This Podcast is a Ritual

Artist, occultist, and psychoanalyst Dr. Vanessa Sinclair joins the ritual for another probing exploration of the strange and symbolic realms of psychoanalysis itself as we move beyond Freud and discuss the other thinkers who mapped our collective unconscious. Learn more about the RU Center for Psychoanalysis at: https://rucenterforpsychoanalysis.substack.com/ Got a question for the the Wizard? Call the Wizard Hotline at 860-415-6009‬ and have it answered in a future episode! Join the ritual: www.patreon.com/thispodcastisaritual

As we move ever closer to our "Invocation of the Listener" ceremony on November 30th, 2025, we're returning to the episodes that first set the stage for the expanding mythos of This Podcast is a Ritual... A Slightly Better Episode celebrates the holy wizard holiday, April Fools Day, with a very special ritual wherein your wizard, Devin Person, bares his soul and reveals the true aims of This Podcast is a Ritual. Originally released April 1, 2021 Ritual audio graciously provided by Logan Dennison, Heather Elle, and Kevin Pelrine. Got a question for the the Wizard? Call the Wizard Hotline at 860-415-6009‬ and have it answered in a future episode! Join the ritual: www.patreon.com/thispodcastisaritual

Beyond magic lies myth, a series of stories and symbols a culture uses to understand itself and orient to a wider metaphysical reality. While early anthropologists tended to discard other cultures' myths as mere superstition and nonsense, thanks to pioneering comparative mythologists like Joseph Campbell, Mircea Eliade, and Georges Dumézil (among others), we can now explore a far more magical answer to the question... what is myth? Listen to the full episode: https://www.patreon.com/posts/141320341 Got a question for the the Wizard? Call the Wizard Hotline at 860-415-6009‬ and have it answered in a future episode! Join the ritual: www.patreon.com/thispodcastisaritual

The Wizard sat down at his desk to write a description for his new podcast episode, What is Metafiction?, exploring the literary genre of metafiction and its implications for magical practice. Pausing as he finished the first line, the Wizard figured he should probably mention he'd written a whole book on the subject, So Let It Be Written: A Wizards' Guide to Metafiction w/ Eric J. Millar), and include a link for listeners to purchase it. Get a copy of So Let It Be Written: A Wizards' Guide to Metafiction: https://www.personisawake.com/so-let-it-be-written Got a question for the the Wizard? Call the Wizard Hotline at 860-415-6009‬ and have it answered in a future episode! Join the ritual: www.patreon.com/thispodcastisaritual

As the ritual prepares to ascend to a higher plane with our "Invocation of the Listener" ceremony on November 30th, 2025, we're revisiting the magical moments that led us here with a series of special re-releases, beginning with the Opening Ceremony that started it all.... In this opening ceremony, you will be initiated into the ritual by the wizard Devin Person and discover the life-changing magic that can make your reality... slightly better. Recorded live at Magick City (Brooklyn, NY) on November 30, 2018. Got a question for the the Wizard? Call the Wizard Hotline at 860-415-6009‬ and have it answered in a future episode! Join the ritual: www.patreon.com/thispodcastisaritual

Magic can be attractive to people struggling with anxiety, as it seems to offer the promise of greater control over one's reality. However, the Wizard has an interesting theory about how letting go of control and "trusting the magic" can produce far better results. This short preview goes over the essence of magic's interaction with anxiety, and invites you to tune into the full bonus episode on Patreon to soothe your troubled spirit and learn to let go. Listen to the full episode: https://www.patreon.com/posts/139664083 Got a question for the the Wizard? Call the Wizard Hotline at 860-415-6009‬ and have it answered in a future episode! Join the ritual: www.patreon.com/thispodcastisaritual

Meditation teacher George Haas, founder of the Metta Group and host of the I Love You, Keep Going podcast, joins the ritual for a deep dive into the unconscious conditioning known as "attachment styles" that affect how we not only form relationships, but perceive reality itself. George's work explores how Buddhist meditation techniques can help release these shackles to create a greater sense of freedom, security, and meaning in one's life. Tune into George's vibrations: https://www.mettagroup.org/ Got a question for the the Wizard? Call the Wizard Hotline at 860-415-6009‬ and have it answered in a future episode! Join the ritual: www.patreon.com/thispodcastisaritual

The end of a relationship can bring with it feelings of loss, grief, and chaos, but these crises also contain the seeds of significant personal growth. In this episode, the Wizard shares what he learned over the last year of navigating heartbreak and offers a guiding light for anyone else going through something similar. Got a question for the the Wizard? Call the Wizard Hotline at 860-415-6009‬ and have it answered in a future episode! Join the ritual: www.patreon.com/thispodcastisaritual

The Wizard digs deeper into the occult forces shaping our reality, pivoting from the coveted prize of "coolness" to the booby trap everyone is eager to avoid: Shame! In this short preview, you'll learn how shame relates to cool, why trying to avoid shame has the opposite effect, and some counterintuitive strategies for working with uncomfortable feelings. Listen to the full episode: https://www.patreon.com/posts/137486865 Got a question for the the Wizard? Call the Wizard Hotline at 860-415-6009‬ and have it answered in a future episode! Join the ritual: www.patreon.com/thispodcastisaritual

Most of us spend more time than we'd like to admit trying to "be cool," but do we know what "cool" even is? Thankfully, the world's coolest wizard is on the case in this in-depth investigation of this elusive cultural concept and how we can reclaim it as a revolutionary force in this distinctly uncool era. Got a question for the the Wizard? Call the Wizard Hotline at 860-415-6009‬ and have it answered in a future episode! Join the ritual: www.patreon.com/thispodcastisaritual

Fresh off his Quest, the Wizard kicks off a new series of alternating bonus episodes exploring the intersection of psychology and magic. In this exciting preview, you'll learn more about the power of psychological "images" and how to work through difficult feelings by magically connecting with your "inner child." Listen to the full episode: https://www.patreon.com/posts/135879917 Got a question for the the Wizard? Call the Wizard Hotline at 860-415-6009‬ and have it answered in a future episode! Join the ritual: www.patreon.com/thispodcastisaritual

This Podcast is a Quest lands safely back at home in this restful and reflective conclusion as the Wizard shares what he learned on his journey as well as what lies ahead for wizardry, reality, and the ongoing magic of This Podcast is a Ritual. Got a question for the the Wizard? Call the Wizard Hotline at 860-415-6009‬ and have it answered in a future episode! Join the ritual: www.patreon.com/thispodcastisaritual

Worn and weary, the Wizard enters the final stage of the quest, letting go of all he thought he once knew and opening himself up to even greater uncertainty as he encounters the mysterious Tom10, a one-eyed gnome masquerading as a Swedish graffiti artist. Tune into Tom10's vibrations at: https://www.instagram.com/eyegnome/ Follow along with the Wizard's quest adventures and get more magical bonus content by joining the ritual at: www.patreon.com/thispodcastisaritual

As our quest wanders along, the Wizard learns to listen to that quiet voice that whispers "this way!" in this fascinating chat with author, adventurer, and Dutch digital nomad Esther Jacobs, also known as the "No Excuses Lady," about the possibilities that occur when one gets off the beaten path. Tune into Esther's vibrations at: https://estherjacobs.info/ Follow along with the Wizard's quest adventures and get more magical bonus content by joining the ritual at: www.patreon.com/thispodcastisaritual

Our quest continues as the Wizard's vague plans distill into actual events when he's joined by Yvet Youssef—integrative coach, creator, and explorer of conscious—to discuss the clarity that comes when you create space to do less. Tune into Yvet's vibrations at: https://yvetyoussef.com/ Follow along with the Wizard's quest adventures and get more magical bonus content by joining the ritual at: www.patreon.com/thispodcastisaritual

Our special mini-series, This Quest is a Ritual, leaps into the void with our first guest, Dutch wizard and creator of the Cosmosis quest app, Paul Staring. Paul is a longtime listener of This Podcast is a Ritual and has a fascinating approach to the concept of quests, using technology to help people reconnect with the magic in the world around them. Check out Cosmosis at: https://cosmosis.quest/ For the Stories of Soil & Stone Quest, use the password 'ancientearth'. This quest should be done outside. For The Night Within & Without Quest, use the password 'befriendthenight'. This Quest should be done indoors and can be started ~ 10 minutes before sunset. Follow along with Devin's quest adventures and get more magical bonus content by joining the ritual at: www.patreon.com/thispodcastisaritual

America's #1 Wizard is hitting the road to embark on a magical quest across Europe in this special mini-series. We're kicking things off by asking, "What is a quest?" and exploring the history of this word, its mythical and magical significance, and how YOU can embark on your own quest from wherever you are right now! Follow along with Devin's quest adventures and get more magical bonus content by joining the ritual at: www.patreon.com/thispodcastisaritual

New Zealand wizard and author Ari Freeman returns to the ritual to discuss his latest book, Tarot for Skeptics, a wonderful and practical guide to the tarot which examines the most commonly used decks from a myriad of potential belief systems, resulting in a refreshingly accessible guide that is sure to spark new ideas for even the most seasoned tarot readers. Order Tarot for Skeptics: https://spirit.aeonbooks.co.uk/product/tarot-for-sceptics/95332 Tune into Ari's vibrations: https://arifreemanwizard.substack.com/ Got a question for the the Wizard? Call the Wizard Hotline at 860-415-6009‬ and have it answered in a future episode! Join the ritual: www.patreon.com/thispodcastisaritual

Artist Day Schildkret, author of Morning Altars: A 7-Step Practice to Nourish Your Spirit through Nature, Art and Ritual and Hello, Goodbye: 75 Rituals for Times of Loss, Celebration and Change, joins the ritual to talk about rituals and the path that led him to building daily ephemeral altars in a New York City park. Tune into Day's vibrations at: https://www.dayschildkret.com/ Got a question for the the Wizard? Call the Wizard Hotline at 860-415-6009‬ and have it answered in a future episode! Join the ritual: www.patreon.com/thispodcastisaritual Follow the Wizard on Instagram @personisawake

From its iconic appearance as the first card in the Tarot’s Major Arcana to the many foolish characters we find in fiction and mythology, the Fool is much more than a mere idiot. Rather, the Fool signifies our willingness to step out into the void, take on risky adventures, and enter the chaotic tumult of this world. By seeing through systems of power and approaching life with a sometimes child-like simplicity, the Fool has long served as a check on authoritarian abuse, with jesters possessing the rare privilege of being allowed to mock and question the king, an energy we could use a little more of these days. This lecture was recorded live at MaybeItsFate in Louisville, KY on April Fool's Day 2025. Check out the magical bonus meditation on Patreon at: https://www.patreon.com/posts/bonus-supremely-127846291 Got a question for the the Wizard? Call the Wizard Hotline at 860-415-6009‬ and have it answered in a future episode! Join the ritual: www.patreon.com/thispodcastisaritual Follow the Wizard on Instagram @personisawake