The Hermit’s Lamp Podcast - A place for witches, hermits, mystics, healers, and seekers

Andrew McGregor

Deep conversations about divination, magick, art, and living a spiritual life in the modern world. { Hermits }

  1. How to Build Profound Relationships with Plants with Rowan and Sage

    JAN 13

    How to Build Profound Relationships with Plants with Rowan and Sage

    A Beginner’s Guide to Herbalism and Magical Practice This episode is for folks looking to get into working with plants - or deepen your relationship if you already are working with them. It is part of an ongoing series on getting started in spirituality.  This episode living with the world through herbalism, ancestry, and the lands we live on. Exploring how plants can reconnect us to both our roots and our present communities. Sarah and Andrew set the stage to build a deep connection to the natural world.  Revisiting a podcast favourite animism — the understanding that all beings, including plants, are alive and spirited—and how this worldview reshapes herbal practice beyond simple “symptom and remedy” thinking. Sarah shares her journey into herbalism through chronic illness, finding relief with common plantain, and discovering herbalism as both a clinical path and a spiritual, relational practice. They discuss herbal ancestors. Sharing thoughts on how  family recipes, kitchen spices, and everyday food rituals can be doorways into remembering ancestral plant traditions. The conversation also highlights the responsibilities of practicing herbalism on Indigenous land, emphasizing relational approaches, learning local histories and treaties, and supporting Indigenous-led stewardship.  For listeners wanting to begin or deepen their plant work—whether medicinal or magical—the episode offers practical guidance: start with the plants where you live, build long-term relationships over seasons, learning to listen to your body , and allowing plants to teach through direct experience.   You can find us on the socials. Rowan and Sage main site is here Seasonal Herb-craft program Herbaria membership and library Rowan and Sage learning/online courses page Andrews as always is found here Please share widely. ~ Andrew

    1h 6m
  2. 11/14/2025

    EP133 A Journey into Divination with Erika Robinson

    With Erika Robinson Erika Robinson brings a unique perspective to Lenormand readings. In this episode we cover the foundational pieces like how Lenormand differs from Tarot, learning why Lenormand’s focus on everyday questions can provide practical guidance and clarity for real-life concerns. And explore Erika's methods for going much deeper through intuition. Throughout the episode, Erica shares actionable advice on how to deepen your intuition and approach readings with greater authenticity. If you're looking to enhance your divinatory skills, the episode provides practical tips for connecting more effectively with clients and for asking better, more insightful questions that yield richer results. Erica’s emphasis on the importance of self-reflection will inspire listeners to examine their personal journeys within spiritual practice and embrace continuous growth. Beyond the technical level Erica and Andrew’s discuss using divination as a tool for activism and community building. Digging into how spiritual practices can be a source of personal power and collective action, providing ways to find joy and purpose even in challenging times. This is an episode for anyone seeking inspiration, solace, and practical guidance to navigate both the mystical and the everyday with clarity and courage. You can find us on the socials. Or Eika is here and Andrew is here. Erika Robinson’s YouTube channel (In the Company of Cards): Erika’s Substack (In the Company of Cards): Erika Robinson’s website (Lenormand with Erika):​ Erika Robinson's Lenormand online course (hosted by Ethony): "The Secret" by Sylvie Steinbach​ "The Language of Lenormand" by Erika Robinson (also referenced in French as "Découvrez le langage du Lenormand")​ "White Fragility" by Robin DiAngelo​ "Homage to Catalonia" by George Orwell Please share widely! Andrew

    1h 2m
  3. 03/31/2025

    EP132 Stepping into the Depths of Witchcraft

    with Althaea Sebastiani In this episode of The Hermit's Land podcast, I sit down with Althaea Sebastiani to dig into the heart of witchcraft—animism and spirit work. We explore what it means to walk this path with patience and authenticity. Learning to listen and truly hear will help you build deep relationships with spirits over time. We get into the how-to of working with spirits and deities, discussing ways to practice outside formal or initiatory structures. This episode offers guidance on how to find the spirits where you live. We also dig into the responsibility of navigating cultural appropriation and engaging respectfully with Indigenous and other living traditions. The conversation also covers spirit workers and teachers—the role they might play in your journey and how to decide if someone is truly trustworthy. With more sketchy folks gaining reach in the spiritual marketplace, discernment is more important than ever. Finally, we remind listeners that spirituality doesn’t exist in a vacuum—the physical world still matters. Your health, well-being, and everyday life all shape your practice. Common sense is just as vital as intuition when walking a spiritual path. If you're looking to start practicing witchcraft, this episode will give you the pointers you need to begin. With patience and practice, you’ll be building solid relationships with the spiritual world in no time. You can find us on the socials. Or Althaea is here and Andrew is here. Episodes with drop biweekly going forward. Help me let the world know I'm back by sharing on socials and leaving review on the platform on which you listen to us. Much love Andrew Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Witchcraft and Animism 04:54 Starting Your Journey in Witchcraft 11:04 Engaging with Spirits and Deities 21:12 Navigating Appropriation and Authenticity in Practice 26:56 Personal Rituals and Nature Connection 28:57 Engaging with Indigenous Traditions 30:53 Understanding Living Traditions 32:21 The Role of Spirit Workers 34:29 Finding Authentic Spirit Workers 36:42 Navigating the Spiritual Marketplace 40:34 Cautions in Spiritual Practices 43:04 Balancing Spiritual and Physical Worlds Full transcript on my site here.

    52 min
  4. EP130 How to start Unlocking the Secrets of Tarot with Mary Greer

    03/03/2025

    EP130 How to start Unlocking the Secrets of Tarot with Mary Greer

    In this episode of The Hermit Lamp Podcast, tarot legends Andrew McGregor and Mary K. Greer unravel the art, ethics, and evolution of tarot reading. Whether you're a beginner shuffling your first deck or a seasoned reader refining your craft, this conversation is packed with wisdom and guidance to elevate your practice. The key? Choose a deck that resonates with you. Dive in. Start using your deck immediately. Let the images speak to you. Have a conversation with the cards. Bring in your personal associations and experience. Andrew and Mary share how to structure a reading. A well-crafted question guides the reading, shaping the narrative that unfolds in the cards. Start with a Three-card spreads. It is a simple way to start building story, and comfort with the cards. Tarot isn’t just about predictions; it’s about weaving meaning, insight, and personal truth. The discussion also ventures into deeper territory. Covering ethics, legal responsibilities, and setting boundaries. Readers should always try to empower. Engaging clients in the process strengthens understanding, especially when working with court cards, which often mirror real people in a querent’s life. They explore the evolving nature of tarot, reminding us that meanings shift and grow over time. Book definitions and keywords are helpful, but intuition and experience can play a vital role too. Mary and Andrew also tackle the emotional side reading of tarot. Anxiety and obsession can creep into practice, and managing them is essential for a healthy relationship with the cards. Boundaries matter—not just with querents, but also with ourselves. Ultimately, this episode is an invitation to explore, experiment, and trust your own connection with the cards. Tarot isn’t about getting it "right"—it’s about discovery, transformation, and the magic that happens when you truly listen. You can find us on the socials. Or Mary is here and Andrew is here. Episodes with drop biweekly going forward. Help me let the world know I'm back by sharing on socials and leaving review on the platform on which you listen to us. Much love Andrew PS Mary's favourite late cretaceous animal is the stegosaurus  Full transcript on my website here.

    53 min
  5. EP128 Learning Astrology with Theresa Reed

    02/03/2025

    EP128 Learning Astrology with Theresa Reed

    Spiritual Fundamentals Part 1. Welcome to the new getting started in spirituality series where we'll cover how to get going in different areas of study. Giving you an easy and accessible place to step into new areas of practice. Learning from established and trusted sourced to get you off on the right foot. Astrology can be a daunting topic. There are million books and opinions you could read. It really doesn't need to be complicated though. Join Theres and I and we help you get started in a good way. We cover the importance of understanding zodiac signs, and the foundational elements of astrology, including the big three (sun, moon, and ascendant) and the significance of houses in a natal chart. Theresa shares her insights on how to approach learning astrology based on her vast teaching experience. This conversation is full of stories and easy to digest ideas to help you get started. After listening you'll have a framework to help you bring this ancient practice into you modern life. You can find us on the socials. Or Theresa is here and Andrew is here. Episodes will drop biweekly going forward. Help me let the world know I'm back by sharing on socials and leaving review on the platform on which you listen to us. Much love Andrew PS Theresa's favourite late cretaceous animal is the Triceratops. Parts of the conversation. 00:00 Introduction to Astrology and Tarot 04:30 Starting Your Astrology Journey 10:36 Understanding Zodiac Signs 12:15 Astrology as a Theory 14:16 The Importance of the Big Three 19:58 Exploring Houses in Astrology 23:22 Exploring House Systems in Astrology 25:56 Understanding the Significance of Houses 28:16 The Importance of Angles in Astrology 31:06 Navigating Challenges in Astrology 33:02 Living Astrology: Practical Applications 35:48 Astrological Red Flags and Pitfalls Full transcript on my website here.

    46 min
4.7
out of 5
36 Ratings

About

Deep conversations about divination, magick, art, and living a spiritual life in the modern world. { Hermits }