Season of the Witch

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sotwwithrowan/message

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 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sotwwithrowan/message

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 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sotwwithrowan/message

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sotwwithrowan/message

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 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sotwwithrowan/message

Hello my sassy witches and a warm welcome back to another episode of Season of the Witch with Rowan Oaken. This week, we voyage into rites of passage and transformational journeys, shedding light on transitions, trauma and much more. Unseen Transitions: I delve into the unnoticed transitions of life, painting a contrast with celebrated milestones like graduations, and unravel a yearning for rites of passage. Quest for Purpose: We’ll explore the allure of quests and primal urge to seek purpose, journeying through diverse cultural practices like the Vision Quest of certain indigenous cultures, while reflecting on modern-day quests in the Western realm. Unveiling the Cauldron of Candor: Before we step onto today’s enchanted path, I unveil a new segment, Cauldron of Candor, a sassy, witchy alcove for pondering life’s riddles. Send in your musings to have them discussed. You can do that over on Instagram @sotwwithrowan or via email (seasonofthewitchpodcast@gmail.com). Make sure to have Cauldron of Candor (COC) in the subject line. Tales of Transformational Treks: Through a tapestry of personal narrative, I recount a transformative venture on the West Highland Way, intertwining threads of parenthood, personal tribulations, and the elusive quest for answers amidst the tranquil yet voiceless Scottish vistas. Mystique of the Mountains: Diving into my introspective voyage, we’ll explore how the mountains may magnify, rather than mollify, personal traumas, and how the quest for transformation often circles back to the mundane realms of daily existence. Illusion of Transformation: I reflect on the glorified perception of trailhead transformations and the realisation that sometimes the journey doesn’t morph us; it merely escorts us to the next threshold, urging an appreciation for the small, unnoticed steps amidst the grandiose quest for purpose. Redefining Rites of Passage: We’ll unearth alternative avenues to self-discovery and transformation that don’t demand grand gestures or epic quests. I encourage a recognition of our daily slog, the unnoticed trails we navigate every day, emphasising that perhaps, the real adventure is the one we embark upon each day amidst the mundane. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sotwwithrowan/message

Join me Rowan Oaken, the Bob Ross of Hocus Pocus, in this week’s episode of Season of the Witch with Rowan Oaken. Here's a cauldron full of what we have brewing in this episode: Unveiling the Unseen: Catching up on where the show’s been, Tess’s new adventures, and a sneak peek into Rowan’s mystical yet mundane life. The Veil of Grief: As Samhain approaches, the veil between worlds thins, stirring emotions and memories of the dearly departed. We delve into Rowan’s personal journey through losing a loved one and how it intertwines with the witchy ways of grieving. Grief Through a Western Window: We'll dissect how societal norms, rooted in Christian traditions, have shaped our approach to mourning. How has the modern world boxed up grief and what can we, as practitioners of the old ways, learn from this? The Grief Order: Walking through the Elizabeth Kubler Ross model, we unfold the stages of grief, exploring how each phase has its own magical essence and how Rowan crafted a personal mourning ritual to process and honor these emotions. Grieving the Living and the Life: Grief isn't always about death. We'll explore how transitions, even the seasonal shift into autumn, can stir the cauldron of loss and how to magically maneuver through these moments. Rituals of Remembrance and Release: For the loved ones lost but forever in our hearts: Cooking a meal, setting up an altar, creating an outdoor sacred space, and inviting them to dine with us in spirit. For severing ties: Engaging in rituals with string, cord, or ivy to cut the energetic cords, setting boundaries with the aid of hawthorn, and penning letters to release the old bonds. We'll also touch on the soothing powers of moonstone for emotional healing. Closing the Circle: We'll wrap up our mystical journey through grief, shedding light on how embracing and processing our sorrow can foster a deeper connection to ourselves, the spirit realm, and the ever-turning wheel of life. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sotwwithrowan/message

Come join the discussion this week where we differentiate the concepts of Karma and the Threefold Law which often get confused within the craft. Here we will be questioning the negative binarism of good and bad acts, pondering whether it is possible to pay off karmic debt and spilling all tea whilst reading the Wiccan Rede to filth.  To continue the conversation you can:  email at seasonofthewitchpodcast@gmail.com get in touch with Rowan @sotwwithrowan on Instagram get in touch with Tess @theobscurawitch on Instagram --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sotwwithrowan/message

We’re back to talk witchy herbs in the second part of our foraging series, and this time we’re chatting about Borage, St. John’s Wort, Mugwort and Yarrow - all the sexy midsummer plants. Find out which ones are good for the SADs and which will make you trip balls in your dreams. For the first ten minutes of the episode, we have a little dive into the cesspit of our Saturn Returns, as we blame the planet for every difficult situation in the past 2-3 years of our lives. For the fans only, stick around after the episode for a wee bonus chat about weird British culture, we know you’re all here for the weird stuff. I should add also, thank you so much for waiting on these episodes, you’ve all been so patient and loving with the gap in production. These were recorded so long ago, but because of personal circumstances I have been unable to produce them, and the podcast has unfortunately been left on simmer. Well, it’s time to take that tasty stew off the hob and soak it up. Continue the conversation with us: -  find Rowan @SotWwithRowan on Instagram and Facebook - find Tess @theobscurawitch on Instagram Come eat cheese with like-minded witches on the Facebook Cheese Witch Coven. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sotwwithrowan/message

Thank you all for waiting for this next episode - IT'S HERE!  Join us this week as we spill the tea on common issues in online and offline witchcraft communities. In this episode, we will be explaining some of the common boundary-setting practices we have used before and how we deal with situations that have required binding. In addition to that, we will be serving up the hottest tea to talk about hierarchies, gatekeeping and some of the challenges established by communities who continue to use the word traditional as a guise for minimising others’ practices. In a series plot twist – Rowan changes his perspective on appropriation! Continue the conversation with us: -  find Rowan @SotWwithRowan on Instagram and Facebook - Find Tess @theobscurawitch on Instagram Come eat cheese with like-minded witches on the Facebook Cheese Witch Coven. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sotwwithrowan/message

Come forage with us in the first episode of our wild and witchy foraging series. This week we’ll be running through some of the plants growing near us, and what their magickal and mundane properties are; these include comfrey, lilac, sweet woodruff, watermint, wild garlic and more.  Rowan also learns that sassafras is a real thing, North American listens can begin their cringing now. As we enter the fire festival of Beltane, there is a light touch discussion on the topic of the Sabbat but you may want to learn more about that over on the podcast in episode Season 1 Episode 20 here:  https://anchor.fm/sotwwithrowan/episodes/Beltane-2021--Ep--20-evds3j *MASSIVE disclaimer, be sure you know exactly what you are foraging and always consult with a professional if you are taking anything internally. Don’t put comfrey up your butt. ** The plants we discuss on the show are those that grow wild within England. These may not be native to your region. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sotwwithrowan/message

Were back with you this week to talk career spells and how we can utilise our witchy skills in the working world. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sotwwithrowan/message

Hello and welcome back to a new Season of the Witch with your hosts Rowan Oaken and Tess Lauren.  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sotwwithrowan/message

Welcome back witches.  It's a Season of the Witch return but also a finale. Yes, the podcast will be returning in 2022 but in the meantime join me, and Jennie Blonde of the Comfy Cozy Witch Podcast, as we read the year to filth.  Great to be back x --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sotwwithrowan/message

Well, we are almost there my lovely witches, 365 days of Season of the Witch! Celebrate with me (as I also celebrate my birthday) by delving into the pagan origins of birthday candles and cakes, gift giving and a few of my thoughts around horoscopes and planetary returns. If you’re looking for your individual planetary returns, here’s your link: https://horoscopes.astro-seek.com/planet-revolutions-returns See you all soon. Rowan x --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sotwwithrowan/message

Join me Rowan Oaken, the Bob Ross of Hocus Pocus, in this episode of Season of the Witch with Rowan Oaken. This week’s episode follows my time away in the Welsh mountains. For the past 10 years, I have always talked of how much I need to get away to the mountains – they fill me up. After months away from the peaks, I felt drained, and a short trip has juiced the batteries up again mentally, physically and spiritually. Listen along as I investigate the spiritual significance of the mountains, exploring ways that you can harmonise with mountain energy in your craft. This includes elementals, foraged items, setting up quarters and ancestry work. The episode is a little lighter on the research side of things as I originally wrote and recorded it in the mountains where I had no access to research material – but – I think it offers something a little different, a little more thoughtful. …. Of course, there are some ridiculous parts too. It isn’t all philosophical.  It wouldn’t be a SotW episode without the silliness. Come cheese out here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/156201159705298 Come check out some mountain pics here @sotwwithrowan Check out Ouija Boards and Midnight Margs podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ouija-boards-midnight-margs/id1538336827 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sotwwithrowan/message

Join me Rowan Oaken, the Bob Ross of Hocus Pocus, in this week’s Sabbat Special episode of Season of the Witch with Rowan Oaken. In this week’s episode, I will be talking all things Lughnasadh, Lammas, Bron-Trogain Hlafmaess or just loaf mass if you're nasty. Come join me as we discover some of the origins and folklore of this festival and also investigate some of the different ways that we can observe it in the 21stcentury: there will be bread. Unite also on my quest to unearth one of the greatest Lughnasadh mysteries – The enigma of the corn. If you solve the enigma, let me know on social media @SOTWwithRowan on Facebook and Instagram, or by sending me an email at seasonofthewitchpodcast@gmail.com Come eat cheese and talk witchcraft here in our Cheese Witch Coven: https://www.facebook.com/groups/156201159705298 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sotwwithrowan/message

Join me Rowan Oaken, the Bob Ross of Hocus Pocus, in this Week’s episode of Season of the Witch with Rowan Oaken. In this week’s episode, I will be talking all about altars, shrines and sacred spaces. This episode will break down the history of the altar - specifically the witch’s altar - to define what an altar is, how it can be used and what you may commonly see on them. This episode is not intended to be a shopping list of altar paraphernalia but a guide to get you thinking about what your altar might be and to challenge you on what you thought an altar might be. TEA WILL BE SPILLED. Wanting to continue the conversation? Join us over on the Cheese Witch Coven here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/156201159705298 And also, come chat with me on Instagram @sotwwithrowan --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sotwwithrowan/message

Hey-y’all, get ready to talk the hide of a mule in an extra chatty chapter in the Season of the Witch catalogue as I spill the tea on the occult and thicccly read the leaves to filth with my two erect podcast friends – Listening to the show will help that make sense… sort of… kind of. Yes, this week we are humbly graced with the presence of 2020’s Outstanding Podcast of the Year, Texas’ best export, Charlye and Macy - the hosts of The Witch Bitch Amateur Hour. In this week’s episode, we will be talking about what it means to admit that you will always be an amateur in the world of the occult, spiritualism, paganism, and the craft. Join us as we open up discussions on the impact of being a witchcraft practitioner in Texas but mostly – above all -  come for the chat and stay for the laughs. This has been my favourite episode to edit, and I am sure you will have even more fun listening to it. *** DISCLAIMER *** We do not condone kicking geese or swans unless in confirmed self-defence in a court of law. *** REDACTION *** Geese don’t have lizard eyes. Links: SOTW Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sotwwithrowan/ Cheese Witch Coven: https://www.facebook.com/groups/156201159705298 Witch Bitch Amateur Hour Podcast:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-witch-bitch-amateur-hour/id1398452484 Witch Bitch Amateur Hour Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/WitchAmateurHour/ Witch Bitch Amateur Hour Twitter: https://twitter.com/bitchhour?lang=en Witch Bitch Amateur Hour Website: http://www.witchbitchamateurhour.com/ Witch Bitch Amateur Hour Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/witchbitchamateurhour/?hl=en --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sotwwithrowan/message

Join me Rowan Oaken, the Bob Ross of Hocus Pocus, in this Week’s Sabbat Special episode of Season of the Witch with Rowan Oaken. In this week’s episode, I will be talking about all things Midsummer, Litha and the Summer Solstice. Perhaps you are Swedish – or Ari Aster - and call it Midsommar?  Come along for a dip into some of the histories behind Summer Solstice celebrations around the world from the Greeks, Saxons, Druids and the Chinese along with a flavour for some of the folklore and superstition that surround this time. This episode will give outline some activities you can get involved with during this time, along with advice about herbs that are best harvested during this time. I will be uploading the solitary ritual mentioned on the show as a bonus episode so if you are already subscribed, keep an eye out for notifications of that one coming soon. If you were interested in joining the Cheese Witch Coven mentioned on the show, you can do so here - https://www.facebook.com/groups/156201159705298 Or, come chat with me on Instagram @sotwwithrowan --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sotwwithrowan/message