Episodes
Tuesday Mar 21, 2023
Meditation and the Equinox
Tuesday Mar 21, 2023
Tuesday Mar 21, 2023
Hail, and welcome, everyone, to episode 25 - “Equini” (even though we know it’s ‘equinoxes’ 😛) Sabbat Special and Meditation. In this episode, we discuss the practices of meditation and how they relate to the equinoxes. How do we practise meditation? It is just as simple as sitting still in the lotus position? Are there other ways to practise meditation? How does a regular meditation practice benefit a coven? Listen in as we discuss a variety of techniques that we use personally and in our coven work.
References, Notes, and Links:
Jason Miller’s books
Qabalah for Wiccans, by Jack Chanek
Keys to Perception, by Ivo Dominguez
Trance-Portation, by Diana Paxson
Wiccan Life podcasts by Lusete (for guided visualisations)
Monday Feb 27, 2023
2.04 Ritual Triggers & Beyond the Robes
Monday Feb 27, 2023
Monday Feb 27, 2023
In this episode we begin to discuss practices in our circles including effective ritual triggers and skyclad practice. We ran out of time in our discussion so look forward to part two where we'll discuss how different practices impact the coven egregore.
Wednesday Feb 01, 2023
2.03 Imbolc/Lammas Magic: Purification
Wednesday Feb 01, 2023
Wednesday Feb 01, 2023
Circle Talk continues to circle back through the sabbats, this time revisiting Imbolc/Candlemas/Lammas and their associations with rites and practices of purification (ironically along with a lot of very impure language from Gi).
Join us for conversations on smoke cleansing, fire cleansing, water cleansing, broom tips, and lots of laughs!
Blessed sabbat!
Saturday Jan 14, 2023
2.02 Books!
Saturday Jan 14, 2023
Saturday Jan 14, 2023
Welcome to our second episode of season 2! In this episode we finally talk about books!... Well, actually we've been doing that all along, haven't we?
In any event, this is an attempt at giving a more organized list. We discuss recommended reading lists for Seekers, our coven members, and from what we're enjoying now. Before you listen you may want to be ready to make a list for your library or favorite bookstore!
List of books we mentioned:
On Alexandrian Wicca and/or Alex Sanders
A Coin for the Ferryman by Jimahl di Fiosa
A Witches' Bible: The Complete Witches' Handbook by Janet & Stewart Farrar
Eight Sabbats for Witches by Janet & Stewart Farrar
King of the Witches: The World of Alex Sanders - by June Johns
What Witches Do by Janet & Stewart Farrar
On BTW
High Magic’s Aid - Gerald Gardner
Principles of Wicca - Vivianne Crowley
Traditional Wicca: A Seeker’s Guide - Thorn Mooney
Wicca for Beginners: Fundamentals of Philosophy & Practice - Thea Sabin
Wicca. The Old Religion in the New Millennnium by Vivianne Crowley
On History
Blood and Mistletoe: The History of the Druids in Britain by Ronald Hutton
Circle of Fire - David Rankine & Sorita D’Este
Fifty Years Of Wicca by Frederic Lamond
In Search of the New Forest Coven - Philip Heselton
Wicca Magickal Beginnings: A Study of the Possible Origins of the Rituals and Practices Found in this Modern Tradition of Pagan Witchcraft and Magick - David Rankine & Sorita D’Este
Trials of the Moon: Reopening the Case for Historical Witchcraft. A critique of Ronald Hutton's The Triumph of the Moon: A History of Modern Pagan Witchcraft by Ben Whitmore
The Triumph of the Moon: A History of Modern Pagan Witchcraft by Ronald Hutton
On Coven Work
Coven Craft by Amber K
A Teaching Handbook for Wiccans and Pagans: Practical Guidance for Sharing Your Path by Thea Sabin
Wicca Covens by Judy Harrow
On Life & Supporting Others
As the Last Leaf Falls - Kristoffer Hughes
Do I Have to Wear Black - Mortellus
Pagan Book of Living and Dying by Starhawk
Skills & New Practices
Crafting a Daily Practice: Revised - T. Thorn Coyle
Keys to Perception by Ivo Dominguez Jr.
Consorting with Spirits Your Guide to Working with Invisible Allies - Jason Miller
Lifting the Veil: A Witches' Guide to Trance-Prophesy, Drawing Down the Moon, and Ecstatic Ritual by Janet Farrar and Gavin Bone
Magical Power For Beginners: How to Raise & Send Energy for Spells That Work by Deborah Lipp
Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom: A Tarot Journey to Self-Awareness by Rachel Pollack
Tarot for Real Life: Use the Cards to Find Answers to Everyday Questions by Jack Chanek
The Poison Path Herbal: Baneful Herbs, Medicinal Nightshades, and Ritual Entheogens - Coby Michael
Trance-Portation: Learning to Navigate the Inner World by Diana L. Paxson
Qabalah
(The) Mystical Qabalah by Dion Fortune
Qabalah for Wiccans: Ceremonial Magic on the Pagan Path by Jack Chanek
On Ritual Practices
Elements of Ritual - Deb Lipp
All Acts of Love and Pleasure: Inclusive Wicca by Yvonne Aburrow
Inner Mysteries: Progressive Witchcraft and Connection to the Divine by Janet Farrar and Gavin Bone
The Witch Compass: Working with the Winds in Traditional Witchcraft by Ian Chambers and Griffin Ced
Other
Loki and Sigyn: Lessons on Chaos, Laughter & Loyalty from the Norse Gods by Lea Svendsen
Merry Meet Again: Lessons, Life & Love on the Path of a Wiccan High Priestess – by Deborah Lipp
The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff
Wicca for Beginners by Thea Sabin
Fiction
Hogfather by Terry Pratchett
Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah Mass Market Paperback by Richard Bach
The Orphan's Tales: In the Night Garden by Catherynne M. Valente
The Saxon tales by Bernard Cornwell
The Tiffany Aching discworld books by Terry Pratchett
The Witches discworld books by Terry Pratchett
Library Apps
Libby App
Hoopla App
Wednesday Dec 21, 2022
2.01 Solstice Special: Trance Induction
Wednesday Dec 21, 2022
Wednesday Dec 21, 2022
Happy solstice (whichever one you happen to be celebrating!) and welcome, everyone, to Season 2 of Circle Talk for Witches. After our hiatus, we bring you our first sabbat special of the season: Solstice Magic - Trance Induction.
Last season these specials focussed on what we do for the sabbats in the northern and southern hemispheres. For season two, we want to focus on different types and ways of magic.
The bad news? The audio for this one is a little choppy due to a bad connection somewhere that we didn’t notice at the time. The good news, though, is that our NEXT episode - and the first full episode for this season - is sounding much better already, with the gods of the internet smiling on us once more.
Happy Solstice from all of us!
References, Notes, and Links:
Gardner, G (1954). Witchcraft Today.
Tuesday Nov 01, 2022
1.20 Samhain Magic
Tuesday Nov 01, 2022
Tuesday Nov 01, 2022
And so the Wheel has spun full circle! Welcome to our last episode of Season 1, folks! For the next turn of the Wheel, we’re concentrating on magic and witchcraft that can be performed around each of the Sabbats. For this episode, we concentrate on Samhain (with a smidge of Bel-tân (and all the other spellings of that Sabbat 😛)), and in particular, on binding, banishing, and warding. How do we perform all of these practices? Are they the same, or are there overlaps? How do we get Practical Magic and Brasso into *this* episode? And what sound do alligators and crocodiles make, and what are they protecting? Take a listen to find out in this, Episode 20 - Samhain Magic.
References, Notes, and Links:
Suggett, R (2008). A History of Magic and Witchcraft in Wales
Farrar, J; Bone, G (2016). Lifting the Veil: A Witches' Guide to Trance-Prophesy, Drawing Down the Moon, and Ecstatic Ritual
Youtube link to the CRAFT binding
Seeking Witchcraft episode on Magical Hygiene (is it this one: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shielding-warding-protective-magic/id1462656660?i=1000528179654)
The Australian Magical Research Project (witch bottles from 1800s): https://tasmagic.wordpress.com/
Songs for Samhain
- Samhain by Damh the Bard (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcDLcQk1Ntg)
- Angau by Siân James (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gweoI_YWuM4) which is yn Gymraeg - check the Facebook post thread for the lyrics in both Cymraeg and English
Peter’s old Welsh ‘curse’:
Crwydro y byddo am oesoedd lawer
Ac yn mhob cam, camfa;
Ym mhob camfa, codwm;
Ym mhob codwm, tori asgwrn;
Nid yr asgwrn mwyaf na'r lleiaf,
Ond asgwrn chwil corn ei wddw bob tro.
(May he wander for ages many; and at every step, a stile; at every stile, a fall; at every fall, a broken bone; not the largest, nor the smallest bone, but the chief neck bone, every time.)
ANGAU, Siân James - https://youtu.be/gweoI_YWuM4
Ar ryw noswaith yn fy ngwely – Upon some night in my bed
Ar hyd y nos yn ffaelu cysgu, - All through the night not able to sleep
Gan fod fy meddwl yn ddiame – Because my mind is beyond question
Yn cydfeddwl am fy siwrne. – Thinking about my journey
Galw am gawg a dŵr i ‘molchi – Calling for a bowl and water to wash with
Gan ddisgwyl hyn i fy sirioli; - Expecting this to cheer me up
Ond cyn rhoi deigryn ar fy ngruddiau – But before putting a tear on my cheeks
Ar fin y gawg mi welwn Angau – On the bowl’s edge I see Death
Mynd i’r eglwys i weddïo, - Go to church to pray
Gan dybio’n siŵr na ddeuai yno; - Assuming that he surely won’t come there
Ond cyn i mi godi oddi ar fy ngliniau, - But before I get up off my knees
Ar ben y fainc mi welwn Angau. – Upon the bench I see Death
Mynd i siambr glos i ymguddio, - Go to a nearby chamber to hide away
Gan dybio’n siŵr na ddeuai yno; - Assuming that he surely won’t come there
Ond er cyn closied oedd y siambr – But as close as the chamber was
Angau ddaeth o dan y ddaear. – Death came from beneath the earth
Mynd i’r môr a dechrau ymrwyfo, - Go to the sea and start to row
Gan dybio’n siŵr na fedrai nofio; - Assuming that he surely won’t be able to swim
Ond cyn cyrraedd dyfnion donnau – But before I got to the deep waves
Angau oedd y capten llongau. – Death was the marine captain
Ffarwel ferched, ffarwel feibion, - Farewell girls, farewell boys
Ffarwel holl ryganau gwyrddion; Farewell all green loves
Duw a faddau i mi ‘meiau, - God, forgive me my sins
Mynd sydd raid i ganlyn Angau. – I have to go and follow Death
Monday Oct 17, 2022
1.19 Ritual Tools
Monday Oct 17, 2022
Monday Oct 17, 2022
A listener request episode, episode 19 brings you a discussion about tools of witchcraft. We talk about the stabby-boys, the pokey-boys, the swingy-boys, and everything else! How do we all pronounce the tool that begins with an ‘A’? What’s the difference between a censer and a thurible? And are all wands made equal? Do you need all the tools at the same time, or even at all to practise effective magic and witchcraft? Grab a cuppa, a glass of wine, or whatever your favourite tipple is, and take a listen to Episode 19 - Tools.
References, Notes, and Links:
Deborah Lipp’s The Elements of Ritual: Air, Fire, Water and Earth in the Wiccan Circle
Raymond Buckland’s Complete Book of Witchcraft (commonly called ‘Uncle Bucky’s Big Blue)
Jason Mankey’s The Witch’s Athame - The Craft, Lore, and Magick of Ritual Blades
Doreen Valiente’s Witchcraft for Tomorrow
Seeking Witchcraft’s episode on Crafting your Wand
Friday Sep 23, 2022
1.18 Mabonology: The Autumn & Spring Equinoxes
Friday Sep 23, 2022
Friday Sep 23, 2022
Join us for the last “sabbat special” where we talk about personal practices and break down the astronomical & cultural backgrounds of the sabbats. Learn about why we don’t talk about “Mabonology” or “Ostaraology”, and about Josie’s plan to advocate for an “Easter Croc”.
Do you have a topic that you’d like us to discuss, or even a question to be answered during the discussion? We’d love to hear from you! Let us know by e-mailing us at CircleTalk4Witches@gmail.com. Alternatively, you can find us on Instagram and Facebook at CircleTalk4Witches or on Twitter at @Circle4Witches. Remember to like and follow us, including letting others know if you’re enjoying the podcast.
References, Notes, and Links:
Alexis Nikole Nelson, the “Black Forager” on TikTok
Meet me on the Equinox by Death Cab for Cutie
Ivakhiv, Adrian J. “Thoughts on An Equinox.” Immanence, UVM Blogs, Sept. 21, 2021
Seeking Witchcraft Podcast; Season 3, Episode 5: Why “Mabon” is a Lie
Tuesday Aug 30, 2022
1.17 Wicca as a Mystery Tradition: Polarity
Tuesday Aug 30, 2022
Tuesday Aug 30, 2022
As the Heads say in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, “It’s going to be a bumpy ride!” In this episode, we continue with the theme of Wicca as a Mystery Tradition and discuss polarity; what it is, what it isn’t, and how it can be worked with in an Initiatory Wican framework. How do the gods view polarity (hint: they don’t), how do non-cisgendered Wicans handle polarity, does gender come into it, and can polarity ever be adapted (hint: it can). How does polarity work with same-sex initiation and same-gender initiation? Is that even allowed in Initiatory Wicca? And why does the Kybalion suck? Listen to us ramble, rant, and rave during this jam-packed episode!
Do you have a topic that you’d like us to discuss, or even a question to be answered during the discussion? We’d love to hear from you! Let us know by e-mailing us at CircleTalk4Witches@gmail.com. Alternatively, you can find us on Instagram and Facebook at CircleTalk4Witches or on Twitter at @Circle4Witches. Remember to like and follow us, including letting others know if you’re enjoying the podcast.
References, Notes, and Links:
Opening quote: The Inner Mysteries: Progressive Witchcraft and Connection to the Divine by Janet Farrar and Gavin Bone
Yvonne Aburrow’s YouTube page with lots of excellent videos: https://www.youtube.com/c/YvonneAburrow
Alexandrian Seekers and Initiates page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/278933458939644
Garderian Seekers and Initiates page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/387696041331452/
Closing quote: Ralph Waldo Emerson, Compensation
Wednesday Aug 03, 2022
1.16 Brasso and Bread Sabbat Special
Wednesday Aug 03, 2022
Wednesday Aug 03, 2022
And the Wheel turns, once again to Lughnasadh and Imbolc. Welcome to Episode 16: Brasso and Bread. Take a listen to find out what Lughnasadh and Imbolc mean to each of the presenters, who John Barleycorn is, and what types of practices happen at each of these cross-quarter festivals. Bonus content for a mini-lesson in Cymraeg, Gaeilge, and etymology (yes, we geek out in this episode). Why does Brasso feature so strongly in our podcasts? Where does bread come into it? And what’s the connection between these two sabbats? Take a listen to Episode 16: Brasso and Bread to find out!