When most people think of a witch, they likely imagine a pointed hat, broomstick, and black cat poised at the end.
Some may know about the different forms of witchcraft, or popular witch types like green witches or traditional witches, but what does any of it actually mean, and what does it look like in practice?
As experienced publishers of witchcraft books and witchcraft oracle cards, we know that the world of witchcraft is as complex as it is expansive.
There is no one correct way to be a witch, and the best approach is always the one that resonates the most with you, whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand your craft.
In this guide, we’ll cover the 13 most common types of witches, highlighting their key elements and types of witchcraft, to help you find the one that speaks to your spiritual practice.
And if you’re still unsure, you can scroll to the bottom to take our “Which Witch Am I?” quiz, and find out all the types of witches you might be!
What Is a Witch, Really?
According to the Macquarie Dictionary, a witch is defined as “a person, especially a woman, who professes or is supposed to practise magic”.
For most witches and spiritual practitioners, however, it’s much simpler: a witch is someone who practices witchcraft.
This means that the term “witch” covers a broad range of magickal practitioners and all types of witches, from those who favour the traditional to those who don’t want to limit their practice to just one approach.
Over time, distinctions for the different types of witches have emerged, usually chosen depending on the types of witchcraft they prefer to engage with.
Some common elements overlap across most, if not all, the types of witches, including spellcasting, rituals, divination, and self-reflection.
And while the kinds of witches may be different, no one witch archetype is more powerful than the next, they’re just equal categories for the different types of witchcraft in the modern era.
Is Witchcraft a Religion?
Witchcraft itself is not a religious practice, and you don’t need to follow a certain belief system to become a witch. Of course, if your spiritual practice is tied to your religious beliefs, the two can be used to enhance each other on your spiritual journey.
A common misconception is that all types of witches are Wiccan, but this is not the case.
When beginner witches start to research witchcraft, they’re likely to hear about Wiccan witches.
Wicca is a modern pagan religion, and many Wiccans do identify as witches, incorporating magic into their worship. Many also choose not to practice witchcraft, and the vast majority of modern witches don’t consider themselves to be Wiccan.
These witches may feel closer to other belief systems or magickal traditions instead, and this is usually seen across their individual practice.
The 13 Most Common Types of Witches
Whether you’re new to witchcraft or an experienced witch looking to name your practice, it can help to know how other practitioners approach and view their craft (especially if you find yourself asking “what are all the different types of witches?” along the way).
There is no right or wrong way to categorise your witchcraft, and many witches prefer to blend a range of traditions and core practices to build their unique approach.
However, if you’re looking for a framework to help you get started or just enhance what you’re already doing, we’ve prepared a guide to the 13 most common types of witches for you:
|
Witch Type |
Magickal Focus |
Preferred Practice |
Key Tools |
|
Angel Witch |
Divine protection and intuition |
Divination and meditation |
Crystals, oracle cards, and offerings |
|
Cosmic Witch |
Astrology and planets |
Celestial observation and charging tools |
Star maps, Zodiac charts, and crystals |
|
Eclectic Witch |
Personalised practice and flexible evolution |
Blending multiple sources and tools |
Unique to the witch |
|
Elemental Witch |
Natural forces and elemental energies |
Spiritual connection and nature-based ritual |
Correspond to the element |
|
Gardnerian Witch |
Deity worship and nature’s cycles |
Close-knit covens and training |
Book of Shadows |
|
Green Witch |
Earthly connection and seasonal alignment |
Gardening & plant medicine |
Herbs, plants, and the Wheel of the Year |
|
Hedge Witch |
Nature and the boundary between worlds |
“Hedge-riding” and herbalism |
Herbs, dream journals, and foraged items |
|
Hereditary Witch |
Preservation and lineage |
Familial customs and ancestral connection |
Family spellbooks, lore, and remedies |
|
Kitchen Witch |
Nurturing and everyday home life |
Magically-infused cooking and household care |
Recipe journals, spices, and kitchen utensils |
|
Lunar Witch |
Intention and lunar alignment |
Divination, charging tools, and journalling |
Moon water, tarot/oracle cards, and lunar calendars |
|
Solitary Witch |
Intuition and personal growth |
Independent practice and study |
Unique to the witch |
|
Secular Witch |
Empowerment and transformation |
Divination and physical practice |
Tarot cards, journals, and candles |
|
Traditional Witch |
Spiritual connection and natural cycles |
Divination, journaling, and folk magic |
Practical, earth-based materials |
Angel Witch
An angel witch calls upon angelic energy and guidance for their spiritual work.
Through ritual and divination, they communicate with angels and other celestial powers to seek guidance and protection on their spiritual journey.
It’s important to note that angelic witchcraft is not tied to religion or traditional Christianity, and can often be a more powerful or confronting experience than many beginner witches expect.
Cosmic Witch
A cosmic witch, also known as a star or celestial witch, embraces astrology and astronomy for their rituals and spellwork.
They track planetary alignments, paying close attention to the position of planets and the moon, to coordinate their practice and channel the most effective cosmic energy into their witchcraft.
Eclectic Witch
An eclectic witch is not limited to any one tradition or way of practising witchcraft.
Instead, they pull from various sources (like different cultures, belief systems, and traditions) to craft their individual spiritual practice, and continue to hone it over time to find what resonates most with them.
Elemental Witch
An elemental witch forms a relationship with elemental spirits and their energies.
Generally, these witches seek guidance from fairies, fae, and plant or tree spirits. Many choose to work with each element equally, while others focus their time and their practice on the one that resonates with them and their spiritual intent.
|
Element |
Also Known As |
Magickal Focus |
Core Tools |
|
Fire Witch |
Heat Witch |
Passion, transformation, and energy |
Candles and cauldrons |
|
Water Witch |
Sea Witch, River Witch |
Emotions, intuition, and healing |
Witching sticks (forked branches) and pendulums |
|
Earth Witch |
Terra Witch, Forest Witch, Crystal Witch |
Stability, growth, and manifestation |
Crystals, stones, and plants |
|
Air Witch |
Wind Witch |
Mind, travel, and communication |
Incense, bells, and feathers |
Gardnerian Witch
A Gardnerian witch follows the Gardnerian Wicca system, commonly considered to be the foundation of modern Wicca and established by Gerald Gardner in the 1950s.
These witches work in small, hierarchical covens led by a high priest and priestess, with a handwritten Book of Shadows and various initiation rituals required for entry:
-
Formal ritual introduction by a high priest or priestess
-
Sworn oaths to protect their coven and Book of Shadows
-
Ancestry that traces back to Gerald Gardner and the New Forest coven
Green Witch
A green witch focuses their witchcraft in nature, often aligning their practice with the seasons.
They tend to create tools from various natural materials (such as herbs, crystals, or dried flowers) to use in their rituals and spellcasting, and share a preference for performing witchcraft outdoors, or as close to nature as possible.

Green Witch Oracle: Discover Real Secrets of Botanical Magick
By Cheralyn Darcey
Hedge Witch
A hedge witch prefers to work independently with nature, rather than practising with a coven or under a traditional witchcraft system.
They’re drawn to spirit work and the natural world, favouring spells and rituals focused on herbalism and healing.
Many like to create their own remedies or teas, while others prefer simply to attune to their local ecosystems for guidance, or wander the threshold between the spirit world and ours through meditation.

Kate Forsyth Hedgewitch Oracle
By Kate Forsyth & Vasilisa Romanenko
Hereditary Witch
A hereditary witch is someone born into a family of witches who benefits from the knowledge of their ancestral witches and their spiritual traditions.
However, this does not mean that their magickal practice will be any more effective than another witch's, as it is the act of practising witchcraft that makes a witch, not their legacy.
Kitchen Witch
A kitchen witch, also known as a hearth witch or cottage witch, centres their witchcraft around their home as a sacred place.
They generally like to incorporate cooking into their practice, channelling their energy into cooking and everyday chores.
Many also like to keep a small herb or vegetable garden (including popular culinary staples like rosemary, sage, peppermint, chamomile), but this is not essential to the practice.

Kitchen Witch Oracle: Spells, Incantations and Natural Remedies
By Jena Dellagrottaglia
Lunar Witch
A lunar witch aligns their spiritual practice to the phases of the moon
These witches follow the moon cycle and pursue the best phases to enhance their spellwork with the specific energies of full-moon or new-moon lunar rituals.
Many other types of witches also channel these powerful lunar events in their practice, but it is not the sole focus of their craft.
Solitary Witch
A solitary witch prefers to practice their witchcraft, spellwork, and rituals without a coven.
This solitude is often by choice, but can also be because the witch hasn’t made the right connection with a coven of practising witches yet.
Solitary witches have the freedom to explore their magickal interests and incorporate different techniques in their witchcraft, whether or not that aligns with a specific tradition or religion.
Secular Witch
A secular witch views their magickal practice as a tool for personal, psychological, and spiritual growth.
Many identify as atheist (or agnostic) witches and don’t believe in any one religion.
Unlike many traditional witches, they don’t worship or work with gods or spirits to guide their witchcraft, although some may still choose to embrace specific parts of traditional or Wiccan practices.
Traditional Witch
A traditional witch approaches their magickal practice exactly as you might expect – traditionally.
They most commonly draw on the nature and history of their home to inform their spells and rituals, and have been known to call on local spirits for guidance.
There are countless ways to embrace traditional practice, but some of the most common examples include Celtic, African, Italian, British Traditional Wicca (BTW), and Norse witchcraft.

Celtic Cauldron: Rituals for Self-Care and Manifestation
By Nicola McIntosh
Discover What Type Of Witch You Are
Do you prefer plants over staring at the moon? Are you more of a traditionalist, or do you enjoy an eclectic mix?
Do you want to know what your tastes have to say about your witchcraft? Take our quiz now to find out!

Start Your Witchcraft Journey With Rockpool Publishing
From taking your first step into the wide world of witchcraft to honing your practice after years of discovery, there are countless ways you can find and develop an approach that works for you.
At Rockpool Publishing, we’re here to support your spiritual journey, however it takes shape.
We have tools and guides to suit every witch, written by some of the world’s leading witches, healers, and spiritual teachers.
If you’re ready to get started, you can find our full range of tarot cards and oracle cards online today, or learn and connect with our transformative collection of witchcraft books & decks and witches calendars & planners.










