Are We Witches?

Witches appear across mythology at critical turning points - indispensable in service to heroes, yet often discarded once their role is fulfilled. This week, Lisa and Sarah discuss Circe’s penchant for pigification, the dangerous devotion of Medea, the Witch of Endor’s risky necromancy, Norse völur, and the enduring worship of Hecate, Goddess of Witchcraft.

Sarah shares the magic woven into her recent house move, while a listener writes in with a re-enchanted synchronicity all the way from Utah.

Uncertain about worship but enchanted by the stories, Lisa and Sarah invite you to spend some time in the company of these magical, mythical muses.

Links:

Cole Imperi - Thanatologist and Award-Winning Author

Citations for Who, What, Witch, Where?

Crerar, B. (2022). Feminine Power: The Divine to the Demonic. United Kingdom: The British Museum Press.

https://cosettepaneque.com/how-to-worship-hekate-goddess-of-boundaries-and-witchcraft/

Apollonius of Rhodes. Argonautica. Translated by R.C. Seaton. Loeb Classical Library, 1912. Perseus Digital Library.

Euripides. Medea. Translated by E.P. Coleridge. Perseus Digital Library. Link.

Hesiod. Theogony. Translated by Hugh G. Evelyn-White. Loeb Classical Library, 1914. Perseus Digital Library.

Homer. Odyssey. Translated by A.T. Murray. Loeb Classical Library, 1919. Perseus Digital Library.

Homeric Hymn to Demeter. Translated by Hugh G. Evelyn-White. Loeb Classical Library, 1914. Perseus Digital Library.

Eiríks saga rauða (The Saga of Eric the Red). In Íslenzk Fornrit IV, edited by Jón Jóhannesson. Reykjavík: Hið íslenzka fornritafélag, 1956. English trans. Sacred Texts.

The Hebrew Bible. 1 Samuel 28:3–25 (The Witch of Endor); Exodus 22:18; Deuteronomy 18:10–12. Sefaria.

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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, mythology, divine feminine, Ancient Greece, Norse Myth, sorcery, storytelling, candle magic, house magic, house spirits, Goddess

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

The gods have clearly conspired against us! Our planned episode Are We Witches in Mythology? will now be released on September 16th. Sarah has just moved house and is still waiting on BT to weave the threads of her internet connection, so we’re taking a short pause.

In the meantime, we’d love to hear from you. If you have a story, thought, or bit of everyday magic you’d like to share, get in touch at [email protected] or send us a DM on Instagram at @arewewitches.

Thank you for your patience. We can’t wait to be back in your feed soon.

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

In this very special episode, Lisa and Sarah share The Real Question’s conversation between chaplain Mauricio Bruce and author Brooke Williams (Encountering Dragonfly: Notes on the Practice of Re-enchantment). Together they explore synchronicity, Jung’s active imagination, and what it means to live an enchanted life today.

Afterward, Lisa and Sarah return with “How’s Tricks?”—beetles, dragonflies, mysterious cats, and dreams included—and reflect on how coincidences, storytelling, and even math (hello, Ramsey Theory!) can help us practice re-enchantment in a skeptical world.

Plus: listener mail on serendipity in Wellington and a dive into active imagination.

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Links:

The Real Question Podcast

Brooke Williams

Patrick JMT's TED talk explaining Ramsey Theory

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: re-enchantment, synchronicity, active imagination, Carl Jung, spirituality podcast, everyday magic, storytelling, Are We Witches podcast, The Real Question podcast, Brooke Williams

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

This week, Lisa Marmur and Sarah Drummond ask a deliciously intoxicating question: are we witches under the influence? From broomstick balms to biodynamic Burgundy, this episode dives deep into the relationship between witches and altered states, whether induced by plants, potions, mushrooms, or fermented magic. From medieval “flying ointments” made with deadly nightshades to modern ayahuasca ceremonies and the psychedelic rituals of ancient Mesoamerica, we examine what’s history, what’s myth, and what might still be very much in practice.

Citations for Who, What Witch, Where?:

Carhart-Harris, R. et al. (2018). “Psychedelics and the essential importance of context.” Neuroscience of Consciousness

Duerr, H.-P. (1985). Dreamtime: Concerning the Boundary Between Wilderness and Civilization

Griffiths, R. et al. (2006). “Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences.” J. of Psychopharmacology

Harner, M. (1973). Hallucinogens and Shamanism. Oxford University Press

Hillman, D. (2008). The Chemical Muse: Drug Use and the Roots of Western Civilization

Hutton, R. (1999). The Triumph of the Moon: A History of Modern Pagan Witchcraft

Metzner, R. (2004). Sacred Mushroom of Visions: Teonanácatl

Palhano-Fontes, F. et al. (2023). “Ayahuasca and brain network plasticity.” Nature Mental Health

Ruck, C. A. P. (1974). The Road to Eleusis: Unveiling the Secret of the Mysteries

Rudgley, R. (1993). The Alchemy of Culture: Intoxicants in Society

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/women-used-dominate-beer-industry-until-witch-accusations-started-pouring-180977171/

https://www.icysedgwick.com/wine-and-witchcraft/#:~:text=In%20northern%20Italy%2C%20people%20feared,battle%20against%20the%20bad%20witches.

Show & Spell:

Tarot Vin workbook by Julie Albin available at https://tarotvin.com/

Tarot card definitions from https://labyrinthos.co/

Note: We do not recommend or endorse the use of any of the substances discussed in this episode.

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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, psychedelics, ayahuasca, mushrooms, magic, potions, herbalism, trance, ritual, absinthe, nightshade, broomstick, healing, Wicca, tarot, mysticism, entheogens

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

Lisa and Sarah step into the wild to meet the forest witches. From Baba Yaga’s chicken-legged hut deep in the woods to the eerie whispers of the Blair Witch, the forest has always been cast as a place of danger, magic, and transformation.

In this episode, we explore the lore and symbolism of the forest witch: the old crone in the clearing, the healer at the edge of the village, the spirit of wild nature itself. We ask: What were forest witches in folklore? And who are they now?

Join us as we untangle the roots of this enduring archetype.

Whether you're deep in the woods or just witch-curious, this one’s for you.

Citations for Who, What Witch, Where?:

Dugan, Frank M. “Baba Yaga and the Mushrooms.” FUNGI, vol. 10, no. 2, Summer 2017, pp. 6–18.

Johns, A. (2004). Baba Yaga: The Ambiguous Mother and Witch. Peter Lang.

Scovell, A. (2017). Folk Horror: Hours Dreadful and Things Strange. Auteur Publishing.

Zipes, J. (2012). The Irresistible Fairy Tale: The Cultural and Social History of a Genre. Princeton University Press.

Warner, M. (1994). From the Beast to the Blonde: On Fairy Tales and Their Tellers. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

Mother Shipton 

Moll Dyer

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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: forest witch, Baba Yaga, Blair Witch, green witch, hedge witch, modern witchcraft, folklore, forest magic, witch podcast, witch trials, feminine archetypes, nature spirituality, wild woman, witch history, ecological witchcraft, herbal magic

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

In this special witchy episode of the podcast, Sarah and Lisa step away from their usual format for a cozy, mystical check-in. They share how they each celebrated the Summer and Winter Solstices, talk about rituals, personal magic practices, and the latest signs the universe has sent their way. You’ll also meet Sarah’s new crystal ball, hear about some surprising spiritual insights, and join them as they reflect on previous episodes.

Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or a curious baby witch, this episode brings you real talk, everyday witchcraft, and soulful conversation—with a touch of cosmic humour.

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

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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 podcast, Summer Solstice rituals, Winter Solstice magic, Everyday witchcraft, Crystal ball, Signs from the universe, Modern witches, Mystical podcast, Witchy talk, Spiritual reflections, Seasonal rituals, Magic and intuition, Cozy witch vibes, Feminist spirituality, Witchy lifestyle podcast

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

Happy Solstice, witches!

In this special minisode, Lisa and Sarah are prompted by a listener question to consider how they will be spending their respective solstices in opposite hemispheres.

They discuss the spirit of the season in Lisa's mid winter, harnessing the power of the sun as Sarah approaches the longest day of the year, and the simplest way to celebrate for witches everywhere.

Many thanks to Nicole for sending in her question. To find out more about the Melbourne indigenous people's local calendar you can visit https://www.herringisland.org/seasons.htm

Wishing everyone a happy solstice this June 21st and wherever you are, turn your face towards the sun.

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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, feminist podcast, modern witches, solstice ritual, spiritual podcast, manifestation, women and witchcraft, rebirth and renewal, candle magic, intention setting, sun energy

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

What do witches have to do with capitalism? Quite a lot, actually.

In this episode, we trace the figure of the witch through history and explore how she’s been shaped and sold by shifting economic systems.

From early modern witch hunts to today’s crystal kits and curated spell boxes, we dig into the rise of “witch capitalism” and ask what happens when magic meets the marketplace.

Plus, Lisa visits a witch’s market, tries out a money spell, and we answer a listener question about how to cut ties.

Ritual, power, and profit—join us for a deep dive into the strange intersection of witches and capitalism.

A big thanks to Monika for her letter!

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Citations for Who, What, Witch, Where?

Ehrenreich, Barbara and English, Deirdre, Witches, Midwives, and Nurses: A History of Women Healers (Feminist Press, 1973)

Federici, Silvia Caliban and the Witch: Women, the Body and Primitive Accumulation (Autonomedia, 2004)

Hutton, Ronald, The Witch: A History of Fear, from Ancient Times to the Present (Yale University Press, 2017)

Sollée, Kristen J., Witch, Slut, Feminist: Hunting for Women’s History in the Feminist Wilds (ThreeL Media, 2017)

Stanmore, Tabitha, Cunning Folk: Life in the Era of Practical Magic (Penguin Random House, 2024)

https://www.travellerstimes.org.uk/features/romany-gypsies-and-fortune-telling-sharon-heppell

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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: witches, capitalism, witch hunts, feminist history, magical economy, witchcraft, money spells, witch market, witch aesthetics, witch spirituality, cutting ties, power and profit, witch symbolism, modern witchcraft, witch culture, witch capitalism, spiritual commerce, ritual magic, feminist witch, witch community

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

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.