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Pagan Portals - Hedge Witchcraft
As Aristotle said, 'For the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them.' Learning by experiencing is about trusting your instincts and connecting with your inner spirit.
There is no dogma attached to hedge witchcraft. There are no tenets to follow. The path of a hedge witch is very much an individual one, and it is a solitary practice.
This book will guide you if you wish to read more about hedge witchcraft as a pathway, or are already following such a path and wish to progress. It only has a little about hedge riding and hedge magic as this book has too small a scope to include them. Please read my accompanying books in the Pagan Portal series, Hedge Riding, and Hedge Magic (following soon).
There is no dogma attached to hedge witchcraft. There are no tenets to follow. The path of a hedge witch is very much an individual one, and it is a solitary practice.
This book will guide you if you wish to read more about hedge witchcraft as a pathway, or are already following such a path and wish to progress. It only has a little about hedge riding and hedge magic as this book has too small a scope to include them. Please read my accompanying books in the Pagan Portal series, Hedge Riding, and Hedge Magic (following soon).
87 pages, Paperback
First published August 16, 2012
40 people are currently reading
260 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 14 reviews
December 15, 2016
A gift for myself because #treatyoshelf
January 25, 2013
This little book has all you need to know about the basics of Hedge Witchcraft. Harmonia starts by introducing us to what Hedge Witches do, how they connect with nature and the spirit of a place, it also introduces us to ritual tools and familiars.
It then goes on to describe the Celtic festivals of the year and how a hedge witch views them, along with a good section on the elements and the magic that they hold.
The section on Sacred Trees takes us through each tree and what characteristics and energies it holds followed by a section on herbal lore.
Harmonia then dips into folk lore and divination from a Hedge Witch viewpoint.
An interesting book where Harmonia shares her own experiences of Hedge Witchcraft, good for anyone interested in following this path.
It then goes on to describe the Celtic festivals of the year and how a hedge witch views them, along with a good section on the elements and the magic that they hold.
The section on Sacred Trees takes us through each tree and what characteristics and energies it holds followed by a section on herbal lore.
Harmonia then dips into folk lore and divination from a Hedge Witch viewpoint.
An interesting book where Harmonia shares her own experiences of Hedge Witchcraft, good for anyone interested in following this path.
May 25, 2016
Great accurate introduction to hedgecraft. I wish it were longer.
July 8, 2018
There is not enough information in this book to make it worth buying.
November 2, 2025
3.5
If you just want a pretty short intro to basic witchcraft, this book will do it. I’m pretty sure the Pagan Portals series is supposed to be short little snippets on a given topic, so no surprises that this wasn’t a definitive resource. I was interested to know how hedge witchcraft differs from other forms of the craft. The topic of hedge riding is assigned to a different book in the series, so this one ends up just being a primer. It seems like the hedge riding is the main difference, though I suspect other people may just have different names for this kind of communing with spirit.
I didn’t feel like I came away with a really clear understanding of what makes hedge witchcraft unique, it feels like basic modern paganism to me, with a more loose, kitchen witch or folk magic style rather than any high ceremonial shenanigans. Which suits me fine, so that’s not a slight. But I keep seeing the term “hedge” popping up here and there the last few years and I don’t know if it’s just The Magicians book/tv series making it popular or this is actually a big movement in paganism.
There were a couple sentences here and there that had some errors or just awkward language that could have benefitted from editing. The end is a seasonal journal, and I assumed it would be about creating or keeping a journal to stay in tune with the earth and elements and as an avid journaler I anticipated this section with interest, but the book shifts from being a pagan primer to just being excerpts from an actual journal, which felt kind of disjointing, and then it just wraps up with a sentence or two about loving being a hedge witch. The pacing at the end was just strange. It just felt abrupt at the end.
Still, if you’re just curious and want a general overview without getting bogged down in detail, or need something to share with younger readers, or just like reading witchy stuff, this book would fit the bill. Books from this series often pop up as a kindle deal and can be purchased for a buck or two. At the sale price it’s a good value, but if you’re paying full price there might be a more comprehensive volume out there that will meet your needs better.
If you just want a pretty short intro to basic witchcraft, this book will do it. I’m pretty sure the Pagan Portals series is supposed to be short little snippets on a given topic, so no surprises that this wasn’t a definitive resource. I was interested to know how hedge witchcraft differs from other forms of the craft. The topic of hedge riding is assigned to a different book in the series, so this one ends up just being a primer. It seems like the hedge riding is the main difference, though I suspect other people may just have different names for this kind of communing with spirit.
I didn’t feel like I came away with a really clear understanding of what makes hedge witchcraft unique, it feels like basic modern paganism to me, with a more loose, kitchen witch or folk magic style rather than any high ceremonial shenanigans. Which suits me fine, so that’s not a slight. But I keep seeing the term “hedge” popping up here and there the last few years and I don’t know if it’s just The Magicians book/tv series making it popular or this is actually a big movement in paganism.
There were a couple sentences here and there that had some errors or just awkward language that could have benefitted from editing. The end is a seasonal journal, and I assumed it would be about creating or keeping a journal to stay in tune with the earth and elements and as an avid journaler I anticipated this section with interest, but the book shifts from being a pagan primer to just being excerpts from an actual journal, which felt kind of disjointing, and then it just wraps up with a sentence or two about loving being a hedge witch. The pacing at the end was just strange. It just felt abrupt at the end.
Still, if you’re just curious and want a general overview without getting bogged down in detail, or need something to share with younger readers, or just like reading witchy stuff, this book would fit the bill. Books from this series often pop up as a kindle deal and can be purchased for a buck or two. At the sale price it’s a good value, but if you’re paying full price there might be a more comprehensive volume out there that will meet your needs better.
April 29, 2022
Are you a budding witch?
Well, this little primer will be sure to help get you started, with hints on how to create candle spells, the spells to attract more money with a little help with the semantics on getting what you wish for), spells for improving health and starting anew emotionally and spells evoking the four elements of fire, earth, air and water.
There is also a section giving delineations on rune symbols - alas, on my Kindle, only the interpretations appeared m, but no rune symbols!
This book is not afraid to draw on really old and traditional Craft practises, some of which seem to hark right back to what is reported in the museum of witchcraft at Boscastle, Cornwall. Some practitioners for exams might be leery of creating a witch bottle, which may involve peeing into one spiked with nail clippings and sharp objects: it is meant to be buried at the threshold of a house, to bring psychic protection.
Sources include the wisdom of Culpeper and other traditional times of witchcraft dating from the times of James the First. The reader is, however, advised to adapt spells for the present, alongside not misusing magic for negative ends, although this writer professes an open mind on whether to use spells such as binding rituals.
There is much about the use of herbs and found objects in Nature included here, alongside exhortions to get closer to Mother Nature. Therein lies the true value of witchcraft, in my opinion, beyond any concerns of any kind of manipulation: this is a natural Shamanism that allows its practitioner to cross the hedge of the title here, to enter a level of awareness that recognises signs if the sacred all around us. Especially in animals, plants and trees.
Well, this little primer will be sure to help get you started, with hints on how to create candle spells, the spells to attract more money with a little help with the semantics on getting what you wish for), spells for improving health and starting anew emotionally and spells evoking the four elements of fire, earth, air and water.
There is also a section giving delineations on rune symbols - alas, on my Kindle, only the interpretations appeared m, but no rune symbols!
This book is not afraid to draw on really old and traditional Craft practises, some of which seem to hark right back to what is reported in the museum of witchcraft at Boscastle, Cornwall. Some practitioners for exams might be leery of creating a witch bottle, which may involve peeing into one spiked with nail clippings and sharp objects: it is meant to be buried at the threshold of a house, to bring psychic protection.
Sources include the wisdom of Culpeper and other traditional times of witchcraft dating from the times of James the First. The reader is, however, advised to adapt spells for the present, alongside not misusing magic for negative ends, although this writer professes an open mind on whether to use spells such as binding rituals.
There is much about the use of herbs and found objects in Nature included here, alongside exhortions to get closer to Mother Nature. Therein lies the true value of witchcraft, in my opinion, beyond any concerns of any kind of manipulation: this is a natural Shamanism that allows its practitioner to cross the hedge of the title here, to enter a level of awareness that recognises signs if the sacred all around us. Especially in animals, plants and trees.
December 1, 2020
Good
A quick primer on the daily life aspects of the ways of the hedgewitch.
There’s lots of basic information for an introduction to each subject, and good jumping off points for further study.
It’s by no means a comprehensive guide, and the riding the hedge part is actually covered in another book, but if you’re looking for an overview of what it is, and how it is done, this is a good place to start.
A quick primer on the daily life aspects of the ways of the hedgewitch.
There’s lots of basic information for an introduction to each subject, and good jumping off points for further study.
It’s by no means a comprehensive guide, and the riding the hedge part is actually covered in another book, but if you’re looking for an overview of what it is, and how it is done, this is a good place to start.
December 25, 2023
This book was an intro to Hedge Witchcraft. The author does refers to another pagan portal book to learn more about hedge riding. the book covers how a hedge witch deals with certain topics. There are 8 chapters dealing with connecting with nature, Celtic festivals, elements, sacred trees, herbal lore, folk magic, divination and the seasons. A good intro.
September 23, 2022
Very informative and interesting. This was also in part about the author’s personal practice more than an impersonal guide. However, she is extremely passionate about hedge witchcraft and it is a pleasure to know that.
December 26, 2019
Very short, an introduction rather than a comprehensive overview
December 2, 2015
It's a small and cheap book, so it's obvious the content won't go really in depth, but this book should have been entitled "Neo Pagan basics".
I wanted to learn about hedge witchcraft. We are told in the introduction that hedge witchcraft is a combination of 2 things: solitary witchcraft based on personal experience instead of established tradition, and hedge riding.
Then we're told that hedge riding is developed in a 2nd book of the same series...
So this book feels incomplete. It only addresses the basics of paganism: the 8 festivals, connecting with the elements, tree lore, herbal lore. It's a decent summary, and I found interesting info in the chapter dedicated to trees, but this isn't even really about solitary witchcraft practice, this is about neopagan spirituality.
The content isn't bad but the book should have had another title.
I wanted to learn about hedge witchcraft. We are told in the introduction that hedge witchcraft is a combination of 2 things: solitary witchcraft based on personal experience instead of established tradition, and hedge riding.
Then we're told that hedge riding is developed in a 2nd book of the same series...
So this book feels incomplete. It only addresses the basics of paganism: the 8 festivals, connecting with the elements, tree lore, herbal lore. It's a decent summary, and I found interesting info in the chapter dedicated to trees, but this isn't even really about solitary witchcraft practice, this is about neopagan spirituality.
The content isn't bad but the book should have had another title.
February 26, 2016
Nice Synopsis of Being a Hedge Witch
Harmonia does a great job in explaining about being a Hedge Witch. She uses a lot of personal experience and how-to's to make your experience worth while. I give Harmonia 5 Stars for it is easy to read, and her personal anecdotes make it a pleasure to read!
Harmonia does a great job in explaining about being a Hedge Witch. She uses a lot of personal experience and how-to's to make your experience worth while. I give Harmonia 5 Stars for it is easy to read, and her personal anecdotes make it a pleasure to read!
April 27, 2016
Good introduction of a topic I knew very little about. Short book though so it's pretty basic. Still, interesting read!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 14 reviews