In Wiccan traditions, death is seen as a natural part of life, and the transition from one plane of existence to another is considered sacred. Wiccan funeral ceremonies aim to honor and celebrate the life of the deceased while providing comfort and support to those who are grieving. During a Wiccan funeral, a variety of rituals and customs may be observed. One common practice is the casting of a circle, which creates a sacred space for the ceremony. This circle is often created using symbols such as salt or herbs, and it serves to protect the participants and contain the energy of the ritual. The centerpiece of a Wiccan funeral is often a memorial altar, which may be adorned with photographs, candles, and personal items that represent the deceased.
10 Types of Witches
There are a multitude of different types of witches out there in the world and I'd like to give you an introduction to some of them. To begin with, I think it's important to first define what a witch is. To me a witch is simply someone who practices witchcraft. Witchcraft is something you do, like ritual or spellwork, and it’s not necessarily a belief system in of itself. So, you don’t need to follow any specific religion to call yourself a witch or to practice witchcraft. There are, however, many witches who use witchcraft as part of their religious practice. So it's up to you to determine which path best fits your own spiritual journey.
1: Gardnerian Witch
A Gardnerian Witch is someone who follows the belief system of Gardnerian Wicca, which was created by Gerald Garner in the 1950s. Gardnerian Wicca is hierarchical system that consists of a high priest and priestess as well as various initiations. So, one is not a Gardnerian Witch until they have learned their specific traditions and have gone through proper initiation.
2: Alexandrian Witch
Alexandrian Witchcraft is like Guardian Wicca in that it is a formalized belief system which contains it’s own traditions and initiations. Alexandrian witches follow some of the similar traditions in Guardian Wicca, but also incorporate ceremonial magic as well as the Qabalah.
3. Solitary Witch
A solitary witch is someone who performs spellwork and rituals alone and without a coven. This may be by choice, or perhaps they just haven’t yet found a group of fellow witches they would like to work with. A solitary witch can incorporate various different paths based on their interest and may or may not use witchcraft as part of a wider spiritual path or religion.
4. Eclectic Witch
An Eclectic witch is someone who pulls from various witchcraft traditions for their spellwork and rituals. They rely on a variety of different cultures, beliefs, and systems to formulate their own personal witchcraft practice which may change and evolve over time.
5. Traditional Witch
A traditional witch is someone who takes a historical approach to witchcraft. They look at old grimoires, witch trials, various witch lore, and historical accounts to lay the foundation for their own spells and rituals. Often traditional witches focus on working with the nature and history of the place they live and may work with the genius loci, or the local spirits.
6. Hereditary Witch
A Hereditary witch is someone who was born into a family that practices witchcraft. Usually their knowledge is passed down through generations and each family may have their own traditions and belief system. Though, just because someone is born in a witch family it does not necessarily mean that they will be more knowledgeable or powerful than a non-hereditary witch.
7. Hedge Witch
A Hedge witch works with the liminal spaces and the spirit realm. In the past a ‘hedge’ would mark a boundary of a village or settlement and thus represents the boundary between our physical reality and the spirit world. A hedge witch may be skilled at crossing that boundary through practices like astral travel.
8. Kitchen Witch
A kitchen witch enjoys making their home and surroundings a sacred space. They often like to incorporate witchcraft with their cooking and put their energy and focus into to the food and the meals they create. They care deeply about the ingredients, and may have their own herb and vegetable garden.
9. Green Witch
Green witches are extremely nature based. They are likely to be in-tune with the seasons and often use natural materials to create their own magical tools. They most likely try to perform all their spellwork and rituals outside in nature when possible.
10. Cosmic Witch
A cosmic witch incorporates astrology and astronomy into their witchcraft. They most likely closely follow the alignment of the planets and they will often will coordinate their spells and rituals based on the location of the planets and the moon.
What type of witch are you? Share in the comments below!
You can learn more about these types of witches in my corresponding Youtube video below:
Eclectic Witchcraft: Old Ways for Modern Magick (Paperback)
Humans are unique, multi-faceted beings. Naturally, our witchcraft should be the same. Sharing a modernized and inclusive approach, Charlotte Wilde shows you how to build a practice that perfectly fits your flavor of magick. She teaches not only foundational skills, but also a collage of time-tested techniques you can choose from to personalize your eclectic path.
Featuring essential information on the sabbats, elements, witch's tools, divination, and shadow work, this beginner-friendly book inspires you to fully step into your magickal power. You'll create your own spells, connect to the energy all around you, and explore more than two dozen exercises. This book makes it easy to follow your intuition and embody your unique path every day.
Includes a foreword by David Salisbury, author of Witchcraft Activism
About the Author
Charlotte Wilde is the owner of the occult shop Eclectic Charge, cohost of the Cosmic Cauldron podcast, and an article contributor at Pagan Patheos. She is a lifelong student of the occult but, more specifically, a practicing eclectic folk witch whose practice centers around the use of natural materials to create magick and further her connection with divinity. Through her platforms, she teaches awakening or aspiring witches some of the fundamentals of witchcraft by sharing her knowledge gained through both research and rigorous trial and error. In her spare time, you can find her attempting to tackle her to-be-read pile or ticking off travel destinations on her bucket list. Visit her at www.EclecticCharge.com.
- Witchcraft (See Also Religion - Wicca)
- Magick Studies
The centerpiece of a Wiccan funeral is often a memorial altar, which may be adorned with photographs, candles, and personal items that represent the deceased. This altar serves as a focal point for prayers, meditation, and remembrance. Poetry is a common and cherished aspect of Wiccan funeral ceremonies.
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These poems can range from traditional ones passed down through generations to original compositions written specifically for the occasion. The purpose of these poems is to honor the life of the deceased, express feelings of grief and loss, and provide comfort and healing to those in attendance. A Wiccan funeral poem may touch on various themes, such as the cyclical nature of life and death, the beauty of nature, and the power of love and connection. It may also invoke specific Wiccan deities or symbols that hold special significance for the deceased or their loved ones. The words of a Wiccan funeral poem are often spoken aloud during the ceremony, allowing the participants to come together in shared emotions and reflection. This poetry can bring solace and healing to those who are mourning, reminding them that their loved one's spirit lives on in the natural world and in their hearts. Overall, the inclusion of a Wiccan funeral poem in a ceremony allows for a meaningful and soulful tribute to the deceased. It provides a space for reflection, healing, and remembrance, while also reminding those in attendance of the interconnectedness of all things and the eternal nature of the human spirit..
Reviews for "Embracing Grief Through Wickan Funeral Poems: Finding Healing in the Darkness"
1. Linda - 2 stars - I did not enjoy "Wickan funeral poem" at all. The poem felt disjointed and hard to follow. The language used was overly complex and flowery, making it difficult for me to understand the underlying message. Additionally, there was a lack of cohesion throughout the poem, as it jumped from one idea to another without any clear structure. Overall, I found the poem to be confusing and inaccessible.
2. Mark - 1 star - I found "Wickan funeral poem" to be incredibly dull and unengaging. The poet's choice of words and imagery failed to evoke any emotional response in me. The entire poem felt like a jumbled mess, with no clear theme or message. I struggled to connect with the words on the page, and ultimately, I was left feeling unsatisfied and uninterested. I would not recommend this poem to anyone looking for a captivating and thought-provoking read.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - "Wickan funeral poem" was a disappointment for me. The poem lacked depth and failed to stir any emotional response. The language used was overly pretentious and did not resonate with me. The imagery, though poetic, seemed forced and out of place. Overall, I found the poem to be uninspiring and forgettable. I would not recommend it to anyone looking for a memorable and impactful piece of poetry.
4. Michael - 1 star - I am sorry to say that "Wickan funeral poem" was simply not my cup of tea. The structure of the poem felt messy and convoluted, making it difficult to follow. The language used was unnecessarily complex, making it hard for me to connect with the overall message. The poem lacked any emotional resonance, and I found myself simply waiting for it to end. I would not recommend this poem to anyone unless they enjoy confusing and inaccessible writing.