New World Witchery - The Search for American Traditional Witchcraft

Summary: We look at the supernatural folklore and mythology of the Borderlands area along the Mexican-U.S. boundary in this episode. We talk to author, professor, and story collector David Bowles about his experiences growing up there, the legends that permeate the culture in that region, and we share one of the stories from his collections. … Continue reading "Episode 128 – Borderlands Lore with David Bowles"

Summary: This is one of our “Tales from the Witching Hour” practical episodes in which we discuss spells or rituals we’ve tried and our experiences with them. This time, we talk about a joint effort to do Cunningham’s “Ritual of Gestures,” the ways it worked for us, and the ways it didn’t. Cory also breaks … Continue reading "Special Episode – The Ritual of Gestures Experiment"

Summary: This is a (highly experimental) episode that features three audio charms (or “sound sigils” as Cory calls them). They incorporate traditional materials but also some fairly out-there stuff, too. If you have audio sensory issues, we won’t blame you for skipping this one. Otherwise, we hope you enjoy this practical dive into “sensory witchcraft!” … Continue reading "Special Episode – Sound Sigils"

Summary: Laine and Cory discuss the role of the standard “five senses” within their witchraft, as well as how impairment or differences in those senses can inform or change our magical practice. We talk about incense, rune cookies, sensory deprivation, BDSM (this one may not be one for the youngsters!), and audio spellcasting.   Please … Continue reading "Episode 127 – Witchcraft and the Senses"

Summary: In our continuing quest to explore the North American magical landscape, we turn to a massive section of the continent chock-full of magic: the Great Lakes Region. Special guests Scarlet from Lakefront Pagan Voice and Witchdoctor Utu from Dragon Ritual Drummers help us get a toe in some very big, mythically deep waters!   … Continue reading "Episode 126 – Magic and the Great Lakes"

Summary: This time we’re looking at an aspect of magic that we’ve (surprisingly) not gotten into before: the elements. We discuss the Classical elements, other elemental systems (there may be a mention of Einsteinium involved), and what underlies the use of elements in magic.   Please check out our Patreon page! You can help support … Continue reading "Episode 125 – Elements"

Summary: We invite the lovely, myth-making Sylvia Lindsteadt onto our show to discuss her folktale-novel Tatterdemalion. We discuss the role the landscape has played in shaping her work, how the mythic word intrudes into the everyday in Northern California, and share a couple of tales that come from that region as well.   Please check … Continue reading "Episode 124 – Tatterdemalion and the Magic of Northern California"

Summary: We dig back into the listener suggestions for everyday magical objects and look at another round of commonplace (or uncommonplace) items and how they can fit into a magical practice. Everything from the dapper gentlewitch’s accessories to photosensitive paper makes it into this one, so we hope you enjoy!   Please check out our … Continue reading "Episode 123 – Everyday Magical Objects Revisited"

Summary: We launch our eighth year of podcasting with an episode that looks forward to the coming months through divination. Lots and lots of divination! Laine and Cory try out several different divinatory methods (some they’ve used before, and some they haven’t), then break down what they see in the cards, beans, bones, or stones … Continue reading "Episode 122 – Divining the New Year"

Summary: We return to a place you should already have forgotten (and we know if you haven’t) in our eerie, time-twisting tale for the 2017 holiday season.   Please check out our Patreon page! You can help support the show for as little as a dollar a month, and get some awesome rewards at the … Continue reading "Episode 121 – Yuletide Fear! 2017 (The Statue)"