Hello and welcome to WiccaNow. I’ve been writing a lot about herbs and plants recently, like this post about witch’s gardens and one about herbs for love and herbs for self love. I’ve also been sharing some of my favourite rituals and spells, check out my home protection spell and a ritual to ease anxiety. While writing these, I realised that I’ve failed to talk about a rather important topic. Today I want to talk about all the different types of witches so that you can start figuring out what type of witch you are. Are you ready to dive in?
Don’t feel like you have to pigeonhole yourself into being just one type of witch. It’s perfectly ok to identify with multiple different types of witches and to change your mind if you have identified with something in the past but no longer feel the same way. Life is like that. Our opinions and ideas change regularly and it would be pretty unfair to ourselves to feel we have to commit to something completely and stay that way forever.
I, for example, am a solitary witch who identifies with eclectic witchcraft, as well as kitchen and green witchcraft and a little bit hedgewitchery too. As confusing as this might seem, I go by the motto a dear family member of mine loves, “let your joy be unconfined.”
Side note: When I talk about a witch, I am referring to both male and female practitioners. The term “Witch” is often linked only to the female but this is actually incorrect and a witch can be both male and female.
I’ve ordered the different types of witches below alphabetically. Every type of witch is equal and no witch is better than the other!
20 Different Types of Witches
Type of Witch #1 Alexandrian Witch
Alexandrian Witchcraft was created by Alex Sanders and his wife Maxine Sanders in the 1960s. The Sanders based a lot of their ideas on Gerald Gardeners’ teachings but chose to also incorporate ceremonial magic and Qabalah which Alex Sanders had studied previously.
Alexandrian Wicca chooses to focus on the polarity of the genders, which is seen in the way that Sabbats are celebrated. Rituals will often revolve around the relationship between the Goddess and the God.
Maxine Sanders confirms the idea that Alexandrian witchcraft is more eclectic than Gardnerian Witchcraft, stating that “if it works, use it.” Personally I quite like this about this type of witchcraft as I’m also a fan of being able to pick and choose things that work for you and not being stuck in a strict structure. Alexandrian followers have more scope to do what they want and don’t have to practice ritual nudity if they don’t want to. Again, something I’m all for as I don’t believe that anyone should have to be naked if they don’t want to be.
Alexandrian Covens often meet during new or full moons and during the Sabbat festivals. In order to become an Alexandrian Witch, you have to be initiated. Only then will you be allowed to learn and participate in the rituals the coven performs. In order to be initiated into a coven, you have to have another witch willing to help you. Alexandrians believe that “only a witch can make another witch”. This is something that I don’t agree with because I’m all for being able to be a solitary practitioner and still being able to call yourself a witch.
There are 3 levels of initiation, and only a 2nd or 3rd-degree witch can initiate a new witch into the coven. In order to become a 3rd-degree witch, a fellow 3rd-degree witch would have to initiate you. 3rd-degree witches are referred to as “High Priestess” or “High Priest”. Some covens allow a pre-initiation rank so that newcomers can see if they like the coven without being bound by its rules just yet.
Type of Witch #2 Augury Witch
This type of witchcraft comes from the Ancient Romans. They used to believe strongly in the practice of Augury, which is the study of birds in order to determine the will of the gods. The Augurs in Ancient Rome would study the behaviour, flight and calls of a single bird or a group of birds in order to determine if the gods found an idea favourable or not.
An augury witch will learn how to interpret signs and omens to determine whether someone is on the right path or not. Their main role is to help and guide people who are on a spiritual quest. They act as an interpreter between the cosmic forces and the person seeking advice.
Type of Witch #3 Ceremonial Witch
A ceremonial witch believes ceremonies and rituals are the most important thing in their magical lives and believes strongly in following a strict set of rules. They will research their rituals and ceremonies meticulously and believe one…
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