According to tradition, there were originally 4 types of witches, one each specializing on a single element, water, fire, earth and air. The fifth element, spirit being nearest in concept to water made the Water Witches the senior group.
There have been many references throughout history to those who tended or looked after the sacred flames. Just about all, as far as we can see, were female orders, from vestal virgins, to UK groups that are thought to have become the first nuns on conversion.
Not all fire witches are completely female, the Fryske for example were/are a group coming originally from Germany and in Britain on the waterways up to a few generations ago, who could trace their ancestry back over 6,000 years with the aid of the Oera linda book. They had both male and female members although only females stood within the mill, a sort of square arrangement similar in function to a magic circle during ceremonies.
Fire witches, deal with demons, use lightning or fire stones, candles, emotionally hot topics and don't get so involved in the vast array of majic that orders like the Water Witches learn.
There are a number of traditional groups that are fire witches, and we are just one of them.
You can find more on all traditional witchcraft groups at www.book-of-shadows.org
