Season of the Witch Rowan Oaken
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- Religion & Spirituality
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Come spill the tea and read some leaves to filth with Season of the Witch’s host Rowan Oaken.
Join in every other week to delve into spells, lore, correspondences, and some of the more problematic complexities of living as a modern witch, crafting everyday magick.
Be part of the discussion and join the online coven with Rowan over on:
Instagram - @SotWwithRowan
Facebook - @SotWwithrowan
Email - seasofthewitchpodcast@gmail.com
And catch up with Tess over on Instagram @theobscurawitch
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A Witches Guide to Surviving the Holidays - S3, Ep5.
Welcome to our next episode looking at ways to protect yourself over the holiday period.
Episode Dedication: HighlySensitiveSoulPodcast
If you'd like to show your love and leave a review, please head over to Apple Podcasts and share your thoughts. It helps the show immensely.
Enforced Fun: The Holiday Struggle
Now, onto the topic of enforced fun. Enforced fun is that special category of social events like birthday parties, holiday gatherings, and New Year's celebrations. These occasions demand not just your presence but also your participation in spreading joy, hugging, smiling, cheek kisses, laughter, and merriment. But let's be real; enforced fun isn't everyone's cup of tea. It might even make you sound like a Scrooge, but I have to admit, it's the one thing I dislike the most about the holiday season.
Identifying Enforced Fun
Your desire to attend: If you'd rather not be there, that's a clear indicator. We should normalize saying no to things that make us uncomfortable.
Pressure to attend: Are you being coerced into going? Is there social pressure or judgment for not participating?
Pre-planned: If it's an event that's meticulously planned weeks or months in advance, it's likely enforced fun.
Uncomfortable small talk: Is there a lot of small talk and repetitive questions? That's a classic sign.
Unwanted company: Are there people you'd rather avoid, like family members you don't get along with?
Lack of joy: Simply put, if it doesn't bring you joy, it's enforced fun.
Now that we've defined enforced fun, let's talk about how to navigate it, especially during the holiday season, in a way that's safe and respectful to yourself and others.
Navigating Enforced Fun: Strategies
Protection Magick: You can protect yourself with crystals like black tourmaline or obsidian. Visualize shields or barriers to block negative energy.
Find Joy: Even in uncomfortable situations, find something that interests you, like helping with jobs or wearing bright colors to lift your mood.
Set Boundaries: Clearly communicate your limits, like specifying the time you'll spend at the event or taking breaks for yourself.
Assertiveness: Be polite but firm when asserting your boundaries.
Grounding: Connect with the earth's energy to stay centered and calm.
Cleansing: Use herbs like sage or rosemary to cleanse your space before and after the event.
Shadow Work: Reflect on past events that triggered discomfort and work on healing your inner child.
Remember, enforcing boundaries and taking care of your mental well-being is essential during enforced fun events. It's not about being an butt hole, but rather ensuring you're in a healthy state of mind.
For more tips and discussions, follow us me Instagram @SOTWWITHROWAN, and don't hesitate to reach out at seasonofthewitchpodcast@gmail.com.
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Critical Mindfulness - S3, EP4.
Episode Dedication: A shoutout to Apple podcast reviewer “Mr. Fullbottom.”
Episode Highlights:
Historical Roots in Hinduism and Vedic Traditions:
Exploration of mindfulness or "attentive awareness" in early Hindu scriptures.
Discussion on Hinduism's evolution over 4,000 years and its religious traditions in Vedic writings.
Introduction of concepts like dharma in Hinduism, and their significance in mindfulness.
Paths in Hinduism and the Modern Interpretation of Yoga:
Overview of different yogas in Hinduism, focusing on Jhana, Bhakti, Karma, and Raja yoga.
Critique of Yoga's modern commercialisation, especially in the Western world.
Mindfulness Beyond Emotional Management:
Hinduism views mindfulness as a step towards higher states of consciousness.
Contrast between spiritual mindfulness in Hinduism and the secular approach in modern practices.
Buddhist Influence on Mindfulness:
Impact of Buddhist teachings on mindfulness.
The Buddha’s introduction of mindfulness as part of the Eightfold Path to enlightenment.
Concerns about the dilution of mindfulness in contemporary society.
Jon Kabat-Zinn and Western Adaptation of Mindfulness:
Kabat-Zinn's role in popularising mindfulness in the West.
Development of the Mindfulness-Based Stress
Critique of mindfulness becoming a tool for stress management in capitalist societies.
Personal Views on Mindfulness:
I share my opinions on mindfulness being used to manage stress symptoms but not stressors.
Discussion on mindfulness as a means of creating passive workers rather than addressing corporate issues.
Benefits of Mindfulness:
APA study findings on mindfulness reducing anxiety, depression, and stress.
Harvard Health's remarks on mindfulness enhancing brain efficiency and perception.
Witchy Business Shoutout: Lucas Katz:
Lucas Katz work in assisting LGBTQIA+ individuals through mindful coaching.
Critical Mindfulness in Witchcraft and Paganism:
Integration of mindfulness in witchcraft and pagan practices.
Encouragement for a critical and attentive approach to mindfulness.
Personal Experience with Mindfulness:
An exploration of my journey through grief and mental health, and the role of mindfulness in my life.
A call for embracing emotions and connecting with them mindfully.
Mindful Activism Activity:
A guided activity to connect mindfulness with nature and self-activism.
Steps include choosing a natural setting, engaging senses, journaling, and setting activism intentions.
Contact Info:
@SOTWWITHROWAN on insta
or email at seasonofthewitchpodcast@gmail.com.
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Midnight Society Special - Straw-Man [Part 2]
Join me Rowan in the next installment of Straw-Man, where our stranded protagonist, Amir, finds himself in the home of Mr. Harvey Blackwater, the town's mayor, whose fatherly warmth masks an unsettling secret in the muffled cries upstairs.
Meet our newest character, the enigmatic Ethan, a bohemian rebel with a charming smile, who is committed to distributing banned literature to quaint rural towns across America. As he and Amir cross paths under the shroud of Fairfield's mysteries, a connection forms that promises more than just shared secrets. But is Ethan hiding more than he cares to let on?
Let me know what you think of this episode over of Instagram @SOTWwithRowan
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Cauldron of Candor: Lost in Limbo
Hellooo a big sassy to our first-ever Cauldron of Candor (COC) episode on Season of the Witch.
We kick off with a heartfelt letter from Lost in Limbo, who's found themselves in a tangle with their fiancé after they moved to a small town away from family and friends.
With a cauldron full of witchy wisdom to share, I will be exploring how to turn those heated debates into warm, easy laughs again.... hopefully - all while being a little witchy too.
For links mentioned in the show see below:
1. Witchy Spiritual Stuff: How to Cast a Communication Spell for Improving Relationships
2. Backyard Banshee: Herbs for Love, Self-Love, Relationship Support and Attraction
3. GreenWitch: Harmony
4. Magic Spells and Potions: Spell Ritual To Improve Family Harmony
5. Llewellyn Worldwide: Spell: Promote harmony in Relationships and Spell: Family Harmony Ritual
6. Raven and Crone: Harmony, Peace, Inspiration Spells
If you are interested in sending in your letters, you can do so by DMing me on insta of FB @SOTWwithRowan
or you can email me at seasonofthewitchpodcast@gmail.com
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Straw-Man: A Midnight Society Special [Part 1]
The Midnight Society Specials are back!!
This time with episodic story-telling... Oooh how contemporary.
For this spooky season I am sticking with the annual tradition of telling ghost stories with the new and original tale 'Straw-Man'.
This story unveils the eerie adventure of Amir who, in a bid to secure essential funding for his flagging research, ventures into the isolated town of Fairfield to unearth the mysteries shrouding the unpublicized Straw-Man Festival. As a closeted gay man, he grapples with the town’s murky legacy and his own concealed sexuality, finding both solace and support in Ethan, the town’s devoted librarian covertly distributing banned literature. As their investigation begins to tug at the seams of the town’s tight-knit conservative community, Amir finds himself navigating the shadows of his identity amidst a town ensnared by fear and ancient secrets - all while balancing the thin line between the supernatural and a murderous reality.
If you have Spotify, you can now interact with the story too making predictions about what you think might happen next.
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Fear, Epigenetics and the Occult: A Samhain look at why we get scared - S3, Ep3.
Dive into a spine-chilling exploration of fear with me in this week’s episode of Season of the Witch - but not too deep, open water is gross.
Journey through the evolutionary roots of fear, its epigenetic inheritance, and how our bodies react to it. Discover how media magnifies fear, the historical whirlwinds of mass hysteria, and the unique ways the witchy and LGBTQ+ communities navigate through fears.
Plus, get introduced to the enchanting world of October Occult (@octoberoccult) candles in our new witchy business spotlight segment.
Share your eerie or enlightening thoughts with me on socials at @sotwwithrowan or drop a spooky line at seasonofthewitchpodcast@gmail.com.
Happy Halloween, witches, and a Merry Samhain too! Now, go carve yourself a sexy pumpkin after tuning in.
Episode Outline:
I. Introduction
A. Greetings: Warm Halloween and Samhain wishes from host Rowan
B. Theme Introduction: Unveiling the episode's focus on exploring fear from multifaceted angles
II. Evolutionary Exploration of Fear
A. Survival Mechanisms: Delve into the evolutionary roots of fear
B. Epigenetic Inheritance: Discussion on how fear responses may be inherited
C. Physiological Responses: Understanding the body's reaction to fear
III. Media’s Magnification of Fear
A. Propagation of Fear: Analysis of how media amplifies fear
B. Mass Hysteria Historical Instances: Uncovering events like the Dancing Plague of 1518 and the Satanic Panic
IV. Witchy Remedies for Fear
A. Community Practices: Exploration of witchy community's tactics for managing fear
B. Personal Rituals: Sharing rituals for releasing or binding fears
V. Community Spotlight
A. Witchy Business Segment Introduction: Launching a new segment to promote witchy businesses
B. October Occult Spotlight: Featuring October Occult candles by Hayley May
VI. Intersection of LGBTQ+ Community and Horror Genre
A. Unique Relationship: Discussing the LGBTQ+ community’s connection with the horror genre
B. Historical and Representational Insights: Delving into the historical resonance and representation in horror narratives
VII. Fascination with Fear
A. Fear Enjoyment Exploration: Understanding the allure of fear and its biochemical reactions
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Customer Reviews
Revelatory
As a middle aged mum exploring a witchy identity that I stuffed down and closed off in my teenage years, this is a wonderful podcast with so much I can relate to. Thank you 🖤
Adore !
I absolutely love this podcast. So down to earth , witty and binge worthy. Best witchy podcast !
The ASMR is almost like magic
Rowan Oaken is like the Bob Ross of hocus pocus. If you want a podcast that is simultaneously informative, insightful and apt to lull you into feeling that everything will be okay, you need look no further. From spells to celebrations, famous (or infamous) witches and a touch of nostalgia akin to gossiping over tea with your bestie.