Dictionary

hedge witch en · NOUN

Etymology

* (type of witch): Circa 1990s. From hedge (“boundary”) + witch, where the boundary is that separating this world from the spirit world, which is traversed during hedge riding. Possibly coined or popularised by Rae Beth (1990), Hedge Witch: A Guide to Solitary Witchcraft, London: Robert Hale, →ISBN. * (fantasy): Circa 1980s. From hedge (“third-rate”) + witch. Compare hedge priest, hedge wizard.

Meanings

1. Fungus of species Phallus impudicus, a type of stinkhorn.
   • 1875, The Gardeners' Chronicle, New Series, Volume 4, page 725, The common name of the fungus is, as you say, Hedge Witch or Wood Witch; the scientific name is Phallus impudicus.
2. A modern, solitary witch who focuses on herbalism and shamanic experience (hedge riding).
   • While Hedge Witches may work with other Witches in a coven, their work as a Hedge Witch is performed typically on their own or with one other person. 2005, Douglas Ezzy, Practising the Witch's Craft, page 14:
   • One hedge witch who is also a practising iridologist and herbalist in a large country town, feels that we should regard all of nature as having a purpose, and continually strive to understand that purpose. 1997, Lynne Hume, Witchcraft and Paganism in Australia, Melbourne University Press, page 45:
   • The path of the hearth-based hedge witch is rooted in the parallel paths of nurturing and nourishing. 2009, Arin Murphy-Hiscock, The Way of the Hedge Witch, Simon & Schuster, page 16:
   • Hedge riding is shamanic in nature and is usually solitary as the hedge witch is solitary, but there is no reason why you cannot practice with others. 2012, Harmonia Saille, Pagan Portals - Hedge Witchcraft, John Hunt Publishing, page 10:
3. An inferior or small-scale witch.
   • "You're a magician, right?" he asked, trying to recapture the moment. Moira shrugged. "In a small way. I am a hedge witch." "That's interesting. What does a hedge witch do?" "What do I do? Oh, herbs and simples. A little healing. Some weather magic. I try to warn of dangers, find lost objects and strayed animals." 1989, Rick Cook, Wizard's Bane:
   • It was extremely rare, but not unheard of, for civilians to work up a spell or two on their own, but as far as Quentin knew they never got into anything serious. Real magicians called them hedge witches. 2009, Lev Grossman, The Magicians, volume 1:

Forms

Relateds

wood witch · hedge witchcraft · hedge witchery · hedge riding · hedge rider

Synonyms

witch's egg · wood witch