Down at the Crossroads

Latest Episodes:

DatC #085 - Magical Destinations with Natalie Zaman Feb 27, 2018

Show notes

Hello and thank you once again for joining us down at the crossroads for some music, magick, and Paganism. Where witches gather for the sabbath, offerings are made, pacts are signed for musical fame and we cross paths with today's most influential Pagans, occultists, and deep thinkers. I am your bewitching, bald headed, host Chris Orapello and tonight Tara and I speak with author and Wandering Witch herself Natalie Zaman about her book Magical Destinations of the Northeast available from Llewellyn. As with all new guests, we learn about Natalie's background, how she found her path, and what ultimately inspired her book as we explore some of the locations she visited while researching and what she experienced while she was there. All in all, this was energetic conversation about reclaiming your local landscape and gaining a new perspective on the sites and landmarks of where you live.

Every state in America has sacred sites―places that change you, heal you, and make you feel alive. Magical Destinations of the Northeast details more than 300 spiritual destinations perfect for meditation, magic, and just plain fun. This hands-on guidebook also includes spells and rituals and provides tips for the magical uses of official state plants, flowers, gems, minerals, and trees. There are pockets of magic to be found everywhere―places that make you stop in your tracks as powerful energies speak to your soul. This book is filled with awe-inspiring destinations, featuring little-known gems, natural landscapes, and manmade creations, as well as Native American and African American heritage sites. With everything from witch's temples to Druid circles, spiritualist communities to mysterious stones, this book will make your next trip a truly magical journey. - Magical Destinations of the Northeast (back cover)

Featured Songs:

"Imbolc Song" by S.J. Tucker
"After the Storm" by Wendy Rule
"Wax Nostalgic" by Eliza Rickman
"Free" by Omnia
"Peace Tonight" by Elephant Revival
"The Art of Magick" by Ralph Buckley
"Silvitni" by Eivør
"Burn Me Out" by S.J. Tucker

Links:

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DatC #084 - Y Mabinogi with Damh the Bard Dec 24, 2017

Show notes

Hello and thank you once again for joining us down at the crossroads for some music, magick, and Paganism. Where witches gather for the sabbath, offerings are made, pacts are signed for musical fame and we cross paths with today's most influential Pagans, occultists, and deep thinkers. I am your bewitching, bald headed, host Chris Orapello and tonight Tara and I welcome Damh the Bard back to show to discuss his new album Y Mabinogi: the First Branch of the Mabinogion a wonderful bardic adaptation by Damh himself with new music created to build upon the story of the first branch. Along with exploring the creation and music of his new album we learn more about his background and his former life as we discuss pagan leadership and community. You might be as pleasantly surprised as we were.

The Mabinogion (Welsh pronunciation: [mabɪˈnɔɡjɔn]) are the earliest prose stories of the literature of Britain. The stories were compiled in Middle Welsh in the 12th–13th centuries from earlier oral traditions. The two main source manuscripts were created c. 1350–1410, as well as a few earlier fragments. These stories offer drama, philosophy, romance, tragedy, fantasy and humour, and were created by various narrators over time. The title covers a collection of eleven prose stories of widely different types. There is a classic hero quest, "Culhwch and Olwen"; historic legend in "Lludd and Llefelys" glimpses a far off age; and other tales portray a very different King Arthur from the later popular versions. The highly sophisticated complexity of the Four Branches of the Mabinogi defies categorisation. The stories are so diverse that a leading scholar has challenged them as a true collection... - Wikipedia

Featured Songs:

"Rhiannon" by Faun
"Fire in the Head" by Sharon Knight
"Glashtyn Shanty" by S.J. Tucker
"Spirit of Albion" by Damh the Bard
"Devil's Nettle" by Horse Cult
"Who is Coming" by Damh the Bard
"Tides" by Eivor
"Annwn" by Damh the Bard
"These Hollow Hills" by Damh the Bard

Links:

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DatC Minisode 3 - Goblins & Faeries Nov 22, 2017

Show notes

Hello and thank you once again for joining us down at the crossroads for some music, magick, and Paganism. Where witches gather for the sabbath, offerings are made, pacts are signed for musical fame, and we usually cross paths with today's most influential Pagans, occultists, and deep thinkers, but tonight that isn't happening because it's minisode time! I am your bewitching, bald headed, host Chris Orapello and tonight Tara and I sit down to discuss the books which have inspired and influenced your paths as we read listener email. We also travel down the rabbit trails they evoke as well as reflect upon our recent journey to the realm of the fae to attend the International Faerie Convention itself, FaerieCon! This is a pretty goofy episode in all honesty. So, I guess we were still recovering from previous weekend when we recorded this.

Minisode Topic:

Listener email and reflecting on FaerieCon weekend.

Featured Songs:

"Gibu" by Wardruna
"Satyros" by Faun

Links:

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DatC #083 - Glamour Magic with Deborah Castellano Nov 11, 2017

Show notes

Hello and thank you once again for joining us down at the crossroads for some music, magick, and Paganism. Where witches gather for the sabbath, offerings are made, pacts are signed for musical fame and we cross paths with today's most influential Pagans, occultists, and deep thinkers. I am your bewitching, bald headed, host Chris Orapello and tonight Tara and I welcome Deborah Castellano back to the show to discuss her new book Glamour Magic: The Witchcraft Revolution To Get What You Want and how it's not just about looking good and why it's more relevant to one's witchcraft and practice than some would initially think. Deborah offers up some of the secrets of glamour in our discussion and we even explore how different men can apply and utilize glamour in their everyday life. We also learn how we already do this type of work on a subconscious level and how as practitioners we can enhance and instill more magick in what we are doing to our benefit. All in all, it was great to sit down with Deborah and we hope you enjoy our conversation with her.

Glamour is the art of taking what makes you exciting and interesting to others and using it as leverage in accomplishing your Great Work. This fun romp of a book helps you use glamour to accomplish total world domination . . . or to revolutionize your magical practice if ruling the world isn't your thing. Glamour Magic encourages you to be crafty, cunning, and unafraid to want something fiercely. Learn how historical figures used glamour in their campaigns for greatness. Discover experiments, exercises, and rites for your Craft. Glamour is your secret weapon—your guide to finding what you want and getting it, too. - Glamour Magic (Backcover)

Featured Songs:

"Pretty Little Head" by Eliza Rickman
"The Battle of Evermore" by Finvarra
"Faithful Friend" by Eivor
"Witchka" by S.J. Tucker
"Seven Veils" by The Nathanial Johnstone Band
"If You Were My Monster" by Tara Rice

Links:

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DatC #082 - For Puck's Sake, Mat Auryn! Oct 12, 2017

Show notes

Hello and thank you once again for joining us down at the crossroads for some music, magick, and Paganism. Where witches gather for the sabbath, offerings are made, pacts are signed for musical fame and we cross paths with today's most influential Pagans, occultists, and deep thinkers. I am your bewitching, bald headed, host Chris Orapello and tonight Tara and I - after being interviewed by him- finally got a chance to speak with Patheos blogger and teacher Mat Auryn about his work and path as a witch. We also explore his thoughts on witchcraft, the modern craft and the direction it's heading in, the devil, initiation, validation, cursing and more. We had a great time speaking with Mat and could not have predicted all the paths we wandered down during our chat with him.

Mat Auryn (Massachussetts) is a witch, writer, professional psychic, and occult teacher throught New England. He has been drawn to the occult and metaphysical since an early age, reading books on witchcraft at eight years old. He is a graduate of Black Rose Witchcraft and a priest in Sacred Fires Tradition of Witchcraft founded by Devin Hunter. He is a current student and mentee of Christopher Penczak in the Temple of Witchcraft Mystery School, Laurie Cabot in the Cabot-Kent Hermetic Tradition and Jason Miller in the Sorcery of Hekate. He is a devotee of the Covenant of Hekate founded by Sorita D'Este. He writes for Patheos Pagan in his blog For Puck's Sake and on his personal website. He has been featured in various magazines, radio shows, books and other periodicals such as DisInfo, The Wild Hunt, Magick Magazine, Moon Books, Cutline Press, Just Julie, Magical Experiments, and more. - matauryn.com

Featured Songs:

"Egil Saga" by Faun
"The Swing" by Eivor
"Raido" by Wardruna
"Odal" by Wardruna
"Maker of My Sorrow" by Eliza Rickman
"The Devil's Hole" by Swallows

Links:

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DatC Minisode 2 - Memory & Dream Sep 17, 2017

Show notes

Minisode Topic: Books which influenced us.

What books influenced you and your path?

Featured Songs:

"Ravens in the Library" by S.J. Tucker
"Hunter" by Pandemonaeon

Mentioned Podcasts

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DatC #081 - The Path of Paganism with John Beckett Jul 31, 2017

Show notes

Hello and thank you once again for joining us down at the crossroads for some music, magick, and Paganism. Where witches gather for the sabbath, offerings are made, pacts are signed for musical fame and we cross paths with today's most influential Pagans, occultists, and deep thinkers. I am your bewitching, bald headed, host Chris Orapello and tonight Tara and I welcome back Patheos blogger and now author John Beckett to discuss his new book The Path of Paganism: An Experienced-Based Guide to Modern Pagan Practice. During the discussion, we talk about the idea of Big Tent Paganism, Why Paganism is making a comeback, the necessity of myth, Pagan priesthood, and more. It was great to sit down and chat with John once again and we hope you enjoy the many directions that we went in.

Paganism is a way of seeing the world and your place in it. It means challenging the assumptions of mainstream society and strengthening your relationships with the gods, the universe, your community, and your self. The Path of Paganism provides practical advice and support for honoring your values and living an authentic Pagan life in mainstream Western culture. Discover tips for establishing or deepening a regular practice. Explore how your spirituality can help you deal with life's inevitable hardships. Learn the basics of leadership roles and other steps to take as you gain experience and move into more advanced practices. With questions for contemplation as well as rituals to help you integrate new concepts, this book guides you through a profoundly meaningful way of life. - Llewellyn.com

Featured Songs:

"The Circle Song" by Wendy Rule
"Free" by Omnia
"Age of Aquarius" by Ginger Doss
"Fire in the Head" by Sharon Knight
"The Wicker man" by Damh the Bard
"Ancestors Song" by Kellianna
"Stones" by Tara Rice
"The Elemental Chant" by Wendy Rule

Links:

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DatC Minisode 1 - Bedknobs & Broomsticks Jul 17, 2017

Show notes

Hello and thank you once again for joining us down at the crossroads for some music, magick, and Paganism. Where witches gather for the sabbath, offerings are made, pacts are signed for musical fame, and we usually cross paths with today's most influential Pagans, occultists, and deep thinkers, but tonight that isn't happening. It's minisode time! I am your bewitching, bald headed, host Chris Orapello and tonight Tara and I sit down for our very first minisode where we take time to do some updates and to discuss different things that interest us. This being our first time recording with two microphones, post production was a bit tricky and I can't say it's perfect, but it's a good talk with the occasional bit of reverb unfortunately. My editing abilities are only so good, but next time we're going to try a new recording set up. Enjoy!

Minisode Topic: Witchy Movies

What qualifies as a witchy movie?
Which was our first?
Which are our favorites?
Which are our least favorite?
Which movie depict witchcraft the best?
Which movie depicts witchcraft the worst?

Featured Songs:

"The Trials of Madame Dillner" by Ill Wicker
"Movements in the Sky" by Church of the Cosmic Skull

Links:

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DatC #080 - The Witch's Cauldron with Laura Tempest Zakroff Jul 01, 2017

Show notes

Hello and thank you once again for joining us down at the crossroads for some music, magick, and Paganism. Where witches gather for the sabbath, offerings are made, pacts are signed for musical fame and we cross paths with today's most influential Pagans, occultists, and deep thinkers. I am your bewitching, bald headed, host Chris Orapello and tonight Tara and I meet with blogger, artist, and author Laura Tempest Zakroff to discuss her new book The Witch's Cauldron, her background, her work, witchcraft, P-words, and more. We don't even scratch the surface of all that Laura is involved with because of some reminiscing and a lot of goofing around. Along with being an author Laura is an accomplished blogger, artist, performer, and musician as one of the key members of The Nathaniel Johnstone Band. All in all, this was another good time for Tara and I. We look forward to having Laura back on the show when her future book Sigil Witchery comes out and to catching up with her when she's in the motherland of Southern New Jersey.

Explore the spellbinding history, tradition, and modern uses of the Witch's cauldron. From blessing and using your cauldron in ritual and divination to practicing kitchen witchery with it, this easy-to-use book provides essential information for Witches of all ages and skill levels. The Witch's Cauldron shows you the ins and outs of one of the most iconic tools in Witchcraft. Learn about the cauldron's role in lore and mythology, its development through the ages, and old-world witchery. Discover how to choose, personalize, and care for your cauldron, and find unconventional ones already in your home. This entertaining book also features advice and spells from well-known writers, helping you delve into the endless possibilities for using a cauldron in your practice. - The Witch's Cauldron, Llewellyn Worldwide

Featured Songs:

"Ceridwen and Taliesen" by Damh the Bard
"Baba Yaga" by The Nathanial Johnstone Band
"Pretty Little Head" by Eliza Rickman
"Seven Veils" by The Nathaniel Johnstone Band
"Sinking Sands" by Dogwood
"The Cauldron Born" by Damh the Bard
"Spinning" by Elephant Revival
"A Witch's Brew" by Omnia
"The Morrigan" by Omnia
"We Are Shangri-La" by S.J. Tucker
"The Charm on Your Chest" by Ill Wicker
"The Crossroads" by The Nathaniel Johnstone Band

Links:

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DatC #079 - Under The Witching Tree with Corinne Boyer May 30, 2017

Show notes

Hello and thank you once again for joining us down at the crossroads for some music, magick, and Paganism. Where witches gather for the sabbath, offerings are made, pacts are signed for musical fame and we cross paths with today's most influential Pagans, occultists, and deep thinkers. I am your bewitching, bald headed, host Chris Orapello and tonight Tara and I meet with author and teacher Corinne Boyer to discuss her recent book Under the Witching Tree available from Troy Books and her upcoming book Plants of the Devil available from Three Hands Press. Corinne is a folk herbalist currently living in the Pacific Northwest and has a Bachelor of Science in biomedical science with an emphasis on plant chemistry and botany. She has been featured in two publications and will be the keynote speaker at this year's Viridis Genii Symposium happening June 9-11th in Damascus, Oregon. It was great to be able to sit down and speak with her about her work and we hope that enjoy our interview with Corinne. Be sure to stick around after the interview to hear about two special announcements that we have to share!

Featured Songs: