A Welsh Folk Witch's Journey With Brett Hollyhead, The Witch of Salopia
The rich tapestry of Welsh folk magic came alive in our latest conversation with Brett Hollyhead, a Welsh Marches folk witch whose practice bridges ancient traditions with contemporary inclusivity. Brett's perspective on witchcraft offers a refreshing departure from rigid definitions, instead embracing the fluid, adaptable nature of magical practice that responds to cultural needs across generations.
Brett describes witchcraft as fundamentally transgressive—"the art of those who seek liberation from oppressors." This revolutionary framing positions the witch as both a community caretaker and a challenger of oppressive systems. Drawing from the liminal landscape of the Welsh Marches—the historically contested borderlands between England and Wales—Brett's practice demonstrates how magic transcends artificial boundaries, whether geographical or ideological. This borderland identity allows Brett to embody a hybrid magical tradition that honors both Welsh and English influences while remaining distinctly their own.
What struck me most was Brett's practical approach to integrating magic into everyday life. Their favorite magical tool isn't an ornate athame or crystal, but a humble crochet hook. This choice beautifully illustrates how domestic crafts have historically served as vehicles for resistance and magical working. Brett explained how fiber arts connect to deities across cultures—from the Greek Fates to Slavic Mokosh to Native American Grandmother Spider—revealing the profound spiritual dimensions of seemingly mundane activities. Even more fascinating was Brett's account of shepherds in the Welsh Marches dunking sheep in the River Severn as offerings to the goddess Havren (Sabrina), literally weaving divine energy into the wool that would become garments.
This conversation around "craftivism" demonstrates how magical practice can become a form of resistance. Brett recommends Betsy Greer's book "Craftivism: The Art of Craft and Activism," which explores how handcrafts have been used throughout history for liberation movements—from secret codes knitted into garments during World War II to modern yarn-bombing and protest embroidery. For Brett, crocheting items to sell and donate proceeds to the River Severn Trust represents a tangible act of devotion to their goddess.
Perhaps most important was Brett's call for moving beyond binary thinking in witchcraft. As a queer practitioner, Brett challenges the rigid gender dichotomies often found in some pagan traditions, advocating instead for a more fluid, spectrum-based understanding that better reflects both nature's diversity and historical magical practices. They point to examples like the galli priests of ancient Rome, who transcended gender boundaries in service to the goddess Cybele, and to the gender-fluid nature of deities like Loki in Norse tradition.
Brett's upcoming book, "Sabrina: Discovering the Goddess of the River Severn," explores how this water deity has shifted representations throughout history—from the masculine healing god Nodens to the contemporary feminine water nymph—demonstrating how deities themselves transcend rigid categorization and adapt to cultural needs. This perspective offers a powerful counterpoint to exclusionary practices that sometimes arise in spiritual communities.
Through community-building efforts like teaching crochet classes, pole dancing instruction that emphasizes body positivity, and participation in pagan festivals, Brett embodies a practice that is simultaneously deeply rooted in specific cultural traditions while remaining radically inclusive. Their work reminds us that witchcraft at its best serves both as cultural preservation and as a tool for creating more liberated futures where all can find belonging.
