Hedge Witch: A Guide to Solitary Witchcraft

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It's old and so out of date it's irrelevant at this point, and it's less than interesting. It's not even "Hedge Witch" anything, to be honest... It's just your typical 20th century Neo-Wiccan nonsense- complete with your fairly typical Silver Ravenwolf-esque rhetoric of the era, and only a thin veneer of Hedgecraft (even then, that veneer is so thin it might as well not exist). Each hedge witch is most likely to love cooking. Or at least baking. Or preparing healthy smoothies. Nutrition is something that you pay great attention to. Maybe for some hedge witches, it is challenging to live to the full potential right now, but your ultimate dream is to have a beautiful cottage somewhere in the countryside, growing your food, and being surrounded by nature. This novella is clearly targeted towards a younger audience, fitting largely into the coming of age type genre. Although targeted at a younger audience, it is still a brilliantly cosy read for readers of all ages.

The section on Sacred Trees takes us through each tree and what characteristics and energies it holds followed by a section on herbal lore. The title and synopsis implies that this is a nonfiction book about witchcraft. Although it does cover some areas of witchcraft, it is primarily focussed on Wicca. Wicca =/= witchcraft. But, this book does do a great job of covering the basics of Wiccan beliefs and practices and if that’s what you are looking for, this could be a good place to start. A lot of the beliefs in this do not line up with my own personal experiences with the gods, and unfortunately, it wasn’t for me.This book is an absolute joy to read. It is both simple and profound. It guides the reader step by step in the core practice of the hedge witch (spirit travelling into the Otherworld—known as hedge riding.) And, all is presented in the context of natural magic and nature's cycles. The author's approach is non-dogmatic, encouraging everyone towards an individual and creative approach. She knows from experience just how to walk with one foot in Faerie and one in the Everyday World—without recourse to hallucinogens—and she tells us about it and what can be gained from it. This is the real deal. Although it is written for beginners, it made me think, and it reinspired me. I give it ten stars!"—Rae Beth, author of Hedge Witch Such work may seem complicated, requiring a lifetime of magical learning and much magical effort. But it is fascinating. And it can also be very simple…….

You use Florida Water or essential oils for cleaning and you just adore the smell of freshness around you. I tend to critically think and use a gut instinct when determining if a concept ir my actions toward another are unhealthy or healthy to mine or another’s mind body or soul. However this book is about Wicca, not headgecraft. Hedgecraft is not a solitary Wiccan and Wiccan are not the only witches as Rae Beth seems to believe. Futhermore, hedgewitches are not overly formal and do not create and execute formal rituals like the ones found in this book. Rituals, if performed, are simple and simply honor the earth, dieties, and nature. One thing she does get right about hedgecraft and hedgewitches is that the tradition is based on the old wise woman or man who lived on the edge of town, by the hedge rows. They were healers and earth lovers who worked magic out of their home and gardens.With your eyes closed, visualise the candle you have lit for the dead and the darkness around it. See what is illuminated by the candle. How far does its light go? Begin to name your Beloved Dead and bid them welcome. See who is appearing to your inner sight. Speak to them in your heart and see if you can sense an answer. This may come in words or as a sort of inner knowing or they may show you symbols. Bless them and ask them to bless you in return. But there is a much earlier definition contained in an old German word ‘hagazissa’ meaning ‘hedge sitter’. And another term found in Northern European traditions – ‘haegtessa’ meaning ‘hedge rider’. Each of these refers to a symbolic hedgerow, one which could be seen to divide the everyday world of the human community from what was perceived as being beyond it – the Otherworld of wild nature spirits and ancestral spirits and elves or faeriekind. This and similar symbolism seems to have come to Britain mainly with Saxon and other Germanic tribes. However, it has parallels within the Celtic tradition, such as the Green and Burning Tree which stands at the outer edge of Faerie. And there are now hedge witches all over the World, along with hedge priestesses, hedge priests and hedge Druids. As a hedge witch, you feel a strong connection to the ancestors and old ways of living. For you, there is this beautiful simplicity in all the old practices. Unlike other Wicca guides, Lisa's books provide information that's found across many Wiccan traditions, rather than coming from just one person's perspective. In fact, she writes the kinds of books she wishes had been available when she was just starting out in the Craft all those years ago.