Essence Podcast with Ben Stimpson

Coby Michael is a practitioner of the Poison Path of occult herbalism and a cultivator of entheogenic herbs. He contributes to the Pagan Archives at Valdosta University, writes regularly for The House of Twigs, and maintains a blog, Poisoner’s Apothecary, on Patheos Pagan. He is the host of the Botanica Obscura Conference. He teaches classes and online workshops on plant magic, baneful herbs, and traditional witchcraft. He lives in Florida. To find out more about him and his work, visit: thepoisonersapothecary.com

My guest today is someone who needs no introduction, best-selling author and all around witch-nerd, Mat Auryn! Mat Auryn is an influential author and teacher in the fields of occultism and witchcraft, with an audience that extends beyond the United States to an international level. His deep knowledge and experience comes from years of dedicated study, practice, and training in a variety of occult traditions and esoteric orders, often under the guidance of prominent knowledgeable mentors. His award-winning books, "Psychic Witch" and "Mastering Magick," offer practical insight and practices for those interested in psychic and magickal practices. The books draw from a range of traditions like Astrology, Hermeticism, Wicca, Traditional Witchcraft, New Thought, Thelema, Parapsychology, Jungian Analytical Psychology, Neoplatonism, and Alchemy, making them versatile yet still accessible guides for the spiritual speaker. His books have won multiple awards and has been translated into more than 13 languages, widening their impact. Beyond writing, Mat worked many years as a professional psychic and tarot reader in Salem, Massachusetts as well as his own private practice. He also contributes to both specialized and mainstream publications, including a regular column in Witches & Pagans magazine. His work has been featured in Cosmo, O the Oprah Magazine, Newsweek, The New York Times, and also on display at the Buckland Museum of Witchcraft. Mat was the first recipient of "The Most Supportive Witch" award by Witch Way Magazine. Now residing in California's Bay Area, Mat is the co-owner of Datura Trading Co. and Modern Witch University. He continues to share his knowledge and insights through writing, workshops, interviews, social media, and lectures, consistently emphasizing the importance of personal growth and positive change through psychic and magickal empowerment. You can learn more about him @matauryn on social media.

My guest today is Lyndon Bradley-Peters, cohost of the 'Shove It Up Your Awen" podcast with the fabulous Clinty Ourin Burn. Lyndon joins us today to talk about his experience entering the Catholic faith and his spiritual work as a 'Catholic charmer.' Lyndon's background has been varied, from Anglicanism to Wicca, witchcraft and Druidry... he was confirmed Catholic this past Easter. He has a deep love for the mysteries and the folk practices that make Catholicism such a deep and vibrant religion and practice. Lyndon joins me to discuss being a folk Catholic charmer, and the transformation of his previous magical work to charming work within the Catholic worldview, his relationship to God, Saints, Angels and folk Catholic practices. From prayer, to charms and psalms, he doe it all. We discuss his spiritual journey, his thoughts about Pagans or Folkloric practitioners incorporating and reconnecting with Christianity, and To find out more about Lyndon and the 'Shove it Up Your Awen' podcast, visit: www.instagram.com/pilgriminthemyst www.instagram.com/shoveitupyourawen

My guest today is Vini Higginbotham, the author of 'How Witchcraft Saved My Life' and coauthor of 'Thrifty Witchery.' Mostly self-taught, Vini is not initiated in any traditional form or witchcraft practice. He follows his gut in all things magic but spends plenty of time researching to be sure his intuition is informed by wisdom before setting his intentions. It is Vini's goal to empower others the way he wishes he had been empowered in his early years. He has a dedicated practice with the goddess Hekate and lives in the Southeastern US. Find out more at: https://www.vincenthigginbotham.com/ To view the episode, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JS2eivFOVY

My guest today is fellow therapist, Ash McKernan, author of "Wyrdcraft: Healing Through the Mysteries of the Fates." Matthew Ash McKernan, LMFT, is a licensed psychotherapist, ecotherapist, bard, naturalist, and wyrdworker. He has degrees in anthropology and counseling psychology and loves to spend time at the crossroads where psyche, nature, magic, and healing intersect. You can visit his website at www.WyrdWildWeb.com To see the video version, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKa9TwdCIYw

My guest this week is Storm Faerywolf, prolific member of the queer magical community. Storm Faerywolf is a published author, experienced teacher, visionary poet, and professional warlock. He is a regular contributor to Modern Witch and is a founding teacher of Black Rose, an online school of modern folkloric witchcraft. He has written several books, including Betwixt and Between, Forbidden Mysteries of Faery Witchcraft, and The Stars Within the Earth (Mystic Dream Press, 2003). For more, visit his website at faerywolf.com. He joins me for an epic double episode... I hope you'll join our chat for a listen! To view the video click here: https://youtu.be/THEdAXtPHjQ To listen to the audio, click here:

Albert Björn Shiell grew up in the shade of the South Downs of Sussex, England. He spent his days there walking ancient chalk hills, full of burial mounds and folklore. Trading it all in 2017 for cold and seemingly desolate Iceland, Albert picked up his life and moved North. He now lives in downtown Reykjavík, writing and researching, translating old Icelandic books. He spends his days walking the land around him, learning and conversing with the many plant and land spirits of Iceland. Focusing now on an animistic framework of Nordic magic combined with the Sussex cunning of his homeland, Albert aims to deliver practical folkloric magic inspired by both his homes. He is a podcaster, and author of "Icelandic Plant Magic" out through Crossed Crow Books. Find him on social media @Sussex_Pellar

Madame Pamita is a teacher, candle maker, spellcaster, tarot reader, and a Ukrainian diaspora witch. She is the owner of an online spiritual apothecary called Madame Pamita's Parlour of Wonders. She is the host of a YouTube video series, Candle Magic Class and the weekly Magic Q&A Tea Party. She is the proprietor of Madame Pamita's Parlour of Wonders. To find out more, please visit: https://www.parlourofwonders.com

My guest today is Nathan Hall (@moonlithedge), author of "The Path of the Moonlit Hedge: Discovering the Magick of Animistic Witchcraft" out through @llewellynbooksNathan joins me to discuss the book, his animistic worldview, his community activities, and what it was like to relocate from the Midwest to Florida.To find out more about Nathan, go visit: www.moonlithedge.comTo view the video episode visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeCyjHKCHqM&t=31sAudio can be found: https://open.spotify.com/show/0PVyTZcEsf8ILmcl6zdAuT

Welcome to the first episode of my Fall series "Essence Podcast" Into the Woods" in which I speak with Folkloric and Tradititional practitioners and witches. My first guest is the lovely Byron Ballard. Byron is a western NC native, teacher, folklorist, and writer. She has served as a featured speaker and teacher at several festivals and conferences, including the Sacred Space Conference, Pagan Spirit Gathering, Starwood, Hexfest and many others. She serves as senior priestess and co-founder of Mother Grove Goddess Temple and the Coalition of Earth Religions/CERES, both in Asheville, NC. She podcasts about Appalachian folkways on "Wyrd Mountain Gals." Her essays are featured in several anthologies and she writes a regular column for SageWoman Magazine. Find her online at www.myvillagewitch.com. ---------------- LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to keep up with the Essence Summer Series Podcast. Join us on our other socials: IG: www.instagram.com/benstimpsonauthor YT: www.youtube.com/@BenStimpsonAuthor FB: www.facebook.com/BenStimpsonAuthor WS: www.benstimpson.com