My Shamanic Life with Debbie Philp

Lawn Sunshine? Sheri said what she said. In this episode, monthly podcast guest Sheri Kurdakul shares some surprising benefits of dandelion, a plant vilified by those who want a perfect green lawn (why?!?). Sheri and I both think it’s a magical plant that spreads happiness. Sheri once again starts us off with an awesome herbal poem. Enjoy!    Episode links: Find Sheri at Glitter Witch Gardens:  ht...

Earth Day is coming and I had great plans to do a special episode for that. Then I got caught up in recording a presentation of the paper I am writing for one of my grad school classes. It is a good topic for Earth Day, though, so I’m sharing the audio as part of the episode, after a bit of history about Earth Day to set the stage. Be sure to check out the links below for the events I mention, esp...

Jen and I were both buzzing during the solar eclipse. Listen as Jen shares more about her experience in the totality. Then Jen treats you to an awesome tarot spread you can use in the reemerging energy of spring.   Episode links: April 30th Virtual Beltane Ceremony:  https://debbiephilp.com/event/online-beltane-ceremony/ Find all upcoming in-person and virtual events on my calendar:  https://debbi...

Building on the sit spot practice in episode 117, I am sharing how I journal about nature. This includes recording what I observe and how I feel when I am out there. Have a listen and begin your own practice of journaling nature. Episode links: Email newsletter sign-up:  https://zfrmz.com/hzEVTHbu9jMYw90M7vOy The Shamanic Flow Circle Facebook group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/172277659801976...

In the northern hemisphere spring has sprung! I’m feeling into Ostara season’s energy of potential and sharing that and other Ostara things in this episode.   Episode links: Ostara Season blog post: https://debbiephilp.com/blog/ostara-season-potential/ Upcoming virtual Shamanic Reiki trainings:  https://debbiephilp.com/shamanic-reiki-training/   Email newsletter sign-up:  https://zfrmz.com/hzEVTHb...

Is it good to be a weed? Purple dead nettle thinks so and shows us how to be a weed that is a gentle garden companion. Regular guest Sheri Kurdakul shares about this early spring plant and how it benefits its ecosystem and you even though it is not native to North America. Of course Sheri starts us off with another of her awesome herbal poems. Enjoy the episode!  Episode links: Find Sheri at Glitt...

Who are these healers I keep talking about? You, for one. In this episode I’ll share who I believe healers are (some may surprise you) and why their evolutionary work is so important in the world right now. Curious about how it feels to do energy work? I guide you through a simple, effective, one-breath technique to direct energy to other beings. Listen on, healer.   Episode links: March 20th Virt...

I slipped a piece of labradorite into my pocket after Jen and I finished recording this episode to go along with the nice buzz I had from doing bee breath along with her. We both have been finding ways to work with struggle and Jen’s way of making space is through music. She shares ways you can chanting and singing into your spiritual practice even if you think, like I do, that you can’t sing. Epi...

I believe the world is best served when healers step up as leaders, but many of us who are drawn to the healing arts don’t feel safe speaking with the voice of a leader. I’ve been working on being courageous with my authentic expression of my bold, revolutionary ideas, with the help of my energetic shield. After I share some of my own challenges in stepping into leadership, I’ll guide you through...

The last thing I expected to hear when Sheri Kurdakul, of Glitter Witch Gardens, shared about the eastern white pine was that it once caused a riot! You’ll hear about that plus the ecological, medicinal, and magical properties of this common but absolutely wonderful tree. Sheri starts us off with another of her herbal poems, which are always so good. Enjoy the episode!    Episode links: Find Sheri...

Valentine’s Day turned my thoughts to love while I was also contemplating the web of life and making dream webs for an upcoming metaphysical expo. They all fit together, and I tried to explain how in this episode, although it was a challenge to do so. In the end, I fell back to a practice from Shamanic Reiki that I hope will help you feel what I mean, even if I cannot find the right words. Episode...

Somehow I knew Jen VanBenschoten was going to bring you another wonderful episode. To help you find some clarity, Jen shares about intuition – what it is and how to develop yours so it becomes something you can trust. Listen and you’ll find out why I’m digging into my bowl of gemstones for my piece of amazonite. Enjoy! Episode links: Moonbow Metaphysical Expo:  https://debbiephilp.com/event/moonbo...

Imbolc, the Celtic festival that marks the midpoint between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox, was last week. Although I didn’t get this episode published ahead of time, the energy of the season continues. I’ll share some ways we can work with Imbolc energy, a bit about Brigid, the goddess associated with Imbolc, and the origins of Groundhog Day, which falls at the same time. Blessed Imbo...

Sheri Kurdakul, of Glitter Witch Gardens, brings us lots of goodness about a winter-blooming herb, witch hazel. You’ll hear about the origins of commercial witch hazel production and why witch hazel is a favorite for dowsing. I also revisit bones, this time from a garden perspective. Enjoy listening!   Episode links: Find Sheri at Glitter Witch Gardens:  https://sherikurdakul.com/category/gardens/...

It finally looks and feels like winter where I live, and I am leaning into the stillness and magic of the season. One of the magical winter beings is the snowy owl. I’ll share some information about this unique owl and then lead you into the stillness practice of progressive relaxation from Yoga Nidra. This practice should be done where you can be still and uninterrupted for 20 minutes. Please do...

Jen VanBenschoten and I talk bones in this episode. Winter is a good time to get into the deep mystery and power of bones. Jen shares a wonderful, week-long, card-a-day tarot practice you can use to work with energy of bones and winter. Episode links: February 2nd online Imbolc Ceremony:  https://debbiephilp.com/event/online-imbolc-ceremony/ 2024 Shamanic Reiki trainings:  https://debbiephilp.com/...

Happy 2024! After a pause for the holiday, I am back and feeling into the stillness of winter as a time to reflect on routines, habits, and practices that will create a resilient foundation for whatever craziness this year brings. In this episode, I’ll share some of what I’m doing mundanely, then deepen into the spiritual with a guided journey to visit your bones. The practice is best done without...

The Glitter Witch herself, Sheri Kurdakul, is back with the perfect herb for Winter Solstice, mistletoe. There’s the medicinal and ecological stuff, but also lots of seasonal lore. And wait until you find out how mistletoe got its name, because it had me giggling the whole time. I also share a bit about the magic in my practice of gathering evergreen boughs for my Yule altar. Enjoy and have a happ...

The Winter Solstice is approaching in the northern hemisphere, where I am. Listen to the second-to-last episode of 2023 and hear me reflect on some Yule traditions that show up in the celebration of Christmas and how we can find meaning in them in the modern Pagan revival. I also share some of my observations of the beginning of winter where I live and talk about North America’s wild wolves who, a...

Winter is coming. It is time to turn inward and get cozy. Jen VanBenschoten shares how to do that with the Scandinavian concept of hygge. Then she pulls The Hermit out of her Tarot deck and guides you through a spread that helps you discover your best approach to the winter season. Grab your favorite fluffy blanket and have a listen. Episode links: December 21st online Yule Ceremony:  https://debb...

As the months flow from November to December, I reflect on the spirit of Turkey, the “Give-Away Eagle.” I say some stuff about my privilege and the economic and social systems that give me that privilege, which was uncomfortable to talk about. And I share some wandering thoughts on shifting from gratitude to give-away. In the second half of the episode, you’ll be guided in a meditative gratitude p...

Sheri Kurdakul is back with another engaging talk about her herb of the month. This episode is all about sage – the plant, the lore, and the wisdom. Sheri focuses on garden sage, which came from Europe, like my family did. She got me thinking about what it means to be naturalized, which I touch on before introducing Sheri. Listen and soak in all the wisdom! Episode links: Find Sheri at Glitter Wit...

The final harvest is in, the Wheel of the Year has turned past Samhain, and we have moved into the season of surrender. In this episode I share some Samhain background and lore and reflect on surrender (and turtles). Episode links: Email newsletter sign-up:  https://zfrmz.com/hzEVTHbu9jMYw90M7vOy The Shamanic Flow Circle Facebook group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1722776598019767 Event calen...

Jen VanBenschoten brings a whole lot of amazingness to this episode about the Crone. Yes, she touches on doing some work with the Tarot and gives us some powerful cards from the Major Arcana to work with, but it is mostly about a song she wrote and her process of discovering and embodying the Crone. Enjoy the music and wisdom! Episode links: Upcoming virtual Shamanic Reiki trainings:  https://debb...

My dear friend, Sheri Kurdakul, and I recorded this episode right before I went down with COVID. I am just catching up and the lingering cough is finally under control enough to talk. I am so happy to get this episode out, finally, because it’s wonderful. Sheri is a student of clinical herbalism, and she is sharing about goldenrod, which was blooming all over when we recorded this back in Septembe...