In this episode, Lisa and Sarah discuss how society has used the figure of the witch to control and objectify women’s bodies. From the “hag” stereotype to the fear of birthmarks and freckles, they unpack the long history of suspicion, superstition, and shame.

Sarah gets her first palm reading, and the duo responds to a listener’s question: how can we cleanse and reclaim the power of vilified words?

Whether you're witch-curious or a longtime practitioner, join these only-sometimes-skeptical explorers on their spiritual journey, and this week it’s personal. Are we witches embodied?

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Citations for Who, What, Witch, Where:

Susan Pickard (2019). On Becoming a Hag: Gender, Ageing and Abjection, Feminist Theory, 21(2).

Barbara Creed (1993). The Monstrous-Feminine: Film, Feminism, Psychoanalysis, Routledge.

Brydie Kosmina (2023). Feminist Afterlives of the Witch: Popular Culture, Memory, Activism, Palgrave Macmillan.

https://juliamartins.co.uk/why-is-it-that-we-imagine-an-older-woman-when-we-think-of-a-witch

https://theconversation.com/moles-birthmarks-and-red-hair-the-anatomical-features-used-to-accuse-women-of-witchcraft-in-the-17th-century-240621

https://www.nationalgalleries.org/exhibition/witches-wicked-bodies

Bodies Behaving Badly

https://thelasttuesdaysociety.org/event/bodies-behaving-badly-from-vagina-dentata-to-wandering-wombs-prof-marguerite-johnson-6-part-lecture-series/

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Follow us on instagram at arewewitches and write to us at [email protected]

Any problem you want a magical solution for, please write in for a bit of advice and a magical prescription. It's important we practice as much as possible to get our witchy credentials! We also want to hear how your spells are going, so please write in if you have practiced any magic mentioned in the show.

We are new to this community and these practices. All advice, tips and feedback will be gratefully received. After all, it takes a village to raise a witch.

Blessings to all those that rate & review (5 stars only, please!)

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Keywords: witchcraft history, feminist podcast, modern witches, reclaiming language, spiritual podcast, palm reading, women and witchcraft, witch stereotypes, body autonomy, reclaiming power

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Lisa and Sarah investigate the history of astrology and discuss what, if anything, is written in the stars.

They track astrology from its ancient origins to modern-day, AI-powered apps, check their own compatibility (will these two ever get married?), and invite us all to learn a little more about ourselves through our birth charts.

Whether you're witch-curious or a longtime practitioner, join these only-sometimes-skeptical explorers on their spiritual journey—this time, in the stars.

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Citations for Who, What, Witch, Where:

Monroe MW. Mesopotamian astrology. Religion Compass. 2019; 13:e12318. https://doi.org/10.1111/rec3.12318

https://en.unesco.org/silkroad/content/did-you-know-influence-astrology-science-astronomy-along-silk-roads

Aroney, M., & Zeitlyn, D. (2024) Divination, Oracles & Omens. Bodleian Library Publishing, University of Oxford.

https://www.britannica.com/topic/astrology

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/history-of-horoscopes

https://time.com/5315377/are-zodiac-signs-real-astrology-history/

Discussion:

https://www.astronomy.com/science/a-scientific-guide-to-the-zodiac-symbols-signs-and-flaws/

Show & Spell:

https://www.costarastrology.com/

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Follow us on instagram at arewewitches and write to us at [email protected]

Any problem you want a magical solution for, please write in for a bit of advice and a magical prescription. It's important we practice as much as possible to get our witchy credentials! We also want to hear how your spells are going, so please write in if you have practiced any magic mentioned in the show.

We are new to this community and these practices. All advice, tips and feedback will be gratefully received. After all, it takes a village to raise a witch.

Blessings to all those that rate & review (5 stars only, please!)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Set sail with Lisa Marmur and Sarah Drummond this week as they dive into sea witchcraft.

They explore folklore woven throughout history to learn more about sea witches from past to present, Sarah practices a little hydromancy, and they invite us all to invoke the power of the ocean as we cleanse our auras with salt water.

Whether you're witch-curious or a longtime practitioner, join these only-sometimes-skeptical explorers on their spiritual journey - this week, on the high seas.

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With special thanks this week to Lucya Starza for her Introduction to Scrying Workshop and Amy for being along for the ride, voluntarily or otherwise at this point.

For more from Lucya you can visit her website

Citations for Who, What, Witch, Where:

https://www.ancient-origins.net/history-ancient-traditions/untwisting-knotted-history-sea-witches-009512

https://www.themousestories.com/ursula-the-sea-witch-between-fairytale-legend-and-myth/

https://www.ronelthemythmaker.com/secretive-sea-witches-folklore/

https://www.historyhit.com/facts-about-sir-francis-drake/

https://www.harbourguides.com/news/THE-ORIGIN-OF-SEA-WITCHES

https://otherworldlyoracle.com/how-to-be-a-sea-witch/

https://www.tragicbeautiful.com/blogs/book-of-spells/what-is-a-sea-witch?srsltid=AfmBOorZryLzfy8Q7hhRT424sAJwNiF2NV_tLGY9u5lD-ct_JQf2qO2H

https://www.mabonhouse.co/new-blog/who-is-a-sea-witch

https://www.centreofexcellence.com/sea-witches-and-spells/

--

Follow us on instagram at arewewitches and write to us at [email protected]

Any problem you want a magical solution for, please write in for a bit of advice and a magical prescription. It's important we practice as much as possible to get our witchy credentials! We also want to hear how your spells are going, so please write in if you have practiced any magic mentioned in the show.

We are new to this community and these practices. All advice, tips and feedback will be gratefully received. After all, it takes a village to raise a witch.

Blessings to all those that rate & review (5 stars only, please!)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode, Sarah and Lisa step away from their usual format for a mystical check in. They chat about the modalities they’ve been exploring lately, what’s resonating, and the tools they're excited to try next. Is Lisa’s love manifestation spell from Episode 1 finally working its magic? What do Sarah’s tea leaves reveal about her future? Tune in for all the updates, a dreamy listener submission from friend-of-the-pod Monique, and a cozy dose of chit-chat.

What’s Up, Witches? episodes will pop into the feed every now and then as a way to take stock of where we are on our witchy journey.

Don't forget to check out the tea leaf and tarot pics on Instagram arewewitches and slide into our DMs with your own magical musings! 

Links:

Tarot card meanings from Labyrinthos.co

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Follow us on Instagram at arewewitches and write to us at [email protected]

Any problem you want a magical solution for, please write in for a bit of advice and a magical prescription. It's important we practice as much as possible to get our witchy credentials! We also want to hear how your spells are going, so please write in if you have practiced any magic mentioned in the show.

We are new to this community and these practices. All advice, tips and feedback will be gratefully received. After all, it takes a village to raise a witch.

Blessings to all those that rate & review (5 stars only, please!)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Lisa Marmur and Sarah Drummond this week for an absolute dream of an episode.

They explore the links between dreams and spirituality across history and cultures and discuss their thoughts on oneiromancy, Lisa tries to find a way to bring on lucid dreams, and they attempt to answer a listener's questions about the meanings and significance of dreams.

Whether you're witch-curious or a longtime practitioner, join these only-sometimes-skeptical explorers on this spiritual journey - this week, on the astral plane.

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With special thanks this week to Jenny for writing in to question how we interpret our dreams.

Links

Dream Bible

This Jungian Life Podcast

Citations for Who, What Witch, Where:

https://www.britannica.com/topic/dream-sleep-experience/Dreams-as-a-source-of-divination

https://friendlystreetwitch.com/2021/06/18/dream-magic-more-than-just-signs/

https://kevinlaewing.blogspot.com/2014/11/dreams-that-indicates-witchcraft.html#google_vignette

--

Follow us on instagram at arewewitches and write to us at [email protected]

Any problem you want a magical solution for, please write in for a bit of advice and a magical prescription. It's important we practice as much as possible to get our witchy credentials! We also want to hear how your spells are going, so please write in if you have practiced any magic mentioned in the show.

We are new to this community and these practices. All advice, tips and feedback will be gratefully received. After all, it takes a village to raise a witch.

Blessings to all those that rate & review (5 stars only, please!)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Lisa Marmur and Sarah Drummond as they explore the intersection of politics and witchcraft.

They discuss how political power has historically clashed with witchcraft, the continuing presence of spirituality and the supernatural in politics today, and how the term "witch hunt" is often misused in modern discourse.

Sarah and Lisa also perform their first spell together, calling upon Justice in these challenging times. Plus, they share some listener mail, a theory about the bibliomancy discussed in episode two.

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With special thanks this week to Eddie for writing in with her fan theory and Starhawk for her Spell for Justice.

Links

Starhawk's spell for justice

Crystals for world healing from Moonrise Crystals

Citations for Who, What Witch, Where:

Adolfsson, J., Banik, D., & Dulani, B. (2024). Power, Politics, and the Supernatural: Exploring the Role of Witchcraft Beliefs in Governance for Development. Forum for Development Studies, 51(3), 389-410. Link

Federici, Silvia. Witches, Witch-Hunting, and Women. (1986)

Kowalewski, Mary. Witches, Rebels, and Resistance in Modern Witchcraft. Feminist Studies Journal (2017)

Matamoros, Cristina Bellan, Meet the witches claiming to fight corruption in Romania with spells and magic, Euro News (2019)

Miller, Madeline Cursed: From Circe to Clinton—Why Women Are Cast as Witches The Guardian (2018)

Pendle, George. Witchcraft and the Creation of the Modern World. (2000)

Purkiss, Diane. The Witch in History: Early Modern and Twentieth-Century Representations. (1996)

Vox. Each month, thousands of witches cast a spell against Donald Trump: How the witches of the #MagicResistance rise up against the Trump administration (2017)

--

Follow us on instagram at arewewitches and write to us at [email protected]

Any problem you want a magical solution for, please write in for a bit of advice and a magical prescription. It's important we practice as much as possible to get our witchy credentials! We also want to hear how your spells are going, so please write in if you have practiced any magic mentioned in the show.

We are new to this community and these practices. All advice, tips and feedback will be gratefully received. After all, it takes a village to raise a witch.

Blessings to all those that rate & review (5 stars only, please!)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Lisa Marmur and Sarah Drummond this week as they explore the theme of transformation in witchcraft.

They examine shapeshifting in its myriad forms, from the historical and violent to the modern and empowering. Lisa's house will be transformed with a deep, energetic cleanse using crystals and smudging. Plus, a listener question and a spell for acceptance.

Whether you're witch-curious or a longtime practitioner, join these only-sometimes-skeptical explorers on this spiritual journey. There is a lot they are unsure of as they embrace this ever changing world, but they are certain they are allies and that is something they need to practice as much as witchcraft.

Listen as they transform their lives, one witching hour at a time.

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With special thanks this week to our anonymous letter writer, and to Monique for sharing her wisdom, tips, and tricks of the spiritual trade with Lisa, and to Crystal World for being such a magical place.

Links & citations:

Gieser, T. (2006). How to Transform into Goddesses and Elephants: Exploring the Potentiality of the Dialogical Self. Culture & Psychology, 12(4), 443-459. https://doi.org/10.1177/1354067X06067147

https://us.tribaltradeco.com/blogs/teachings/5-facts-about-shapeshifting-in-native-american-culture

https://theconversation.com/dreamings-and-place-aboriginal-monsters-and-their-meanings-25606

https://www.crystalworld.com.au/

Thank you too, Temple of Witchcraft for the Spells for a Better World series and for the Cord Spell for Gender Acceptance in particular:

https://templeofwitchcraft.org/spells-for-a-better-world-cord-spell-for-equality/

--

Follow us on instagram at arewewitches and write to us at [email protected]

Any problem you want a magical solution for, please write in for a bit of advice and a magical prescription. It's important we practice as much as possible to get our witchy credentials.

We are new to this community and these practices. All advice, tips and feedback will be gratefully received. After all, it takes a village to raise a witch.

Blessings to all those that rate & review (5 stars only, please!)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Lisa Marmur and Sarah Drummond as they take a sneaky peek at their future.

They're looking into all manner of divination (mancys? mancies?) as they wrestle with the concept of fate. A magical moment will be shared, tarot cards read, and asparagus will be questioned. They will also rise to the challenge of their first magical request; can our witches in training make the sun come out to cure the winter blues?

Whether you're witch-curious or a longtime practitioner, join these only-sometimes-skeptical explorers on this spiritual journey. Will they become witches this week? Make yourself a cup of loose leaf tea, read that future, and let's find out together.

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With special thanks this week to Amy for sending in her letter. Thank you to Maria at Studio Iris and to friend of the podcast, Monika Matošević for having her tarot read with Sarah as well.

We are very grateful to have found the Flying Hedge and such an apt spell for Amy's particular problem. A link to Willow's Depression Banishment Spell with full incantation below:

New Moon Depression Banishment Spell - Flying the Hedge

"Mother Moon on this night,

While candle burns flame of white;

Help me banish this pain I feel,

As it holds no appeal.

This Feeling of despair

Leaves me feeling less than fair.

Help me emerge from this hole,

And release the black upon my soul.

With this candle I cast the darkness out,

And with lavender light is sought.

I no longer need this to hold me back,

And continue to push me off track.

Mother Moon of this night,

Please help me to be alright.

Please stand with me,

And by my will, so mote it be."

And of course thank you Jemima Packington, it was a pleasure to practice your particular form of witchcraft.

--

Follow us on instagram at arewewitches and write to us at [email protected]

Any problem you want a magical solution for, please write in for a bit of advice and a magical prescription. It's important we practice as much as possible to get our witchy credentials.

We are new to this community and these practices. All advice, tips and feedback will be gratefully received. After all, it takes a village to raise a witch.

Blessings to all those that rate & review (5 stars only, please!)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Lisa Marmur and Sarah Drummond as they take their first steps towards a more magical life, pondering the question, "Are We Witches...In Love?"

They're looking to the past to examine ancient love spells, and discussing the ethics of love magic in today's world. A love manifestation spell will be cast and an invitation made for you to join in and make a little magic yourselves; please do try this at home and get ready to charge your crystals!

Whether you're witch-curious or a longtime practitioner, join these only-sometimes-skeptical explorers on this spiritual journey as they discover if they have what it takes to become witches.

--

Follow us on instagram at arewewitches and write to us at [email protected]

Any problem you want a magical solution for, please write in for a bit of advice and a magical prescription. It's important we practice as much as possible to get our witchy credentials.

We are new to this community and these practices. All advice, tips and feedback will be gratefully received. After all, it takes a village to raise a witch.

Blessings to all those that rate & review (5 stars only, please!)

--

Sources:

British Library Medieval Manuscripts Blog

Faraone, Christopher A. Ancient Greek Love Magic / Christopher A. Faraone. 1st Harvard University Press paperback ed., Harvard University Press, 1999.

Rider, Catherine. “Women, Men, and Love Magic in Late Medieval English Pastoral Manuals.” Magic, ritual, and witchcraft vol. 7,2 (2012): 190-211. doi:10.1353/mrw.2012.0016

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Are We Witches?

A podcast for the witch-curious and the skeptical, hosted by two witches-in-training, Lisa Marmur and Sarah Drummond.

We’re two friends diving headfirst into the enchanting world of modern witchcraft for the very first time. Together, we’ll explore magical realms, learn how to charge crystals, brew a little mischief, and maybe even tell the future. We have no idea what we’re doing (yet), but we’re here to document the journey—warts and all. 

Our quest will take us through the history of witchcraft, unpacking its feminist, divine, beautiful, and problematic aspects. By understanding how magic shaped the world, we hope to uncover where magic still thrives today. If magic is real, we’re here to find it.

So, are we witches? Are you?

Join us every second Tuesday by the cauldron as we brew up some tea and see where the magic takes us.

We couldn’t do it without you. Because, after all, it takes a village to raise a witch.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.