hedge witch

English

Alternative forms

• hedgewitch

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.

Noun

hedge witch (plural hedge witches)

1. (mycology) The fungus species Phallus impudicus, a type of stinkhorn.

   Synonyms: witch's egg, wood witch

   • 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. (paganism) A modern, solitary witch who focuses on herbalism and shamanic experience (hedge riding).
   • 1997, Lynne Hume, Witchcraft and Paganism in Australia, Melbourne University Press, page 45:

     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.

   • 2005, Douglas Ezzy, Practising the Witch's Craft, page 14:

     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.

   • 2009, Arin Murphy-Hiscock, The Way of the Hedge Witch, Simon & Schuster, page 16:

     The path of the hearth-based hedge witch is rooted in the parallel paths of nurturing and nourishing.

   • 2012, Harmonia Saille, Pagan Portals - Hedge Witchcraft, John Hunt Publishing, page 10:

     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.

3. (fantasy) An inferior witch.
   • 1989, Rick Cook, Wizard's Bane:

     "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."

   • 2009, Lev Grossman, The Magicians, volume 1:

     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.

Related terms

• hedge witchcraft
• hedge witchery

Translations

solitary witch who practises hedge riding

• French: please add this translation if you can
• German: please add this translation if you can
• Italian: please add this translation if you can

See also

• hedge rider
• hedge riding
• wood witch

References

• "What Is a Hedge Witch? Practices and Beliefs" at Learn Religions
• "What is a Hedge Witch?" (blog post) at Mabon House

Further reading

• hedge witch at the Google Books Ngram Viewer.