New World Witchery - The Search for American Traditional Witchcraft

Summary: Continuing our theme of stories from the Weird Tales magazine published in the mid-twentieth century, we share “Four Wooden Stakes,” by Victor Rowan. This #AllHallowsRead raises the dead as two old friends fight for their lives against a creature of the night.   Play: Download: Special Episode – Weird Tales – Four Wooden … Continue reading "Special Episode – Weird Tales – Four Wooden Stak...

Summary: We begin our annual #AllHallowsRead episode series with “The Night Wire,” by H.F. Arnold. Our theme this year will be stories from the American horror/sci-fi magazine, Weird Tales, which published from the 1920s to the 1950s. This story features a very creepy fog and a very creeped-out telegraph operator.   Play: Download: Special Episode … Continue reading "Special Episode – Weird Tales...

Hello everyone! The episode enclosed is not a New World Witchery episode. Not exactly. It exists because our wonderful listeners have been supportive and kind and generous over the years, and provided me with a way to make something new and different. But the magic in the podcast herein is not quite the same magic … Continue reading "Sneak Preview – Chasing Foxfire Episode 1 – Glow"

Summary: We tackle listener feedback this episode, addressing topics like discovering magical heritage, mojo bags, seasonal festivals, and adapting spells for others.   Please check out our Patreon page! You can help support the show for as little as a dollar a month, and get some awesome rewards at the same time.  Even if you … Continue reading "Episode 99 – Checking Our Owls"

Summary: This episode is a special condensed version of one of our bi-monthly Patreon group discussions. The conversation was just so good, and we wanted to share some highlights of it with you. We talk about the times and places we most dream about visiting as magical folk. Enjoy!   Please check out our Patreon … Continue reading "Special Episode – Witches When and Where Roundtable"

Summary: This episode, we turn our attention to the Potterverse and J.K. Rowling’s North American school of magic, Ilvermorny. We talk about the school house divisions, the mascots, and some of the differences between the Old World and the New that caught our interest.   Please check out our Patreon page! You can help support … Continue reading "Episode 98 – Ilvermorny"

Summary: This time we go through the year, looking at the various names for full and dark moons, and try to come up with some magic that matches the specific lunar cycles.   Please check out our Patreon page! You can help support the show for as little as a dollar a month, and get … Continue reading "Episode 97 – A Lunar Wheel of the Year"

Summary: Today’s episode is all about the traditional Hispanic-American healing system known as curanderismo. We speak with University of New Mexico Professor Eliseo “Cheo” Torres on the topic, hear about one of the folk saints form the tradition, and enjoy a bit of lore and music as well. NOTE: THIS EPISODE IS NOT INTENDED AS … Continue reading "Episode 96 – Curanderismo with Cheo Torres"

Summary: We bring you (or actually, YOU bring you) the second edition of our Audio Spellbook. This one is focused on the idea of “Everyday Magic,” which you can do using simple, common ingredients or tools. We have a nice set of spells for you covering everything from protecting you while you drive to helping … Continue reading "Episode 95 – The Audio Spellbook Volume Two"

Summary: This time around (get it? Puns!) we look at the Neo-Pagan wheel of the year. We also discuss the importance of cycles in magical and spiritual practice, and we announce our latest contest winner. Please check out our Patreon page! You can help support the show for as little as a dollar a month, … Continue reading "Episode 94 – The Wheel of the Year"

Summary: EDIT: We’ve had a very informative and respectful email from a listener that pointed out a few errors in my retelling of the Haitian tale about Obatala, Yemoja, and Shango. I would like to note that Yemoja is not historically associated with Haitian spiritual practices, and that the selections from Teish’s book are not … Continue reading "Episode 93 – Bright Mothers"

Summary: In this episode, we look at witch gatherings under full moons and around bonfires, from tales in folklore to what we do when we get together with other witches.   Please check out our Patreon page! You can help support the show for as little as a dollar a month, and get some awesome … Continue reading "Episode 92 – Sabbats and Esbats"

Summary: We spend some time outside in this episode, where we talk Appalachian magic and plants with Becky Beyer of Blood & Spicebush. In the second part of the show, Cory tries something new and does a “practical pathworking” in the woods.   Please check out our Patreon page! You can help support the show … Continue reading "Episode 91 – Appalachian Plant Lore with Becky Beyer"

Summary: We spend this episode talking about amulets and talismans. How do they work? Which ones do we like using? And which ones do we really want to try out in the future? Lots of good discussion this time around! Please check out our Patreon page! You can help support the show for as little … Continue reading "Episode 90 – Amulets and Talismans"

Summary: This episode is all about witchcraft in New England. We speak to folklorist Peter Muise and review the new folk horror film, The Witch, which is set in Colonial New England. Lots of spooky, witchy goings-on this time around! We hope you enjoy! Please check out our Patreon page! You can help support the … Continue reading "Episode 89 – New England Witchery"

Summary: We look back at the subject of broom closets this time around, and then dive into the uses of everyday and household ingredients in folk magic. Please check out our Patreon page! You can help support the show for as little as a dollar a month, and get some awesome rewards at the same … Continue reading "Episode 88 – Everyday Magic"

Episode 87 – Revisiting Cold Spells Summary: We start our episode by looking back at an earlier episode’s topic, getting out of a magical ‘cold spell’ or rut. The second part of the show is about how our witchcraft practices have evolved over the past few years. Please check out our Patreon page! You can … Continue reading "Episode 87 – Revisiting Cold Spells"

Episode 86 – Local Witchcraft with Chris Orapello Summary: In this show, Cory interviews Chris Orapello and his Majestic Consort, Tara, about their work with their local folkloric spirit, as well as their personal journeys into magical practice. Please check out our Patreon page! You can help support the show for as little as a … Continue reading "Episode 86 – Local Witchcraft with Chris Orapello"

Special Episode – Favorite Episodes Summary: We take advantage of a rare opportunity to chat in person, and discuss some of our favorite past episodes of New World Witchery (if you’re a new listener, this is a good way to get a feel for some of our previous shows). Apologies for the strange sound quality … Continue reading "Special Episode – Favorite Episodes"

Episode 85 – Yuletide Cheer! 2015 Summary: Our annual holiday music show is light on the talk (due to Cory’s recent illness) and heavy on the, well, wassailing. So pour a warm cup of something delicious and enjoy!   Please check out our Patreon page! You can help support the show for as little as … Continue reading "Episode 85 – Yuletide Cheer! 2015"

Episode 84 – Dolls and Magic Summary: This episode is a season-appropriate discussion of toys in magic, particularly dolls. We’ll talk about how dolls and poppets get used magically, as well as why they tend to show up in folk and popular horror so often.   Please check out our Patreon page! You can help … Continue reading "Episode 84 – Dolls and Magic"

Episode 83 – Shapeshifting Revisited Summary: Tonight we have a special guest with us to discuss shapeshifting once more. Plus we’ll hear an Appalachian folktale and a few shapeshifting spells, too!   Please check out our Patreon page! You can help support the show for as little as a dollar a month, and get some … Continue reading "Episode 83 – Shapeshifting Revisited"

Episode 82 – Shapeshifting Summary: This time, we look at the lore of shapeshifting witches, including loup-garous, Wampus cats, and skinwalkers. We also briefly discuss the idea of hag-riding.   Please check out our Patreon page! You can help support the show for as little as a dollar a month, and get some awesome rewards … Continue reading "Episode 82 – Shapeshifting"

Episode 81 – Magical Occupations Revisited Summary: We launch our super-exciting and fun Patreon campaign! Come support us and help us grow (and get cool stuff at the same time)! We also revisit one of the topics we enjoyed most in our early days, Magical Occupations, and add some ‘new’ jobs to the list, as … Continue reading "Episode 81 – Magical Occupations Revisited"

Summary: Come pull up a chair by the fireside with Daddy Splitfoot and listen to some devilish folklore submitted by listeners (and expanded upon by your sinister host). This time we visit the American West, particularly the Mormon cultural region, for our lore and legends. Play: Download: Special Episode – Daddy Splitfoot’s Fireside Tales … Continue reading "Special Episode – Daddy Splitfoot’s Fi...