Craft of the Hedge Witch: A Guide to the Solitary Path

by Geraldine Smythe

"The world I was looking at defied description. If it weren’t for the haunting voice describing everything to me, I would have regarded it all as nothing more than a fluke; just another strange dream that I would probably forget. But this was no ordinary dream. I was being shown another world in an intentional and purposeful manner. The imagery before me did not change or shift as in a regular dream and when I had questions in my mind, the strange, calm voice would answer me in simple yet shockingly sophisticated ways. Then I suddenly found myself kneeling on the ground directly facing a thick hedge. I turned my head to the left and there she was, also kneeling and facing the hedge. She was looking at me, smiling warmly and knowingly. It was her turn for a question and my answer would change things for me forever."For the Hedge Witch who develops the ability to ride the Hedge, they can straddle worlds at will and the advantages are many. The Hedge Witch’s magic is based on seamlessly shifting themselves into the twilight plane, where miracles are commonplace and their magic flows freely.- As a newer amalgam emerging from and within the traditional paths, Hedge Craft draws from the most pragmatic aspects of witchcraft and shamanism, giving the witch a deeper understanding of their power and practical methods to access their potential.

Genres: Witchcraft, Wicca

124 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 31, 2020

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first have to say that the overt hostility I have read in a few reviews here and elsewhere are absolutely the result of a toxic cancel culture mindset that has not only ruined so many things but is being purposely spread with an agenda that amounts to nothing more than stone throwing. The sad part is that it's based on willful ignorance, and this is apparent in the terms used by the reviewers. Good thing I didn't let this mentality persuade me to ignore this one of a kind labor of love.

On the other hand, after reading this gem I can see that this is as one reviewer put it, "an intelligent book for intelligent readers." Anyone looking to have their own hardened opinions bolstered and regurgitated back to them will find an issue somewhere in this text. Open minded witches with some real experience and broad reading with "get it." If you are easily offended there might be some points she makes that make you uncomfortable and to me, that is what one should pay attention to because that is where the growth starts.

I don't make it a practice to defend the books that I have grown to love in the witchcraft genre, but today after stumbling across a few pools of bile, I wanted to put forth my two cents because the author deserves this in my opinion. The reason I say this is because she is flat out honest and brave. There is nothing "anti" anything in this book, but if your looking for something to pick on like former Harry Potter fans, then I suppose you might be able to twist the wisdom and teaching into something ugly as some seem to have a talent for (and little else).

Ok, so why do I love this book. First, because it is inspired by magic itself. The author is not giving you another list of colors and correspondences and little rituals intended to keep you in your safe space. She even states early on , "The witch exists in a twilight state of artfully synthesized universal contradictions ." I suppose I can see why this would bother certain types of people who just want to use witchy accoutrements to stimulate their otherwise routine approaches to life. Secondly, she appeals to something you can only FEEL about witchcraft. It's that electric excitement you get when a storm is just starting to brew and the dark clouds are rolling in. In other words; MAGIC. There is no "man hating"or anti anything in this book. But of course, if you want to find this you will do so anywhere. She does write abstractly about female witches naturally having access to greater primal power due to their innate creative power and direct connection to the feminine aspects of the universe. This stance is markedly based in a lot of the shamanistic and Eastern mystical teachings I have encountered where its ok to recognize these polarities. Geraldine Smythe is obviously a bit older than probably many of her readers and it occurred to me that she comes from a magical orientation founded on classic authors like Paul Huson and the Farrars, so her writing is a little more to the point and she does not seem concerned with imbuing it with feeling rather than worrying about hurt feelings.

Either way, Im glad I own this book and it's one of those I will read again and refer to. I personally think this will be regarded as a "classic" in the far future and like some of my like-minded reviewers, I hope she continues to write books like this for those on the path.

[Ymara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one's an easy five star rating. Smythe speaks bluntly about her own definitions, experiences and writes a booklet filled with information concerning only her own views on hedgecraft, not beginner witchcraft, spells or morals. While she touches all of these, it is noticeable that this is not the book for this.

Because of that, I definitely would not recommend this book to beginners. There are other authors and course creators who tackled similar or even the same workings with more material for beginners and more openness to the typical questions beginners will likely have. This book on the other hand is better for those that know enough that they can be confident about which things they can and cannot agree with. As always, you never need to agree with another's practice 100%, and I found myself disagreeing at times without the feeling of an underlying judgment in the pages of this book.

For the advanced witch of any tradition that wants to add dream & journeying to their repertoire or find another perspective on these, I highly recommend giving this small booklet a thorough read.

[Shannon Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised with this book. I honestly expected to see a lot of the same things in most books about hedge witches but this was a much deeper and detailed read. I am happy to see this path taken to a new level with probably the best explanations of hedge riding and familiar spirits that I have ever read. I am going to try all the exercises and the invisibility charm in the back... Highly recommended

[Tegan Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this gem twice now and I have to say it sticks with you. It's very empowering to finally understand tapping into something so much greater. This book is definitely a departure from the typical "formula" of almost all the witchcraft books I have read in the last ten years or so. She skips over the cup, wand, athame....etc and gets right to the beauty of hedge craft. I do have to say that if you are stuck or comfortable in your views and opinions about the craft, this may challenge you.

[Candice Shapiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have come to love this book more and more since first reading. I think it is kind of funny some people are having such huge issues with it. I honestly just think it's because she flat out says not everyone is a witch and the wanna bes trying so hard simply know they are not. It's bound to stir up insecurities.

[Bailey · Rating 1 out of 5]

There are absolutely no excuses for the opinions expressed in this book. Everything from pseudo-history to border liner TERF rhetoric. Spouting misinformation about where magic comes from and women being more powerful than men. There isn’t a single piece of hedgecraft inside these pages. Stay away from this book.

[Spinneretta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting

This is an introductory guide to following a hedgewitch path.
Unlike many beginner books, you won’t find yourself bogged down with the minutiae that seems to find its way into every introduction to witchcraft book out there, and the author actually says as much.
Instead, this book is very much an exploration of what makes a witch a Hedgewitch.
There are descriptions about how to cross the hedge, a few hedgecraft charms, and some very interesting guides to just HOW to follow the path.
It’s not in depth, by any stretch of the imagination, and it’s not supposed to be. It is, however, an excellent guide for those interested in the hedge path, and those wanting to dip their toes in.
Recommended for those interested in the path of a hedgewitch, or learning more about it.

[Ekaterina Zaimov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprisingly interesting

I admit, I have never had interest in any witchcraft and have never read anything about it. Lately, between my reading on various plants and herbs, history and mythology, I started getting suggestions for magic books and such. Skimmed through one and found it didn’t answer the main question - “what in the world is witchcraft and what is it for?”. This book was different - very much up to the point, and explained in a very good way (I admit, I prefer the author’s academic style vs ornate stretching of words). Interestingly, I could find information that relates to what I had read in several completely unrelated books on different subjects. Definitely piqued my curiosity.

[Katie Hurst · Rating 1 out of 5]

The author states she had a calling to write this....I think she just had need to state ridiculous and toxic opinions and make people think she has any idea what hedge craft is. (Spoiler alert: she does not). Demeaning tones and pretty gate keepy, this book should be avoided. For someone who states witchcraft and dogma don't mix she sure makes a lot of definitive statements about what is or isn't acceptable craft. BOO. HISS. (ALSO we don't love the exclusive use of "she" in reference to witches. Gross.) skip it.

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really excellent. Not like anything I have read in magick before.

[Nicolette Miele · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you can get past the elitest tone, get ready for tons of UPG as well as a claim that she’s actually floated off the ground.

[Alyxandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Left without really knowing what I read.