Join me as we explore the Sturgeon Moon, from its connection to the ancient, prehistoric sturgeon fish to some of the other names associated with this full moon including the Hungry Ghost Moon. We will delve into the spiritual themes and symbolism surrounding this moon alongside the flowers, trees, herbs and crystals traditionally connected to its energy. We will also explore some of the fae beings linked to water and this time of year including the Nereids, discovering who they are and the mythology surrounding them. From there we will look at ways you might work with the Sturgeon Moon within your own life and witchcraft practice particularly around themes of reflection, legacy, abundance and what you wish to carry forward into the seasons ahead. To finish I share a River Stone Ritual by The Peculiar Brunette along with a collection of journaling prompts and a Tarot or oracle spread to help you connect more deeply with the energy of the Sturgeon Moon. The song referenced is Thank You by Alanis Morisette (I didn't even give the song title properly! Sorry I was on a tangent).

In this episode of The White Witch Podcast we step into the woods of August to explore two powerful allies of witchcraft, mythology and folklore - Bay and the Wild Boar. We begin with Bay a plant long associated with prophecy, protection, purification and victory. We explore the many ways Bay can be incorporated into your craft, from cleansing and divination to protection and banishing before following its mythological threads through Circe, Apollo and Daphne and into the sacred world of the Priestesses of Delphi. We also work with Bay practically finishing this section with a simple banishing spell using its leaves - ritual can be found here - https://witchesofthecraft.com/tag/bay-leaf/ Then we travel deeper into the ancient forest to meet the Wild Boar, a creature whose image appears again and again across European mythology as a symbol of ferocity, courage, sovereignty, abundance, protection and the mysteries of the Otherworld. We follow the boar through the story of Odysseus before travelling north into Norse cosmology and its connections with Freyr and Freyja including the golden boar Gullinbursti and Freyja’s companion Hildisvíni. We visit the great hall of Valhalla where the fallen warriors feast upon the endlessly renewed cosmic boar and explore the animal’s possible connections with the earth and mother goddess Nerthus. From there we wander through continental and British folklore, meeting the boar god Moccus, seasonal customs such as the Jouluporsas and the animal’s importance within Celtic and Druidic traditions. We explore its links with warriors, death, the afterlife and the Otherworld alongside stories involving Merlin, the Devil, Cerridwen, Manannán mac Lir and the great boar hunt found within the Welsh tale of Culhwch and Olwen. We also venture into Greek mythology with Heracles and the Erymanthian Boar before looking at what the Wild Boar may represent spiritually when it appears within our own lives, dreams or practice. Our book review this month is Circe by Madeline Miller and we finish the episode with a collection of journal prompts inspired by The Odyssey inviting you to consider your own journeys, trials, transformations and homecomings. The journal prompts came from the Instagram page @the_edit_experience_ - What song do your sirens sing? - What bow can only you string? -What is your Troy? -What is your Calypso? - What is your Ithaca? - Why can't you go back there? -Can you forgive yourself for the last seven years? - Can you accept yourself? So light a candle, gather your Bay leaves and come with me into the old woods — where gods, witches, warriors and wild creatures are never quite as far away as they seem.

In this episode we explore the gentle yet powerful magic of Chamomile discovering why this humble flower has long been associated with peace, prosperity, protection and emotional healing. We then journey into the folklore of Buddleia, the Butterfly Bush uncovering its symbolism of transformation, resilience and the soul’s continual process of becoming. Finally I share one of my favourite practices of creating a Self Love Glamour Bowl with a combination of salt, rose, hibiscus, lavender, chamomile, honey and perfume into a simple spell bowl designed to cultivate confidence, self compassion and the quiet magnetism that comes from embracing who you truly are. Spell words referenced here - https://pin.it/1h8s43TJX

Hello Witches The Buck Moon rises at the height of summer when the forests and fields are alive with abundance and the stag carries his newly grown antlers. In this month’s Full Moon episode we are exploring the deeper symbolism of the Buck Moon and what this powerful lunar phase invites us to reflect upon. Together we will journey through its folklore, mythology and spiritual meaning discovering why the stag has become such a powerful symbol of renewal, resilience and personal sovereignty. We will also explore the deities and spirits traditionally connected to this moon including Cernunnos, Herne the Hunter, Pan, Artemis, Diana and the mythical Norse stag Eikthyrnir whose antlers were said to nourish the rivers of the world. We will touch upon the earth spirits and fae associated with this season and consider how the natural world mirrors our own inner cycles of growth. I hope this episode encourages you to honour how far you have already come, celebrate your own becoming and remember that just like the stag, your greatest strength often grows quietly before the world ever sees it. Rituals referenced can be found here - https://www.themoonschool.org/full-moon/5-full-buck-moon-rituals-july/?utm_source=Pinterest&utm_medium=organic  Tarot card reference - https://soulsisterstarot.com/if-the-buck-moon-were-a-tarot-card-king-of-wands-meaning  Deer Symbolism - https://soulsisterstarot.com/buck-moon-symbols-and-omens?utm_source=Pinterest&utm_medium=organic

Join me on today’s episode as we explore the ancient Sumerian goddess Inanna, one of the oldest and most fascinating deities in recorded history. Together we will journey through the myth of her descent into the Underworld, explore her other surviving myths and discover how you can begin working with her in your own spiritual practice and why you may feel called to do so. We will also discuss what Inanna’s descent can teach us about navigating our own personal underworlds during times of loss, transformation and rebirth. Finally we will delve into her intriguing connections with Hermetic philosophy and the enduring theories that link the Sumerian gods to extraterrestrial origins.

Join me for this weeks podcast episode where I am joined once more by the wonderful Timothy Renner - host of the podcast Strange Familiars and author of his new book The Keystone Hagstone - Faeries and Other Mysterious Entities of Pennsylvania. In this conversation we delve into different types of fae such as the Tommyknockers, banshees, bigfoot and Tims theories on their existence, black dogs, werewolves and so much more. We also talk on dreams and their connection to the faery realm exploring sleep paralysis. Our book review on this episode is The September House by Carissa Orlando.

Hello Witches Join me for this months full moon episode looking at the Strawberry Moon, its folklore and magickal correspondences. We will look at different ways to honour and work with the energy of the Strawberry Moon, some reflective journaling prompts to help you connect with this moons themes alongside a tarot/oracle spread.

Please note this is part 2 of Carla's interview. Today I am joined by Carla from our coven to talk about death, grief, poisonous plants, her craft and a whole lot more in this episode! This is part one as the interview was so long my software couldn't cope with the duration so I have released as a two parter. Carla Valentine is a qualified Senior Mortuary Technician, and is currently the human remains conservator at Barts Pathology Museum in London. Her career caring for the dead has spanned over 20 years. She is a writer and broadcaster, featuring on TV shows such as The Bone Detectives, Fatberg Autopsy and Ancient Unexplained Files, and has a podcast called Mortem on BBC Sounds. Her first book, Past Mortems, documents her career carrying out autopsies for a decade, and the follow up, The Language of Bones - out October 1st 2026 - is a deeper exploration of death practices and the human condition. She also penned Murder Isn't Easy: The Forensics of Agatha Christie, and her next book, Planted Evidence - all about gardens, graves and poisonous plants - will be published in 2028. Carla's career informs her craft and she incorporates death meditation (mortality salience) into her practice as well as the use of body fluids and bones. She runs a small goth gardening business called Morticulture and is obsessed with the dark side of horticulture and its history. You can find Carla here - Website: www.carlavalentine.co.uk Insta (human remains/work): @past_mortems Insta (personal): @carlavalentineuk Insta (Morticulture): @morticult Tik Tok: @carlavalentineuk Our book review is Collected Curiosities - More Stories and Recipes from the Historical Apothecary Cabinet by Amanda Edmiston.

Today I am joined by Carla from our coven to talk about death, grief, poisonous plants, her craft and a whole lot more in this episode! Carla Valentine is a qualified Senior Mortuary Technician, and is currently the human remains conservator at Barts Pathology Museum in London. Her career caring for the dead has spanned over 20 years. She is a writer and broadcaster, featuring on TV shows such as The Bone Detectives, Fatberg Autopsy and Ancient Unexplained Files, and has a podcast called Mortem on BBC Sounds. Her first book, Past Mortems, documents her career carrying out autopsies for a decade, and the follow up, The Language of Bones - out October 1st 2026 - is a deeper exploration of death practices and the human condition. She also penned Murder Isn't Easy: The Forensics of Agatha Christie, and her next book, Planted Evidence - all about gardens, graves and poisonous plants - will be published in 2028. Carla's career informs her craft and she incorporates death meditation (mortality salience) into her practice as well as the use of body fluids and bones. She runs a small goth gardening business called Morticulture and is obsessed with the dark side of horticulture and its history. You can find Carla here - Website: www.carlavalentine.co.uk Insta (human remains/work): @past_mortems Insta (personal): @carlavalentineuk Insta (Morticulture): @morticult Tik Tok: @carlavalentineuk Our book review is Collected Curiosities - More Stories and Recipes from the Historical Apothecary Cabinet by Amanda Edmiston.

Join me on todays episode for a discussion with of my all time favourite YouTubers/Podcasters Sinead Hanna to talk all about the genre of horror. Sinead talks all about the origins of her love for the macabre, the psychology of horror and why and when it is common for many of us to seek comfort in it. We talk about early horror interests - think Point Horror books, Ghost Watch and Hammer House of Horror. Sinead also shares some of her favourite horror reads and movies overall but also for Summerween. I have picked up a ton of inspiration on books and movies to watch through Sineads work, she really knows her onions for this genre! https://www.youtube.com/@SineadHannaCraic instagram.com/sineadhannacraic You can also find Sinead over on The Poisoners Cabinet podcast . https://www.thepoisonerscabinet.com/ Big thank you to one of our Coven members Carla Valentine for helping facilitate this interview! I would love to hear your entry points into horror if this is your thing and of course any recommendations movie or book wise! As mentioned here is a link to The Woman in Black if you fancy watching it - The film starts at around 7 minutes in - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tf1LSoMoeMc Thank you for listening witches. Lots of witchy love Carly xx