A Shout Out to Traditional Witches
Hullo!
I am writing an article (and perhaps a chapter for a book) on the etymology of the word “Hedgewitch”. That is, the history of the term.
While many Trad Witches insist the term “Hedgewitch” was used by Trad Witches before it was popularized as a solitary Wiccan or Kitchenwitch, there seems to be a terrible lack of evidence for this.
If any Trad Witches can point me in the direction of the usage of the term “Hedgewitch and “Hedgerider” in the modern era (I don’t need to be pointed to the Havamal etc, thanks) prior to, or around the time of Rae Beth’s publishing of her famous Wiccan Hedgewitch book in 1990 that would be grand. You’d also be doing a service for the Trad Witch community eh. Basically any indication of those specific terms being used between say 1800 and 1995 is required. I’d rather something other than hearsay and conjecture, such as literary evidence, but am willing to look at personal stories and artwork as well.
You will receive acknowledgement for your contribution of course.
EDITED FOR CLARITY: I am specifically looking for evidence that MODERN Traditional Witches were using the term “Hedgewitch” before 1990.
Thanks!
my email is juniper@walkingthehedge.net
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Hi Juniper,
You may already know this, but Peter Paddon’s Pendraig Publishing house (try to say that 3 times fast) is putting together a book of essays on Hedgewitches and Hedgewitchery. Veronica Cummer (author of “Sorgitzak”) will be the editor, and more info is available at http://www.pendraigpublishing.com/anthology.asp. So you might be able to contact them for more info (or even contribute your work to the anthology, if you so desired).
Barring that, maybe the OED would point you to some sources if you look under the word “hedge” or even “witch”? That’s just a guess, though.
Good luck! Can’t wait to read the article!
-Cory
I’ve actually been working with Veronica Cummer on an article for that anothology Cory. It looks like mine might even be the first one in the book! yay
I have many books on the origins of words and such, but am failing to find specificaly the useage of the term Hedgewitch by Traditional Witches before 1990.
Thanks!
Hi Juney!
The problem is there were no modern traditional witches before 1990 – how’s that for a paradox!! Traditional Witchcraft as an umbrella term for varying traditions is relatively recent – I’d say mid 1990s at the earliest – but most likely didn’t form as an authentic path until after the year 2000.
Before that practitioners that now fall under the TW category didn’t usually consider themselves witches and fell into various cultural folk magic traditions. The only hint of traditional witchcraft before 1990 is in Paul Huson’s 1970 classic “Mastering Witchcraft” — which still had ceremonial-based structure and some Wiccan elements, but fell more into a classification of Luciferian witchcraft.
Otherwise the only path I know of that is akin to the true definition of hedgewitch and being pre-Gardnerian, is the Anderson’s Feri tradition which is very shamanic in nature and involves a lot of out-of-body work. The Anderson’s didn’t use the word hedgewitch however, as neither were from a Germanic background.
Best of luck with your writing!! Loved the update of this!
Slainte,
Sarah
Thanks very much Sarah. I’ve come across the same information in my research. Its nice to get confirmation from others.