Witch Wednesdays

Witch Wednesdays
Witch Wednesdays

A weekly podcast covering all things witchcraft in the modern world, starting at the beginning, making this podcast a great resource for newbies and veteran practitioners who love to keep learning. Feel free to leave a voicemail or a comment on Instagram if you have any topics you'd love to discuss, or any questions in general. Want more content? Find the Patreon community here: https://www.patreon.com/witchwednesdays Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/witch-wednesdays/support

  1. 5 HR AGO

    Episode 247 - The Magic of December

    All about the energies and magic of December plus a few December holidays to highlight. Correspondences: Crystals: turquoise, onyx, bloodstone, blue topaz  Animals: elk, horse, stag, reindeer  Flowers: Narcissis  Deities: Jupiter, Artemis, Rhiannon, Thor The sun is in Sagittarius until December 22. Sagittarius is a mutable fire sign. Moon Phases December 1: new moon in Sagittarius December 8: second quarter moon in Pisces December 15: full moon in Gemini December 22: fourth quarter moon in Libra December 30: new moon in Capricorn December Ancient Holidays: Saturnalia (December 17-23) - a major Roman festival dedicated to Saturn, the god of agriculture and time. Brumalia (December 24 - December 25) - a Roman festival celebrating the winter solstice, overlapping with Saturnalia. The festival honored Bacchus, the god of wine and revelry, and involved feasting and drinking. It was a celebration of the lengthening days and the return of the sun. Sol Invictus (December 25) - Sol Invictus, or the "Unconquered Sun," was a festival dedicated to the sun god Sol. Celebrated on December 25th, this festival marked the rebirth of the sun as the days began to lengthen. It was a significant holiday in the Roman Empire and is thought to have influenced the choice of December 25th for Christmas. Kalikai (December 15 - January 15) - Kalikai was an ancient festival celebrated in the Middle East, including parts of Mesopotamia and Anatolia. The festival was associated with the rebirth of the sun and the end of the darkest period of the year. It involved celebrations, feasting, and offerings to gods and deities associated with the sun and fertility. Feast of the Nativity of Mithras (December 25) - Mithras was a deity from the Persian tradition who was adopted into Roman religion. His birthday was celebrated on December 25. The festival of Mithras celebrated the birth of the god of light and truth. It was part of a broader Mithraic tradition that was influential in the Roman Empire and shared themes with other December festivals. Wild Hunt (December) - In Norse mythology, the Wild Hunt was associated with the Yule season and was believed to be a ghostly procession led by a god or spirit. December Modern Holidays: Yule (December 21) - Yule, or the Winter Solstice, marks the shortest day and longest night of the year. It is a celebration of the rebirth of the sun and the gradual return of longer daylight hours. Dongzhi Festival (December 21 or 22) - The Dongzhi Festival, or Winter Solstice Festival, is celebrated in China and other East Asian countries. Christmas (December 25) - Christmas is one of the most widely celebrated holidays worldwide, commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. It is observed by Christians and also celebrated by many non-Christians. Hanukkah (Dates Vary) - December 25 - Jan 2 this year - Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday that typically falls in December, though its exact dates vary each year according to the Hebrew calendar. Kwanzaa (December 26 - January 1) - Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration of African-American culture and heritage, founded in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga. Omisoka (December 31) - the Japanese New Year’s Eve celebration, marking the end of the old year and the beginning of the new one.  New Year’s Eve (December 31) --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/witch-wednesdays/support

    22 min
  2. 30 OCT

    Episode 243 - The Magic of November

    All about the energies and magic of November plus a few November holidays to highlight. Correspondences: Crystals: citrine, cat’s eye, topaz Animals: snake, eel, goose, raccoon  Flower: chrysanthemum  Deities: Pluto, Anubis, Kali, Inanna The sun is in Scorpio until November 22. Scorpio is a fixed water sign. Moon Phases November 1: new moon in Scorpio November 9: second quarter moon in Aquarius November 15: full moon in Taurus November 22: fourth quarter moon in Virgo November Ancient Holidays: The Festival of Ceres (November 1): held in early November, was dedicated to Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture and fertility. The Roman Festival of Compitalia: a festival held in November dedicated to the Lares, the spirits of the ancestors and guardians of the home and fields.The Festival of the Dead (Nebra): celebrated by the Gauls and other Celtic tribes in late October or early November, dedicated to honoring deceased ancestors and included rituals and feasts to ensure the protection and favor of the spirits of the dead. The Feast of Neptunalia (Early November): a festival dedicated to Neptune, the Roman god of the sea and water. It was celebrated in early November. The Festival of Saturnalia: a major Roman festival held in mid-November to honor Saturn, the god of agriculture and time. Although Saturnalia was primarily celebrated in December, its influence and some of its preparations began in November. The festival involved feasting, gift-giving, and role reversals, reflecting themes of liberation and abundance. Modern Holidays: All Saints' Day (November 1): a Christian holiday dedicated to honoring all saints, known and unknown. It follows All Hallows' Eve (Halloween) and is observed by many Christian denominations. All Souls' Day (November 2): a day set aside to honor and pray for the souls of deceased loved ones who are believed to be in purgatory. Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) (November 1-2): a Mexican holiday that honors deceased loved ones and celebrates their lives. It overlaps with All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day. Veterans Day (November 11): a U.S. holiday that honors military veterans who have served in the armed forces. Thanksgiving (Fourth Thursday in November): a major American holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, focusing on giving thanks for the harvest and blessings of the past year. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/witch-wednesdays/support

    19 min
  3. 16 OCT

    Episode 241 - Witches: A Compendium with Judika Illes

    Today I'm joined by author Judika Illes to chat about her newest book (and all the other things she's contributed to the witchcraft community!) Let us know - who is your favorite cinematic witch? WITCHES: A COMPENDIUM is a concise compendium of witches through the ages, from earliest prehistory to some of the most significant modern practitioners, Witches explores who and what is a witch. Also included are an exploration of the sacred and the profane, the myths and misconceptions of witchcraft, a travel guide for the witch curious, and introductions to practicing witches of today.   Witches explores what a witch is and the different ways to be one. Judika Illes presents the history, mysteries, and diverse natures of witches from around the world. Featuring a who’s who ranging from famous—or infamous—historical witches such as Tituba, Sybil Leek, Aleister Crowley, Isobel Gowdie, and Countess Erzsebet Báthory (widely known as the Blood Countess) to popular literary, cinematic, and TV witches such as Endora, the Scarlet Witch, Melisandre, Storm, Agatha Harkness, and the Wicked Witch of the West, Witches also offers travel tips for witches and a guide to the tools of the trade such as brooms, wands, cauldrons, and mirrors.   This celebration of witches and witchcraft also features: Sacred witches such as Baba Yaga, Lilith, Isis, Hekate, Diana, Circe, and Yemaya Familiars and creatures closely associated with witchcraft including cats, bats, crows, owls, and foxes Art witches like Moina Mathers, Vali Myers, Rosaleen Norton, Leonora Carrington, and Cameron Different schools of witchcraft including green witchery, kitchen witchery, Wicca, and Hekatean Witchcraft The various things witches do from divination to spirit working to spell-casting Judika Illes is a lifelong student, lover, and practitioner of the magical arts. She is the author of numerous books devoted to spells, spirits, and witchcraft, including Encyclopedia of Spirits, as well as Pure Magic, Daily Magic, Encyclopedia of Witchcraft, Encyclopedia of Mystics, Saints, and Sages, and Magic When You Need It. She has been a professional tarot card reader for over three decades and is a certified aromatherapist. A native New Yorker, Judika teaches in the US and internationally, live and virtually. Follow her on Instagram @judikailles and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AuthorJudikaIlles/. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/witch-wednesdays/support

    40 min
  4. 9 OCT

    Episode 240 - Becoming Baba Yaga with Kris Spisak

    Today I'm joined by author Kris Spisak to chat all about her newest (and fifth!) book, Becoming Baba Yaga. Becoming Baba Yaga (https://redwheelweiser.com/book/becoming-baba-yaga-9781642970517/) is an in depth look at the Baba Yaga mythos and history through Slavic folklore. The book is filled with historical and cultural context and analyses, and is a comprehensive resource for anyone hoping to learn more about this ambiguous character and how her multifaceted presence still ripples through the present day.  Spisak explores Baba Yaga’s connection to nature as an Earth goddess and as an herbalist. She also delves into the Shadow Self and Baba Yaga’s aspect as a trickster and places her in a modern context as not merely a witch of the woods but also as an archetype and force for finding your own path.    Find Kris: https://kris-spisak.com/  https://kris-spisak.com/becoming-baba-yaga/  https://www.instagram.com/kris.spisak/  https://www.facebook.com/KSWriting Kris Spisak earned her bachelor’s degree in English from the College of William and Mary, her master of liberal arts from the University of Richmond, and did further graduate work in fiction through the University of Iowa. She taught college writing courses at schools including Virginia Commonwealth University before stepping away from the classroom to pursue her own writing work. Kris has been spotlighted in Writer’s Digest and HuffPost for her work as an editor and author dedicated to helping other writers. She is the author of The Baba Yaga Mask (a novel) and Get a Grip on Your Grammar. Kris fully believes that well-written words and well-told stories have always changed the world and that they will continue to. She can’t wait to tell you her next story. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/witch-wednesdays/support

    38 min

About

A weekly podcast covering all things witchcraft in the modern world, starting at the beginning, making this podcast a great resource for newbies and veteran practitioners who love to keep learning. Feel free to leave a voicemail or a comment on Instagram if you have any topics you'd love to discuss, or any questions in general. Want more content? Find the Patreon community here: https://www.patreon.com/witchwednesdays Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/witch-wednesdays/support

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes and get the latest updates.

Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada