Episode 40: Glamour Magick With Chaweon Koo

It is said that the greatest tool of the Witch is the Self. Special guest Chaweon Koo discusses how our bodies and how we express ourselves are the most powerful sources of Magick, and how everyday items of adornment–from clothes, to jewelry, to make-up, become part of a Witch’s personal sorcery. Other topics include the case of the missing Familiar, Hilary’s spectacular performance (which you can catch online!), wicked sunburns, and why the f*ck won’t people wear their g*******d masks??? We want to give the biggest thanks to all of our new Patreon supporters! For access to special content and goodies, become a Patron today! Audio transcript to follow.

Our Guest Today

Chaweon Koo is a Korean-American witch. She runs the YouTube channel “Witches & Wine” where she interviews experienced occultists, and explores the intersection of pop culture, glamour, magic, and self-development on Tik Tok. Her other social media:  https://linktr.ee/hichaweon

Resource List

“Witches and Wine” on YouTube
Follow Chaweon on Social Media
City Lights Theater Company–“Transfigurations” (Hilary’s performance)
Courtney’s Hekate Class
Sharon Kiara–Gift Horse Gems
Mermaid Parade
William Dorsey Swann

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Episode 39: Protection Magick With David Shi

Protection Magick is one of the core tenets of Witchcraft. But when do we need it and how should we do it? Special guest David Shi discusses the spiritual practices of protection from different North Asia traditions. He also discusses the nature of Shamanism–what it is and isn’t. We explore a listener question about animal symbolism and its possible connection to different pantheons. Your Witches share ‘What They Did On Their Summer Solstices,’ Hilary offers suggestions for the next Full Moon and Kanani reviews “The Dark Crystal.” Other unrelated topics include earwigs and nocturnal spider eating. Plus, we could use your help! We are now on Patreon. To keep more of the content you love coming, consider supporting us as a Patron, buying us a coffee, or purchasing our handmade merchandise on Etsy. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform! Audio transcript to follow.

Our Guest Today

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 was a featured guest on the radio shows “Candelo’s Corner” by Candelo Kimbisa and “On Sacred Ground” by Khi Armand. David also teaches the Korean traditional drumming art of Poongmul-nori.

Resource List

Contact David Shi
North Asian Magic: Spellcraft from Manchuria, Mongolia, and Siberia by David Shi
Sky Shamans of Mongolia by Kevin Turner
Riding Windhorses / Chosen by the Spirits by Sarangerel
Spirits From The Edge Of The World by Jan Van Ysslestyne
Tragic Spirits by Manduhai Buyandelger
Reflections of a Mongolian Shaman by Byambadorj Dondog
Shamans and Elders by Caroline Humphrey (rare book)
Mongolian Shamanism by Otgony Purev (very rare book)
“Drums of the Ancestors” film by Susan Grimaldi
“Sacred Hoop” magazine by Nicholas Breeze Wood
“3Worlds” Shamanism Website
Summer Solstice at Stonehenge
“The Dark Crystal” (film)
Brian Froud
“The Ethics of Witchcraft” (TWL Episode 9) with Andrea Weston (Ambrozine Legare)

Photos courtesy of David Shi. In the pictures, the shamans’s outfits are actually spiritual armor. Because shamans interact heavily with all kinds of spirits so frequently (sometimes even confrontationally), they require the best kind of protection possible when doing shamanic work. So what they wear (and all the items on it such as the mirrors, bells, jingle cones, etc.) encompass a full-body armour.

Support The Show!

For bonus content and other goodies, support us on Patreon!
Buy us a coffee!
Get yourself some handmade merch!
Subscribe and/or rate and review us on ITunes!
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter and share our latest episodes on your social media portals!
Send us a message telling us what you love about the show, what you’d love to see us cover, or questions you’d love to have us answer.
Keep downloading, keep listening!
Thank you!!!

Support That Witch Life Podcast!

It’s a tough time to ask for money, but we are a self-produced podcast with two of our three co-hosts are unemployed right now (thanks, COVID). If we’re going to continue the podcast, we need your help! Your donations help cover our website fees, upgrade our recording equipment, produce transcripts for our deaf and hard of hearing friends, and more. There are many ways to help!

Support Us On Patreon

A small, monthly donation gives you access to exclusive content and plenty of other goodies at every tier. Cancel at any time! See our Patreon page to learn more.

Buy Us A Coffee

If recurring donations aren’t feasible or aren’t your thing, you can make an individual donation when you buy us a coffee (or three…)! No amount is too small and we are grateful for it all!

Buy Our Merch

All of our merchandise is handmade by Kanani and available on Etsy. When you buy it, her phone makes a ker-ching sound. And, your purchases help us pay our podcast bills! Wholesale merchandise is available, too!

Other Ways To Support Us

Subscribe and/or rate and review us on ITunes!
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Send us a message telling us what you love about the show, what you’d love to see us cover, or questions you’d love to have us answer.
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Thank You For Helping Us Keep A Home For Living As A Witch In Today’s World!

Episode 38: Running A Witchcraft Business With Devin Hunter

It’s not easy running a Witchcraft business, but they are an invaluable staple to Magickal communities. Author and professional Witch Devin Hunter joins us to discuss what it takes to run a successful Witchcraft business, how even long-established Witchcraft businesses are adjusting in the Covid era, and the future of Witchcraft training courses and community. Devin gives us a sneak peek of his ritual plans for Sunfest 2021 and his newly released book. Hilary hosts, Courtney reviews “What We Do In The Shadows,” Kanani shares her plans for the next full moon. Other digressions include inadequate post-apocalypse skills, Luke Perry, Boyz II Men, and a penguin named Bobo. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review us on your favorite platform. Be sure to check out our Etsy store (10% of June sales benefit Protect The Sacred). Audio transcript to follow!

Our Guest Today

Devin Hunter is the bestselling author of the Witch Power Series (Llewellyn 2016-2018), the creator of Modern Witch (Podcast, Blog, Magazine, ModernWitch.com), as well as a professional psychic medium and occultist. He is part owner of Satyr’s Inc. and an initiate of multiple occult orders, including his own, Sacred Fires and is the cofounder of the Black Rose Tradition of Witchcraft. He has been featured in multiple publications and is a frequent presenter and keynote at conferences, and festivals throughout the nation. His highly anticipated fourth book, Modern Witch: Spells, Recipes, and Workings (Llewellyn 2020), a pictorial spell book and grimoire, was released this February. Connect with Devin at www.devinhunter.net.

Resource List

The Mystic Dream (store)
The Mystic Dream Academy
Water Witchcraft by Annwyn Avalon
What We Do In the Shadows
Sunfest
Our latest episode with Mat Auryn
Enchanted: Titania’s Book of White Magic

Episode 37: Summer Solstice Practices and Group Work with Doctor Beverley

It’s Midsummer (For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, anyway!)! Given that many Summer Solstice rituals are canceled this year, how are we going to practice? Doctor Beverley joins us to talk about the celebration of the longest day in many different Witchcraft traditions. Inspired by a listener question, we explore the role of Covens in a Witch’s Magickal practice, including how to start or find one, and the challenges common to Coven work. We express our disappointment over J.K. Rowling’s most recent remarks and re-visit Kanani’s revulsion to kale. Be sure to check out our Etsy store (10% of June’s proceeds support Protect the Sacred) and don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform!

Audio TranscriptDownload

Our Guest Today

Doctor Beverley is a “two-headed” conjure woman, an empath, and a justified spiritual worker. She is a Rootworker, a diviner skilled in bone reading and tarot. Formerly a Druid high priestess of the Druidic Craft of the Wise: The American Rite, she is a life-long student of herbalism, aromatherapy, African-American and Caribbean-American folk magic. Doctor Beverley custom-blends and handcrafts spiritual baths, condition soaps, oils, & sachets (in small batches, freshly made-to-order for each client). A Reiki Master and long-time yogi, she believes in the Mind-Body-Soul connection to spiritual growth and healing. Doctor Beverley is available for readings, rootwork, and spiritual counseling. She has a soft spot for sex workers, dancers, gamblers, and all those who are discriminated against in any way. She may be found on Facebook: Doctor Beverley/Spiritual Gangsta and online at www.DocBev.com

Resource List

City Lights Theater Company (Hilary’s performance)
Stonehenge Summer Solstice Ritual (Virtual ritual)
Burning Man
The Druidic Craft of the Wise
Temple of Witchcraft
Sisterhood of Avalon

Doctor Beverley’s Burning Man Photos

Episode 36: Retrograde Magick with Lisa Jade

Is Mercury in Retrograde destroying your abilities to communicate? Is it bad to get married during a Venus Retrograde? Don’t fear the Retrograde! Author and astrologer Lisa Jade walks us through the upcoming planetary transits, including discussing what a Retrograde is, how to make the best use of the upcoming Retrogrades in both your Magick and your life, and why the planets may be encouraging a revolution. Hilary discusses the Magickal use of mugwort and Kanani reviews “Labyrinth,” gaining haters all over the world. Plus, we have a surprise visit from a fellow (and highly indignant) podcast host!
Remember to subscribe, rate, and review us! Also, we’ve got new goodies in our Etsy store! 10% of June sales go to Protect the Sacred.
Audio transcript to follow.

Our Guest Today

Lisa Jade is an author, witch, and astrologer with a holistic healing focus in community service and witchcraft. Lisa has written as a contributing author in The New Aradia: A Witch’s Handbook to Magical Resistance (2018), and Intuitive Witchcraft by Astrea Taylor (2020). Lisa also blogs on Patheos, and on Living The Liminal: Modern Witchcraft Musings. Her vision is weaving together magick and daily life. She is a 4th degree initiate in the Temple of Witchcraft Tradition, and a NCGR-PAA-I Natal Astrologer with training and mentorship through the Halifax Astrology School. A long time advocate for women’s health, and inclusive witchcraft, Lisa is an active volunteer with local community, national, and international groups in political advocacy, health care, and witch/pagan organizations. Lisa lives in rural Nova Scotia, Canada.

Resources

Lisa Jade on Patheos
Living The Liminal: Modern Witchcraft Musings.
The New Aradia: A Witch’s Handbook to Magical Resistance (2018)
Intuitive Witchcraft by Astrea Taylor (2020)
Labyrinth
Inciting a Riot Pagan Podcast
Llewellyn Books
Velma Nightshade
Protect The Sacred

Episode 35: Queer Witchcraft with Misha Magdalene

Magick is Queer! Hey, Queer people have been part of Magick since Magick began. Author Misha Magdalene joins us to talk about the connection between Magick and gender and sexuality in the Witchcraft world, which is often a hetero-normative environment. We also discuss ways to help others during this painful time. (We are angry, we are sad, but we are not silent.) Digressions include spoiled kittens, Cheez-Its and one BAD ASS spell contributed by a listener. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review us and remember to check out our Etsy shop! 10% of June’s proceeds go to Protect The Sacred. Audio Transcript to follow.

Our Guest Today

Misha Magdalene is a multi-classed, multi-geek, multi-queer witch and sorcerer with a degree in gender studies and a slightly odd sense of humor.  They’re the author of Outside the Charmed Circle: Exploring Gender & Sexuality in Magical Practice (Llewellyn, January 2020) and the similarly-named “Outside the Charmed Circle” blog at Patheos.  They’re an initiate of the Anderson Feri and Gardnerian Wiccan traditions of witchcraft, and have dabbled recklessly in both modern ceremonial magic and grimoiric goetia.  They live in the Pacific Northwest with their polymath partner and two adorably destructive black kittens.

Resource List

Misha Magdalene Website
“Outside The Charmed Circle” (Book by Misha Magdalene)
“Outside The Charmed Circle” (Misha Magdalene Blog)
Minnesota Freedom Fund
Black Visions Collective
Reclaim the Block
Link to Anti-Racist Children’s Books
Eclipse Magick Episode
Beyond the Gates
Trout Lake Abbey
Drawing Down The Moon
The Spiral Dance
Anderson Feri Tradition
Gardnerian Wicca
“Thinking Sex” by Gayle S. Rubin
When God Was Queer Podcast Episode 2–“We Were Made For This”
Protect The Sacred
That Witch Life Etsy Store

Prayer for the Full Moon

O Great Being of Light,
Show me my steps forward,
Show me where my power is,
Show me what I can do,
With what I have at my fingertips.
Help me be the light for others,
Help me be the solution.

And the award for ‘Best Spell Of 2020’ goes to:

Calling all witches, spiritual folk, and social justice warriors: NOW IS THE TIME FOR MAGICK. Now is not the time to pray for peace. The people taking to the streets need our fierce protection and empowerment. They need radical change. Send them the energy to keep fighting, to amplify their voices, and to keep them free from harm at the hands of brutal police and a system that constantly seeks to dismantle them. If things get out of hand and the people in power are using unnecessary force, may our magick thwart their weapons. May our magick empower the people who are disenfranchised. May it keep them safe, but also fiercely thwart those that seek to do them harm.
If shit needs to get fucked up, so mote it be!
~Contributed by: @8bit.octave

Bonus Episode: Pandemic and Eclipse Magick with Damon Stang

June, 2020 is full of eclipses and we are delighted to welcome back Damon Stang, who is going to tell us all about them! He also shares the spirit of NYC in the midst of the pandemic and what kind of Magick the residents are brewing (whether they know it or not!). We all share our Dark and New Moon stories, and Kanani reviews “The Watcher In The Woods.” Check out the NEW merch at our Etsy store and remember to subscribe, rate, and review us on your favorite podcast platform!

Audio TranscriptDownload

Our Guest Today

Damon Stang is a scholar of comparative folk magic and the cultural significance of ritual in contemporary cultures. He is a practitioner of Traditional European Witchcraft in both the pre Christian and modern lineages. He resides in Brooklyn. Damon Stang’s work has been covered in The New York Times, The Huffington Post, The New York Post, Elle Magazine, and Newsweek Magazine.

Connect with Damon:
Business phone: (347) 422-7580
Website
Instagram – @revertstar
Facebook – damon.stang

Resource List

Our previous episode with Damon (House Cleansings)
“The Dark Moon Download” by Theresa Reed
“What is the Dark Moon?” By Theresa Reed
Sigil Magick with Laura Tempest Zakroff
New Moon Astrology by Jan Spiller
Nine Sacred Herbs of Odin
Greek Magickal Papyri
“We’re Here” playlist
Farmer’s Almanac re: Eclipses
The Radical Faeries
The Watcher in the Woods (film)

Episode 34: The Untraditional Witch With Paige Vanderbeck-The Fat Feminist Witch

Have we met our doppelgänger??? If so, it’s Paige Vanderbeck of The Fat Feminist Witch Podcast, who joins us to talk about walking an untraditional Witchcraft path. Spoiler alert: this episode is full of rabbit holes, which include the intangible in Witchcraft, speaking with Spirits, crossing “The Quarantine Line,” and Sasquatch. Also, Hilary is mad because Courtney and Kanani won’t let her open her birthday presents early. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review us on your favorite podcast platform! Have you checked out our Etsy store?

Audio TranscriptDownload

Our Guest Today

Paige Vanderbeck has been the host of The Fat Feminist Witch Podcast since 2015, but rode into witchcraft on the Wiccan wave of the 90s. Despite being a total Capricorn, she’s always entertained the mystical and unbelievable and has made the search for it her life’s purpose. She’s written and spoken about modern witchcraft, fat acceptance, and feminism on her own website, Medium, Revelist, The Dot, Flare; and on the New World Witchery, Magick and Mediums, Cannabis Act, and Hippie Witch podcasts. She trained as a doula with toLabor in NYC, studied history and humanities at Douglas College in British Columbia, and graduated from the Tourism and Travel program at St. Clair College in Ontario. Paige lives in Windsor, Ontario, Canada with her cat Clover, a betta named Fish, and a house full of ghosts. Visit her online at thefatfeministwitch.com

Resource List

The Fat Feminist Witch
Fat Feminist Witch Podcast at Podbean
Green Witchcraft by Paige Vanderbeck
That Witch Life Etsy Store
Detroit Conjure Festival
Paganicon
Boston Tea Room
“Bigfoot and Lightning Bug” on Toasted Sister Podcast
Sasquatch Field Guide
The Natural Psychic by Ellen Dugan

Bonus Episode: Final Rites With Tomás Prower

Content warning: Death, dying, and mortuary practices.
We are delighted to have Tomás Prower return to talk with us about changes in dying, death rites, and the funeral industry in light of the pandemic…along with what hasn’t changed at all. We discuss icky facts about the mortuary process and the importance of advance directives. Other topics include explaining unprecedented events to children, spirit messages in birds, Spotify coping lists, and pants wetting. Also, you’re invited to Hilary’s online birthday party! Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review us on your favorite podcast platform and be sure to check out our Etsy store!

Audio TranscriptDownload

Our Guest Today

Tomás Prower is a graduate of the University of California: Santa Barbara with degrees in Global Socioeconomics and Latin American Studies. Born and raised in Southern California, his fluency in English, French, and Spanish gave him the opportunity work for the French Government as a cultural liaison throughout South America with extended assignments in Buenos Aires, Santiago de Chile, and the Amazon jungle. Since then, he has been the External Relations Director for the American Red Cross, LGBT+ Programs Director for entertainment productions in Los Angeles, and a licensed mortuary professional in California and Nevada. Currently, Tomás resides in his hometown of L.A. as a writer and author of popular fiction and non-fiction works.

Resource List

Morbid Magic by Tomás Prower
Hilary’s Birthday Invite!
That Witch Life Etsy Shop
Courtney’s Super-Sad Spotify Playlist