With the rise of religious tolerance and interest in pre-Christian religions, witchcraft has captured mainstream interest. From TV shows such as Salem and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina to books such as The Witching Hour by Anne Rice,The Witches of Eastwick by John Updike, and the Harry Potter series by J.K Rowling, it appears that witchcraft has carved itself a niche within popular fiction. Because of its rising popularity, it’s important for authors to have an idea about the different branches of witchcraft. While it may not be mandatory, many authors can include these branches as a way to incorporate some realism into their books, however unlikely that may be. Below are just a few of those branches.

Hedge Witchcraft
A hedge witch is an interesting mix between the green witch and the cottage witch. The hedge witch deals with the souls of both the living and the dead. They may use herbalism, astrology, divination, and any other tools at their disposal to interact with the boundaries between the two. These witches are unique in that they “straddle the hedge.” One of their hallmark abilities is communicating with the dead, and as such, can also be considered as necromancers.

Green Witchcraft
Deriving from the hedge witch is the green witch. The green witch is a nature witch found mostly in nature, such as forests or mountains. If they’re in urban settings, they typically have plants growing inside and outside their home. Green witches primarily work with nature magic and spirits. The environment is their home, and the spells they use are often for the benefit of the environment. Green Witch, by Alice Hoffman, reflects this.

Cottage Witch
Unlike the green witch, whose main focus is the environment, the cottage witch, or the hearth witch, will focus on the home. This may include embedding magic into everyday living, such as cooking, cleaning, and sewing. Cottage witches focus on using magic for practical matters, which, fortunately, may include personal finances. Molly Weasley, from the Harry Potter series, is a particularly famous hearth witch that many aspire to be.

Fairy Witch
A fairy witch is just as the name suggests, a witch that works with the fae. This may include performing spells that involve asking fairies for aid, giving offerings and gifts to the fae, and having tiny fairy gardens. Fairy witches tend to walk a thin line, as they need to be careful not to offend the fae. Green witches may work with fairies as well since it’s believed that fairies have strong ties to nature.

If you’re interested in writing about witches or incorporating them into your story, these categories can provide a starting basis for your story. Whether your characters are the simplistic green or cottage witch, or an eclectic mix of all traditions, keep in mind that witches are another way to put a sort of magic into your plots. Keep in mind, though, that while witches may represent a strong, fantastical female archetype, they can also add a certain domesticity to the story, one that keeps the characters grounded rather than fascinated or disillusioned.