The difference between Garden Witches, Hedge Witches, Solitary Witches, and any other kind of witch you can think of, is that they all have different beliefs. A solitary witch might choose to practice in solitude, or an eclectric witch might practice many different things.
There isn't any "right" or "wrong" forms of witchcraft (with science in mind). If you want to believe in Hecate, that's alright. Some practitioners don't choose to title what they believe in by calling themselves a certain name. Magic is what you make of it, and if it makes you happy or feel comfortable, that's wonderful.
A solitary witch is any witch that practices alone. The term solitary can be applied to any other kind of witch, just meaning that they practice what ever variation of the craft alone as opposed to practicing with a coven. A hedge witch is a witch specializing in the herbal arts. All of the hedge witches I've met are solitary. I'm not speaking for all, but I don't think it's necessarily common to find a coven of hedge witches.
Solitary witches mostly practice on their own instead of in a coven or regular group. Hedge witches cross the hedge between our world and the world of spirit to gain knowledge, at least from my understanding.
Re: Solitary witches? By: Brysing Moderator / Adept
Post # 6 May 10, 2015
In the old days all witches were solitary! Covens were really a Christian idea, "a gathering of witches at Sabats". I don't think they really existed until perhaps the 11th century.
Even Witches who practice in covens also practice as solitaries. A coven might get together to work once or twice a month. The rest of the time the individual Witch works on his or her own. I know that I have been part of covens since 1990, but I have worked far more days as a solitary than I have as part of my coven.
As above, all witches somehow practice solitary. Many who do this, are also in covens.
The thing is, a witch is a personal journey. While a group, can offer you help, love,ect. Learning is not spoonfed to people, therefore being a witch is based on knowledge and connection with yourself, and nature.
To me, hedge witchery is kinda like kitchen witchery? A solitary witch is still seen as the above. You can be doing kitchen magic, alone. Therefore you're solitary. Get it?
A solitary witch is just a witch who practices solo. They are not members of a coven or group. However, one who is in a group may also practice outside of it as well.
A hedge witch, however, is a witch who blends in shamanic practices with more traditional styles of witchcraft. Think the old school wise woman who lives on the edge of the village in the woods. The one who is known for herb knowledge, spirit workings, divination and etc. This is my favorite description for exactly what one is: http://www.angelfire.com/folk/greenwitch/sacred.html
These are just two terms out of many for types of witches. There are way more. So to make this easy, check out these two links for other types of witches and what they are.
