S2 #34 / Austin Fuller on Perfume, Roses and Ordeals.
Feb 16, 2024
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Austin Fuller, a Folk Witch and perfumer, shares insights on magic, witchcraft, and art. They discuss using plants in practice, cultural artefacts, Catholicism vs. Protestantism in witchcraft, trauma, fate, and perfume interests.
The importance of incorporating all the senses into creative work, such as perfumery and art, to enhance the magical experience.
The significance of cultural artifacts in traditions and spiritual practices and their role in driving the currents of magic and witchcraft forward.
Deep dives
Austin's Background and Introduction
Austin Fuller, a folk witch and artist, shares their experience of being drawn to magic from a young age. They recall being plagued by a bad spirit as a child and learning how to combat it. Austin discusses their diverse creative outlets, such as perfumery and art, and the importance of incorporating all the senses into their work. They also highlight the significance of working with plants in their magic and the role of cultural artifacts in traditions and spiritual practices.
Challenges and Growth in Witchcraft
Austin reflects on the challenges faced in witchcraft and magic. They talk about how these challenges can come from ancestral lineages, initiatory spirits, or personal development. Austin emphasizes the importance of facing and developing different aspects of oneself through magical practice. They discuss the need for resilience and perseverance in the face of difficult situations and the belief that magic is a tool for personal empowerment rather than an escape from life's challenges.
Initiatory Experiences and Spiritual Development
Austin shares their initiatory experiences and how they led to personal growth and spiritual development. They talk about their journey in divination, starting with reading tea leaves and eventually moving to tarot cards. Austin discusses the role of necessity in igniting their magical practice and the impact of the pandemic on their exploration and connection to the online witchcraft community.
The Resurgence of Experimentation in Witchcraft
Austin expresses their wish for a return to a more experimental and innovative approach in witchcraft. They reflect on how witchcraft in the past felt more open to exploration and combining technology with magical practices. Austin acknowledges the potential impact of different magical trends in the future, believing that the intersection of different worlds, disciplines, and technology will continue to shape the future of witchcraft.
Austin Fuller is a Folk Witch living in the pine Flats of west-Central Florida, amongst the sea, swamp, and forest. A perfumer, conjuror, diviner, and artist, Austin traffics with spirits at the crossroads, intersecting witchcraft and art.
They are the sole operator of BanxBramble on Instagram and banexbramble.com and a cohost on Southern Bramble: A Podcast of Crooked Ways. Austin explores magic and witchcraft through traditional, anthropological, ontological, epistemological, folkloric, and practical means. In the show we get into the experience of being creative and how close it is to magic. We discuss the nature of using your own plants or materials in your practice and whether it makes a difference of not. We get into the experience of ordeals and how cultural artefacts can drive the currents of magic and witchcraft forward. In the plus show we get into how the separation in witchtraits between Catholicism and Protestantism. We discuss trauma, pacts and ones fate. To close out Austin explains where the interest in perfume came from and how that forms part of their practice. Enjoy!