Touch, intimacy, pleasure, and... Pagans? Why, yes! In this episode, Amanda and Jacob get physical with their friends (and wide-ranging community veterans), River and Wee Bee, for a deep-tissue discussion about the power of touch, getting hands-on at pagan events, nudity, sex, consent culture, boundaries, communication, making connections, trust, vulnerability, ritual, skin hunger, and so much more. Can you feel it?
Sharing Space:
- Wisteria (community): https://www.wisteria.org/
- Show some love for your local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) group.
Links:
http://www.thepriestesses.com
thepriestesses@gmail.com
Twitter: @ThePriestesses
Facebook: The Priestesses
Music: Rebecca E. Tripp
www.crystalechosound.com
For this deep, interfaith discussion on the nature and problem of evil, we're joined by Dr. Charlene P.E. Burns, Christian theologian and Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Pagans, polytheists, pantheists, panenetheists, witches, and all the other pwords deal with the challenges of evil and suffering as much as anyone. How do we address that within ourselves, our communities, and across faiths? Where do our traditions stand on the problem of evil? What kind of theo/alogies might we develop? Where does evil come from? How do we even know what "evil" is?
Along the journey, we also talk about: Concepts of evil, absolutism, personal responsibility, meaning and suffering, modern Paganism's challenges with evil, human capacity and potential, ahistorical romanticism, the psychological shadow, roles we play, natural evil, The Fifth Element (film), interconnectedness, dual inclinations, Christian (and other) perspectives on evil, where evil comes from, The Book of Job, Satan/Mara/Devil figures, popular concepts of evil, the role of spirits/demons/monsters, predestination and choice, the influence of other religious traditions on modern Paganism, the concept of karma, divine justice and responsibility, merit and punishment, spiritual development, animal suffering, daily challenges, and so very much more.
Sharing Space:
- The Witch’s Guide to Etiquette: Avoiding Witch Wars, by Laura Tempest Zakroff: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/tempest/2017/04/the-witchs-guide-to-etiquette.html
- Christian Understandings of Evil: The Historical Trajectory, by Charlene P.E. Burns: http://fortresspress.com/product/christian-understandings-evil-historical-trajectory#
- More Moral than God: Taking Responsibility for Religious Violence, by Charlene P.E. Burns: https://rowman.com/ISBN/9780742558687/More-Moral-than-God-Taking-Responsibility-for-Religious-Violence
- Divine Becoming: Rethinking Jesus and Incarnation, by Charlene P.E. Burns: http://www.augsburgfortress.org/store/product/2405/Divine-Becoming?infoID=9483
- Yuri On Ice: http://www.crunchyroll.com/yuri-on-ice
- American Gods (book): http://www.neilgaiman.com/works/Books/American+Gods/
- American Gods (TV): https://www.starz.com/series/americangods/episodes
- Mystery Science Theater 3000: http://www.mst3k.com/
- Tsugumomo: http://www.crunchyroll.com/tsugumomo
- Your Name: https://www.funimationfilms.com/movie/yourname/
- Coconut Brownies: Please check out the blog! :)
Links:
http://www.thepriestesses.com
thepriestesses@gmail.com
Twitter: @ThePriestesses
Facebook: The Priestesses
Music: Rebecca E. Tripp
www.crystalechosound.com
In this impromptu episode, Amanda and Jacob sit down with friend-of-the-show Amy to belatedly talk about their experiences this year at Paganicon 2017. Along the way, there's talk about: Ritual experience in a convention setting, sound work, Wendy Rule, Kari Tauring, Laura Tempest Zakroff, The Nathaniel Johnstone Band (and Dogwood), boundaries, costuming, musical performances, intensity, personal and spiritual safety, mental health, spiritual growth, trauma, aftercare, being in your body, movement, getting out of the ordinary, academic tracks, doing research, choosing panels, scheduling, Volkhvy, John the Verbose, Jason Mankey, The Horned God, understanding deity in the past and the present, and much more.
Sharing Space:
- Jason Mankey: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/panmankey/
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/tags?q=raise-the-horns-radio
- Sherry Merriam, Mark J. Engstrom-Reese, and Alex Iantaffi
- Sydney Bell: http://www.sydneybell.ca/
- Mambo Chita Tann: http://legba.biz/mambo-t/
- Tamara L. Siuda: http://tamarasiuda.com/
- Laura Tempest Zakroff: http://www.lauratempestzakroff.com/
- The Nathaniel Johnstone Band: http://nathanieljohnstone.com/
- Wendy Rule: https://wendyrule.com/
- Kari Tauring: http://karitauring.com/
- John the Verbose: https://www.youtube.com/user/brojoghost
- Kelden Mercury: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkKGM9MKUq2PbSaPtY8VLKQ
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/byathameandstang/
- David Salsbury: https://www.daviddsalisbury.com/
- Shauna Aura Knight: http://www.shaunaauraknight.com/
- Paul B. Rucker: http://www.paulruckerart.com/
- Twin Cities Pagan Pride: http://tcpaganpride.org/
- Paganicon: http://www.paganicon.org/
Links:
http://www.thepriestesses.com
thepriestesses@gmail.com
Twitter: @ThePriestesses
Facebook: The Priestesses
Music: Rebecca E. Tripp
www.crystalechosound.com
In this exciting installment about syncretism, borrowing, and appropriation, we're joined by our scientist-friend and "experienced witch," Gary. What are some of the things Pagans have taken from elsewhere? What makes something "appropriation?" When is it ethical to borrow? If we're coming from another faith, tradition, or practice, what do we bring with us into Paganism that we maybe thought we'd left behind? Along the journey, we also touch on: The pitfalls of intent, issues of identity, learning and exchange, multicultural influences, supersession, our relationship and responsibility to what we take, trends in contemporary Pagan traditions, re-interpreting deities, the importance of honesty, reinventing the wheel, tradition vs. clean slate, co-creation, leftovers, looking forward with intent, and much, much more.
Sharing Space:
- Beaver Creek Reserve (Fall Creek, WI): https://www.beavercreekreserve.org/
- USGS North American Bird Banding Program: https://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl/
- Arcane Perfection: An Anthology by Queer, Trans & Intersex Witches: http://www.cutlinespress.com/articles/26/arcane-perfection-an-anthology-by-queer-trans-intersex-witches
- The Heartstrikers (series), by Rachel Aaron: http://rachelaaron.net/series.php?SID=2
- Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid: http://www.crunchyroll.com/miss-kobayashis-dragon-maid
- Lady Althaea: http://www.ladyalthaea.com/
Links:
http://www.thepriestesses.com
thepriestesses@gmail.com
Twitter: @ThePriestesses
Facebook: The Priestesses
Music: Rebecca E. Tripp
www.crystalechosound.com
For this difficult episode, we're joined by our close friend, Panentheistic Pagan, and UU clergy member, Julie. We start out talking a bit about the beginnings of activism in the Pagan community, then roll into exploring where Pagans fall on the political spectrum and why. From there, we talk about: Pagan demographics, magickal activism, the difficulties of effecting change, mixing politics and religion, setting an example, the imperative of activism, interconnectedness and fundamental rights, the growing appeal of Paganism, how we're seen by society, living our values, how we're politically active, the problems with complacency, getting involved, establishing safe spaces, cognitive dissonance, fostering communication and understanding, the keys of leadership, being informed, how the current political climate affects us, the individual and society, and much, much more.
Sharing Space:
- Rules For Rulers (CGP Grey): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rStL7niR7gs&t=385s
- The Dictator's Handbook: Why Bad Behavior is Almost Always Good Politics by Bruce Bueno de Mesquita and Alastair Smith: https://www.amazon.com/Dictators-Handbook-Behavior-Almost-Politics/dp/1610391845/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1490588281&sr=8-8&keywords=dictator
- Laura Tempest Zakroff: http://www.lauratempestzakroff.com/
http://www.owlkeyme.com/
http://www.moderntraditionalwitch.com/
http://www.darklydramatic.com/
http://www.magodjinn.com/
- Laura Perry: http://www.lauraperryauthor.com/
http://www.lauraperryauthor.com/ariadnes-thread
http://www.minoantarot.com/
- STUFFandThings: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyzAMeGkT4N82NXOXN584aw
- Review: Midori Traveler's Notebook (A Man's Perspective): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBRjYNQ1qio
Links:
Website: www.thepriestesses.com
Email: thepriestesses@gmail.com
Twitter: @ThePriestesses
Facebook: The Priestesses
Music: Rebecca E. Tripp (www.crystalechosound.com)
This short bonus episode features a talk by Jacob, given in November 2016 at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. In it, he talks a bit about coming to Pagan theism, the strength of love, the need for justice, the power of community, and more. We'll be back with new full-length episodes in March! In the meantime, we hope you enjoy!
Website: www.thepriestesses.com
Email: thepriestesses@gmail.com
Twitter: @ThePriestesses
Facebook: The Priestesses
Music: Rebecca E. Tripp (www.crystalechosound.com)
In this episode, we talk with our friend and völva, Bethany, about connecting with our ancestors. Along the way, we spiral into a little happy chaos about: Family history, roots, ancestry, Kari Tauring, Völva Stav, öorlag (the work of healing the generations), leaving a legacy, cultural heritage. foodways, cultural or community ancestors, working in dreamtime, journaling, ancestor dolls, the Nordic Women's Retreat, collecting stories, how we came to be in the moment, days and holidays for honoring ancestors, if you have to be Pagan or not to work with your ancestors, ways to dispose of offering, connecting to ancestors through deities, reincarnation, one soul vs. plural souls, the accessibility of the ancestors, and much more.
More on öorlog: http://karitauring.com/oorlog-and-wyrd/
More on Völva Stav and Völva: http://karitauring.com/volva-stav/
Website: www.thepriestesses.com
Email: thepriestesses@gmail.com
Twitter: @ThePriestesses
Facebook: The Priestesses
Music: Rebecca E. Tripp (www.crystalechosound.com)
In the first half of this episode, we talk about the concept of loose ends - those things left unsaid, undone, or unfulfilled in life and what we can do about them. Along the way, we talk about: Change, loss, death, endings, closure moving on, leaving things unsaid and/or undone, cycles, seasons (especially the challenges of Winter), energy changes, Wisconsin weather, reflection, comfort in stillness, setting goals, hitting limits, mind/body/spirit, magick brownies, making (hard) choices, responsibility, the resource of time, discerning what's important, the will of the gods, the role of fate, balancing positivity and negativity, interconnectedness, and more.
In the second half, we address questions surrounding some of our previous episodes, including: Identity politics, non-binary Paganism, T. Thorn Coyle, Lasara Firefox Allen, the challenges of magick (especially love spells), intentional and unintentional magick, influence and control, fairy tales, who owns holidays (and what they mean), what to do when our deities fail us, relationships with the divine, and much more.
Website: www.thepriestesses.com
Email: thepriestesses@gmail.com
Twitter: @ThePriestesses
Facebook: The Priestesses
Music: Rebecca E. Tripp (www.crystalechosound.com)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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
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
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)
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)
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.
Aimee (priestess) and Jacob (producer) sit down for some Cold Moon conversation about: Pagan and religious identity, aspects and incarnations of the Goddess, Witches and Wicca in popular culture and media, the role of Nature in worship, Urban Paganism, ritual tools, ceremony, magick, and more.
Solstice greetings! Light the Yule log and gather 'round the fire, as Aimee and Amanda explore navigating the Secular and Christian holiday season. Along the way, they share personal and family holiday practices, discuss the Winter Solstice, Christmas, commercialism, gift-giving, Pagan values, and more.