Which Witch Are You?

Kicking off the month long collaboration project this May with our introduction into some of the archetypes of the witch. The goal is to help you identify with and better understand these ambassadors.

Those of us who stumble upon an interest in the craft don't always know where we fit within the various systems that exist within the world of witchcraft. Archetypes of the witch are ambassadors of the different branches of magic that anyone can choose to follow.

What kind of witch are you, or which archetype does your power align with? This question can be challenging to answer as a beginner or intermediate practitioner. Studying witchcraft becomes a journey full of taking in many sources of information and combining that knowledge in a way that makes sense at an individual level. The influx of information makes it easy to hyperfocus on just the facts, but implementing the knowledge gained is where true insight develops into knowledge beyond thought in word form. Like muscle memory assists us with physical tasks, this knowledge can help us determine our powers and where they fit among the many archetypes.

The archetypes we'll cover this month are Ceremonial, Green, White, Grey, Eclectic, Psychic, and Solitary. These seven archetypes are a starting point for discovery. Understanding the nuances that come with each archetype will help you better understand where your talents and power fit amongst them. Understanding your archetype provides you with a better framework from which to build your craft. Each archetype comes with standard tools, herbs, or aspects of practice and belief that are unique unto themselves, and those unique features are the reference points that can be utilized to personalize your craft and individual journey.

So, where do we begin when we feel this pull toward the craft? How do we know what “resonates” most?

Examining the abundance within and around us can often be helpful. Collections, trinkets, decor, and fashion can offer subtle (or not so subtle) hints as to what speaks to our subconscious or “vibe.” Beyond aesthetics, these physical objects represent what feels familiar to each of us.

When meeting and mingling with elements intentionally, we reach past our primary five senses and attune to how we feel. These feelings or inclinations help guide us toward an archetype that represents our essence. In this collaboration, we'll explore six archetypes that we hope will guide you in your craft:

• The Ceremonial Witch tends to gravitate towards ritual magic, timing rites, spells, and rituals to the correct dates, times, and directions. Everything is sacred, every tool is a vital part of the ritual, and the space held for rites is a protected and significant space for them. Ceremonial Witches follow systems that require ritual behavior, such as Enochian magic, Solomon magic, and the Golden Dawn initiates.

• The Green Witch tends to feel more at home in nature and prefers to practice magic in communion with the elements in their natural state. Utilizing the energies from the trees, plants, rocks, soil, and the air and water around them to cast their magic and weave their energetics into the net of the universe.

• The White Witch is often drawn to the path of healing, typically working with light energy and exploring how it moves through the body, influences our well-being, and supports restoration. Their tools center around frequency, vibration, and the innate power of the mind, guiding others toward balance and energetic harmony.

• The Grey Witch walks the line between the works of light energy and the darker energies in this world. Grey witches are beholden only to themselves and do not limit their craft in one direction. Grey witches are the warriors in the Garden of Magic. They create acts of good and are capable of great defense. Grey witches can sometimes favor acts of magic that teach lessons in ways that leave no lasting harm, but are effective enough to leave a lasting point.

• The Eclectic Witch draws inspiration from every corner of the craft, weaving together a practice entirely their own. Unbound by a single path, they intuitively gather what resonates, crafting a dynamic, ever-evolving system that reflects their unique personality, energy, and needs in each season of life.

• The Psychic Witch hones their power and talent around the arts of divination and communing with the spirits and forces around them. Their tools center around aids in retrieving information and interpreting messages sent from the unseen.

• The Solitary Witch prefers to practice alone. They need to connect with the elements and discover themselves. Their magic is for them, and the rites and rituals they perform are an exercise meant to help them discover who they are and what they can do with their power. The solitary witch is self-governed, practical, and firm in their beliefs about their path and purpose.

Awareness during and reflection after connecting with various elements is key in determining what practices are best suited for each individual. Practices that bring a sense of calm, clarity and inner knowing may even be felt through physical sensations like tingles or shivers. Practices that are misaligned however, will identify themselves through feelings of unease or energetic resistance.

Join Elemental Witch and Hippiness Is for the entire month of May as we dive into the archetypes individually. Explore your intuition through practices, meditations, and more. This work throughout the month will lead to a Live Spell Jar Workshop at the end of the month!