Woven in Moonlight: Exploring Motherhood through Witchcraft and Fae Magic

On the thirteenth night before Yule, the wind carries more than snow. This episode features an original short story inspired by Icelandic folklore surrounding Grýla and her thirteen sons, the Yule Lads. In the old legends, the Yule Lads descend from the mountains one by one, bringing mischief into the homes below. Their mother follows after, listening for the sound of children in the dark. Told fr...

Long before stockings, sleigh bells, and reindeer, winter folklore spoke of a wandering figure who traveled from door to door during Yule. In Norse and Scandinavian tradition, this traveler was Odin himself, walking the human world in disguise to observe generosity, test hospitality, and reward kindness. This episode explores the Yule Wanderer as an early ancestor of the modern Santa Claus figure....

In this episode, we explore the legend of the Yule Cat, a figure from Icelandic winter folklore said to roam the countryside during Yule. Known for watching who has earned new clothing for the season, the Yule Cat was not just a creature of fear, but a reminder of shared labor, preparation, and survival during the darkest months of the year. This is a winter tale rooted in responsibility, communit...

This episode is part of the winter story series and is told as a memory passed down through generations. It is the story of Frau Perchta, a winter figure said to walk during the Twelve Nights, watching what has been finished and what has been left undone. Told through the voice of a grandmother recalling her childhood, this tale speaks of spinning wheels, careful hands, and the difference between...

When winter storms rise and the nights stretch long, old Northern folklore speaks of the Wild Hunt. A roaring procession of spirits, hounds, and the dead said to thunder across the sky during midwinter. In many of the oldest traditions, the Hunt is led by Odin, riding his great horse through wind and cloud. This episode is a folklore retelling drawn from Norse and Germanic sources. It explores the...

In this winter folklore episode, we explore the legend of Mari Lwyd through the older belief in pale horses of Celtic mythology. Traditionally, Mari Lwyd appears at the door during midwinter, demanding riddles and rhymes in exchange for entry. This story imagines a darker version of that encounter, where a pale winter mare arrives not only for song and wit, but to test what a person is willing to...

Tonight’s episode explores Yuki-onna, the Snow Woman, from the writings of Lafcadio Hearn. A winter spirit who appears in blizzards and frozen mountain paths, she is both beautiful and deadly, merciful and merciless. This quiet and haunting tale follows two travelers caught in a storm and the promise that shapes everything that comes after. Less about sudden fear and more about what lingers long a...

Step into a quiet, snow-covered farm in this classic piece of Scandinavian winter folklore. In this episode, we explore the legend of the tomte, a small guardian spirit said to protect homes, barns, and animals through the darkest nights of winter. After a brief look at the tradition behind the tomte, I share the full public-domain poem The Tomten by Viktor Rydberg, translated by Charles Wharton S...

Celebrate Krampusnacht with this original Krampus story rooted in winter folklore. When a boy is taken into the realm of Krampus and encounters lost children, he must decide who deserves to escape before the portal closes. This episode is part of our winter folklore series and is perfect for listeners searching for Krampus stories, spooky holiday tales, and seasonal mythology.

In this episode, I’m sharing a classic Russian folktale featuring Baba Yaga and her flock of enchanted swan-geese. This story follows two children who wander too far into the forest and find themselves at the mercy of one of Slavic folklore’s most mysterious figures. It’s a tale of responsibility, courage, and the strange magic that appears as the seasons turn toward winter.

Welcome to the first episode of a month filled with winter folklore. Today’s story follows the Cailleach as she steps into her winter power and meets Brigid at the edge of the fading season. This tale reflects the handover between the goddesses and the beginning of the dark months ahead. Throughout December, I will be sharing several short stories rooted in myth, legend, and the traditions that sh...

We explore intuition for mothers, unpacking how those gut feelings are more than emotions — they’re vital tools of guidance. I share real-life stories where intuition led me to act, and how my mother’s own intuitive pull once reached me across miles. Then we dig into how intuition intersects with witchcraft, what shuts it down, and how you can begin reclaiming your inner voice. Plus, a peek at how...

Samhain is the witch’s new year, a season of magic, memory, and mystery—but how do we celebrate it with little ones in ways that feel fun, meaningful, and not at all spooky? In this episode, we’ll explore family-friendly Samhain traditions you can bring into your home. From crafting little twig brooms and carving intentional pumpkins, to baking soul cakes, roasting pumpkin seeds, and sharing warm...

The Mother appears in many forms—she is Earth and harvest, warrior and healer, ancestor and weaver of fate. In this episode, Ariel shares the stories of six mother goddesses—Gaia, Demeter, Durga, Isis, Danu, and Frigg—and explores how to connect with their wisdom in your own practice. From Gaia’s grounding embrace to Durga’s fierce protection, from Isis’s devotion to Danu’s flowing ancestry and Fr...

The autumn equinox — known as Mabon — is a moment of perfect balance, when day and night stand as equals before the descent into the darker half of the year. In this episode of Woven in Moonlight, I share personal stories of the season, explore the Welsh folklore of Mabon ap Modron, and reflect on what balance looks like in motherhood during this shifting time. Together we’ll talk about honoring t...

In this deeply personal episode, we explore the tender terrain of the mother wound — how it shows up in our lives, how it’s shaped by generations of silence, guilt, and survival, and what it means to begin the work of healing. I share my own story of recognizing inherited patterns and how becoming a mother cracked open old wounds I didn’t even know were there. We’ll also begin to unpack the witch...

Is it possible to raise magical children in the chaos of everyday life? In this episode, we explore what it means to bring magic, ritual, and fae wonder into motherhood—without needing perfection or extra time. From fairy offerings on nature walks to chalk sigils and bubble shields, I’m sharing the gentle ways I weave enchantment into my children’s lives. You’ll also hear stories of candlelit dinn...

What if the changeling myths of old weren’t just about stolen children… but about the mothers who no longer recognized themselves? In this raw and magical episode, we explore the shadows of postpartum, miscarriage, and identity loss through the lens of folklore. With tenderness and truth, Ariel weaves personal story, ancestral myth, and quiet witchcraft into a spell of remembrance—for the parts of...

In this episode, we gather at the hearth—an ancient symbol of magic, maternal wisdom, and transformation—to reclaim the magical mother archetype. I share how my craft has evolved through each season of motherhood, from newborn spells to grounding rituals and daily enchantments. You’ll hear stories from the heart and folklore from the flame, along with simple ways to bring witchcraft into your moth...

In this first episode, I share the soul behind Woven in Moonlight—a podcast exploring the sacred intersection of witchcraft, fae lore, and magical motherhood. I speak to the identity shifts that come with mothering, the quiet magic of daily rituals, and the spiritual rebirth that emerges in liminal seasons. If you’re seeking a podcast on modern witchcraft, intuitive parenting, and weaving enchantm...