Questions about Hedge Witches..

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Permalink Reply by Kixs on October 9, 2012 at 2:14pm

This group maybe able to help you out with this. http://www.paganspace.net/group/thewitchscottage

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Permalink Reply by Lilitu Xoc on October 9, 2012 at 2:42pm

If I recall hedge witches are geared towards the otherworld, which the term itself is just a new name for practices that have been around in most places for centuries.

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Permalink Reply by Uncle Woad the Laughing Wolf on October 10, 2012 at 11:37pm

I agree with you Xoc, hedges "walk the hedge" between worlds and work closely with local spirits. We tend to specialise in spirit contact and negotiation. We do a lot of general witchcraft as well, for instance I'm pretty handy with charm creation, but a lot of what we do is geared toward working with spirits. This includes knowledge of flying ointments, both hallucinogenic and (in a modern context, since so far as I know hedge witch is a relatively modern term) non-hallucinogenic. We also develop meditation techniques, or self-hypnosis techniques, to achieve similar states. In my case, I've spent a lot of time learning local lore, cultural context, and interacting with spirits, so I can better understand and work with them.

I'd agree that, as far as I know, hedgery is modern. I don't know of any historical accounts of people calling themselves hedge witches. I would disagree with some of the statements here that hedge craft and green craft are the same. When you hear the name, you may get the same mental image, because they both give a kind of "naturey" idea, but they are separate specialties.

Just my opinion, and how I identify things. SIN posted a wonderful explanation of hedge witchcraft a while ago, try looking her name up. I think the thread may have even been called Hedge Witches.

toodles.

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Permalink Reply by Lilitu Xoc on October 11, 2012 at 3:28pm

On the next page Wyrd posted the etymology of the word, it is an old word. (Not something modern pagans invented.) But it's practices denote specifically Seidr, it's used similarly but just in that context.

Not sure if SIN's old topic is up, because she deleted her account that one time.

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Permalink Reply by Lilitu Xoc on October 9, 2012 at 5:56pm

And what academic source do you have for your historical assertions about "hedge witches"?

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Permalink Reply by Lilitu Xoc on October 10, 2012 at 2:27pm

There are absolutes concerning most of history, not beliefs. What your soul "says" may not be what physical evidence says.

And what folklore is that? In a majority of folklore witches are evil.

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Permalink Reply by Malitiose Wildyew on October 10, 2012 at 9:24am

The hedge witch is a witch that uses herbs and ecstatic trance to transverse the "spirit world".Crossing the Hedge is the term used to describe this action.

Anyone who tells you different doesn't know what they're talking about.

Hedge Witchcraft, Hedgecraft, or Hedge-riding is an approach to witchcraft focusing on shamanic experience and varying degrees of herbalism.^[36] It is said to be derived from the practices of cunning folk. Not a specific tradition in and of itself, Hedgecraft may be incorporated in the practice of various traditions, covens, and solitary Witches.

The "hedge" in Hedgecraft signifies the boundary between this world and the Otherworlds. Hedge-riding is the act of crossing this "hedge" or boundary en trance and interacting with the spirits of the other side.^[36

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Permalink Reply by Lori Anne on October 10, 2012 at 1:25pm

Thats the exept from wikipedia though, and they are not usually a reliable sdource.

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Permalink Reply by Níos Sine Dia on October 10, 2012 at 5:11pm

"Thats the exept from wikipedia though, and they are not usually a reliable sdource."

Wikipedia is a reliable source, they cite their sources.

Also, Wiki mods are sticklers for truth. Try making a fake page or adding something without citation. It will be flagged unbelievably fast.

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Permalink Reply by Malitiose Wildyew on October 10, 2012 at 9:52pm

Sorry Lori I didn't have time to hand feed you the information or the links on Hedgecraft you can find by searching for yourself.

The Wiki link I read myself to make sure the info was on the up and up but if that's not good enough for you here are some words of description from actual practioners.

House of Shadowdrake

Witch of Forest Grove

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Permalink Reply by Lilitu Xoc on October 10, 2012 at 2:10pm

Except we had a topic years ago Lori that used this same exact definition. Now people are adding their Romantic made up history to it to make it sound nice.


@Wyrd all it is, is a new name for practices that's been around for awhile.

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Permalink Reply by Malitiose Wildyew on October 10, 2012 at 10:05pm

@Wyrd all it is, is a new name for practices that's been around for awhile.

Not so new the word originates in the Anglo-Saxon word haegtessa it's just translated into modern English.

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