In this episode of the Skeptical Shaman Podcast, host Rachel White (of TOTEM Readings) sits down with Britt Sandkulla-Sinclair of Golden Thread Alchemy to discuss what it's like to "come out of the broom closet" as a witch.

Britt is a witch, astrologer and integral coach. She's been a practicing witch for 20 years, mainly as an individual practitioner. Through her practice, Britt's offers includes coaching, astrology readings and in-person New Moon women's circles in her area.

In this discussion, Rachel and Britt get into the definitions-- and differences-- of witchcraft, Wicca and paganism, as well as how listeners can harness a bit of witch woo for themselves (book recommendations from Britt are included with links below). We also explore the upcoming Summer Solstice (aka Midsummer) and what this special celestial event-- and pagan holiday-- mean for us mere mortals.

Britt and Rachel also discuss the very modern urge to "outsource" spirituality to practitioners, along with our society's "perpetual summer" problem, exploring potential nature-based (and very yin) solutions. Emotional sobriety? Embracing archetypes? The Year of the Witch? Yes, yes and yes!

We wrap up with a particularly poignant TOTEM Tarot Card pull, giving Britt a very powerful spiritual "wink" from the other side.

TOTEM Readings website (Rachel's practice): https://www.totemreadings.com
TOTEM Tarot Deck (card used in episode): https://www.amazon.com/dp/0578980126?ref=myi_title_dp
TOTEM Readings Substack: https://totemrach.substack.com
Britt's IG: @goldenthreadalchemy
Golden Thread Alchemy Website: www.goldenthreadalchemy.com

Please note: The views and opinions expressed on The Skeptical Shaman do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, protected class, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything. And remember: sticks and stones may break our bones, but words—or discussions of religious or spiritual topics-- will never hurt us.

In this episode of The Skeptical Shaman, host Rachel White sits down to chat with Abigail Kochunas of Sacred Healing Art. Abigail is an actress, artist, psychic and energy worker and the owner of Sacred Healing Arts in Los Angeles.

Abigail is also the author behind the "My Post Cult Life" Substack, detailing her experiences and insights across narcissistic abuse, cultivated from 14 years in a cult...within a cult. In this episode, we discuss Abigail's experience with an infamous Hollywood acting coach, her introduction to and experience of Scientology, and how Covid-19-- and reliance on Zoom-- helped break the spell and free Abigail from many unseen (but very real) prisons.

And, when we scheduled this discussion, we had no idea it was literally the two year anniversary of Abigail's jail break...and, later in the day, we would learn that famous actor and Scientologist Danny Masterson was convicted of rape after two trails that brought the dark side of Scientology out into the sunlight of public discourse.

So, the woo was strong with this one, my friends.

We wrap up this discussion by pulling a TOTEM Tarot Card for Abigail and the collective, exploring the necessity of time, space and silence in which to cultivate inspiration and psychic revelation.

The TOTEM Tarot Deck (deck used in episode): https://www.amazon.com/dp/0578980126?ref=myi_title_dp
TOTEM Readings Website (Rachel's practice): https://www.totemreadings.com
TOTEM Readings Substack: https://totemrach.substack.com
Rachel's Other Links: https://linktr.ee/totemrach
Abigail's Links and Website: https://linktr.ee/sacredhealingart
Abigails IG: https://www.instagram.com/sacredhealing_art/

Please note: The views and opinions expressed on The Skeptical Shaman do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast. Any content provided by our guests, bloggers, sponsors or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, protected class, group, club, organization, business individual, anyone or anything. And remember: sticks and stones may break our bones, but words—or discussions of religious or spiritual topics-- will never hurt us.

We’re about to start an incredible journey, exploring the world of woo and addressing the burning questions for the “spiritually homeless”. In the Skeptical Shaman podcast, host Rachel White will talk to everyone: the cynics, the skeptics, the curious, and the true believers. Why? Well, the truth is always somewhere in the messy middle.

Rachel White is the owner of TOTEM Readings and a trained shaman, medium, energy worker and herbalist. Rachel is the co-creator of the TOTEM Tarot Deck, available for sale on Amazon. Rachel is also the owner of the TOTEM Readings ATX Etsy Shop, making hand-made flower essences available to the market. 

Rachel updates clients every week on the world of woo via her TOTEM Readings Substack. 

Interviews and new episodes to come, so keep your eyes peeled to listen, like, share and subscribe!

Links for Rachel White and TOTEM Readings of the Skeptical Shaman:
TOTEM Website: https://www.totemreadings.com
TOTEM Substack: https://totemrach.substack.com
TOTEM Tarot Deck: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0578980126?ref=myi_title_dp
TOTEM Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TotemReadingsATX