“Cunning” comes from the Old Norse cunna (“to know”) and the Old English kenning (“wise”). This term was applied to the resident magicians and healers of small English towns and villages ever since the late Middle
Ages. They were also called wise man or woman, Wizard, conjurer, sorcerer, charmer, blesser, peller (“expeller”), white Witch, and recently, hedge Witch. Like traditional tribal Shamans, these country “White Witches” possess magickal healing powers and provide cures, remedies,
charms, spells, and divination—usually for a modest fee. Most were old people, who claimed their
title by heredity or through supernatural encounters.
