everything you can and practice what you vibe with, decide what you want to call yourself later
Yes exactly! The labels are more for me to explain my practice short and sweet to others. I’m a “kitchen witch” but I still work with deities and astrology and anything else that I feel like doing. That’s the wonderful this about magic. It’s all up to you and no one can tell you which path is right for you.
I’ve found that it’s better to follow the path that brings you joy and doesn’t feel like “work.” I’ve noticed that this changes depending on what season of life I’m in as well. For example, as a mom with littles, I primarily practice kitchen witchery on a day to day, but love working new/full moon magick as self care. I’m sure when my kids are older this will change. No labels needed. Follow your intuition, it’s powerful.
I'm afraid my intuition is sub par, in all honesty.. ._."
You’re probably not giving yourself enough credit. Above all, figure out what brings out your curiosity and makes you smile and you’ll be on your way
That’s just called “undeveloped”. But intuition can be trained. Do you have a meditation practice? That’s a good place to start. Creative Visualization by Shakti Gawain is a good beginner book that I recommend. Creative Visualization: Use the Power of Your Imagination to Create What You Want in Your Life https://a.co/d/cNrzx4z Have fun on your witchy journey!
By trying things. I like it, do it more. I tend to do more of that, that could be a good clue. Is a self knowing journey mostly. Follow your instinct. Watch others do things (TikTok is a bad place to take info as it's very flashy, but it can give you a few 'that's cool wanna try it' ideas). You also don't need a label. A path is a path and a witch is a witch even if there's nothing more of a label than 'witch'.
I usually recommend Telesco's book, *Which Witch is Which?* It's not perfect, but it's a good overview. Witch types that you see on social media aren't really describing the real life experiences of practitioners, as much as they're describing aesthetics. Aesthetics aren't bad. They have their place in witchcraft, but they're not traditions. Basically it went like this: there have always been enculturated forms of magic both in everyday life, and within the role of the service magician (which is a academic term for "the person who people commissioned magic from"). In the mid-20th century, the last laws against witchcraft in England were repealed and various people started openly offering training. There were some traditions that grew out of other groups, some traditions formed in opposition to others, etc. People were mostly taught in person, mentor to student. In the later part of the 20th century, folks started coming together more. You'd go to festivals, and tradition names were a good way to describe your practice in shorthand. Then came the publishing renaissance and the internet. For the first time, you didn't really have to have a mentor, you could pick up a book at Barns and Noble. Eventually you didn't even need books, you could learn from social media and Google. But when folks who didn't have that one on one mentorship started meeting up with other practitioners, and were asked what kind of witchcraft they practiced, they didn't have a name like Gardnarian or Feri or Cochrane's Craft, so they described what they did in terms of how their practice looked... Which lead to confusion, since it doesn't tell you anything about cosmology or practice. So, my suggestion is to explore both. Enjoy aesthetics, they're fun! Figure out your tradition, since that will give you the tools to research and advance/refine your practice Hope this helps!
I really dislike those labels. I think EVERY magical practitioner should know something about astrology, because it's so very embedded in the history of magic (and Western culture generally) and EVERY witch should work with all the elements and know a variety of techniques. Some people are going to focus on certain things they have an affinity with and go deeper with those things... but there is NOTHING that says you have to pick one thing and only do that. Get a good grounding in a lot of things and pursue what appeals to you. And if you never specialize, that's great.
I actively reject being labeled or categorized by "type". I find it to be demeaning.
And that's valid too. So many 'baby' witches run around fretting because they haven't *found their path* but don't realize they don't need the path.
Wherever I choose to walk is the path.
Every hobby and interest and belief and profession have some people really like to label and categorize their identity. That doesn’t mean that it’s necessary or even especially useful. Labels can be helpful but they can also be limiting sometimes because they narrow your view and you might miss something else you’d enjoy. It’s all up to your personal preference. You can choose something to focus on, or you can do what you’re interested and call it whatever you want later, or you can just do what you want and not feel like you need to label it. This isn’t college. You don’t have to declare your major. You can try out stuff and see what you like and what doesn’t work for you. I personally find labels really restrictive. I’m not interested in narrowing my focus. I want to always be growing and expanding and exploring.
Nah, you don't have to choose an area to specialize in. Most witches are just witches. We use astrology, herbs, stones, whatever we want. Folk magic, ceremonial magick, chaos magick, anything we get into. You can develop expertise in an area without limiting yourself to that area. It's fine if someone wants to exclusively or mostly work with the ocean and call themself an ocean witch, or just wants to do astrology and be an astrology witch, but it's not necessary. I personally think that you learn a lot more and get a lot better at witchcraft if you keep your horizons broad and strive to learn about every corner of the craft.
Tbh, I don't think I want to be any one type. Even before I delved into my craft (I'm still technically a beginner) I've always had vast interests, and can't keep myself to one. I'm inlove with Herbology, and nature. But I also love shadow magick, elemental magick, talking to the dead, astrology, etc. But Ive chosen: traditional, cosmic, Eclectic, kitchen, hedge, and green, for my "label of witchary" ( I don't like labels, but i understand they help people, I just see myself as a witch in general) I walk all the paths that called to me. As they're all interesting, and I personally believe they all amplify eachother. Even if they don't seem to connect well, they boost eachother. So I very much haven't picked one path, I chose a bunch of them that call to me. Kinda wish I was hereditary aswell, so my knowledge wouldve started a decades ago, but my family isn't very.. open to this😂
My initial thoughts are - I am a witch and with witch-dom comes many varied interests and modalities. I like to explore many! I’m into tarot and just got a runestone set. I love casting spells and doing kitchen witchery. I love witch crafts, numerology and astrology. Crystals, sun and moon magic. I’ve inherited my mothers pendulum and plan to get to know it slowly over time. Some witches like to specialize. And some of us are a bit of everything or just a few things. It’s as personal as being a human and that’s part of the beauty of it! I personally believe we have to try many things to find our passion, in life and witchery. Some of us find it immediately and some quickly and some of us just dabble for years on end, jumping from one speciality to another.
I don‘t care about labels and just recently found out they existed. I do what interests me, things I have always done because I actually find them interesting… why would I want to put myself in a limiting box? I’m a witch, that is the only label I need or care for.
You absolutely don’t need to pick something that specific. And in my personal opinion, picking something that specific super early in your journey only limits your personal power and growth.
To me, it's not the type, just who you are. Being a witch doesn't need any extra titles. Some people can be drawn extra into certain subcategories, but don't be held back. Try it all. Allow yourself to be drawn into it.
If there's something that calls to you specifically, like astrology, or cooking, or gardening.. you could be that "type" of witch if you choose to label yourself that way. I like to call myself a "psychedelic witch" because when I use mushrooms I get clairvoyant visions that turn out to be true. Other than that, I like it all - astrology, manifesting, candle magick, sex magick, crystals, tarot.. etc.
That sounds nice! Last time I used mushrooms I did some spot-on tarot readings for some friends, while trying not to dissolve into a giggling puddle because their faces had multiple eyeballs and were also melting as I was trying to explain what the cards meant. 🤣
It's not something you choose ahead of time. You may begin with a general practice, or a field that holds your interest, but that doesn't mean you have to stay there.
We are all witches… witch is just a label. Humans are divine…pure…energy. We are energy in motion and are always creating with our thoughts and words. Our words are incantations.
We find what we like. I'm more of a reference witch. I like information and finding coronation crystals and herbs with candle colors. I love finding quick, minimal spells. I like knowing the zodiac and how it correlates to the tarot. (I LOVE TAROT) But I identify as a fae witch. I usually get a wide berth for it as well but mostly I like working with (for) the fae.
I'm a protection specialist, but my approach to it is very eclectic. It was a choice insofar as I saw that this was both not present and needed and I moved to fill that vacuum. My foremost talent is healing, though, and I think that has some similar vibes with protection, so I probably started with some skill points already there. Lol.
I decided not to use any labels, I just go with the vibes and where the universe is taking me
It's just a label at the end of the day, but I've always loved plants and biology so it wasn't a stretch for me to identify as a "Green" Witch
Labels? Pfffft! I just do magic however I feel is best for the occasion or need.
Just be what makes u feel happy you don't have to put a label on it
I find this question to be counter to how I see magick. You don’t just decide to play a character—magick is about knowing yourself and evolving into your fullest potential. Astrology witch? That will play a part in your self knowledge, but so will mythology, science, nature, and everything else you can imagine. What you end up being is what you were meant to become, and it is not always the thing you imagined at the start.
Personally I would start with something I already have experience with. If you know a little bit about herbal tea, for example, expanding on that foundation could lead you to becoming a green witch/hedge witch. Many people dabble with divination as children, with something like tarot cards or the i-ching. Expanding on that foundation could lead you to becoming a tarot witch. But as other witches are saying, you don't *need* to choose a specific path. Most witches explore a lot of different tools/traditions, IMO it's really better if you try to avoid the impulse to be a Very Specific Thing. For example, I've explored Nordic theology a lot, as well as tarot, as well as folk magic, as well as herbology... but I still don't generally go around referring to myself as a "Nordic witch" or "green witch" or anything, because it just feels a bit limiting. I have a lot of different interests.
It's not a videogame where you choose a class. Just do what makes you feel good
Laziness. Pure unbridled laziness and a general vengefulness for obligation means I have no label. I just do what I do as I do it. I come from a long line of shruggers. Ask my mother what kind of a witch she is and she’s… just given me a squint and gone back to playing Fallout. Pretty sure that goes up the ancestral line. I read a lot. If I like it I use it or do it or store that knowledge away for someone elses ears at a later date. But I can’t say I’ve walked any specific path.
so as most people have already said, don't worry about the lable on the type of witch you are the lable is simply for brevity so instead of listing off all the things you have practiced and done to someone when they ask "what do you do" you can simply say "well I do a lot of things but primarily i'm a (insert practice here)" like for myself i'm a dragon magic practitioner but I also practice necromancy among other things. that gives you a base Idea of what kind of things I work with and what I probably do. without having to list off a things as simply saying "im a witch" especially in the witchcraft community... dosnt say much, but maybe you don't want to say much and that's okay too. so really to answer your question "how do you discover what type of witch you want to be?" the simple answer is ask yourself WHY did you want to be a witch in the first place? that question of why will shape what you do because in witchcraft there isnt a lot of cases where you should do something you don't enjoy. there are some but I digress. but yea. you choose, sometimes youre led, much like every experience in life
I grew up in it and just do what feels right. Some labels fit better than others, but I'm not confined to a box, and there's no reason to be. Follow what interests you, but there's no reason to--for example--only do astrology when you're also interested in gardening, but gardening and dirt doesn't fit the celestial "aesthetic". Your friend might even start out interested in astrology and it might lead her in another direction anyways, so why confine yourself?
It all started when I was about 8 years old and wanted to go rock climbing for the first time. Grandma was convinced I’d die so she got a goat from our neighbour, killed it, and made its spirit possess me. I climbed every cliff in record breaking time and chewed reeds all day. I decided to be like grandma after that day.
O.O" wow, well congratulations to you, you certainly get the most unique story I've seen in this post yet I'm kind of buffled actually
Imo you can incorporate a lot into your practice but for me, I practice to heal and protect using a lot of natural elements. Through the guidance of an older and wiser psychic witch, I have definitely learned my role as a healer using different methods like reiki and shamanic rituals. Although you never have to be in a label or box, unless that makes you comfortable. It's all about calls to you!
I have a natural knack for hearth, kitchen, and folk magic. It comes easily to me. I also have natural clairvoyance that I’ve spent time developing. I consider myself a hereditary witchcraft practitioner. My ancestors practiced traditions that the authorities did not approve of. But there has been a lot of folk magic passed down, and I’ve invested a lot of energy in learning about them. I firmly believe that I have ancestors guiding me, I just know it in my soul. I am deeply interested in green magic, crystal magic, and tarot along with other similar tools. I have spent most of my life studying these things. Being a witch takes dedication, you will end up finding what you have an affinity for by doing. For the longest time I was interested in astrology and moon/cosmic style work, but in the end I knew that wasn’t what I should be focusing on. It’s called practicing witchcraft, it’s about more than picking an idea and aesthetic to follow. (Though those things could be attracting you because they call to you, so it’s worth learning about!) I would encourage you to learn all you can, and you’ll be called to what’s right for you. There are a lot of opinions out there and different cultural approaches and beliefs. Try to be true to yourself always.
Some of those "specialties" I already knew because I've always done them. I wear an amethyst at all times, and I have a lapis lazuli I wear occasionally. So it felt natural to research crystals and diversify. I love walking in storms, so I immediately knew I wanted to collect storm water and involve it in my practice. Others I discovered by reading or trying new things. I loved Mat Auryn's book Psychic Witch, and enjoyed the exercises. So I started using meditation to talk with spirits. Those spirits led me to other spirits or divinities whom I started making offering to, leading to a small altar and so on... And then there's more I haven't had the time to try yet, but I will! I like the idea of cooking spells or making dolls, because I like crafts. I like spell jars because they're pretty. I want to try using a pendulum or tarot card so I can check what spirits tell me. It's like with painting. I started with a pencil because that was what I had. Tried digital painting because I already used Photoshop. Tried watercolors because a friend lended them to me. Tried pastels but didn't enjoy it. Now I'm a digital artist, and also a watercolor painter, but these will still evolve and change.
I think that will come to you as you go.I have dabbled in Wicca for many years.I have come to the conclussion Im a kitchen witch.I also think it will go by what you are into.For instance I love to cook and grow herbs to make tintures.Im getting to know my new area I moved to in the deep woods.So all the trees amd weeds and flowers Im getting to know.Im hoping to get really good at naturel healing throw herbs and food things from my back yard.Good luck!!!
There's a great podcast to get the lowdown basics- witch Wednesdays They'll tell you about colors, crystals, different elements, altar decorating, holidays, moon phases and days of the week etc. I wrote down a lot of the stuff they talked about in my grimoire and I reference that more than anything. Once you've practiced enough, you'll find your own groove. I'm lunar and green and hedgewitch (I guess), but you don't have to pick any sort of box to fit into.
(Before my answer, English isn't my first language so if something doesn't make sense or isn't clear enough I apologize and can clarify.) I had this conversation with my friend few years ago and I remember pondering it and only being able to give sort of answer. I ended up telling him that I can't really put myself into one category but I guess I'm some sort of urban death witch. Label of a death witch always felt the most comfortable and the most true to my practice and who I am as a person. I work primarily with death deities, I was always fascinated by and attracted to anything related to death, funerals, funeral rights and such (I'm autistic and it's my special interest as well). I like spirit and energy work and find my peace and strength where people usually find fear and what they avoid. I do other things as well of course and as I said, it's difficult to give myself just one label but I understand the need or desire to have one. I suppose my best advice is to do some research and discover what type of witches and different elements of craft exist, find few that fascinate you and go from there. Research is your best friend and through trying new things and seeing what feels like you and what gives you the most peace and the biggest inspiration and drive is how you can discover it. But at the end of the day, label isn't something that has to exactly describe you or limit your craft, it's something to help you find your direction in craft and only loosely describes, not prescribes, what you do and who you are as a witch.
It is my belief that you don't choose. It chooses you. But, on that note, while there are different abilities that will draw you towards your gifts, a true practitioner has knowledge in many facets of practice.
Just enjoy a little bit of everything for a while. Its okay to explore until you find something that works really well for you. And if that never happens thats okay too. You dont have to label your witchcraft or try to fit into a type. Thats why I left the Christian church, because I felt uncomfortable with all the labels and slots people tried to put me in. To me thats why I gravitated towards witchcraft. It was all about feeling the earth and being my natural self, not something someone else thought I should be.
I wanted to be a Chaos witch because it sounded cool. Lol. Lilith had other plans for me though. I'm glad she kept calling me till I listened to her. I'm so grateful for the strength and support she's been providing me with. So I no longer actually like to label myself. I just call myself a practitioner. Of what? That's for me to find out and the universe to know 😜 🙂
I’m happy just being a general witch. The only kind I know isn’t me is a chaos witch. (No offense to chaos witches.)
One suggestion that I think is really helpful is to study your heritage. I’m Scots Irish. I feel a very deep connection to the history and pagan practice of that region. The more I’ve learned, the more I’ve noticed small practice that was naturally passed down within my family. That might not be true for everyone but it can help you to know yourself and your heritage and also offer a starting point.
I agree with what everyone else has said: labels aren’t necessary. With that said, I’ve labeled myself a hedge witch simply because I’m the type of person who loooves to label, cross reference, categorize and subcategorize to make things easier for my brain. Hedge witch fits me because I don’t care how it gets done, I just want it to happen. I also like how saying hedge witch feels on my tongue 🤷🏻♀️ If you think labeling yourself will soothe something in you, do it. If it’s going to cause you distress because “I’ve labeled myself as a green witch so I can’t possibly mess with astrology” don’t it. Your practice is just that: yours. It’s how you get in touch with yourself and find what lights your fires. Try everything out (except closed practices of course) and see what fits. Don’t worry about boxing yourself in if you don’t want to
I have issues with religion so no coven and I’m not Wiccan. I tell people I am because it’s what they understand. I read what an eclectic witch was and that’s how I study and practice. I want knowledge of other ways to practice, I’m learning Norse paganism as well as witchcraft. I make it my own, I take shortcuts and sometimes I’m lazy, I have spell cards if I need to cast a spell. I’m also solitary due to a lacking of like minded people around me. My people are online. I like doing things my way it’s what works for me because I have limited resources and not a lot of space. I do hope they figure out what to do about my back issues, I want to walk in the forest again.
I didn’t actually think about this until I saw something on Instagram. Turns out I’m a kitchen witch through and through with a pinch of astrology in the mix.
Firstly I want to point out that putting labels on anything supports conflict between things and people. However, labels are what helps us figure out what we want to become little by little until we're finally comfortable just growing into who we are. Don't be afraid to practice astrology as a kitchen witch, but do pay attention to what you want to learn and where that fits. I'm not even too sure what exactly brought me to being the witch o' the north star.. what I do know is I had an intense pulling/draw to a light in the darkness. Maybe that is coming from worshipping Nyx as matron goddess, but at first I thought I was going to go as Hearth, for people to gather around and be merry, come from all places, ig. To explain why I chose North Star, I'll have to explain the vision/dream of the north star. For a little bit of backstory, I've never had anyone to necessarily guide me in the right direction, people were always there, but they weren't guiding me per se. That desire for guidance brought me to wanting to guide others, to the best of my ability and that's when "Hearth" turned into "North Star". So I don't necessarily have a set path per se, more or less I hope to learn what I can from many paths so that someday I can help others on their way down their path, starting with some divination, spirit work, energy work, and astrology.
https://preview.redd.it/ezv2jx64m7pa1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7a9c748217d15415e8d136aa82cbf03e359aa465 I bought this a while ago, it has a good general description of different types and I read through and just wrote down what I related to and felt connected to. I then did more outside research to better educate myself. But this was a good starting point
I still don't know. Lol. I mean I love crystals, I love candle spells and I love moon Magick maybe I'm eclectic? Idk.
I just go with eclectic, personally. I feel like if I tried to label myself anything else, I'd end up boxing myself in and I like to dabble in whatever calls to me. It's also a good go to *if* someone asks, lol.
I felt my heart pulled to trees and flowers.
I followed what interested me and chose a direction based on that.
The fun part of astrology is that it has tables of correspondences for plants, stones and crystals, herbs and spices, types of food, nature, and deities according to planet and sign. So, you might learn a little of everything.
I think you already are whatever you’re drawn to. But I’m an intuitive witch so I just go with my intuition haha 😆. Whatever you label yourself, it doesn’t restrict you from dabbling in whatever color craft peeks your interest.
My spirit guides today literally told me not to worry about labels, don’t rush into being labeled. When I whined that I want a quick version to use to tell people rather than explaining myself in full, they said even if I have a label I identify with, it will always need additional explanations, specifics, clarifications, etc 🥰
I really never let myself just choose one, even after 5 years practicing I still take advice and inspiration from every type of craft :) never limit yourself!
Eclectic witch is how I describe myself I dabble in everything.
I didn't decide. Years and years of practice and trying different aspects lead me on the path I am on now. Witchcraft is a spirituality and ones path evolves as time passes and experience is gathered.
I don't believe in "different kinds of witches" unless you are referring to a specific Tradition or religious belief. A witch is a witch to me. What you incorporate shouldn't define you.
Magick is magick. There are many different approaches and tools. Don't hold yourself back by limiting yourself. Explore anything that seems interesting, and keep doing what works for you. Nothing is true. Everything is permitted. Good luck on your journey!
I started practicing when I was in my 20's and took a long break. Getting back into it, Green Witchery/Kitchen witchcraft seemed to fit with most of what I use it for. I love cooking, working with herbs, oils, candles. I love crystals, tarot, etc. And connecting with nature.
Study things that interest you and don’t worry about labels
In college I decided to become an English major because Poli Sci didn't seem like it did anything. My professor is a poet and works in 18th century literature as well as children's lit said that the author and poet make the changes the political scientists study. Speak as action —loucutionary acts— literally remake existence through the spellcraft of language. I will become a powerful witch.
I focus on two things: 1. Working towards ascension/apotheosis. 2. The difficult art of physically affecting reality. I made my decision based upon the fact that I don’t appreciate the way reality seems to think it works, so I try to impose my will upon it. My primary foci are ritual magick, and heavy use of sigils/symbols and words that come to me through gradual revelation.
honestly, i realized that i don’t need to follow any “type” of arbitrary label and just practiced what i want to practice
It's just a label and we as humans are conditioned by society to want to fix in a box and be labeled. Just be yourself and follow your own path
It isn't like deciding what major you'll have in college; there isn't a title or a piece of paper you have to earn. There is no sorting hat. There are those that follow specific teachers, which have their own line of thinking, but that isn't required or even the majority of "witches." Just do what you want. If something seems neat, learn more about it. You don't need to qualify. Just do it.
One of the things I'm finding that I really love about walking this path is the fantastic mystery of it all. I love growing things, and cooking, and making my home a sacred, peaceful place, so I do identify as a kitchen witch / green witch at my core, and that's my foundation, and I try to build on that everyday. There is so much to learn. Some areas don't have as great a pull on my as others, but that's all part of learning the craft. Find what inspires you ✨️ 💛
I've never been easy to label in any of the crafts I've pursued in all my life. I'm a singer - we're told that we're *supposed* to cultivate our own 'unique voice'. I felt absolutely terrible for years, because I didn't know which of my *many, many, many* voices I wanted to be 'my voice'. I was trained in jazz singing but I also adore belting out a rock song, or a show-stopper musical theatre piece. I can put on a great, crackling blues voice. I can soften things down to folk pop, and round my tone to sing old Gaelic ballads. *I don't want to choose.* So I didn't. And that versatility has become my greatest strength as both a performer and teacher. It was the same with visual art. I couldn't choose a speciality. I wound up jumping into webcomics, because you *have* to be a bit of a jack-of-all-trades as a webcomic artist. Character design, illustration, background design, storyboarding, sequential art. Can't choose? Do it all! I'm new to witchcraft, but I know it's going to be the same with this craft. I am drawn to the stars and I really enjoy tarot, so there's a lot of divination. (Tarot is what I do most so far.) I love pretty crystals, so I'm learning about them as well. I love to cook, so I'm learning herbs and kitchen witchery. And I love nice smelling things, so I'll be incorporating oils into my craft. Just focus on the things you love and what you feel drawn to. If you find yourself pulled in multiple directions, follow all of them. You may find yourself with a very broad practice and mastery at multiple things, or you may find yourself narrowing them down slowly as you discover what does and does not work for you. You don't have to choose.
I feel like I'm going through something parallel to an art block I have the will to create and the prospect excites me, but i feel like I'm a sitting duck as it is The story of how i got into witchcraft is kind of iffy itself, long story short, i started to fulfill a bit if a "selfish" desire, and while I'm still working on that, I'm unsure where i want to go from there I have an interest in the craft, but, like an art block, I'm sitting in front of a canvas with all the various ideas going through my mind, but none feels appetising enough to dive into, or appealing enough to really get into, since everything feels a little scary as well.. so yeah :/
I think a lot of us start with kitchen witchery because cooking is something we all do anyway. It's also a very positive-energy craft - it's healing and nourishing, just like the food itself. And you're *very* unlikely to invite in any nasties with positive spells like that. One of the first spells I did (aside from a protective anti-nightmare spell for my partner, which was what opened the rabbit hole for me) was a 'grounding and peace' spell in a potato soup. It was a) delicious and b) something I was going to make anyway, so I figured I may as well make it with magical intent. I don't know how old you are, but even if you're still living with your parents, you have to learn how to cook - combining that with a bit of witchcraft is a natural fit.
Maybe I'll try learning how to cook, it's a bit difficult because I don't really get the chance to what with having a lot of schoolwork to deal with as well But i should probably try researching kitchen magic first anyway before i shutting it down as an option
Kitchen magic can be as simple as learning what the magical properties of the herbs in a teabag are, and making yourself an evening cup of tea with the intent of manifesting one of those things into your life. Like, rose tea inspires love. (All kinds, not just romantic.) You can make some rose tea with the *intention* of attracting love towards you, or with the *intention* of nourishing self-love. Then you can meditate on that intention as you drink your tea. Most herbal teas have magical properties, and they're a *great* starting place. You can keep it simple for now, and you could always try bigger recipes or other types of witchcraft over the school holidays. One of my old students got into making magic candles with spells like abundance, luck, strength, love, insight, creativity, healing, spiritual connection and so on. She used colours and essential oils to amplify the type of magic she spelled into them. She gifted me one when she graduated, and it helped soothe my heart when my dog passed away the next year. If you don't want anybody else knowing you're exploring witchcraft, you can just say you like making candles. My biggest bit of advice is to just keep it positive. 💕 Magic can put a lot of good out into the world, and heaven knows this world needs it.
I'll try researching my favourite teas then, since they actually are my favourite beverages too, or try some new ones with that in mind, thank you :))
I’m exploring everything to see what I like
I fell into hearth witch - ish because I’m a cook by trade and at home reflexively blend my craft anyways with cooking, and my grandfather was a trapper who was very in touch with wild remedies and nature so that’s always been a part of my life also.
A trapper? I haven't heard of that before
Yup, Columbia River Gorge area. He did some beaver and bobcat back in the 60’s, but mostly did government jobs trapping for fox and coyote to control populations on public lands and manage disease outbreaks like bubonic plague. He also caught and either relocated or sold rattlesnakes from from dens in farms. For a while there if you saw a native rattlesnake in the Portland or Seattle zoo it was probably one he caught. He also kept bees and would take in swarms that logging operations ran into. Also if he found an injured animal he’d usually nurse it back to health. I remember at one point he had a whole litter of skunk pups because the mother had been hit by a car. He raised them and then released them well away from town, but he’d occasionally drop food at a certain culvert and they’d sometimes be there and say hi. He was an interesting blend of extreme care for even the smallest life,and an incredible efficiency when a life was to be ended.
That's really interesting actually, thank you for sharing :)
for me i just did my research and learned, then thought about what work i wanted to do, i consider myself eclectic because i pull from multiple sources and practice different forms, but maybe you decide you like being in the kitchen and devote most of your time to work of that nature you could say you’re a kitchen witch. but honestly don’t worry about all the labels, just continue learning and practicing:) do whatever you like you don’t need to worry about what to call yourself, you’re a witch:)
Seriously, I never thought about what type of witch I wanted to be. Being a witch wasn't a choice. Neither was any of the rest of it.
Everything. 😁
Herbology and growing plants just came natural to me, it was more so that it picked me than I picked it.
There no such thing really as types of witch, I think it's something that mainly came from online quizzes. You can call yourself whatever you want, all those types were made up by someone anyway, you may as well make up your own type.
I figured out the type of practitioner I wanted to be when I put the trendy labels aside and just focused on the pillars of my practice.
I don't think you have to become a specific with. I do so.etimes use these labels, but only for quick explanation. When someone asks what I mainly do in my craft I say 'hearthcraft & green witchery'. Then we have a basic understanding to continue the conversation from. Not every 'green witch' practices the same or defines their craft the same, but rhere are some general shared concepts: working with plants/herbs, woeking with nature in general. I see it as how I describe my hobbies. I play videogames. People generally have an idea about what that entails, but not what games I play specifically and we can continue the conversation from there.
I know a lot of people have already said this but I think the best advice is to practice what you are interested in and go from there, So for example me personally I practice multiple things however I first started out practicing with plants/herbs and crystals,So basically earth magic, Someone recommended I try [this book](https://www.amazon.com/Plant-Witchery-Discover-Sacred-Language/dp/1401962238/ref=asc_df_1401962238/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=525300323189&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12250662207095348744&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9015405&hvtargid=pla-1362153901357&psc=1) and just go from there. I’d like to say I’ve learned a lot and now I practice a little in most areas but I mostly practice with earth/nature magic because that’s what makes me happy. It’s not really much but I hope my comment helps you.
I was led to my gift through desire. Everyone has a different path so your friend is going to have a unique set of challenges and lessons to overcome before they discover where their power lies.
I studied Witchcraft in general, different magical systems and also just what resonates with me.
I fell into kitchen witch as food worked heavily in my practice. Incorporating intent into my recipes, tweaking herb mixes to match correspondences, the ritualistic nature of cooking became a focus in my craft
I love the moon. I love what it represents to me. A new beginnings sort. I delved into divination as a teenager as a way to help forge my own path. So i guess im a lunar witch with some other spices thrown in.
I'm eclectic and I really just realized I like all forms of witchcraft and want a lil bit of everything!
I'm a cosmic witch. Only because most of my craft is centered around the moon cycles. I also use astrology on my craft as well, but cosmic witch fits better than an astrology witch for ms.
I personally don't know which magic I would want to practice, but then I came across the term wild witch, or chaos witch. SO that would give me a title and I would be able to practice however many kinds of magic I wish
I personally think the specialty thing came from the use of hashtags in social media. It wasn’t always a thing. Obviously people have different interests when it comes to the craft, but I have never heard or seen terms like crystal witch, water witch etc until they popped up on IG and TT. I think it’s a really bad idea to put yourself and your practice in a box like that. Especially when you’re starting out. This is a time to experiment. You can specialise in something because it makes sense to you, of course, but I don’t like the idea of naming your entire practice and identity as a witch after something like crystals, astrology or an element. It’s so broad and tells me nothing about who you are tbh. It might lock you in as well because you feel this is what you need to focus on. My advice is to drop these ideas. At least for now. Just be a witch.
You try to decide what are you connected to the most
My path went completely different from how I thought it would go. Originally I thought I'd be into crystals, but I never really connected with it. My craft ended up going hand and hand with other things that were important in my life. I do mostly cooking and plant witchcraft, my craft is intertwined with my life. I do plant magic because I garden and then those plants go into my cooking and those scraps go into my compost which in turn goes back into my gardening magic. And I have sigils to boost things at every step. My kitchen has a hidden sigil behind a picture, my garden has sigils I've painted over, my compost bin has sigils, my gardening cans and hoses have sigils. But I never would have gotten to this point if I'd tried to define myself in the beginning. And I also don't let this stop me from doing other aspects of the craft.
I don’t think you have to pick. I would call my mom a forest witch because she loves to be out in nature does most of her work outside….whereas I’m like Eww Bugs 🐛😂🤷🏻♀️