In this episode of "Start with the Dark," Coley, an Irish tarot reader and astrologer, discusses the concept of healing through birth charts.

She explains that astrology involves studying the positions of celestial bodies at the time of one's birth to understand personality traits. Coley addresses the fear some people have when learning about their birth charts, particularly when they discover "bad" placements, such as planets in detriment or fall.

She reassures listeners that these placements are not inherently negative and can be worked with.

Coley also introduces the asteroids Chiron, representing the wounded healer, and Nessus and Dejanira, which relate to victimisation and healing from trauma.

She emphasises the importance of self-awareness and self-compassion in astrology and encourages listeners to reflect on their own birth charts and shadow experiences.

Action Items

• ​Follow the podcast's Instagram account @weare_witch, on TikTok @reclaimthewitch, and Coley’s personal account @mixcraft_and_misery to continue exploring astrology and tarot.
• ​Reflect on the more difficult or "shadowy" parts of your own birth chart and consider how to approach them with self-compassion.
• Learn more about astrology by reading books like "Sun Signs" and "Moon Signs" by Linda Goodman.

This podcast explores the historical context of witchcraft accusations in Ireland, contrasting it with other European nations like Scotland where persecution was more severe due to Ireland's strong pagan roots. The host introduces three key figures: Dame Alice Kytler and her maid Petronilla de Meath, the first recorded individuals accused of witchcraft in the Irish/British Isles, highlighting Kytler's wealth and resilience and de Meath's tragic fate. The episode then shifts focus to Biddy Early, a celebrated Irish healer and herbalist, detailing her life, her famous blue potion, and her eventual acquittal from witchcraft charges, emphasising her role as a justice-seeking figure. Ultimately, the source encourages listeners to reclaim their own "WITCH" title and recognise instances of oppression, drawing parallels between historical and contemporary experiences of female empowerment.

The episode explores Wetiko, a Native American concept described as a "mind virus" or "infection of the psyche" that represents a powerful spiritual sickness.

It is presented as a collective psychosis, causing individuals and societies to engage in destructive behaviors, project their own darkness, and foster a sense of disconnection and apathy.

The sources link Wetiko to Carl Jung's concept of the shadow self, asserting that confronting and integrating one's own shadow is crucial for liberation. It is emphasized that Wetiko thrives on fear and can manifest through various societal systems, but awareness and self-compassion offer a path to overcome its influence.

Podcast resources

• ​Mind that Ego - Undreaming Wetiko: Is humanity under the spell of a mind virus
• ​Undreaming Wetiko by Paul Levy
• ​Wetiko: Healing the Mind-Virus That Plagues Our World by Paul Levy

The pilot podcast episode of Start with the Dark by WITCH focuses on shadow work.

It introduces the concept of the shadow self, drawing heavily from Carl Jung's theories, and explains how recognising and integrating these often-repressed aspects of oneself, both "negative" and "positive," is crucial for authentic living.

The podcast emphasises a witchy wellness rebellion, exploring personal experiences with shadow traits like anger and shame, and offering practical tips for shadow integration, including journaling, research, and a daily spiritual MEDS routine (Meditation, Exercise, Diet, Spiritual practice/Sleep).

It also features Irish mythological figures like The Morrígan and Irish WITCH Biddy Early as archetypes for confronting the shadow, and seeks to build a community of witches in training who are committed to self-exploration and sharing their stories.

✨ Welcome to our mystical podcast recorded in Ireland. Why WITCH?

Trailer two transcript: Welcome to Start with the Dark, a podcast by WITCH. A space where ancient storytelling meets modern magic, where witches join forces weaving wisdom through threads and illuminating the unseen. Now, before we delve deeper into some of the shadow work and darker stuff we've been talking about, let us first explain why we chose the name WITCH. When we looked through the lens of the WITCH wound. And for those of us who don't know what that term means, the WITCH wound is a spiritual concept, referring to the collective trauma and ancestral wounds stemming from the persecution of women accused of witchcraft during the burning times, a period of persecution and execution of mainly women, some men and even children. When we sat down to write the story of WITCH, some words have sprang to mind when we thought of that word, included deceitful, persecution, wicked, cursed hysteria, malevolent devil, hag, evil hexes, outcast, occult, manipulative, not very positive words, right? But from our own journey, we know that the term WITCH means so much more than the negative connotations which might spring to mind when one hears it, sees it, or speaks it. We know that many witches may be hesitant to label themselves as a WITCH, the lingering and often subconscious wounds of our dark history have cut us so deeply spiritually over many, many centuries. Witches, and by witches, we mean healers, those with wisdom, those who dared to know those witches. They suffered persecution, they became outcasts, and they were even put to death. And all of this hatred for what? Simply for expressing a divine feminine energy, for living their authentic lives, for helping others and for spreading love and compassion. Again, let's take us back to the lens of the WITCH wound. The majority of the society of the world we live in now may associate the term WITCH with skepticism, fear, and even in the worst cases, malevolence. When they hear the word WITCH, they think of dark magic. They think of the badness of women who want to hurt other people, to control them and to wish badness onto their lives. But real witches know this isn't true. And in fact, we live to do the exact opposite, inspired by our ancestors, introspective, compassionate and loving wisdom, WITCH champions, the once demonised aspects of femininity - intuiting, imparting spiritual wisdom and healing, both ourselves and others. For many, working on a spiritual, energetic level, is the missing link to meaningful and lasting change. And for those who don't know where to find it, or for those interested in learning more how to find it, WITCH is here to bridge that gap, inspired by our ancestors and an eclectic mix of spiritual wisdom building a new community of knowledge sharing and support. WITCH is using the ancient art of storytelling to share personal lessons, musings and proven methods for powerful change, alongside sharing personal shadow lessons to help others brighten their own darkness. WITCH season one - Start with dark - will include lessons on wetiko, witchy wellness, tarot, therapy, astrology, lunar living, shamanism and Druidism and even Reiki. WITCH is for modern mystics looking to deepen their craft, embrace their shadow and live more authentically. We kick off with the dark, exploring how facing your shadow self can be the key to transformation. Our host, shaped by an upbringing in Ireland with little external knowledge, shares raw personal experiences, intuitive insights and light hearted mystical musings. Expect powerful lessons, guest stories and real talk on spiritual wellness, because magic isn't just in the light. It thrives in the dark too, and only from darkness comes the light. Welcome to WITCH. Grab your broomsticks. Let's reclaim your WITCH title, and let's embark on a mission to bring magic to many.

✨ Welcome to our mystical podcast recorded in Ireland. WITCH is exploring modern witchcraft, shadow work, spirituality, witches, Irish Goddesses, and soul healing.

In our first episode, we'll dive into the shadow self, ancestral wisdom, and reclaiming your power, with plenty of wisdom from shadow pioneer Carl Jung.

Trailer transcript: Welcome to Start with the Dark, a podcast by WITCH, a space where ancient storytelling meets modern magic, where witches join forces, weaving wisdom through threads and illuminating the unseen. 

Now, what if I told you that you possess the power to see the universe as your Oracle? That you're your own alchemist, capable of transmuting fear into strength and shadow into light? Well, the truth is, you can.

WITCH is a self appointed identity. It's not evil, it's not wrong, and it's not crazy.In a world that fears the unknown, WITCH chooses love. In a rebellion against hate, WITCH chooses compassion. And above all, WITCH chooses magic.

By embracing the Divine Feminine's essence, WITCH is unveiling the universe's magic. The magic within us all. The magic hoping to be discovered and shared with others. And, by spreading magic through threads, WITCH wants to heal the WITCH in us all. WITCH by WITCH, we want millions to reclaim their title of WITCH.

To shift the tide between our conscious and unconscious minds, opening us up to the answers we seek, the guidance we crave, and above all, to instill self-belief in WITCHES' own magic, so that we may live our most authentic lives.

However, for us to be able to spread this ancient magic around the world, we must first do a little bit of difficult shadow work. We must go within. We must explore the darker sides of us that we most likely prefer to keep hidden, even those we trust and love the most in this world. Because believing in magic, and most importantly, believing in your own magic, means that you must acknowledge that your outer reflects your inner. Shadow work pioneer and famous psychologist Carl Jung once said - "everyone carries a shadow, and the less it is embodied in the individual's conscious life, the blacker and denser it is". Now let that sink in for a moment.

WITCH embraces the fact that we're made up of both darkness and light. That neither exists without the other, and that being a WITCH isn't about spells and WITCH alone. Being a WITCH is about embracing and recognising every single part of yourself, both light and dark, to heal, to reclaim, and to rise. Without much guidance, we unfortunately had to learn this the hard way, and we want to help others skip thatunnecessary darkness and drama by imparting some little nuggets of wisdom we've gained along the way.

And it's certainly safe to say, on our journey to reclaiming our own WITCH title, we've learned quite a few difficult and dark lessons. 

However, the good news is that after helping us, eventually, those lessons are also now yours to learn from, too.  Lessons which we hope empower you to transmute yourself into the most authentic version of you. The person you were born to be, the person you think you could only wish to be.

Does this sound mostly interesting so far? Great. Keep on listening. If not, then maybe WITCH isn't for you, and that's okay. We're creating WITCH for those seeking to unveil their true essence and live their authenticity.

WITCH is for the WITCH, seeking liberation, adventure, rebirth, community, solace, healing, redemption, and, of course, magic.

And WITCH is for the WITCH who was already brave enough to reclaim their WITCH title. WITCH is for the pagan WITCH, the eclectic WITCH, the new mama WITCH, the shadow WITCH, tarot WITCH, kitchen WITCH, garden WITCH, baby WITCH. And WITCH is for those ready to join forces with other witches on a witchy wellness rebellion.

So, are you ready to step into your powers to explore the depths within? Do you want to join a movement of rewriting the narrative? Well, that's absolutely stunning news. Welcome to WITCH.