How many types of Witch are there?

Question

I asked a question about witches the other day and someone claiming to be a "Satanist" scared the crap out of me.

How many types are there?

I am Deist, I have no preconceptions other than the one witch I have met (Pagan) in England. And the things I have read on this site.

Eeek I didn't think or say they all were.

Answer 1

There are MANY traditions of Wicca and Witchcraft, however the vast majority of witches tend to be eclectic and solitary. Witches write their OWN Holy Book, Called by most a "Book of Shadows". It contains all of their rituals, meditations, healing recipes, spells and other relevant work. No two of these Books is the same as any other Book. Accordingly there are as many TYPES of Witches as there are Witches. Witchcraft tends to be an individual relationship between the Witch and his/her Deity (for those witches who practice witchcraft as a Religion, that is). There are ALSO Witches who do NOT practice Witchcraft as a Religion AND there are Wiccans who practice NO witchcraft at all, only the rituals. You can have 1,000 witches in a room and question each one and find NO two whose beliefs are identical. Witchcraft COULD be considered to be Religious Anarchy whereby no one subscribes to anyone else's beliefs, not even other Wiccans.

I understand that this is a hard concept to wrap your mind around. Especially if you are a memeber of one of the mainstream Religions who DO have a common set of beliefs and a common "text" or Bible that is uniform throughout that Religion. Yet, that is exactly how it truly IS in the world of the Witch. The important thing IS, ALL Witches see each other as following their own path and respect and accept each others WAYS as being perfectly valid and correct for that person. We belive that as long as it works for the individual then it MUST be correct, for THAT person, even if it is not for ME.

Hope that begins to answer your question. I understand that it MAY have just made it even MORE confusing for you, But basically it IS the Truth.

Brightest Blessings,
Raji the Green Witch

Answer 2

Witchcraft is a way of life, so anyone could be a Witch as long as they respect and work with the Earth and their environment.

A Satanist can be a Witch, but not all Witches are Satanists, just as all Witches are not Wiccan.

Witches tend to be eclectic, so I'm not sure if anyone truly knows how many types of Witches there are. I do know that most Witches tend to describe themselves by color, with the color denoting the path they follow or type of magick they do.

For instance, a green witch works nature, a red witch works with energy manipulation and a blue witch works with water or towards a goal of peace and happiness.

Answer 3

I have been a practicing witch for 41 years, and 95% of my spells work. They type of spell you are asking about are very subjective. Love spells do work, but often in ways that make people miserable, we don't mess with free will. Beauty, well you can cast a confidenx=ce spell on yourself, confident people seem to be more beautiful foe some reason. Money, yes, but if you want it in large amounts consider where it may have to come from. Beilg left money in a will comes to mind. Or being injured so severly that you wil a lawsuit. Spells for selfish, personal gains are never a good idea. I did a spell for some pocket money and a lady I have never met came up to me and asked me to do a specific bit of art for her (I do faux sained glass, and usually have steady sales, but i needed an extra $20) So I got my pocket money. I cast a spell every morning for protection and guidance when I am out in my car. To keep me more aware of what is going on and let me know if there are potential problems so I can take an alternate route. So, yes, my spells work quite nicely! BB )O(

Answer 4

You have ALOT to learn.

Witches are not Satanists. Satanists are not Witches.

I am Wiccan. I am a Witch. I am not a Satanist. Most Witches/Wiccans do not believe Satan, Hell, and all of that even exists. I do not believe Satan exists.

You make the mistake that many do - you simply think you know what you are talking about when you don't. Your assumption was wrong.

Now that we have that little bit wrapped up.... I don't know if we can tell you exactly how many types of Witches there are. It really seems to be an impossible task. Perhaps you can find a website to answer your questions.

Answer 5

I'm going to disagree with Riegen (Sorry if I misspelt it) on one point, but most of what she said is true.

There is such a thing as a Satanic witch, but it is not a worshipper of the Judeo-Christian devil. Read the Satanic Bible for more details.

Other than that I agree that there are many types of witch. It is very much a case of each has their own personal style.

Answer 6

There are an undetermined number of disciplines of both Witchcraft & Wicca (no they aren't the same) but a Witch will never call themselves a Satanist as Witches don't believe in Satan - he is Christian construct.

Answer 7

Wicca is my religion. A satanist is a satanist, not a witch in my opinion.
BB

Answer 8

lol don't worry, satanists are not witches!

but there are many different types of witches, just like there are different types of christians, but witches are ok with each other's differences, and christians usually are not

Answer 9

There are at least 17. We have a section of our website at religioustolerance.org/x where x = wic_pott.htm It describes this topic.

17 definitions of "witchcraft" appear about half way down an essay at religioustolerance.org/y where y = wic_pott1.htm

Regards
Bruce Robinson
Coordinator
ReligiousTolerance.org

Answer 10

Bruce has your best answer, here's a working link:
http://www.religioustolerance.org/wic_pott1.htm#de

(And yes, there are Satanic Witches, just not Satanic Wiccans)