Types of Witches, Different Kinds of Witchcraft and Magic

Witches have been around for centuries, although the “witch influencer” on Instagram or WitchTok is something new. Whether you’re looking for advice on which crystal will completely transform your life (hi, moldavite) or a Full Moon ritual or three to try, you can probably find a witch-fluencer telling you all you need to know in a one-minute video or infographic.

But let’s get into a little bit of witch history. If we look back to ancient times, communities around the world would have had one or more wise people or healers who would have been called upon to share folk magic remedies for illness, crop protection, good weather, and sometimes—ironically—staving off the evils of witches.

Alas, by the 16th century, a Christian-led obsession with the power of the devil and the need for vigilance against sin brought these wise people under the spotlight and deemed them guilty by association. All of it was “witchcraft”! Thus began a shameful chapter of witch persecution and execution through the 16th and 17th centuries (think: the Salem witch trials).

The mid-20th century saw a positive revival of the term “witch” through the Wiccan movement in the U.S. and the UK, which spread into many feminist and “goddess consciousness” movements. Today, many people from many different spiritual traditions and cultures are reclaiming the word “witch.” Just make sure the person wants to be called a witch before you do so—it can be a very individual thing!

Witchcraft has always been innately linked to the marginalized, misunderstood, isolated, or strange. And as witchcraft has proliferated, it has become increasingly diverse, decentralized, and open to personal interpretation. In 2022, there are many, many types of witches—a quick scroll through WitchTok will show you everything from traditional rituals to a more wellness-based approach focused on affirmations. Witches are here to stay, ppl, and maybe you’re among their growing number already. But which witch are you? Here are some types of witches to learn more about.

Coven-Based Witch

A witch who operates as part of a wider group of witches, perhaps led by a high priestess, who combine their magical powers and skills to create stronger, bigger spells and manifest outcomes for the group and beyond. Covens focus more on ceremonial and ritualistic magic.

Solitary Witch

A witch who works alone and under their own steam rather than with a group of other witches. A solitary witch can follow one particular branch of witchcraft or a combination.

Hereditary Witch

Just like the name sounds, a hereditary witch is someone who inherited their powers or their practice through their family line. Think Practical Magic.

Crystal Witch

Crystal witches are deeply connected to the vibration and power of crystals, gems, rocks, and stones, and they practice crystal magic to manifest, amplify, and attract energy. If you see auras, feel energies, love shiny things, and enjoy making grids, then you could be a crystal witch.

Cosmic Witch

The stargazers! Cosmic witches are all about astrology and astronomy, and they are largely focused on the lunar energies of the Moon cycle and spells that amplify or protect against celestial events. They are clued up on star signs and birth charts, but their practice is active, not passive. They seek to change energies by using their knowledge rather than just telling you that Scorpios are secretive! If you feel drawn to the skies above and enjoy the science-y complexities of the working of the universe, you could be a cosmic witch.

Green Witch

These magickal workers are all about nature, healing, and nurturing. They draw their power, tools, and rituals from the earth and the great outdoors and use plant, flower, and herbal preparations as a primary source of spell ingredients and ritual content. Green witches respect nature above all else (although many other types of witches work with nature too!). If you feel drawn to the natural world, have a gift for healing and soothing, and enjoy gardening and tending to plants and herbs, you could be a green witch.

Hedge Witch

A hedge witch is very similar to a green witch but is not as solely focused on nature. A hedge witch works alone and doesn’t adhere to any strict dogma—religious, spiritual, or otherwise. Hedge witches develop their own kind of magic, focusing primarily on creating healing remedies and often working with the elements, nature, crafts, and herbalism. Everything is kept simple and basic, and all rituals are non-fussy and minimalist. If you are drawn to solitude and wish to craft your own brand of witchcraft, unique to you, then you might be a hedge witch!

Plant Witch

Like green witches, plant witches work with plants! Their practice might focus on a connection with nature. They may study the history, traditions, and cultural associations of different plants and herbs as well as use them in rituals, potions, and spells.

Gray Witch

Gray witches straddle the divide between “white” and “black” magic, using whatever suits the situation. They will use curses and hexes when the situation calls for it, when many witches will not go there—witchcraft typically follows an ethic of working for the highest good. Gray witches typically seek justice and the correction of unfair circumstances, redirecting ~bad~ energy to where it should have gone in the first place. They will often call on the unseen spirit presences to help them. If you are drawn to the darker arts or feel you’re fighting a greater evil in the world, maybe you’re a gray witch.

Eclectic Witch

A little bit of this and a little bit of that! Eclectic witches tend to cherry-pick whatever practices, rituals, beliefs, or ideas feel natural and good to them in the moment. After all, witchcraft is a very personal and unique pursuit. If you don’t want to be tied down to any one practice or area, maybe you’re an eclectic witch. Many baby witches begin as eclectic witches, but many stay that way too!

Folk Witch

A folk witch practices folk magic passed down through their family or through their local community. They often focus on the history and origin of a practice and may work with plants and objects that are native to their location.

Baby Witch

Baby witches—a term you might have seen frequently used on WitchTok—are simply beginner witches. They may start out following a certain doctrine, depending on their teacher/s, and then, over time, experiment with other ones. You gotta go your own way!

Kitchen Witch

As the name suggests, a kitchen witch focuses on the kitchen! They incorporate magic into cooking and baking, and they might choose herbs for their magical properties just as much as for their taste. Kitchen witches might prepare meals for specific holidays, purposes, or rituals to share with their community or coven.

Hearth Witch

A hearth witch focuses on the home and might also be a kitchen witch and/or a green witch. Hearth witchery often involves focusing on objects and rituals used around the home, like herbalism, candle magic, and ritual cleaning.

House Witch

Similar to a hearth witch, a house witch focuses on making their house a magical space. Think: cooking, cleaning, and performing homey rituals. Whether you prefer to be called a hearth witch or a house witch—or both—is really up to you!

Ceremonial Witch

Yep, you guessed it—this witch is all about the drama of a ceremony. They focus on ceremonial magic or “high magic,” which often involves more elaborate or specific rituals than everyday magic.

Sea Witch

Sea witches have a special connection to the ocean. They might practice water magic, use seawater in their rituals, bring seashells home for their altar, and pay special attention to the Moon (because it controls the tides, after all).

Sex Witch

A sex witch practices sex magic! What’s sex magic? It involves working with arousal and orgasm during manifestation rituals (either partnered or solo), cultivating self-love in all forms, and working to see sexuality as a sacred thing.

Your Witch Guides

For Plant Witches and Green Witches

Hay House Inc. ‘Plant Witchery: Discover the Sacred Language, Wisdom, and Magic of 200 Plants’

Now 18% Off

Juliet Diaz’s Plant Witchery is perfect for aspiring plant witches, green witches, and hedge witches.

For Sex Witches

TarcherPerigee ‘Sacred Sex: The Magick and Path of the Divine Erotic’

Now 22% Off

Gabriela Herstik’s Sacred Sex is an intro to working with the divine erotic and sex magick for anyone curious.

For Sea Witches

Llewellyn Publications ‘Water Magic’

Lilith Dorsey explores the element of water, showing witches how to work with the ocean as well as lakes and rivers.

For Folk Witches

Simon Element ‘Wild Witchcraft: Folk Herbalism, Garden Magic, and Foraging for Spells, Rituals, and Remedies’

Now 24% Off

Rebecca Beyer’s guide to herbalism and natural magic—based in Appalachian traditions—will appeal to green witches, hedge witches, folk witches, hearth witches, and eclectic witches.

For Baby Witches

Rockridge Press ‘The Spell Book for New Witches: Essential Spells to Change Your Life’

Now 38% Off

If you’re just exploring witchcraft, you’re a “baby witch”! Ambrosia Hawthorn’s guide lets you try different spells and rituals so you can find which ones click with you.

For Solitary Witches

Rockridge Press ‘The Solitary Wicca Guide: Spells and Rituals to Practice, Learn, and Thrive’

Now 12% Off

Rowana Morgan’s guidebook offers instructions for beginners exploring Wicca by themselves, without a coven.

For Crystal Witches

Rockridge Press ‘Crystals for Witches: Rituals, Spells, and Practices for Stone Spirit Magic’

Now 10% Off

Eliza Mabelle’s guide to working with crystals is obviously perfect for crystal witches.

For House Witches and Hearth Witches

Adams Media ‘The House Witch: Your Complete Guide to Creating a Magical Space With Rituals and Spells for Hearth and Home’

Now 22% Off

Arin Murphy-Hisock’s guide focuses on spells you can do around the home, making it a more magical space.

Kerry Ward has been reading, teaching and creating tarot decks, books, and content for over 25 years, and is a horoscope contributor for Cosmopolitan UK and Cosmopolitan US. You can book a personal, written tarot reading with her, which comes as a beautifully illustrated brochure. She is also the published author of Power Purpose Practice, Card of the Day Tarot and Cardless Tarot. She also created the Good Karma, Crystal Magic, and Taroscopes tarot decks. She likes to self-publish unique journals in her spare time, such as The Guided Magic Manifesting Journal and the latest Haunted House Journal. She is a Gemini, so writing is her favourite thing!
Follow her on Instagram h for weekly forecasts, insights, and tarot teachings, or find her on LinkedIn.

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