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

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!

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 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).

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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 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 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!

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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.

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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).

Episode 241 – Slow Spells and Magical Maintenance

Laine and Cory discuss long-term magical workings, maintaining magical altars and tools, and Laine’s fear of stage magicians. Plus we answer emails about the Golden Ratio and Leap Day traditions!

Enchantment for the long haul

Summary: Laine and Cory discuss long-term magical workings, maintaining magical altars and tools, and Laine’s fear of stage magicians. Plus we answer emails about the Golden Ratio and Leap Day traditions!

Producer for this show: This episode is brought to you by 1000Volt Press, publishers of the Voices of the Dead series, Verona Green, the Renegade Tea Cookbook, and our book Conjuring the Commonplace! We offer our gratitude by generously filling your mailbox with all the leftover ketchup, taco sauce, and relish packets we found in our junk drawer. Not the horseradish sauce though. That’s ours.

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We draw from several resources for this discussion, including:

The Encyclopedia of Mystics, Saints, and Sages by Judika Illes
The Master Book of Candle Burning by Henri Gamache
Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom by Rachel Pollack
Grimoire for Modern Cunningfolk by Peter Paddon
Conjuring the Commonplace by Cory and Laine!

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 240 – Designing Tarot with Evvin Marin

We chat with artist, animist, and awesome person Evvin Marin about creating tarot in the modern world

Possums and Prognostications

Summary: We interview artist, animist, and all-around engaging magical person Evvin Marin about their new Interrobang Tarot, the allure of a locked case of cards, creating while facing physical limitations, and…possums?

Producer for this show: This episode is brought to you by listener Lauren. We are grateful to you Lauren, and we’ve decided to pull a tarot card for you to determine just how much good luck you will get from listening to this episode…and…wait…it’s the Tower…but..is that person falling off of the tower holding a Three of Swords? How even…?

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We open with a quote from (and reference freely) Rachel Pollack’s 78 Degrees of Wisdom (highly recommended!)

You can find Evvin Marin’s info at their website, including more on the Interrobang Tarot, blogs about cartomancy, and more!

Consider supporting Evvin’s Kickstarter campaign and getting some amazing bonuses!

Evvin recommends the work of Meredith Graves for those interested in occult creativity, doing Kickstarter campaigns, and just being all-around amazing.

We talk about a few non-witchy artists we recommend, such as Neko Case and the Decemberists

We also talk a bit about Laura Tempest Zakroff’s Sigil Witchery as an influence, and Evvin wanted to mention the 1930’s Zener Cards as one of the big visual influences on the minimalist deck as well

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 239 – Magic Numbers

We discuss numerology, folk magic, and numbers in our latest episode!

Is three really the one?

Summary: Laine and Cory talk about numbers and their place in folk magic. We discuss numerology, angel numbers, the role of counting in witchcraft, and zero through nine with their folk associations. You can count on this episode to be your number one choice for mathe-magic!

Producer for this show: This episode is brought to you by listener Sierra, upon whom we are bestowing the fruits of our latest quest into the Otherworld–three pomegranate seeds! We hear they are very lucky for whoever eats them, so let us know how it goes!

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We break down a number of magical, well, numbers by using resources such as:

The Encyclopedia of 5000 Spells by Judika Illes
The Frank C. Brown Collection of North American Folklore
Ozark Magic and Folklore by Vance Randolph
A Dictionary of Superstitions by Opie and Tatem
Conjuring the Commonplace by Cory and Laine!

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 238 – Chinese Folk Religion with Xueting C Ni

We speak with author and scholar Xueting Christine Ni about Chinese folklore and myth in the past and present

From Kuan Yin to Chairman Mao

Summary: We have a conversation with scholar and author Xueting Christine Ni about Chinese folk spirituality old and new, the evolution of folk deities over time, and how folk religion influences popular culture in China and among the Chinese diaspora today.

Producer for this show: This episode is supported by listener Lisa. We want to thank Lisa for her generosity and will be rewarding her with a ride on our personal New World Witchery luck dragon, which we recently hatched from an egg bathed in a mystical wishing well! The good news is that the dragon is healthy and happy! The bad news is that dragons grow very slowly, so Lisa, you may have to wait a millennium or two before he’s ready to ride.

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You can read more about Xueting Christine Ni and her work at her webpage, or you can read her books:

Our two folktales for this episode are “The Foolish Dragon” and “The Parable of the Farmer“

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 229 – The Evil Eye with Antonio Pagliarulo

The Folklore and History of the Evil Eye

Summary: We discuss the history and folk beliefs surrounding one of the oldest known iterations of magic, the Evil Eye, with author Antonio Pagliarulo

Producer for this show: This episode is supported by listener Fernwah Patronus, upon whom we are bestowing the title of Witchy Scrabble Champion! We hope you get all the points, and all the magic!

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You can find Antonio Pagliarulo’s book, The Evil Eye: The History, Mystery, and Magic of the Quiet Curse wherever books are sold! We also mention the classic folklore text on the topic, The Evil Eye: A Casebook, edited by Alan Dundes.

Cory will be at the upcoming Mystic South conference in Atlanta during July, so feel free to come and say hello and take a class or two!

Some upcoming publications from us:

Cory recently contributed to The Gorgon’s Guide to Magical Resistance, edited by Jenn Zahrt and Laura Tempest Zakroff (which includes his “penis trees” article along with a lot of other great pieces) and the upcoming release of the Llewellyn’s Complete Book of North American Folk Magic, out in Spring 2023. Also be on the lookout for our upcoming collaborative book Conjuring the Commonplace: A Guide to Everyday Enchantment and Junk Drawer Magic also coming in 2023 from 1000Volt Press.

You can also buy Cory’s book, New World Witchery: A Trove of North American Folk Magic! (also available from 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 “Everyday Magic” videos, too (as well as most of our contest announcements)! Have something you want to say? Leave us a voice mail on our official NWW hotline: (442) 999-4824 (that’s 442-99-WITCH, if it helps).

Promos and Music: Title music is “Woman Blues,” by Paul Avgerinos. All music is licensed from Audio Socket (#35954). Additional Music from Kevin Macleod, used under a CC 2.0 license.

Episode 228 – Thrifty Witchery with Vincent and Martha

Using a Mighty Intention to Make Magic

Summary: We have a conversation with Vincent Higgenbotham and Martha Kirby Capo about why found and foraged tools can be the best ones and how a mighty intention can fuel some of the most powerful magic.

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You can find the book Thrifty Witchery by Vincent and Martha anywhere books are sold. You should also check out Vincent’s first book, How Witchcraft Saved My Life, too!

You can find Vincent’s writing at the Agora on Patheos Pagan, as well. Martha also writes at the Agora, so check out her work while you’re there!

Several of us are going to be at the upcoming Mystic South conference in Atlanta during July, so feel free to come and say hello and take some classes with us!

Some upcoming publications from us:

You can also buy Cory’s book, New World Witchery: A Trove of North American Folk Magic! (also available from 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 “Everyday Magic” videos, too (as well as most of our contest announcements)! Have something you want to say? Leave us a voice mail on our official NWW hotline: (442) 999-4824 (that’s 442-99-WITCH, if it helps).

Promos and Music: Title music is “Woman Blues,” by Paul Avgerinos. All music is licensed from Audio Socket (#35954). Additional Music from Kevin Macleod, used under a CC 2.0 license.

Episode 225 – All Them Witches with Kelden

Twisted Nursery Rhymes and Sabbath Shenanigans

Summary: We sit down to talk to Kelden about his work researching witch trials, exploring the magical nature of nursery rhymes, and creating witch tales with a twist.

Producer for this show: This episode is supported by listener Kym, who’s been tossing the good stuff into our cauldron since 2021. Our immense thanks to you for all you do, and we’ll be sending you a hand-engraved sulfur-scented invitation to our sabbat revels as soon as they’re back from the printers.

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Visit Llewellyn’s author page for Kelden to find more of his works, including The Crooked Path and The Witches Sabbath. You can order his self-published book of lore and magic, All Them Witches, from Bookshop.org or your local bookseller.

Some upcoming publications from us:

You can also buy Cory’s book, New World Witchery: A Trove of North American Folk Magic! (also available from 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 “Everyday Magic” videos, too (as well as most of our contest announcements)! Have something you want to say? Leave us a voice mail on our official NWW hotline: (442) 999-4824 (that’s 442-99-WITCH, if it helps).

Promos and Music: Title music is “Woman Blues,” by Paul Avgerinos. All music is licensed from Audio Socket (#35954). Additional Music from Kevin Macleod, used under a CC 2.0 license.