The Lion, The Witch, And The Podcast

On this episode of the ‘cast Court and Shaun are discussing the New Moon! The New Moon is the first phase of the lunar cycle, the darkness of which encourages us to look inward for direction, allowing us the opportunity to plan the start of our lunar cycle. During the New Moon, we strategize and plant seeds, begin goal-setting, and come up with ideas. What do we want to accomplish throughout the lunar month? The New Moon is the time to decide on the focus. RESOURCES: Moon Spells by Diane Ahlquist; Moonology by Yasmin Boland; Full Moon Magic 2022 by Vickie Ossai; The Witch of the Forest’s Guide to Natural Magick by Lindsay Squire; Lunar Abundance by Ezzie Spencer; NASA.gov; The Farmer’s Almanac

This week on the show, we’re diving back into THE ELEMENTS, this time discussing AIR! Air is an element of movement, and is always present around us. Air brings the power of transformation, and is vital to life on Earth. There are many ways to work with this element, tune in to hear what we’ve learned! RESOURCES: The Witch of the Forest’s Guide to Natural Magick by Lindsay Squire; Year of the Witch by Temperance Alden; The Big Book of Practical Spells by Judika Illes

On this week’s episode of the show, Shaun and Court are talking Oracle Decks in our brand new Simple Divination Series! Oracle cards act as messengers through their symbols, artwork or typography to aid the reader in the interpretation of each card based on a meaning assigned by the artist or author of the deck, or the reader’s own analysis of the presentation of the cards. Do you use Oracle Cards? Tune in to hear about our favorite decks and how we use them! RESOURCES: Southern Botanic Oracle by Stacey Williams-Ng; Practical Magic Inner Witch Oracle by Grounded by the Moon; Seasons of the Witch Beltane Oracle by Lorraine Anderson and Juliet Diaz; Moonology Oracle Deck by Yasmin Boland and Artwork by Nyx Rowan; Moon Witch Oracle Deck by Cosmic Valeria; Cosmic Guidance Oracle Deck by Annie Tarasova.

This week on the show we’re back with our Simple Goddess Series! Shaun and Court are talking about the Celtic goddess of the forge, of poets, of prophets, of healing, of battle and more. The goddess Brigid couldn’t be more multi-dimensional! She grew from an ancient world as a regional spirit of the land…and as the culture spread and evolved, so did she, into a mighty, courageous and recognizable goddess of the people. Tune in to hear all that we’ve learned about this revolutionary deity! RESOURCE: Brigid: History, Mystery and Magick of the Celtic Goddess by Courtney Weber

This week on the ‘cast, Shaun and Court are back with more WITCH CRAFTIES for you, this time to celebrate the festival of Imbolc! Imbolc is also known as “St Brigid’s Day” or “Candlemas,” and it is during this festival that we begin to see the light returning to our days and we bear witness the first signs of spring. We’ll focus on fun activities, crafts and spellwork you can perform to ring in the holiday. RESOURCES: Year of the Witch by Temperance Alden; The Witch of The Forest’s Guide to Natural Magick by Lindsay Squire; The Witches’ Cookery “Imbolc” videos on Youtube

Happy TWO YEARS of the podcast, witches! Wow, what a time to be alive. On this week’s episode of the show, we’re celebrating our growth as practitioners, business women and as people. We’re chatting about how we’ve expanded our practices, learned from each other, community building, setting boundaries, dealing with burnout and so, so, SO much more. Behind every creator is a living, breathing person with a heart and a soul. This is us.

This week on the show we’re talking about just some of the many queens and women of winter to help us transition into the season! Winter goddesses have been categorized in their respective mythologies as sometimes frightening or wrathful, but the roles they play are crucial to the cycle of life and death. Let’s learn about the strength and tenacity of these mythical figures together! RESOURCES: “Beira, Queen of Winter,” from Ancient Origins; A Cycle of Life and Death: Slavic Goddesses Morana and Vesna from Ancient Origins; The Legend of Frau Holle from Learning Religions; The Encyclopedia of Spirits by Judika Illes

This week on the show, Shaun and Court are wandering into the darkness by the light of Her torch—today we’re talking about our mystic night mother, Lady Hekate! In this episode of our Simple Goddess Series, we’re breaking down the complex roots of this ancient Titaness, Hekate’s influence on the era’s mythology, her many titles and epithets, feast days, animal familiars and more. Hekate is a mighty goddess of multi-dimensional aspects - she is mysterious and feared by some, petitioned and beloved by others. Hekate will shock you, rock you, and push you to do the work you need for yourself. Don’t miss our exploration of this extraordinary and enchanting figure! RESOURCES: Theoi Project digital library from Aaron J. Atsma; Hekate: Goddess of Witches by Courtney Weber; Entering Hekate’s Garden by Cyndi Brannen; The Many Epithets of Hekate by Mat Auryn for Patheos.com; Hesoid’s Theogony; Cyndi Brannen’s Keepingherkeys.com; “Hekate’s Deipnon” from Helleion

On this week’s episode of the show, Shaun and Court are sitting down with Susan Padron, Philadelphia’s premier Intuitive Personal Stylist, to discuss working intentional magick with what we wear every day. The wardrobe is an underrated but powerful tool of the witch - ritual attire and personal armor can effectively be crafted from our clothing, which can also be enchanted, spelled or used to unlock a deeper part of us. In this episode we’re diving into how we can begin to intuitively live through how we dress, and work a subtle daily magick to connect us with our inner truths.

This week on the ‘cast Shaun and Court are cutting the cord - we’re breaking the ties that bind us to toxic people, addictions, intrusive thoughts and bad memories, together. Let’s chat about the witchy way to move onward and upward! RESOURCES: “A Witch's Guide to Cord Cutting, the Simple Ritual to Get Over Your Ex” by Sophie Saint Thomas for Vice; “Cord Cutting Spell” by Alanna LP for Out Front Magazine; Love Spells for the Modern Witch by Michael Herkes

On this week’s episode of the show, Shaun and Court are wandering deep into the Haunted Forest, chatting all about the Poison Path! The Poison Path has such a rich history behind it of folk ritual, science, murder and intrigue. Poisonous plants have been heavily associated with witches since time immemorial, and are often aligned with dark goddesses and baneful, shadowy work. Let’s get spooky! RESOURCES: The Poison Path Herbal by Coby Michael; Botanical Curses and Poisons by Fez Inkwright

This week on the show Shaun and Court are chatting haunting homes, scary woods, phantom theatres, spooky hotels and even a ghost ship - ALL places that have shaped us as we grew into the witches we are today. Don’t miss this episode that is so close to our little haunted hearts! RESOURCES:
“The Haunted History of the East Village” by Darla Murray of The Local East Village; “Our Ghosts” from The Merchant House Museum; “NoHo Real Estate That Comes With a Tale of Murder” by Sam Roberts of The New York Times; “Prosecutors: L.A. Serial Killer Really 4-5 Men” by Scott Michaels of ABC News; Los Angeles, California, Comedy Store from HauntedHouses.com; Spooky and Haunted Places in L.A. To Visit Next from California.com; “The 9 most haunted places in NEPA” from nepascene.com; Broadway Ghosts - The Five Most Terrifying Haunted Theaters by Martha G of ExperienceFirst.com; Warren County from Atlas Obscuria; Clinton Road: A Dark Ride from Weird New Jersey

On this week’s episode of the show, Shaun and Court are picking pumpkins, doing apple divinations, and talking about the fun activities you can do to ring in the spooky season! We’ll chat traditions of Samhain and modern adaptions, and some really fun food and games to have at your Halloween parties! Keep an eye out for part II which will cover hollow-crafts! RESOURCES: Halloween: Spells, Recipes and Customs by Silver RavenWolf; The Encyclopedia of Magical Ingredients by Lexa Rosean

On this week’s episode of the show, Court and Shaun are howling at the moon and doing the MONSTER MASH! To celebrate the start of Spooky Season, we’re talking all about the folklore, histories and legends of things that go bump in the night, drink blood, and eat brains. Don’t miss this graveyard smash with your favorite spooky leos! RESOURCES: “The Bloody Truth About Vampires” by Becky Little of National Geographic; “Vampire History” and “Werewolf Legends” from History.com; The Origins and History of Fairies by Ellen Castelow of Historic-uk.com; New World Witchery by Cory Thomas Hutchenson; “Zoinks! Tracing The History Of 'Zombie' From Haiti To The CDC” by Lakshmi Gandhi of NPR

Happy Spooky Season, witches! Let’s kick it off with another Simple Goddess episode, this time chatting the dark and glorious goddess, Lilith! She is among the most primordial spirits and the most modern. A figure of epic duality, Lilith is linked to demons, to rebellion, and to wild and unyielding female power. She is found amongst the literature of many ancient worlds, and her influence spans cultures and religions worldwide. Today, she is a feminist icon, but Lilith’s transformation over time practically had wings of its own. Tune in to hear more about this mighty goddess and why we love her! RESOURCES: Encyclopedia of Spirits by Judika Illes; Find Your Goddess by Skye Alexander; “Lilith” New World Encyclopedia

On this week’s episode of the show, we’re sitting down with the AH-mazing Tayler Quigley to talk the magick she makes! Tayler is based in Los Angeles and is a self-taught mystical crystal jeweler and embroidery artist who practices a special type of glamour magick with her breath-taking creations. This summer, Tayler has been exploring the beauty of Sea Witchery with Larimar, the mystical mineral of the deep blue - working the crystal into pendants to create a spell-binding statement piece that looks like it could live on the neck of a mermaid queen. Tayler works in many crystal mediums and describes to us during our conversation just how she harnesses the power of the crystal to customize her creation to align with her client’s specific intentions. If you’re curious about the magick of jewelry-making, you’ve come to the right ‘cast. Be sure to follow Tayler on both Instagram and Facebook at @taylermakesmagic!

On this week’s episode of the ‘cast, Court and Shaun are hopping IN the cauldron to talk ALL about RITUAL BATHING! Ritual bathing has been used in a plethora of ways throughout our history, for aspects of spellwork and spiritual acts regarding good health, ritual purification, and so so much more! The element of water gives life, preserves and promotes prayer, and purifies energy - renewing and nourishing the body as well as the soul. Join us to boil and bubble this witchy Wednesday! RESOURCES: Moon Bath by Dakota Hills and Sierra Brashear; Encyclopedia of 5,000 Spells by Judika Illes

HAPPY LION, HAPPY LIFE!! On this week’s episode of the show, Shaun and Court are roaring LOUD AND PROUD for Leo Season! But Leo Season isn’t all about Leo Sun Signs! Tune in on Wednesday to hear how your Leo placements can affect your chart and some fun tips for our favorite astro season of the year! RESOURCES: The Only Astrology Book You’ll Ever Need by Joanna Martine Woolfolk; Astrology for Happiness and Success by Mecca Woods; The Astrology of You and Me by Gary Goldschneider

On this week’s episode of the show, Shaun and Court are tackling luck and success workings! Luck, success and good fortune workings can be applied to many areas of the craft, and can be performed through many methods! Whether you’re rubbing a candle down with basil, wearing orange to open the road in front of you, or reaching for your tiger’s eye necklace that brings you luck, there are many different ways that you can approach success workings in your practice. Tune in to hear how! RESOURCES: Encyclopedia of 5,000 Spells by Judika Illes; Plant Witchery by Juliet Diaz; The Witch of the Forest’s Guide to Natural Magick by Lindsay Squire; The Crystal Bible by Judy Hall; New World Witchery by Cory Thomas Hutchenson; The Book of Herb Spells by Cheralyn Darcey

On this week’s episode of the show, Shaun and Court are stirring up some kitchen magick in the ‘ol cauldron! Kitchen witchery is as simple as integrating mindfulness into the simple act of of preparing a meal, working with ingredients and broadening our magickal mindsets by creating a nurturing and edible spell for abundance, protection, love and so much more. When we trade our wands for wooden spoons and make cooking a witchy ritual, we are not only fulfilling our biological and energetic needs for sustenance but we are also working magick and manifestation into an act of creation we perform every day. You are really going to want to be cauldron-side for this conversation, spoons up and tongues out! RESOURCES: Kitchen Witchery by Laurel Woodward; “The Basics of Kitchen Witchcraft” Youtube Video by The Witches’ Cookery

On this episode of the ‘cast, Shaun and Court sit down with Nicholle Sanchez of Herb and Dew Apothecary, to talk about the power of flowers and energy healing! Nicolle practices quantum energy healing and flower essence therapy to create a fully immersive wellness experience: she taps into the blockages in our own energetic pathways using her intuition and, depending on the root of the issue, finds a flower for it. Nicholle offers a unique perspective on how the outside world of nature can mirror the inner world of our bodies and minds, and how you can easily evolve by looking within you and with-out you. Follow Nicholle on social media at @flowernicholle and @herbanddew and check out her holistic offerings at www.herbanddew.com!

On this week’s episode of the show Court and Shaun are talking about Healing magick through a folk lens. Magickal healing in modern witchcraft can look like a multitude of things, and when we begin to look at healing as an integral part of the history of the witch, we consider traditional cures as they were practiced by our ancestors. Healing knowledge is as old as the Earth herself and spans the cultures of the world - tune in to hear us dive in! RESOURCES: Magical Healing: Folk Healing Techniques from the Old World by Hexe Claire; Wild Witchcraft: Folk Herbalism, Garden Magic, and Foraging for Spells, Rituals and Recipes by Rebecca Beyer; New World Witchery: A Trove of North American Folk Magick by Cory Thomas Hutchenson; Witchery: Embrace the Witch Within by Juliet Diaz

On this episode of the ‘cast, Court and Shaun are speaking with Imani Nicole, a certified mystical Breathwork Practitioner and guided meditation facilitator in Los Angeles. Imani uses the concept of “intentional breathing” to bring transformational healing and discovery to her sessions, and she is passionate about holding a non-judgmental and culturally mindful space where joy can thrive from lungs to mouth. She strives to help her clients improve their health and healing routines, implement stress management and cultivate a deeper sense of awareness of self. Today we’re talking about how to approach intentional breathing to heal the mind, body and soul, one inhale and one exhale at a time. Follow Imani on Instagram at @elementalbreathla and @maniidotcalm and check out her website for personalized breathwork offerings.

On this week’s episode of the show, Shaun and Court meet with Alexa Branco, Head-Bruja-In-Charge at The Bruja’s Tomb, to talk brujería, folk witchcraft, Earth magick, past lives and so much dang more. Alexa discusses with us her devotion to her heritage by reclaiming her culture through her craft, her deep ties to Nature, creating spiritual goods for the witch in need and her journey as a celebrity makeup artist - welcoming magick into her life every day by knowing her worth and her path to to the core. Alexa teaches us that we need to fight for our futures and put our faith into our dreams to achieve them. You can follow The Bruja’s Tomb on all social media at @thebrujastomb and check out her website to book readings with her!

On this week’s episode of the ‘cast, Court and Shaun are packing their bags and hitting the road with the simple spell series topic, Travel Witchcraft! Whether you’re taking a weekend trip or relocating temporarily, we can bring our spellwork with us in the forms of travel tools, either with parts of our altar, or travel-friendly cleansing items, and we can easily even ward our temporary spaces with our natural energies if we don’t have access to our tools. The options we have to take our witchy work on the road are endless. Join us this witchy Wednesday to chat! RESOURCES: “Travel Altars” Video on YouTube by The Witch of Wonderlust.

On this episode of the ‘cast, Court and Shaun are talking the many celebrations of May Day! Typically observed as a fire festival in Celtic Pagan history and a celebration of the height of spring, on May Day we welcome light and new life back to the Earth after the dormancy of winter. In German and Scandinavian culture, the first of May is also held as an observance of spring’s glory, in which bonfires are lit as they are in Celtic culture, to ward off evil spirits, stagnation and illness associated with the dark side of the wheel of the year. At this time we’re celebrating the strength of the Earth’s energies as blooms unfurl around us, fertility of the land and the potential of the growing season. How will you harness the energy of the first of May? RESOURCES: Year of the Witch by Temperance Alden; The Witch of the Forest’s Guide to Natural Magick by Lindsay Squire; “Walpurgis Night” from Encyclopedia Britannica; “Walpurgisnacht” from Germanculture .com

On this week’s episode of the ‘cast, Shaun and Court have their garden gloves and trowels poised and ready to talk Garden Witchery! Today we’re digging deep into the soil and into topics like working gardens of olde, wort-cunning, floriography, backyard bounty, magickal trees, specialty gardens and even Garden Witchery in the city. The magick of nature is everywhere - growing up through the cracks in the sidewalk, on the side of the road, and even in the weeds of your backyard. RESOURCES: Garden Witchery by Ellen Dugan; Magical Gardens by Patricia Monaghan; Garden Witch’s Herbal by Ellen Dugan

On this episode of the ‘cast, Court and Shaun are tarot-talking, again! This time, we’ll be digging deep into the Minor Arcana - comprised of fifty-six cards, four suits of Swords, Cups, Wands and Pentacles (or coins). We’re taking both the court and the pip cards today, how pulling these cards can speak to what you’re dealing with on the day-to-day, and how studying the four suits of the Minors can help you take a more granular look at the themes that are affecting your life and permeating your readings. Take a seat cauldron-side and don’t forget to cleanse that deck! RESOURCES: The Ultimate Guide to Tarot Card Meanings by Brigit Esselmont; Tarot Tuesdays Youtube Video Series by The Warm Hearted Witch.

On this episode of the ‘cast, Shaun and Court are talking ALL about All Snakes Day and Ostara/The Spring Equinox! These two major observances in March coincide nearly on the same week, and both bring to light topics of renewal, transformation and reassessment of values. In this episode Shaun and Court are breaking down the historical context of All Snakes, what it represents, the importance of taking a closer look at facts versus myths and the relevance of snake magick during the time of the Vernal Equinox, heralding in transition and change. Let’s talk about planting the seeds of our soul gardens, together! RESOURCES: St Patrick: False Myths, Folklore and Traditions of his Feast Day by Shane Broderick of Irishfolklore.com; St. Patrick's Day 2014: Facts, Myths, and Traditions by John Roach for National Geographic; Did St. Patrick Really Drive Snakes Out of Ireland? by James Owen for National Geographic; Wild Magic: Celtic Folk Traditions for the Solitary Practitioner by Danu Forest; Awakening the Ancient Power of Snake: Transformation, Healing, and Enlightenment by Dawn Baumann Brunke; “Serpents and Snakes” from mythencyclopedia.com; The Witch of the Forest’s Guide to Natural Magick by Lindsay Squire; Year of the Witch by Temperance Alden