Back on the Broomstick: Old Witchcraft, New Path

PODCAST · religion

Back on the Broomstick: Old Witchcraft, New Path

"Back on the Broomstick" is your magical podcast hangout where the world of witchcraft and the modern-day collide. Hosted by witchy best friends, Laylla and Chelle, this podcast is a cauldron bubbling with the latest spells, rituals, pagan wisdom, divination insights, and mystical musings. Born from a deep-rooted friendship and a shared passion for the witchy life, Laylla and Chelle weave their decades of pagan practice into each episode while learning new theories and chatting with today's pagan and witchcraft authors, influencers, and magickal practitioners. Hop onto this personal magical journey to get back on the broomstick, and you'll be treated to a blend of personal stories, practical spellcraft, and insightful discussions on everything from moon rituals and magical history, to hexing and herbal magic. Each episode is like a cozy coven sesh, filled with laughter, learning, and a touch of enchantment.So, grab your besom, light a candle, and join this bewitching

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    163: Can Objects Remember? Haunted Objects, Cursed Dolls, & Murderabilia at Zak Bagans Haunted Museum

    *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

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    162: Tending the Fire from Beltane to Litha

    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

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    161: The Flowers of Beltane

    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

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    160: The Witches Answer - Hot Takes From the Cauldron

    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

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    159: Preparing for Beltane - Igniting the Fire Within

    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

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    158: 15 Witchy Minutes

    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

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    Alpha Meditation - Color Countdown for Magick, Focus, and Energy Work

    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

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    157: The Secret to Powerful Spellwork - Using the Alpha Brain State in Witchcraft

    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

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    156: Ostara to Beltane - Magick Between the Spokes

    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

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    155: Ostara vs Spring Equinox

    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

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    154: Psychic Abilities - Do You Have Them and How to Train Them

    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

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    153: Preparing for Ostara 2026

    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

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    152: Ogham, Intuition, and Symbol Magic with Jane Matthews

    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

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    151: Mundane Magic with Molly Donlan

    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

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    150: 5 Things I Wish I Knew When I Was A Witchling

    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

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    149: Every Day Spells to get from Imbolc to Ostara

    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

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    148: Deity Series - The Fourth Face of the Goddess, The Dark Moon

    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

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    147: Brigid's Fire and Preparing for Imbolc 2026

    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

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    146: 2025 Retrospective and the Magick of 2026

    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

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    145: Deity Series - The Crone Goddess

    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

  21. 169

    144: New Year's Eve Liminal Space Magick

    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

  22. 168

    Solarium XV: Scary Ghost Stories for Yule Season

    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

  23. 167

    143: Winter Solstice Spells and Crafts from Yules Past, Present, and Future

    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

  24. 166

    Solarium XIV: Yule Mail Call and Winter Solstice Cryptids

    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

  25. 165

    142. Deity Series: The Mother as Maker – Creation, Manifestation, and Divine Facilitator

    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

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    141: Deity Series - Maiden, Mother, Crone…Archetypes Are Great, Until They’re Not

    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

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    140: Mercury Retrograde Survival Tips and Spirit Speak with Ivo Dominguez Jr

    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

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    139: Deity Series - The Sage God

    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

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    138: Deity Series - The Horned God of Witches, The Father/Warrior God

    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

  30. 160

    137: Deity Series - The Young God

    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

  31. 159

    136: Ghost Stories, Green Ladies, and Samhain Plans

    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

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    135: Samhain and Celebrating your Shadow

    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

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    134: Amateur Ghost Hunting at the Haunted Fallbrook Cemetery

    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

  34. 156

    Solarium XIII: Salem - Streets too Witchy, Hotel too Haunted

    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

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    133: Super Size Season of the Witches Answer

    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

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    132: Life Paths and Cosmic Codes - Demystifying Numerology

    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

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    131: The Dark Side of Autumn - A Conversation With Ness Bosch

    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

  38. 152

    Water Meditation - Journey to the Well of Power Within

    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

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    130: Spirit Energy – The Sacred Thread That Connects All

    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

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    129: Water Energy - Emotion, Intuition, and the Sacred Self

    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

  41. 149

    Fire Meditation - Fueling the Spark of Transformation

    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

  42. 148

    128: Fire Energy - A Sacred Spark of Transformation

    In the third episode of their five-part elemental series, the witches bring the focus to Fire; the element of transformation, will, passion, and creative spark. Laylla and Chelle explore how Fire lives in the body, in the hearth, and in the heart of every magical working that calls for courage and momentum. From candle flames to blazing bonfires, Fire asks us to show up, burn bright, and let go.They talk about classic Fire correspondences like action, desire, destruction, and inspiration; and share how to safely and powerfully raise Fire energy in your practice. Whether you’re doing spellwork for motivation, purification, or release, Fire offers the kind of energy that pushes through blocks and burns down what no longer serves.You’ll also hear practical tips for connecting to Fire through movement, visualization, candle spells, and more. Fire is heat and transformation in motion.So strike a match, set your intention, and let Fire burn a path through hesitation. May your magic be bold, your will be strong, and your cauldron never cold.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

  43. 147

    Air Meditation - Tranquility, Inspiration, and Clarity

    In this companion meditation episode to our Air Element discussion we’re slowing things down and tuning in to the most natural and magical tool we have, our breath.Laylla leads you through a gentle guided meditation with the element of Air, using two breathwork techniques to help you connect with the energies of tranquility, inspiration, and clarity of communication. Through a blend of witchy visualization and intentional breathing; this practice is designed to calm the chaos, sharpen the mind, and leave you feeling light, steady, and fully present.The meditation uses two breathing techniques. The first is the physiological sigh which is shown to release tension and activate the body’s natural relaxation response. The second is a simple mantra breath to anchor your awareness and raise air energy within. Whether you're new to meditation or have been practicing for a long spell (terrible pun intended), this is a beautiful way to connect with the element of Air through your body, your breath, and your spiritGot 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

  44. 146

    127: Air Energy - More than Inspiration, Incense, and Intuition

    In the second episode of their five-part elemental series, the witches turn their attention to Air; the whispering wind, the breath of life, and the spark of inspiration. Chelle and Laylla explore how this often underestimated element shows up in magical practice and daily life. From the feather-light qualities of thought and intention to the power of voice and communication, the witches talk about the qualities of and ways to work with air.They discuss the correspondences of Air like intellect, clarity, and beginnings. The witches also touch on how directional associations can vary depending on your tradition, with Air being tied to East in many Western traditions but North in other paths.Laylla shares a breath and bubble spell to help you connect with the energy of Air in an simple yet powerful way, combining visualization, intention, and breath to cleanse, charge, or empower yourself and your tools.So light your incense, whisper a spell to the breeze, and let Air move through your mind and spirit. Sometimes magic is in the hush of a breath, the turn of a page, or the way an idea can stir something deep within. Air is waiting, witch, may your thoughts be clear and your words carry power.Listen to Brushwood Radio online hereOFFICIAL RULES — “Season of the Witch Giveaway”1. Sponsor & Administrator“Back on the Broomstick” (PO Box 106, Salem, MA 01970); governed by Massachusetts/U.S. law.2. EligibilityOpen to legal residents of the U.S. (excluding Quebec), Canada (excluding Quebec), United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Australia (and other legally allowed countries at sponsor’s discretion), 18 years+ (or legal age in entrant’s jurisdiction), excluding BotB employees, family, and affiliates.3. Entry PeriodMail-in entries postmarked August 8, 2025, through October 1, 2025.4. Entry MethodsMail‑in: Legible name/address on envelope; one entry per person.Benefactor Bonus: One entry for Benefactors active as of October 1, 2025; if they also send mail during the entry period, they get two total.5. Drawing & Winner NotificationRandom drawing of all eligible entries on October 10, 2025.Winner must:Pass a math based skill-testing question (e.g., “What is 2 + 3 × 2?”).Sign affidavit of eligibility/release (where required).Winner notified via email and/or mail within 14 days. If unresponsive after 3 months, a second draw may occur (Australia rule).6. PrizeOne (1) copy of Seasons of the Witch Samhain Oracle.Approximate retail value: $35 USD.No substitution; Sponsor reserves right to substitute with similar item of equal value.Full rules available here: Official Season of the Witch RulesGot 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

  45. 145

    Earth Meditation – Rooted in Magick

    As promised in Episode 126: Earth Energy – Rooted in Magick, this guided meditation is a grounding journey into the steady strength of the Earth. Through breathwork, vivid sensory imagery, and earth-honoring practices, you’ll connect deeply with the land beneath you, root yourself in stability, and draw up the nourishing energy that sustains life. This meditation invites you to gather that power, hold it within, and carry it into your  daily life. Whether you seek balance, resilience, or a moment of stillness, this practice will leave you centered, empowered, and rooted in magick.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

  46. 144

    126: Earth Energy – Rooted in Magick

    In the first episode of our 5-part Elemental Series, Chelle and Laylla get grounded (literally!) as they explore the magick of Earth. From the dirt underfoot to the bones in our bodies, Earth is the element of centeredness, home, transformation, deep ancestral wisdom, and so much more. The witches talk about how to connect with Earth energy in your daily practice, why Earth is more than “just grounding,” and how this element shows up in spellcraft, divination, and ritual.Whether you're a green witch with your hands in the dirt or someone looking to feel more rooted in your path, this episode brings solid, steady energy to support your practice.Plus the witches send a heartfelt thank you to listeners who sent gifts and mail to the BotB PO box, and they announce a giveaway to celebrate the Season of the Witch!Settle in, write a note to mail the witches, and plant the seeds of your next spell with us! OFFICIAL RULES — “Season of the Witch Giveaway”1. Sponsor & Administrator“Back on the Broomstick” (PO Box 106, Salem, MA 01970); governed by Massachusetts/U.S. law.2. EligibilityOpen to legal residents of the U.S. (excluding Quebec), Canada (excluding Quebec), United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Australia (and other legally allowed countries at sponsor’s discretion), 18 years+ (or legal age in entrant’s jurisdiction), excluding BotB employees, family, and affiliates.3. Entry PeriodMail-in entries postmarked August 8, 2025, through October 1, 2025.4. Entry MethodsMail‑in: Legible name/address on envelope; one entry per person.Benefactor Bonus: One entry for Benefactors active as of October 1, 2025; if they also send mail during the entry period, they get two total.5. Drawing & Winner NotificationRandom drawing of all eligible entries on October 10, 2025.Winner must:Pass a math based skill-testing question (e.g., “What is 2 + 3 × 2?”).Sign affidavit of eligibility/release (where required).Winner notified via email and/or mail within 14 days. If unresponsive after 3 months, a second draw may occur (Australia rule).6. PrizeOne (1) copy of Seasons of the Witch Samhain Oracle.Approximate retail value: $35 USD.No substitution; Sponsor reserves right to substitute with similar item of equal value.Full rules available here: Official Season of the Witch RulesGot 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

  47. 143

    125: Lughnasadh 2025 - Sacrifice is good and all, but have you heard of self-care?

    In this Lughnasadh 2025 episode, the witches celebrate the first harvest and the lessons woven into this sacred turning of the Wheel. They honor Tailtiu, the earth goddess whose hard work cleared the land for future generations, and reflect on how her story calls us to roll up our sleeves and tend our own lives with care and intention.But this year we remember that Tailtiu worked herself to death, and that honoring her means not only embracing hard work, but also learning the sacred art of self-care. They share ways to find balance during this busy season, from simple magical routines to small rituals of rest that keep your energy grounded and sustainable.They also honor Lugh, the bright and many-skilled god, and the sun’s golden power that ripens the fields. Crafts take center stage this year, with a special focus on drying and preserving herbs, a timeless way to honor the harvest while stocking your magical pantry for the months ahead. Whether you’re baking bread, crafting charms, or simply watching the August sun dip low, this episode invites you to honor the work, the rest, and the magick of this abundant season.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

  48. 142

    124: "Live" from Brushwood Sirius Rising Festival with the Witches

    This week, Back on the Broomstick is coming to you live from the legendary Brushwood Folklore Center during the Sirius Rising Festival! Laylla and Chelle share what it’s like to spend a week steeped in magic, music, and community at one of their most beloved pagan gatherings.The witches talk about the workshops they presented (yes, there were tarot cards, spellcraft, and more than a little laughter) and what it’s like teaching and sharing magic with an open, vibrant festival crowd. They give you a peek behind the scenes of life at the festival; from the art and ritual fires to the drum circles and marketplace, and what makes Brushwood such a unique and welcoming place for modern pagans and witches.If you’ve ever wondered what happens at a pagan festival, what Sirius Rising is all about, or just want to feel like you’re sitting in the grass with us watching the fire dancers and hearing the drums, this episode brings you along for the ride.Find groups and festivalsBrushwood Folklore CenterGot 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

  49. 141

    Solarium XII: Mail Call!

    In this cozy Solarium episode, the witches are feeling all the love and a little bit spoiled as they open up their mail and share the beautiful letters and magical gifts sent in by you amazing listeners. From gorgeous candles with hidden gemstones, to signed poetry books that stirred our spirits, and even cleverly crafted tarot-card-themed cooking spices (yes, you read that right), this episode is a joyful unboxing of witchy generosity and creativity!Laylla and Chelle read a few heartfelt notes, admire the craftsmanship of your gifts, and reflect on how lucky they feel to be in such a thoughtful, talented, and enchanted community. It’s a celebration of connection and kindness, and just a little reminder that magic shows up in the mail sometimes. The witches include ways to ward your mailbox from negative energy....what the USPS doesn't know won't hurt them.Huge thanks to everyone who took the time to send something to the Back on the Broomstick P.O. Box! Whether it was a handwritten note, handmade goodie, or something unexpected and delightful. We appreciate you, and we are deeply grateful to be on this broomstick ride with 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

  50. 140

    123: Spellcrafting Series Part 3 - How to Power Your Spells

    Dive into the heart of spellwork with this third and final installment of our spellcrafting series where Laylla and Chelle reveal the secrets to raising energy, the essential fuel behind every powerful spell.In this episode, our witchy hosts break down not just how to raise energy, but how to feel it, build it, and direct it with purpose. You’ll get practical tips and guided exercises to help you sense the subtle currents within and around you. From chants and rhythmic drumming that echoes the heartbeat of the earth to swirling dances that draw down the moon’s light, they cover a spectrum of energizing techniques.Laylla and Chelle walk you through visualization practices that light up the mind’s eye, chanting that vibrates through the soul, and breathwork that centers and charges your body. You’ll also learn how to tap into elemental forces and harness collective magic without burning out.This episode is rich with laughter, lived experience, and the kind of grounded magical wisdom that helps transform spellwork from simple words into real, tangible change.So grab your wand, center your breath, and get ready to raise your energy and your magic to new heights.Isis Astarte Diana chantWe all come from the Goddess chant Brushwood Folklore Center50: Grounding and Centering51: Spellwork- How to Raise EnergyGot 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

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

"Back on the Broomstick" is your magical podcast hangout where the world of witchcraft and the modern-day collide. Hosted by witchy best friends, Laylla and Chelle, this podcast is a cauldron bubbling with the latest spells, rituals, pagan wisdom, divination insights, and mystical musings. Born from a deep-rooted friendship and a shared passion for the witchy life, Laylla and Chelle weave their decades of pagan practice into each episode while learning new theories and chatting with today's pagan and witchcraft authors, influencers, and magickal practitioners. Hop onto this personal magical journey to get back on the broomstick, and you'll be treated to a blend of personal stories, practical spellcraft, and insightful discussions on everything from moon rituals and magical history, to hexing and herbal magic. Each episode is like a cozy coven sesh, filled with laughter, learning, and a touch of enchantment.So, grab your besom, light a candle, and join this bewitching

HOSTED BY

Laylla & Chelle

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