Gifts of the Wyrd

In episode 105 of Gifts of the Wyrd, I welcome back Imelda Almqvist to discuss her latest book, Portals, Patterns, and Pathways: A Handbook for Rune Magicians, Star Gazers and Myth Makers. We talk about the Uthark system, rune axes, mythology, astrology,  and the many ways this book invites you to explore the runes from an entirely different perspective.  This is not another book of rune meanings,...

In this episode I speak again with Rev. Máire Durkan. We talk about Frigg and the twelve goddesses who make up her “Council.”  But from a different perspective and way of getting to know them. In Frigg’s Twelvefold Flame, Máire's approach to the goddesses shows how they can be worked with to help with pressing matters today including justice, activism, and allyship. They are not (and never have be...

In this episode of Gifts of the Wyrd, I’m joined by Jane Matthews, creator of Ogham: Divining the Celtic Way published by Weiser Books . We talk about the Celtic roots of ogham and Jane shares insights into why she created the deck. We discuss it as a divination tool, working with ogham in everyday practice, and connecting with them for meditation, guidance, and magical work. We also talk about so...

In this episode, I’m joined by Anna Urošević Applegate to discuss her book Slava! Slavic Paganism and Dual-Faith Folk Ways, an in-depth exploration of Slavic Pagan traditions and the dual-faith practice that weaves together folk Paganism and Eastern Orthodox Christianity. We talk about Anna’s experience growing up in the United States as the child of immigrants, navigating the liminal space betwee...

In this episode, I’m joined by Robert Schreiwer, Michelle A. Jones, and Stacey Lynne Stewart to explore Heathen Traditions of the Pennsylvania Dutch: An Urglaawe Primer—an interesting look at a distinct expression of Heathenry rooted in the Pennsylvania Dutch culture. Together, we talk about Urglaawe (or-glaw-VEH), a living spiritual tradition that explores the roots of Germanic Heathen spirituali...

Wyrd-iversary: 10 Years and 100 Episodes of Gifts of the Wyrd In this special milestone episode, I’m celebrating the 100th episode of Gifts of the Wyrd and ten years of podcasting. From the first recording in 2016 to conversations with authors, folklorists, creators, and practitioners across the wider Pagan and Heathen communities, this episode reflects on how the show began, how it evolved from “...

In this episode we meet with Irish author Rev. Lora O'Brien to talk about her latest book The Mórrígan, Ireland's Goddess: Sovereign Secrets from an Irish View.  We talk about her book and the Mórrígan as well as learning about the goddess from Irish resources, mythology and folktales, Irish sacred spaces, and connecting to an authentic Irish practice itself.  It's a really interesting conversatio...

You know Dasher, and Dancer, and Prancer, and Vixen.  Santa, and Frosty, and Rudolph, and Dickens.  But do you know? The Alluring Dark Spirits of old?   In this episode, you can meet three of the Dark Spirits of the Christmas with my guest Tania Yager. Tania is the author of the book The Allure of the Dark Spirits (which will be available Dec. 5, 2025 on Lulu). We talk about the process of getting...

  Building Your Living Ancestral Practice with Ben Stimpson In this episode of Gifts of the Wyrd, we hear from author Ben Stimpson about his book Ancestral Whispers, published by Llewellyn Books. We explore what it means to build a living ancestral veneration practice—from understaning who our ancestors are, to creating space, crafting offerings, communication, and redefining our releationships wi...

Some stories just never let go — they linger like whispers in the wind or shadows cast by campfires. This episode, I’m joined by Jeff Belanger to talk about his newest book, Wicked Strange, (with photography by Frank Grace). Wicked Strange shares the ghostly lore and mysterious legends that are part of New England’s history — tales of haunted hotels, mysterious cemeteries, and the places where fol...

Joey Morris, author of Celtic Hedge Witchery—A Modern Approach, offers insight and inspiration for anyone seeking to deepen their practice of Celtic spirituality in modern times. We explore hedge witchcraft as a path of connection with the land, spirits, and Celtic deities, including the Morrigan, trees and plant allies, and the ancient wisdom of the Three Cauldrons. There is so much more than we...

A great topic this episode discussing milestones for Queer folks and how we can celebrate and recognize them in our pagan practices.  Enfys Book takes time to speak about their book developed from their own personal journey and the experiences of others for creating ritual for important life experiences for those in the LGBTQIA+ community.  Whether just starting on your journey or you have gone th...

Varla Ventura, author of Enchanted Plants: A Treasury of Botanical Folklore & Magic, joins me this episode to talk about .... yes, plants.   Varla is the author of several books about the enchanted realms.  She is a long time lover of plants and their magical connection between the physical realm and that of the beyond.   I can't write this any better, so borrowing it directly from Weiser's wr...

Have you felt the call of the Great Queen but thought She was unapproachable, dark, or focused on war/warrior? The Call of the Morigan Oracle Deck may be able to help you decipher those messages and find your place in working with the Morrigan. Joining me to talk about the creative process of the deck are authors Stphanie Woodfield and Karen Storminger and artist Naomi Cornock.  The Morrigan is mo...

Do you take things apart to see how they work? Do you wonder what the symbols on a tarot deck mean? The Tarot Disassembled deck and book by Jennifer Cooper Steidley, helps you do both! And she joins me to talk about the deck and how the idea to deconstruct the images of tarot to go behind the scenes of what we usually see on a card for deeper meanings and inspiration.  Whether starting your journe...

In this episode, I’m joined by Davezilla, graphic artist and author of Magical AI Grimoire, to talk about working with current technology for our sacred work. As technology rapidly advances, it opens up a lot of questions on how it can be legitimately implemented in our practice and daily lives, should we implement (or how much), and what are some of the results? In this book, Davezilla presents w...

Christian Brunner joins me to talk about his book Alpine Witchery. Christian has researched the accounts of hundreds of witch trials which took place in his native Austrian Alps.  The accounts record the spells men and women were accused of conducting which he has carefully categorized with their elements and ingredients.  This is not a grimoire per se, but does allow for those intersted to see ho...

Are you a fan of Mid-Century Modern, Atomic Style design, cats, and tarot?  Then this is the deck for you! I discovered this deck last year and picked up an early copy as a Yule gift for my husband.  Now Atomic Cat Tarot creator Wendy Miller has launched it on Kickstarter to be able to publish more decks and have it available in the tarot world.  Wendy joins me on this episode to talk about the de...

What is a witch? How have they been a part of history, pop culture, and in everyday life from history to today? Find out in the revised Witches: A Compendium by Judika Illes from Weiser books.  Witches introduces you to a range of witches and how they have interacted with, impacted, and influenced society through the ages.  Included are witches of history such as Marie Laveau, Tituba, Merlin, and...

>Thump< >Thump<   Is that the sound of reindeer hooves on the rooftop?  A knock at the door for a surprise appearance from Santa Clause to bring gifts?  Maaaayyybe.  Or maybe it's Père Fouettard, Belsnickel, or Sinterklaas with his chimney Piets arriving to punish the naughty.  Perhaps Krampus, Gryla, the Yule Cat or Yule Lads, or the Mari Lwyd to take you away or kill you for venturin...

Joining the podcast this episode are the incredible and talented creators of the Norse Goddess Rune Oracle - Rebecca Joy "Raven" Stark and Sharon McCleod.  Raven is a rune practitioner, a volva, and a teacher of runes and Norse spirituality.  Sharon is an artist/illustrator inspired by nature, myth, magic, and all thing otherworldly.  Together they created the amazing Norse Goddess Rune Oracle whi...

With the upcoming Winter Solstice and Yule season in the Northern Hemisphere, Imelda Almqvist joins me to talk about her upcoming webinars about Vrouw Holle (Frau Holle) and St. Nicholas (Sinterklaas in the Netherlands).  We talk a little about who Vrouw Holle and Sinterklaas are and the interesting connections they have as soul conductors (psycho pomps) especially for children.  In this discussio...

Siri Vincent Plouff joins the podcast to talk about a favorite subject, runes. Their book, Queering the Runes, was just released in November 2024 and we talk about the book, dispel notions that runes are not for everyone (they are!), how they can relate from a queer perspective, and just about runes in general.  The book is an excellent way to introduce yourself to the runes with a fresh look at h...

As October inches towards Samhain, Rick de Yampert joins me to talk about the magic of Crows and Ravens from his book: Crows and Ravens: Mystery, Myth, and Magic of Sacred Corvids.  Rick has been working with Crows and Ravens for a number of years along his path and has dedicated a lot of study to how corvids behave and how we can commune with them to enrich and enhance our connection to nature, m...

"Welcome to the Nine Worlds, home of Gods, Valkyries, Dwarves, and more!" promises MacMillan Publishsers about the latest series by my guest; author and artist George O'Connor. George created the 12 volume series The Olympians and just released Thor in October 2024, the second book of his series The Asgardians. The first volume of The Asgardians series, Odin, was released in March 2024. We talk ab...