An Interview With a Witch #4 - Witches of Essex Project

The following interview and images are part of my Witches of Essex project, an exploration of what it means to be a witch in Essex today.

What is your definition of a witch and how does that define your own witchood?

Michelle - A witch to me is someone who is at one with mother nature, and all her beauty as well as the dark side of her. A practitioner of herbs, roots and tree lore. Wise woman and cunning man. Who also walks the path of the Old Horned One (The Devil), not the christian concept of the devil. To the witch he not only represents the light but also the dark. It is through the union with the Old Horned One that the witch and folk magician gain knowledge and power, that which resides in the hidden realms and the natural world. In traditional folk belief, the Devil exists also as an embodiment of the chaotic forces of nature. We are one with all living and dead creatures, communicating with our ancestors through ritual.

Julie - From the Middle Ages up until the 20th century, people that practised healing, divination and folk medicine using herbs and making lotions and potions were classified as Cunning Folk or Witches, and in my eyes that still stands. In today’s society where witchcraft is more accepted, it is classed as a new age holistic approach to life. There are different types of witches, so everyone will have a different definition. I am a Folk Witch, so I follow the left-hand path, which is darker as I work alongside the Old One, The Horned God, The Devil. The foundations of a witch is a person who is attuned to nature and has an understanding of herbs and botanicals and how we can introduce them to our everyday life. Having/learning the knowledge and understanding their properties and contraindications. Herbs and essential oils are good to use alongside conventional medicine, which can benefit us alongside our everyday living. Connecting to nature and being respectful to it. Working with the moon cycles, whether for spells or wellbeing, i.e. a waxing moon brings things to you, whether it be a new job, love or good health. Growing your own herbs whilst following the moon cycles will ensure a better crop. Connecting to our Ancestors/Spirits via meditation, working with our familiars and honouring Your chosen God or Goddess is all part and parcel of my definition of a Witch.

Can you share a bit about your identity as a witch and your practice?

Michelle - I follow the left-hand path as my ancestors did. I will bless and blast (heal and curse). There is no three fold law in the true witches path. We do what we have to. I am a daughter of the Horned One. I work with feather, bone, stone and blood and dedicated myself to the Devil at the north door on a dark moon at our local 13th century church. I’m proud to call myself a witch and daughter of The Old One, following the hallowed bone, the left-hand path.

Julie - I follow the left-hand path as my ancestors did. My Grandmother on my mother’s side was a seer, she had premonitions and the knowing. That scared my family! On my father’s side there were Romany Gypsies, sadly they were never spoken of. I am a Folk Witch and work alongside my sister Michelle. I will blast and bless and I am proud to be one of the daughters of The Horned One. By Feather, Bone, Stone and Blood, I dedicated myself to the Devil in my early teenage years.

How do you feel being a witch enriches your life today?

Michelle - If you ask, you will receive from the Devil. He looks after his family.

Julie - My dedication to my beliefs over the years has kept me going and made me stay positive. Some parts of my life have been a bit of a rollercoaster from bad marriages to illnesses to losing loved ones. Lighting candles and meditation got me through my darkest moments. If it wasn’t for trusting in my path, things may have been completely different, so, for me, being a witch has kept me focused and given me strength, support and the determination to stay strong.

Do you feel comfortable to declare yourself a witch in public or do you fear judgment and prejudice?

Michelle - I’m completely comfortable telling anyone who asks that I am a witch, but, I do make it quite clear I’m not Wiccan. Wiccan is a religion, witchcraft is a way of life. Folk witches do not hold elaborate ceremonies and we definitely do not believe in the threefold law, which was made up in the 40’s by Gerald Gardner.

Julie - I feel completely at ease to declare myself a witch, but I do keep practising quiet, as I feel it is personal. I have no shame and feel proud to be a Folk Witch. The knowledge I have has been handed down from my ancestors, or spoken about within my family. My oldest friends of years gone by always come to me for advice and guidance.

Have you suffered any prejudice for being a witch? If so, how as it affected you?

Michelle - Yes, I have been on the end of prejudice and spiteful accusations. Born again christians are the worst, one even tried to save me by putting his hands on my head and declaring ‘Jesus loves you, he will save you from your sin’. Another shouted ‘Jesus loves you madam’, to which I replied ‘The Devil loves me more’.

Are you aware of the history of witchcraft and the witch hunts in Essex and does this impact your identity or your practice as a witch today?

Michelle - I am very aware of the persecutions that went on, not only in Essex, but the world. It saddens me when I think of all those who suffered terrible misjustice at the hands of small minded, ignorant people. Matthew Hopkins and his cronies murdered innocent women, men and children for their own monetary gain. Their victims were midwives, herbalists and the old and frail. People who could not defend themselves. I honour and give thanks to those who lost their lives and the hands of those monsters. Matthew Hopkins, we are the daughters and grand daughters of the ones you didn’t murder. We are the ones who walk the path with one foot in the mundane world and one foot in the unseen. May you walk the crooked path and find at the end of it, Old Horny, waiting for you.

Julie - I feel that the events that happened during the witch hunts has significantly impacted the way witchcraft is practised and viewed in society today. We are all aware of the tragic implications that were aimed at these poor innocent people, mainly women, as they were classed as the weaker sex. They were tortured and executed for just being more knowledgeable than the next person. They were classed as wise cunning folk, they were midwives, healers and herbalists to name a few. All knowledge was passed down from family members, to keep the craft growing. We all know that if you wanted to get rid of your neighbour for their ‘oddness’ just call Matthew Hopkins and his henchmen and he will be straight down rubbing their hands together. Yes, it does have an impact on my identity and/or practise of today. The witch trials are still spoken of and they will never be forgotten. Luckily for us most people nowadays have become more open minded and have accepted witchcraft. To me, it just makes me more determined to keep and hand down the knowledge I have gained over the years so those poor people didn’t die in vain.

I want to thank Michelle and Julie for their support with this project and their time and energy answering my questions and allowing me to take their pictures.

If you are a witch, or know a witch who might like to be involved with the project, please do get in touch - https://leilabalinphotography.com/witchesofessex