Back on the Broomstick: Old Witchcraft, New Path

In this episode, Laylla and Chelle sit down with Beck Ravenswood, owner of The Serpent’s Key Shoppe & Sanctuary in Hanover, Pennsylvania, before their July 22nd court hearing in the fight against Pennsylvania’s old fortune-telling law.Yep, in Pennsylvania, a law dating back to 1861 still makes paid fortune telling, including tarot reading, a criminal offense. Beck’s case began after Hanover police visited their shop and warned them that offering tarot readings for money could lead to legal trouble. Now Beck is challenging that law in federal court, arguing that tarot reading is protected speech, spiritual practice, and a legitimate livelihood, not something that belongs under threat of arrest in the year 2026.We talk with Beck about what happened, why this law matters beyond one shop in Hanover, and how outdated laws can still be used to target witches, readers, and spiritual workers. We also discuss Pennsylvania House Bill 1562, introduced by Rep. Greg Scott, which would repeal Title 18 Section 7104 and remove the state’s fortune-telling ban from the books.If you want to support the effort, contact Rep. Greg Scott’s office and tell him you support HB 1562 and the repeal of Pennsylvania’s fortune-telling law. You can call his Norristown office at 484-685-3494 or his Harrisburg office at 717-772-0749. Pennsylvania listeners can also contact their own state representative and ask them to support HB 1562.Tarot is not a crimeSign the petition to legalize TarotBeck's InstaThe Serpent's KeyRep Greg ScottHekate Justice Spell * Coming SoonBeck's Spell Want to help? Instructions Below:Choose an Intention and Candle ColorRed Candle: Power to the Pagans of PennsylvaniaWhite Candle: Banishment of Obstacles working against the PA Lawsuit to Legalize Fortune TellingBlack Candle: Protection for Witches in the World TodayAnoint in oil of your choosing and dress with any number of herbs from the list below. (or infuse a carrier oil with desired herbs use to make a Justice Oil for this ritual)Bay Leaf, CedarFrankincense, NettlePepper, PineColtsfoot , ElmHickoryLight your Candle with me on July 22nd (at 10:30am if possible) to weave a web of power over the State of Pennsylvania as we continue our fight to Legalize Pennsylvania Fortune Telling.Got a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

When you first learn tarot, there are the obvious troublemakers like Death, The Tower, The Devil, and most of the suit of swords,,,,that make beginners wonder if the deck is threatening them personally. But after years of reading, teaching, and pulling cards at kitchen tables, podcast tables, and probably a few slightly chaotic coffee tables, the cards that trip you up can start to change.In this episode, Laylla and Chelle talk about the tarot cards they personally struggle with now, and how those are different from the cards that tend to confuse or scare people when they first learn tarot.Chelle admits that the 6s and 7s can be especially confusing in a spread, and Laylla attempts to make sense of them through the very mundane metaphor of deep cleaning a room. And Laylla confesses that she thinks The hierophant is just kind of a dick.Grab a tarot deck, light a candle, and join us as we untangle the cards that confuse, challenge, and occasionally sass us from the table. Because sometimes the problem isn’t that a card is scary. Sometimes the problem is that it is just annoyingly deep.Got a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

This week on Back on the Broomstick, we welcome Irene Glasse; a witch, author, musician, former Marine, yoga teacher, tarot reader, Pagan clergy person, and the kind of guest who  seriously makes you wonder if (and how!) she has found a few extra hours hidden between the worlds.Irene joins us to talk about her book Foundations of Witchcraft, mystical practice, spiritwork, inclusive Heathenry, Freyja, community ritual, and what it really means to serve as Pagan clergy in the modern world. We also talk about Pagan festivals, the beautiful chaos of organizing magical people, and the very important discovery that Laylla and Chelle are basically two degrees of Kevin Bacon away from Irene.This conversation also touches on the recent Department of Defense decision to reduce the military’s recognized religious affiliation codes from over 200 to 31, removing individual listings for many minority faiths and belief systems, including modern Pagan traditions, Wicca, Druidry, Unitarian Universalism, and atheism. As a former Marine and working Pagan religious professional, Irene brings a grounded and deeply personal perspective to why recognition, representation, and spiritual care matter.Light a candle, grab your favorite festival mug, and join us for a conversation about witchcraft, service, community, and the sacred work of keeping the doors open for seekers of many paths.Kindred CrowYoutubeGlasse Witch CottageFoundations of Witchcraft: A Blackfeather Mystery School Training ManualGot a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

In this Midsummer daydream episode of Back on the Broomstick, Laylla and Chelle step through the veil of sleep and into the strange, symbolic, half-lit world of dream magick. Dreams have been treated as omens, messages, healing tools, and sacred journeys for thousands of years, from ancient dream temples to shamanic trance work, dream walking, and the modern practice of listening to the subconscious. But what does that mean for witches today?The witches talk about dreams as one of the most natural forms of trance work, a liminal space where the conscious mind softens, intuition rises, and your magical brain starts speaking in symbols, emotions, ancestors, archetypes, nightmares, and the occasional absolutely unhinged sleep-brain nonsense. They explore dream interpretation, personal symbolism, lucid dreaming, dream recall, dream incubation, and how to work with nightmares as shadow work instead of treating them as failures or bad omens.You’ll also get practical tips for remembering your dreams, protecting your dream space, setting intentions before sleep, using herbs, teas, crystals, and simple spells to support dream work, and learning how to bring wisdom back from the dream realm into waking life. So grab your dream journal, fluff your pillow, and get ready to wander the night-side of magic.Got a question? Send the witches a message here!Check out http://thewitchesmoon.com/ for your witchy altar supplies, jewelry, monthly subscription boxes and so much more! Use code BOTB10 at checkout for 10% off of Moon Market items excluding subscription boxesSupport the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

The sun is high, the days are long, the flowers are blooming, the herbs are going wild, and somehow your calendar has also decided to become an overgrown garden of obligations. Welcome to Litha, witches! In this episode of Back on the Broomstick, Laylla and Chelle celebrate the summer solstice, the longest day and shortest night of the year, by talking about what happens when all that solar energy starts to feel like a little too much. Litha is a season of fire, growth, joy, abundance, and everything blooming wild under the sun, but it can also be a time when life ramps up, the to-do list gets louder, and even your magic starts feeling like one more thing you’re supposed to keep alive.So this year, we’re looking at Litha through the eyes of the tired witch at midsummer. How do you stay connected to your craft when you’re busy, overheated, overstimulated, broke, allergic to everything green, or just not in the mood to build an elaborate solstice altar? How do you let the sun warm you without burning you out?We’ll share simple, practical, witchy ways to keep magic woven into your everyday life during the bright, busy rush of summer. From tiny solar rituals and sacred shade to ripening, boundaries, and tending your own light, this episode is a reminder that you do not have to do more to be magical. Sometimes the most powerful Litha spell is drinking some water, stepping into the shade, and remembering that even the sun knows when to rest.Karen's etsy shopSummer Magick and the Forgotten Sabbat68: Litha Stories, Spells, & Rituals - Myth of the Oak King & Holly King119: Midsummer Magick: Litha Lore and the Fair FolkGot a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

There is something deeply witchy about leaving your normal home, your normal bed, your normal coffee mug, and stepping into a place where the land does not already know your name.In this episode of Back on the Broomstick, Laylla and Chelle are packing up the magical bug spray and heading into the wilds to talk about witchcraft while camping, traveling, and wandering off to summer festivals. Whether you’re sleeping under the stars, staying in a cabin, road-tripping to a sacred site, or setting up your tent at Brushwood, Dragonfest, Starwood, Mystic South, or Pagan Pride, travel has a way of pulling us out of our everyday patterns and into threshold space.The witches talk about how to set up camp respectfully, create temporary sacred space, connect with the quarters in a new landscape, and build a mini altar that won’t take over your entire backpack. They explore offerings for the land, listening to local spirits, working with tree, stone, and place energy, and why “leave no trace” might be one of the most magical rules a witch can follow.They also wander into the idea of land guardians, festival grounds that hold years of ritual memory, and how to form a temporary connection with a place without trying to claim it, tame it, or accidentally bring home every bit of spiritual static clinging to your hiking boots.From gratitude rituals before leaving a campsite to practical witchy packing tips, this episode is all about staying enchanted on the road without making things complicated. Sometimes the most powerful altar is a picnic table, a lantern, a cup of camp coffee, and a quiet thank you whispered to the trees.Starwood Sankofa FestivalSirius Rising FestivalGot a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

Welcome back to the Solarium, witches.We’ve dusted off the chairs and tables, planted a few rows of herbs, brought in fresh candles and cushions, and stocked the shelves with plenty of tea, smokable blends, and magical conversation. So pull up a chair and settle into that warm, candlelit sanctuary where every chat feels just a little enchanted.In this Solarium review episode, Laylla and Chelle gather around the reading table to talk about the witchy books and oracle decks currently rattling around their brains and haunting their bookshelves in the best possible way.The episode begins with Tarot Tableau Revolution by Maria Alviz Hernando, a visually rich and imaginative exploration of tarot symbolism, storytelling, and layered interpretation that sparks a conversation about personal readings, artistic inspiration, and the strange poetry hidden inside the cards themselves. From there, the witches move deeper into the cauldron with Pagan Portals: Cerridwen by Danu Forest and Entering Hekate’s Cauldron by Cyndi Brannen, exploring themes of transformation, initiation, crossroads magic, goddess devotion, and the sacred mysteries waiting in the darker corners of spiritual practice.Then the oracle decks come out, and the energy shifts.Laylla and Chelle discuss The Initiates Oracle by Marcella Kroll and Adam Smith, with its mystical atmosphere, initiatory themes, and the sense that some decks arrive less like tools and more like invitations through hidden doorways.But the true magical spark of the evening comes when the Solarium welcomes a very special guest: the legendary Judika Illes, author of The Magic Spells Oracle.Together, Laylla, Chelle, and Judika chat about spellcraft, magical traditions, oracle creation, intuitive practice, and the living heartbeat of magic itself. The conversation drifts from thoughtful and inspiring to delightfully chaotic in true broomstick fashion, creating the kind of intimate witchy gathering that feels like staying up far too late beside the fire while the incense burns itself down to ash.This episode is cozy, insightful, funny, and overflowing with magical inspiration for witches, readers, tarot lovers, deck collectors, and curious seekers alike. Expect book talk, oracle deck reviews, goddess lore, laughter, and at least one moment where everyone disappears down a wonderfully strange metaphysical rabbit hole.Pour yourself something warm, light a candle, and join Laylla, Chelle, and Judika Illes for an evening of books, cards, conversation, and candlelit magic beneath the glow of the broomstick lantern.Side effects may include compulsive deck collecting, sudden altar rearranging, and an urgent need to haunt your local occult bookstore.Got a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

The sun is high, the herbs are humming, and the witches are opening the curtains wide for an episode all about sun magick.This week on Back on the Broomstick, Laylla and Chelle bask in the golden glow of solar witchcraft, exploring how witches can work with the energy of the sun for confidence, clarity, protection, healing, abundance, and good old-fashioned get-it-done power. From sunrise intentions to noon-day charging rituals, from solar water and candle spells to herbs, crystals, colors, and deities linked with the sun, this episode is a warm little spell for anyone who needs more fire in their practice.The witches will talk about the difference between moon magick and sun magick, why solar energy is not just “masculine” energy, thank you very much, and how to build a sun-based practice that feels joyful, grounded, and alive. Expect practical tips, personal stories, seasonal wisdom, and probably at least one tangent about forgetting something outside to charge until three days later. You know, witch life.So grab your citrine, pour some sun tea, open a window, and let the light in. Whether you’re looking to boost your courage, cleanse your space, bless your garden, or simply remember that you are allowed to take up space and shine, this episode will help you bring a little more solar sparkle into your craft.Got a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

Blue Moons have long carried an air of mystery, rarity, and magic. But what actually makes a Blue Moon special? Is it truly more powerful than any other Full Moon, or is the magic found in the meaning we humans give it?In this episode of Back on the Broomstick, Laylla and Chelle unravel the folklore, history, and witchcraft surrounding the Blue Moon. From its strange linguistic origins in the courts of Henry VIII to the accidental modern definition created by an astronomer’s mistake, we trace how this rare moon became spiritually iconic. Along the way, we explore lunar cycles, feminine mysteries, Sagittarius fire energy, the symbolism of the color blue, and why rare celestial events have always captured the witch’s imagination.The witches also discuss the psychological and magical power of collective belief, the liminal nature of “extra” moons, and how modern witches can work with Blue Moon energy through intention-building, cleansing rites, manifestation work, and self-consecration under moonlight.This particular Blue Moon also happens to fall on Chelle’s birthday, making the episode feel even more personal and perfectly timed. Honestly, if anyone was going to incarnate under a rare and slightly chaotic lunar event, it was probably Chelle.Laylla also shares the story of helping rescue an orphaned baby red squirrel and getting the tiny little chaos goblin safely into the hands of a licensed wildlife rehabber. We’re linking the rehabber’s wishlist here for anyone who would like to help support the care of injured and orphaned wildlife.Join us as we talk about magic, meaning, intention, and the human need to mark certain moments as sacred. Whether you’re crafting a Blue Moon ritual, chasing a long shot dream, or simply standing outside under the night sky feeling something ancient stir in your bones, this episode is an invitation to reconnect with wonder, with nature, and with the wild rhythm of the cosmos.Animal Rescue RehabIncubator Donations Needed!Kaitlyn's Rehab Amazon Wish ListGot a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

*WARNING This Episode discusses sensitive topics including murder, murderers, and suicide*Some objects feel old. Some feel loved. Some feel wrong.This week on Back on the Broomstick, we step into the strange world of haunted objects, cursed artifacts, murderabilia, spirit attachment, and the unsettling idea that energy may linger long after a moment has passed. From Zak Bagans’ Haunted Museum and the infamous Dybbuk Box to Peggy the Doll, serial killer relics, and rooms soaked in decades of fear and fascination, we explore why certain objects seem to gather stories, emotion, and power around them.But are these objects truly haunted? Or are we feeding them through belief, attention, trauma, and collective imagination? We talk about Stone Tape Theory, energy transference, thoughtforms, servitors, tulpas, egregores, psychometry, and the animist idea that places and things may carry memory in ways modern culture has forgotten how to recognize.Whether you’re a skeptic, a believer, or somewhere in the shadowy space between, this episode wanders the crossroads where magic, psychology, folklore, and the paranormal all blur together. So light a candle, maybe cleanse your favorite thrift store find, and join us as we ask one very uncomfortable question: can objects remember?Got a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

Between the wild green fire of Beltane and the golden blaze of Litha lives a season of pure enchantment. In this episode of Back on the Broomstick, Laylla and Chelle step into the lush, humming magic of early summer, where flowers burst open like spells, fireflies flicker over fields at dusk, and the land itself seems drunk on possibility.Together, they explore the magick “between the spokes” of the Wheel of the Year. That fertile stretch of time where passion becomes action, abundance begins to ripen, and we choose what deserves our energy, attention, and devotion. From Beltane’s fertile spark to the radiant power of Litha, this episode is all about sustaining joy, feeding creativity, and falling back in love with life itself.The witches share practical everyday enchantments to help keep the season’s energy moving. Think dandelion honey spells for sweetness and stubborn growth, mugwort dreamwork beneath open summer windows, and self love glamour magic designed to make you magnetic to your own spirit first and foremost. There’s talk of daydreams as portals, summer as a season of manifestation, and the sacred art of romanticizing your own beautiful existence.This is an episode about living intentionally with the season instead of rushing through it. About remembering that your passion is your power. About noticing the way warm night air, cricket songs, blooming flowers, and long golden sunsets can become part of your spiritual practice if you let them.So grab an iced tea, light a candle, step barefoot into the grass, and join us for a cozy, witchy conversation about abundance, desire, beauty, and the living magic of summer.Got a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

The fires of Beltane are lit, and we’re stepping into the season where everything starts moving. In this episode, we talk about what Beltane looks like in a modern, solitary practice and how to work with its energy as a living current that carries you through early summer, not just a single night.We get into flower magic as both spellcraft and language. From Victorian floriography to intuitive plant relationships, we explore how bouquets can hold intention, send messages, and even influence the energy around you. Yes, including how to set boundaries with flowers or nudge things in your favor without saying a word. We also talk about wearing your magic through oils and scent, turning your body into part of the working instead of just the caster.This is an episode about working with what’s already alive. About setting something in motion at Beltane and tending it as it grows Got a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

The cauldron is bubbling, the inbox is overflowing, and this week Laylla and Chelle are finally answering your questions… and oh, you brought some good ones.In this cozy, chaotic, wisdom-filled episode, the witches gather up your fan mail, your voicemails (yes, you can send those now!), and your late-night spiritual spirals, and they answer it all with the kind of honesty that only comes from decades of lived, practiced magic. It’s part advice column, part coven circle, and part “wait… are we really talking about this right now?” energy.They wander through the wild terrain of tarot, where elemental associations get shaken up and turned on their head. What happens when swords feel like fire and wands start whispering like air? Is that wrong… or is that your intuition trying to speak? Laylla and Chelle unpack the history, the why, and the permission you didn’t know you needed to read the cards your way.Then things get practical. When a single tarot pull leaves you squinting at the cards like, “girl, what do you mean?”, do you pull another? Reshuffle? Sit in the discomfort? The witches talk about trusting the conversation between you and the deck, and why sometimes clarity isn’t about more cards, but more listening.From there, the questions get deeper. Can you cast multiple spells close together, or does that drain you dry like an oversteeped tea bag? What does real cleansing look like beyond TikTok trends and conflicting traditions? And maybe the most tender thread of all… how do you walk a spiritual path without losing your grip on reality?This episode gently but firmly explores the difference between spiritual experience and spiritual psychosis. Not with fear, but with care. No judgment, but with grounded, real-world wisdom. Because magic, as they remind us, should expand your life, not isolate you from it.And just when you think you’ve reached the end of the circle, they open a new door. A brand new PO Box. A chance to send something physical into the world. And for one lucky listener, the opportunity to receive a personalized spell pen pal letter crafted by the witches themselves. A little piece of magic, inked and intentional, arriving right at your doorstep.This one feels like sitting around the kitchen table long after the candles have burned low. Honest. Thoughtful. A little messy in the best way. The kind of episode that reminds you you’re not alone on this path… even when you’re figuring it out as you go.So grab your cards, your tea, maybe a notebook if you’re feeling studious, and settle in.The witches are answering.Books:Tarot Deciphered: Decoding Esoteric Symbolism in Modern Tarot M M Meleen, T Susan Chang,Tarot Correspondences: Ancient Secrets for Everyday ReadersT. Susan ChangMary K. Greer's 21 Ways to Read a Tarot CardGreer, Mary K.Holistic Tarot: An Integrative Approach to Using Tarot for Personal GrowthWen, BenebellGot a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

Beltane has a reputation. Flowers, fire, sex, fertility. And yeah, all of that is there… but what does it actually mean in a modern witchy life?In this episode, we take the old idea of fertility and crack it open. Not just babies and crops, but creation in every form. The things you’re building, the energy you’re pouring into your life, the parts of you that are ready to grow whether you feel “ready” or not.We talk fire magick, that spark that gets things moving when you’ve been stuck too long, and how to work with it in a real, grounded way. There’s knot magic you can actually do without overthinking it, and a look at the sacred woods of our region and how to connect with them in a way that feels alive and connected to the energies of place.We also walk through a Beltane tarot spread built like a balefire, so you can see what’s fueling you, what’s rising, and where all of this energy is actually going.And because it wouldn’t be Beltane without it, we talk about the thinning veil, connecting with spirit, and how this season opens a very different kind of doorway than Samhain. Same threshold. Completely different energy.This one is about momentum. About choosing what you’re growing on purpose. About lighting the match and actually letting something take hold.Got a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

In this episode, we’re claiming a tiny piece of each day and turning it into something intentional, magickal, and realistically sustainable. No waiting for the perfect moon or the next sabbat. This is about building a daily practice that fits into real life while still feeling deeply witchy.We talk about working with spring energy as a catalyst for change, creating simple rituals that become habits, and going all in on the experience even if it’s just for a few minutes. Setting the space, engaging the senses, and letting yourself fully step into that version of you that practices on purpose.You’ll also hear Chelle’s tarot spread designed to support this daily, witchy practice, along with ideas for tea spells, smokable blends, and a sweet honey working you can return to again and again.This is your reminder that magick doesn’t have to be big to be real. It just has to be yours.Got a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

In this guided meditation, Laylla leads you into an alpha brain state, the in-between space where your mind quiets and becomes open, focused, and receptive to magick.Inspired by Laurie Cabot’s Crystal Countdown Meditation from The Power of the Witch, this adaptation is designed to help you enter an alpha brain state for meditation, spellwork, and energy raising.You’ll move through breathwork, body awareness, and a gentle inward descent, shifting out of everyday mental noise and into a calm, receptive state where you can connect with your inner power and surrounding energy.Use this meditation before ritual, during spellwork, or anytime you want to access a deeper state of focus and relaxation. With regular practice, it becomes a reliable way to enter the alpha state on purpose and strengthen your magickal work.Meditation begins at 1:17Got a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

Most spells don’t fail because you lack power, they fail because you’re casting from a mind that won’t let the magic take hold. On this episode, Laylla gets practical about what actually makes spellwork land. Tools, intentions, and the words of spells are important, but your will and ability to gather energy is what powers the spell. And the place to find and work with that energy is within your mind in the alpha state.Laylla talks about what an alpha brain state really is from both a scientific and magical perspective, and why it’s the sweet spot for raising and directing energy. This is the space where your mind quiets, your body comes online, and your intention stops getting tangled in doubt.The guided meditation Laylla references is from Laurie Cabot’s Crystal Countdown Meditation in The Power of the Witch, a book that Chelle often talks about as her introduction to witchcraft and one that also sparked Laylla’s path into hypnosis and interest in alpha states and their uses in spellcraft and magick.In this episode she'll explain how alpha differs from your everyday thinking state, how it connects to the subconscious, and why that matters for everything from visualization to manifestation. You’ll hear how hypnosis fits into modern witchcraft, why your subconscious behaves more like a toddler than a scholar, and how to work with it instead of against it.This episode is about learning how to shift your internal state on purpose so your spells feel real, embodied, and effective. If you’ve ever felt like your magic looks right but doesn’t quite click, this is the missing piece.Got a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

We're in the wild stretch of the Wheel where nothing is settled and everything is becoming. In this episode, we walk the space between Ostara and Beltane, that muddy, electric season of storms, sudden growth, and untamed energy. It’s not gentle, and it’s not meant to be.We talk about working with that chaos instead of trying to tame it. Reclaiming the feral parts of yourself, listening to the pull of change, and learning how to shape all that restless momentum into something that can actually take root and grow. Laylla shares a tarot spread created for this in-between season, and we give a magickal twist to spring window cleaning along with other everyday practices to help you stay connected to your craft as the weeks unfold.From tarot to home energy work, land connection, and simple everyday practices, this is about living your craft in real time, not just on the holidays.This is magick between the spokes. Where the work happens. Where your magick lives every day.Got a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

Spring is here… but what, and when, exactly are we celebrating?In this episode of Back on the Broomstick, Laylla and Chelle take a deep look at the sometimes confusing relationship between Ostara and the Spring Equinox. Are they the same holiday? Two separate observances? Or two different ways of looking at the same turning of the Wheel?Chelle believes the Spring Equinox should be honored as a moment of balance, when light and dark stand in perfect equality. For her, it is a sacred astronomical turning point that invites reflection and grounding. Ostara, by contrast, represents the broader season of spring that unfolds afterward; the weeks when the earth fully awakens, flowers emerge, and life visibly returns. By separating the two, she creates space to honor both the stillness of balance and the joyful momentum of the growing season.Laylla brings the Wheel of the Year perspective, arguing that modern paganism intentionally weaves solar events and seasonal shifts together into a living spiritual rhythm rather than treating them as completely separate observances. In her view, the Spring Equinox acts as the doorway between seasons, its a liminal threshold where winter releases its hold and the growing year begins. Because the Equinox is a precise celestial moment experienced across the entire planet, she sees it as a powerful communal touchpoint, a shared sky-event that pagans everywhere can honor together. From there, the spirit of Ostara unfolds as the season itself in the gradual greening of the land, the returning birds, and the first flowers that appear at different times depending on where you live. In this way, the Equinox becomes the moment we step through the doorway together, while the weeks that follow invite us to celebrate the unique way spring arrives in our own local landscapes.Rather than a debate about who is “right,” the witches explore two powerful ways of working with the magic of spring: honoring the Equinox as the precise celestial turning point that brings the community together, while embracing the unfolding signs of spring; the first flowers, the returning birds, the thawing earth, as personal and local rituals that deepen our connection to the land.Along the way, Laylla and Chelle share how they personally celebrate the return of the light with simple seasonal practices. Laylla also shares an Equinox tarot spread designed to help you find balance between light and shadow at the turning point of the year.If you’ve ever wondered how history, modern witchcraft, and lived seasonal magic all fit together, this conversation offers thoughtful perspectives, practical inspiration, and a reminder that the turning of the Wheel is something we feel in our bones as much as we mark it on the calendar.So grab a cup of tea, step outside into the changing air, and join us as we explore the magic of Ostara and the sacred moment when light and dark meet in perfect balance.Got a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

The hosts of BotB explore one of the most asked questions in modern witchcraft: Who is psychic? And the answer might surprise you… it’s probably everyone.Instead of treating psychic ability like a rare supernatural power, this episode looks at it the way many witches actually experience it: as a natural form of expanded perception that can be practiced, strengthened, and understood. The witches break down what psychic abilities really are, how they show up in everyday life, and why so many people have intuitive experiences without realizing that’s what they are.They talk about the different ways psychic perception can appear, including the well-known “clairs” like clairvoyance, clairaudience, clairsentience, and claircognizance, as well as common intuitive experiences like sensing the energy in a room, getting a sudden gut feeling, noticing synchronicities, or having meaningful dreams.From there, the episode explores how witches actually discover their intuitive strengths. That includes paying attention to patterns in your own experiences, experimenting with tools like tarot and divination, and using practices like dream journaling and meditation to tune into subtle signals from the subconscious mind. You’ll hear practical techniques for strengthening intuitive awareness, including meditation, grounding, energy sensing exercises, and dream magic practices designed to encourage intuitive dreams and improve dream recall.Psychic ability is about learning to listen to the awareness that was already there, So whether you’re already comfortable with your intuition or you’re just beginning to wonder if you might be more psychic than you thought, this episode offers a grounded, witchy look at developing your inner senses and learning to trust the quiet signals of intuition.Previous Episode on Psychic AbilitiesGot a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

Spring doesn’t arrive politely, and neither does real change.In this episode, we’re talking about Ostara as it actually feels in your bones, not just the pastel version with bunnies and eggs. We explore the equinox as a hinge point, the only time when light and dark are truly balanced, and why that balance creates tension, storms, and movement. From ancient equinox observances aligned to the sun, to the modern Pagan celebration of Ostara shaped by the Wheel of the Year, we unpack where this sabbat comes from and what it’s asking of us now.We share a couple of easy & witchy ways to prepare for the season, including an Ostara egg spell where hidden sigils are revealed in dye and old stress is literally smashed and returned to the earth. This is about messy becoming, cracking shells, and walking straight through the storm toward what you actually want.If you’ve been feeling restless, scattered, or called to finally start something you’ve been planning since Imbolc, this one’s for you.Got a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

On this episode, the witches sit down with Jane Matthews, Director of the World Divination Association, rune reader, author, medium, and teacher whose work weaves ancient symbols into modern, embodied magic.Jane joins Chelle and Laylla from Northern Ireland to talk Ogham, sigils, and practical divination, and how these systems help us reconnect with our own inner wisdom. We chat about learning to actually trust your intuition, reading tarot or runes for everyday mundane stuff just because you can (and because practice builds relationship), and even pulling cards or staves about something that already happened yesterday as a way to sharpen your symbolic language and spot your own patterns. Naturally, this leads to journaling about it. And somewhere along the way, Laylla uncovers an unexpected connection between Ogham and The Rocky Horror Picture Show… yeah, we don’t fully know how that happened either.Jane is the author of Sigils: A Tool for Manifesting and Empowerment and her new Ogham deck and guidebook Ogham: Divining in the Celtic Way comes out March 2nd, 2026If you’ve been curious about Ogham, sigils, or working with symbols as living allies in your craft, this conversation is a beautiful place to begin.Jane MatthewsOgham: Divining in the Celtic Way (25-Card Deck and 192-Page Guidebook)World DivinationGot a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

On this episode we’re sitting down with Molly Donlan. Witch, energy worker, certification collector, and co-host of Demystify Magic. Molly is also celebrating the release of her brand new book, Mundane Magic: A Lazy Witch’s Guide to Hacking Your Brain, Building a Daily Practice, and Getting Stuff Done. This conversation drops February 13th, just days before her book hits shelves on the 17th, which is the perfect moment to talk superstition, Friday the 13th vibes, and how to turn everyday life into spellwork without burning yourself out. We even have a game show where Laylla quizzes Molly and Chelle on their Friday the 13th superstition knowledge, equal parts chaos, laughter, and witchy trivia. Molly shares how she went from skeptic to someone who found a grounded blend of magic and science that actually works. Her approach is practical, trauma-informed, sensory, and surprisingly hilarious. We talk about transforming chores into enchantment, paying bills like it’s a ritual, vacuuming like it’s a clearing spell, and why “stirring your tea with intention” is just the beginning. Her work grew out of her own ADHD practice and the real-life problem areas her audience brought to her, starting on Instagram as a way to be witchy every single day without it becoming another item on a guilt list. We also get into brain hacking, and the magic of engaging the senses to regulate your nervous system, and a mood elevating meditation involving a surprising kitchen utensil that will absolutely make you laugh and accidentally fix your mood. If you’ve ever struggled with consistency, motivation, executive function, or feeling like you’re failing at your practice, this episode is for you. This is magic that meets you in the laundry room, at the sink, in the middle of a messy day, and whispers, “You can work with this.”Molly's WebsiteReiki classes with MollyDemystify Magic PodcastTHE BOOK!!Got a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

What if someone had pulled you aside when you first started practicing and told you the stuff that actually matters?In this episode, we’re sharing five things we truly wish we’d known at the beginning of our witchcraft journeys. Not the aesthetic advice. Not the influencer version of magic. The real lessons you usually learn through trial, error, and the occasional smoke alarm.We talk about grounding (both the energetic kind and the nervous system kind), why you should stop waiting to feel “ready” and just do the spell already, how much stuff you really don’t need, and why unlearning old programming is just as important as collecting new knowledge. This is an episode about permission. Permission to be imperfect. Permission to rest. Permission to change your mind. Permission to make mistakes and keep going anyway.Whether you’re brand new to witchcraft or decades in, consider this a cozy check-in from two witches who have definitely learned some things the hard way.Grab your tea. Let’s talk.Got a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

In this episode we’re settling into that long, liminal stretch between Imbolc and Ostara. The snow is still hanging around, the days are technically getting longer but it doesn’t always feel like it, and seasonal cranky shut in disorder is very real. This is a quiet and often deeply cold time of the year, where hope flickers but hasn’t fully taken shape yet. That’s exactly why we’re focusing on everyday magick. The simple, doable, low effort kind that helps you keep going when getting out of bed already feels like a heroic act.We share some of our favorite mundane spells that gently weave magic into the rhythm of daily life. Morning candle work for setting one small intention. Decluttering spells that help reset the energy of your space when the vibes are off. Bag and wallet magic to make room for abundance. Even the humble act of making your bed becomes a spell for nervous system care, protection, and coming home to yourself at the end of the day. This isn’t about doing everything. It’s about doing one thing with presence.Chelle also brings forward a tarot thread she’s been holding for this season, a simple and reflective way of working with the cards as we move from Imbolc’s inward spark toward Ostara’s outward growth. Think less pressure, more conversation with the cards. Tarot as companion, not assignment.We also talk about how to work magic with your houseplants during this time of year. From tending them as living spell anchors to using them as allies for growth, renewal, and intention setting, especially when the outside world is still frozen. Your plants know spring is coming, even if the ground hasn’t caught up yet. There’s wisdom there.This episode is for anyone who feels tired, restless, or quietly hopeful. For witches who want to stay connected without burning themselves out. For those of us who need reminders that small rituals matter, and that light returns slowly, but it does return.So grab your tea, check in with your plants, and come sit with us for a bit. We’re getting through late winter together, one simple spell at a time.Got a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

Beyond Maiden, Mother, and Crone, there is another face of the Goddess. One that is rarely named, often hidden, and deeply powerful.In this episode of Back on the Broomstick, we continue our Deity Series by exploring the Fourth Face of the Goddess, the Dark Moon. Sometimes called the Warrior, sometimes the Queen, sometimes the Sovereign, this is the aspect that emerges when we stop performing who we were told to be and start living from our truth.We’ll revisit the roots of the Triple Goddess archetype and talk about why it no longer tells the full story. From there, we step into the hidden phase. The one associated with mastery, authority, boundaries, and intentional power. This is the phase where wisdom sharpens instead of softens, where confidence grows quieter and stronger, and where sovereignty becomes lived rather than imagined.We talk about how this archetype shows up around midlife and menopause, but also how it can emerge at any point in life when you claim yourself fully. We explore the light and shadow of the Queen, the responsibility that comes with power, and why patriarchal systems have always been threatened by this phase of feminine authority.You’ll also hear practical ways to recognize and work with this energy in your everyday life, along with a meditation spell to call in and honor the Dark Moon within yourself.If you’ve ever felt like you’ve outgrown old roles, old expectations, or even old versions of your magic, this episode is for you. The hidden face is not gone. She’s been waiting.Light a candle, pour your tea, and join us as we stand in the dark and remember who we are.Got a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

In this episode, the witches welcome the quiet, hopeful turning of the wheel with a deep dive into Imbolc, the ancient Celtic festival that marks the halfway point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. Traditionally celebrated around February 1st and 2nd, Imbolc is a threshold moment, when the land is still cold and dark, but the return of the light has begun. Laylla and Chelle explore Imbolc’s roots, its meaning of “in the belly,” and its long association with new life, purification, and preparation.They talk about the goddess Brigid, her sacred flame, poetry, prophecy, and craft, as well as her deep connections to hearth, milk, and inspiration. The conversation also weaves in other powerful figures of the season, including the Cailleach, whose weather on Imbolc foretells the length of winter, and Danu, whose fertile waters and ancient presence remind us that life is already stirring beneath the surface. From there, the episode turns practical. Laylla and Chelle talk about how to celebrate Imbolc today, from candle magic to house cleansing and protection work. They explore why cleaning and warding at Imbolc is so powerful, especially when the festival aligns with a full moon, and share a wealth of simple but potent practices including ritual sweeping, boundary-setting, witch bottles, mirror wards, eggshell protection, and working with house spirits.The episode also includes a detailed look at Brigid’s Fire Tarot Spread, a ten-card layout shaped like a rising flame that helps you see what you’re building, what’s stirring, and what you’re truly reaching for as the year unfolds toward Beltane. Grounded, hopeful, and deeply intentional, this episode invites you to tend your inner fire, clear winter’s residue, and prepare your space, your spirit, and your magic for the season of growth ahead.Got a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

In this retrospective episode of Back on the Broomstick, the witches take a thoughtful look back at 2025. Laylla and Chelle reflect on their favorite episodes and events from the year, share highlights from interviews that stood out, and celebrate the episodes that listeners loved most. They also reveal the top 3 listener favorite episodes, the most commented-on conversation, and a few moments that surprised even them.From there, the conversation turns toward the road ahead. The witches talk about what’s coming in 2026, including new episode themes, workshops, festivals, and magical projects they’re excited to step into. It’s a look at growth, community, and the evolving shape of their practice and the podcast.To start the year with intention, they share a simple way to choose a Tarot Card of the Year, offering guidance on how to let one card act as a touchstone for the months ahead. They also walk through an easy candle spell designed to carry the motivation, lessons, and momentum of 2025 forward into 2026. It’s a reflective, hopeful episode that honors where you’ve been while making space for what’s next.Brushwood on a Broomstick radio playlist from 2025Got a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

Welcome back to the deity series as the witches turn their attention to the Crone Goddess. In this episode, Laylla and Chelle explore what the Crone represents in modern witchcraft and how this powerful aspect of divinity shows up in real lives, not just at the end of a cycle, but anywhere wisdom, boundaries, and deep knowing are required.They talk honestly about their own relationships to the Crone. Chelle feels ready to step fully into that phase, while Laylla is… not quite there yet. Along the way, they unpack the strengths of the Crone archetype, the cultural prejudices she faces, and why fear of aging and power has shaped how this goddess is often misunderstood or avoided.The episode also includes practical tools for connection and reflection, including a tarot spread and a journaling exercise designed to help you explore the different aspects of the goddess within yourself. As the year shifts from 2025 to 2026, Laylla shares a meditation spell to connect with the Crone’s liminal wisdom, offering guidance for standing at the threshold of time with clarity, courage, and intention.Got a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

In this New Year’s Eve episode of Back on the Broomstick, the witches gather in the space between the year that has been and the year that is about to be. This is a liminal space between the old and the new. Laylla and Chelle talk about why setting intentions often feels more powerful and sustainable than making resolutions, and how choosing a single power word for the year ahead can act as a magical anchor when the road gets twisty.The witches also touch on the currently popular 13 Wishes spell (sometimes called or Rauhnächte) and how it fits into New Year and liminal space magic. Laylla offers a slightly revised version of the working, thoughtfully adapted to better suit Chelle’s limited attention span and real-world witchcraft needs, proving once again that magic works best when it’s practical, flexible, and personal.They also share a reflective tarot spread designed to look back at the year that’s ending, helping you name what you’re ready to leave behind, what still needs tending, and what lessons are coming with you into the new cycle. It’s a gentle, honest way to close the year without rushing or forcing transformation before it’s ready.As the clock ticks toward midnight, the witches take time to thank their listeners and benefactors for another deeply witchy year of community, curiosity, laughter, and shared magic. Light a candle, pull a card, and step with intention into the threshold of the new year.Got a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

Pull up a chair, witches, and settle into the Solarium, that warm, herb scented pause between the dark and the returning light, where herb scented smoke and the laughter of friends keeps the night at bay.In this special Yule season Solarium episode of Back on the Broomstick, Laylla and Chelle invite you into a cozy, candlelit ghost tale swap that leans deliciously into the strange and unsettling side of winter magic. The scary ghost stories side of the sugar plum season. Laylla shares four chilling haunted doll stories. As she researched and recorded these stories, some truly odd coincidences began stacking up. Tech glitches, recording problems, and even something a little more personal.... decide for yourself whether it was coincidence or something else.Chelle then takes us deep into winter folklore with the dark and fascinating tale of Frau Perchta, a Yuletide spirit who walks the long nights judging the living, rewarding the diligent, and punishing those who stray too far from the old ways. Equal parts cautionary tale and seasonal myth, her story reminds us that Yule magic isn’t all twinkle lights and cocoa. Sometimes it stuffs you with stones and straw if you don't do your chores.This Solarium episode is spooky, fun, and perfect for listening by firelight or under a heavy blanket while the wind rattles the bones of winter outside. Pour yourself something warm, maybe cast a circle for comfort, and join us for ghost stories that linger long after the candles burn low.Listener discretion and copious comfort items advised. And maybe don’t leave your dolls uncovered tonight.Got a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

The witches gather at the darkest point of the year to celebrate Yule and the return of the light. In this festive episode, Laylla and Chelle share some of their favorite Yule spells and crafts. Traditions from years past, practices for the present moment, and intentions for winters yet to come.From simple candle magic to honor the longest night to crafting seasonal altar pieces that welcome the sun's rebirth, they explore the many ways witches can work with the energy of the winter solstice. The conversation weaves together the practical and the magical, offering ideas for practitioners at every level.The witches also share tarot spreads designed specifically for this liminal time; one for the winter solstice itself and another for the full Yule season. These spreads help us reflect on what we're releasing with the old year, what seeds we're planting in the dark, and what we're calling forth as the light begins its slow return.Whether you're a seasoned Yule celebrant or new to marking the sabbat, this episode is full of inspiration, warmth, and the quiet magic of midwinter. Pour yourself something warm, light a candle, and join the witches by the fire.BotB's 12 Nights of YuleGot a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

As the longest night of the year approaches, the witches settle fully into Yule mode with candles lit, trees decorated, and a little seasonal weirdness happily creeping back in. This cozy Solarium episode finds Laylla and Chelle talking Yule preparations, winter self care, and stories of classic Yule cryptids like the Yule Cat, Mari Lwyd, and the ever-watchful Nisse, because of course they do.In the spirit of Yule time giving, Chelle managed to set aside her natural magpie nature to channel Jolly Saint Nick and surprise Laylla with a bag overflowing with gifts sent in by their generous listeners. The witches open mail, read heartfelt letters, and revel in the books, teas, body butters, and beautifully thoughtful surprises that have arrived lately.It’s a warm, laughter-filled episode full of gratitude, gentle spookiness, and winter magic. Pour yourself something comforting, get cozy, and join the witches as they honor the turning of the wheel, the generosity of their community, and the strange and wonderful magic that lives in the darkest nights of the year.voyagerlocale - artist Nature Recycled artThe Knarly Knot - Handcrafted Wooden Mugs and MoreMystical Blossoms Gift Shop & Tea Bar Dharma Kelleher Witches of Wiccanburg SeriesGot a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

In the fifth installment of their seven-part Deity Series, the witches turn toward the Goddess in her season of fullness: the Mother, the Maker, the Manifestor, the one who turns raw possibility into living, breathing reality. She is the bright fullness of the moon, the heat of summer, the hum of productivity, and the heartbeat that keeps community alive.Laylla and Chelle explore the Mother not only as the ancient figure of fertility but as a far more expansive and dynamic archetype for today's witches. This episode looks at the Mother as a creator and nurturer. A maker of art, careers, kinship, knowledge, and paths; as the one who carries the Maiden’s vision forward with commitment and devotion; and as the archetype who teaches us how to choose, shape, and sustain the lives we are building.They also examine the deeper historical roots of the Mother Goddess, from the earliest Venus figurines and Paleolithic mother symbols to the great goddesses of world mythology. The witches unpack how these ancient themes influence modern witchcraft and how the Mother archetype has evolved far beyond biological motherhood into a symbol of agency, of creation, and of strength.Whether you are raising children, raising a garden, raising a business, or raising yourself through another chapter of becoming, this episode offers tools, myth, and magical perspective for awakening the Mother within.So brew something comforting, settle in, and join us as we explore the sacred, complex, profoundly human power of the Mother as Maker.Modern Heathen Celebration of SunwaitGot a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

The Triple Goddess Called; She Wants to Update Her ResumeThe witches continue their series on Divinity in modern witchcraft with the first episode on the triple aspect of Goddess. They begin by discussing one of the most well-known frameworks in modern paganism: Maiden, Mother, Crone. They trace where this concept may have come from, how it became rooted in contemporary witchcraft, and why it still holds power for so many people. But they also look honestly at its limitations.In this episode focusing especially on the Maiden aspect, Laylla and Chelle talk about how titles once meant to empower now feel too narrow, too tied to childbearing, and too limited in their vision of womanhood, personhood, and divinity. They explore what it means to honor a Goddess who contains multitudes, and how we might reimagine these archetypes in ways that reflect lived experience, adult autonomy, creativity, sexuality, and identity beyond gender, fertility, or age.It’s a conversation about myth, culture, and the shifting language of the sacred; and an invitation to rethink the Goddess not as a three-part story, but as a vast and evolving presence that grows with us.2025's Yule Winter Solstice Card Exchange is live! Send us a Holiday card and we'll send you one back!Back on the BroomstickPO Box 106Salem MA 01970Got a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

In this episode the witches sit down with author, teacher, and astrologer Ivo Dominguez Jr. to talk about the re-release of his book Spirit Speak: A Comprehensive Guide to Connect Beyond the Veil. They explore how the book helps witches build clearer relationships with their guides and allies, and what’s changed since he first wrote it.The conversation with Ivo covers a variety of witchy topics. How do daffodil bulbs help explain reincarnation and the oversoul? What do plants have to do with portals and realm walking? And just how many nerdy references can Ivo and Laylla fit into one episode?Naturally, with Ivo in the room, at some point they're going to talk astrology. Together, they unpack the current Mercury retrograde, what this one is stirring up collectively and magically, and some very big astrological events lining up for early 2026. From shifts in collective communication to the energetic themes that may shape the coming year, the discussion makes major astrological shifts understandable.It’s thoughtful, grounded, and full of that signature blend of witchcraft, wisdom, and curiosity; a perfect episode for anyone looking to refine their spirit communication and understand the cosmic weather ahead.Ivo Dominguez jr WebsiteGot a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

In the third installment of our seven-part series on the Aspects of Deity, Laylla and Chelle meet the God as the Sage, the Elder, the Lord of Shadows.This is the God after the battle, after the passion, when the fields have been harvested and the world begins to rest. He is the Holly King, the wise face of the Horned God, the keeper of memory and mystery. In him lives the balance between power and surrender, action and reflection, life and death.The witches discuss His folklore and myth, how to know when the God is reaching out to you, and how to start working with a God.So light your candle against the long night, pour a cup of something your grandpa would appreciate, and join Laylla and Chelle as they follow the God into the deep woods of winter, where silence becomes a teacher and the old gods whisper in the dark.We have an Etsy Shop!Got a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

In the second installment of our seven-part series on the Aspects of Deity, the witches turn their attention to the God in his middle face: the Oak King, the Father, the Warrior, and the beating heart of the Sun at its height. This is the God in his full maturity; strong-backed, green-crowned, and alive with the fierce joy of summer.Laylla and Chelle unpack where this Father/Warrior archetype comes from in modern witchcraft, tracing the Oak King’s tangled roots through folklore, Wicca, the Horned God mythos, and the ever-evolving Wheel of the Year. From the midsummer battle with the Holly King, to his role as the wild consort of the Goddess, to his deep connection with the turning of the seasons, the witches explore how this bright, solar force shows up in myth and in lived witchcraft today.They also dig into the bigger question: what does sacred masculinity look like for witches who grew up with Christian Father-God baggage or pop culture’s devil-horn stereotypes? The Oak King reminds us that strength can be tender, that passion can be holy, and that the body, sweating, laughing, loving, and alive is a temple all its own. He’s the god of green forests and hot sun, the Witch-Father who guards the boundaries of the land and teaches us to walk them with courage.Join us for stories, lore, laughter, and a whole lot of leafy green energy as we meet the God in his middle face,; the Oak King in all his vibrant, responsible, moss-scented glory.Got a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

In this first episode of a brand-new seven-part series, Laylla and Chelle begin their exploration of the Aspects of Deity. Their discussion explores the living faces of the God and Goddess as seen through the Witch’s Wheel of the Year. This week, they turn their gaze toward the radiant Young God, the vibrant spark of life, desire, and potential who dances at the dawn of creation.Where did the idea of the Triple God come from? The Youth, the Father-Warrior, and the Sage? And how did this modern mythos take shape alongside the more familiar Triple Goddess? Join the witches as they trace the roots of this divine evolution, from the early works of Margaret Murray and Robert Graves to the writings of Janet and Stewart Farrar, and into the living, breathing practices of witches today.The Young God is the sunrise in human form. He is playful Pan, inspired Lugh, shining Baldr, the divine son whose growth mirrors our own cycles of becoming. Laylla and Chelle share their thoughts on what it means to work with this energy in the modern Craft: how witches can honor renewal, passion, and the power of beginning again; whether that means lighting your first candle of spring or stepping back into your own becoming after a long winter of the soul.So pour a cup of something bright, light your favorite incense, and settle in as we begin this journey through the sacred faces of the divine. The Young God walks among us. Will you answer his call?Got a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

In true Halloween fashion, the witches are conjuring up some ghost stories! In this spirited episode of Back on the Broomstick, Chelle and Laylla share some of their favorite hauntings. Two of them were chosen to honor a fabulously witchy woman, Helen JoJo, who maintains their Facebook community. Chelle and Laylla absolutely love her witchy soul!Chelle shares stories tied to Helen’s home turf, including Ohio’s eerie Hopewell Cemetery and the elegant ghost known as the Lady in Green who haunts the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza. Laylla, of course, can’t resist a classic “lady in white” tale and brings us the legend of Resurrection Mary from Chicago; the quintessential vanishing hitchhiker ghost that never gets old.There’s also a little witchy rant as Laylla gets into the differences between a Bansidhe and your average haunted cemetery spirit (spoiler: they are not the same thing, folks). And the witches wrap up the episode with a peek into their upcoming Samhain plans.So light a candle, pour some cider, and settle in for tales of ghosts, grief, and the veil growing thin.Got a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

This Samhain, the veil is thin and so is our patience. Join Laylla and Chelle as they throw open the ancestral gates and step boldly into the shadow with the Dark Goddesses at their side. From Hekate’s unwavering torchlight to the Cailleach’s icy wisdom and Baba Yaga’s bone-deep truths, this episode honors the sacred power found not just in grief and endings, but in rage, rebellion, and raw transformation.Our witches aren't here to pretty it up. They’re unpacking how rage can be a teacher, how darkness isn’t evil, and how goddesses like Lilith, Kali, Sekhmet, and Cerridwen invite us to reclaim the parts of ourselves we were told to fear. Expect myth, magic, personal reflections, and a spell to help you tap into your own dark fire.So light a candle, call in your fiercest ancestors, and step into the dark with us. The crone is calling, the cauldron is bubbling, and your power is waiting.Samhain EpisodesNever Again the Burning - by Gale Perrigo Hamby35: The Witch’s Lament: Finding Solace in Samhain’s Shadows84: Samhain Movie Magick or Just a Bunch of Hocus Pocus?86: Samhain ThrowbackGot a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

In this haunted October episode, your favorite witchy besties try their hand at ghost hunting and bring along a very special gift! At CNY Pagan Pride, the witches were gifted a vintage Ouija board from listener Vik (thank you!). Naturally, they had to take it for a spin, and where better than one of the most haunted cemeteries in their neck of the woods (and a place Chelle has had some ghostie experiences in the past), Fallbrook Cemetery in Tioga County, Pennsylvania.Fallbrook cemetery is all that remains of a once thriving coal mining town. Now it's a well known haunted location, with more than its fair share of spooky stories. The witches share the eerie details of what happened from the moment they entered till the time they left and when Chelle's sweet love ignored their advice, and talk all things cemetery etiquette; whether you're ghost hunting, gathering spell components, or simply communing with the spirits who dwell there.This episode also has tips on what to do after visiting a place thick with spirit energy, from grounding and cleansing to offering gratitude and respect. So grab your travel altar and a pinch of salt, and join us for a walk on the witchier side of October.*Future Laylla note - the audio from the tape comes out as messy hissing when I try and convert it to something I can play here. Still working on it!Previous episode about Fallbrook cemetery (and a super cool ghostly skeleton story from Laylla) Episode 7: A Skeleton Looking for Love & Chelle's Cursed TripGot a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

In this special thirteenth Solarium episode, the witches have decided to cackle through something a little different. Inspired by the podcast Beach Too Sandy, Water Too Wet, Laylla and Chelle cozy up with a cup of tea and a toke to read out loud some of the most hilariously unhinged one-star reviews of their favorite haunts around Salem, Massachusetts.No spot is safe from the sass! From The Salem Witch Museum, The Witch House, Count Orlok’s Nightmare Gallery, to the Peabody Essex Museum, and even the very haunted rooms of The Hawthorne Hotel; the witches explore the absurd expectations, bad attitudes, and wild misunderstandings that turn up in the review sections of these iconic places.It’s a spirited roast with plenty of witchy side-eye, a few gasps, and lots of laughter. If you’ve ever rolled your eyes at a tourist tantrum or chuckled at someone’s review of “too many witches in Salem,” this one’s for you.So settle in, light up, and laugh along with the witchy duo in this slightly unhinged, definitely delightful, Season of the Witch Salem reviewGot a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

Grab your favorite autumn brew and settle in, witches! Laylla and Chelle are back with another magickal installment of Witches Answer, where they dive into YOUR questions about all things witchcraft.This episode is packed with practical magick and insider wisdom! The hosts share their personal recommendations for navigating Salem during the enchanting chaos of October. From must visit shops and hidden gems to the best places to stay and tastiest places to eat. Questions from listeners cover so many areas! Feeling called to work with the powerful goddess Hecate? Laylla and Chelle discuss meaningful ways to approach this ancient deity of crossroads, magick, and the liminal spaces, including altar setup, appropriate offerings, and what to expect when you extend your hand to the Queen of Witches. For the tarot curious, the hosts break down how to choose your very first deck. And because magick isn't just about casting, it's also about respectful completion, they tackle the often asked question of how to properly dispose of spell jars when your work is done, with multiple methods for different types of spells.Ouija board curious? Listen in for tips on how to use a Ouija board safely. And what kind of FAFO antics in an ancient, haunted, cemetery did the witches get up to with a Spirit Board that was gifted to them by a listener???Plus tips, resource recommendations, and the kind of witchy banter that makes you feel like you're sitting around a cauldron with your best magickal friends!Got a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

Numbers are math and magick. In this episode Laylla and Chelle have a conversation on the mystical language of numbers and how they weave into modern witchcraft. From ancient Pythagorean teachings to Kabbalah, Tarot, and spirit numbers (angel numbers), they discuss the history of how numbers become woven into magick. For many witches, numbers are sigils, omens, archetypes, and magical blueprints for our lives.You’ll learn how to calculate your Life Path, Destiny, and Soul Urge numbers, and discover what those vibrations reveal about your journey. Laylla and Chelle will also share how repeating numbers like 111, 222, and 333 can show up as messages, and why the Universe loves to talk in patterns. (especially the Fibonacci spiral!)There is even a little discussion, dare I say disagreement, on whether numbers can have meanings that are purely personal, or if they also have an inherent power of their own that carries influence even with personal meaning. What do you think?If you’ve never cracked open a numerology book or you’re already catching 111s and 222s on the regular, this episode is for you. The witches share stories and sprinkle in some down-to-earth magic as they give you practical ideas on how to listen when numbers start whispering. Numbers and math are one of the clearest ways the universe speaks to us, what do you think it's saying?Check out our website for written instructions on how to calculate your numbers of fate! Got a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

Content Note: This episode contains discussions of symbolic death and transformation that may be challenging for some listeners. We explore themes of figuratively "killing" or releasing parts of ourselves as part of spiritual growth and personal transformation. While these conversations are metaphorical and focus on inner work and letting go, we understand that death imagery and themes of sacrifice, even in a symbolic context, can be difficult or triggering for those processing grief, loss, or other personal experiences. Please take care of yourself and listen when you feel ready. We also thank those of you who reached out to us and mentioned that while you were grateful for the PSA we included, felt that a stronger one was necessary. To those of you walking through grief right now: we see you, we honor the weight you carry, and we hold you tenderly with our magick and in our hearts. May you find gentleness with yourselves in the dark seasons, and know that you are not alone in your sorrow. This episode is a dark conversation for the dark half of the year. The witches sit down with Iberian Shamaness, Priestess, and author Ness Bosch to talk about her work, her book Sacred Bones, Magic Bones, and the deep magick of inner work and symbolic sacrifice. Living in Scotland and teaching internationally, Ness brings a grounded and ancient perspective to the conversation.Together, they explore powerful mythic figures like Persephone, Inanna, Cailleach, and Ariadne; goddesses who carry wounds and wisdom, and who show us how to walk willingly into the shadows of transformation. This episode is full of the intensity of the season. The three witches discuss the themes of sacrifice, symbolic death, and of letting go to make room for something new when the light returns.Prepare to be challenged, comforted, and called inward as Ness shares insights on spiritual death, ancestral healing, and the fierce power of dark goddesses, even when wounded. It's an episode about finding sacredness in surrender, and magic in the bones we carry.National Sexual Assault Hotline Text HOPE to 64673 to get support directly on your device. Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 988Depression Hotline 888-912-7630If you are in immediate danger, call 911Got a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

As a companion to episode 129: Water Energy – Emotion, Intuition, and the Sacred Self, this guided meditation carries you deep into the flowing current of the water element. Through breath and visualization, you will journey inward to the divine, the sacred well of the subconscious, the liminal place where the old Gods dwell and the magick of our inner witch stirs. Here, you’ll touch the currents of emotion, psychic ability, and ancestral power, allowing the protective energy of the deep to rise within you. Work with elemental water to reconnect you with your sacred self, leaving you refreshed, intuitive, and empowered.Got a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

In the final episode of our five-part Elemental Energy series, the witches turn their attention to the most mysterious element of all, Spirit. Unlike earth, air, fire, or water, Spirit isn’t something you can touch or see. It’s the invisible force that connects everything, the energy that breathes life into matter, and the current that runs through all magickal work.Join Laylla and Chelle as they try to define the undefinable. What is Spirit? How does it show up in our practices? And how is it different from working with Deity or calling on the Ancestors? From spirals and stillness to veils and voids, this episode dives deep into the element that weaves the rest together.Whether you think of it as Akasha, aether, quintessence, or simply the magic in the air, Spirit invites us to listen, to feel, and to remember that we are always connected; to each other, to the earth, and to the divine.Got a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

In this immersive episode hosts Chelle and Laylla dive deep into the sacred waters of witchcraft and explore the mystical realm of the Water Element. Flowing through ancient myths and modern magick, the witches wade into the emotional, intuitive, and transformative powers of water. From sacred springs and holy wells to the River Styx and moonlit oceans, water has long been revered as a liminal force. It is a portal between worlds, a vessel of healing, and a mirror of the soul.The witches explore how water connects us to dreams, psychic intuition, and emotional depth, while also being the element of purification, change, and surrender. They talk about practical magickal techniques to work with water in your own practice, from ritual baths and moon water, to scrying and offerings, to water spirits.So pour a cup of tea, run a bath, or listen near your favorite stream. This episode invites you to remember: Water shared is life shared. May you never thirst.Got a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

This companion meditation designed to accompany the Fire episode of the Elemental Series, invites you to tap into the heat of passion, confidence, power, transformation and the sacred flame that fuels your will. Using breathwork, visualization, and hypnotic techniques, Laylla guides you to awaken your personal flame.Fire is movement, ignition, purification, and courage. Whether you need to release, to burn away what no longer serves, or to stoke the embers of your creative spirit, this meditation offers a moment to sit with the flame and listen to its wisdom.Got a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website