In this episode, we dive into the history and feminism of The Goddess. Amy Cesari is an author and illustrator who loves animated musicals. She also likes watercolor painting, witchcraft, and walking on the beach in a really big sun hat. Not only does she own every Nintendo game console ever made, she's earned several fancy diplomas and enjoys continued studies in various magical practices (coloringbookofshadows.com) TW: Zsuzsanna Budapest Additional resources: "Coloring Book of Shadows: Witch Life" by Amy Cesari "Witch's Herbal Primer: A Beginner's Guide to Plant Magic" by Amy Cesari "The White Goddess: A Historical Grammar of Poetic Myth" by Robert Graves "The Alphabet Versus the Goddess: The Conflict Between Word and Image" by Leonard Shlain "Goddesses in Everywoman: Powerful Archetypes in Women's Lives" by Jean Shinoda Bolen "Feminine Deities of the Left Hand Path" by Edgar Kerval et al (multiple authors) Learn more about deities, dark feminine, witchcraft, tarot, divination and more at backyardbanshee.com

In this episode we will be exploring Ryley's relationship with the Norse goddess Freyja, who have been working together for over 4 years, and especially surrounding self-love after a traumatic encounter. We cover the astrology of Freyja in your birth natal chart, as well as her symbols and correspondences - we also discuss different ways that you can learn about this Vanir goddess who covers magick, divination and assertiveness. Ryley Storm is an eclectic witch who promotes self betterment through means of magickal workings and shadow work. They work closely with the creator of the hatchling clan amino to bring others to a deeper awareness of self and their YouTube channel provides information and guided meditations. They are working on an everyday witchcraft book to show that the craft can be as extravagant or minimalist as you want it to be and brings to light that intention is what matters most. Find them at: ⁠TikTok⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ TW: Sexual Assault. For this episode, it does comes with a trigger warning for sexual assault. Ryley and I discuss real life situations that others may find uncomfortable towards the last 15 minutes of the recording, and you'll find additional support agencies below. SA Support: Crisis England & Wales RCNE International Agencies The Calmzone International Charities List Additional Resources: ⁠Signs that Freyja is Calling You ⁠ ⁠Freyja Tarot Spread - Connecting With The Norse Goddess⁠ ⁠Freya Bronze Statue⁠ ⁠Uncovering Norse Mythology - Norse Gods & Goddesses⁠ ⁠"Seidr The Gate Is Open" by Katie Gerrard⁠ Learn more about our Dark Feminine and Dark Goddess series at ⁠BackyardBanshee.com⁠

In this episode we will be discussing the Morrigan and her relationship to Courtney, as well as how those who are just starting out in their journey with The Morrigan might approach her. Courtney Weber is a Witch, author, Tarot adviser, and activist. She is the author of Brigid: History, Mystery, and Magick of the Celtic Goddess, Tarot for One: The Art of Reading for Yourself, The Morrigan: Celtic Goddess of Magick and Might, and Hekate: Goddess of Witches plus a top-secret fifth book to be released in 2024. She is a co-host of “That Witch Life Podcast.” Courtney has been featured in Maxim, Huffington Post, Vice, and the Thom Hartmann Show. IG and TikTok: @courtneyaweber Twitter: @thecocowitch Visit her online at www.courtneyaweber.com. TW: Homicide, Miscarriage (Editor's note: there's also a very cute yet hungry baby crying for her mum at the end - they're ok and this is when the podcast got wrapped up) Additional resources for the Morrigan: Priestess of The Morrigan: Prayers, Rituals & Devotional Work to the Great Queen by Stephanie Woodfield Celtic Lore & Spellcraft of the Dark Goddess: Invoking the Morrigan by Stephanie Woodfield Celtic Goddess Morrigan with Crow and Sword Resin Statue in a Bronze Finish Irish Pagan School's Free Course to get you started with the Mórrígan, Irish Goddess of Battle and Prophecy Cormac's Glossary (Irish History in depth) Learn more about dark goddesses and witchcraft in general at backyardbanshee.com

In this episode, we dive into a relationship with the Ancient Irish-Celtic pantheon goddess Brigid. Brigid, also known as Brigit, is a major focus for those who follow the wheel of the year - but she's also an incredible queer-friendly deity to work with, especially for creativity purposes, connecting with nature and finding a divination practice. We get the pleasure of an honest conversation with our guest Regan Ralston. Regan, of Water of Whimsy, is a watercolor illustrator based in upstate NY, whose work features themes of witchcraft, folklore, and mythology. She is the author of upcoming book Kitchen Witchery for Everyday Magic, published by Page Street Publishing, available for pre-order wherever books are sold. You can connect with her: Instagram: @waterofwhimsy Twitter: @waterofwhimsy TiKTok: @waterofwhimsy Facebook: Water of Whimsy - Art Shop ⁠Preorder your own copy (like I did) of the Kitchen Witchery book here⁠. Recommendations: ⁠Celtic Myth and Religion: A Study of Traditional Belief, with Newly Translated Prayers, Poems and Songs by Sharon Paice MacLeod⁠ ⁠The Power of Myth with Bill Moyers and Joseph Campbell⁠ "The Coming of Bríde" by ⁠John Duncan⁠ (1917) If you'd love to learn more about a witchcraft practice, and even about more goddesses too, you'll find so many articles to dive into at ⁠BackyardBanshee.com⁠

In this interview, we will be chatting with the lovely Paige from MetaMystics (she/they). Paige is a developing psychic medium; she currently offers spiritual guidance, tarot readings, lessons, and deity identifications. Her main deity guide is Apollon, and she works with Aphrodite, Ares, Hades and Hekate. Paige prefers to just worship Artemis for now and believes they will be working together privately in the future, but for now her focus is primarily on her work with Apollo. Together they are writing books and inspiring the world. And here are a few book recommendations she has given to learn about the deities she works with. For Apollo she recommends "The Name of Apollon", and "Before The Doors: The Household Worship of Apollon", both by Lykeia who is an author and long time devotee to both Apollo and Artemis. For Artemis she recommends, "She Who Hunts. Artemis: The Goddess that Changed the World", By Carla Ionescu, PhD (who wrote the dissertation mentioned on the podcast) Connect with Paige here on TikTok⁠ Consider booking a reading and checking out Meta Mystic's offerings at their website here Learn more about the Dark Feminine energy and most methods of Divination we discussed over at backyardbanshee.com

In this interview, we are discussing the empowered empress of autonomy Lilith with one of her devotees Wren. We explore the authentic passion seeker, and our advocate for equal rights across all domains. Lilith is our shadow personified, she is our darker desires weaponised, and she's been here for us all along. Whilst we stay away from Judaic texts, we do touch on her open-practice Sumerian roots. Wren Heloa is a reconnecting Chickasaw, Occultist, Traditional Astrologer, and Sex Worker. You can connect with them more over on Instagram and support their work here TW: Abuse, Eating Disorders Explore more about Lilith, her astrology, her correspondences and a FREE interactive tarot reading at backyardbanshee.com/tarot/spreads/lilith-tarot-spread/ "I am Lilith" by Melanie Dufty, learn more on Amazon "Welcoming Lilith" by Theresa Dintino, learn more on Amazon

In this interview, we are conversing about the protogenoi goddess of the night - Nyx. As well as appearing in Ancient Greek texts, they are across other cultures too and Steffie is very happy to share her personal relationship with Nyx so far. Steffie de Vaan is a Dutch chaos-adjacent witch. She loves herbs, candle magic, sigils, and all forms of divination. She was expecting to be godless for a while after a years-long relationship with Hekate ended (girl can't stand on the crossroads forever), when Nyx crossed her path. Steffie writes when she's not slinging cards, and has won a golden ENNIE and Indie Groundbreaker Award for her tabletop rpg work. You can connect with her at linktr.ee/SteffieDeVaan Learn more about the Dark Feminine energy we discussed over at backyardbanshee.com

In this episode, we dive into the intimate and dreamy relationship that Nydia shares with Persephone. Nydia shares her personal stories of her witchcraft devotion to this darker goddess, her thoughts on the symbolism of being "that witch" and shares her main focus regarding guiding people spiritually through her tarot practice by using their own gifted intuition along with messages from guides and deities. She's been working with Persephone for years and would love to connect with you with tarot on social media, on instagram  @NightShadeReadsTarot  Learn more about Persephone on the BackyardBanshee.com website, especially check out the free interactive tarot reading for those awaiting a deck to use to connect with Persephone too. Check out more about the Dark Feminine and it's modern embodiment here too.

In this interview, we are discussing the cthonic goddess of witchcraft herself, Hekate, with one of backyardbanshee.com's awesome contributors Vicky regarding their devotional relationship. Vicky McAfee is a witch, empath, creator, and writer. She’s a professional divination reader, dream decoder, and witchy business owner. Through her Instagram page Medieval Morticia she offers knowledge, guidance, and support through a variety of divination and witchery tools. Explore more about Hekate, her astrology, her correspondences and a FREE interactive tarot reading at backyardbanshee.com/tarot/spreads/hekate-tarot-spread/

In this interview, we are chatting with the venusian Coffee Cup Witch herself, Lo Juniper. We discuss being secular from your start of a witchcraft practice, on to being open to connecting with a deity based on your ancestral roots. Whilst we touch on some elements of deity work, Lo is sharing with us her living experience as someone who has not only got a personal experience with other religions, but with different deities too. Deities on this episode are Aphrodite, Clíodhna and Lugh. Ultimately, what we discuss is that it is about finding your own personal path with whatever deities or energies you feel connected to. Enjoy warmly whilst you explore open-practice witchcraft & paganism!  Connect with Lo on thecoffeecupwitch.com or over on Instagram @thecoffeecupwitch Learn more about Celtic deities here Learn more about British gods & deities here Learn more about any Dark Feminine energy we discuss over at backyardbanshee.com

In this interview, we discuss Bastet from the devotee (and from one of backyardbanshee.com's favourite contributing writers) Livvy! Feeling Bastet's presence since the age of 7, Livvy has spent years working with Bastet and accomplishing a dedicated ancient deity path. They can be found on Instagram mixing cosplay, deity worship, witchcraft and promoting spirituality, as well as hilarious fire sign memes, over at @vegan_of.vengerberg  Get a completely FREE online tarot reading, as well as learn more about Sekhmet as a goddess too, at backyardbanshee.com

In this interview, we chat with Prema to discuss her 20 year relationship with the Hindu goddess Kali. Prema Love is an internationally touring multi-instrumentalist, voice & sound alchemist based in Maui, Hawaii. She facilitates sacred retreats, healing ceremonies, weddings, workshops, women’s circles and has been studying and practicing the healing arts for the last 20 years. Prema has also performed at major festivals and for spiritual teachers Ram Dass, Amma the hugging Saint, and 3 Divine Mother Saints of India. Her most recent album, “Awaken to Divine Love”,  recorded with highly acclaimed Grammy nominated Producer Ben Leinbach is now available on all digital platforms. **Editing notes - please forgive the audio at the 13:30 mark, as unfortunately the sound did not capture how fantastic Prema sung for us. I urge you to please listen to her music on Spotify below to get an understanding of how lovely it really was, and I'm sorry it wasn't captured properly!** www.premalovemusic.com Please support Prema Love on Spotify here References: Kali Oracle Deck mentioned available on Amazon Kali Mantras mentioned available on Amazon Learn more about the dark feminine we discuss at backyardbanshee.com

In this interview, we will be chatting with the fantastic Emma Mendez, (she/they), a Santa Muerte devotee who has been worshipping the saint for years. Emma shares her thoughts on Santa Muerte astrology, practice and offers advice for those who are interested in learning more about this powerful saint. TW: Femicide, Kidnapping threat References:  "Santa muerte the folk saint of death" (19 mins) https://youtu.be/UOq8tX4gnEw “La santa muerte” (documentary) https://vimeo.com/ondemand/saintdeath The secrets of Santa Muerte by Cressida Stone on Amazon here This is also a recommended website by Emma with lots of great information & stories from devotees, info, etc. Super accessible as well as a great source: https://skeletonsaint.com Connect with Emma here on Instagram Consider booking a reading, or buy a ebook copy of "Wounded Healer" to support Emma Learn more about the Dark Feminine energy we discussed over at backyardbanshee.com