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 place…

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…

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.co…

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: ht…

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!…

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…

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 M…

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, thou…

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: h…

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 ans…

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 w…

In this sticky episode, Amanda, Aimee, and Jacob talk about sex magick. But mostly about sex. And they have a healthy go at masturbation, while they're at it. How does sex and self-love play along with our mental, emotional, and spiritual health? How do they connect us to ourselves and others? What techniques might... come in handy? And moreover, w…

Crafting, creativity, Witchcraft, and Paganism. What threads run through these? How do they shape our paths and practice? Why do many Pagans seem to be makers, artists, or craftspeople? Who is able to take on a particular role? Where does creativity and crafting fit into all this Pagan stuff? In this episode, Amanda, Dani, and Jacob put together th…

For modern Pagans, what does pilgrimage mean? Largely removed from the paths, places, and practices of ancient Paganism, what is pilgrimage like for us? And what does it mean? Treading the way, Amanda and Jacob are joined by Irish Seabhean and returning guest, Danise Shipley. Along the road, these travelers explore expectations, experience, faith, …

In this cozy half-episode, Jacob field interviews Gary and Michelle about being Pagan in the context of polyamorous and ethically non-monogamous relationships. What challenges are there? What are some misconceptions? How does one share and practice your spiritual path with a partner or partners who may or may not be Pagan? All this, and much more p…

Ah, the challenges of being Pagan in intimate and/or romantic relationships. Is it harder in interfaith relationships than with other Pagans? What challenges arise for Pagans when discussing faith and practice? How do we deal with change and development in these relationships? In this one, Aimee, Amanda, Dani, and Jacob wail in the dungeon about th…

In this freshest of episodes, Aimee's back! And with the recent changeover to 2018 in mind, the gang explores the concept of "new years," along with ideas about reassessment, resolve, resolutions, goal-setting, intention, transformation, and much, much more. Sharing Space: - Fables: http://www.vertigocomics.com/characters/fables - Sword & Laser: ht…

Meditation is an oft-used tool in the spiriutal toolbox, buy why? What are the purposes of meditation? What forms can it take? Who should venture to meditate? How does it fit into Pagan practice? In this contemplative episode, Amanda and Jacob attune to the vibrational hum of the universe for an insightful and varied discussion about their experien…

Money. What's it got to do with Pagan practice? How do we place value on our time and energy? What makes for wealth? And does luck or fortune have anything to do with it? In this deep pocket discussion, Amanda and Jacob are joined by small business owner and multi-modal practitioner, Hilary (the EC Energist herself)! Skill, compensation, markets, t…

In this wonderfully grim exploration, Amanda, Jacob, and (returning friend) Dani go beyond the pale... for a hallowing chat with a most morbid special guest, Angie! Trained as a Death Midwife and Certified in 2011 by Nora Cedarwind Young, Angie is one of the founders of the Death Midwife movement. She is also a Rite of Passage Officiant, Senior Min…

In this insightful episode, the triumverate is joined by Shela, who's a local divination darling, seasoned tarot consultant, and creatrix of The Seer's Path website (an online community for exploring divination). Together, they look deep into the spread of all things divination and have a naturally clairvoyant time along the way! Why is divination …

What does love and trust mean in Paganism? And why does it matter in our relationships? Or to our loved ones, our communities, our practices, or ourselves? Does love and trust need to be "perfect?" Do they make us weak? In this ardent installment, Amanda and Jacob raise their cups to explore what's just so damn important about love and trust. Drink…

Once again, The Priestesses go to the movies! This time, for a look at Anna Biller's occult-inspired tale of nightmarish beauty, The Love Witch. How does fantasy shape desire and love? Does a woman's greatest power really lie in her sexuality? Is that which we call a Jerry by any other name just as sweet? Dear listeners, in this episode, we give th…

Interfaith communities and interactions. How does that work for Pagans? How can it? In this exciting installment of The Priestesses, Amanda and Jacob discuss their recent and ongoing experiences in the interfaith realm, purpose in action, shared experience, navigating differences, and more. What maddness ensues, dear friends? Pucker up those earhol…

Body image. Sex. Tattoos. Yes, the gang's back together and laying it down with friend, romance consultant, and sex educator extraordinaire, Michelle. Sharing Space: - THINX Period Panties: https://www.shethinx.com/ - The Handmaid's Tale (TV show): https://www.hulu.com/the-handmaids-tale - The Handmaid's Tale (book): https://www.amazon.com/Handmaid…

Touch, intimacy, pleasure, and... Pagans? Why, yes! In this episode, Amanda and Jacob get physical with their friends (and wide-ranging community veterans), River and Wee Bee, for a deep-tissue discussion about the power of touch, getting hands-on at pagan events, nudity, sex, consent culture, boundaries, communication, making connections, trust, v…

For this deep, interfaith discussion on the nature and problem of evil, we're joined by Dr. Charlene P.E. Burns, Christian theologian and Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Pagans, polytheists, pantheists, panenetheists, witches, and all the other pwords deal with the challenges of evil and suffering as much a…

In this impromptu episode, Amanda and Jacob sit down with friend-of-the-show Amy to belatedly talk about their experiences this year at Paganicon 2017. Along the way, there's talk about: Ritual experience in a convention setting, sound work, Wendy Rule, Kari Tauring, Laura Tempest Zakroff, The Nathaniel Johnstone Band (and Dogwood), boundaries, cos…

In this exciting installment about syncretism, borrowing, and appropriation, we're joined by our scientist-friend and "experienced witch," Gary. What are some of the things Pagans have taken from elsewhere? What makes something "appropriation?" When is it ethical to borrow? If we're coming from another faith, tradition, or practice, what do we brin…

For this difficult episode, we're joined by our close friend, Panentheistic Pagan, and UU clergy member, Julie. We start out talking a bit about the beginnings of activism in the Pagan community, then roll into exploring where Pagans fall on the political spectrum and why. From there, we talk about: Pagan demographics, magickal activism, the diffic…

This short bonus episode features a talk by Jacob, given in November 2016 at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. In it, he talks a bit about coming to Pagan theism, the strength of love, the need for justice, the power of community, and more. We'll be back with new full-length episodes in March! In the meantime, we hop…

In this episode, we talk with our friend and völva, Bethany, about connecting with our ancestors. Along the way, we spiral into a little happy chaos about: Family history, roots, ancestry, Kari Tauring, Völva Stav, öorlag (the work of healing the generations), leaving a legacy, cultural heritage. foodways, cultural or community ancestors, working i…

In the first half of this episode, we talk about the concept of loose ends - those things left unsaid, undone, or unfulfilled in life and what we can do about them. Along the way, we talk about: Change, loss, death, endings, closure moving on, leaving things unsaid and/or undone, cycles, seasons (especially the challenges of Winter), energy changes…

Recorded in May 2016 at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Eau Claire, WI. Aimee and Amanda are joined by our friend, mentor, and wondercrone, Aeona Silversong, for some live performances and an exploration of the power of music, sound, and vibrations in Pagan practice. Along the way, they also touch on: Keeping track of and losing our rece…

Recorded Thanksgiving weekend 2016, Amanda reunites with our good friend Rhea for a discussion on the concept of Pagan Atheism/Atheist Paganism. What does this mean and how does it work? Along the way, they touch on: The value of skepticism, pseudoscience, woo woo, reconciling science and Paganism, science and magic, the GMO and vaccine controversi…

For an exploration of the gender binary in Paganism, Amanda and Jacob are joined by their friend and guest, Jess, who's a non-binary individual, solitary Pagan, and current UW student. In this episode: Gender pronouns, the problems of gender identity, the meaning of genderqueer, the power and problems with labels, the possibilities of non-binary Pa…

Samhain and Halloween are upon us once again! Falling at the same time, do these holidays clash or compliment one another? Is Halloween too commercialized? Is Samhain too secular? As we explore those questions and more, we talk about: The mainstreaming of the occult, family traditions, mixed feelings over Samhain and Halloween, planning and pacing …

For a discussion on relationship(s) with deity/deities, we're joined by our friend and guest, Danise Shipley, who is a teacher and practitioner of Irish Shamanism. Along the way we explore: Journeying, encountering the gods, mixing pantheons, modes and methods of relationship, communication with the gods, personal vs. impersonal relation, synchroni…

In this episode, the Priestesses are joined for a secular perspective by transgender activist and friend of the show, Marie. Along the way, they talk about: Transgender issues and controversies in Paganism, women's groups, feminist principles, transition experiences, genderism and trans discrimination, the power of fear, building walled gardens, ma…

The Priestesses return to podcasting after a summer hiatus! In this mini-episode: Aimee, Amanda, and Jacob sit down to talk about what they've been up to, what the podcast is (now), what it might become, and what's next. Website: www.thepriestesses.com Email: thepriestesses@gmail.com Twitter: @ThePriestesses Facebook: The Priestesses Music: Rebecca…

In this mini-episode update, Amanda and Jacob have an impromptu chat about: Transitions, what's next for the show, the new studio space in Amanda's Dungeon, the recent rumors about The Craft remake/sequel, the new iyashi-kei/slice of life anime series Flying Witch (available on Crunchyroll), and a little (probably the last for a while) about the tr…

The Priestesses are back at the movies! This time, they take a look at the kitchen witch classics Chocolat and Like Water for Chocolate. Are they "Pagan movies?" Are they "feminist films?" Is there anything we can take from these films? Among the things discussed in this episode: Comparing the films with the books, Witchy women, sexy river rats, Jo…

The Priestesses crew (along with their friend Jodeen) talk about their recent experiences at Paganicon 2016. This convention is held annually near the Spring Equinox, and is organized by the lovely folks of Twin Cities Pagan Pride. In this episode: Conventions vs. festivals, local and regional Pagan community, the rise and growing visibility of mod…

Amanda sits down with guests Aeona, Molly, and Skya to talk about the roots and branches of the intergenerational Pagan community. Along the way they discuss: Sources, nudism, proselytizers, the history and character of American Paganism, Elspeth Odbert, storytelling, connecting across generations, sharing traditions, intellectual property, creativ…

It had to happen sometime. Yes, the Priestesses (and producer/perpetual guest Jacob) take on love spells. All's fair in love and magick, right?In this episode: Being asked to do love spells for others, the mainstreaming and popularity of love spells, the ethics of love spells, creating love and connections, Titania Hardie, issues of control and res…

With Imbolc approaching, the Priestesses cast a critical eye towards the traditional placement of the seasonal holidays. Along the way, they talk lactation, regionalism, local myth-making, calendaring, Euro-centrism, community building, celebration, the role of holidays, and what a Wisconsin Wheel of the Year might look like. Website: www.thepriest…

Aimee and Amanda team up with their friend Amy for another, different look at Pagan Parenting. Aimee has a toddler and Amy has a teenager. Together, they explore raising children as Pagans, the experience being in a multi-faith family, ethnocultural challenges, societal expectations, pressure from friends or Christian family members, and giving chi…

In this episode (recorded back in January 2015), Amanda and Jacob sit down with their friend Rhea, and her mother, Pam. Together, they talk about raising pagan children, generational differences, intolerant family members, school experiences, Pagan Atheism, Pagan kids in non-Pagan households, the popularity of paganism and Wicca in the age of the i…

In March 2015, Starhawk came to speak at UWEC. In today's episode (recorded in April 2015), Amanda (priestess) and Jacob (producer) talk about that experience. Along the way, they discuss deities, worship, gender relations, life, death, consumption, ecology, horticulture, intentional communities, evil, hippies, the infamous spiral dance, and a lot …

Aimee (priestess) and Jacob (producer) sit down for some Cold Moon conversation about: Pagan and religious identity, aspects and incarnations of the Goddess, Witches and Wicca in popular culture and media, the role of Nature in worship, Urban Paganism, ritual tools, ceremony, magick, and more.