Types of Witches - The Green Witch
Have you ever wondered if you are a witch and if so, what kind of witch? Then come with me on a little adventure where we discover the different types of witches! With this little (video) series I want to inspire you, to find out what kind of witch you are and hopefully show you the wonderful magic that lies within you. Whatever that means for you! And no, you don't have to commit to one type of witch. And you don’t have to find a “label” for yourself.
But maybe you'll recognize yourself in one or two types of witches that you didn’t even know were part of you. Maybe you even find yourself in more. For me finding out about the different kinds of witchcraft & witches was helpful on my journey as a witch and maybe this knowledge I’m about to share with you also opens a new chapter for you that you want to immerse yourself in.
Maybe you find a new kind of witchcraft that you want to immerse yourself in.
Maybe this happens today. Maybe tomorrow.
Maybe it takes a few more months or years until you discover what kind of witchcraft brings you joy.
Maybe your way of practicing witchcraft changes after some time.
And all of that is okay. Simply enjoy this journey. Enjoy re-discovering your true magical potential and be ready for doors to open for you that will take you to the most magical places.
Who is the Green Witch?
“The Way of the Green Witch is the path of the naturalist, the herbalist, the wise woman, and the healer.”
- Arin Murphy-Hiscock
The Green Witch is a part of myself that was always there. I remember collecting herbs with my friends in our gardens, grinding them with stones and using them as magical ingredients. I remember making circles with pearls in the grass just to wake up in the morning early and check if the fairies visited and maybe even left a sign.
I always felt this bond with the earth and a deep urge to know all the plants that surround me. But also a deeply rooted knowledge, that we have to protect nature and its inhabitants, because it’s where we are truly home.
We need the trees to breathe and it is scientifically proven that being in nature grounds us and calms down our nervous system. And as Albert Einstein said: “If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe, then man would have only four years of life left.”
And it is this understanding of nature, this connection, that is a fundamental part of the being of a Green Witch. Green Witchcraft not only is a practice. I can say from my own experience that it’s a lifestyle and a way of seeing the world.
“The Green Witch follows a path that leads her through meadows and forests, towards wonderful flowers and chalices, always on the search to uncover the secrets of Mother Earth that will deepen her connection with nature even further. She’s walking this path by choice, a path that is consistently honoring the natural world.” - Bebea from bebeaswitchlife
The Green Witch is asking Mother Earth for guidance, so that the rustling of the wind becomes the voice that is leading her through life and often finds purpose in the simple, everyday interactions with the natural world, whether it’s tending to a garden, foraging for wild plants, or simply taking a mindful walk through the woods. The Green Witch thrives on the energy of the natural world and by immersing herself in nature finds profound wisdom, tranquility and inspiration in the lush colors and the gentle sounds of nature.
The picture of the Green Witch certainly has changed over the centuries and years. If you think about it, the Green Witch was probably the old, wise, experienced healer of the village that lived far away from it. And people who were looking for healing or treatment had to make the trip to her small cottage. Powerful, respected, yet feared at some point in history.
When I think about a green witch from our modern life, I don’t think they live in a little cottage in the woods alone anymore (well, maybe some do lol). But if you think about a modern Green Witch I’m thinking about a gardener, someone working in a bakery or even a company. But they all have something in common: Their love for nature and the knowing that everything in nature is pure magic.
The path of a Green Witch
A Green Witch's path is very individual but there are some things that a lot of Green Witches like to include in their practice like:
Working with teas, potions, salves, charmes & amulets, spells & rituals.
Most ingredients they use are from nature or already within them.
Working with the elements is another, beautiful way to do Green Witchcraft and create a life that you love and that is in alignment with the natural world and its inhabitants.
Are you a Green Witch?
This is something that you have to find out for yourself. But I feel like if you read until here, it is already something that it is calling you in one way or another. And maybe you resonated with some of the things I wrote. Then I highly invite you to dive deeper into the magical realms of Green Witchcraft.
Here’s a little tip on how to ask nature for guidance (what a Green Witch thing to do ;)). I love to receive my answers by going to my most favorite place in nature (make sure you are safe!) and just sit down. I leave a small present and ask my question. I usually ask something along these lines:
Should I go further down this path?
Is this something that is in my highest and best good? If so, please send me a clear sign.
You can define what the sign should be. Like seeing a four-leaf clover for example or a specific flower that becomes your symbol of your Path as a Green Witch.
And trust me: if this is path is the one for you, the signs will be unmistakable
Simple ideas to start your Green Witchcraft Practice
Now let me share with you some simple ideas on how you can start your own Green Witchcraft practice:
Connect with the benevolent spirits of a place
If you go for a walk in nature, say hello to the benevolent spirits of that place. Especially the fairies are delighted to be recognized and you simply connect with the places around you on a personal level which makes them want to work together with you & support you in your practice.
Study local herbs & their folklore
When my Green Witch showed up strongly on my path, I got the strong desire to study the local trees and flowers. I especially became interested in the folklore around them. So spend a day at your library to see what is calling out to you. You might also want to participate in a herbal walk where someone experienced introduces you to your local herbs.
Green Witch Journal
When you start your journey as a Green Witch, make sure to document everything in a journal. Draw the plants you encounter into your journal or stick leaves you find into it. Write down the day, how you felt, what was going on in your life around that time, what feelings the plant evoked in you and whatever you like to understand, when certain flowers are showing up in your life and want to work WITH YOU. This is especially important when you start doing spells to remember what worked in your spells and what not.
You could also make a digital journal on your smartphone. Take pictures of your findings with your smartphone, write your notes in your notes app, screenshot it and keep it together with the picture of the plant in a folder where you can always refer to the information if you need it.
Start your own Witch’s Herb Garden
Many Green Witches I know started to grow their own flowers and herbs at some point. This is helpful because that way you can build up a connection to the herbs they you wish to include in your practice and study them.
I made a video on YouTube where I share with you how I started a little herb garden on my small patio. So even with little space it is possible!
Collect & Dry herbs & start your own herb apothecary
You can also collect your own herbs, dry them and start your own herb apothecary. Collecting & drying herbs is my favorite part of my witchcraft practice and I just love putting the herbs in their designated jars and labeling them with their latin names. This is a great way to store and use herbs for various purposes later own as well.*
Connect with your shamanic Spirit Animal
Because I’m in training to be a shamanic practitioner this was something that came to me naturally, but it was so helpful on my journey as a green witch and a witch in general. Everyone has a spirit animal that is always there with you and is guiding you on journeys to the spirit of a plant for example. I built up such a strong connection to my spirit animal and I always call it in when I do spells or rituals. Their name is sacred so make sure you don’t share it if they share it with you!
Make art with leaves, sticks & stones & flowers
I love being a creative witch and I love using natural materials, like leaves, sticks and stones & flowers. So why not connect with nature in an artistic way? You could make pictures with dried leaves and flowers, fairy houses or wall hangers and use them as beautiful decoration for your altar space.
So, there you go! Make sure to let me know what type of witch I should cover next?
All my love,
Bebea
*Disclaimer: Any medicinal benefits given here are a product of my own research and as such should not be taken over the advice of trained medical professionals. If you are ill, please go and see a doctor. Always make sure that anything you consume is 100% safe and that you are 100% what you are collecting. Please take extra care if you are pregnant & consult your doctor before consuming something you haven’t tried before. Keep herbs out of reach from children.