Episode 73: “Thorn Trees” With Valerie Mich’El Oliver, Bernadette Montana, and Jacob Larch

A new show about Witches??? We are joined by three members of the production team of Thorn Trees, an independently produced series about a grieving witch who recruits a repentant witch-hunter in Elizabethan England to help save her family from a corrupt Bishop intent on murder. The team chats with us about the journey to creating this piece, the challenge of indie production, and the desire to tell a different story. Digressions include birth stones, ash and doughnut theft, and head-biting. A listener has heard “that time of the month” is the best for Magick…but what if they feel like crap at “that time”? On Patreon: Extended, ad-free episode plus deep-dive with the creators.

* Be your best, sparkliest version of yourself in 2021 with some custom tattoo work, killer jewelry, or a new piercing at the woman-owned Adorn Body Art, with three locations to serve you in the Portland, OR area…or shop online at adornbodyart.com. Tell them you heard their ad on That Witch Life!
* Get 10% off at CucinaAurora.com for AMAZING, Magickally-infused olive oils and other food products, or Dawn Hunt’s new cookbook, ‘A Kitchen Witch’s Guide to Love and Romance.’ Enter WITCHLIFE2021 at checkout.
* Pre-order Lights, Camera, Witchcraft: A Critical History of Witches in American Film and Television by Heather Greene at llewellyn.com or wherever you get your books!

Audio Transcript Download

Our Guests Today:

We are joined today by three members of the “Thorn Trees” production team: creator and producer Valerie Mich’El Oliver, producer Bernadette Montana, and creator, screenwriter, and producer Jacob Larch. “Thorn Trees” is an independently produced series about a grieving witch who recruits a repentant witch-hunter in Elizabethan England to help save her family from a corrupt Bishop intent on murder. The team decided to indie-produce themselves after pitching and discovering that the entertainment industry is attached to a tradition of witch-based stories being either horror or fantasy, that perpetuates stereotypes that are disrespectful and maintain prejudice–that very often includes metaphysical practitioners and other lightworkers as recipients. They were committed to not going down that path. One of their producers is a Wiccan High Priestess & pipe carrier. Another is a healing artist, pipe carrier, and is a Christian ordained minister. The team practices many faiths and walks different spiritual paths –respectful of each other, committed to telling a realistic story about a Pagan family led by a strong, female protagonist.

“Thorn Trees” Trailer

Resource List

The Pursuit Studio
“Thorn Trees” Facebook Group

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Episode 72: Baking Magick With Helena Garcia

Baking is Magick! Helena Garcia of “The Great British Baking Show” joins us to discuss the Witchtacular things she made as a contestant on the popular series, how to infuse Magick into baking, and her amazing new cookbook, The Wicked Baker. We also dive into the whimsical side of spooky and a hilarious misunderstanding of a FAERY Garden. Digressions include Hilary’s incredible manifestation and “Wandavision” (!!!). On Patreon: More baking tips with Helena, plus her experience in filming “What We Do In The Shadows”. A listener wants to start working with a crystal ball, but the internet says it will open a portal to evil. Is that true???
* Get 10% off at CucinaAurora.com for AMAZING, Magickally-infused olive oils and other food products, or Dawn Hunt’s new cookbook, ‘A Kitchen Witch’s Guide to Love and Romance.’ Enter WITCHLIFE2021 at checkout.
* We cannot get enough of this tea. Race over to Jasmine Pearl Tea Company and treat yourself to a beautiful blend! Free shipping on orders of $25 or more!
* Pre-order The Scent of Lemon and Rosemary with 20% at llewellyn.com with coupon code LEMON20.

Audio Transcript Download

Our Guest Today

Helena Garcia was one of the 2019 contestants in The Great British Bakeoff and won the hearts of the nation with her eccentric style, spooky approach and fun-loving personality. Obsessed with anything witchy, Helena has written a book for crafty witches covering a bit of history of witchcraft in Britain, a guide to magical plants and plenty of craft projects and recipes to help you live like every day is Halloween. Her second book, The Wicked Baker is out now.

Resource List

Helena Garcia Website
Helena Garcia IG
The Great British Baking Show (on Netflix)
“The Wicked Baker” by Helena Garcia
Coney Island Mermaid Parade

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Episode 71: Love Magick With Gabriela Herstik

It’s our annual love Magick episode! Witch and author Gabriela Herstik joins us to talk about love spell successes (and less-than successes). We also discuss the journaling, sex Magick, and shadow work, and getting over the fear of performing love spells. Other topics include Magick for the upcoming New Moon, teenager antics, and better uses for bras. A listener who is asexual is struggling to cast an effective love spell. Is there something they should do differently to bring the right romance to themselves? Bonus content on Patreon. Follow us on Instagram, join the #thatwitchlove challenge, and possibly win a screaming goat!

* Be your best, sparkliest version of yourself in 2021 with some custom tattoo work, killer jewelry, or a new piercing at the woman-owned Adorn Body Art, with three locations to serve you in the Portland, OR area…or shop online at adornbodyart.com. Tell them you heard their ad on That Witch Life!
* Get 10% off at CucinaAurora.com for AMAZING, Magickally-infused olive oils and other food products, or Dawn Hunt’s new cookbook, ‘A Kitchen Witch’s Guide to Love and Romance.’ Enter WITCHLIFE2021 at checkout.
* We cannot get enough of this tea. Race over to Jasmine Pearl Tea Company and treat yourself to a beautiful blend! Free shipping on orders of $25 or more!

Audio Transcript Download

Our Guest Today

Gabriela Herstik is a witch, fashion alchemist, and author living in Los Angeles. She is the author of Inner Witch: A Modern Guide to the Ancient Craft; Bewitching the Elements: A Guide to Empowering Yourself through Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit; and most recently Embody Your Magick: A Guided Journal for the Modern Witch. She has written for publications such as Vogue International, NYLON, Dazed Beauty, Glamour, and more on the intersection of witchcraft, glamour, and sexuality and she fronts the High Priestess Column on High Times Magazine. She is a devotee of the Goddess of Love and believes magick is for everyone.

Resource List

Gabriela Herstik Website
A Witch’s Guide To Faery Folk
Rondo’s
@gabyherstik
Tarot Class with Courtney
TWL Spell Kits and Stickers on Etsy

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Episode 70: Imbolc And Brigid Magick With Orlagh Minxie Costello

Giving thanks to our wonderful sponsors! See below for listener specials! It may feel like winter, but could we be seeing the start of Spring? Orlagh Minxie Costello joins us from Ireland to discuss the holiday of Imbolc and the Goddess Brigid. We also explore Pagan Catholicism, manifestations of Brigid, and celebrating Imbolc today, even if you’re not in Ireland! Plus, Hilary’s hunt for a haunted house, our favorite fake documentaries, and Kanani reviews “Wandavision” and “A Discovery of Witches” A listener is having trouble with her husband’s ex. What can she do, magickally, to keep this person away?
* Fox and Elder: Meeting you where you are, offering a variety of ways to step onto the plant path. To receive 15% off your first purchase of teas, tinctures, or a Full Moon Zine subscription, go to foxandelder.com and enter code “thatwitchlife” at check-out.
* Be your best, sparkliest version of yourself in 2021 with some custom tattoo work, killer jewelry, or a new piercing at the woman-owned Adorn Body Art, with three locations to serve you in the Portland, OR area…or shop online at adornbodyart.com. Tell them you heard their ad on That Witch Life!

Audio Transcript Download

Our Guest Today

Orlagh Minxie Costello currently describes herself as a Pagan Catholic who works mostly with Brigid, in any form she chooses to present herself, within the Irish pantheon, but sure as we all know, the rest of the family invite themselves over from time to time. Orlagh runs a group on Facebook called Brigid’s Forge, where Brigid in any of her guises is discussed. Orlagh writes a blog, also called Brigid’s Forge, dedicated to Brigid, daily practice, devotions, reviews and anything else she fancies writing about. Orlagh is involved in women’s circles in various ways and practices energy work for fun. By day, she masquerades as an engineer.

Resource List

Arcane Botanica
Centaur Astrology
Irish Pagan School
*Fake* Mermaid Documentary: “Mermaid Documentation The Bodies Found”
Courtney’s Virtual Tarot 101 Classes
TWL Spell Kits
Wandavision
A Discovery of Witches

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Episode 69: Magick In Art With Amy Cesari

We are thankful for our generous sponsors! Please see below for listener specials! It’s called WitchCRAFT for a reason! Amy Cesari joins us to discuss how to use art or creativity in Magick. We explore the role of simplicity in Magick, and how emotion and divinity can be expressed through art. Plus, Magick the Wolf Moon, the reviewer who JUST DOESN’T CARE and the drama of a sock (and maybe a shovel….). A listener is looking for a Witch store. Also, can they buy Tarot cards off of Amazon?

Audio Transcript Download

Our Guest Today

Amy is an author and illustrator who enjoys animated musicals. Not only does she own every Nintendo game console ever made, she’s earned several fancy diplomas and enjoys continued studies in various magical practices. Amy is the kind of witch who jumps out of bed early to greet the sun, and follows her spirit on all sorts of wild adventures. Her typical work day begins with a powerful ritual, reciting along with the film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971). She has independently published a series of popular coloring books on modern witchcraft, Coloring Book of Shadows, which you can discover at coloringbookofshadows.com.

Resource List

Hekate Class
Tarot classes
Etsy spell kits
Soul (film)
Sunset

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Episode 68: Our 2 Year Anniversary Supreme With Najah Lightfoot, David Shi, And Annwyn Avalon

A special thanks to our sponsors! See below for listener specials. Wow! We’re celebrating two years of doing this podcast! In this SUPREME-sized episode, we are bringing back three people who have specifically shaped our path: Najah Lightfoot, David Shi, and Annwyn Avalon. The witches reflect on the events at the Capitol and revel in our favorite memories from the podcast, including how we started it. Courtney has an epic rant. A 16 year old listener feels pulled to Witchcraft but doesn’t know where to start…also, how do they tell their dad???

Get 10% off at CucinaAurora.com for AMAZING, Magickally-infused olive oils and other food products, or Dawn Hunt’s new cookbook, ‘A Kitchen Witch’s Guide to Love and Romance.’ Enter WITCHLIFE2021 at checkout.
* Be your best, sparkliest version of yourself in 2021 with some custom tattoo work, killer jewelry, or a new piercing at the woman-owned Adorn Body Art, with three locations to serve you in the Portland, OR area…or shop online at adornbodyart.com. Tell them you heard their ad on That Witch Life!

Audio Transcript Download

Our Guests Today

Najah Lightfoot is the multi-award-winning author of “Good Juju ~ Mojos, Rites & Practices for the Magical Soul.” She is the Gold Medal winner of the 2020 COVR Awards, in the category of Wicca, Witchcraft and Magick, and a winner of the 2019 NYC Big Book Award. She is a fellow of the Sojourner Truth Leadership Circle, sponsored by Auburn Seminary. Najah practices magick, loves rituals, and writing about ways to help others develop powerful spiritual, magickal, practices. Najah resides in Denver, CO, where the blue skies and the power of the Rocky Mountains uplift and fills her soul. She is also an initiated member of a New Orleans Vodou society and a regular contributing author to the Llewellyn Almanac series. Her articles regularly appear in Llewellyn’s Magical Almanac, Witches’ Companion, Witches’ Datebook, and Spell-A-Day Series. Najah is a frequent guest on podcasts, as well as an in-demand speaker for conferences, classes and events, and her magickal, beloved, staff is now on display at the Buckland Museum of Witchcraft, located in Cleveland, OH. Najah on Instagram: @najahlightfoot

David Shi is a spiritual worker and folk magic practitioner of Manchurian descent. Raised in a household that incorporated both Southeast Siberian and North Chinese practices, David has dedicated his spare time to the study of the spiritual traditions of his ancestors and of greater Eurasia. Recognized as a sagaasha/ongodtengertei, a future shaman prior to initiation, among both Mongolian and Korean shamans, David’s practices are deeply rooted in spirit work in which ancestral and land spirits are called to empower all workings. David is the author of the book “North Asian Magic: Spellcraft from Manchuria, Mongolia, and Siberia,” conducted workshops across the country including Catland Books, the Hoodoo Heritage Festival (sponsored by the Lucky Mojo Curio Company), and “On Sacred Ground” by Khi Armand. David also teaches the Korean traditional drumming art of Poongmul-nori.

Annwyn Avalon is a Water Witch, Water Priestess, and the founder of Triskele Rose Witchcraft, an Avalonian witchcraft tradition. She has devoted her life to the study of art, witchcraft, and magic. She is an initiated Witch and Priestess, Reiki Master Teacher, award-winning Dancer, published author and has a BFA in sculpture, BA in Anthropology with emphasis on plant and human interactions and has received an apprentice certificate in Herbalism. She writes for the Magical Times Magazine in the UK and has contributed to other published works such as The New Aradia a Witches handbook for resistance. She is the author of Water Witchcraft: Magic and Lore from the Celtic Tradition and The Way of the Water Priestess: Entering the World of Water Magic. Visit her at www.WaterWitchcraft.com, www.WaterPriestess.com and www.TriskeleRose.com

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Episode 67: Magickal Thought Forms With Phoenix Coffin-Williams

A special thanks to our sponsors! See below for listener specials. What is a thought form? Why are they helpful in Magick? Witch and Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Phoenix Coffin-Williams helps us explore these questions as well as different planes of existence, how thoughts become reality, and when a thought form has reached its expiration date. Kanani shares her experience with living with a thought form. Courtney shares New Moon Magick for January. Digressions include corset adventures and an awful premonition come true. A listener’s father was diagnosed with cancer. Is there a way to help promote his healing from a distance? On Patreon–Phoenix shares his advice developing a thought-form practice.

* Get 10% off at CucinaAurora.com for AMAZING, Magickally-infused olive oils and other food products, or Dawn Hunt’s new cookbook, ‘A Kitchen Witch’s Guide to Love and Romance.’ Enter WITCHLIFE2021 at checkout.
* Be your best, sparkliest version of yourself in 2021 with some custom tattoo work, killer jewelry, or a new piercing at the woman-owned Adorn Body Art, with three locations to serve you in the Portland, OR area…or shop online at adornbodyart.com. Tell them you heard their ad on That Witch Life!
* Looking to enchant your house with plants? Check out Arcane Botanica!

Audio Transcript Download

Our Guest Today

Phoenix Coffin-Williams is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor. He is the founder of his own Holistic Mental Health & Coaching company in New York. Trained in Correllian Wicca, Rev. Phoenix focuses on combining occult strategies with empirically supported methods to deliver quality care, counseling, and lasting change. Phoenix is the Chief priest of the Temple of Holistic Knowledge, a non-denominational, Wiccan Temple where the importance of utilizing Magickal skill to positively impact communities is emphasized. Phoenix is an acclaimed Arch Priest of the Correllian Nativist Tradition. Additionally, Phoenix enjoys various forms of fitness, is a proud foodie, enjoys puns and dad jokes equally as much as sarcasm and sex jokes. His favorite drink is a Long Island Iced Tea. He misses being able to give literally everyone a hug upon greeting them.

Resource List

Phoenix Coffin-Williams Tutorial on Thought Forms (YouTube)
Phoenix Coffin-Williams on Facebook
Connect with Phoenix by email (reverend.phoenix1@gmail.com)
Courtney’s classes at Catland:
1/18 The Morrigan
1/25 Hekate
Arcane Botanica (Instagram)
TWL Etsy–Imbolc Spell Kits

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Episode 66: The 2021 Astrological Forecast With Theresa Reed

A special thanks to our episode sponsors! See below for listener discounts! Eclipses, retrogrades, and a chance for cash…Theresa Reed returns to give us the 2021 forecast! We revisit her freakishly accurate predictions for 2020, including events that surprised most Astrologers. We discuss what we can expect in 2021–both positive and negative and go into some nice, juicy rants about enraging stuff. We also explore the Magick to do in 2021. Digressions include weird Christmastime dreams and Instagram antics. Hilary introduces us to an incredible Icelandic musician. A listener submitted a post to an online group, but it was banned for “mention of pregnancy.” Is this kind of gatekeeping normal in Pagan groups? On Patreon: Theresa talks about what to avoid in 2021, Courtney tells a story of a strange wedding and stranger divorce, and we do some more ranting and raving.
* Fox and Elder: Meeting you where you are, offering a variety of ways to step onto the plant path. To receive 15% off your first purchase of teas, tinctures, or a Full Moon Zine subscription, go to foxandelder.com and enter code “thatwitchlife” at check-out.
* Get 10% off at CucinaAurora.com for AMAZING, Magickally-infused olive oils and other food products, or Dawn Hunt’s new cookbook, ‘A Kitchen Witch’s Guide to Love and Romance.’ Enter WITCHLIFE2021 at checkout.
* Be your best, sparkliest version of yourself in 2021 with some custom tattoo work, killer jewelry, or a new piercing at the woman-owned Adorn Body Art, with three locations to serve you in the Portland, OR area…or shop online at adornbodyart.com. Tell them you heard their ad on That Witch Life!

Audio Transcript Download

Our Guest Today

Theresa Reed (aka “The Tarot Lady”) has been a full-time Tarot card reader for close to 30 years. She is the author of The Tarot Coloring Book, an illustrated tour through the world of Tarot with coloring sheets for every card in the deck. Theresa is also the author of Astrology For Real Life (A No B.S. Guide for the Astro-Curious) and the co-author of Tarot for Troubled Times with Shaheen Miro. In addition to doing private Tarot readings, teaching Tarot classes, and speaking at Tarot conferences, Theresa also runs a popular website—TheTarotLady.com—where she dishes out advice, inspiration and tips for Tarot lovers of all experience levels. Follow Theresa on Twitter and Instagram for her daily “Six Second Tarot Reading.” Theresa is also available on Patreon!

Resource List

TWL Etsy Store
Courtney’s classes:
“Brigid” on Jan 11
“The Morrigan” on Jan 18
“Hekate” on Jan 23
Hilary’s music suggestion:
Sigurboði Grétarsson (On Spotify)
Kvæðamaðr Album (On Bandcamp)

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Episode 65: Magickal Moments Of 2020 With Mat Auryn

A special thank to our episode sponsors! See below for listener specials! It’s our final episode of the year and our Patreon community picked Mat Auryn to return to talk with us about the most Magickal Moments of 2020! We talk about pandemic premonitions, community cooperation, and digging into Shadow work. We explore the idea of turning our Magick from coping to forward-facing, plus Magick around the election. Digressions include the movies that traumatized us in childhood and our most hilarious spell requests. A listener is dismantling their Ancestor altar. Is there a good way to let them know they’re not being forgotten? Forgive our less-than-optimal sound quality. We were recording from Zoom! To see the video or to join us for future exclusive interviews, join us on Patreon! Audio transcript to follow.
* Manifest The Change You Want To See In Yourself And The World Around You through Sacred Mists Academy. Visit sacredmistsacademy.com for free enrollment (a $30 savings) when using the code WITCHLIFE at registration. Available until 12/31/2020.
* Looking for Magickal supplies? To get 10% off your purchase of $35 or more at Sacred Mists Shoppe, go to sacredmists.com and use code WITCHLIFE at check-out.
* We cannot get enough of this tea. Race over to Jasmine Pearl Tea Company and treat yourself to a beautiful blend! Free shipping on orders of $25 or more!

Our Guest Today

Mat Auryn is the multi-award winning author of the internationally bestselling Psychic Witch: A Metaphysical Guide To Meditation, Magick, and Manifestation. Mat is an initiate in several esoteric and occult traditions and has had the honor and privilege of studying under some of the world’s most prominent occult teachers and witchcraft elders. He runs the blog ‘For Puck’s Sake’ on Patheos Pagan, is a content creator for Modern Witch, has a column in Witches & Pagans Magazine entitled ‘Extra-Sensory Witchcraft’, and has been featured in various magazines, radio shows, podcasts, books, anthologies, and other periodicals. To find out more about him and his work visit MatAuryn.com or follow him on instagram @MatAuryn.

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Episode 64: Yule Magick With Temperance Alden

A special thanks to our episode sponsors! Please see below for listener specials! It’s our annual holiday episode!!! We are talking with Temperance Alden, author of Year of the Witch, about connecting with different cycles of the year through ritual and intuition and awesome ways to celebrate the Winter Solstice and Yule, including the tradition of Witch Balls! Plus, we both love and hate on “Tan Santa.” Hilary discusses frankincense, Kanani discusses La Befana, and Courtney brings back the hit game: “Hallmark or Horror Movie?” A listener, who runs an Etsy store, has been dealing with unfair reviews. Is there a spell they can do to bring satisfaction to their customers, or is that messing with someone’s free will? To download the “Hallmark or Horror Movie” game to play at your own holiday festivities, join us on Patreon! Audio transcript to follow.
* Manifest The Change You Want To See In Yourself And The World Around You through Sacred Mists Academy. Visit sacredmistsacademy.com for free enrollment (a $30 savings) when using the code WITCHLIFE at registration. Available until 12/31/2020.
* Looking for Magickal supplies? To get 10% off your purchase of $35 or more at Sacred Mists Shoppe, go to sacredmists.com and use code WITCHLIFE at check-out.
* We cannot get enough of this tea. Race over to Jasmine Pearl Tea Company and treat yourself to a beautiful blend! Free shipping on orders of $25 or more!

Our Guest Today

Temperance Alden is the author of Year of the Witch (Weiser Books), teacher and folk Witch based in South Florida. Temperance began her spiritual journey with family traditions in 2001 and has spent over nineteen years of practice devoted to growing and developing her personal path of witchcraft and paganism. In her free time, she is most likely reading too many books and blogging her way through the internet.

Resource List

Connect with Temperance:
IG: wildwoman_witchcraft
Twitter: Temperance Alden
Patheos: Wild Woman Witchcraft
Year of the Witch from Weiser Books

Legend of La Befana