The Witchy Shift

Branching off of and continuing from our conversation in "The Emperor Wears Fishnets", we sit down to discuss our associations with the feminine divine, gender equity, and even the ways in which we need to grow as individuals in order to help structural and cultural changes along.  We discuss ways to step away from patriarchal interpretations of spirituality and in particular Goddess work. We look at how stepping away from gender essentialism and dissecting society's rules, which are all pretend (a reminder from Chet), can enable us each to have a full, dynamic relationship to the feminine divine that isn't prohibitive towards anyone else  regardless of their identities. 

In this episode we mention the book Jailbreaking the Goddess: A Radical Revisioning of Feminist Spirituality by LaSara FireFox. This book is a valuable resource for beginning to break down the constructs within the feminine divine is often contained. 

We also mention the work of Joanna Powell Colbert, sacred artist, author, and guide whose work often revolves around the expressions of the feminine divine. 

There is a lot more to be said on this topic. We will keep this conversation going. Stay tuned for our next iteration and continuation of this topic in the future. 

We want to hear from you!
Email us at [email protected]
or follow us on Instagram @TheWitchyShift

DeAnnah was able to sit down with two more Boston Tea Room staff members to pick their brains regarding their journey and personal Witchy Shift. John knew he has been surrounded by the metaphysical in some capacity for his entire life. Daniel is coming into his own as magical being and practitioner. They were interviewed separately and yet a very distinct theme became apparent in this session and that is no matter where you are on your journey, no matter what you feel yourself called to, no matter what kind of knowledge or lore or rationale or cognitive understanding you have of what you do and why, there is also something innate within us that pulls us down certain paths. And, sometimes the lesson is just about heeding the call- the answers to why will come. Like Daniel, if you have enjoyed surrounding yourself with beautiful things like candles or crystals there is likely a pattern that exists- it can simply be that certain smells or colors bring you joy...what we're noticing is there is also a likely magical and witchy correspondence! 

We want to hear from you!
Email us at [email protected]
or follow us on Instagram @TheWitchyShift

Originally, this episode was slated to be titled "Queering the Tarot" but it evolved- as beautiful conversations do- to include all things metaphysical from queer perspectives. DeAnnah is joined by Orlando and Chet to talk about queerness, the tarot, magick,  messiness and safe spaces, and much more. And hey, you don't have to be queer to benefit from this conversation.  Accessibility, equity, and personal sovereignty impact all people. 
As a loving reminder, Queerness is not a monolith. Your personhood is dynamic. Many truths can exist simultaneously. May we all come to embrace our multiplicities. 
The Emperor can, in fact, wear fishnets. 

We want to hear from you! 
Email us at [email protected]
or follow us on Instagram @TheWitchyShift

In the second half of this installment, we hear from co-hosts DeAnnah and Heatherleigh about  their most impactful travels yet. Some were planned, down to the very last detail,  while others were complete and total surprises.  Traversing the globe can absolutely be part of a spiritual quest, but so a shorter jaunt to a nearby destination. Perhaps the answer to "what is a pilgrimage?" lies much more in the exchange between intentions becoming experiences and the impact that comes from it.  Perhaps...

Whether you're searching for answers, a piece of yourself, or following where intuition and Spirit lead, may all your journeys bring you fulfillment.

We want to hear from you!
Email us at [email protected]
or follow us on Instagram @TheWitchyShift

In this installment, we hear from Vanessa, V., and Jai Jay about traveling while magical, mystical, and spiritual. Being called hither and yon, and sometimes just a short walk from where you are- there are places in the world that can strike a deep spiritual cord. 
What makes a pilgrimage, a pilgrimage? What's the difference between that and a retreat or a vacation? Is it the intention or the outcome? How does one even begin to go on a pilgrimage? We explore all that and more. 

Whether you're searching for answers, a piece of yourself, or following where intuition and Spirit lead, may all your journeys bring you fulfillment.  

We want to hear from you! 
Email us at [email protected]
or follow us on Instagram @TheWitchyShift

When production scheduling goes a little awry and you have to come up with an episode on the fly, look to your surroundings! Luckily we had a Mikey on hand. Mikey is Heatherleigh's dog, emotional support/security pup at Boston Tea Room, and she inspired this episode on Familiars. 

What is a witch's familiar? Great question. It's a question that may have answers as varied and unique as the people asking.  We reference Raven Grimassi's book "The Witch's Familiar" as a source. In full transparency, none of us have read it. I bet we will now. 

Heatherleigh also mentions a market she attended while in the American Southwest. She references SWAIA, Southwestern Association for Indian Arts. For more information on that organization and their markets, please visit SWAIA.org. 

We want to hear from you! 
Email us at [email protected]
or follow us on Instagram @TheWitchyShift

It's the second part of our Tarot Talk episode in which we (DeAnnah, Heatherleigh, and Kelly) continue to talk about...TAROT! In this part, we pick up where we left off- finishing our stories and then we move into our deck collections, our favorite decks, most unique decks. Decks, decks, and more decks! 

We want to hear from you!
Email us at [email protected]
or follow us on Instagram @TheWitchyShift

 DeAnnah, Heatherleigh, and Kelly sit down to talk tarot.  In part 1 of Tarot Talk, we discuss our work as professional tarot readers, a bit about each of our beginnings and how we ended up where we are. Stay tuned for the second part of the episode coming shortly! 

We want to hear from you!
Email us at [email protected]
or follow us on Instagram @TheWitchyShift

Just in time for Halloween, Heatherleigh and DeAnnah read submitted stories from Boston Tea Room staff and share some of their own personal, eerie experiences for a seasonally appropriate treat! 

Content warning: one of the stories in the episode contains mention of suicide. If you or someone you love needs help, please call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline at 800-273-TALK (8255) for peer to peer support,  dial 988 to speak with a trained crisis counselor, or text NAMI to 741-741

We want to hear from you!
Email us at [email protected]
or follow us on Instagram @TheWitchyShift

DeAnnah sits down with her friends and colleagues at Boston Tea Room to talk about their personal shifts. Somehow we all came to exist under the same roof as magick-makers of one kind or another. Orlando, Jai Jay, and Carly each share their unique journeys and advice for anyone making their own shifts. 

We want to hear from you!
Email us at [email protected]
or follow us on Instagram @TheWitchyShift