The Solitary Witch in Modern Britain: Reflections on a Pagan Path

Christina Oakley, a scholar-practitioner, looks at the spiritual and practical aspects of life as a ‎witch.‎

The hedgewitch in her cottage is found in fairy tales like Hansel & Gretel or, more kindly, in Beatrix Potter’s Mrs Tiggywinkle. Herbalist, nature mystic, crafter of homely spells and earthy wisdom. The pagan path is followed by many more than initiatory Wicca, yet there is much less historical or reflective awareness about it. Christina Oakley, a scholar-practitioner, looks at a range of issues concerned with what it’s like to build up a spiritual and practical life of this type of witch. She covers the background and work of seminal pioneers Marian Green and Rae Beth in Britain and Scott Cunningham and Raymond Buckland in the USA, reminding us that that solitary witches were originally thought both bad, wrong and ineffective – if not actually an impossibility. After a historical and theological survey, the talk turns to experience and practice: self-training and motivation; external models; the seduction of false history; skills and crafts; mystical activity; the pros and cons of working without mentors. The evening concludes with questions and discussion.

Christina Oakley Harrington holds a doctorate in History and is a former university lecturer in religious and medieval history. Currently she runs Treadwell’s. She loves the Thames, dances under the moon, and tries to mix herbs at least once a month.

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