About me.
The term hedge witch was used in medieval times when typical villages were surrounded by hedges or woods. Within the woods was the “other realm” and hedge witches typically lived just beyond this hedge at the edge of town, often wandering into the woods and harnessing the energy of nature for shamanic healing and enchantments. They were the holders of traditional herbal medicine, working with elixirs, tinctures, teas and ointments, while also tapping into astral travel and spiritual guides to enhance their healing abilities. Hedge witches still operate today, even though the border between town and natural settings is less defined. Today, hedge witches are typically solitary (not in a coven) and don’t necessarily worship a specific pantheon or follow a religion (like Wicca or paganism), but may adopt rituals, practices and traditions from these to make their own toolkit.
I don’t belong to a coven and don’t follow a strict set of dogma. Rather, I’ve researched and practiced different techniques to develop my own kind of magic. Personal experience, intuition, and my spirit guides have been my biggest aides, but I have done a lot of research into rituals, practices and traditions, keeping what has resonated and been most powerful for me. I tend to borrow from many influences — Pagan, Celtic, and Native American traditions; Spiritualism; and alternative healing methods like herbalism and crystal healing. My professional background includes a degree in chemistry and I continue to enjoy experimenting and studying the properties of things in my environment, recognizing energy exists in all objects and in the ether around us. I have a healthy respect for the logic and observability of science, while trying to reconcile how my intuition and spirit guides speak to me about the things that we can’t see in the metaphysical space.
My journey of learning continues. While I have honed my skills in many of the areas below, I continue to expand my knowledge and practice. You can trust that I have researched any techniques that involve energy or plant treatments, and that I take the ethical practice of these techniques seriously. I hold a Crystal Healing Practitioner certificate that’s recognized by the Complementary Medical Association, and am completing my Master Herbalist certificate.
I love empowering others on their paths to self-discovery, and look forward to discussing your journey in a future session. Hedge witches are also happy to share our knowledge with inquiring minds, so please follow announcements for webinars or courses.
Read on to learn about some of the tools that I use.
Tarot.
I’ve been reading tarot cards for friends and family for almost 20 years, and started reading for clients around 10 years ago at parties or through word of mouth. I enjoy the art work associated with different tarot decks and encourage clients to connect with a deck that speaks to them for their reading. I use multiple layouts depending on purpose and season, from a three card pull of past, present, future; to a ten-card cross spread; to readings purposed for a particular season like Beltaine or Yule.
In my practice, I don’t use tarot to predict the future or tell you what to do next, but to guide you to different perspectives or provide clarity on a situation so you can consider what road you may want to take next. This is about using my intuition, energy and spiritual guides to help you to set your intentions for how you want move forward.
Alchemy.
In ancient Egypt and Greece, the first alchemists experimented with the elements of earth, air, fire, and water, while Taoist monks searched for elixirs of life with plants, herbs, and minerals. In medieval Europe, alchemists studied the transmutation of metals, seeking a way to transform elements into gold. This gave way to modern alchemy, and the field of chemistry.
As a child, I was naturally drawn to science years before I was introduced to the concept and history of alchemy.. I earned a degree in chemistry, and taught physical and environmental science for a number of years. I enjoy empowering people to be curious about the natural, chemical, & elemental world around us, and retain the curiosity of an alchemist studying the natural elements around me.
Mindfulness and Presence.
After a number of circumstances that upended my life, I found myself anxious and resistant to change, as well as grieving for a life that no longer existed and that wasn’t serving me. On the advice of friends and a great therapist, I began to study mindfulness and explore routines and practices that involved making time for stillness and being present, while also separating feelings from my narrative and getting comfortable with the concept of impermanence.
Once skeptical of mindfulness as a “fad”, I’ve realized that there are many small ways to incorporate it into your daily life (like going for a walk where you focus on your steps and breathing; or cooking and focusing on the smells and colors), as well as sitting for meditation that helps to refocus your energy, reset your intentions, be forgiving of yourself, and be present.
Crystals and Color Therapy.
Crystals are naturally forming structures with repeating chemical structures made by minerals. The organization of the minerals creates a piezoelectric effect, which results in the ability of crystals to store electric charges and therefore energy. Crystals (and some organic or other mineral substances like coral and obsidian) hold energy that can be used to activate or cleanse your auras or chakras.
Crystals can also be used as part of color therapy which involves wearing, looking at, or meditating using a color and its associated meaning in an intentional way. Crystals and color can be used in a crystal healing session, incorporated into your mindfulness practices by physically holding them or focusing on a chakra, or as something to wear or keep in your pocket as a reminder of your intentions and the energy you want to project.
Herbs and Plants.
From ancient times, people turned to plants and herbs to find medical cures. These traditional healing methods were passed down for generations. Today, herbalists use botany, biology, and nutrition to complement medical treatments. An herbalist SHOULD NOT replace treatment from a medical doctor, but can recommend teas, ointments, oils, or bath salts that can help to relieve physical pain, emotional stress, trouble sleeping, or anxiety.
The use of herbal teas, ointments, or soothing baths can be incorporated as part of your intention setting and realign your energy, and can become part of your mindfulness routines in the morning, before bed, or during the workday.
I do not have a medical degree and so you should not substitute my suggestions for medical treatment
Natural Cycles and Planets.
The Wheel of the Year reminds us about cycles of growth and decline and reinforces the idea of impermanence — the world is constantly and at times imperceptibly changing, meaning the energy and circumstances around us are also changing. Astronomy reminds us the planets are also on the mood around us, impacting forces like electromagnetism and gravity.
Solstices and equinoxes have been celebrated throughout history with festivals and cultural significance, and also were traditionally tied to harvests and growing seasons. Moon cycles were recognized for their connection to mystery and intuition, celebrating darkness and light as the moon passes from New to Full Moon stages. Astrology connected the skies, planets, and weather patterns to human behavior.
We can connect our own energy and growth cycles to these natural cycles and cosmic influences. Considering these influences can help us to mark the passage of time and take stock of how much we’ve accomplished, and we can set intentions and recognize traditions using seasonal materials.