A Spooky History of Witchcraft and Types to know

Spooky season is beginning and some of the most common costumes, decorations, and stories revolve around witches.  

Utah is primarily religious with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but there are smaller groups of varying religions around the state. Witchcraft is one of those very small populations in the state, but they are out there. However, if you’re thinking ugly green skin, dressing like Morticia Adams, or curses...you’re only partially right.  

There are SO many different branches of witchcraft just like in Christianity. It’s more of a mix of spiritual practices and religious ones. I’m a third-generation witch and have explored several paths but finally found I’m more of an eclectic witch. I’ll get to that in a moment. 

With so many types of witches and crafts out there, it's hard to not let stereotypes set in, especially around Halloween. So, here are some of the most common witchcraft types (and some not so common ones) and where they come from. 

Wiccan 

Wiccans are very nature-based and considered pagans, but they can work with spirits and not just deities. Most often they work with the elements like earth, air, wind, and fire. Generally speaking, Wiccans are perhaps one of the “tamest” types of witches and they heavily believe in the “three-fold” rule which just means whatever you do comes back three times, good or bad.  

They use natural objects for rituals and protection and abundance spells but are rarely known to do curses or hexes.  

Solitary Witch 

This is a witch without a coven (think like a Bible study group) who practices on their own. This is sort of a blanket term that can apply to the different practices.  

Kitchen Witch 

Ever feel like that one lady's banana bread makes you feel weird amounts of joy and lightheartedness? Well, they could be a kitchen witch. Using spells, herbs, and intentions in cooking is a popular way to practice the craft. Someone already attuned to cooking or baking will love this sort of witchcraft. They can make the coolest treats while giving you financial abundance, good luck, or even help just improve your mood.  

Hedge Witch 

These witches usually fall into the solitary witch category and don’t follow “one path” but find their own. Though hedge witches are very much into herbal remedies, and nature they do branch out from simply healing and nurturing. They aren’t just nature based like a Green Witch. 

Green Witch 

These witches are those friends who have 37 plant babies and never stop talking to their plants. Often, they use plants, flowers, and herbs for their work and tend to focus on healing magic. They might be what some would consider “tree hugger” witches and use the earth as a base. 

Eclectic Witch 

Just like hedge witches, an eclectic witch creates her own craft dabbling in just a bit of everything. This means they can practice white (light), gray(both,) and black (dark) magic. Not the kind of witch to make angry since you never know what they can and will use.  

Sea Witch 

Of all the witches, this type is least likely to be found in UT for obvious reasons. However, sea witches are pretty cool since they work directly with the sea and tend to hold strong connections with bodies of water. Their craft is unique and works especially close with the moon.  

There are other branches of witches that delve into hereditary and cultural perspectives more deeply, but they tend to bleed into these few in some way. So, when dressing up this Halloween, see if you can find a specific kind of witch. They’re real, and they’re not going to curse you, I promise!