Heathen's Journey Podcast

I am honored to have Tomás Prower as a guest on the podcast this week. When I started planning this season, I knew that I wanted to bring Tomás on. Tomás Prower is a graduate of the University of California: Santa Barbara with degrees in Global Socioeconomics and Latin American Studies. With fluency in English, French, and Spanish, he has worked for the French Government as a cultural liaison throughout South America with extended assignments in Buenos Aires, Santiago de Chile, and the Amazon jungle. Since then, he has been the External Relations Director for the American Red Cross of Nevada, LGBT+ Programs Director for entertainment productions in Los Angeles, and a licensed mortuary professional in California and Nevada. Currently, Tomás resides in Palm Springs, California, as the Director of Communications for the LGBTQ+ Center of the Coachella Valley. Link to the LGBTQ+ Center of the Coachella Valley Antiracist Heathenry Resources Support the podcast on Patreon

In an episode that I didn't plan I swear, Siri discusses harvest festivals and the rune Jera. To Siri, Jera is not just about the year, but it is related to earth itself. This is a rune of appreciation of the gifts of nature, as well as of cultivation. The shape of the rune - two v’s turned on their side and intertwining - speaks to me of cycles. This episode happens to come out on Mabon, and so of course Siri discusses harvest festivals and the deity Freyr. ** Buy "Lessons from the Empress: A tarot workbook for self-care and creative expression" Support the podcast on Patreon

Isa represents Ice: That which is frozen. It is a barrier. It is water that has become so still, it has been made solid. Ice is one of the elements that signaled the birth of our world. "Ice is hard and without motion. It constrains the movement of waters, but those who try to walk on it may find themselves moving out of control." - Diana Paxson, "Taking Up The Runes." Resources:  National Geographic video on singing ice Jonna Jinton's Atmospheric video of singing ice sounds Information About Lessons From The Empress Support me on Patreon

After the storm, we must rebuild. After Hagalaz comes Nauthiz. In this episode, Siri explores the ways that the Nauthiz rune reveals what is truly necessary in our lives. Nauthiz, need-fire, rune of potential and action and making choices to get ourselves out of the direst of circumstances. Here is a YouTube video I found that provides a really nice view on making needfire for yourself. Just be careful! Preorder Lessons from the Empress Interested in sponsoring the podcast? Fill out the sponsor interest form.

Welcome back to the Heathen’s Journey Podcast! Siri took some time off to recalibrate and think through the direction of the podcast. We’re back now, in seasons! Each season we will be focusing on a major theme within heathenry and the runes. This season, we’re covering the second aett of the Elder Futhark through the lens of an Underworld Journey. In this opening episode, Siri covers Hel, Hagalaz, and the Underworld. Browse the new Heathen's Journey Website: heathensjourneypod.com Support the Podcast: patreon.com/heathensjourneypod Preorder "Lessons from the Empress" and buy suggested reading here: https://bookshop.org/shop/sirivincentplouff

Lex Ritchie returns to the podcast to talk about all things Underworld with Siri. They share wisdom from their wealth of knowledge about the Underwolrd, tell a queered version of the Persephone myth, and talk about the Underworld as a threat to capitalism. Lex Ritchie is a tarot reader and folk magician weaving spells for liberation, living in the Great Black Swamp. They believe individual liberation and enchantment create collective liberation and enchantment. Lex helps witches connect to their power, agency and magic so they can make magic that makes change. They offer tarot readings and folk magical education and can be found online at thelexritchie.com, and on IG & Twitter @thelexritchie. Read the transcript on the Heathen's Journey Website Sign up for Lex's newsletter: https://artisanal-painter-6163.ck.page/eab4ed3ee9 Read Lex's blog posts about radical ancestor work: https://thelexritchie.com/2022/07/finding-magic-and-healing-through-ancestor-work/ Sign up for Siri's Newsletter: https://motivated-painter-7114.ck.page/8b3528173f Support the Podcast on Patreon

Aidan Wachter has been actively involved in magical practice since the 1980’s. His work reflects a wide ranging, eclectic, and non-dogmatic approach with influences from many paths including witchcraft, folk magic, and chaos magic. His books focus on the practice of the craft as a learnable set of skills that can be developed rather than innate talents that must be inherited or granted to the seeker. They are field guides rather than philosophy. In this episode, Aidan and Siri talk about using Black Books for working magic and changing your fate.  If you loved this episode, you should consider attending Siri's talk at the Salem Witchcraft and Folklore Festival, which runs August 5-7 2022. You can register here. Take the Heathen's Journey Podcast listener survey to help Siri shape the future of this podcast! Purchase Aidan's books here Preorder Lessons from the Empress here! Support the podcast on Patreon!

Cory Thomas Hutcheson is the cohost of the popular podcasts New World Witchery, Chasing Foxfire, and Myth-Taken: A Buffy the Vampire Slayer Podcast, and author of the book New World Witchery: A Trove of American Folk Magic. He has a doctorate in American Studies with specializations in folklore, religion, and ethnicity from Penn State. He is a contributor to the Oxford Handbook of American Folklore and Folklife Studies and American Myths, Legends, and Tall Tales. Visit him online at www.newworldwitchery.com Support this podcast on Patreon Preorder your copy of Lessons from the Empress Check out my website

Katy Swallow is a spirit worker, reader, mage and reiki practitioner, who tends to specialize in uncomfortable things. Death, grief, and intergenerational and ancestral trauma are her frequent companions. Her work can be accurately described as “navigating the lines between everything.” In this episode, Katy and Siri talk about their experiences working with spirits, speaking with ancestors, and ancestral healing. We also laugh a lot and have an overall amazing conversation.  Katy has some classes coming up! Please check out her website for more information: katyswallow.com You can also follow her on Twitter here: @kswallowtarot Register for Intro to Spirit Contact on February 7th here Read my blog here Support this podcast on Patreon

While being incarcerated for her struggles with drug addiction, Awyn Dawn began to actively look for her spiritual side - and she found it in Paganism.By developing a profound relationship with the gods, Awyn gained greater clarity and a deep sense of peace. You can too with help from this empowering guide to starting and strengthening your spiritual practice. Her book comes out in December and is available for pre-order now.  Support the podcast on Patreon Register for Creative Grimoiring on December 5: https://www.northernlightswitch.com/creative-grimoiring-december-5 Book your Year Ahead Reading: https://northernlightswitch.as.me/

Lex Ritchie is a tarot reader and folk magician weaving spells for liberation, living in the Great Black Swamp. They believe individual liberation and enchantment create collective liberation and enchantment. Lex helps witches connect to their power, agency and magic so they can make magic that makes change. In this conversation, Siri and Lex talk about ancestor work - including some ways for those who are new to ancestor work to get started.  Lex's Website: thelexritchie.com Instagram + Twitter: @TheLexRitchie More on the Viking calendar: https://www.vikingsofbjornstad.com/Viking_Calendar.shtm How to Host a Dumb Supper Support this podcast on Patreon

Wouldst thou like to live deliciously? Explore what joy and happiness mean in this episode. This is a solo episode in which Siri dives deep into the meaning of the Wunjo rune. Support me on Patreon Subscribe to the newsletter (click both "Coven Letters" and "Apothecary Updates" to be entered into the giveaway) Shop the apothecary

I am so thrilled to finally be able to release this episode into the world! Eric Purdue has been working tirelessly on a new translation of the Three Books of Occult Philosophy - the first new translation in over 300 years. This edition corrects many, many mistakes and mistranslations, and will hopefully make this behemoth of a classic more approachable for the modern occultist. Purdue has studied metaphysics and the occult and has practiced magic and astrology for more than thirty years, with a particular focus on practical folk and astrological magic. Through his lectures and writings on traditional astrology and talismanic magic, he has been a notable voice on the subjects of medieval astrology, traditional magical systems, and the legacy of Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa.  Preorder your copy at the Northern Lights Apothecary Support the podcast! Become a patron on Patreon: patreon.com/northernlightswitch

After an unintended hiatus, we are back with season 2 of the Heathen's Journey Podcast. This week, we're talking about Gyfu, Mutual Aid, and Creating Reciprocal communities and what that means in 2021.  Gyfu is one of my favorite runes, and I hope you enjoy it.  Support me on Patreon Visit the Apothecary Sources:  "The Runes: A Deeper Journey" by Kari Tauring Interview with Sara Axtell (episode 19) "Wild Soul Runes" by Laura Veleda Vesta "Taking Up the Runes" by Diana Paxson Norwegian Language Primstav Facebook page

Hot Queer Summer continues with Fire Lyte! Siri and Fire got a little ... enthusiastic in this episode. It is a huge topic in Fire's book, "The Dabbler's Guide to Witchcraft." Fire refers to this book jokingly as "the anti-beginner's book" specifically because he takes a scientific, experimental approach. In this episode, Fire and Siri discuss atheistic witchcraft, threading the needle between a beginner and advanced witchcraft book, discernment, how to tell you're not in joining a cult, and so much more. Fire Lyte is the host of the Inciting A Riot podcast, and has been creating pagan content for over a decade.  You can listen to Inciting A Riot wherever you get your podcasts. Sponsors:  Support the Podcast by becoming a Patron on Patreon Shop the Northern Lights Apothecary Shop Needfire Wellness + Apothecary

We continue our journey through the elder futhark with Kenaz. This is a rune of fire, truth, and in some ways - balance. Listen to the podcast episode to learn more about this rune, and to hear how it plays with other runes. Transcription: https://www.northernlightswitch.com/blog/heathens-journey-podcast-ep-21 Northern Lights Apothecary Needfire Apothecary

Welcome to the extra special bonus episode of the Heathen's Journey Podcast! I had friend of the pod Minta Karlsson back to discuss Midsommar traditions in Sweden, Norway, and Finland. Hopefully this will serve as an inspiration as you are preparing your own Midsommar celebrations. We ramble into a lot of different topics, including folk magic practices, and even get into astrology for a while. I hope you enjoy, and have a great Midsommar! Radical Runes Course - Starts Mon July 5th Needfire Wellness - Midsommar Vatten kits (affiliate link) Needfire Wellness and Apothecary (affiliate link)

Lara Veleda Vesta, MFA, is an artist, author, storyteller and educator transforming chronic illness into a path of healing and reclaiming.   She is the  illustrator of The Moon Divas Oracle Cards, author of The Moon Divas Guidebook, and the newly released Wild Soul Runes: Reawakening the Ancestral Feminine. Her research interests include ancestral connection, mythtelling and disability as initiation, and she is currently creating an illustrated guide to death transitions. Her path of myth, folk magic, ancestor lore and ritual practice is shared through classes at the Wild Soul School. Check out the giveaway of Wild Soul Runes over on Instagram!  Newsletter for Apothecary Updates Patreon.com/northernlightswitch Sign up for Radical Runes Affiliate Link for Needfire Wellness (use code heathenjourneypodden for 10% off)

In this episode of the podcast, Siri is joined by Sara Axtell, a local leader in the heathen community in Minnesota. The conversation is wide-reaching and deep, and all centered around the idea of getting to know our natural, ancestral rhythms. This allows American heathens to unsettle themselves, and start to make reparations for the wrongs of our ancestors. This work is in part guided by learning the Primstav, a Norwegian calendar stick that kept time for our ancestors and holds a lot of local folklore for us to discover.  To learn more about the Primstav, here are some resources:  Primstav Study Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/2354134371472956 Healing Roots:  https://healingrootscommunity.com/ Gullveig's Hearth:  https://www.facebook.com/Gullveigs-Hearth-106320354684263 Primstav learning resources: Norwegian language primstav page:  https://www.facebook.com/Primstav-1386373814920152 Marking Time:  The primstav murals of Sigmund Aarseth by Kathleen Stokker The Nordic Animist Year by Rune Hjarnø Rasmussen Primstav Explanations by Alfred Miller ** Creating in Wyrd Times: Pay it forward ($250); Standard Price ($197) Radical Runes ONLINE via Catland Books Podcast Affiliate: Needfire Wellness and Apothecary

We continue our exploration of the runes with Raidho. Siri talks about the role of travel and chariots in Old Norse thinking, as well as the different soul parts that make up a pre-Christian Nordic concept of self. The Fylgja, or guide, is deeply connected with the Raidho rune. They are a part of the Nordic soul, and are often thought of as an ancestor, and can often take the shape of an animal. Raidho invites us to move forward in both our mundane and spiritual lives. Let's explore our personal gnosis together, and get to know our motivations better with Raidho. Transcript: https://www.northernlightswitch.com/2021/04/28/episode-18-meeting-our-soul-guides-and-moving-forward-with-raidho/ Creating in Wyrd Times: http://cassandra-snow.com/tarot-class-registration Needfire Wellness (promo code heathenjourneypodden): https://www.needfirewellness.com/ Swamp Witch Stephanie (promo code heathen): https://swampwitchstephanie.com/

Matthew Venus is a Folk Magician, Artist, Writer, and Witch based in Salem, Massachusetts. He is the owner and lead apothecary of SpiritusArcanum.com. In this conversation, we talk a lot about spirits, working with spirit familiars, and the spirits of plants. Venus has thirty years of experience with witchcraft and folk magic, and is a veritable wealth of historic knowledge. I hope you enjoy this episode! Like, subscribe, and review

In this interview, I'm speaking with Lindy-Fay Hella of Wardruna and Johanna Elf of Cult Botanic. These two fantastic artists are collaborating on a new intention oil. Join us as we explore scent, memory, and Nordic herbcraft. I had such a lovely time speaking with these two about their deep relationships with the sensual and the magical, and I know you'll love it too. Check out Cult Botanic Check out Lindy-Fay's website here. Listen to her on the new Wardruna album here. Book a tarot or rune reading with me: northernlightswitch.com/shop Sponsors:  anchor.fm Swamp Witch Stephanie Needfire Wellness + Apothecary

We're back to studying the runes in depth! In this episode, Siri talks about Ansuz and communication. They also discuss Odin at length - as it's nearly impossible to study the runes without also studying Odin. 

You may know Marcus McCoy's work already - he runs the Trollcunning Forge, a blacksmithing studio dedicated to crafting beautiful occult wares. There are a lot of misconceptions about alchemy, including the idea that it was all metaphorical. It's not! In this episode, we go deep on magical practice, the blurry lines between folk and ceremonial magic, and the art of the forge.  Books and teachers for further research:  Robert Bartlett The Forge and the Crucible: the Origins and Structures of Alchemy by Mircea Eliade Ars Filtron by Daniel Schulke Rituals and Remedies by Kathleen Stokker Link to join my mailing list: https://bit.ly/2KDHZsK Support the podcast: patreon.com/northernlightswitch Find me on social: Instagram: @northern.lights.witch Twitter: @northlightwitch

Did you know there's no future tense in Old Norse? It's a huge part of why I (Siri) don't use the runes for predictive reading or fortune telling. My approach has shifted a lot since going deep in my relationships with the runes, and now I'm primarily using tarot for year-ahead readings. I like to take a very practical approach, using divination to help me understand what the best actions to take are.  I hope you are staying safe and healthy. Book a year-ahead reading with me: https://northernlightswitch.as.me/ Join my Patreon: patreon.com/northernlightswitch

Did you know that there are technically two full months of Jul in Norse tradition? There is so much to celebrate! In this episode, Kari and Siri talk about the different winter traditions, keeping time in an old Norse way, and the tension between joy and grief that accompanies this time of year.  If you're interested in learning more about these traditions, join us for Jul Fest at Needfire Wellness! This is a series of zoom classes all about Jul. Learn more here: http://www.needfirewellness.com/jul-fest You can book a year ahead reading at my Acuity Scheduling page here. Click here to learn more about Folk Songs of Another America And here is the Frugal Gourmet, to learn some ancestral recipes Support the Podcast on Patreon

Siri sits down with Cassandra Snow for a chat about what it means to queer your witchcraft. Cassandra is a queer tarot reader, writer, and witch who recently released "Queering Your Craft: Witchcraft from the Margins." In this episode, Siri and Cassandra talk a lot about how their personal witchcraft styles developed, how queer people can harness magic for themselves, and so much more.  To follow Cassandra on social media:  Instagram: @tarotcassandra Twitter: @tarot_cassandra Patreon: patreon.com/cassandrasnow To support this podcast:  patreon.com/northernlightswitch

This episode covers the necessity for secrecy in witchcraft, some examples of why you might want to keep your magic a secret. This episode also covers some psychic protection basics, as well as instructions on warding your home from negative entities or energies.  Further Reading:  “The Witch’s Shield” by Christopher Penczak “Psychic Self-Defense” by Dion Fortune Sponsors:  anchor.fm Needfire Wellness + Apothecary Swamp Witch Stephanie

The Heathen's Journey Podcast is back from unintended hiatus! In this episode, Siri talks about pagan timekeeping practices and holidays. You *might* have noticed that this is the spookiest time of year, and many witches celebrate accordingly. Siri talks about Samhain, the Norwegian Primstav as a living relic of folklore, and Alfablot. So grab a cup of your favorite tea, coffee, or ale, and have a seat by the fire. Sponsors and links: Witchcraft Immersion: https://www.northernlightswitch.com/witchcraft-immersion/ Witchcraft Immersion Scholarship Fund: https://www.gofundme.com/f/witchcraft-immersion-fundraiser Witchcraft Immersion Scholarship Application: https://forms.gle/AmqHdAH9zdADaCZV7 Take 10% off your purchases at Needfire Wellness with offer code HeathenJourneyPodden: needfirewellness.com

Trolldom, the folk magic of Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, has been practiced for more than 500 years. Johannes Gårdbäck is a respected healer, teacher, and spiritual worker of Swedish folk-magic. He is the author of "Trolldom: Spells and Methods of the Norse Folk Magic Tradition." In this episode, he and Siri discuss different kinds of troll formulas, taking Tydor/reading the signs, and empowering yourself from within to create magic. ** Love the pod? Join the Patreon! patreon.com/northernlightswitch Join the Troll Club here: needfirewellness.com

The Radical Runes Course admissions close on Monday, September 14th at 5pm CST! This is the course I wish I'd had when I first started learning the runes. Radical Runes is a 12-week transformative journey through the Runes. This course is unlike any other runes course in that it is grounded in queer, leftist theory and practice. Register today! https://www.northernlightswitch.com/product/radical-runes-course/

Hello I go by Siri now! Please use they/them pronouns to refer to me. In this episode, I come out of the gender closet, and relate that back to Uruz. I also talk about the rune Thurisaz, an intense one that many people struggle to work with. This is the introduction of aggression into the futhark, but it is also one of the most powerful runes we can use for self protection. Resources: Blog post on Radical Runes: https://www.northernlightswitch.com/2020/08/26/radical-runes-the-class-i-wish-id-had/ Sign up for Radical Runes: https://www.northernlightswitch.com/product/radical-runes-course/ Join the Troll Club: https://www.needfirewellness.com/troll-club

I interview Minta Karlsson about Trolldom and Needfire Wellness. In this interview, we talk about methods of folk magic, how to get started, as well as dealing with our complex understandings of our own ancestors as settler colonialists. We talk about how the privilege of traveling to our ancestral homelands has opened our eyes to what we’re missing in America, and how to try to make that more accessible to people who still live in America. I am also happy to announce that the Radical Runes course is live! This is a 12-week rune intensive starting on September 15, 2020. You can learn more and register here: https://www.northernlightswitch.com/product/radical-runes-course/ If you want to treat yourself to some magical goodies, head on over to needfirewellness.com and use offer code HeathenJourneyPodden for 10% off your purchase.

Let's dive deep into the rune Uruz, its different meanings, and how we can gain strength from and persistence. In this episode, I talk about Audhumla, the Norse creation myths, and the meeting of fire and ice.  Bonus: If you want to learn runes with me, I've got a class coming up on August 18th, 2020! Intro To Runes will give you a quick overview of the full futhark, the history of the runes, and other important info. You can sign up here: https://thefuturempls.com/collections/events/products/august-18-intro-to-runes-online References:  The Poetic Edda (translated by Carolyne Larrington). Oxford University Press. 1996. The Prose Edda. (edited by Anthony Faulkes). Aswynn, Freyja. Northern Mysteries and Magick: Runes and Feminine Powers. Llewellyn Worldwide, 1998. Murphey, Bradley. Othil: Norse Ancestral Traditions. Thrymheim Publishing. 2006. Paxson, Diana. Taking Up The Runes: A Complete Guide to Using Runes in Spells, Rituals, Divination, and Magic. Weiser Books, 2005. Plouff, Abbie. Heathen’s Journey Column on Little Red Tarot. First published in 2017. Rhys-Mountfort, Paul. Nordic Runes. Versa Press, 2003. Tauring, Kari. The Runes: A Deeper Journey. Self published, © 2007

And now for something a little different! In this episode, I interview author and friend Kelden about his new book "The Crooked Path: An Introduction to Traditional Witchcraft." We talk a lot about familiar spirits, traveling to the Pagan Otherworlds, and the distinction between Traditional Witchcraft and other paths. I know that this podcast is focused primarily on Heathenry, but Traditional Witchcraft is another practice that is dear to my heart and can teach us a lot about our folk paths.  Recommended reading:  The Crooked Path: An Introduction to Traditional Witchcraft Sponsors:  Needfire Wellness + Apothecary (use code HeathenJourneyPodden for 10% off!) Anchor.fm

In this episode, I begin our journey through the Elder Futhark with Fehu. This is the first rune we encounter, and traditionally means wealth, property, or cattle. But what does wealth mean to the radical heathen? How can we know where to start with wealth when we have complicated feelings about it? Abbie dives into the many layered meanings behind the Fehu rune, and looks at it from an anticapitalist perspective. We talk about generosity, reciprocal communities, and making sure our needs are met before we go off on our own journeys. Links:  northernlightswitch.com patreon.com/northernlightswitch Follow me:  Instagram: @northern.lights.witch Twitter: @northlightwitch Sources:  The Poetic Edda (translated by Carolyne Larrington). Oxford University Press. 1996. Aswynn, Freyja. Northern Mysteries and Magick: Runes and Feminine Powers. Llewellyn Worldwide, 1998. Murphey, Bradley. Othil: Norse Ancestral Traditions. Thrymheim Publishing. 2006. Paxson, Diana. Taking Up The Runes: A Complete Guide to Using Runes in Spells, Rituals, Divination, and Magic. Weiser Books, 2005. Plouff, Abbie. Heathen’s Journey Column on Little Red Tarot. First published in 2017.

In this episode, Abbie interviews teacher Kari Tauring (she/her). Kari is a Nordic folk musician, cultural educator, and spiritual leader, a staff carrier and horn prayer living in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. In this episode, we talk about the concepts of frith, grith, healing oorlog, and what it looks like to be a professional Volva. For more info about Kari, visit her website (karitauring.com). To take one of her online classes, please visit the Needfire Academy (https://needfire-wellness.teachable.com/) for more information. Skol!

This week, I’m going to be talking about the history of white supremacist and Nazi appropriation of Germanic and Nordic symbols. This is at the heart of my work, and is a big part of the reason I write about the Norse path. I think it is a deep responsibility that we have as white people to understand our cultural lineage, and how we got to this place. Resources:  Shannon Weber, “White Supremacy’s Old Gods: The Far Right and Neopaganism,” at Political Research Associates. February 1 2018 (https://www.politicalresearch.org/2018/02/01/white-supremacys-old-gods-the-far-right-and-neopaganism) Sarah Emily Bond, “Hold My Mead: A Bibliography for Historians Hitting Back At White Supremacy.” History From Below. September 10, 2017. (https://sarahemilybond.com/2017/09/10/hold-my-mead-a-bibliography-for-historians-hitting-back-at-white-supremacy/) Shane Burley, “Rainbow Heathenry: Is a Left-Wing, Multicultural Asatru Possible?” at Gods and Radicals. April 6 2016. (https://godsandradicals.org/2016/04/06/rainbow-heathenry-is-a-left-wing-multicultural-asatru-possible/)

Welcome to the Heathen’s Journey Podcast! Listen and learn more about the pod, then subscribe.

Siri explores what heathenry is - how heathens define it, and what it looks like in belief and practice. This is essential as we move through the rest of this podcast, seeking Nordic wisdom and to live in the rhythm of the natural world.  Books mentioned: "A Practical Heathen's Guide to Asatru" by Patricia Lafayllve "The Way of Fire and Ice" by Ryan Smith Support this Podcast on Patreon: patreon.com/heathensjourneypod Sponsor: anchor.fm