Whuddup Witches

Ireland has been home to many traditional pagan customs and traditions. In fact, the Emerald Isle has been home to many deities, cryptids and folklore alike. But today, we are covering arguably the easiest Celtic deity to pronounce: the goddess of fire (the forge and the hearth), poetry, healing, childbirth, and unity, among others: Brigid. Join us as we discuss the many symbols of this incredible deity, as well as her joyous day, marking the beginning of spring, Imbolc. https://www.mabonhouse.co/imbolc https://thegreenparent.co.uk/articles/read/six-ways-to-celebrate-imbolc https://druidry.org/resources/brigid-2 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigid_of_Kildare https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/imbolc https://goddessgift.com/goddesses/brigid/ https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imbolc

Humans have been using symbols, pictures and art throughout all of history to pass on knowledge and tell the stories of their peoples. Pictograms and symbolism then became a way for cunning folk, witches and healers to communicate with one another in a time where spoken language could not be used for fear of persecution. Join us this week as Felicia takes us through the 10 most commonly known symbols used by ancient and modern witches alike. This is by no means a extensive list of symbols, but it is a great place to start if you are new to symbols and would like to use them in your day to day life, spells and rituals. Symbols are a great way to not only enhance your rituals and spells but also to feel more deeply connected to this collective of witches that have come before us and who we practice alongside today.

Sources

https://www.duskofmagic.com/post/witchcraft-symbols

https://thoughtcatalog.com/christine-stockton/2018/05/witchcraft-symbols-and-meanings/

https://archive.bridgesmathart.org/2007/bridges2007-123.pdf

https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-03-24-me-1267-story.html

https://thepaganandthepen.wordpress.com/tag/goddess-kore/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_cross

https://www.ancient-symbols.com/symbols-directory/the-sun-cross.html

https://www.sweatershop.com/blog/triskelion-symbol-explained

https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20211102-why-the-secret-symbols-of-magic-and-witchcraft-fascinate-us

This week, Holly takes us to explore the history of Wicca and its founder, Gerald Gardener. We explore the impacts Wicca has had on modern practices, pop culture, and our own practices as well.

Don't forget to send in your spooky stories to be featured in our next listener's episode!

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https://www.britannica.com/topic/Wicca

https://www.historyextra.com/period/20th-century/wicca-witchcraft-origins-history-meaning/

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerald_Gardner

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wicca

https://www.history.com/topics/religion/wicca

With modernization dominating the natural world, it becomes harder to envision what a world filled with magic would have looked like. What is even harder to believe is that magic still exists within our world today. Join us in this week's episode as we explore sites around the world that are believed to be places of great healing, home to the supernatural, and centers of immense mystical and energetic power. From places of great healing, to the hidden worlds of the Fae, and the hauntings of vast forests, each of these places holds a connection to magic. Whether  you choose to visit some of these places for yourself or not, we encourage you to seek out the natural magic around you in everyday life.

Episode Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onsen#Definition

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kusatsu_Onsen

https://www.yumomi.net/senshitsusyugi/en/history#:~:text=Kusatsu%20Onsen%E2%80%94nestled%20between%20the,the%20Nara%20period%20found%20them

https://www.worldfootprints.com/onsen-culture-in-japan/#:~:text=The%20waters%20of%20onsens%20were,upper%20echelon%20of%20Japanese%20society.

https://visitkinosaki.com/about-kinosaki/the-7-mystic-onsen/

https://thirdeyetraveller.com/fairy-glen-scotland-skye-walk/#:~:text=Hidden%20away%20in%20the%20Trotternish,a%20wish%20to%20the%20Fae!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairy_ring

https://www.webpages.uidaho.edu/~rfrey/116ganges.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plain_of_Jars#Legends_and_local_history

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pante%C3%B3n_de_Bel%C3%A9n#Legends

MAGICAL PLACES: AN ENCHANTED JOURNEY THROUGH MYSTICAL SITES, HAUNTED HOUSES, AND FAIRYTALE FORESTS by Nikki Van De Car

https://americanfolklore.net/folklore/2010/07/joseph_bonaparte_and_the_jerse.html

https://www.atlantic-county.org/history/jersey-devil-pg2.asp

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jersey_Devil

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Jersey_Pine_Barrens#Jersey_Devil_and_other_folklore

Happy yuletide, witches! This week we have remastered and polished up one of our favourite episodes from last year.

Now you can enjoy it with at least 50% fewer "um"s and breath sounds!

Join us as Holly and Felicia dive deep into the ancient traditions of Yule and how they've morphed into the modern traditions we practice today! What does Thor have to do with Santa? Was Krampus really just a gift-giving goat? How can we acknowledge the solstice without chopping down massive trees and making sacrifices? Who are the Yule Lads and what do they do? Find out alongside us!

We hope you all have a happy and safe holiday season, we can't wait to get back to making things spooky in 2023.

https://stores.renstore.com/history-and-traditions/yule-history-and-origins

https://www.learnreligions.com/history-of-yule-2562997

https://thevikingdragon.com/blogs/news/the-origins-of-yule

https://thegreenparent.co.uk/articles/read/ten-ways-to-celebrate-yule

https://www.circlesanctuary.org/index.php/celebrating-the-seasons/13-ways-to-celebrate-yuletide

https://www.sunset.com/lifestyle/wellness/winter-solstice-rituals-nature

https://wisdom.thealchemistskitchen.com/modern-day-yule-celebrations/

Happy holidays, witches! Tis the season for debauchery and merry-making, and today is no different!

This week, Holly takes us to ancient Rome to look at the traditions and festivities of Saturnalia!

Like most winter solstice celebrations, Saturnalia has influenced many of the Christmas traditions we know and love today. Join us as we celebrate the sun's return and learn all about how we can celebrate today in modern times.

Resources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturnalia

https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-rome/saturnalia

https://starsignstyle.com/how-to-celebrate-saturnalia-december-17th-23rd/

https://www.wikihow.com/Celebrate-Saturnalia?amp=1

The moon has always been seen as a feminine symbol. Its lunar cycles are representative of immortality and eternity. It is the middle ground between the light of the sun and the darkness that is the night, thus it is often representative of the realm between consciousness and unconsciousness. In this week's episode we are going to explore everything the moon has to offer to us through moon magic. Join us this week as Felicia explains what moon magic is, some lesser known moon deities and finally how work with the moons energy in your spell craft. 

Episode Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon_magic

https://happiful.com/how-to-harness-the-moons-energy/

https://www.balispirit.com/community/blog/5-tips-how-to-harness-the-power-of-full-moon-and-new-moon-in-your-life

https://www.moodymoons.com/2021/07/04/moon-magic-a-beginner-crash-course-in-lunar-witchcraft/

https://bmcr.brynmawr.edu/2020/2020.06.12/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drawing_down_the_Moon_(ritual)

https://www.moodymoons.com/2015/08/13/dark-moon-dream-work-for-beginners/

https://wemoon.ws/blogs/magical-arts/full-and-new-moon-rituals

https://www.learnreligions.com/lunar-deities-2562404

https://witchipedia.com/deity/artemis/

https://celticearthspirit.co.uk/folklore-mythology-culture/lunar-calendars-cycles/

 

In many past episodes we have talked about different types of witches, types of magic and forms of magical practices. Throughout all of those episodes we have talked about the tools that a magical practitioner has at their disposal. In today's episode we are going to narrow our focus on a few very ancient and commonly used tools, Amulet, talismans and charmed objects. What are they used for, how are they the same and how are they different? Well click that play button to find out! 

Episode Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amulet

https://www.britannica.com/topic/amulet

https://www.wise-geek.com/what-is-an-amulet.htm

https://witchcraftandwitches.com/witchcraft/terms-amulet/

https://witchcraftandwitches.com/magic-magick/7-steps-for-making-magical-charms-amulets-talismans-fetishes/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talisman

http://www.differencebetween.net/miscellaneous/religion-miscellaneous/difference-between-amulets-and-talismans/

Whuddup witches! Another week, another wondrously mystical topic: Dreamwork!

I don't think Holly will be putting you to sleep this week as we delve into the history of the significance of dreams, how we are able to interpret them today, and the importance of crafting a comfortable dream space for yourself.

Make sure to send in your own personal prophetic stories to our Facebook, Instagram, email, Twitter, or TikTok!

And as always,

Stay Spooky!

http://witchipedia.wikidot.com/def:dream-work

https://www.britannica.com/topic/oneiromancy

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oneiromancy

https://houseofsand.com/articles/dreamwork-find-guidance-dreams/

http://www.lunalunamagazine.com/dark/3-sleep-dream-magic-practices

https://norse-mythology.org/dreams/

https://www.dreams.co.uk/sleep-matters-club/what-do-prophetic-dreams-mean

https://cosmiccuts.com/en-ca/blogs/healing-stones-blog/crystals-for-dreaming

You’ve heard us get beat up by a deck of cards, now listen as we get called out by a rainbow. This week, we are doing an intro to Chakras! What are the 7 main Chakras? Their characteristics? And where are they in the body? Listen along as Felicia fills us in on everything to do with this metaphysical practice!

Episode Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chakra

https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness-exercise/7-chakras

https://blog.mindvalley.com/7-chakras/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRdcrrO35bU

https://www.healthline.com/health/what-are-chakras

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yajna

https://www.healthline.com/health/what-are-chakras#about-chakras

https://www.theyoganomads.com/chakra-symbols/