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The Priestesses

A Northwoods podcast exploring the roots and branches of contemporary Paganism.
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The Priestesses
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Now displaying: 2016
Dec 29, 2016

Recorded in May 2016 at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Eau Claire, WI. Aimee and Amanda are joined by our friend, mentor, and wondercrone, Aeona Silversong, for some live performances and an exploration of the power of music, sound, and vibrations in Pagan practice. Along the way, they also touch on: Keeping track of and losing our recent musical roots, attributing sources, secrecy and knowledge, passing down traditions, the humanity of music, connecting through sound, what makes song sacred, working with sound as an individual and in group practice, Völva Stav, musical meditation, the origins of music, why drum circles matter, Miyazaki films, the importance of listening to the natural world, the problems with perfection, and much more.

Music performed in this episode:
- Cirlce Round the Fire by Selena Fox and Jim Alan
- Original songs by Aeona Silversong

Website: www.thepriestesses.com
Email: thepriestesses@gmail.com
Twitter: @ThePriestesses
Facebook: The Priestesses
Music: Rebecca E. Tripp (www.crystalechosound.com)

Dec 26, 2016

Recorded Thanksgiving weekend 2016, Amanda reunites with our good friend Rhea for a discussion on the concept of Pagan Atheism/Atheist Paganism. What does this mean and how does it work? Along the way, they touch on: The value of skepticism, pseudoscience, woo woo, reconciling science and Paganism, science and magic, the GMO and vaccine controversies, the challenges of the Pagan and Atheist communities, evil in the name of religion, the ethics of animal testing, ghosts, how we experience reality, the purpose of life, accepting others and acceptance in community, not being Pagan enough, consent, discrimination, trigger warnings, communication, options, and much more.

Some podcasts mentioned in this episode: StarTalk Radio, Penn's Sunday School, Geeks Without God, The Atheist Perspective, and The Skeptics Guide to the Universe.

Website: www.thepriestesses.com
Email: thepriestesses@gmail.com
Twitter: @ThePriestesses
Facebook: The Priestesses
Music: Rebecca E. Tripp (www.crystalechosound.com)

Oct 31, 2016
For an exploration of the gender binary in Paganism, Amanda and Jacob are joined by their friend and guest, Jess, who's a non-binary individual, solitary Pagan, and current UW student.

In this episode: Gender pronouns, the problems of gender identity, the meaning of genderqueer, the power and problems with labels, the possibilities of non-binary Paganism, the gendered nature of deities and worship,  how to craft inclusive rituals, trying to find a place in the community, the forms of deity, defining elements of pagan culture, being undefined, the stereotypes and ideals of masculinity and femininity, the rise of patriarchy, sacred gender roles, the evolution of Western cultures, how to broaden our Pagan experience, the power of acceptance in community, shaping the future, inclusivity and equity in community, the Jolly Green Giant, solitary vs. group challenges, building inclusive ritual spaces, the importance of communication, mystery traditions, scary animals, sex characteristics, the wisdom and complexity of nature, genderless seasonality, and (of course) more!

Website: www.thepriestesses.com
Email: thepriestesses@gmail.com
Twitter: @ThePriestesses
Facebook: The Priestesses
Music: Rebecca E. Tripp (www.crystalechosound.com)


Oct 17, 2016
Samhain and Halloween are upon us once again! Falling at the same time, do these holidays clash or compliment one another? Is Halloween too commercialized? Is Samhain too secular?

As we explore those questions and more, we talk about: The mainstreaming of the occult, family traditions, mixed feelings over Samhain and Halloween, planning and pacing for the fall season, secular and sacred circles, where the celebrations meet, Day of the Dead, trick or treating rituals, honoring ancestors, dealing with death and loss, making time to honor the dead, the veil between worlds, the possibility of an afterlife, the life cycle, ownership of our own terms, and much more.

Website: www.thepriestesses.com
Email: thepriestesses@gmail.com
Twitter: @ThePriestesses
Facebook: The Priestesses
Music: Rebecca E. Tripp (www.crystalechosound.com)
Oct 3, 2016

For a discussion on relationship(s) with deity/deities, we're joined by our friend and guest, Danise Shipley, who is a teacher and practitioner of Irish Shamanism. Along the way we explore: Journeying, encountering the gods, mixing pantheons, modes and methods of relationship, communication with the gods, personal vs. impersonal relation,  synchronicity, callings, gods in the past and here in the present, divine changeability, mysticism, goddess spirituality, the feminine and masculine divine, origins and roots of the gods, individualized experience, humanity in divinity, gods as exemplars, etymology, epistemology, modern mythology, pop pantheons, benefits and difficulties to divine relationships, and so much more.

Website: www.thepriestesses.com
Email: thepriestesses@gmail.com
Twitter: @ThePriestesses
Facebook: The Priestesses
Music: Rebecca E. Tripp (www.crystalechosound.com)

Sep 16, 2016
In this episode, the Priestesses are joined for a secular perspective by transgender activist and friend of the show, Marie. Along the way, they talk about: Transgender issues and controversies in Paganism, women's groups, feminist principles, transition experiences, genderism and trans discrimination, the power of fear, building walled gardens, making safe spaces, perceptions and bias, group dynamics, inclusivity, the importance of healing and support, men's and women's circles, the concept of perfect love and perfect trust, and much, much more.
 
Website: www.thepriestesses.com
Email: thepriestesses@gmail.com
Twitter: @ThePriestesses
Facebook: The Priestesses
Music: Rebecca E. Tripp (www.crystalechosound.com)
Sep 15, 2016
The Priestesses return to podcasting after a summer hiatus! In this mini-episode: Aimee, Amanda, and Jacob sit down to talk about what they've been up to, what the podcast is (now), what it might become, and what's next.

Website: www.thepriestesses.com
Email: thepriestesses@gmail.com
Twitter: @ThePriestesses
Facebook: The Priestesses
Music: Rebecca E. Tripp (www.crystalechosound.com)
May 18, 2016

In this mini-episode update, Amanda and Jacob have an impromptu chat about: Transitions, what's next for the show, the new studio space in Amanda's Dungeon, the recent rumors about The Craft remake/sequel, the new iyashi-kei/slice of life anime series Flying Witch (available on Crunchyroll), and a little (probably the last for a while) about the tropes of witches and Pagans in pop culture.

Website: www.thepriestesses.com

Email: thepriestesses@gmail.com

Twitter: @ThePriestesses

Facebook: The Priestesses

Music: Rebecca E. Tripp (www.crystalechosound.com)

Apr 10, 2016

The Priestesses are back at the movies! This time, they take a look at the kitchen witch classics Chocolat and Like Water for Chocolate. Are they "Pagan movies?" Are they "feminist films?" Is there anything we can take from these films?

Among the things discussed in this episode: Comparing the films with the books, Witchy women, sexy river rats, Johnny Depp, Dame Judi Dench, priests, Catholicism, fundamentalism, intolerance, xenophobia, Christianity and Paganism, kitchen witchery, folklore, food, Tita's horrible mother, why Pedro is a dick, a lot about the burning hot passion of Gertrudis, and much, much more.

Website: www.thepriestesses.com

Email: thepriestesses@gmail.com

Twitter: @ThePriestesses

Facebook: The Priestesses

Music: Rebecca E. Tripp (www.crystalechosound.com)

Mar 27, 2016

The Priestesses crew (along with their friend Jodeen) talk about their recent experiences at Paganicon 2016. This convention is held annually near the Spring Equinox, and is organized by the lovely folks of Twin Cities Pagan Pride.

In this episode: Conventions vs. festivals, local and regional Pagan community, the rise and growing visibility of modern Paganism, workshops, panels, the power of ritual and group experience, Vodou, Loa, possession, time limits, Shauna Aura Knight, Laura Tempest Zakroff, sacred sound, Heather Greene, witches, magical mittens, Cerridwen's Cauldron, note-taking, minzoku NEO-shinto, convention-going tips, and more.

Volkhvy's Minzoku Shintou Sources can be found publicly here: http://schd.ws/hosted_files/paganicon2016/84/minzoku_shintou_sources_3_5.pdf

Website: www.thepriestesses.com

Email: thepriestesses@gmail.com

Twitter: @ThePriestesses

Facebook: The Priestesses

Music: Rebecca E. Tripp (www.crystalechosound.com)

Feb 29, 2016

Amanda sits down with guests Aeona, Molly, and Skya to talk about the roots and branches of the intergenerational Pagan community.

Along the way they discuss: Sources, nudism, proselytizers, the history and character of American Paganism, Elspeth Odbert, storytelling, connecting across generations, sharing traditions, intellectual property, creative appropriation, practicing in the Midwest, ritual resources, group dynamics, new and old ideas, change, creativity, circle/group practice and size, Paganism as living myth, the influence of media, Scott Cunningham, being an elder, "big nose" Pagans, titles, hierarchies, and more.

Website: www.thepriestesses.com

Email: thepriestesses@gmail.com

Twitter: @ThePriestesses

Facebook: The Priestesses

Music: Rebecca E. Tripp (www.crystalechosound.com)

Feb 10, 2016

It had to happen sometime. Yes, the Priestesses (and producer/perpetual guest Jacob) take on love spells. All's fair in love and magick, right?

In this episode: Being asked to do love spells for others, the mainstreaming and popularity of love spells, the ethics of love spells, creating love and connections, Titania Hardie, issues of control and respect, creating the right environment, setting the mood, the goddess Hera, the importance of intent, specific vs. open-ended, simple vs. elaborate, tropes of love and romance, the pervasiveness of fulfillment through love, the importance of self-love, tailoring love spells for different needs, following through on spellwork, the Kama Sutra/tantric sex/sex magic, and more.

Website: www.thepriestesses.com

Email: thepriestesses@gmail.com

Twitter: @ThePriestesses

Facebook: The Priestesses

Music: Rebecca E. Tripp

www.crystalechosound.com

Jan 27, 2016

With Imbolc approaching, the Priestesses cast a critical eye towards the traditional placement of the seasonal holidays. Along the way, they talk lactation, regionalism, local myth-making, calendaring, Euro-centrism, community building, celebration, the role of holidays, and what a Wisconsin Wheel of the Year might look like.

Website: www.thepriestesses.com

Email: thepriestesses@gmail.com

Twitter: @ThePriestesses

Facebook: The Priestesses


Music: Rebecca E. Tripp

www.crystalechosound.com

Jan 16, 2016

Aimee and Amanda team up with their friend Amy for another, different look at Pagan Parenting. Aimee has a toddler and Amy has a teenager. Together, they explore raising children as Pagans, the experience being in a multi-faith family, ethnocultural challenges, societal expectations, pressure from friends or Christian family members, and giving children the opportunity to explore and find their own identities.

Website: www.thepriestesses.com

Email: thepriestesses@gmail.com

Twitter: @ThePriestesses

Facebook: The Priestesses 

Music: Rebecca E. Tripp (www.crystalechosound.com)

Jan 15, 2016

In this episode (recorded back in January 2015), Amanda and Jacob sit down with their friend Rhea, and her mother, Pam. Together, they talk about raising pagan children, generational differences, intolerant family members, school experiences, Pagan Atheism, Pagan kids in non-Pagan households, the popularity of paganism and Wicca in the age of the internet, and more.

Website: www.thepriestesses.com

Email: thepriestesses@gmail.com

Twitter: @ThePriestesses

Facebook: The Priestesses

Music: Rebecca E. Tripp (www.crystalechosound.com)

Jan 7, 2016

In March 2015, Starhawk came to speak at UWEC. In today's episode (recorded in April 2015), Amanda (priestess) and Jacob (producer) talk about that experience. Along the way, they discuss deities, worship, gender relations, life, death, consumption, ecology, horticulture, intentional communities, evil, hippies, the infamous spiral dance, and a lot more.

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