There are many definitions to a Hedge Witch. Some believe that a Kitchen Witch and a Hedge Witch are one in the same; the difference being that ‘Hedge’ is a British term and ‘Kitchen’ the American.
For the purpose of this article I will be using the term Hedge Witch.

Hedge Witches take great pride in their health and their homes. They often grow their own food and herbs. They also gather berries in the wild. They make their own clothes. They are strong believers in Mother Earth. They recycle.
Hedge Witchery or Hedgecraft is a combination of Shamanism and Witchcraft.
The Path descended from The Traditional Witchcraft and Cunningfolk traditions of Europe from ancient to modern times.

In ancient times Hedge Witches were Midwives and Healers. They also served their community and earned a living through Protection Spells, house, crop and livestock blessings, prophecy, divination and the selling of magickal charms and even curses.
For this reason they were both feared and respected in their community.
Hedge Witches often lived on the outskirts of town, blazed their own path and came from European ancestry. Their practice is based on the folk lore and traditions of Ancient Greeks, Romans, Vikings and Celts.

The typical deities of a Hedge Witch are The Witch Queen and The Master of The Craft, which very closely resemble The Wiccan Lord and Lady. This similarity makes many Wiccans fully comfortable with The Hedgecraft Tradition.

Hedge Witchery is something of a solitary path although those leaning towards The Shamanic side often have a trusted witch by their side “while their soul is elsewhere”.
Working with The Mighty Dead and their own ancestors are very important as Hedge Witches look to these spirits for inspiration. The Mighty Dead are said to be those practitioners of our religion who are on the Other Side now, but who still take great interest in the activities of Witches on this side of the Veil. They have pledged to watch, to help and to teach. It is those Mighty Dead who stand behind us, or with us, in circle so frequently. Hedge Witches also work with familiar spirits, plants and animal totems to assist them in their “other world” work.  They are often thought of having “Fire In The Head”, commonly known as Cunning Fires, which is “the awakened awareness within a magickal practitioner of an INNER awareness that the spirit of the gods (energy) exists naturally in all of nature.”

Hedge Witchery has no degree system, nor does it follow any particular moral code other than personal responsibility or ethics and a version of the credo “Do only what is needed…” and to “Know Thyself”. It does believe, however that sometimes to harm is to heal. It is considered to be an eclectic tradition, following The Crooked Path between The Right Hand and The Left Hand. They prefer the grey areas, believing that Magick is not only black and white or magickal and spiritual. They tailor the craft to suit themselves.

The MAIN distinction between Hedge Witchcraft and other forms of Witchcraft is that Hedge Witches often have less interest in the heavily scripted and ceremonial aspects of Neo-Paganism. Rather they have a highly individual and often unique way of relating to life, Magick, spirituality and creation.

“A Hedge Witch prefers the freedom and joyfulness of spontaneous workings that come from the heart. For The Hedge Witch, there is no separation between normal life and the Magickal life. The craft they practice strongly reflects this belief.”
They do whatever comes natural.

Source Material

Wikipedia

Louise Hayden: How To Be A  Kitchen Witch

Circle of Teaching: Cottage Craft and Wild Witchery

M. Macha Nightmare: The Mighty Dead, The Beloved and Us

An aspect of Wicca that sets it apart from most other religions is beautifully illustrated in a single line of the oracle commonly known as “The Charge of The Goddess”, wherein The Goddess states,”All acts of love and pleasure are mine.” When many other commonly accepted spiritual paths place so much emphasis on asceticism(self deprivation as a way of life) and sacrifice, it can be a challenge to fully embrace the sentiment of pleasure as a form of religious expression. The Goddess does not demand sacrifice of her devotees; rather she invites us to love. Spiritual revelation CAN be accompanied by sensuality. Try to think of Love and Pleasure as divine gifts from The Goddess, who claims them as her own.
Since Love is such a powerful emotion it is often in the pursuit of love that we call upon The Goddess, Aphrodite and Venus in particular, for help. A simple Goddess spell for Beltane is as follows:
A Beltane Spell For Love
Set your altar, draw your circle and invoke the four elements. You will need 2 red candles. Carve the name and birth date of your intended on one and your name and birth date on another. Rub each engraving with Copal or Dragon’s Blood Resin. Place the ‘female’ candle on the left and the ‘male’ candle on the right. Place your magic wand between them as a symbol of the power of free will. Light your candles.Meditate on your desire. When you have visualized the highest possible outcome, speak the following:

May The Goddess hear my plea
If this love is meant to be
Turn my lover’s heart to me
By all the power of three times three
As I will, so mote it be.

Meditate a few moments longer, then pinch out the flame with your thumb and fore finger.On the night of the full moon let the 2 candles burn down together. Gather the cool wax and release it into a body of running water.

The following is an article written by Amara Rose and is published in The Practical Spiritual Examiner:

Beltane: Celebrate Your Planet, Yourself

In the West, we often water down our sacred days to become mere children’s celebrations: Samhain, ushering in the dark half of the year, becomes a specter of itself as Halloween; Imbolc, heralding the return of the light on February 2nd, morphs to Groundhog Day; Beltane becomes a chance to dance around the Maypole. Yet the deeper meanings reflect our lost connection with natural rhythms, with seasonal shifts we actually embody.

As Samhain honors the power of death, so Beltane (May 1st) honors the cycles of life and rebirth. Beltane takes place in Taurus, the zodiac’s most earthy, sensual sign, and focuses on exuberant sexuality: the pollinating of flowers, the lush cornucopia of fruit-bearing plants and trees, the reproductive cycle of the entire natural world, from birds and bees to humans. It’s a celebration of fertility in all its forms — and thus we dance in homage to Aphrodite, the Goddess Herself.

Renowned ritualist Fiona Morgan says of an anticipatory Beltane celebration, “As I walk through the blooming earth to join friends, I realize that passionate love takes many forms, and that the earth is my greatest lover. I bless my blue planet, vowing unchanging devotion and care for Her. Seeing Earth as a living, breathing female has changed me, and become the cornerstone of my commitment to Her.” (from WeMoon Datebook © Mother Tongue Ink)

Celebrate the Day in Love and Light and remember the gifts of the Goddess in your life.

Blessed Beltane.
Blessed Be.

~Magickal Graphics~

Source material:The Provenance Press Guide to The Wiccan Wheel of The Year byJudy Ann Nock; Sabbat Entertaining, Celebrating The Wiccan Holidays with Style by Willow Polson

I do a lot of internet research for my metaphysical classes and I recently ran across the following on line . It was written by Heather, Priestess of The Covenant of The Crystal Hearth. I felt that it was beautifully written and expressed very eloquently the ways of The Magickal Life. I have reprinted this for your knowledge and enlightenment. Her excerpts are from WICCA for The Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham. If   you need further clarification or have questions email me or post a comment. I am here to assist all who seek guidance in their Magickal journey.

~Magickal Graphics~

Blessed Be.

Living the Magickal Life…….

From the moment you become a Witch, you feel different, the world feels different. Things appear to look more Magical & new wonders are abound, the trees come alive and speak, the birds seem to know your name & when you walk among the forests it is like walking into a realm of Faries, Elves, Elementals & other spirits & deities. You begin to see their world & the delicate Magic they weave to make ours beautiful. The mundane is gone and you see the beauty or our planet, of Mother Earth & all she has to give. The winds seem to speak to you with answers to questions & gentle Hellos. When you are a witch you become one with all these, you are aware of them & they of you, a rainstorm does not have the same meaning anymore, you can here the Elementals voice, you know their names & yes they know yours, life just becomes more “Magical”.

You see what can not be seen, you know what most do not, you share of the Elements & become one with all creatures great & small. The life you live through Magic is like no other. When you go outside to look at the moon you see the Goddess’s Face, the stars seem to tell a story, in the morning sunlight you feel the God’s warmth & glow as some plants & creatures begin to awake. Being a Witch means much more than a name to call yourself, it is a path, a never ending circle of love, life & learning. Witches are like anyone else, some many choose to dress the part & others may wear clothes from the gap, your personal style is just that, personal. Dressing in cloaks & Magical attire helps us to connect to the Magic, to embrace the Witch within us, it helps to feel more “Witchy” so to speak. I am not saying you have to do this, as I said do what you feel is right for you, not what others tell you to do. Magic is all around us, all the time all we have to do is connect with it.

Below you will find several informative things to add to your own book of shadows… All have been adapted from Scott Cunningham’s Books and are well worth reading if you are serious about the Wiccan

• The Thirteen Goals of a Witch…..

• Know Yourself

• Know your Craft

• Learn

• Apply Knowledge with Wisdom

• Achieve Balance

• Keep your words in good order

• Keep your thoughts in good order

• Celebrate Life

• Attune with the cycles of the Earth

• Breather & eat Correctly

• Exercise the body

• Meditate

• Honor the Goddess & God

The Law of Our Ways….
Adapted also from Mr. Cunningham’s book

We are of the old ways, among those who walk with the Goddess & God.

Keep the Sabbats & Esbats to the best of your abilities

Harm None, this is the oldest law & is not open to discussion or change

Shed Not blood in ritual, the Goddess & God need not blood to be worshiped, those of our way are kind to all creatures for hurtful thoughts are draining. Misery is self created so to is jealousy.

Teach only what you know to those you choose. Teach not to those who would use your instruction for destruction or control, also teach not to boost pride, for ever remember that she who teaches for vain/ glory shall take little pride in her own workings.

The Law of Power………….

The Power should not be used to bring harm, injure or control others, the power shall be used to protect life & the lives of others

The power is used only as need dictates

The power can be used for your own gain as long as in doing so you harm none

Use not the power for prideful gain for such cheapens the mysteries of Magick

Ever remember the power is a gift from the Goddess & God & should not be misused or abused

Do not use the power against someone else who has the Power.

The Nature of our Way……..

Scott Cunningham

As often as possible hold rites in forests, by the seashore, on deserted mountain tops, or by tranquil lakes & streams. If this is not possible they may be held in a garden or chamber prepared with fumes.

Seek out wisdom in books, rare manuscripts & Cryptical poems, but also seek it out in simple stones & fragile Herbs as well as in the circles of wild birds, listen to the whispers of the wind & the root of water if you would discover Magick, for it is here that the old secrets are preserved.

Ever remember that the old ways are constantly revealing themselves. Therefore be as the Willow that bends & sways, that which remains changeless shall outlive it’s spirit but that which evolves & grows shall shine for centuries.

Mock not the spells & rituals of another for who is to say yours are greater in power or wisdom

Ensure that your actions are honorable for all that you do shall return to you three fold, good or bad. Be wary of one who would dominate you or who would control or manipulate your power, look with suspicion on those who would twist worship from you for their own gain and glory, but welcome those who are sufficed with love.

*

~Magickal Graphics~

I want to listen to you play guitar and sing to me.

I want to feel your breath on my neck.

I want to wake up in the morning next to you

And to fall asleep in your arms at night.

I want you to know the  incredibly special, kind and thougtful man that you are.

I want you to know that I am a better person because I am with you.

I want you to always giggle when you kiss me.

I want you to always look at me, with that sparkle in your eyes, like you did when we went to lunch…

I want you to always hug me, like you did on the sidewalk, after 25 years.

I want you to know that being in your arms is the safest place on the planet.

I want you to know that you inspire me.

I want us to always be best friends.

I want to always be “the sexiest woman you have ever met”.

I want you to remember that you make me feel that way, everyday.

I want you to remember how much I admire, repsect and cherish you.

I want you to know that I love you with every beat of my heart.

When we are together again, I want you to put your arms around me and never let go.

And, most importantly,

I want you to Always, Always, hold my hand.

“The Show Must Go On”

Anyone who has ever been on stage can relate to that sentiment. I know that I can. Sometimes the dance, the words and the music are all that you have at that moment to sustain you.

It could be a metaphor for how we live our lives.

I have been a big Queen fan all of my life. The words and music written by Freddie Mercury are some of the most heart warming and heart wrenching I have ever heard. He was the only person I felt like “I Knew” who had contracted HIV/AIDS.

I have recently come to know and love someone who was diagnosed with HIV 20 years ago. His lover died 2 years after he was diagnosed. He lives his life with Grace, Dignity, Courage, Wit, Love and Compassion. I admire and respect him so much becasue if faced with the same consequences I don’t know if I could do the same. He is has become one of my dearest friends. He is one of the bravest people I know.
I volunteered at The Island Coast AIDS Network last year. I met people who were HIV positive. I saw their children. My heart broke when their food pantry ran out of food 2 days before Thanksgiving.
I was there helping to sort out Christmas gifts that had been bought by parishoners from “The Gay Church”(as we affectionately called it). Every item on the list was bought and wrapped. There must have been 20 bicycles of all sizes and colors. That’s when I felt the impact…those bikes….
I worked there and helped train a man named Brian, who had HIV for over 10 years, having lost his life partner to the disease. I loved his dry sense of humor, his honesty; he thought I was “just fabulous”! and we became close in a short period of time.

Around Christmas time we read Brian’s obituary in the paper.

HIV/AIDS is not a gay disease. It is a human disease.
Believe it or not there are still those who turn their back and shun those afflicted, quote The Old Testament, saying it is God’s will…

I played the following video for my daughter on Easter Sunday and explained it’s significance. This song was written by Freddie Mercury after his AIDS diagnosis. This video, is a loving compilation of his work. This literary piece is for Brian, Freddie, my “Buddy” and everyone out there, who walks out their front door, smile in place, carrying on “The Show”.

THE SHOW MUST GO ON