Wise Green Witch Women of the Earth
Nature has always whispered to those who are willing to listen. As a practicing green witch myself, I’ve often found inspiration in the lives of others who have walked this path before me—those who dared to live in harmony with the earth and channel its magic into healing, ritual, and wisdom. In this article, I’m excited to introduce you to some of the most famous green witches—both historical and modern—who’ve helped shape the vibrant, earthy tradition we call green witchcraft today.
Whether you’re new to the craft or a seasoned practitioner, learning about these famous green witches can deepen your connection to the natural world and inspire your own magical journey.
🌿 What Is a Green Witch?
Before we dive into our list of famous green witches, let’s briefly explore what makes someone a green witch. Unlike pop-culture portrayals of broomsticks and cauldrons, a green witch is someone who works closely with nature—drawing power from plants, herbs, trees, and the cycles of the earth. Green witches often engage in:
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Herbalism and natural healing
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Seasonal and lunar rituals
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Foraging and sustainable living
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Garden magic and wildcrafting
The heart of green witchcraft lies in the sacred relationship with nature, and those who practice it often become stewards of the Earth as much as spiritual seekers.
🌸 1. Doreen Valiente – The Mother of Modern Witchcraft
Though best known for her contributions to Wicca, Doreen Valiente was a pioneer in natural-based magic. Her poetry and rituals emphasized lunar cycles, seasonal celebrations, and the sacred feminine. Her work deeply influenced modern green witchcraft by reminding us to reconnect with the Earth through everyday rituals.
Doreen’s appreciation for herbs, flowers, and moonlit gardens gives her a rightful place among famous green witches who have helped restore reverence for nature in the modern world.
🌼 2. Hildegard of Bingen – The Herbal Mystic
Hildegard of Bingen was a 12th-century abbess, composer, and herbalist who created extensive writings on the healing powers of plants. Her work, rooted in spirituality and Earth wisdom, made her one of the earliest famous green witches, even if she wasn’t called a “witch” in her day.
She believed plants contained divine healing energies and often used botanical remedies in her medical practices. Her legacy is still revered in both herbalist and spiritual circles today.
🌻 3. Susun Weed – The Wise Woman Herbalist
Modern green witchcraft owes much to Susun Weed, a trailblazer in the herbal healing movement. Her “Wise Woman Tradition” focuses on nourishing the body and spirit through herbs, wild greens, and Earth-based wisdom.
She has written several books, including Healing Wise, which has become a go-to resource for those seeking to blend herbal medicine with magical intention. Her decades of work in herbalism secure her place on any list of famous green witches.
🌺 4. Sybil Leek – The Astrologer in the Garden
Often called “Britain’s most famous witch,” Sybil Leek was an eccentric and beloved figure in the mid-20th century who combined astrology, psychic insight, and nature magic in her practice. She was a firm believer in working with the rhythms of the natural world.
She often spoke of her love for herbs, animals, and the countryside—making her one of the famous green witches who blended the mystical with the practical.
🌾 5. Juliet Blankespoor – The Herbal Goddess
Juliet Blankespoor, founder of the Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine, is a modern herbalist, green witch, and plant whisperer. Through her teaching, she encourages others to cultivate a relationship with herbs not just for their healing properties but for their spiritual presence.
Juliet’s joyful approach to foraging, gardening, and sacred plant medicine continues to inspire budding green witches around the world. Her Instagram feed is basically a botanical love letter.
🌲 6. Ellen Dugan – The Garden Witch
Ellen Dugan’s best-selling series The Garden Witch’s Herbal and Cottage Witchery helped popularize green witchcraft in the 2000s. She blends Wiccan practice with garden magic, writing in a tone that’s as approachable as it is enchanting.
She’s undeniably one of the famous green witches who helped bring earth-based magic to the masses, especially those looking to integrate it into suburban or city life.
🌿 7. Pamela Colman Smith – Artistic Mystic of the Earth
You might know Pamela Colman Smith as the artist behind the Rider-Waite Tarot deck, but many overlook her deep affinity with nature and magic. She lived close to the land and poured the essence of natural symbolism into her artwork.
Though not a traditional herbalist, Pamela’s intuitive bond with natural imagery and energetic flow aligns her with the spirit of famous green witches.
Pamela Colman Smith from the October 1912 issue of The Craftsman magazine. Credit: Wikimedia Commons
🌼 8. Starhawk – The Eco-Magic Activist
Starhawk is a name known by nearly everyone in the magical and spiritual communities. Author of The Spiral Dance, she merges Goddess worship, eco-activism, and permaculture into a deeply earth-honoring practice.
Starhawk embodies the spirit of the famous green witches who use their voices to protect the planet and teach us to live more in harmony with the earth.
🌸 9. You – The Everyday Green Witch
Let’s not forget: green witchcraft is for everyone. You don’t need a famous name to matter. Whether you’re tending a garden, collecting rainwater, or making moon tea with fresh mint, you are carrying on the legacy of the famous green witches who came before you.
The truest magic lies in daily acts of reverence—in honoring the sacredness of a flower blooming, the scent of rosemary in your kitchen, or the full moon casting light on your path.
🌕 Why Famous Green Witches Matter
Learning about famous green witches reminds us that this path is timeless, evolving, and rich with wisdom. These women (and many unnamed others) remind us that green witchcraft isn’t about theatrics—it’s about living deeply and intentionally with the earth.
They also show that green magic can look different for everyone—some of us are drawn to herbs and others to lunar cycles, some to ritual and others to quiet walks in the forest.
🌿 Frequently Asked Questions: Famous Green Witches
Who are some famous green witches in history?
Hildegard of Bingen, Sybil Leek, and Doreen Valiente are some of the best-known historical famous green witches, revered for their knowledge of nature and spiritual healing.
Can I become a green witch without formal training?
Absolutely. Most famous green witches were self-taught or guided by intuition. Start with herbal studies, spend time in nature, and let the Earth be your teacher.
What makes someone a “famous” green witch?
A famous green witch is typically someone who has shared their practice publicly—through books, teachings, activism, or healing work—and influenced others on the green path.
Is green witchcraft a religion?
Not necessarily. Many green witches practice as part of Wicca, Paganism, or Druidry, while others are secular. It’s more of a spiritual path than a religion.
🌟 Final Thoughts on Famous Green Witches
I hope this exploration of famous green witches has nourished your spirit and sparked curiosity. Each of these women brought their own flavor of magic to the world, proving that the path of the green witch is as diverse and beautiful as nature itself.
Whether you’re blending rose petals for a spell or simply admiring the sunset with gratitude, you are part of this lineage too.
Let their stories inspire you to embrace the green witch within.
Additional Reading: The Folklore of Wildflowers
