Magick & Alchemy

On episode 89 of the Magick & Alchemy Podcast, hosts Kate Belew and Kristin Lisenby discuss the Patron Saint of Outcasts, Wednesday Addams. In this special pop-culture episode, Kristin and Kate contemplate the history of Wednesday’s spooky family - including the Addams’ appearance in print, sitcoms, movies, and the new Netflix series. They also contemplate the Addams’ appeal (despite their refusal to conform), their relationship to witchcraft, and Wednesday as a queer icon.

Created by Tamed Wild.
Production by Julio Montero
Music by Follow the Wind,
Taizo Audio.

Sources:

The Cultural History of 'The Addams Family' | Arts & Culture| Smithsonian Magazine
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/cultural-history-addams-family-180973315/

9 Wednesday Easter Eggs & Hidden Addams Family References You Missed | Teen Vogue
https://www.teenvogue.com/story/netflix-wednesday-easter-eggs-and-hidden-addams-family-references-you-missed

A Nursery Rhyme from the American Psychiatric Society | The New Yorker
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2000/09/18/a-nursery-rhyme-from-the-american-psychiatric-society#:~:text=%5BMonday%27s%20child%20is%20fair%20of,%2C%20and%20good%20and%20gay.%5D

Who Is Wednesday Addams? Wednesday Addams, Explained| The Mary Sue
https://www.themarysue.com/who-is-wednesday-addams-wednesday-addams-explained/ https://www.out.com/events/2022/11/10/drag-race-stars-explain-why-wednesday-addams-gay-icon https://gayety.co/jenna-ortega-dishes-on-why-wednesday-addams-is-a-gay-icon https://www.them.us/story/netflix-wednesday-addams-gay https://jezebel.com/maybe-wednesday-addams-is-gay-maybe-her-suitors-are-ju-1849843583 https://www.cosmopolitan.com/sex-love/a25243218/queer-meaning-definition/

On episode 88 of the Magick & Alchemy Podcast, hosts Kate Belew and Kristin Lisenby interview Chaweon Koo. Chaweon Koo is a writer of the intersection of pop culture, the occult, and futurism. Her Tik Tok @chaweonkoo is one of the most popular occult accounts on the platform, and she also interviews some of the most distinguished occultists and witches in the English-speaking world on her YouTube, “Witches & Wine.” In this conversation, Chaweon discusses digital witchcraft, casting spells on the Ethereum blockchain, and tells us about her book “Spellbound: A New Witch’s Guide to Crafting the Future.” She also talks about the body as a portable altar, working with demons, and why she wants to be Hecate.

Connect with Chaweon via:
Tiktok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@chaweonkoo
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/chaweonkoo/
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@WitchesWine/featured
Buy her book here!
https://bookshop.org/p/books/spell-bound-a-new-witch-s-guide-to-crafting-the-future-chaweon-koo/17381967?ean=9781922417640

Created by Tamed Wild.
Production by Julio Montero
Music by Follow the Wind,
Taizo Audio.

Shoutouts:
Scarlet Imprint
“Moon Signs,” Anabelle Gat
“The Flowering Wand,” Sophie Strand

On episode 87 of the Magick & Alchemy Podcast, hosts Kate Belew and Kristin Lisenby speak with Amanda Yates Garcia. Amanda is an author, witch, and the Oracle of Los Angeles. In this episode, she speaks about being pulled into the underworld, finding her way out, and witchcraft as a lived experience. She also discusses the goddesses Medusa and Cerridwen, and explains why magick is our birthright.

Connect with Amanda via her website, Instagram, or by signing up for her Substack newsletter.
https://oracleoflosangeles.com/ https://www.instagram.com/oracleofla/ https://oracleoflosangeles.com/subscribe/

Created by Tamed Wild.
Production by Julio Montero
Music by Follow the Wind,
Taizo Audio.

On episode 86 of the Magick & Alchemy Podcast, hosts Kate Belew and Kristin Lisenby interview Danica Boyce. Danica is a Pagan entrepreneur, writer, educator, and creator of the Fair Folk and Pagan Monastery Podcasts. In this special Winter Solstice conversation, Danica discusses the inspirations behind the Pagan Monastery Project, leaning into virtual communities, and respecting our desires. She also considers her views on Paganism, the magick of the Yuletide season, and shares a ritual for the Twelve Days of Christmas.

Connect with Danica Boyce via:
The Fair Folk Podcast (Spotify)
https://open.spotify.com/show/1G0xL1lgN2quOncVpluIWM?si=c57eeb055b874db8

Pagan Monastery Podcast (Spotify)
https://open.spotify.com/show/7xFdHUx1nJqge8Oq9Bs1GY?si=2fda8e2943cc4c50

Instagram: @danicaboyce
https://www.instagram.com/danica.boyce/

And if you feel called to answer the Pagan Monastery call for contributors, copy and paste this URL in your browser to sign up for Danica's newsletter and learn more about the quest:
https://view.flodesk.com/pages/63a0e10c46c0a5596e034750

Created by Tamed Wild.
Production by Julio Montero
Music by Follow the Wind,
Taizo Audio.

On episode 85 of the Magick & Alchemy Podcast, hosts Kate Belew and Kristin Lisenby interview artist and magickal practitioner, Edgar Fabián Frías. Through their art, Edgar emphasizes historical legacies and acts of resistance, resiliency, and radical imagination within the context of Indigenous Futurism, spirituality, play, pedagogy, animism, and queer aesthetics. In this conversation, they speak about the intersections of art and magick, the word ‘mutant,’ and the power of being slippery. They also speak about NFTs, validating play, and failure as a sacred part of their practice.

Connect with Edgar via their:
Website: www.edgarfabianfrias.org
Instagram: @edgarfabianfrias
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@edgarfabianfrias

Created by Tamed Wild.
Production by Julio Montero
Music by Follow the Wind,
Taizo Audio.

On episode 84 of the Magick & Alchemy podcast, hosts Kate Belew and Kristin Lisenby conclude their Mythological Creatures Series with an episode on the Dragon, Gryphon, and Sphinx. In this conversation, they discuss the Gryphon’s golden nests, the Sphinx’s curious riddles, and these winged beasts’ association with the sun. They also answer a listener question about the Leviathan, consider their favorite pop culture Dragons, and reflect on the Dragon’s saliva - does it yield poison or perfume?

Created by Tamed Wild.
Production by Julio Montero
Music by Follow the Wind,
Taizo Audio.

Sources:
Breverton’s Phantasmagoria: A Compendium of Monsters, Myths, and Legends
"A Dictionary of Symbols," JE Cirlot
The Legend Of The Sphinx Explained (grunge.com)
Uncovering Secrets of the Sphinx | History| Smithsonian Magazine
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2022/08/the-origins-of-dragons/144532 https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/here-be-dragons https://artsandculture.google.com/story/the-surprising-history-of-dragons/CgJyM6TaZ5rRJg

Shoutouts:
J. R. R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit," Ursula K. Le Guin’s "Earthsea Cycle," and George R. R. Martin’s series "A Song of Ice and Fire," Game of Thrones, and The House of the Dragon. Puff the Magic Dragon, The Dragon from The Pagemaster, The Dragon from The Sleeping Beauty, Quest for Camelot, Mushu in Mulan, Spirited Away, Shrek, How to Train Your Dragon, Avatar, My Little Pony, The Flight of Dragons.

On episode 83 of the Magick & Alchemy Podcast, hosts Kate Belew and Kristin Lisenby continue their Mythological Creatures Series with an episode on the Mermaid and the Sidhe. In this conversation, they discuss the Rusalky, the Siren’s Song, and the Merfolk’s enchanted comb. They also talk about the Sidhe, including the Banshee, Washing Woman at the Ford, Cat Sidhe, and other faerie creatures from the Celtic Otherworld.

Created by Tamed Wild.
Production by Julio Montero
Music by Follow the Wind,
Taizo Audio.

Sources:
"The Little Mermaid" by Hans Christian Andersen
"Shapeshifter Series: The Rusulky" - TamedWild.com Blog
"Baba Yaga's Book of Witchcraft: Slavic Magic from the Witch of the Woods" by Madame Pamita
Lusty Ladies: Mermaids in the Medieval Church by Patricia Radford
http://homepage.eircom.net/~archaeology/three/mermaid.htm
INSIGHT Magazine - Mermaids (eircom.net)
"Women’s Dictionary of Symbols and Sacred Objects" by Barbara Walker
"Shadows of the Goddess - The Mermaid" by Scarlett deMason
http://www.stielwlrbhs.weebly.com/uploads/3/1/9/4/3194754/shadows_of_the_goddess_-_the_mermaid.pdf
"Mermaids: Myths, Legends and Lore" by Skye Alexander
"The Mermaid Chair" by Sue Monk Kidd
"A Survival Guide for Landlocked Mermaids" by Margot Datz
"Magickal Mermaids and Water Creatures" by DJ Conway
Annals of Ulster and the Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland by the Four Masters

On episode 82 of the Magick & Alchemy Podcast, hosts Kate Belew and Kristin Lisenby begin a new series on mythological creatures. In the first installment of this series, two witches discuss the Unicorn and the Phoenix. They talk about the Unicorn’s mystique, desire for peace, and its magickal horn. They consider the Phoenix’s relationship to the sun, destruction, transformation, and rebirth. They share Unicorn tales, Phoenix stories, and consider the immortality of these ancient beings.

Created by Tamed Wild.
Production by Julio Montero
Music by Follow the Wind,
Taizo Audio.

Sources:
"The Red Book of Animal Stories" by Andrew Lang
"Breverton’s Phantasmagoria: A Compendium of Monsters, Myths, & Legends" by Terry Breverton
"A Dictionary of Symbols" by J.E. Cirlot
"Mara: The Nightmare Legend" by Alexandra Bittner
https://alexandrabittner.com/mara-the-nightmare-legend/
Tamed Wild Blog - Animal Symbology, The Phoenix
https://tamedwild.com/a/blog/animal-symbology-the-phoenix https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/17/t-magazine/unicorns-culture-myth.html https://www.wired.com/2015/02/fantastically-wrong-unicorn/ https://www.thecut.com/2019/08/sarah-laskow-unicorn-history-book-qa.html
"The Last Unicorn" by Peter S. Beagle
"The Unicorn Chronicles" by Bruce Coville
“The Natural History of Unicorns” by Chris Lavers

Shoutouts:

On episode 81 of the Magick & Alchemy Podcast, hosts Kate Belew and Kristin Lisenby talk with Madame Pamita. Madame Pamita is a Ukrainian diaspora witch, teacher, author, candle maker, spellcaster, and tarot reader. In this episode, Madame Pamita discusses the role of a storyteller and the inspirations behind her book, “Baba Yaga’s Book of Witchcraft, Slavic Magic from the Witch of the Woods.” She also talks about crones, crossroads, mortar and pestles, initiations, motankas, and the history of embroidery in magick and ritual.

Learn more about Madame Pamita and her offerings via:

ParlourofWonders.com WitchcraftWorkshops.com
YouTube: youtube.com/madamepamita
Instagram: @madamepamita

Created by Tamed Wild.
Production by Julio Montero
Music by Follow the Wind,
Taizo Audio.

Sources:
“Baba Yaga’s Book of Witchcraft, Slavic Magic from the Witch of the Woods” by Madame Pamita

Shoutouts:

Episode Description
On episode 80 of the Magick & Alchemy Podcast, hosts Kate Belew and Kristin Lisenby discuss the relationship between psychedelic states and witchcraft. They talk about magickal elixirs, like those given to initiates of the Eleusinian Mysteries, and Circe’s ‘love filters.’ They consider magic mushrooms, mandrake, poppy flowers, LSD, and how these substances played a role in journeying, dreamwork, and divination. They talk about Isis, Hecate, Inanna, Demeter, Persephone, Asclepius, Maria Sabina, St. Nick, and reflect on the connection between ergot (a psychoactive fungus) and the Salem Witch Trials.

Created by Tamed Wild.
Production by Julio Montero
Music by Follow the Wind,
Taizo Audio.

Sources:
“Plants of the Gods” by Richard Evan Schultes, Albert Hofman, and Christian Ratsch
“Witchcraft Medicine” by Claudia Muller Ebeling, Christian Ratsch, and Wolf-Dieter Storl
“Psychedelic Mystery Traditions: Spirit Plants, Magical Practices, and Ecstatic States” by Thomas Hatsis
"The Witch's Ointment" by Thomas Hatsis
"Pharmako Gnosis: Plant Teachers and the Poison Path"
by Dale Pendell
"Maria Sabina: Selections (Poets for the Millennium)," Volume 2
by Maria Sabina and Jerome Rothenberg
“Mushrooms and Mankind” by James Arthur
“Missing Witches” by Amy Torok and Risa Dickens
“Psychedelics & Witchcraft: Deliriants, Soporifics, & Folklore.” Tripsitter.com, 2022
“Why Do Witches Ride Brooms?” via The Atlantic
Merry Jane
John Rush via LiveScience
Dr. Linnda Caporael from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
HistoricMysteries.com
Heriberto Yepez
Hieroglyphica, sive, de sacris Aegyptiorvm aliarvmqve gentivm listeris commentari (1575 manuscript)

On episode 79 of the Magick and Alchemy Podcast, hosts Kate Belew and Kristin Lisenby discuss protection spells and curses, and where these types of magick intersect. They reflect on rituals designed to bind, ward, glamour, or render the practitioner invisible. They also talk about curse tablets, the Evil Eye, enchanted poppets, witch bottles, and talismans designed to shield or hex.

Created by Tamed Wild.
Production by Julio Montero
Music by Follow the Wind,
Taizo Audio.

Sources:
Witchcraft: The Library of Esoterica by Taschen and Jess Hundley
Pat Devin, The Covenant of the Goddess
"Salt: A World History" by Mark Kurlansky​
“The Magic of the Horseshoe” by Folklorist Rober Means Lawrence, 1898.
“Ozark Magic and Folklore” by Vance Randolph

Shoutouts:

The Craft
Baba Yaga
Medusa

On episode 78 of the Magick & Alchemy Podcast, hosts Kate Belew and Kristin Lisenby interview Poetry Witch Annie Finch for a special Samhain surprise. In this conversation, Annie discusses the crossroads of poetry and Witchcraft, diving deep into meter's power, language, and spells. Together, they talk about the importance of feminism and reproductive rights and explore the ancient history of matricultures. She also shares a special Samhain poem for this sacred time of the year.

You can learn more about Annie and her offerings through her website, Instagram, Facebook, or by signing up for her newsletter.

https://anniefinch.com/ https://www.instagram.com/thepoetrywitch/ https://www.facebook.com/anniefinchpoet

Created by Tamed Wild.
Production by Julio Montero
Music by Follow the Wind,
Taizo Audio.

Shoutouts:

Hecate’s Liminal Rites: A Study of the rituals, magic and symbols of the torch-bearing Triple Goddess of the Crossroads
The Odyssey by Homer
https://anniefinch.com/a-blessing-on-the-poets/ https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/53066/samhain

On episode 77 of the Magick & Alchemy Podcast, hosts Kate Belew and Kristin Lisenby interview author and heathen visionary Danielle Dulsky. In this conversation, Danielle discusses ancestral storytelling and the importance of finding guiding myths during times of uncertainty. She also reminisces on the dark months, word witchery as a form of oracular divination, and the inspirations behind her new book, “The Holy Wild Grimoire.”

Learn more about Danielle and her offerings via her website, Instagram, Facebook, or by signing up for her newsletter.
DanielleDulsky.com
@wildwolfwoman

Created by Tamed Wild.
Production by Julio Montero
Music by Follow the Wind,
Taizo Audio.
Shoutouts:

Book recommendations:

“The Holy Wild Grimoire” by Danielle Dulsky
“Mirrors in the Earth” by Asia Suler
“Stag Cult” by Dr. Martin Shaw
“Baba Yaga’s Book of Witchcraft: Slavic Magic from the Witch of the Woods” by Madame Pamita
“The Night School: Lessons in Moonlight, Magic, and the Mysteries of Being Human” by Maia Toll
“The Power of Breathwork” by Jennifer Patterson
“Little Witch Hosts Samhain Supper” by Kristin Lisenby & Caitlyn Barone
“Spiral Dance” by Starhawk
“Drawing Down the Moon” by Margot Adler
Also books by Robin Wall Kimmerer, Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Robin Rose Bennett, Tamora Pierce, Bruce Coville, and Gail Carson Levine

On episode 76 of the Magick & Alchemy Podcast, hosts Kristin Lisenby and Kate Belew speak with paranormal investigator and liminal being Amanda Paulson. With over 12 years of experience, Amanda travels the country as a solo investigator and shares her adventures on her social media platform, Pretty Fn Spooky. In this conversation, Amanda discusses the intersections between the natural and spirit worlds and the different lenses through which to view paranormal phenomena. Amanda also shares some stories of her recent travels, including the Paris Catacombs, a haunted garden, and a crop circle museum.

Learn more about Amanda by visiting her website, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter.
Website:
PrettyFnSpooky.com
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/prettyfnspooky/
TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@amandadpaulson
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/amandadpaulson

Created by Tamed Wild.
Production by Julio Montero
Music by Follow the Wind,
Taizo Audio.

Shoutouts:

Death is With Me - Documentary

On episode 75 of the Magick & Alchemy Podcast, hosts Kate Belew and Kristin Lisenby interview author and herbalist Jennifer Patterson. A trauma-informed breathwork facilitator and grief worker, Jennifer uses plants, breath, and words to explore survivorhood and healing. In this conversation, they consider Datura as crossroads medicine and our desire to work with poisonous plants. They also talk about Hecate, existing in the Underworld, and Jennifer’s private practice Corpus Ritual.

Jennifer has monthly virtual workshops as well as an herbal shop online. Consider signing up for her workshop 'Breathwork for Grief' on October 27th - sliding scale available. Connect with Jennifer on Instagram @corpusritual or her website CorpusRitual.com.

Created by Tamed Wild.
Production by Julio Montero
Music by Follow the Wind,
Taizo Audio.

Sources:

"The Power of Breathwork: Simple Practices to Promote Wellbeing" by Jennifer Patterson

"Queering Sexual Violence" by Jennifer Patterson

https://www.thebreathenetwork.org/ https://chauna-louise-bryant.mykajabi.com/breathwork-facilitator-training https://jenniferpatterson.substack.com/ https://www.quartoknows.com/books/9781592339372/The-Power-of-Breathwork.html https://queeringsexualviolence.com/ https://www.vidaweb.org/living-in-liminality-working-with-the-wounds-of-trauma-through-altered-states-poison-medicine/ https://www.natbrut.com/roundtable-hematopoiesis https://corpusritual.com/ https://www.instagram.com/corpusritual/?hl=en

Shoutouts:

On episode 74 of the Magick and Alchemy Podcast, hosts Kate Belew and Kristin Lisenby interview author and herbalist, Asia Suler. Asia is an earth intuitive and the guide behind One Willow Apothecaries— an online hub for learning, healing, and connecting with the living world. In this episode, they talk about animism and why cultivating boundaries is an act of self-compassion. They also share some stories from Asia’s new book, “Mirrors in the Earth.”

Connect with Asia:
OneWillowApothecaries.com
Instagram: @asiasuler
Purchase “Mirrors in the Earth”:
https://onewillowapothecaries.com/mirrors-in-the-earth/

Created by Tamed Wild.
Production by Julio Montero
Music by Follow the Wind,
Taizo Audio.

On episode 73 of the Magick and Alchemy Podcast, hosts Kate Belew and Kristin Lisenby interview writer and artist Jessica Hundley. As the visionary and editor behind Taschen’s Library of Esoterica, a book series exploring the visual history of Tarot, Astrology, Witchcraft, Plant Magick and esoteric traditions, Jessica discusses her role as storyteller and seeker. Together, they talk about community, inspiration, and bringing forgotten things back into the light.

Connect with Jessica Hundley:
Website: JessicaHundley.com
Instagram: @jesshundley

Learn more about the Library of Esoterica:
Website: Taschen.com
Instagram: @thelibraryofesoterica

Created by Tamed Wild.
Production by Julio Montero
Music by Follow the Wind,
Taizo Audio.

On episode 72 of the Magick and Alchemy Podcast, hosts Kate Belew and Kristin Lisenby contemplate Mabon and the second harvest. They talk about fields of grain, and grain’s connection to tarot, astrology, and harvesttime folklore. They also discuss spider mythology, soil-centric folk magic, and what it means to be a Dirt Witch.

Created by Tamed Wild.
Production by Julio Montero
Music by Follow the Wind,
Taizo Audio.

Sources:
https://oi.uchicago.edu/sites/oi.uchicago.edu/files/uploads/shared/docs/saoc54_4th.pdf
Ozark Folk Magic by Brandon Weston
A Dictionary of Symbols, J.E. Cirlot

On episode 71 of the Magick and Alchemy Podcast, hosts Kate Belew and Kristin Lisenby talk nostalgia magick with artist and witch, Caitlyn Barone. Known online as @flowerchildarts, Caitlyn is the co-creator of Pointy Hat Press, an independent publishing house exploring Paganism and Witchcraft through a modern lens. She is also the co-creator and illustrator behind Little Witch Books, a “children’s” book series for witches of all ages. In this episode, they discuss the value of play, nostalgia as a muse, and how to connect with our inner Little Witch.

How to connect with Caitlyn:
Follow her on instagram: @flowerchildarts
Pre-order Little Witch Hosts Samhain Supper: LittleWitchBooks.com
Learn more about Little Witch and Pointy Hat Press: @littlewitchbooks @pointyhatpress

Created by Tamed Wild.
Production by Julio Montero
Music by Follow the Wind,
Taizo Audio.

On episode 70 of the Magick & Alchemy Podcast, hosts Kate Belew and Kristin Lisenby are joined by the Tamed Wild astrologer and shadow work coach Marisa Cottrill, @allmyancestors. Together they talk about Leo season on the horizon, and reflect on the ways to work with Leo’s energy and fiery, confident nature. They also discuss shadow work, learning to connect with your own seasons, Lion’s Gate Portal, and other celestial themes for summer.

Created by Tamed Wild.
Production by Julio Montero
Music by Follow the Wind,
Taizo Audio.