folktales – New World Witchery – The Search for American Traditional Witchcraft

Episode 251 – In the Owl Post

Time to Check our Inbox

Summary: We look into our mailbag and pull out a handful of messages from the past year to answer on the show! We discuss witchy party favors, the uses for storm water, searching for mysterious books, magical tattoos, protecting a garden from pests with magic, and more!

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 can’t give, spread the word and let others know, and maybe we can make New World Witchery even better than it is now.

Producer for this show: This episode is sponsored in part by listener This episode is sponsored in part by listener Jen Rue. In appreciation for your ongoing enthusiasm, we’ll be witching some ravens and owls with copious notes of thanks your way.

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Sources

Our sources for this episode are…YOU! Thanks so much for writing in Michael, JE, Mourning Dragon, Viola, Listener “R,” and Listener “A!”

The link to the German folklore video mentioned by Listener A is here.

The transcript for this episode is available on our Transcripts page.

Some upcoming publications from us:

Please consider ordering our collaborative book Conjuring the Commonplace: A Guide to Everyday Enchantment and Junk Drawer Magic from 1000Volt Press! It’s available for purchase on Bookshop, Amazon, or from your local bookstore!

You can now buy Cory’s book, New World Witchery: A Trove of North American Folk Magic! (also available from Amazon) and the recent release Llewellyn’s Complete Book of North American Folk Magic as well (also available on Amazon)!

Please note that clicking on links may provide some monetary compensation to New World Witchery.

Image via Pixabay (Used under CC 2.0 License, modified by New World Witchery)

If you have feedback you’d like to share, email us at compassandkey@gmail.com or newworldwitcherypodcast@gmail.com or leave a comment at the website: www.newworldwitchery.com . We’d love to hear from you! Don’t forget to follow us at Twitter! And check out our Facebook page! For those who are interested, we are also on TikTok now. You can follow us on Instagram (main account, or you can follow Laine as well) or check out our new YouTube channel with back episodes of the podcast and new “Everyday Magic” videos, too (as well as most of our contest announcements)!

Promos and Music: Title music is “Woman Blues,” by Paul Avgerinos. All music is licensed from Audio Socket (#35954).

Please consider supporting us by purchasing our promotional items in the New World Witchery Threadless shop or by joining our Patreon supporters. If you like us AND you like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, you will love our new show: Myth Taken: A Buffy the Vampire Slayer Podcast, now available through all the podcatchers! Please think about checking out our Audible Trial program. Visit Audibletrial.com/newworldwitchery to get your free trial of Audible, where you can download over 180,000 titles (including some narrated by Cory). Your purchases help support this show, and there’s no obligation to continue after the free trial

Episode 250 – The Last Witch with Annika Hylmo

Exonerating Elizabeth Johnson, Jr.

Saving Elizabeth Johnson, Jr.

Summary: This time around we’re chatting with filmmaker Annika Hylmo about her work documenting a middle school class that exonerated the last convicted witch in the Salem Trials, Elizabeth Johnson, Jr.

Producer for this show: This episode is sponsored in part by listener AthenaBeth. We’ll be providing you with magical dry erase markers for all your enchanted chalk-talk needs!

Play: Episode 250 – The Last Witch with Annika Hylmo
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Sources

Some of our sources for this episode include:

The transcript for this episode is available on our Transcripts page.

Some upcoming publications from us:

Please note that clicking on links may provide some monetary compensation to New World Witchery.

Image via Pixabay (Used under CC 2.0 License, modified by New World Witchery)

Promos and Music: Title music is “Woman Blues,” by Paul Avgerinos. All music is licensed from Audio Socket (#35954).

Episode 249 – Occupational Witchcraft

Doing the Work

Summary: We dive into folk magic for getting a job, keeping a job, and on the job. Plus we explore about a dozen different occupations and the folklore associated with them, and talk about doing magic *as* an occupation, too.

Producer for this show: This episode is sponsored in part by listener Conjured Cardea. We are greatly thankful for your support, and promise that the desert sasquatch we’ve sent your way to offer you our gratitude is friendly! Just, maybe don’t make direct eye contact or any sudden movements.

Play: Episode 249 – Occupational Witchcraft
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Sources

Some of our sources for this episode include:

The Element Encyclopedia of 5000 Spells, The Encyclopedia of Witchcraft, and The Element Encyclopedia of Mystics, Saints, & Sages, by Judika Illes
Cory’s references a business spell from his revised edition of 54 Devils
The Dartmouth Folklore Collection
The work of folklorists like Archie Green, Benjamin Botkin, Richard Dorson, Wayland Hand, Alan Lomax in the field of occupational folklore
Jan Brunvand’s American Folklore: An Encyclopedia
Cory’s blog post “Entry 234 – Folk Magic on the Job”

Thanks to our listener feedback from Listener “S” for this episode, too!

The transcript for this episode is available on our Transcripts page.

Some upcoming publications from us:

Please note that clicking on links may provide some monetary compensation to New World Witchery.

Image via Pixabay (Used under CC 2.0 License, modified by New World Witchery)

Promos and Music: Title music is “Woman Blues,” by Paul Avgerinos. All music is licensed from Audio Socket (#35954).

Episode 248 – Desert Magic Part II

Curanderas, Cain, and Cowboys

Summary: We’re continuing our discussion of desert folk magic with some listener feedback, Mormon folklore about Bigfoot, a look at some regional healing and magical methods, and we learn why roping a smokestack on a train is an effective hangover cure.

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Sources

Some of our sources for this episode include:

Aidan Wachter’s Six Ways (some good meditations on desert magic there)
Jan Brunvand’s American Folklore: An Encyclopedia
Eliseo Cheo Torres’ Curandero
Marc Simmons’ Witchcraft in the Southwest
David Bowles’ Border Lore and Feathered Serpent, Dark Heart of Sky
Teresa Pijoan’s Myths of Magical Native American Women
Judika Illes’ Encyclopedia of 5,000 Spells
Llewellyn’s Complete Book of North American Folk Magic

Thanks to our listener feedback from Priestess_AP and Nicole for this episode, too!

The transcript for this episode is available on our Transcripts page.

Some upcoming publications from us:

Please note that clicking on links may provide some monetary compensation to New World Witchery.

Image via Pixabay (Used under CC 2.0 License, modified by New World Witchery)

Promos and Music: Title music is “Woman Blues,” by Paul Avgerinos. All music is licensed from Audio Socket (#35954).

Episode 247 – Southern Dirt Conjure with Taren S

Dirty hands, rooted magic

Summary: This time we speak with Taren S, founder and educator in the House of Witchcraft. We discuss the ways we can learn a magical landscape, how teaching can change our relationship with witchery, and why dirt is such an overlooked magical ingredient.

Producer for this show: This episode is sponsored in part by listener Brandy. We thank you Brandy, for your patronage, and are sending our delegation of magical gratitude scorpions your way with our appreciation.

Play: Episode 247 – Southern Dirt Conjure with Taren S
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Sources

You can find out more about Taren S at the following spots:

Conjuring Dirt, her latest book
Hoodoo in the Psalms, another book she wrote
The House of Witchcraft website

The transcript for this episode is available on our Transcripts page.

Some publications from us:

You can also buy Cory’s book, New World Witchery: A Trove of North American Folk Magic! (also available from Amazon) and the Llewellyn’s Complete Book of North American Folk Magic as well (also available on Amazon)!

Please note that clicking on links may provide some monetary compensation to New World Witchery.

Image via Pixabay (Used under CC 2.0 License, modified by New World Witchery). Additional image credit Alexei Harlamov, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Promos and Music: Title music is “Woman Blues,” by Paul Avgerinos. All music is licensed from Audio Socket (#35954).

Episode 246 – Desert Magic Part I

The Joy of Dry Spells

Summary: We begin digging into the dunes and exploring desert-based regional folk magic. We talk about sand, salt (a LOT about salt), cacti, cactus cats, and so much more!

Play: Episode 246 – Desert Magic Part I
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Sources

Some of our sources for this episode include:

Aidan Wachter’s Six Ways (some good meditations on desert magic there)
Jan Brunvand’s American Folklore: An Encyclopedia
Eliseo Cheo Torres’ Curandero
Marc Simmons’ Witchcraft in the Southwest
David Bowles’ Border Lore and Feathered Serpent, Dark Heart of Sky
Teresa Pijoan’s Myths of Magical Native American Women
Judika Illes’ Encyclopedia of 5,000 Spells
Llewellyn’s Complete Book of North American Folk Magic

The transcript for this episode is available on our Transcripts page.

Some upcoming publications from us:

Please note that clicking on links may provide some monetary compensation to New World Witchery.

Image via Pixabay (Used under CC 2.0 License, modified by New World Witchery)

Promos and Music: Title music is “Woman Blues,” by Paul Avgerinos. All music is licensed from Audio Socket (#35954).

Episode 245 – Slavic Folkways with Vlasta Pilot

We speak to folk practitioner, artist, ‘zine writer, and author Vlasta Pilot of Gentle Hearts Unite about the nature of Slavic folk belief, the joy of handmade things, choosing bears, and how to avoid being a “cranberry.”

Of bears and klyukva

Summary: We speak to folk practitioner, artist, ‘zine writer, and author Vlasta Pilot of Gentle Hearts Unite about the nature of Slavic folk belief, the joy of handmade things, choosing bears, and how to avoid being a “cranberry.”

Producer for this show: This episode is sponsored in part by listener Anna. Anna, we are proud to have you supporting us, and we’ll be arriving shortly to tattoo our gratitude on you in the form of a “thank you” sigil on your forehead (don’t worry, it’s like super-cute and kind of looks like an axolotl so you’ll loooove it).

Play: Episode 245 – Slavic Folkways with Vlasta Pilot
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Sources

We were delighted to speak with Vlasta Pilot, whose work you can find at the following places:

The transcript for this episode is available on our Transcripts page.

Some upcoming publications from us:

Please note that clicking on links may provide some monetary compensation to New World Witchery.

Promos and Music: Title music is “Woman Blues,” by Paul Avgerinos. All music is licensed from Audio Socket (#35954).

Episode 244 – Magical Alphabets and Scripts

We look at several magical alphabets and scripts this time, from runes to ogham to Enochian

Cursing with Cursive

Summary: We look at a few of the better (and some lesser) known magical alphabets and scripts this time, discussing runes, ogham, hieroglyphics, Enochian, and more!

Play: Episode 244 – Magical Alphabets and Scripts
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Sources

An important note: one of our Patreon listeners with early access to the episode alerted us that Diana Paxson–whom we reference in this episode for her book on runes–has recently been removed from inclusive Heathenry group The Troth. We weren’t aware of that when we recorded this, and while we do believe her book has valuable information, we cannot endorse supporting her given the circumstances that led to her removal.

Other sources that might prove to be valuable on the topic include:

The Magician’s Companion by Bill Whitcomb
The Complete Magician’s Tables by Stephen Skinner
Morgan’s Basic Ogham Cheat Sheet by Morgan Daimler
The Tao of Craft and I Ching, the Oracle by Benebell Wen
Buckland’s Complete Book of Witchcraft by Raymond Buckland

The transcript for this episode is available on our Transcripts page.

Some upcoming publications from us:

Please note that clicking on links may provide some monetary compensation to New World Witchery.

Image via Pixabay (Used under CC 2.0 License, modified by New World Witchery)

Promos and Music: Title music is “Woman Blues,” by Paul Avgerinos. All music is licensed from Audio Socket (#35954).

Episode 243 – Black and White Magic

We look at history, etymology, and magical philosophy to understand magical dualism and where it came from

Dualism, Maleficum, and…jugglers?

Summary: In this crossover episode with our Buffy the Vampire Slayer podcast, Myth-Taken, we chat about the history, etymology, and philosophy of magical dualism. We look in to necromancy, alchemy, and strangely juggling all to try to understand where these dichotomies came from.

Producer for this show: This episode is brought to you by Listener Elle. We have invoked and assigned a guardian angel in honor of your patronage Elle, and you should be visited by your multi-eyed fire-engulfed new BFF very soon!

Play: Episode 243 – Black and White Magic
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Sources

Cory gets pretty nerdy in this one, and uses a lot of sources including:

The Oxford English Dictionary Online (etymology nerds of the world unite!)
Ronald Hutton, The Witch
Phillip Carr-Gomm and Richard Heygate, The Book of English Magic
Judika Illes, The Encyclopedia of Witchcraft
Owen Davies, ed., The Oxford Illustrated History of Witchcraft and Magic
Emma Wilby, Cunning Folk and Familiar Spirits
Bill Ellis, Lucifer Ascending

The transcript for this episode is available on our Transcripts page.

Some upcoming publications from us:

Please note that clicking on links may provide some monetary compensation to New World Witchery.

Image via Pixabay (Used under CC 2.0 License, modified by New World Witchery)

Promos and Music: Title music is “Woman Blues,” by Paul Avgerinos. All music is licensed from Audio Socket (#35954).

Episode 242 – Rivers and Dreams with Elhoim Leafar

We’re speaking with author, witch, Yoruban initiate, and activist Elhoim (Elo) Leafar about his new book Dream Witchery, growing up surrounded by Indigenous spirituality, and discovering the intersection of multiple magical and spiritual paths

The Crossroads of Traditions

Summary: This time we’re speaking with author, witch, Yoruban initiate, and activist Elhoim (Elo) Leafar about his new book Dream Witchery, growing up surrounded by Indigenous spirituality, and discovering the intersection of multiple magical and spiritual paths.

Producer for this show: This episode is brought to you by listener Bree. We appreciate your support and will be visiting you with an important message in your dreams soon. Yes, the talking horse wearing the party hat is us.

Play: Episode 242 – Rivers and Dreams with Elhoim Leafar
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Sources

You can find out much more about Elo and his work at his website. You might also want to follow him on Instagram to keep up with his work and activism.

Elo’s latest book is Dream Witchery, published by Llewellyn.

The transcript for this episode is available on our Transcripts page.

Some upcoming publications from us:

It’s here! You can now order our collaborative book Conjuring the Commonplace: A Guide to Everyday Enchantment and Junk Drawer Magic from 1000Volt Press! It’s available for purchase on Bookshop, Amazon, or from your local bookstore!

You can also buy Cory’s book, New World Witchery: A Trove of North American Folk Magic! (also available from Amazon) and the 2023 release Llewellyn’s Complete Book of North American Folk Magic as well (also available on Amazon)!

Please note that clicking on links may provide some monetary compensation to New World Witchery.

Image via Pixabay (Used under CC 2.0 License, modified by New World Witchery)

Promos and Music: Title music is “Woman Blues,” by Paul Avgerinos. All music is licensed from Audio Socket (#35954).