New World Witchery – The Search for American Traditional Witchcraft: Recent Episodes
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Have you ever wanted to learn practical cartomancy (fortune-telling with playing cards)? Well here's your chance!We're running a 3-class course on card reading (and more) and you can sign up at our website! Link in bio or visit www.newworldwitchery.com
We speak to folk practitioner, artist, 'zine writer, and author Vlasta Pilot of Gentle Hearts Unite about the nature of Slavic folk belief, the joy of handmade things, choosing bears, and how to avoid being a "cranberry."
We look at several magical alphabets and scripts this time, from runes to ogham to Enochian
We look at history, etymology, and magical philosophy to understand magical dualism and where it came from
We’re speaking with author, witch, Yoruban initiate, and activist Elhoim (Elo) Leafar about his new book Dream Witchery, growing up surrounded by Indigenous spirituality, and discovering the intersection of multiple magical and spiritual paths
Laine and Cory discuss long-term magical workings, maintaining magical altars and tools, and Laine's fear of stage magicians. Plus we answer emails about the Golden Ratio and Leap Day traditions!
We chat with artist, animist, and awesome person Evvin Marin about creating tarot in the modern world
We speak with author and scholar Xueting Christine Ni about Chinese folklore and myth in the past and present
We take some time to consider the role of curses, counter-curses, cleansing, and even mental health as we discuss this important aspect of magical practice.
That’s right! The book is finally (sort of) here! Our book, Conjuring the Commonplace–which looks at the folklore and magical uses of a wide variety of household objects–is now available for e-book preorder! It’s a very cottage-y, cozy sort of book that will let you see the magic in a cup of tea or a … Continue reading "Update! New Book Alert!"
Rosaries, novenas, and witchcraft? We chat with The Red Text Podcast about Catholic folk magic
We answer listener messages about magical marbles, dreams of smug birds, mixing divination systems, and more!
We talk about the overlap in ceremonial and folk magic, just what is a ritual, and more
This month we're watching the stars fall, looking at some cards of great resolve, hearing a variation on a familiar tale, and digging into some bread and beans!
We get dark-and-stormy for July with the Tower Card, the Seven of Spades, and some stories of Elijah.
We discuss the uses of cauldrons, just what qualifies as one, and how formulae and potions factor into our witchcraft.
We spend some time in the sweet month of June with the Honey Moon, a Queen Bee, a Magician, and a King.
Powerful royal women, love-divining matches, beauty charms, and Irish fairy tales all in this month's episode!
We dig into North American history and examine the 19th century period known as the "American Renaissance" with scholar, astrologer, and author Thea Wirsching
Summary: We look to the skies and find TWO new moons this month! We also dig into the King of Clubs and The Emperor cards, as well as using divination to answer some “burning” questions with fire scrying. We tell a tale about angry oaths, and have a little crafting fun with oil lamps! Please … Continue reading "Special Episode – Folk Magician’s Notebook – April 2022"
Laine shares some big news and we talk about being "out" as a witch (especially in the age of social media)!
Cory sits down with Asheville's Village Witch, H. Byron Ballard, to talk about folkways, storytelling, magic, community, and "tower time."
Summary: We check the Astro-weather to see that March does indeed come in like a lion and leaves like a lamb, plus we hear about witches in stone boats, the twos of Diamonds and Swords, and learn a bit about the practice of dowsing! Please check out our Patreon page! You can help support the show … Continue reading "Special Episode – Folk Magician’s Notebook – March 2022"
Laine and Cory sit down to chat about rituals of death, the lore surrounding the dead and dying, forerunners, doppelgängers, and more!
Summary: This time we look at all those peas and beans in our moon calendar, talk about the Aces of Cups and Hearts, and spend some time watching critters to tell us about the weather. We also hear a set of folk legends about St. Brigid of Ireland, and talk about making protective cross amulets … Continue reading "Special Episode – Folk Magician’s Notebook – February 2022"
Summary: We (finally!) sit down and talk about just what is this folk magic stuff anyway? We discuss what we mean by both “folk” and “magic,” as well as the how and why of digging into your own folk community to uncover enchantment. Plus our monthly card readings and listener email! Please check out our Patreon … Continue reading "Episode 204 – What is Folk Magic?"
Summary: We begin 2022 by chatting with Don Martin, author of the book The Dabbler’s Guide to Witchcraft (published under the pen name Fire Lyte). Don talks about social media and magical spirituality, the value of skepticism, and the role of popular culture in spiritual spaces. Please check out our Patreon page! You can help support the … Continue reading "Episode 203 – Dabbling in Witchcraft with Don Martin"
Summary: We launch the first in a monthly series of posts that will take a peek at folk magical influences for the coming lunation. We look at moon phases and signs, divination, a proverb and folktale of the month, and a practical craft or charm to try out! In January 2022 we talk about pest … Continue reading "Special Episode – Folk Magician’s Notebook – January 2022"
Summary: We take a slightly different approach to our annual Yuletide festivities, and share a few songs, a lot of lore about favorite holiday traditions we DON’T practice, and a listener email about a holiday divination gift! Please check out our Patreon page! You can help support the show for as little as a dollar a … Continue reading "Episode 202 – Yuletide Cheer! 2021"
Summary: We chat with author and witch Temperance Alden about her book, the cycles of bioregional animistic life, blood magic, bread, and so much more! 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 same time. Even if … Continue reading "Episode 201 – Year of the Witch with Temperance Alden"
It’s getting to be the time of year when we start stockpiling a hoard of sugary treats, most of which will be making it into the plastic pumpkin pails of princesses, pigmen, and pirates. Alternatively, many sweet delights will soon be festooning gingerbread constructions as roof tiles or patio pavers, as well. By which I … Continue reading "Blog Post 236 – Chocolate"
Summary: We hexed the law and the law…turned into a lot of Disney references? We look at the history of witchcraft and the law in North America, a variety of court case workings, and discuss spells that keep one far away from the long arm of the law. Plus our monthly card reading and a … Continue reading "Episode 200 – Folk Magic in Court"
Summary: We have a little spooky season fun and discuss some of our favorite recent films, shows, and even podcasts covering supernatural and folk horror! 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 same time. Even if … Continue reading "Episode 199 – Screen Time Spookiness"
Summary: We finish out our Scairy Tales for this year’s All Hallows’ Read by taking a trip (by way of flying mortar and pestle) to Russia, where we hear a tale of a girl, a witch, and a very helpful (if slightly terrifying) doll. Please check out our Patreon page! You can help support the show … Continue reading "Special Episode – Scairy Tales – Vasilisa the Beautiful"
Summary: More spooky stories from the sinister Scairy Godparent this week! We tell the next All Hallows’ Read goodie, one from Japan about a boy who just can’t seem to stop drawing cats…and it may just save his life! Please check out our Patreon page! You can help support the show for as little as a … Continue reading "Special Episode – Scairy Tales – The Boy Who Drew Cats"
Summary: This time we’re turning towards the Mediterranean to talk about djinn, daemons, and other spirits with folk sorceress and grimoire magician Mademoiselle Vendredi. 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 same time. Even if you … Continue reading "Episode 198 – Working with Spirits with Mme Vendredi"
Summary: Your Scary Godparent brings you more wicked and woeful delights with the next tale in our All Hallows’ Read series. This time, we pull from the morbid pages of Hans Christian Andersen to share “The Story of a Mother” Please check out our Patreon page! You can help support the show for as little as … Continue reading "Special Episode – Scairy Tales – The Story of a Mother"
Summary: We begin our descent into darkness for this year’s All Hallows’ Read with a tale from the Brothers Grimm: “The Three Army Surgeons.” Bwahahahaha! 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 same time. Even if … Continue reading "Special Episode – Scairy Tales – Three Army Surgeons"
Summary: We venture out into the wild unknown (and our own backyards) with author, Master Gardener, and landscape engineer JD Walker to look at the role of wildcrafting and using local flora in our magical practices. Please check out our Patreon page! You can help support the show for as little as a dollar a month, … Continue reading "Episode 197 – Witchy Wildcrafting with JD Walker"
Summary: We open a handful of our listener emails from the past few months and answer questions about connecting with spirits, using salt in crossroads workings, finding Irish folklore, and even vampires! Plus we look back at the year so far, talk about our recent Patreon updates, and then do our cards and question of … Continue reading "Episode 196 – Letters Lore and More"
It’s been a loooooong time since I did one of these (like seven years!). Partly that’s because a lot of our social media now fills the purpose that these cartulary posts used to, and partly it’s because I usually wind up trying to write more in-depth examinations of folk magic for the website that are … Continue reading "Blog Post 235 – New World Witchery Cartulary No. 7"
We wander out into our respective yards to look at a number of the local plants that influence (and end up in) our magical practices!
Summary: We sit down with Daphne la Hechicera to talk about the many pathways of Mexican and Mexican American folk magic, the multiplicity of influences that have shaped those paths, and what they look like today (especially in the online era). Please check out our Patreon page! You can help support the show for as little … Continue reading "Episode 194 – Hechiceria with Daphne la Hechicera"
Hi all! This is just a super quick update to let you know that our Patreon tiers have been updated/changed this week. We’re trying to streamline the work process for Laine and me, while also adding a few extra perks for most levels! The new tiers are: Tier 1 (Omen Readers) – $1/mo. – You … Continue reading "Update – New Patreon Tier Perks"
Occupational folklore and magic from jobs including athletes, merchants, sailors, sex workers, actors, and more
Summary: What happens when you mix a folklorist and a naughty knitter? Oh, and let’s add a dash of witchcraft for funsies? That’s us! Laine and Cory are back in the same space to record together, for the first time since 2016 (we think)! We finish up our Green Witchcraft book club, talk about plans … Continue reading "Special Episode – Together Again 2021"
Cory interviews Bones from the Cursed and Hex Files podcasts about working with witchcraft and the paranormal and how those pieces fit together with cryptids and other fearsome critters as well.
Cory and Laine have a chat with Katrina Ray-Saulis, host of the Stitch and Witch Podcast. Various and sundry topics of conversation include the role of creativity in all forms of craft, how adversity and tenacity impact that creativity, and favorite tools for crafting both mundane and magical
The videos I’ll be sharing here are focused on getting started with folklore and folk magic research. I’m actually going to present them slightly out of order from how I posted them over on YouTube because I think they’ll make more sense in this order. The main idea here is that these videos will let you start pursuing your own line of research into folk magic and finding all sorts of great books like Hubert Davis’s The Silver Bullet and Aaron Oberon’s Southern Cunning, among so many others!
Laine and Cory sit down to chat about ogham, familiars, and tarot for the Green Witchcraft bookclub, then discuss divination methods they have known and loved.
We sit down to chat with J. Allen Cross, author of the new book American Brujeria. We discuss the evolution of Mexican American magical practices, his own background in folk magic, and the issues of working with traditions outside of your own.
We dig into the herbs and crystals section of our book club, which leads to a bigger conversation about correspondences. We also talk about the ways we gather our magical tools and objects into our lives (in response to the amazing #regionalwitchcraftchallenge done by Via Hedera). We do card pulls for the month and get some messages about balance, detachment, indulgence, and fantasy, then hear a listener mail about a fascinating Greek practice. We top it all off by deciding how we'd summon each other!
Our guests Erik and Morrigane share their experiences with French Canadian sorcellerie in this episode! Learn about the history of the magic, the malice spirits, and where the devil bites pigs!
We look at the dark side of magic for our book club, then discuss ritual feasting, fasting, and intoxicants.
We welcome back friend and folklorist witch Via Hedera. We talk about finding folklore resources, favorite places to connect with magic, and then get a little wild deciding who would win in a plant-based magical Pokemon-style battle between us (hint: it's her)
Hi all! I realize we’ve already started discussing some of our reading selection for the first half of 2021, Ann Moura’s Green Witchcraft II, on the show (in Episodes 183 and 184 so far). But I forgot to post the reading schedule for you all to follow along! So I’m rectifying that right now by outlining … Continue reading "Blog Post 232 – Green Witchcraft II Read-Along Schedule"
We kick off a new practical magical experiments series by looking at a variety of bottle spells we're trying out.
This time we have an interview with author, researcher, and practitioner Brandon Weston. We discuss woodpecker witches, seventh sons of seventh sons, passing power to avoid becoming a haint, and just what a "yarb" is anyway.
Summary: We use our book club to talk about gods, goddesses, and elementals. Then we dig into our personal practices regarding rituals for the Sabbats and Esbats. We answer a great listener question about Easter Witches, and also do our monthly cartomancy pulls. Please check out our Patreon page! You can help support the show for … Continue reading "Episode 184 – Spirits, Sabbats, and Esbats"
Hi there. Black Lives Matter. They still do, and we’d like to reiterate that (not just because it’s Black History Month, although that’s a good reason, too, but because it’s a core part of what we believe as well). Last year, we posted an article highlighting that Black Magic also matters, particularly in terms of … Continue reading "Blog Post 231 – Black Magic Matters (Literary Edition)"
Summary: We break into our first book club of 2021, then discuss our own personal “rules of magic.” We also do our monthly cartomancy draw, and answer a listener question about using coins as offerings. Please check out our Patreon page! You can help support the show for as little as a dollar a month, and … Continue reading "Episode 183 – Rules of Magic"
Summary: If you’re looking for a wide-ranging conversation on the topic of magic, Chaweon Koo is the person to go to! In this episode, we discuss atheist occultism, Korean shamanism, spiritual bypassing, Eminem, Dolly Parton, the “invisible hand” of esoteric power, keeping a skeptical outlook, ancestors, glamour, and just for fun, Tinder matches gone wrong. … Continue reading "Episode 182 – Intersections in Magic with Chaweon Koo"
Summary: We open our new year with a look back at 2020’s impact on our magical practices, some final thoughts on last year’s book club (as well as a bit about this year’s club), a discussion of planning for witchery, and some new bits involving cartomancy and listener feedback. Please check out our Patreon page! You … Continue reading "Episode 181 – Plans and Prognostications"
As we turn the page on the past year (and I think there are plenty of people who would agree that they’re ready to not just turn the page but rip the whole accursed chapter out of the book), I know many of us are going to make resolutions, plan to live a better version … Continue reading "Blog Post 230 – Changing Your Luck"
Summary: It’s our annual tradition! We share some old blessings for the new year in song, conversation, and charms this time. Welcome Yule! 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 same time. Even if you can’t … Continue reading "Episode 180 – Yuletide Cheer! 2020"
“Just then there came a second knock at the door, and a voice called out: Youngest daughter of the king, Open up the door for me, Don’t you know what yesterday, You said to me down by the well? Youngest daughter of the king, Open up the door for me. The king said, “What you … Continue reading "Blog Post 229 – Frogs and Toads"
Summary: We turn to the final chapters of our Scott Cunningham Natural Magic books to talk about the folklore and uses of snow and ice, as well as crafting your own rituals. Please check out our Patreon page! You can help support the show for as little as a dollar a month, and get some awesome … Continue reading "Episode 179 – The Winter Witchery Book Club"
Check out our latest Everyday Magic video, featuring the folklore of nuts! You can also check out more food-related magical lore at some of our previous episodes and posts: Blog Post 123 – CornBlog Post 143 – ApplesBlog Post 144 – WalnutsBlog Post 157 – PeachesBlog Post 192 – Eating Your LuckBlog Post 227 – … Continue reading "Video: Everyday Magic – Nuts"
Summary: We are filling up on magic at the dinner table as we look to the folklore and enchanted uses of ingredients like corn, apples, potatoes, and more! 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 178 – A Cornucopia of Magic"
Summary: We dampen our spirits–in the best possible way–and take a look at the folk magic of storms, fog, rain, and other wet weather in our latest Cunningham book club episode. Please check out our Patreon page! You can help support the show for as little as a dollar a month, and get some awesome … Continue reading "Episode 177 – The Stormy Spellcaster Book Club"
Summary: We feature listener feedback of the macabre, morbid, and magical in this episode. We’ll hear tales of nighttime peepers, Wild Hunt taunters, creepy floating lights, and more! 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 176 – Spooktacular Listener Tales"
Summary: We conclude our annual #AllHallowsRead with a spooky tale of New Year’s Eve terror adapted from one shared by a listener, one we’re calling “He Likes It Loud.” 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 … Continue reading "Special Episode – Camp Splitfoot – He Likes It Loud"
Summary: We continue our tales around the bewitched bonfire with our second installment this #AllHallowsRead. This time, we hear “The Avenging Voice,” a tale adapted from Midwestern folklore. Play Download: Special Episode – Camp Splitfoot – The Avenging Voice Play: -Sources- This tale is read by Laine, and adapted from a story found in … Continue reading "Special Episode – Camp Splitfoot – The Avenging Voice"
Summary: We begin our annual All Hallows Read tradition by visiting our local campsite, Camp Splitfoot. Tonight, we hear the tale of “Junior,” inspired by a local legend from author Victoria Raschke. Please check out our Patreon page! You can help support the show for as little as a dollar a month, and get … Continue reading "Special Episode – Camp Splitfoot – Junior"
We’ve got another in our Everyday Magic playlist series available! This time we’re taking a brief look at some of the folklore and magic surrounding apples. Find out more at our blog post: Apples. Thanks to Peter Muise of the New England Folklore blog for the story of Roger Williams Support us on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/newworldwitchery … Continue reading "Video: Everyday Magic – Apples"
Summary: Once again we dive into Cunningham’s Earth Power folk magic books, and get a little bit of everything! We talk candles, dolls, wax figures, mirrors, stars, and more in this one! Please check out our Patreon page! You can help support the show for as little as a dollar a month, and get some awesome … Continue reading "Episode 175 – The Kitchen Sink Magic Book Club"
Summary: We talk with author and conjure worker Jake Richards about folk magic in the Southern Highlands, the many magical-cultural influences found throughout the mountains, and what people get right and wrong about Appalachia. Please check out our Patreon page! You can help support the show for as little as a dollar a month, and … Continue reading "Episode 174 – Backwoods Witchcraft with Jake Richards"
It’s contest time! One of the kind of cool perks to creating New World Witchery is that we often get access to lots of books coming out on magical topics, and sometimes publishers even send us an extra copy or two of some books so we can give them away. I have been very lax … Continue reading "Contest Time! Fall 2020 Edition"
Summary: We take a second look (after eight years) at the role of animals in folk magic. We talk about the use of animals as personal representations, issues of animal sacrifice, working with deceased pets, and animals in tarot and astrology. Please check out our Patreon page! You can help support the show for as … Continue reading "Episode 173 – Magical Animals Revisited"
Summary: We are joined by geophysicist, volcanologist, and magical friend of the show Kathleen Borealis to talk about rocks, gems, and geology for witchy folk. 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 same time. Even … Continue reading "Episode 172 – Magic Rocks with Kathleen Borealis"
Summary: We use our monthly book club to look at questions surround the magic found in stones, gems, minerals, magnets, and just for fun, trees as well! 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 same … Continue reading "Episode 171 – The Stone Magic Book Club"
Summary We are joined by author and world-traveler Gwion Raven as we discuss the ways in which food, cooking, and sharing a meal add some enchantment to the world. 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 … Continue reading "Episode 170 – Food and Folk Magic with Gwion Raven"
The madness continues (both the madness of the world in general and our own strange little plot to keep revisiting Scott Cunningham’s two “Natural Magic” books, Earth Power and Earth, Air, Fire, & Water). We’ve fallen a teensy bit behind on discussing the books on the show (just by a month or so), but we’re … Continue reading "Blog Post 228 – Book Club Discussion #4"
Summary: This time we ramble a bit about how we have used our time during the past few months of pandemic life, both to keep ourselves safe and sane and also to try a few new things. We talk tarot, baking, knitting, and art. Plus we discuss the elemental magic of Water in our Cunningham … Continue reading "Episode 169 – How I Hexed My Summer Pandemic"
I have to admit something slightly shameful about my time during the pandemic. I have not undertaken the task of making my own sourdough starter. Now, before you judge me too harshly, I should note that it’s not as though I haven’t been baking anything, just that I tend to do most of my baking … Continue reading "Blog Post 227 – Bread"
Summary: We welcome back author, anthropologist, priestess, and absolute delight of a human being Lilith Dorsey. We discuss her latest book, African Traditional Religions, the Divine Feminine, so much water, and what it’s like to write for a modern witchy marketplace. Please check out our Patreon page! You can help support the show for as … Continue reading "Episode 168 – Orishas Goddesses and Queens with Lilith Dorsey"
Summary: We open the pages of literary witchcraft one more time, but this time we look at magic and literature from the author’s point of view. We talk with urban supernatural mystery writer Victoria Raschke about how she weaves magic into her words, and how her magical experiences in real life influence what winds up … Continue reading "Episode 167 – Writing Witchcraft with Victoria Raschke"
Summary: We rekindle (see what I did there) our monthly Cunningham book club and talk about fire magic, where we see candles and incense fitting in, way too many pop culture references, and the connections between fire and the sun. Please check out our Patreon page! You can help support the show for as little … Continue reading "Episode 166 – The Fire Magic Book Club"
Black Lives Matter. I say that first, because it is the most important component of what I write today. To all those standing up for Black lives right now, thank you. In our recent Patreon newsletter, which we made public, we issued our position about valuing Black lives and Black contributions to our world. One … Continue reading "Blog Post 226 – Black Magic Matters"
Summary: We’re diving into the pages of some of our favorite (non-witchy) fiction today to discuss how we draw inspiration from literature and popular culture in magical practices. 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 165 – Literary Witchcraft"
Or, Notions of Magic. We often mention that magic–folk magic, especially–is an everyday sort of affair. It lives in places like loose change and decks of playing cards, and we find spells using eggs or walnuts tucked into the corners of North American witchery. Recently, I received a gift from a friend in the form … Continue reading "Blog Post 225 – Button Button"
It’s strange, isn’t it, that at a time when so many of us are being asked to stay home that it feels like we have so little time to do things like read? At least, that is how it’s felt around our neck of the woods of late. But we have been managing to make … Continue reading "Blog Post 224 – Book Club Discussion #3"
Summary: We settle in by a good turf fire to chat with Morgan Daimler, author of numerous books on folklore, magic, and fairies. We discuss the role of Irish belief systems and folkways on North American magical traditions, as well as the way that fairies have evolved over time. (Content Warning: Child abduction, death, or … Continue reading "Episode 164 – Irish Folklore and Magic with Morgan Daimler"
Summary: This time we’re looking at dreamscapes and discussing sleep-based magic and folklore. We talk about lucid dreaming, dream interpretation, mara/nightmares, and ways to boost dreaming. We also discuss Air in our Cunningham Book Club (as well as the smugness of birds). Please check out our Patreon page! You can help support the show for … Continue reading "Episode 163 – Dreams"
Summary: This episode features an interview with author Diana Rajchel about folk magic in the big city! We discuss the spirits of a city, ways to gather urban spell ingredients, and getting to know the difference between the land and the place of an urban witch’s environment. Please check out our Patreon page! You can … Continue reading "Episode 162 – Urban Witchery with Diana Rajchel"
We discuss the (apparently very large) issue of magical safety practices. We talk about how to avoid burning down your favorite home or familiar, as well as making sure to close out your Ouija board properly. Plus we discuss earth spells in our Cunningham Natural Magic book club.
Time to open the dusty and ancient tomes once more! We continue with our Book Club, featuring the work of Scott Cunningham. We’ve had a busy couple of weeks so our apologies that we haven’t gotten this up sooner, but we thought it would be better late than never to get some of the questions … Continue reading "Blog Post 222 – Book Club Discussion #2"
Summary: We talk with the Riverton Witch Via Hedera in this episode about folk magic on Turtle Island (North America), intersectional magic, what folk traditions we keep alive and which ones we leave behind, and how to weave magic into the things we make. Please check out our Patreon page! You can help support the … Continue reading "Episode 160 – Turtle Island Folk Magic with Via Hedera"
I know that many people come here for articles on folk magic with historical footnotes and sources, and don’t worry–more of those are in the works. But today I wanted to share a more personal post about my own family life and the magic we share. If that’s not your cuppa mugwort tea, though, I … Continue reading "Blog Post 221 – Magic Seen a Second Time"
Summary: Laine and Cory revisit the idea of making magical books, including what they do differently now and some ideas that might help you put together your own magical text. We also do our second round of the Scott Cunningham “Natural Magic” book club. Please check out our Patreon page! You can help support the … Continue reading "Episode 159 – Making Magical Books"
Summary: This time we’re discussing the role of psychism in contemporary witchcraft with our guest, author Mat Auryn. 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 same time. Even if you can’t give, spread the word … Continue reading "Episode 158 – Psychic Witchcraft with Mat Auryn"
Hello witchy reader-folk! As I mentioned last week, we’ve embarked on a 2020 book club looking at two of the books that got Laine and I into witchcraft in the first place: Earth Power and Earth, Air, Fire, and Water by Scott Cunningham. If you haven’t checked that post, make sure to do so and see when … Continue reading "Blog Post 220 – Book Club Discussion #1"
Greetings and salutations! If you read this blog, then it’s probably safe to assume you like to read in general (and even if you don’t, maybe books of magic are a different story). We’ve hinted a bit at something we’re trying out for 2020 in a few episodes, and with the release of our … Continue reading "Blog Post 219 – New World Witchery Book Club 2020"
Summary: We look back at the past ten years to see how we’ve grown as a show and as practitioners of witchcraft. Then we launch our book club for 2020 with a look at Cunningham’s Earth Power. Please check out our Patreon page! You can help support the show for as little as a dollar a … Continue reading "Episode 157 – Evolving Witchery"
Greetings all, and Happy New Year! Lately I’ve been doing a good bit of cleaning and organization of my library and my altar spaces (all one in the same room) along with my annual New Year’s cleaning, and that has me in a reflective mood. I’m sure you’ve seen any number of “Best of 2019” … Continue reading "Blog Post 218 – My Year on the Shelf"
Summary: It’s time for our annual tradition of lessons and carols (with a little bit of a witchy flavor). We’re sharing songs and personal stories of travel and rest during the dark days of the waning year. Wishing you all a Merry Yule and Happy Holidays! Please check out our Patreon page! You can help … Continue reading "Episode 156 – Yuletide Cheer! 2019"
To those who follow this site and my work, it will come as no surprise that I’m a big fan of the Krampus. If you aren’t quite sure what that is, he’s the diabolical and fearsome companion to St. Nicholas found primarily in Alpine parts of Europe like Austria’s Bad Gastein. He travels with the … Continue reading "Blog Post 217 – North American Winter Monsters"
Summary: We’re discussing the power of names, both magical and mundane (and if there’s really a difference). We discuss the names we keep, the names thrust upon us, the names we lose, and the power of knowing a “true” name. Please check out our Patreon page! You can help support the show for as little … Continue reading "Episode 155 – Names and Magic"
Summary: As the spooky season is upon us, Laine and Cory decide it’s time to put on our masks, grab our pillow cases, and head out to do some trick-or-treating. It’s Halloween on New World Witchery, where we discuss the origins of the holiday both historical and folklorical, the value of spookiness for kids, favorite … Continue reading "Episode 154 – Halloween"
Summary: We finish our Doorways into Darkness All Hallows Read with a retelling of one of the most infamous doors of all: the door to the bloody chamber in the English tale, “Mr Fox” Please check out our Patreon page! You can help support the show for as little as a dollar a month, and … Continue reading "Special Episode – Mr Fox"
Summary: As we continue in our Doorways into Darkness All Hallows Read series, we visit York, Pennsylvania to explore the Seven Gates of Hell. 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 same time. Even if … Continue reading "Special Episode – The Seven Gates of Hell"
Summary: We talk about the value of end-of-life planning from a practical and spiritual standpoint, and look at the work of death midwives with our special guest, Victoria Young. 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 … Continue reading "Episode 153 – Death Midwifery with Victoria Young"
Summary: We begin our All Hallows Read stories for 2019 with a story of an eerie office space, and a doorway that may be a gateway to something terrifying. 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 … Continue reading "Special Episode – The Third Floor"
Summary: We discuss the power of connecting with ancestors (and just what we mean with that term), as well as finding spirituality while locked in a bathroom, with author, folk magician, and dancer Mallorie Vaudoise. Please check out our Patreon page! You can help support the show for as little as a dollar a month, … Continue reading "Episode 152 – Honoring Ancestors with Mallorie Vaudoise"
Summary: We’re digging through the mailbag to answer your questions from email, voicemail, social media and more! We talk about ancestral spirits, revisit our seaside sorcery show, and enjoy a saucy bit of verse on the topic of nekkid witches. Please check out our Patreon page! You can help support the show for as little … Continue reading "Episode 151 – Annual Owls 2019"
Summary: We talk about decks, divination, Taoist folk magic, and talismans with author and teacher Benebell Wen. 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 same time. Even if you can’t give, spread the word and … Continue reading "Episode 150 – Tarot and Taoist Magic with Benebell Wen"
Summary: In this episode we talk mermaids and manatees, sexy seashells, and far too many Disney movies. Join us down at the shore as we discuss the magic of (and around) the ocean! Please check out our Patreon page! You can help support the show for as little as a dollar a month, and get … Continue reading "Episode 149 – Seaside Sorcery"
As you may have guessed, I’m something of a bibliophile. On a recent shopping trip, I picked up no less than six books at multiple witchy shops. Even a trip to the science museum with my kids found me grabbing a pair of small field guides to plant identification. This is not a phenomenon limited … Continue reading "Blog Post 216 – Graphic Witchery (Occult Graphic Novels)"
I’m currently doing some traveling, but while staying in Nashville, TN where we visit with my in-laws each year I was fortunate enough to have a day where both Laine and our friend (and fellow YouTuber/witchy bon-vivant) AthenaBeth made the drive in to meet up with me. We did some witchy shop-hopping and visited … Continue reading "Video: Nashville Witchery 2019 (with AthenaBeth!)"
Summary: We’re taking a bit of a magical road trip and visiting a couple of witchy museum exhibits this time. We’ll stop by Cornell University to chat about the recent “The World Bewitch’d” exhibit there with one of the curators, then hop over to Cleveland, Ohio to visit the Buckland Museum of Witchcraft and Magick. … Continue reading "Episode 148 – Exhibiting Witchcraft"
Summary: This time we’re looking at a few more of the everyday objects our listeners have sent in and seeing what sorts of magic we can make of them. We talk astrology and wristwatches, trunk-or-treat altar spaces, and aromatherapy necklaces as magical door chimes. We hope you enjoy and share your own everyday objects with … Continue reading "Episode 147 – Everyday Magical Objects Redux"
Summary: We sit down and visit with old friends Chris Orapello and Tara-Love Maguire about the evolution of their Black Tree tradition of magic, the ways folk magic and witchcraft fit into a contemporary world, how natural magic and climate change impact one another, and what being in the witchy publishing world is like. Please … Continue reading "Episode 146 – Besom Stang and Sword with Chris and Tara"