Last Updated on September 10, 2021 by Eva Maria
There are possible as many different types of witches, as witches themselves. These various types mentioned below are great for understanding your craft and giving you a frame to research and learn more about magical ways of being.
I want to describe them as an inspiration for you to find the best practice that will suit your aesthetic and interests. It’s not intended to give you another label nor to show the only possible way to practice witchcraft.
Feel free to combine these practices and find your unique way of magic.
Take this fun Types of Witches Quiz to see which one suits your personality, style and witchy aesthetic!
DISCLAIMER ✧ Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. They allow me to earn a small commission from the purchases you make (at no extra cost for you!). ✧
1. GREEN WITCH
A Green Witch likes to work with nature and everything connected to the natural world. You might feel a strong pull towards growing your own herbs, practicing magic outdoors, and connecting with the Earth element.
The main focus of Green Witch studies would include herbs, essential oils, tinctures, and potions. You probably love to collect books about wildlife and spend the majority of your time learning about the plant kingdom.
Green Witch works with: plants, the Earth element, nature treasure such as twigs, dried fruit, and herbs, dirt, etc.
Book references for a Green Witch:
✦ “The Green Witch” – Arin Murphy-Hiscock
✦ “Green Witchcraft”– Paige Vanderbeck
✦ “Grimoire for the Green Witch” – Ann Moura
✦ “The Modern Witchcraft Guide to Magical Herbs” – Judy Ann Nock
✦ “Cunnigham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs” – Scott Cunnigham
2. KITCHEN WITCH
Kitchen Witch adores cooking, practice the edible way of magic, and knows their cooking spices really well. You might want to research various kitchen ingredients and plan your foods according to the intention you want to bring in your life.
For a Kitchen Witch, the kitchen is the most magical place in the home. It is like a sanctuary, a safe space where transformation takes form. You might be great at organizing your spices, various teas, keeping a beautiful pantry, and all sorts of goodies in many, many jars.
Kitchen Witch works with: cooking, baking, spices, teas, magical correspondences of foods, mortar and pestle, and other kitchen utensils.
Book references for a Kitchen Witch:
✦ “The Book of Kitchen Witchery” – Cerridwen Greenleaf
✦ “Cunnigham’s Encyclopedia of Wicca in the Kitchen” – Scott Cunnigham
✦ “The Hearth Witch’s Kitchen Herbal” – Anna Franklin
✦ “The Natural Witch’s Cookbook” – Lisanna Wallance
✦ “Wiccan Kitchen” – Lisa Chamberlain
3. HEDGE WITCH
Hedge Witchery is all about home practice and connecting with the spirit world (“riding a hedge”). A Hedge Witch sees her home as a spiritual entity and gives great attention to keeping the homestead’s positive energies.
Things such as cleaning, cooking, organizing, and keeping the magical garden are close to every Hedge Witch’s heart. It is mainly a self-taught and intuitive way of witchcraft.
As a Hedge Witch, you like to make your home feel safe and protected and keep the lovely energies inside. It is mainly a solitary practice, highly connected to other paths such as Kitchen, Green, Cottage, and Hearth Witchery.
Book references for a Hedge Witch:
✦ “Hedge Witch: a Guide to Solitary Witchcraft” – Rae Beth
✦ “The Hedgewitch’s Little Book of Spells, Charms, and Brews” – Tudorbeth
✦ “Hedgewitch Book of Days” – Mandy Mitchell
✦ “The House Witch” – Arin Murphy-Hiscock
4. HEARTH WITCH
Hearth Witchcraft is very similar to Hedge Witchery, although with not a big emphasis on working with the spiritual world.
Hearth Witch loves to base the practice around simple, practical, and family-related methods. It is a magical way of everyday living and keeping the energies of the home as a safe and sacred place.
For a Hearth Witch, the household is a center of magic – a place for renewal, creativity, refuge, nourishing and relaxing.
Book references for a Hearth Witch:
✦ “The Hearth Witch’s Compendium” – Anna Franklin
✦ “Cottage Witchery” – Ellen Dugan
✦ “The Magical Household” – Scott Cunnigham
✦ “The Scent of Lemon & Rosemary” – Raechel Henderson
5. ECLECTIC WITCH
Eclectic Witchcraft is about creating your unique way of practice while combining many paths and cultural interests.
Due to the nature of eclectism, it might not always be culturally appropriate to borrow the practices.
I would recommend having a great way of understanding various cultures before starting using their magical methods and rituals. Some of the practices might be closed and needed to be taught by other members, through training, quests, or even heritage.
Book references for an Eclectic Witch:
✦ “The Door to Witchcraft” – Tonya A. Brown
✦ “Rebel Witch” – Kelly-Ann Maddox
✦ “The Eclectic Witch’s Handbook” – Karleigh Rose Jerome
✦ “The Eclectic Witch’s Book of Shadows” – Deborah Blake (premiere 8th September 2021)
6. CRYSTAL WITCH
A Crystal Witch loves to work with crystals as a primary way of magic. The main focus of the study is the mineral and metal kingdom with all their beautiful correspondences.
Things such as stone divination, scrying with a crystal ball, incorporating minerals into spells and manifestation magic, making powerful crystal grids and elixirs, as well as healing layouts, are something, that Crystal Witch incorporates into their practice.
Other ways to use Crystal magic are crystal wands, pendulums, and massage rollers.
Book references for a Crystal Witch:
✦ “Crystals for Witches” – Eliza Mabelle
✦ “The Crystal Witch” – Leanna Greenaway
✦ “The Crystal Bible” – Judy Hall
✦ “Crystals for Beginners” – Karen Frazier
✦ “Cunnigham’s Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem & Metal Magic” – Scott Cunnigham
7. MODERN WITCH
Modern Witches are quite common these days. Using New Age terminology, learning about Starseeds or Indigo/Crystal/Rainbow Children, and implementing new studies and discoveries into the craft.
Modern Witches love to use technology to learn more about magic. They like to use astrology, tarot, and moon phone apps, find information on Pinterest and connect with other witches online.
#WitchesofInstagram or #witchcore would be great examples of modern witchcraft aesthetics based on common trends in pop culture. Showing beautiful outfits and altar spaces and sharing your knowledge through various online media is also quite common practice among Modern Witches.
Instead of using the term Modern Witch, we can also find examples such as Tech Witch, or even E-witch (I don’t know about them, I just made these terms up ;)).
Another common interest of Modern Witches would be using scientific studies to understand more about the nature of magic. Things such as vibrations, frequency, herbal energies, planetary impact on the earth, remote viewing, or piezoelectricity of crystals, etc. are things that Witches knew for centuries, and are now discovered through the lens of scientific research.
Book references for a Modern Witch:
✦ “Modern Witch” – Devin Hunter
✦ “The Modern Guide to Witchcraft” – Skye Alexander
✦ “The Modern Witch’s Guide to Magickal Self-Care” – Tenae Stewart
✦ “The Modern Witchcraft Spell Book” – Skye Alexander
✦ “Modern Witch Coloring Book for Adults”
8. SEA WITCH
Do you love working with the water element? Spending a lot of time on the beach? Swimming? There is a big chance the Sea Witchcraft is a path for you.
As a Sea Witch, you might like to collect seashells, ocean water, corals, sand, driftwood, sea glass, and other gifts from the Ocean.
Many practitioners that choose this path, like to perform rituals on the beach, close to the rhythmic sound of the waves and with sand underneath their feet. They understand the power of life-giving waters and recognize them as a Pra-Mother of all life on the earth.
Sea Witchcraft is closely connected to Water Witchcraft. Working with this element is very calming, cleansing, and based on the emotional aspects of magic.
Other things that a Sea Witch might be interested in are collecting Moon Water, connecting their practice to the Moon Phases, harnessing the power of rain and thunderstorms, and performing ritual baths at home.
Book references for a Sea Witch:
✦ “Sea Magic” – Sandra Kynes
✦ “Water Witchcraft” – Annwyn Avalon
✦ “Water Magic” – Lilith Dorsey
✦ “Mermaid Magic” – Serene Conneeley
9. NATURAL WITCH
Natural Witchcraft is a practice based on working with the natural elements and Mother Nature. Other common variations of this path might be Weather and Green Witchcraft.
Most Natural Witches use animism to express the energetical force behind all beings. They see that every plant, tree, animal, object, and phenomenon has their own spiritual essence. Recognizing the universal force that is present in everything around us.
As a Natural Witch, you might love to spend time in nature, performing all the rituals outdoors, harnessing the power of weather and other natural “objects” such as rocks, plants, trees, various bodies of water, etc.
Book references for a Natural Witch:
✦ “Earth Magic” – Marie D. Jones
✦ “The Modern Witchcraft Book of Natural Magick” – Judy Ann Nock
✦ “Natural Witchcraft” – Marian Green
✦ “Craft of the Wild Witch” – Poppy Palin
✦ “Earth Power: Techniques of Natural Magic” – Scott Cunnigham
10. ELEMENTAL WITCH
Working with four (or five) elements is something that Elemental Witchcraft is all about.
These natural elements have a long history and tradition within various cultures, from Ayurveda, Chinese Medicine, Alchemy, to the Western understanding of elements coming from the teachings of Plato (this is such an interesting topic that I really want to cover in the upcoming months!).
Each element has its own correspondences, associated herbs, and crystals as well as various tools used in witchcraft. For ancient cultures, the Elements were the basic building blocks of existence that created the world around us.
In modern esoteric practices, we focus mainly of four elements: Earth, Water, Fire, and Air (sometimes adding the fifth element of Spirit).
Book references for an Elemental Witch:
✦ “Four Elements of the Wise” – Ivo Dominguez Jr.
✦ “Bewitching the Elements” – Gabriela Herstik
✦ “Elements of Magic” – Jane Meredith
✦ “Earth, Air, Fire & Water” – Scott Cunnigham
✦ “Elements of Witchcraft” (4 Books Series)
11. DIVINATION WITCH
Most witchcraft practitioners incorporate some divination methods into their craft. There are also witches that mostly use this form of connecting with Magic and the Divine. I like to call them Divination Witches.
These can be people that are skillful in one or a couple of divination methods such as Astrology, Numerology, I-ching, Runes, Pendulum, Palmistry, Tarot, Oracle cards, Tasseomancy, Scrying, etc.
They might not necessarily like to create spells or perform long rituals, and the majority of their time, they like to get insight into life through divination practices.
Book references for a Divination Witch:
✦ “The Divination Handbook” – Liz Dean
✦ “Llewellyn’s Complete Book of Divination” – Richard Webster
✦ “Divination for Beginners” – Scott Cunnigham
✦ “Divination Conjure Style” – Starr Casas
You can also research books that are directed towards learning a specific way of Divination such as Tarot, Palmistry, Numerology, I-ching, Runes, etc.
12. LUNAR WITCH
Lunar Witches are total Selenophiles (people who love the Moon).
For them, magic revolves around the Lunar Cycle and is highly tuned into the Moon’s energies. It gives a great schedule to work on magical spells in association with Lunar powers.
Lunar (Moon) Witches, draw in energies of the Moon to perform magical workings. They like to make Moon Water and harness the power of each Moon Phase. Charging crystals and magical objects on the Full Moon, letting go during the waning phase, and setting up intentions for each cycle together with the New Moon.
Moon Magic is highly connected to intuition, emotions, divine feminine aspects, rhythmic changes, and everything magical.
* We will talk more about Moon Magic in September 2021.
Book references for a Lunar Witch:
✦ “Moon Spells” – Diane Ahlquist
✦ “Moonology” – Yasmin Boland
✦ “Moon Magic” – Aurora Kane
✦ “The Moon Book” – Sarah Faith Gottesdiener
✦ “Lunar Living” – Kirsty Gallagher
13. SOLAR WITCH
Solar Witches base their practice on working with the Sun energies. They follow the natural rhythm of the Year, celebrating Solstices and Equinoxes.
Using radiant Solar energies for magical practices can have many forms. From making the Sun Water, charging witchcraft tools in the sunlight, drawing in the Solar energies, and making specific crafts corresponding with the Sun.
Solar Witches study various mythologies, Sun Deities, and spells that utilize the life-giving and energizing force of the Sun. For most practitioners, Sun corresponds to divine masculinity, active force, and the catalyst for growth and change.
Solar Witchcraft is less common than the Moon Magic, although it can also be explored and studied with the help of various practices and books.
Book references for a Solar Witch:
✦ “Sun Magic” – Rachel Patterson
✦ “Everyday Sun Magic” – Dorothy Morrison
14. FOREST WITCH
Some witches like to call themselves different ways depending on the Sacred Natural Places they feel the biggest connection to. In this category, we could find examples of Forest, Mountain, Desert, Sea, Lake, Swamp, Jungle, and other different types of Witches.
One of the most common ones, I’ve come across is the term Forest Witch. This is a person that loves working with the magic of the trees, plants, and forests, as well as animals that live there.
Forest Witch might like to collect mushrooms and berries, find solitude among the trees, sitting on the moss, or listening to the whispers of Nature around. They love hiking, creating sacred altars on the tree stumps, and giving offerings to the forest spirits.
Some also are interested in learning about mythological associations of forest and hunting, Celtic Tree Calendar, Druidry, or other subjects connected to the woods.
Book references for a Forest Witch:
✦ “The Witch of the Forest’s Guide to Natural Magic” – Lindsay Squire (release on 21st September 2021)
✦ “Traditional Witchcraft for the Woods and Forests” – Melusine Draco
✦ “Celtic Tree Magic” – Danu Forest
✦ “Tree Magic” – Sandra Kynes
15. COSMIC WITCH
Cosmic Witches have a great understanding of Astrology, Planetary magic, Zodiac Signs, Horoscopes, and Astronomy. They like to work with Celestial Energies and incorporate them into spells and rituals.
Most likely their practice is highly synched with the celestial timing, moon phases, and even planetary hours. They use Birth Charts to learn more about themselves and other people around them.
Celestial Witches follow Astrological transits and influences to find the most suitable days for practicing various aspects of magic and predict general energies for each day.
Book references for a Cosmic Witch:
✦ “Planetary Magic” – Melita Denning
✦ “Planetary Spells & Rituals” – Raven Digitalis
✦ “The Art Cosmic: The Magic of Traditional Astrology” – Levi Rowland
✦ “Magickal Astrology” – Skye Alexander
✦ “Practical Astrology for Pagans and Witches” – Ivo Dominguez Jr.
16. AUGURY WITCH
Augury Witchcraft is focusing on reading sacred signs and omens. These might come in form of synchronicity. Specific number patterns, sacred animals, feathers, formations in the clouds, patterns in the tree branches are all interpreted as signs from the Universe.
The path of an Augury Witch is very similar to the Shamanic practice. They like to help others with interpreting signs and symbols that they meet on their way. Augury Witches don’t work with divination and their practice is rather seen as a prophecy.
Book references for an Augury Witch:
✦ “Signs and Symbols” – DK
✦ “A Dictionary of Symbols” – Juan Eduardo Cirlot
✦ “The Universe is Talking to You” – Tammy Mastroberte
✦ “Signs, Symbols and Omens” – Raymond Buckland
✦ “Angel Numbers” – Kyle Gray
17. FAERY WITCH
Fairy (Faery) Witchcraft has been practiced for many centuries. I highly believe it comes from the old Celtic Mythology and the Sidhe archetypes (although I might be wrong, as I haven’t studied this practice much).
Faeries are nature spirits that live around us in a non-physical form, even though some people might argue that. They are usually presented as small magical beings with wings and can be a little bit tricky to work with.
As nature spirits, faeries love beautiful sceneries, natural water such as streams, moss, various herbs, and flowers. They are said to create the Faery Rings of mushrooms on the ground that are the portals to the fairy realm.
Working with Fae magic (as well as with other spirits) needs a good dose of respect and understanding beforehand. I recommend some books below that will give you a great basis for working with them.
I’d love to do some research on Fae and Faery Magic in the future, let me know in the comments if you are interested, and would love to see this topic in upcoming articles!
Book references for a Faery Witch:
✦ “Urban Faery Magick” – Tara Sanchez
✦ “The Book of Faerie Spells” – Cheralyn Darcey
✦ “The Faerie Handbook” – The Editors of Faerie Magazine
✦ “The Ancient Art of Faery Magick” – D.J. Conway
✦ “Finding Faeries” – Alexandra Rowland
18. DRAGON WITCH
Dragon Witches honor Dragons as their spiritual guides and companions in magic. This path is slightly different from Draconian Magick, which usually needs an initiation.
Working with Dragons can have many forms – connecting with them on the Astral Plane, asking for assistance while doing ritual work, honoring them on a dedicated altar, or leaving offerings.
Dragon Witches also learn about various types of Dragons, their mythology, powers, and associations.
There are some similar paths to earlier mentioned Faery and Dragon Witchcraft. These can be connecting with Elves, Mermaids, Angels, Elementals (Guardians of Elements), Celtic Sidhe, Buddhist Devas, etc.
Book references for a Dragon Witch:
✦ “Encyclopedia of Spirits” – Judika Illes (for any spirit work)
✦ “Dancing with Dragons” – D.J. Conway
✦ “Dragon Magick” – D.J. Conway
✦ “Llewellyn’s Little Book of Dragons” – Shawn MacKenzie
✦ “Dragons: Your Celestial Guardians” – Diana Cooper
19. ART WITCH
The list of different types of witches wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t add the Art Witchcraft in here.
Art Witches combine their magic with creative hobbies. They might focus their intentions on painting, sculpting, pottery, jewelry-making, woodwork, crocheting, knitting, journaling, and other crafts.
For these practitioners, Art acts as a medium between the unseen and visible creation. It is a great way to connect with the Divine or Universal Consciousness and channel their practice into physical items.
Do you like incorporating art in your spellcraft?
Book references for an Art Witch:
✦ “The Art of the Occult” – S. Elizabeth
✦ “The Crocheting Witch” – RJ Montgomery (release – October 19, 2021)
✦ “Sew Witchy” – Raechel Henderson
✦ “Mystical Stitches” – Christi Johnson
✦ “Witchy Crafts” – Lexa Olick
20. YOGA WITCH
“Yoga witch” is a fairly modern concept, yet gaining popularity among witchcraft practitioners.
Yoga is an ancient Indian philosophy of self-development and spirituality that nowadays is wildly practiced around the world.
Some founders of Modern Witchcraft based their studies around Vedic philosophy and principles of Yoga. Concepts such as Energy Centers (chakras), aura, or natural elements are borrowed from old Indian traditions and scriptures.
The practice of Yoga poses (asanas) can be a great addition to an intentional and meaningful life. And bring an additional path in our different types of witches series!
Book references for a Yoga Witch:
✦ “Yoga for Witches” – Sarah Robinson
✦ “Magick from the Mat” – Casey Giovinco
21. WHITE WITCH
Although nothing in the Universe is strictly black or white, a lot of people distinguish Witchcraft in these two categories.
White Witches focus their working on light, healing, and ascension types of magic. Their craft is designed to help them reach higher ways of understanding and at the same time help to raise the frequency of our planet.
White Witches are natural lightworkers and healers. They use their magic for the greater good and believe in the power of positive intention.
Book references for a White Witch:
✦ “The Little Book of White Spells” – Ileana Abrev
✦ “Protection Spells” – Arin Murphy-Hiscock
✦ “Witchcraft for Healing” – Patti Wigington
✦ “The White Magick Spell Book” – Didi Clarke
22. BLACK/DARK WITCH
Black or Dark Witchcraft is on the other spectrum of White Magic. This is the type of craft that is using the “negative” influences to bring the desired change.
Dark Witches might want to perform destructive ways of magic. Creating hexes, curses, and banishing rituals to bring the outcome for their gain. Although it’s not always the case, they might work with Satan, Demons, and other negative entities.
We can also find other forms of Dark Magic such as Shadow Work. This is not necessarily designed to harm anyone, rather heal from negative experiences and patterns. Shadow Work is neither good nor bad, but since it’s based in the unconscious, neglected side of our psyche, it can be seen as something coming from Dark Witchcraft (although the general idea for Shadow Work is to heal and bring a positive outcome).
Book references for a Dark Witch:
✦ “Magic, White and Black” – Franz Hartmann
✦ “Mysteries of the Dark Moon” – Demetra George
✦ “Curses, Hexes & Crossing” – S. Connolly
✦ “Of Blood and Bones” – Kate Freuler
✦ “Dark Goddess Craft” – Stephanie Woodfield
23. GRAY WITCH
Gray Witches move between Black and White witchcraft and place their magic in a balanced and harmonious state. Usually, they don’t see life as either good or bad and know that everything is rather subjective. They use both destructive and healing magic to bring the results they want to see in their life.
Shadow and Light are natural forces working around us. This concept of dualism is something that prevents us from seeing life as a whole. As with the Yin and Yang concept – there cannot be Light without Darkness and Darkness without Light.
Gray Witches often believe that if someone or something has done “wrong”, they can reinforce the outcome for the disadvantage of that person/situation. This might be a “gray” area to move around, believing that there is a possibility to influence the fate, karma, or natural rhythms of life.
Without judging, I can understand that some motives might have a noble goal in mind, although I highly believe that forcing results on another person’s will is not the way to go. And the more I learn about witchcraft, the more I feel like this should be a path for personal advancement and not necessarily influencing someone else’s life (without their knowledge or permission).
I’m really curious what you think about the White/Dark/Gray Magic. Do you believe that witches can influence everything without consequences? Or is there some sort of bigger force always working to balance everything out?
Book references for a Gray Witch:
✦ “The Gray Witch’s Grimoire” – Amythyst Raine
✦ “Natural Magick the Gray Witch Way” – Amythyst Raine
✦ “The Little Gray Book of Magic” – Liath Sahjaza
24. TRADITIONAL WITCH
Traditional Witchcraft is a compound of contemporary practices based on an old way of practicing magic. It is different than modern Wicca tradition and puts emphasis on various oral traditions, ancient texts, and grimoires from (mostly) European folklore.
This can include paths of Cunning Folk, Medicine Men/Women, Healers, Shamans, Old Sorcerers and Alchemists (mythological figures: Circe, Morgan Le Fay, Merlin, etc. and historical figures such as Paracelsus, John Dee, Agnes Sampson, and other Witches through the history).
People that practice Traditional Witchcraft, like to do extensive research of historical resources and biographies of old practitioners. This might be the most difficult path of the occult, which partially has vanished and often uses encoded scripts.
Book references for a Traditional Witch:
✦ “The Crooked Path” – Kelden
✦ “Weave the Liminal” – Laura Tempest Zakroff
✦ “Craft of the Untamed” – Nicholaj de Mattos Frisvold
25. HEREDITARY WITCH
Hereditary Witchcraft is reserved for people that have been born into a lineage of witches that have been practicing for generations.
They usually have their own Grimoires and Book of Shadows, traditions, spells, and practices that have been passed on from generation to generation. Younger witches learn magic from their elders and are introduced to the world of witchcraft early on in their life.
Hereditary Witches might also be born with natural magic abilities, although the more common description is that they come from the family of practicing witches.
Book references for a Hereditary Witch:
✦ “Hereditary Witchcraft” – Raven Grimassi
26. SOLITARY WITCH
Solitary Witches practice on their own. They are not a part of an organized Coven and like to perform their magic in a unique and personal way.
This path is highly based on self-study and intuition. As a Solitary Witch, you might read a lot of books and find things that resonate with you. Most of the Solitary practitioners don’t like elaborate rituals and ceremonies, making the craft more suitable for their personal needs.
Book references for a Solitary Witch:
✦ “Practical Solitary Magic” – Nancy B. Watson
✦ “Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner” – Scott Cunnigham
✦ “Witch Alone” – Marian Green
✦ “Spells for the Solitary Witch” – Eileen Holland
27. FOLK WITCH
Folk Magic is the practice of Cunning Folk, Folk Healers, and Medicine People. These practices are rooted in the European medieval times and were based on healing, herbal medicine, and practices passed through generations.
There are many examples of Folk Witches that have been using the knowledge, skills, and practices based on the theories, beliefs, and experiences indigenous to different cultures. If you are interested in learning more about Folk Witchcraft, you can search for titles on various cultures around the world: Italian, Welsh, Scottish, Irish, Slavic, Native American, Mexican, etc.
We might assume that Folk Magic is connected to Traditional Witchcraft, although I would like to differ these two types. Folk Magic is the practice of simple and intuitive people, living close to nature and using traditional medicine for healing. Traditional Witchcraft can be done with the help of magical tools, spells, and rituals, and usually, involves more study and practice.
Book references for a Folk Witch:
✦ “Folk Witchcraft” – Roger J. Horne
You can also research books for specific cultures such as Native American, Japan, Norwegian, Icelandic, Slavic, Italian, etc.
28. WICCAN WITCH
Wicca is a fairly new religion based on the principles of various Pagan paths and beliefs. It was introduced to the public in 1954 by Gerald Gardner, and since then has been gaining some popularity.
Wicca is a structured system of beliefs, principles, and practices (religion), and is duotheistic – worshipping and working with both God and Goddess.
There are many types of Wicca, such as Gardnerian, Alexandrian, Correllian, and Faery. They all have a bit different beliefs and ways of practice.
It’s important to remember that not all Wiccan practitioners are Witches, and the same goes for Witches – they don’t necessarily have to practice the Wicca religion. There are many Witches that still keep their religious beliefs and we have Christian, Hindu, Jew, Muslim, Buddhist, and other types of religious Witches as well.
Book references for a Wiccan Witch:
✦ “Wicca for Beginners” – Dora McGregor
✦ “The Essential Guide to Wicca for Beginners” – Amythyst Raine
✦ “Wicca for Beginners” – Lisa Chamberlain
✦ “Wicca” – Harmony Nice
29. DIANIC WITCH
Dianic Witchcraft is a female-centered practice introduced in the 1970s in the US. It is derived from the Wicca religion although focusing only on worshipping the Goddess. The name comes from the Roman Goddess Diana although Dianic practitioners worship many goddesses as “aspects” of one monotheistic Goddess.
Dianic Witches combine many traditions and see the importance of womanhood, folk magic, and healing practices as a big part of their craft.
Book references for a Dianic Witch:
✦ “Aradia or the Gospel for the Witches” – Charles Godfrey Leland
✦ “Earth Magic: A Dianic Book of Shadows” – Marion Weinstein
✦ “The Holy Book of Women’s Mysteries” – Zsuzsanna Budapest
✦ “Women’s Rites, Women’s Mysteries” – Ruth Barrett
30. CEREMONIAL WITCH
Ceremonial Magic places a great emphasis on elaborate rituals, complex ceremonies, and incantations. It derives from the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and is a part of Hermeticism and Western Esoterism.
Ceremonial Witches practice their magic with special tools and base it on old Grimoires. Their way of practice is known as High Magic (Theurgy) and often written as Magick, to differentiate from the other magical practices.
Book references for a Ceremonial Witch:
✦ “Llewellyn’s Complete Book of Ceremonial Magick” – many authors
✦ “The Book of Ceremonial Magic” – Arthur Edward Waite
✦ “Golden Dawn Magic” – Chic Cicero
31. CHAOS WITCH
Chaos Witchcraft is a new age religion that was developed in the 1970s in England and is sometimes referred to as “success magic” or “results-based magic”.
Chaos Magic rejects the existence of absolute truth. Its practitioners believe there are no rules to magic, contrary to other religions such as Wicca, Ceremonial Magick, or other Pagan traditions. Chaos Witches don’t focus on elaborate rituals, memorizing complex rules, or symbolism. Their approach is rather eclectic and experimental, with a big emphasis on individual magical styles.
The main tool of Chaos Practitioners is a “free belief” in a form of psychic energy that influences the results.
Book references for a Chaos Witch:
✦ “The Master Works of Chaos Magick” – Adam Blackthorne
✦ “Condensed Chaos” – Phil Hine
✦ “Chaos Magic & Sigils” – E.M. Fairchilde
32. CELTIC WITCH
Celtic Witchcraft is a path following the old Irish mythology and pagan beliefs.
Practitioners like to study Celtic culture, Gods and Goddesses, traditional magic, and symbolism.
There are many various neo-pagan Celtic practices such as Celtic Wicca, Neo-Druidism, and Faery Witchcraft.
Book references for a Celtic Witch:
✦ “The Book of Celtic Magic” – Kristoffer Hughes
✦ “Wild Magic” – Danu Forest
✦ “Celtic Magic” – D.J. Conway
✦ “Celtic Myth & Magick” – Edain McCoy
✦ “Irish Witchcraft from an Irish Witch” – Lora O’Brien
33. HELLENIC WITCH
Hellenism is a modern pagan tradition that derives from ancient Greek culture and mythology. Hellenic Witches work with Olympian Gods and Goddesses, the path that is sometimes referred to as Olympianism.
They follow certain concepts and values such as Eusebia (the right action), Arete (excellence or moral virtue), Xenia (hospitability, friendship, and generosity), as well as various offerings, sacrifices, rituals, and libations.
Book references for a Hellenic Witch:
✦ “Strix Craft: Ancient Greek Magic for the Modern Witch” – Oracle Hekataios
✦ “Hellenismos: Practicing Greek Polytheism Today” – Tony Mierzwicki
✦ “Magic, Witchcraft and Ghosts in the Greek and Roman Worlds” – Daniel Ogden
✦ “Magic in Ancient Greece and Rome” – Lindsay C. Watson
34. NORSE WITCH
Norse Witchcraft is a path derived from Old Norse religion (Ásatrú ), culture, and mythology. Nowadays, Ásatrú religion gains more popularity and momentum, not only in the Scandinavian countries but also all over the world.
It is a polytheistic religion with a belief of many deities from Norse mythology. There are various magical and mystical rituals, amulets, and symbolism that are currently studied by Norse Witches. Things such as Runes (Elder Futhark) are common divination tools, and the popularity of certain symbols (such as Vegvísir) brings the ancient tradition alive again.
Book references for a Norse Witch:
✦ “Seidr: The Gair is Open” – Katie Gerrard
✦ “The Way of Fire and Ice” – Ryan Smith
✦ “Northern Tradition for the Solitary Practitioner” – Galina Krasskova
✦ “Norse Magic for Beginners” – Mari Silva
✦ “Northern Magic” – Edred Thorsson
✦ “Trolldom: Spells and Methods of the Norse Folk Magic Tradition” – Johannes Björn Gårdbäck
35. SLAVIC WITCH
Another traditional way of practice comes from the old Slavic Culture.
Slavic Witches study the old mythology, worship Slavic Gods and Goddesses, and practice various ways of folk magic. They also celebrate the old Slavic holidays throughout the year.
This practice is called “Rodnovery” which translates to Slavic Modern Faith.
Book references for a Slavic Witch:
✦ “Slavic Witchcraft” – Natasha Helvin
✦ “Seasons of the Slavic Soul” – Clare M. Anderson
✦ “Woodruff’s Guide to Slavid Deities” – Patricia Robin Woodruff
✦ “Slavonic Fairy Tales” – John T. Naaké
✦ “Baba Yaga’s Book of Witchcraft”– Madame Pamita (release 8th April 2022)
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Going with the idea of various culture-based witchcraft there could be additional different types of witches that I don’t have much knowledge about, such as Hoodoo, Voodoo, Haitian, Native American, Australian, Asian, and other traditions based on the cultural heritage of countries around the world.
36. PAGAN WITCH
All of the previous examples of Wiccan, Celtic, Hellenic, Norse, and Slavic Witchcraft can be summarized with one term “Pagan Witchcraft”.
“Pagan” is an umbrella word that encompasses many types of spirituality. It derives from the Latin word pāgus that translates “village or rural district”. Originally it was used to describe practitioners that are not Christian and worship “false” gods.
Neo-paganism focuses on pre-Christian religions, rituals, and traditions, often highly connected to the natural world and cycles.
Book references for a Pagan Witch:
✦ “Paganism” – Mari Silva
✦ “Paganism – An Introduction to Earth-Centered Religions”– River Higginbotham
✦ “Paganism for Beginners” – Althaea Sebastiani
✦ “Paganism for Beginners” – Barton Press
✦ “The Path of Paganism” – John Beckett
37. SECULAR WITCH
Secular Witchcraft can be described as an Agnostic, Atheist, or non-religious approach to practice. It is not based on any belief system that incorporates working with Deities, Gods, or Goddesses.
Secular Witches are skeptical when it comes to spirituality and often love scientific approaches to life. They draw energies from the natural world and are aware of their own power to perform magic spells and rituals.
Book references for a Secular Witch:
✦ “How to become a Witch” – Julie Wilder
✦ “It’s Witchcraft: A Beginner’s Guide to Secular and Non-Secular Witchcraft” – Jamie Weaver
✦ “Godless Magick” – Anna Mist
✦ “Godless Paganism” – John Halstead
✦ “Atheopaganism: An Earth-honoring path rooted in Science” – Mark Alexander Green
Wow! This is so far the most comprehensive article I’ve ever written. The aim was to introduce you to different paths of Witchcraft and present you with references for further research. Which paths mostly speak to you? What would you like to explore more?
What other different types of Witches would you add to this list?
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My name is Eva Maria and I love to create magical content based on my own studies and experience. Merkaba Study is an online grimoire where you can read about crystal healing properties, spells, tarot, and more!
