A Hedge Witch is form of solitary Traditional Witchcraft whose magic was more closely correlated to shamanic-like practices and was knowledgeable of herbal use. In previous ages, the Hedge Witch were also akin to the old village Cunning Man or Wise Woman who would be called upon for advice, spells, herbal cures and healing potions by the local folk.

There are some witches today that are strictly non-shamanic practitioners yet they call themselves Hedge Witches. These are usually solitary self-initiated Wiccans encouraged by certain Wiccan authors. One such book states that the author has "redefined the term Hedge Witchery for the modern era." Well, this redefinition is simply twaddle.

I respectfully suggest those that follow witchcraft based on such books might better refer to themselves as Wiccans, which is what they truly are. Those that lead a more traditional (non-Wiccan) but still non-shamanic path should refer to themselves as Trad Witches, Cottage Witches, or Kitchen Witches, whichever is more applicable.