Some people prefer their own company, and they might choose to become solitary Witches, or as they are sometimes called 'Hedgewitches'...
Hedgewitches might have learned their Craft from a Coven, some are Wiccans who have for one reason or another decided to work alone rather than in a group. If you do work as part of a regular group you are probably not a hedgewitch, although a Hedgewitch might from time to time attend group gatherings too.
In the modern sense a Hedgewitch is someone who studies and practises their Craft alone. Although the practises have changed quite a lot, some still practise this path traditionally.
For some clues of what a Hedgewitch would have been traditionally have a look at the following names which are also used to describe this path:
Hedge-Rider, Hedgeswitch, Night Travelers, Walkers on the Wind.
As you might guess from the above, the Hedgewitch Tradition is shamanic-type tradition. The use of flying ointments and potions to gain the sight into the other world was used widely. The Craft was taught by one Witch to another, surviving thus through an oral tradition.
However, there are many skills an aspiring Hedgewitch would have to learn before embarking on such journeys. The ability to go into the otherworld, to call on the souls of those about to die - using this skill for powerful healing. Calling upon those recently departed to gain knowledge and pass on messages to the living.
Hedgewitches usually know their herbs very well, coupled with knowledge and understanding of the ways of Nature, animal, plant and mineral. It seems though the most important aspect was that of Spirit-flight, commonly performed with the help of herbs, dancing, costumes and masks.
The flight sensations, as mentioned were enchanced and encouraged by the use of 'flying ointments' - they contained very poisonous ingredients such as aconite, belladonna and hemlock. I would not recommend anyone try these without expert advice! The stories of these spirit-flights are the inspiration behind the images of Witches on broomsticks.
Lets look at the symbols associated with this tradition. Firstly, there seems to be many bird associations. Most commonly the Raven & the Goose.
Hedges,of course, are important factors also in this tradition. The hedge would have been planted on the boundary of villages, and the hedge would have signified the boundary between the village and the outside world. Just like the Hedgewitch works on the boundary of this world and the spiritual realms. Hedgewitches worked mainly as healers, often also as Midwives.
There was both male and female 'Hedgewitches' although the males were much in the minority! These male members of this Craft were sometimes also known as Cunningmen. In Old German language these male witches were also called "Gabelreiterinnen" - this means "pitchfork-rider".
So it seems the women had the broomsticks and the men the garden implements! Today there are many books which will provide further background information, advice and ideas for the aspiring Hedgewitch.
I would recommend Rae Beth's 'Hedgewitch' if you are serious about wanting to find out more...
