I've had the worst damn month, y’all.  And so, I did something happy.  We, as Witches and Pagans, often separate Halloween from Samhain--and, I get that.  But, Halloween made me who I am.  It prepared me for Samhain as an adult, deepened that resonance and steadied me for my grown life as a witch.  And sometimes, when I'm super sad, all it takes the whiff of a bonfire and some caramel to bring the magic back around.  This episode meant something to me.  And somewhere between recording it and publishing it, the light shifted toward fall. (It’s almost imperceptible, but I assure you: my friend Robin always notices it and heralds it in.)

Hope you enjoy the ride toward the most wonderful time of the year.  And for everyone out that who just needs October to hurry on up, here ya’ go.
XOXO Seba

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Hey, y’all: I was fairly sick when I recorded this one. It’s story time and this one is from 1991, so bear with me as I traverse the past a bit to locate riches of the past. More than anything, the poverty of my younger years taught me to see past material wealth. There was one woman who mattered in that lesson, who showed me the magic of making something good out of not much at all. Love y’all!

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Many weeks ago now, I saw an article on Patheos called "Remembering the Witch in Witchcraft" that really took off on social media. John Beckett, a Druid Priest and author in our community, jumped into the conversation and wrote a response blog to that original article (linked in the episode notes) and, well, I was still in a quandary about it all.

And so, I asked him onto the podcast. I respect John and wanted to think this out with him, especially as a Witch from the Deep South (John also has Southern roots). He was more than open to that and the resulting wonderful conversation gave me quite a bit of fodder to think through for the future. It was a chat worth having! Thank you, John.

Sometimes, camouflage is a necessary part of of the Craft. But, as John points out: there are risks in shrouding ourselves for too long, too deeply. Join us on the porch as we navigate these murky waters.

Sometimes, camouflage is a necessary part of of the Craft. But there are risks in shrouding ourselves for too long, too deeply, as well. Join John and I on the porch as we navigate these murky waters.

(My apologies that this wasn’t released in time for Lughnasagh. John and I recorded this before that holiday, and life on a farm does get out of hand. Still, good stuff for next year!)

Episode Notes:

The original article by Ian Chambers, "Remembering the Witch in Witchcraft," is here: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/bythepalemoonlight/2023/07/remembering-the-witch-in-witchcraft/

John's article, "The Witch Stands in Opposition" is here: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/johnbeckett/2023/07/the-witch-stands-in-opposition.html

Under the Ancient Oaks – Paganism, Polytheism, Magic, and More (John’s Teaching Website)
https://undertheancientoaks.com/

The Book of Cernunnos: https://www.amazon.com/Book-Cernunnos-John-Beckett/dp/0988900971

John Beckett on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JohnBeckett-UTAO

Hey Y’all! Shannon (coven student and friend) and I did a deep dive on the origin of all things goddess, what we believe, and slipped (of course) into a conversation about gender fluidity.  So snuggle onto the porch and let’s chat goddess worship!

Episode Notes

HagCraft Farm: https://hagcraftfarm.com/
Carol P. Christ: https://www.ciis.edu/news/memoriam-carol-patrice-christ
”When God Was a Woman”: https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/when-god-was-a-woman

I've had done, as my ancestors would say, with the contention that effectual witches should have access to money.  That's not the way the universe works--that's not the way witchcraft works.  Here's my take on that.  Write in and let me know your stance on this? [email protected].

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Hey, y’all: a listener and patron of the podcast wrote in to further ponder the nature of secrets within the Craft, and so I’m doing a deeper dive today. While the line between what secrets we keep and what can be shared can, at times, be murky: there are some situations that are steadfastly dependent upon staying hushed up. Settle in on the porch and let me tell you a story about one that no longer needs secrecy, if my memory will let me. Sometimes, forgetting is part of the deal.

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Y’all, today I’m reading a listener letter about forging connection to Nature from limited spaces, such as apartments in the city and the like. But, also, I wanted to delve further into the idea of Crafting within the in-between spaces of dark and light. It has always been evident to me that these binary concepts (good/evil, black/white) do more harm than good. And so, I’m telling a story about how wholly buying into either of those polarities can throw us horribly off balance. It’s untenable to live that way, and as a Witch, I cannot imagine reducing my Craft to mere bane or glitter.

It occurs to me that we risk reducing ourselves to the ideologies of all who would attempt to categorize us as good, or evil, when we agree to those terminologies. After all, what we believe can become what we are. So, y’all nestle in on the porch. It’s story time—and I’ll leave the “moral” of the tale up to you.

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Y’all, today I’m reflecting on the inherent inconvenience that occurs when walking a dedicated, deeply Pagan path. From the loss of quick and easy chemicals to sharing the harvest on our little farm with the critters of the woods, I have learned that there is a cost to living this way. It’s horribly inconvenient, from time to time. And it’s worth moment.

(A ghostly event occurs between minute 15-16, so be aware if these things frighten you!)

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We had a blast, y'all!  Kanani is one of the three gals from That Witch Life podcast and a Witchy friend of mine, so it will shock no one that we might be related. Snuggle in as my PNW cousin and I chat about what we inherently carry in our Witch bodies, including Magick memory and how to reconnect to our sacred source.

We also talked about faith, ancestors, connections to the land and trees--like witches do.  Settle onto the proverbial porch—it’s a good one. Love y'all!

Episode Notes

A Pacific Northwest girl at heart, Kanani Soleil (she/her) was born with a desire to learn the secrets of the universe and a fascination with different theologies. She actively sought out different paths in an effort to find her way. At twenty, she embraced Witchcraft. She became a proud mother to the two souls whose spirits were with her for years, a daughter and a son who look and act just as they did in her visions. Her favorite incense is Nag Champa because it reminds her of outdoor markets. Her practice involves candle Magick and reading Tarot. She is currently the board President of Other World’s of Wonder,   a Portland, OR non-profit Pagan organization with a goal of building community. Her favorite phrase is “If you can’t stir with the big girls, stay away from the cauldron.” #soccermommorticia

That Witch Life podcast: https://thatwitchlife.com//

Kanani on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soccermommorticia/

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Hey, y’all! Join me on the porch for a chat about faith in the Craft. Even us older Witches have our shakier moments, and when I need a little extra “umph,” I remember the time my grandma taught me that I was just a lightening bug.

Or is it firefly? Love y’all like chicken!

Episode Notes:

Do You Say Firefly or Lightening Bug?

Photo by Renaud Confavreux on Unsplash