Circle Talk 4 Witches

What role does sex play within Initiatory Wica? What about the Sabbat orgy with the Devil? Do we need protection (pun intended)? How do we achieve altered states of consciousness, and can they be achieved alone? And what’s expected of Seekers and neophytes? Grab a cuppa, wine, gin, water, or your favourite tipple and join us as we discuss all things sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll! How could we *not* cover these topics for our 13th episode ;)   Do you have a topic that you’d like us to discuss, or even a question to be answered during the discussion? We’d love to hear from you! Let us know by e-mailing us at CircleTalk4Witches@gmailcom. Alternatively, you can find us on Instagram and Facebook at CircleTalk4Witches or on Twitter at @Circle4Witches. Remember to like and follow us, including letting others know if you’re enjoying the podcast.   References, Notes, and Links: Opening quote about incense: Sanders, A (1989). The Alex Sanders Lectures: Working Tools and the Thirteen Treasures. p25. Amazon link.   Psychoactivity and Frankincense: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2493463/   Coby Michael’s The Poison Herbal Path (Amazon link). Coby’s website can also be found here.   Information about Kyphi can be found here and the recipe that Peter followed can be found here.   Jason Mankey’s The Horned God of the Witches can be found here.   Netflix’s Archive 81 with the breathing.

To quote Battlestar Galactica (2003), “All of this has happened before, and all of this will happen again.” We’re halfway through turning the Wheel and so the Northern and Southern Hemispheres are swapping topics. Sure there’s a bit of review but we also manage to wander into new and weird territory, including a reference to fetishes! (but not those kinds of fetishes!).   Yes we know we’ve referenced the Wickerman before… and we probably will again.  Wickerman (1973) - Maypole Song Do you have a topic that you’d like us to discuss, or even a question to be answered during the discussion? We’d love to hear from you! Let us know by e-mailing us at CircleTalk4Witches@gmail.com. Alternatively, you can find us on Instagram and Facebook at CircleTalk4Witches or on Twitter at @Circle4Witches. Remember to like and follow us, including letting others know if you’re enjoying the podcast.

We’ve spent plenty of time talking about the importance of autonomy, but how does that fit into the hierarchical structure of a BTW coven? In this episode we discuss the different roles that exist in most (if not all) Wiccan covens, the definition of “elder”, and our experiences with the dedicant or neophyte degree. We also talk about other positions or functions in the coven and begin to brainstorm what kind of roles a 21st-century coven might want to include. Share your ideas for new coven “jobs” on our Facebook page!

Exploring the symbolism and significance of the spring and autumn equinoxes in Wiccan practices, including rituals and traditions. Discussing the lack of cool Pagan names for equinoxes and how to celebrate these transitional festivals. Delving into historical inaccuracies surrounding pagan celebrations and the themes of Celtic romanticism and cultural appropriation in witchcraft practices.

“He must be a King, as there’s no s**t on him,” said Monty Python, but this is not true of all “Kings”, as we find out in this episode of Circle Talk, where we discuss leaders in Initiatory Wica, kings and queens (or lack thereof), what happens with Big Names in Wica, autonomy and sovereignty, who the famous "King of the Witches" was, how does all of this relate to the Degree System, what’s one of the rules that we’ll include in the Grand Council (hint: it involves pineapples), and much more. Do you have a topic that you’d like us to discuss, or even a question to be answered during the discussion? We’d love to hear from you! Let us know by e-mailing us at CircleTalk4Witches@gmail.com. Alternatively, you can find us on Instagram and Facebook at CircleTalk4Witches or on Twitter at @Circle4Witches. Remember to like and follow us, including letting others know if you’re enjoying the podcast. References and Links: The Inner Mysteries: Progressive Witchcraft and Connection to the Divine, by Janet Farrar and Gavin Bone (Amazon link) King of the Witches: The World of Alex Sanders, by June Johns A Coin for the Ferryman: The Death and Life of Alex Sanders, by Jimahl di Fiosa (Amazon link) Report on the Ancestry of Alex Sanders 1926-1988, from AlexandrianWitchcraft.org Was Alex initiated by his grandmother? Remarks on the recent ancestry report of Alex Sanders, by Simone Kotva from AlexandrianWitchcraft.org Closing thought link from a blog from Maxine Sander’s blog, Maxine Sanders: Reminiscences and Realisations from the Talk I gave at ‘A Day for Doreen Valiente’ — Conway Hall, London, 2009   AVPN - The True Neapolitan Pizza Association

The festivals of Lambs and Loaves, or is it Beer and Cheese? In this episode, we talk about the Lammas, or Lughnasadh, and Imbolc and what we all do for these holidays. Are they both harvest festivals? Why are there reptiles? How even do you pronounce *that* name? Is it the start or end of winter? What can you carry around in your fanny pack? And what’s our new Sabbat name for Samhain? Find out in this Sabbat Special episode, also with a special treat of Peter singing.    Do you have a topic that you’d like us to discuss, or even a question to be answered during the discussion? We’d love to hear from you! Let us know by e-mailing us at CircleTalk4Witches@gmail.com. Alternatively, you can find us on Instagram and Facebook at CircleTalk4Witches or on Twitter at @Circle4Witches. Remember to like and follow us, including letting others know if you’re enjoying the podcast.   Damh the Bard’s ‘Lughnasadh’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Qwdx1iUaXw    Gavin Webber (the Australian cheese guy): https://youtube.com/c/GavinWebber How to make Mustard & Dark Ale Cheese   Beer Cheese Dip Recipe from Spend with Pennies Scene from The Wicker Man (1973) “It's much too dangerous to jump through the fire with your clothes on!”

In this episode, we discussed some of the culture around asking for initiation rather than assuming one can join a coven, what is a “proper person” and what is “properly prepared”, ways to find a coven, how to approach a coven, how to meet with coven leaders and what to expect from those meetings, outer court practices, and when does initiation happen. James also led us through a discussion of Red Flag warning signs that Seekers should be on the lookout for. And, to the surprise of no one, we “outed” ourselves as being on the progressive end of the spectrum. Liking what you’re hearing so far? Do you have a topic that you’d like us to discuss, or even a question to be answered during the discussion? We’d love to hear from you! Let us know by e-mailing us at CircleTalk4Witches@gmail.com. Alternatively, you can find us on Instagram and Facebook at CircleTalk4Witches or on Twitter at @Circle4Witches. Remember to like and follow us, including letting others know if you’re enjoying the podcast. Opening Quote: 'Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire.' - Gustav Mahler (perhaps paraphrasing Thomas More) James’ preferred textbook on fundamentalism in religion: Almond, Gabriel A., et al. Strong Religion: The Rise of Fundamentalisms around the World. University of Chicago Press, 2006.  Cult Warning Signs Additional Resources for Seekers: Mooney, Thorn. Traditional Wicca: A Seeker's Guide. Llewellyn Publications, 2018.  Alexandrian Wicca Seekers and Initiates (Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/groups/278933458939644/   Gardnerian Wicca Seekers and Initiates (Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/groups/gardnerianseekers/  British Traditional Wicca (Discord): https://discord.gg/rrXEJHA  Mandragora Magika (not vouched): https://mandragoramagika.com/  Seeking Witchcraft's ‘Covens: Where to find them, what to ask them, & what to know!’ is available here: https://bit.ly/33XAkPf Monty Python Quote “These questions three…”: Clip

In this episode, we talk about covens, what they are, what they’re not, how to go about joining a coven, and everything else in between. Do they practise “skyclad” (“naked”)? Do they follow a set of beliefs, and are they dogmatic? Is Wica a cult? What if there aren’t any covens in my area? Will covens seek me out? Find out, in this, episode six.   Liking what you’re hearing so far? Do you have a topic that you’d like us to discuss, or even a question to be answered during the discussion? We’d love to hear from you! Let us know by e-mailing us at CircleTalk4Witches@gmail.com. Alternatively, you can find us on Instagram and Facebook at CircleTalk4Witches or on Twitter at @Circle4Witches. Remember to like and follow us, including letting others know if you’re enjoying the podcast.   Fun references: Eddie Izzard on the Church of England: https://youtu.be/PVH0gZO5lq0?t=277   Practical Magic https://youtu.be/cfkAw6a05F0   Mhara Starling’s ‘Welsh Witchcraft’ is available from Llewellyn Publications (https://www.llewellyn.com/product.php?ean=9780738770918) in January 2022 from all major book-outlets.   Seeking Witchcraft's 'Naked Under The Moon' is available here: https://bit.ly/3z3fMQL    Seeking Witchcraft's 'LGBTQ Witchcraft, Skyclad Practice, Sexuality in the Craft, and New Seeker Advice' is available here: https://bit.ly/3Jh2PYh    Lili Wilkinson’s YouTube series ‘Let’s Talk About Sects’ is available here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOqo12t7wtxQveeX9LFRl5ys2VwRQrhk5

In this episode, we discuss the Winter and Summer Solstices, and how each of your hosts celebrate the Sabbat happening in their hemisphere at the moment. Why is light such a big deal at both solstices? Why do the solstices fall on specific dates? How can you beat (literally!) the darkness? And why do we discuss a terrifying Welsh horse?   As always, please get in touch if you have a topic that you’d like us to discuss, or even a question to be answered during the discussion; we’d love to hear from you! Let us know by e-mailing us at CircleTalk4Witches@gmail.com. Alternatively, you can find us on Instagram and Facebook at CircleTalk4Witches or on Twitter at @Circle4Witches. Remember to like and follow us, including letting others know if you’re enjoying the podcast.   For reference and research, the gods mentioned during the podcast were Sol, Sol Invictus, Lleu Llaw Gyffes, and Arianrhod.   Here’s a link to a YouTube video about Y Fari Lwyd (Uh Vary Loyd) from BBC Cymru: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_xFo6Hifzk    The Romans and 25 December link (Twitter thread by Dr. Andrew Henry): https://twitter.com/andrewmarkhenry/status/1465979583384195076    James’ ‘Memories of the Oak and Holly King: Winter Solstice Story!’: https://witchingpath.blogspot.com/2012/12/memories-of-oak-and-holly-king-winter.html    Tim Minchin song mentioned by Josie, ‘White Wine in the Sun’ on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCNvZqpa-7Q  Julia Phillips’ ‘The Witches of Oz’: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/864677.The_Witches_Of_Oz

Exploring the practice of vouching in Alexandrian Witchcraft and wider BTW community, the podcast discusses the significance of vouching in covens, the importance of being properly prepared, and the challenges of vouching for individuals within the community. It also touches on the evolution of tradition in Wicca, authenticity in practices and lineages, and the role of vouching in maintaining authenticity and diversity in beliefs and practices.