Mystical Angels

What exactly is a hearth witch?

I have a friend who has been practicing paganism for the past year, and who calls herself a hearth witch. I'm a little confused about what that means. She grows herbs, knits, cooks, reads tarot cards, etc., but I don't see how those things make her a "witch" rather than just a housewife with hobbies. I've scanned through some pagan blogs online and the only difference I see is that hearth witches use "magic" in their daily tasks and housewives just do the tasks. Honestly it all sounds rather self-important and pretentious to me, but what do I know. Can anyone with more knowledge on the subject explain what separates "hearth witches" from "housewives?"

Public Comments

1. That's what a witch is, they're peaceful people. Religions such as Christianity gives them a bad name.
2. bullshit that appeals to people becaue it makes them feel special
3. It's a religion. It's not that she does the things a housewife does, but how she does them. Spiritually, in keeping with her faith. For a witch, that means in harmony with nature and with respect for the gods/goddesses.
4. Hearth witches are homey types. Think along the lines of Mrs. Weasley. Perfect example :D
5. Just as the gal said, like Mrs Weasley ...A housewife does mundane tasks that "have to or need to" be done...a Hearth Witch does them from within their soul. It's what balances them...everything 'Pagan' is about harmony with oneself and their world (natural world) - Witches are generally peaceful people, it is a peaceful balanced way of life...first Christianity with the help of TV have made witches into bad scary people. Although I am not a witch, but I am a Pagan trust me...what has developed is sickening and sad..go research, I suggest is Google, anything and everything to first get a general idea. There are more of us out there than anyone thinks...its us strong willed trying to break that stigma...and eventually they will all come out of the broom closet...its now better that it was 5 yrs ago..I hope this helped. Sorry I can talk about my falth forever...
6. "Hearth Witch" is a term that is a slight variation of "Cottage Witch" or "Kitchen Witch". Witchcraft IS a craft, a set of skills - what you call hobbies are what she sees as part of her craft. She weaves magic into the mundane when caring for her home and loved ones. Magic is all about intention and will. Not to knock regular housewives, but are they mindful of their will and intentions when completing their daily tasks? Do regular housewives cast spells for healing while they are making specific teas or foods to help with relieving, let's say, cold symptoms? Do regular housewives even realize the healing properties of the herbs they use in their cooking and use them accordingly for both flavor and their magical or healing properties? Do regular housewives do a spiritual cleansing of their home during or just after a physical cleaning? Do regular housewives study folk magic practices and apply them to their homemaking? Would a regular housewife be casting a spell for protection of a loved one while knitting a scarf for that loved one? (Just some examples) Divination (tarot, scrying, etc.) is also a practice of witchcraft. Perhaps it best though, that if you're curious about your friend's practices and why she considers herself a hearth witch, that you ask her directly. No two witches work exactly the same ways. For some...their magical practices are personal and/or private. "She grows herbs, knits, cooks, reads tarot cards, etc., but I don't see how those things make her a "witch" rather than just a housewife with hobbies." You may only be seeing the surface here and not how much she really puts into these activities when she's working alone. But it doesn't hurt to let her know you'd like to understand her better and ask her some more specific questions - as you would likely do for any friend who practiced some sort of craft you were curious about.