Seeking Numina: The Sacred Places Podcast

Elyse Welles
  • 5.0 (7)
  • SPIRITUALITY
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Seeking Numina: the Sacred Places Podcast is hosted by  Elyse Welles, a Greek-Egyptian and American initiated Priestess and author, with an MA in spiritual studies. In this podcast, learn how Elyse is reviving the lost European Earth Priestess Arts. Reveal Mother Earth's Mysteries and discover the magic of connection with land spirits, the fae, and other spirits of place connect with the Sacred Wild within and around you through sacred sites (numina) around the world and the wisdom they hold.New episodes are released every second and third Monday on YouTube and all podcast services. Follow and subscribe for bimonthly episodes!Episodes are released on the off-week of the Magick Kitchen Podcast, cohosted with Leandra Witchwood.

  1. FEB 9

    S3E3 - Decolonizing Ancient Magic with Vanessa Lavallee

    In this episode of The Sacred Places Podcast, I’m joined by animist practitioner, scholar, and author Vanessa Lavallee for a deep conversation about the true roots of ancient magic and what it means to decolonize our spiritual practices today. Vanessa is currently working toward a doctorate in religious studies, and her work is driven by a passion for understanding where magical traditions began, how they were shared across cultures, and why they have survived for so long. Together, we explore the origins of practices many of us recognize, including how casting a circle can be traced back to Mesopotamia, and how ancient texts often described the stars themselves as divine beings. We talk about how ancient people traveled and exchanged ideas more than modern scholarship often acknowledges, and how this movement shaped spiritual traditions across regions. Our conversation also explores the emotional worlds of ancient texts—fear, suffering, devotion, and the question of “why me?”—and what these stories reveal about the continuity of human experience. This episode also ventures into topics that challenge and expand modern spiritual frameworks, including demons, the influence of ancient goddesses like Inanna, and the importance of holding both academic rigor and open-minded wonder. We reflect on how fantasy, mythology, and modern storytelling (from ancient epics to The Lord of the Rings) continue to echo these timeless archetypes. Above all, this conversation is an invitation to study more deeply, question more carefully, and approach ancient magic with respect, curiosity, and humility. Learn more about Vanessa and her work at vanessalavallee.com. ✨ If this episode resonates, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who loves sacred history and living magic. Order my books to support me and support your connection with the land! https://www.seekingnumina.com/publishedworks Subscribe to Seeking Numina with Elyse Welles on YouTube for video versions of ALL episodes sharing footage of the places and topics discussed. To learn more about my upcoming retreats to sacred places in Greece and beyond, or learn with me in workshops, classes, or mentorship, visit seekingnumina.com. Support Seeking Numina on Patreon for a library of 300+ rituals, meditaitons, exclusive videos, and more, + opportunities for free tarot readings and discounts on ALL classes and retreats. Visit patreon.com/elysewelles This podcast episode was edited by Jordan, a cohost from The Astro Study Room. Book an astrology consultation with her to learn more about your soul's path in this lifetime! Music: Tribal Wind - SergePavkinMusic Music Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWe5Z7qISMQ

    41 min

  2. JAN 26

    S3E2 - Sacred Sussex and the Pilgrim's Path with Philip Carr-Gomm

    In Part 2 of my conversation with spiritual teacher, author, and psychologist Philip Carr-Gomm, we step fully into the sacred landscape of Sussex and explore what it means to walk the land as a pilgrim. This episode centers on Philip’s book The Long Man and Friends: Sacred Sussex and the deeper questions it raises: how to share sacred places without turning them into something to be consumed, how to honor land without exploiting it, and how to listen when a place calls you to walk it. Philip shares the powerful story of how, after the death of his mentor, the land itself asked him to go on pilgrimage and walk the Long Man. Together, we reflect on what pilgrimage truly is. It's not a checklist or a destination, but a relationship with place, memory, and meaning. Philip also shares a story from one of his most recent pilgrimages, and we explore lesser-known moments in British history connected to pilgrimage, including surprising truths from the time of Henry VIII. For those who feel drawn to Sussex, Philip offers gentle, insider guidance on where to begin a sacred journey in that landscape and how to approach it with respect and intention. We also discuss the idea of chakra systems within the earth, and how certain places seem to act as centers of spiritual flow and remembrance. Our conversation weaves through stories of pilgrimage across England, France, Bulgaria, and Greece, revealing how sacred travel continues to shape both personal and collective transformation. This episode is an invitation to slow down, to listen more carefully, and to trust when the land asks something of you. Learn more about Philip and his work at druidry.org and philipcarr-gomm.com. ✨ If this episode resonates, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who feels called to walk sacred paths. Order my books to support me and support your connection with the land! https://www.seekingnumina.com/publishedworks Subscribe to Seeking Numina with Elyse Welles on YouTube for video versions of ALL episodes sharing footage of the places and topics discussed. To learn more about my upcoming retreats to sacred places in Greece and beyond, or learn with me in workshops, classes, or mentorship, visit seekingnumina.com. Support Seeking Numina on Patreon for a library of 300+ rituals, meditaitons, exclusive videos, and more, + opportunities for free tarot readings and discounts on ALL classes and retreats. Visit patreon.com/elysewelles This podcast episode was edited by Jordan, a cohost from The Astro Study Room. Book an astrology consultation with her to learn more about your soul's path in this lifetime! Music: Tribal Wind - SergePavkinMusic Music Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWe5Z7qISMQ

    30 min

  3. JAN 12

    S3E1 - Druidry with Philip Carr-Gomm Part 1

    In this first episode of Season 3 of The Sacred Places Podcast, I’m joined by spiritual teacher, author, and psychologist Philip Carr-Gomm for a thoughtful conversation on Druidry as a living spiritual path. This episode focuses on the foundations of Druidry and why relationship with the land is central to the tradition. Philip shares reflections from his early life growing up in post–World War II London and how encounters with nature shaped his spiritual path. We explore the concept of the Awen, the flowing current of inspiration in Druidry, and how it connects with the psychological idea of the flow state. Our conversation also touches on modern loneliness, the impact of technology and AI on human connection, and why so many people today are feeling called to reconnect with the land despite living in systems that make that difficult. One of the central questions we explore is one I hear often from listeners: Why me? Why would the land care to have a relationship with me? Philip’s response offers a grounded and compassionate perspective on reciprocity, belonging, and relationship with place. Learn more about Philip and his work at druidry.org and philipcarr-gomm.com. Order my books to support me and support your connection with the land! https://www.seekingnumina.com/publishedworks Subscribe to Seeking Numina with Elyse Welles on YouTube for video versions of ALL episodes sharing footage of the places and topics discussed. To learn more about my upcoming retreats to sacred places in Greece and beyond, or learn with me in workshops, classes, or mentorship, visit seekingnumina.com. Support Seeking Numina on Patreon for a library of 300+ rituals, meditaitons, exclusive videos, and more, + opportunities for free tarot readings and discounts on ALL classes and retreats. Visit patreon.com/elysewelles This podcast episode was edited by Jordan, a cohost from The Astro Study Room. Book an astrology consultation with her to learn more about your soul's path in this lifetime! Music: Tribal Wind - SergePavkinMusic Music Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWe5Z7qISMQ

    24 min

  4. 12/29/2025

    S2E12 - Travel Magick with Lisa McSherry

    Travel has the power to open us mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. In this episode of The Sacred Places Podcast, I’m joined by ritual teacher and author Lisa McSherry for a thoughtful conversation about what it means to approach travel as a magical and sacred practice. Lisa shares how her life in the Pacific Northwest and her move to Portugal shaped her understanding of place, ritual, and movement, and what inspired her to write A Traveler’s Guide to Making Magic when she couldn’t find the resource she was looking for. Together, we explore the idea that travel isn’t only about distance, it’s about leaving the place where we nest and allowing our perspective to shift. We talk about traveling to sacred sites with respect, why gratitude matters so deeply when moving through unfamiliar lands, and how travel stretches the mind much like exercise strengthens the body. I also share personal insights from my years living in Greece, including what I learned about honoring place, listening before acting, and asking for meaningful experiences rather than taking them. Whether you’re planning a journey abroad, visiting a place nearby, or exploring travel as an inner practice, this conversation offers guidance for moving through the world with awareness, care, and intention. Learn more about Lisa and her work at lisamcsherry.com and jaguarmoon.org. ✨ If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who loves sacred places and intentional travel. Order my books to support me and support your connection with the land! https://www.seekingnumina.com/publishedworks Subscribe to Seeking Numina with Elyse Welles on YouTube for video versions of ALL episodes sharing footage of the places and topics discussed. To learn more about my upcoming retreats to sacred places in Greece and beyond, or learn with me in workshops, classes, or mentorship, visit seekingnumina.com. Support Seeking Numina on Patreon for a library of 300+ rituals, meditaitons, exclusive videos, and more, + opportunities for free tarot readings and discounts on ALL classes and retreats. Visit patreon.com/elysewelles This podcast episode was edited by Jordan, a cohost from The Astro Study Room. Book an astrology consultation with her to learn more about your soul's path in this lifetime! Music: Tribal Wind - SergePavkinMusic Music Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWe5Z7qISMQ

    27 min

  5. 12/15/2025

    S2E11 - Inanna's Descent & How It Roots Us in Place with Carly Mountain

    In this episode of The Sacred Places Podcast, I’m joined by author, psychotherapist, and somatic guide Carly Mountain for a profound exploration of Inanna’s Descent and one of the world’s oldest myths of transformation, embodiment, and return. Together, we explore how descent work can root us more deeply in our bodies, our breath, and the land beneath our feet, especially in a world that constantly encourages dissociation. Carly shares how Inanna guides her back into sensory presence, how the seven gates of descent mirror the seven chakras, and why our bodies are themselves sacred places. We also discuss: 🌹How myths like Inanna and Persephone teach us to be “of the earth” ✨ Why so many of us feel disconnected from where we live 🌹 The role of embodiment in spiritual practice ✨ What oral tradition preserves that written texts cannot 🌹 How descent work can help us feel at home even in places we once wanted to escape Whether you’re new to descent mythology or already working with Inanna, this conversation offers grounding, clarity, and a gentle call back to yourself. Check out Carly's work on her website: https://carlymountain.com/ Order my books to support me and support your connection with the land! https://www.seekingnumina.com/publishedworks Subscribe to Seeking Numina with Elyse Welles on YouTube for video versions of ALL episodes sharing footage of the places and topics discussed. To learn more about my upcoming retreats to sacred places in Greece and beyond, or learn with me in workshops, classes, or mentorship, visit seekingnumina.com. Support Seeking Numina on Patreon for a library of 300+ rituals, meditaitons, exclusive videos, and more, + opportunities for free tarot readings and discounts on ALL classes and retreats. Visit patreon.com/elysewelles This podcast episode was edited by Jordan, a cohost from The Astro Study Room. Book an astrology consultation with her to learn more about your soul's path in this lifetime! Music: Tribal Wind - SergePavkinMusic Music Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWe5Z7qISMQ

    25 min

  6. 12/01/2025

    S2E10 - The Magic of Stone and Place with Nicholas Pearson

    In this episode of The Sacred Places Podcast, I’m honored to be joined by one of my dear friends, Nicholas Pearson, to explore the deep magic of stone, land, and the mineral kingdom through his newest book, The Witching Stones. Nicholas has been immersed in all aspects of the mineral realm for nearly 30 years and is widely recognized as a leading expert in crystal healing today. What makes his work so special to me is the way he bridges science and spirituality while staying rooted in relationship with the land itself. As we talk about in this episode, humans have been working with stones far longer than we’ve been writing and that ancient relationship still lives in our bones. We dive into the spiritual and historical significance of flint, how stone has shaped humanity, and the ways place-based relationships with crystal and rock can transform us. At one point, Nicholas shares a powerful truth that stayed with me: “Sometimes you have to go away from home to realize that everywhere is sacred.” I also reflect on the quartz I’ve been finding here in Havre de Grace, Maryland, and how this land is continuing to reveal itself to me. “I am forever changed from marching among the stones.” ✨ You can learn more about Nicholas and his work at https://theluminouspearl.com/ If this conversation speaks to you, I’d love for you to like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who loves earth magic as much as we do. Thank you for walking these sacred places with me. 🖤 Order my books to support me and support your connection with the land! https://www.seekingnumina.com/publishedworks Subscribe to Seeking Numina with Elyse Welles on YouTube for video versions of ALL episodes sharing footage of the places and topics discussed. To learn more about my upcoming retreats to sacred places in Greece and beyond, or learn with me in workshops, classes, or mentorship, visit seekingnumina.com. Support Seeking Numina on Patreon for a library of 300+ rituals, meditaitons, exclusive videos, and more, + opportunities for free tarot readings and discounts on ALL classes and retreats. Visit patreon.com/elysewelles This podcast episode was edited by Jordan, a cohost from The Astro Study Room. Book an astrology consultation with her to learn more about your soul's path in this lifetime! Music: Tribal Wind - SergePavkinMusic Music Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWe5Z7qISMQ

    39 min

  7. 11/17/2025

    S2E9 - Egypt and the Golden Age of Humans and Land with Fotoula Foteini Adrimi

    In this episode, I sit down with Fotoula Foteini Adrimi, author of Sacred Mysticism of Egypt and director of The ISIS School of Holistic Health, for a conversation that touched a very personal part of my lineage. The Egyptian side of my heritage has always been the hardest for me to connect with, and Fotoula’s presence felt like both a guide and a reminder of something ancient within me. We explore the concept of Zep Tepi, the “first time” or “golden age,” when humanity lived from the truth of spirit rather than the conditioned mind. Fotoula shares how this wisdom fits into the larger cycles of time, and together we reflect on what it means to trust our spiritual experiences in a world that relies so heavily on written proof. We also talk about the Egyptian idea of Heka, the power of creation itself, and follow threads of memory through the sacred landscapes of Kemet from the fertile “black land” to temples that have shaped both of our paths. It’s a conversation about remembering, reconnecting, and rediscovering our place in the greater story of Earth. If you’re curious about Egyptian mysticism, ancestral threads, or the deeper rhythms of the ages, I think you’ll find this episode both grounding and inspiring. Learn more about Fotoula’s work and courses at The ISIS School of Holistic Health:  https://www.theisisschoolofholistichealth.com/centre-for-shamanic-courses Order my books to support me and support your connection with the land! https://www.seekingnumina.com/publishedworks Subscribe to Seeking Numina with Elyse Welles on YouTube for video versions of ALL episodes sharing footage of the places and topics discussed. To learn more about my upcoming retreats to sacred places in Greece and beyond, or learn with me in workshops, classes, or mentorship, visit seekingnumina.com. Support Seeking Numina on Patreon for a library of 300+ rituals, meditaitons, exclusive videos, and more, + opportunities for free tarot readings and discounts on ALL classes and retreats. Visit patreon.com/elysewelles This podcast episode was edited by Jordan, a cohost from The Astro Study Room. Book an astrology consultation with her to learn more about your soul's path in this lifetime! Music: Tribal Wind - SergePavkinMusic Music Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWe5Z7qISMQ

    1h 1m

  8. 11/03/2025

    S2E8 - Appalachian Mountains: Land Spirits and the Hero's Journey with Leah Middleton

    In this episode of The Sacred Places Podcast, we travel into the heart of the Appalachian Mountains with author and folk magic practitioner Leah Middleton, also known as @TheRedheadedWitch. Leah’s new book, Magic from the Hilltops and Hollers: Folk Witchery, Superstitions, and Healing Practices from Appalachia, is a beautiful tribute to the living traditions, ancestral wisdom, and land-rooted spirituality of Appalachia, and today she invites us into that world with her. Leah shares how growing up in the mountains shaped her spirit, and how getting her driver’s license felt like gaining a magical key that opened the door to hidden dirt roads, secret trails, and sacred places only the land itself could reveal. We talk about hiking as a mystical initiation, a journey that mirrors the archetypal Hero’s Journey; how each path, ridge, and quiet overlook becomes a teacher; and how nature can hold us, challenge us, and transform us if we choose to walk with presence. We also explore a powerful and emotional topic: grieving with the land. Leah discusses her experience after a devastating hurricane tore through her hometown, and we speak about what it means to mourn the earth the same way we mourn the people we love. As I say in this episode, the land has a way of instigating shadow work. Sometimes it opens a doorway into the parts of ourselves we’re meant to meet, heal, or reclaim. Whether Appalachia is your home, your heritage, or simply a place your soul feels drawn toward, I hope this episode brings you closer to the wisdom of the land and the magic that lives in mountains, memory, and myth. If this spoke to your spirit, be sure to like, comment, and subscribe, it helps this sacred work reach more seekers walking their own path! Order my books to support me and support your connection with the land! https://www.seekingnumina.com/publishedworks Subscribe to Seeking Numina with Elyse Welles on YouTube for video versions of ALL episodes sharing footage of the places and topics discussed. To learn more about my upcoming retreats to sacred places in Greece and beyond, or learn with me in workshops, classes, or mentorship, visit seekingnumina.com. Support Seeking Numina on Patreon for a library of 300+ rituals, meditaitons, exclusive videos, and more, + opportunities for free tarot readings and discounts on ALL classes and retreats. Visit patreon.com/elysewelles This podcast episode was edited by Jordan, a cohost from The Astro Study Room. Book an astrology consultation with her to learn more about your soul's path in this lifetime! Music: Tribal Wind - SergePavkinMusic Music Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWe5Z7qISMQ

    28 min
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About

Seeking Numina: the Sacred Places Podcast is hosted by  Elyse Welles, a Greek-Egyptian and American initiated Priestess and author, with an MA in spiritual studies. In this podcast, learn how Elyse is reviving the lost European Earth Priestess Arts. Reveal Mother Earth's Mysteries and discover the magic of connection with land spirits, the fae, and other spirits of place connect with the Sacred Wild within and around you through sacred sites (numina) around the world and the wisdom they hold.New episodes are released every second and third Monday on YouTube and all podcast services. Follow and subscribe for bimonthly episodes!Episodes are released on the off-week of the Magick Kitchen Podcast, cohosted with Leandra Witchwood.

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