Path of the Hedgewitch

JOANNA van der HOEVEN (Suffolk, UK) has been working in Pagan traditions for nearly thirty years. She is an author, teacher, dancer, blogger, photographer, and videographer. Her love of nature and the land where she lives provides her with constant inspiration. www.JoannaVanDerHoeven.com

"The Path of the Hedge Witch is a delightful book—a rich compendium of lore and packed full of insight and practical guidance to form your own path into Hedge Witchcraft, drawing on deep roots and solid experience. Joanna's books are always a treat and this is a sound and trusted guide to those new to the practice, covering all you need to know to weave your own traditional magic and showing you how to fly over the hedge and far away! Highly recommended."—Danu Forest, author of Celtic Tree Magic and Wild Magic"Reading this book is like coming home. Joanna van der Hoeven leads us between the worlds, exploring the path of the hedge witch, while encouraging us to weave our own relationship with the Mysteries. Practical and poetic, The Path of the Hedge Witch opens a portal to the immanent divinity of the natural world, guiding us to learn the art of hedge riding with a magical compendium of ritual, spellcraft, plant allies and folklore. I am utterly enchanted."—Danielle Blackwood, author of The Twelve Faces of the Goddess and A Lantern in the Dark"The Path of the Hedge Witch is a charming walk down the path of the country Witch, blending the practical and the Otherworldly with ease and grace. Author Joanna van der Hoeven has written a truly original book on solitary Witchcraft for those who wish to make a deeper connection to nature in their own way."—Deborah Blake, author of The Eclectic Witch's Book of Shadows and Everyday Witchcraft"Joanna provides a comprehensive, up to date and personal account of her hedge witch path and practices. In this book, the reader is treated to both thorough research as well as the poetic beauty of our wild world. Whether an advanced practitioner, or beginner on the path of Hedgewitchery, this book provides all you need to make hedge riding and simple natural magic a part of your life."—Moss Milne, founder of Spiral Path: Seasonal, Slow and Spiritual Living, an online resource"Joanna has written an enchanting and practical book about natural magic that will appeal both to the beginner and advanced practitioner alike. Written in an easy conversational style, she offers simple everyday practices that can easily be incorporated into everyday life. Above all, she encourages us to listen to our hearts and souls rather than follow complex, established traditions, and emphasises the importance of trusting our own experience as we explore the beauty and wisdom of the natural world. An invaluable handbook for the budding hedge witch!"—Mara Freeman, author of Kindling the Celtic Spirit and director of the Avalon Mystery School"This book is an absolute joy to read. It is both simple and profound. It guides the reader step by step in the core practice of the hedge witch (spirit travelling into the Otherworld—known as hedge riding.) And, all is presented in the context of natural magic and nature's cycles. The author's approach is non-dogmatic, encouraging everyone towards an individual and creative approach. She knows from experience just how to walk with one foot in Faerie and one in the Everyday World—without recourse to hallucinogens—and she tells us about it and what can be gained from it. This is the real deal. Although it is written for beginners, it made me think, and it reinspired me. I give it ten stars!"—Rae Beth, author of Hedge Witch

• ContentsPreface xiIntroduction 1Part 1: Defining the Terms & Looking at History1: What Is Witchcraft? 72: A Brief History of Witchcraft 153: The Solitary Witch and the Hedge Witch 29Part 2: Learning Through Nature4: Deity and the Hedge Witch 435: The Lunar Path 576: The Solar Path 697: The Elements 858: The Fair Folk 99Part 3: Ritual & the Art of Hedge Riding9: Hedge Riding 11710: Ritual Concepts 13311: Ritual Tools 14512: How to Perform a Hedge Riding 15313: Rites and Rituals 17114: Building Your Own Tradition 187Part 4: Lore15: Spellcraft 19916: Herbcraft 22117: Countryside Lore 241Conclusion 251Bibliography 255