On taking back the  definition of "witch" and rewriting the myth of the women's power, with Judika Illes, an independent scholar, educator, and author of several books and encyclopedias, including the Encyclopedia of  Witchcraft, published by Harper Collins. 

THIS EPISODE'S WISDOM QUOTES 

Reclaiming “witch” cannot really be done without reclaiming women’s power in general.

Witches are defiant, in their power, and take pride in women’s power… They are not beholden, they are independent in their power. They don’t have to ask their father of their brother or their husband or son what they should do. Witches are the power in themselves.”

Witchcraft is about knowledge, and it’s about knowledge of the earth, knowledge of the elements, of the heavens and the water... The roots of witchcraft and shamanism go back to really primordial times when witches were the leaders and the heroes of their community. 

The constant objectification of women’s bodies paralyzes us. If we are constantly worried about what we look like, we can’t be free...

Dance is a way of summoning the spirits. Dance is a way to commune with the different forces of the earth, the different dimensions and beings. The most consistently reliable way of contacting them is dance.

For more abut Judika Illes, visit her webpage: www.judikailles.com

For more on host Stefana Serafina's work in women's embodied empowerment, go to 

www.intuitivedance.org