Witch With Books

It's all about Samhain!  This episode of the podcast has me waxing nostalgic over a few Samhain Rituals that were especially formative in my life as a Witch.  Plus some Samhain  History, and the Green Mile of the Horned God!

I had the joy of speaking with Kelden, the author of "The Witch's Sabbath" and "The Crooked Path" while attending an outdoor festival in Minnesota. Listen in as we talk about Traditional Witchcraft, folklore, and the Devil! (And because this was recorded live outdoors, you'll also hear sanitation trucks, the portapoties were getting cleaned while we were chatting.). 

In this episode of the podcast we talk to Enfys Book author of Queer Qabala: Nonbinary, Genderfluid, Omnisexual Mysticism & Magick. New to the Qabala or unsure just how to incorporate it into your magickal practices? Don't worry, that's where this conversation starts before moving to Book's history as a Witch and their time with the musical group The Misbehavin' Maidens. For more on Enfys Book, visit their website and be sure to check out their podcast, 4 Quick Q's.

Ever wonder how audio books are produced? In this special episode of the pod hosts Jason Mankey ("The Horned God of the Witches") and Dee Norman ("Burn a Black Candle") chat with Tegan Ashton Cohan, actress and audio book performer about what goes into creating an audio book. Cohan's credits as a voice actress include  Llewellyn's Sabbat Essential Series and Kate Freuler's Of Blood and Bones, all produced by her Howl at the Moon Audio production company. How many hours of voice work does it take produce an eight hour book? How are audio books edited? Is it all much harder than it looks? (Absolutely!) If you love audio books you'll love this behind the scenes look into their creation.  

In this episode we share our favorite books of 2022! 

It's a show about Lammas or Lughnassa or whatever you want to call the first sabbat of the harvest season. In this mini-episode I talk a little bit about the history of Lammas and Lughnassa and offer some ideas on how to celebrate the season.  Much of the book is material recycled from my book "The Witch's Wheel of the Year, but on the plus side, you get to hear me read my book with all of my inflections and vocal tics!  Happy Harvest!

For your Yuletide enjoyment it's ten books dedicated to the Holiday Season! From rituals to Saturnalia wine recipes to folklore and history there's something here for any Midwinter itch you need to scratch! 

Interested in learning more about Witch history? This epsisode of the podcast is a great place to start! Join host Jason Mankey as he teams up with Ash the Gardnerian Librarian to discuss titles such as Triumph of the Moon, Drawing Down the Moon, Witchfather, The Rebirth of Witchcraft and many more. This is a subject both Ash and Jason are deeply passionate about, and many of their absolute favorite Witch-related books are a part of the history genre.  

Jason is joined by April for this early Autumn/late Summer edition of the Witch With Books podcast. In this episode April and Jason discuss "newish" books, including: Rebel Witch, Magic for Troubled Times, Powerful Juju, Earth Magic, Queens of the Wild, Elves, Witches and Gods, The Witch's Name, Unmask Alice, and The Moon Book: Lunar Magic to Change Your Life. 

In this special episode Jason is joined by author Martha Kirby Capo to discuss Witchcraft and Wicca 101 Books!  Do "the classics" still resonate in 2022?  What should the discerning Witch read today? Is there any reason to read Silver Ravenwolf and Raymond Buckland today? (Both say "yes!" but with caveats!) People love to talk about "recommended reading" and where the best place to start is when learning about Witchcraft. We don't have all the answers in this edition of the podcast, but the discussion (along with the praise and the criticism) is lively!

Lammas (or Lughnasadh depending on your preference) is either a celebration of the first harvest of the absolute height of summer. In early August, the days remain long, but the first stirrings of the harvest surround us. It's a time to celebrate community, bread, food, trees, and perhaps a summer cocktail.In this episode of the podcast Jason shares his favorite Lammas (and Lammas adjacent) books for this time of year.  

Tenae Stewart is the Witch of Lupine Hollow and has been practicing cottage witchery for nearly a decade. Tenae believes that witchcraft should be simple and empowering and her practice is all about embodying simplicity in magick, ritual, and self-love practices.In this author spotlight edition of the podcast Tenae and Jason chat about the use of astrology in the (book) writing process, re-engaging in the Craft, and Tenae's latest book "The Modern Witch's Guide to Natural Magick."  

Storm Faerywolf is a best-selling author, teacher, visionary poet, and practicing warlock. In this episode of the podcast Storm and Jason talk about Storm's two latest books "The Witch's Name" and "The Satyr's Kiss."  

It's February and we are talking Tarot on this month's edition of the Witch With Books Podcast. Meg and Jason share not only their favorite decks on this episode, but also their favorite Tarot related books! And just for February, we share our favorite books about love and lust in honor of Valentine's Day!Featured titles this month include The Altar Within by Juliet Diaz,  Loki and Signy by Lea Svendsen, The Modern Witchcraft Guide to the Runes by Judy Ann Nock, and Welsh Witchcraft  by Mhara Starling. We also jump in the wayback machine to discuss two books by occult pioneer Dion Fortune, and share our favorite social media stars, and the titles we are most looking forward to in the coming months! TITLES & SEGMENTS ON THIS MONTH'S PODCAST Yay Or Nay?  Will We Read These New Releases?Hoodoo Your Love by Starr CasasWitch Queens, Voodoo Spirits, and Hoodoo Saints: A Guide to Magical New Orleans by Denise AlvaradoEspiritismo by Hector SalvaThe Thrifty Witch's Book of Simple Spells: Potions, Charms, and Incantations for the Modern Witch by Wren Maple Flower Essences from the Witch's Garden: Plant Spirits in Magickal Herbalism by Nicholas PearsonOldies But (Mostly) GoodiesPsychic Self Defense by Dion FortuneThe Sea Priestess by Dion Fortune   Time for Tarot:  Favorite Tarot Books Kitchen Table Tarot by Melissa CynovaEveryday Tarot by Biddy Tarot/Brigit Esselmont Madame Pamita’s Magical Tarot  by Madame Pamita Taschen Tarot Book edited by Jessica Hundley Tarot for One by Courtney WeberPamela Colman Smith: The Untold Story by Stuart Kaplan A History of the Occult Tarot by Ronald Decker and Michael Dummet Tarot Books Community Picks: Holistic Tarot by Benebel WenTarot For Yourself by Mary K. GreerQueering the Tarot by Cassandra Snow Favorite Tarot/Oracle Decks The American Renaissance Tarot by Thea Wirsching and illustrated by Celeste PilleChrysalis Tarot by Toney Brooks and illustrated by Holly Sierra  The Liminal Spirits Oracle Deck by Laura Tempest Zakroff  A Jane Austen Tarot by Jacqui Oakley Moonology by Yasmin Boland Love Notes:  Books in the Mood for . . . .  Love (or Lust)!    A Kitchen Witch's Guide to Recipes for Love & Romance by Dawn Hunt Love Spells for the Modern Witch by Michael Herkes The Great Work of the Flesh: Sexual Magic East and West by Sarane Alexandrian, translated by Joe Graham.  Pan:  The Great God’s Modern Return by Paul Robichaud Featured Selections for February Loki and Signy by Lea Svendsen The Modern Witchcraft Guide to the Runes by Judy Ann NockWelsh Witchcraft  by Mhara Starling The Altar Within: A Radical Devotional Guide to Liberate the Divine Self by Juliet DiazSocial Media Stars: Michael Herkes, The Glam Witch Lisa Marie Basile Books on the Horizon The Witch's Book of Spellcraft by Jason Mankey  Navigating the Witch’s Compass by Ian Chambers

It's our first ever "Author Spotlight" mini-episode!  In this quick edition of the podcast, Jason interviews Heron Michelle, author of the terrific new Elemental Witchcraft (Llewellyn, December 2021).  Listen in as we discuss Heron's influences, love of journaling, and what Witches can learn from hermetic texts.  

In this special "mini-edition" of the Witch With Books podcast it's all about Imbolc!  Listen in as Meg and Jason share their favorite books specifically about the season, the goddess Brigid, along with a few extra titles perfect for this time of year. Books highlighted include:Imbolc by Carl F. NealStations of the Sun by Ronald HuttonThe Witch's Wheel of the Year by Jason MankeyThe New Witch's Guide to Imbolc by Witch With MeBrigid by Courntey WeberPagan Portals - Brigid by Morgan DaimlerWhat is Remembered Lives by Phoenix LeFae  Brigid’s Light by Cairelle Crow & Laura LouellaAir Magic by Astrea Taylor   Witchy Crafts by Lexa OlickWinter Seer Animal Oracle by Siolo Thompson 

In our premiere episode, Meg and Jason talk about over 25 Witch and Witch-adjacent books! New titles highlighted include The Green Witch's Garden (Arin Murphy-Hiscock), The Witch's Sabbath (Kelden), Celtic Tree Ogham (Sharlyn Hidalgo), and Witches, Heretics, and Warrior Women (Phoenix LeFae). We also step into the wayback-machine to highlight Silver Ravenwolf's immortal To Ride a Silver Broomstick, and also share a few favorite (often) overlooked titles.  Join us as we discuss what new books might be worth reading in "Yay or Nay" and talk about a few non-Witch books that helped illuminate our journeys. Titles and segments on this month's podcast:Favorites Books of 2021 Anatomy of a Witch   Laura Tempest ZakroffLife Ritualized   Phoenix LeFae and Gwion RavenElemental Witchcraft   Heron MichelleAncestral Tarot   Nancy HendricksonThe Witch's Path   Thorn MooneyGreen Witch Magick   Susan Ilka TuttleOldies But GoodiesTo Ride a Silver Broomstick-Silver RavenwolfYay or Nay? Will We Read These New Releases? Jason and Meg Chime InThe Secret Psychic   Angela WixPaganism for Prisoners    Awyn DawnQabalah for Wiccans    Jack ChinekEmpty Cauldrons   Terrance WardAstrology by Moonlight    Tara Aal and  Aswin SubramanyanPsychic Spellcraft   Shawn Robbins and Leanna Greenaway Spell Jars for Beginners   Alyssa Vera Saturn: A New Look at an Old Devil    Liz GreeneThe Big Book of Magical Incense    Sara L. MastrosFeatured Books of the MonthThe Witches Sabbath   KeldenCeltic Tree Ogham   Sharlyn Hidalgo Witches, Heretics, & Warrior Women  Phoenix LeFae The Green Witch's Garden   Arin Murphy-HiscockOverlooked Book GemsStones of the Goddess   Nicholas PearsonPositive Magic & Earth Magic  Marion Weinstein NonWitch Books We Love or Have Influenced Us Creative Visualization   Shakti Gawain The Myth of Sisyphus   Albert Camus Social Media Stars Mandi Em (Wellness Witch)Jenni Blonde (Comfy Cozy Witch)Books on the Horizon The Altar Within   Juliet Diaz Baba Yaga's Book of Witchcraft   Madame Pamita If you love Witch books, you'll love this podcast! 

In this very un-special episode of the podcast I ramble about the lessons of 2020 in the Pagan and Witchcraft communities. While the year was tough, I do think it provided us with some insight about how to move into the future. There's also way too much political stuff in this episode, as 2020 was dominated by both COVID-19 and the Presidential Election.  

In a world of fake news and alternative facts you can always trust your local librarian! This is one of my favorite interviews in the history of this little program! Ash (who blogs at The Gardnerian Librarian) and I talk about what makes a good book, and what her favorite (and least favorite) Witchcraft titles are!  This interview was lots of fun!  

Yule is my favorite season, and in this special episode of the podcast I prattle on about the Holiday Season for a little over an hour. Most of this comes from my book, "Llewellyn's Little Book of Yule" which came out earlier this year.  I actually did this show live on Facebook so there are mentions of me answering questions from people listening to the presentation as they type questions.  I know a lot of Witches absolutely love Halloween, and think that it's the most "Witchy" time of year, but for me there's no time of year more magickal than late Autumn/early Winter. Traditions we associate with the season are genuinely old too, sometimes thousands of years old, and have been cherished and passed down over millennia. There's nothing like Yule, and there are few things I love talking about more.