In what may be the final episode, Amanda, Aimee, and Jacob reflect upon the podcast with gratitude. Part exploration, part retrospective, and even part mailbag, this episode marks the end of one era and the beginning of another. How does paganism typically handle endings, afterlives, fate, and destiny? What illuminations might be found in our places of uncertainty? Is there power and potential for growth and change in quitting? And what, if anything, might be next? Mentions: - Why I Quit My Dream Job In The Music Industry, by Casey Dienel: https://blog.usejournal.com/why-i-quit-my-dream-job-abaa4b8bfa61 - Why Is There Suffering? A Modern Pagan Response, by John Beckett: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/johnbeckett/2019/02/why-is-there-suffering-a-modern-pagan-response.html - Brad Warner: http://www.hardcorezen.info - Spirit Circle (manga): https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781626926011 - Once Upon a Squirrel (Aimee's writing blog): http://www.onceuponasquirrel.com/ - The Arcanist: https://thearcanist.io/ - Lady Althaea Courses: https://www.ladyalthaea.com/courses.html - Aimee Twitter: https://twitter.com/ajsprocket - Aimee's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ajsprocket/ - Jacob's Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThatVenusian - Jacob's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatvenusian/ - Rachel True & The Craft Reunion: https://www.vibe.com/2019/02/rachel-true-invited-to-craft-reunion-after-accusing-conventions-of-racism Links: - Website: http://www.thepriestesses.com - Email: [email protected] - Twitter: https://twitter.com/thepriestesses - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepriestesses/ - Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thepriestesses - Music by Rebecca E. Tripp: http://www.crystalechosound.com

In traditions ripe with fertility rites and symbolism, where do folks on the asexual spectrum fit in? How do we work together for greater inclusivity of asexual, demisexual, and gray sexualities? And what might more asexual forms of Paganism look like? In this episode, Amanda, Aimee, Jacob, and special guest host Liz go aces wild to find out... and somehow talk a lot about sex along the way.

Mentions: - Deeply Rooted: https://www.deeply-rooted.org/ - Paganism and Asexuality, by celestinenox: https://celestinenox.wordpress.com/2017/07/10/paganism-and-asexuality/ - Wicca / paganism and asexuality (Amino Apps): https://aminoapps.com/c/acealliance/page/blog/wicca-paganism-and-asexuality/ - Cupid and Psyche: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cupid_and_Psyche - J.M. Barrie: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._M._Barrie - Won't You Be My Neighbor? (documentary): http://www.focusfeatures.com/wont-you-be-my-neighbor/

Links: - Website: http://www.thepriestesses.com - Email: [email protected] - Twitter: https://twitter.com/thepriestesses - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepriestesses/ - Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thepriestesses - Ko-fi: https://www.ko-fi.com/thepriestesses - Music by Rebecca E. Tripp: http://www.crystalechosound.com

In this special half-episode, Amanda, Aimee, and Jacob deliver replies to some listener emails from the last six months or so.

Mentions: - Witch: Unleashed. Untamed. Unapologetic., by Lisa Lister: https://www.amazon.com/Witch-Unleashed-Unapologetic-Lisa-Lister/dp/178180754X - Hellenic Polytheism : Household Worship (Volume 1): https://www.amazon.com/Hellenic-Polytheism-Household-Worship-1/dp/1503121887 - Aphrodite and the Rabbis: How the Jews Adapted Roman Culture to Create Judaism as We Know It, by Burton L. Visotzky: https://www.amazon.com/Aphrodite-Rabbis-Adapted-Culture-Judaism/dp/1250085764 - Heleena's CA Chat: https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/18007276228021106/ - heleenatattoos (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/heleenatattoos/

Links: - Website: http://www.thepriestesses.com - Email: [email protected] - Twitter: https://twitter.com/thepriestesses - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepriestesses/ - Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thepriestesses - Ko-fi: https://www.ko-fi.com/thepriestesses - Music by Rebecca E. Tripp: http://www.crystalechosound.com

In this hairy episode, Amanda and Jacob are joined by prolific author, artist, and modern traditional witch, Laura Tempest Zakroff. How do we Paganfolk explore the wrinkles surrounding blasphemy, oaths, curses, and invocations? What textures do the power of words and speech hold? And what's Pan got to do with it?

Mentions: - Utah Goddess Temple: https://www.utahgoddesstemple.org/ - The Fallacy of Black or White Magick, by Laura Tempest Zakroff (A Modern Traditional Witch): https://www.patheos.com/blogs/tempest/2018/03/fallacy-black-white-magick.html - Why We Make Oaths, by John Beckett (Under the Ancient Oaks): http://www.patheos.com/blogs/johnbeckett/2018/07/why-we-make-oaths.html - Breaking Oaths and Vows, by Laura Tempest Zakroff (A Modern Traditional Witch): https://www.patheos.com/blogs/tempest/2017/09/breaking-oaths-vows.html

Sharing Space: - Laura Tempest Zakroff: http://www.lauratempestzakroff.com/ - Weave the Liminal: https://www.llewellyn.com/product.php?ean=9780738756103 - The New Aradia: https://revelore.press/product/the-new-aradia-a-witchs-handbook-to-magical-resistance/# - Holiday Prints: http://www.owlkeyme.com/holiday.html - Owlkeyme Arts: http://www.owlkeyme.com/ - The Good Witch: http://www.hallmarkchannel.com/good-witch - Che Correa (witchy_photographer): https://www.instagram.com/witchy_photographer/ - Dead Can Dance - Dionysus: https://www.deadcandance.com/

Links: - Website: http://www.thepriestesses.com - Email: [email protected] - Twitter: https://twitter.com/thepriestesses - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepriestesses/ - Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thepriestesses - Ko-fi: https://www.ko-fi.com/thepriestesses - Music by Rebecca E. Tripp: http://www.crystalechosound.com

In this episode, Jacob travels to the fabled Twin Cities in mystical land of Minnesota, for a field interview with minzoku NEO-shintôist and shrine-runner, Volkhvy. What is minzoku NEO-shintô? How does it connect with the bigger picture of Shinto practice? And how does one go about it? Grab your haraegushi, because this episode is completely shide! Minzoku Neo-Shinto: - shi-yaku-jin no hokora: http://www.shi-yaku-jin-no-hokora.org/ - minzoku NEO-shintô: A Book of Little Traditions: http://www.shi-yaku-jin-no-hokora.org/minzoku_neo_shinto/title_intro.html - Sacred Cedar Shrine: http://sacredcedarshrine.org/ - shi-yaku-jin no hokora / minzoku NEO-shintô (Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/pg/shiyakujin.no.hokora/ - minzoku NEO-shintô (Facebook Group): https://www.facebook.com/groups/443385432350496/ Volkhvy's Shinto Reading List: - Shinto: The Kami Way, by Sokyo Ono: https://www.amazon.com/Shinto-Kami-Way-Sokyo-Ph-D/dp/0804835578/ - Shinto Norito: A Book of Prayers, by Ann Llewellyn Evans: https://www.amazon.com/Shinto-Norito-Ann-Llewellyn-Evans/dp/1553691385/ - The Essence of Shinto: Japan's Spiritual Heart, by Motohisa Yamakage: https://www.amazon.com/Essence-Shinto-Japans-Spiritual-Heart/dp/1568364377/ - A New History of Shinto, by John Breen and Mark Teeuwen: https://www.amazon.com/New-History-Shinto-John-Breen/dp/1405155159/ - The Origin of Modern Shinto in Japan: The Vanquished Gods of Izumo (Bloomsbury Shinto Studies), by Yijiang Zhong: https://www.amazon.com/Origin-Modern-Shinto-Bloomsbury-Studies/dp/1350066540/ - Shinto, Nature and Ideology in Contemporary Japan: Making Sacred Forests (Bloomsbury Shinto Studies), by Aike P. Rots: https://www.amazon.com/Shinto-Nature-Ideology-Contemporary-Japan/dp/1350105910/ - Mountain Mandalas: Shugendo in Kyushu (Bloomsbury Shinto Studies), by Allan G. Grapard: https://www.amazon.com/Mountain-Mandalas-Shugendo-Bloomsbury-Studies/dp/1350044938/ Links: - Website: http://www.thepriestesses.com - Email: [email protected] - Twitter: https://twitter.com/thepriestesses - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepriestesses/ - Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thepriestesses - Ko-fi: https://www.ko-fi.com/thepriestesses - Music by Rebecca E. Tripp: http://www.crystalechosound.com

In this high-flying episode, the gang saddles up for Studio Ghibli's animated classic, Kiki's Delivery Service and Studio Ponoc's new magical adventure, Mary and the Witch's Flower. What themes in these films speak to real-life Paganism? How do they deal with magick? And what lessons can we find in them for our own self-development? Note: Something was amiss with our equipment that wasn't apparent when we recorded. Please be aware that the sound quality is a little rougher than usual at times. Mentions: - The Sanderson Sisters (Hocus Pocus): http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/The_Sanderson_Sisters - Magical Girl (Mahou Shojou): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magical_girl - Madoka Magica: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puella_Magi_Madoka_Magica Trivia: - https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/may/04/hiromasa-yonebayashi-interview-studio-ghibli-mary-and-the-witchs-flower - http://www.nausicaa.net/miyazaki/kiki/faq.html Links: - Website: http://www.thepriestesses.com - Email: [email protected] - Twitter: https://twitter.com/thepriestesses - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepriestesses/ - Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thepriestesses - Ko-fi: https://www.ko-fi.com/thepriestesses - Music by Rebecca E. Tripp: http://www.crystalechosound.com

The Amanda and the Jacob talk with real-life teenage Pagan and all-around excellent human being, Selje. What's it mean to be young and Pagan today? How's it different from back in the 90's and early-aughts? And where might the future of Paganism be heading? Mentions: - Harry Potter (book series): https://harrypotterbooks.scholastic.com/ - Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon_Mystery_Dungeon:_Explorers_of_Time_and_Explorers_of_Darkness - Final Fantasy (series): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Final_Fantasy - Chrono Trigger/Chrono Cross: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrono_(series) - Kami: http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/shinto/beliefs/kami_1.shtml - Yokai: http://yokai.com/about/ - Numinous: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Numinous - Mysterium Tremendum: https://www.britannica.com/topic/mysterium-tremendum-et-fascinans - Angelfire: http://www.angelfire.lycos.com/ - GeoCities: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yahoo!_GeoCities - Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/ - Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/ - iFunny: https://ifunny.co/ - Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ - Hermaphrodite (Hermaphroditus): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermaphroditus - TERFs: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feminist_views_on_transgender_topics Sharing Space: - Mushrooms - Selje's Butternut Squash Instant Pot Recipe - Hedgewitchery/Hearthwitchery - Goodnight Moon (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClMJgjg2z_IrRm6J9KrhcuQ - Mrs. Pippetwhistle’s Mossdrop Tea Shop (ASMR): https://youtu.be/gPp9VX96YzI - Mrs. Pippetwhistle’s Mossdrop Tea Shop (No Music): https://youtu.be/4jdUBnQ2DAQ Links: - Website: http://www.thepriestesses.com - Email: [email protected] - Twitter: https://twitter.com/thepriestesses - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepriestesses/ - Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thepriestesses - Ko-fi: https://www.ko-fi.com/thepriestesses - Music by Rebecca E. Tripp: http://www.crystalechosound.com

In this squirrelly episode, Amanda, Aimee, and Jacob look to the matters of direction, intention, attraction, manifesting, and seeking guidance. What do these mean? Where do we find them? And just how the the universe are they supposed to work? Not all who wander are lost, so come along for an encompassing journey about: The law of attraction, thought and behavior patterns, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), the drumbeat of time, limitations, mentors, sources of support and guidance, choosing consciously, goal-making, wants and needs, expectations, self-questioning and self-doubt, accountability, geas (actually pronounced "geSH"), rewards, creating new habits and routines, allowing failure, Pavlov's cat, and much, much more... Squirrel! Mentions: - SMART Goals: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMART_criteria - The Pomodoro Technique: https://francescocirillo.com/pages/pomodoro-technique - Orphan Black: http://www.bbcamerica.com/shows/orphan-black - This Isn’t the Kobayashi Maru: When You Have to Break a Geas, by John Beckett: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/johnbeckett/2017/10/isnt-kobayashi-maru-break-geas.html - The Rock Clock: Unfortunately, no longer seems to be available? - Wake Up Light Alarm Clocks: https://www.lifewire.com/best-light-therapy-alarm-clocks-4137028 - Norse Goddess Magic: Trancework, Mythology, and Ritual, by Alice Karlsdóttir: https://www.amazon.com/Norse-Goddess-Magic-Trancework-Mythology/dp/1620554070 - Positive/Negative Thinking: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/positive-thinking/art-20043950 - Positive/Negative Thinking: https://www.livescience.com/36586-stop-negative-thoughts-depression.html - Positive/Negative Thinking: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/can-positive-thinking-be-negative/ - Positive/Negative Thinking: https://lifehacker.com/the-positive-power-of-negative-thinking-1459381519 - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cognitive-behavioral-therapy/about/pac-20384610 Links: - Website: http://www.thepriestesses.com - Email: [email protected] - Twitter: https://twitter.com/thepriestesses - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepriestesses/ - Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thepriestesses - Ko-fi: https://www.ko-fi.com/thepriestesses - Music by Rebecca E. Tripp: http://www.crystalechosound.com

In this brief, strange trip, Amanda and Jacob sit down with the enigmatic "Shamama," for a little look into the history and use of entheogens and psychedelics in modern Paganism. Are drug culture and Pagan culture somehow inseparable? What connects us to sacred experience? And what made "Neo-Paganism" so "neo," anyways? Mentions: - Timothy Leary: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timothy_Leary - Ram Dass (Richard Albert): https://www.ramdass.org/bio/ - Terrence McKenna: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terence_McKenna - Peter Max: https://petermax.com/pages/peter-max-biography - Legal history of cannabis in the United States: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legal_history_of_cannabis_in_the_United_States - Marijuana Timeline: https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/dope/etc/cron.html - A Social History Of America's Most Popular Drugs: https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/drugs/buyers/socialhistory.html - The Grateful Dead: http://www.dead.net/ - Don Henley - The Boys of Summer: http://americansongwriter.com/2012/06/the-boys-of-summer-don-henley/ - Green Egg: A Journal of the Awakening Earth (Vol 28, #110, Autumn 1995) - My Long Strange Trip to Find the Goddess, by Grateful Geb - Green Egg (Wikipedia): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Egg - The Incredible String Band: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-39304909 Sharing Space: - Pomegranate: The International Journal of Pagan Studies: https://journals.equinoxpub.com/index.php/POM - The Wild Hunt: https://wildhunt.org/ - New Age (Wikipedia): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Age - Caffeina: http://www.goddessgift.com/goddess-myths/Roman-goddess-caffeina.htm - Cheese: https://www.sciencenews.org/blog/scicurious/no-cheese-not-just-crack - More Cheese: https://www.theguardian.com/science/brain-flapping/2018/feb/13/crack-and-cheese-do-pleasurable-things-really-affect-your-brain-like-drugs Brad Warner on drugs (some selections): - Mountain of Drugs: http://hardcorezen.info/mountain-of-drugs/227 - The Enlightenment Drug: http://hardcorezen.info/the-enlightenment-drug/2781 - Why I Don’t Do Psychedelic Drugs: http://hardcorezen.info/why-i-dont-do-psychedelic-drugs/3759 - Drugs, Meditation, and Mountain Climbing: http://hardcorezen.info/drugs-meditation-and-mountain-climbing/5388 - Spiritual Teachers, Stop Enabling Addicts!: http://hardcorezen.info/spiritual-teachers-stop-enabling-addicts/5497 - Clinical and Indigenous Culture Use of Psychedelics: http://hardcorezen.info/clinical-and-indigenous-culture-use-of-psychedelics/5505 Links: - Website: http://www.thepriestesses.com - Email: [email protected] - Twitter: https://twitter.com/thepriestesses - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepriestesses/ - Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thepriestesses - Ko-fi: https://www.ko-fi.com/thepriestesses - Music by Rebecca E. Tripp: http://www.crystalechosound.com

Amanda, Aimee, and Jacob are joined by their friend Sam for a sobering discussion about alcohol, addiction, and recovery in Pagan culture. How do we hold space for those who struggle with addition or those in recovery? What resources does the Paganosphere provide? And just where is that higher power found?

In pursuit of those questions, and the answer to life, the universe, and everything, the gang comes clean about: Socio-cultural pressures, alcohol in ritual and sacred spaces, the challenges of shared experience, navigating support groups, AA, twelve-step programs, creating inclusive events and spaces, the will to action, finding what works for you, and a whole lot more.

Disclaimer: The Priestesses do not advocate for or condone alcohol abuse or illegal drug use. The purpose of this episode is for topical discussion, storytelling, and the free expression of opinion only.

Mentions: - Burger King: https://www.bk.com/ - Bill W. (Wikipedia): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_W. - Hecate: http://www.neokoroi.org/religion/gods/hecate/ - Ganesha: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganesha - The Craft: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115963/

Sam's Recovery Links: - The Dance of Pagan Recovery: Welcome to the Dance, by Jenya T. Beachy (The Agora): http://www.patheos.com/blogs/agora/2014/01/the-dance-of-pagan-recovery-welcome-to-the-dance/ - Sober spaces and support at Pagan festivals, by Terence P Ward (The Wild Hunt): https://wildhunt.org/2015/06/sober-spaces-and-support-at-pagan-festivals.html - The Pagan in Recovery: The Twelve Steps from a Pagan Perspective, by Deirdre A. Hebert: https://www.amazon.com/Pagan-Recovery-Twelve-Steps-Perspective/dp/0982579861 - The Goddess Way through the 12 Steps: 12 Rituals of Light and Love, by Amethyst Star: https://www.amazon.com/Goddess-Way-through-12-Steps/dp/9781628901 - The Recovery Spiral: A Pagan Path to Healing, by Cynthia Jane Collins M.Div.: https://www.amazon.com/Recovery-Spiral-Pagan-Path-Healing/dp/0806525126

Sam's General Pagan Links: - The Circle Within: Creating a Wiccan Spiritual Tradition, by Dianne Sylvan: https://www.amazon.com/Circle-Within-Creating-Spiritual-Tradition/dp/0738703486 - The Body Sacred, by Dianne Sylvan: https://www.amazon.com/Body-Sacred-Dianne-Sylvan/dp/0738707619 - A Charmed Life: Celebrating Wicca Every Day, by Patricia Telesco: https://www.amazon.com/Charmed-Life-Patricia-Telesco-ebook/dp/B0050T7HPC

Sharing Space: - ASMR (Wikipedia): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autonomous_sensory_meridian_response - ASMRMagic (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHrKd8ElaVdk7OBQAgx8JrQ - Caroline ASMR (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/user/carolineASMR - The Universe Has Your Back: Transform Fear to Faith, by Gabrielle Bernstein: https://www.amazon.com/Universe-Has-Your-Back-Transform/dp/1401946542 - The Universe Has Your Back: A 52-card Deck, by Gabrielle Bernstein (Author) and Micaela Ezra (Artist): https://www.amazon.com/Universe-Has-Your-Back-52-card/dp/178180933X - Appalachian Pagan Ministry: http://www.appalachianpaganministry.com/ - DNR and local DNR extension office classes

Links: Website: http://www.thepriestesses.com Email: [email protected] Twitter: https://twitter.com/thepriestesses Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepriestesses/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thepriestesses Ko-fi: https://www.ko-fi.com/thepriestesses Music: Rebecca E. Tripp - http://www.crystalechosound.com

The Priestesses go to the movies! Again! In this fresh installment, Amanda and Jacob "Ohm" in on the Studio Ghibli classics, Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind and Princess Mononoke. What makes these films so powerful, even today? What lessons and perspectives might Paganfolk find within them? And what makes a Princess a Princess?

Wading into the water includes exploring: Thematic similarities, liminal protagonists, complex antagonists, strong female characters, ritual purity, human action and inaction, the power and terror of rage, the might of nature, karma, some Pagan exegesis and eisegesis of the films, and much, much more. Miyazaki-sama, osoreirimasu!

Mentions: - Mister Rogers' Neighborhood: https://www.fredrogers.org/media/mister-rogers-neighborhood/ - Return to Oz: https://movies.disney.com/return-to-oz - Cleansing & Purification, pt 1: What is Ritual Pollution?, by Lady Althaea: http://www.ladyalthaea.com/every-day-is-magickal/cleansing-purification-pt-1-what-is-ritual-pollution - Cleansing & Purification, pt 2: Signs & Symptoms of Ritual Pollution, by Lady Althaea: http://www.ladyalthaea.com/every-day-is-magickal/cleansing-purification-pt-2-signs-symptoms-of-ritual-pollution - Cleansing & Purification, pt 3: What's the Difference?, by Lady Althaea: http://www.ladyalthaea.com/every-day-is-magickal/cleansing-purification-pt-3-whats-the-difference

Sharing Space: - Full Circle Herbals (Erin LaFaive): http://fullcircleherbals.com/ - Learning Herbalism Workbook, by Erin LaFaive BS. MS. MH: http://fullcircleherbals.com/learning-herbalism-workbook/ - Lady Althaea: http://www.ladyalthaea.com/ - By Rust of Nail & Prick of Thorn: The Theory & Practice of Effective Home Warding, by Althaea Sebastiani: http://www.ladyalthaea.com/books.html - Studio Ghibli (GKIDS): https://www.gkids.com/studio-ghibli/

Links: Website: http://www.thepriestesses.com Email: [email protected] Twitter: https://twitter.com/thepriestesses Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepriestesses/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thepriestesses Music: Rebecca E. Tripp (www.crystalechosound.com)