Down at the Crossroads

Latest Episodes:

DatC #049 - House of Grimassi at FaerieCon East 2014 Nov 24, 2014

Show notes

Raven Grimassi is a Neo-Pagan scholar and award-winning author of over twelve books on Witchcraft, Wicca, and Neo-Paganism including Old World Witchcraft and Italian Witchraft. He is a member of the American Folklore Society and is co-founder and co-director of the Crossroads Fellowship, a modern Mystery School tradition. He lives in Springfield, MA. - Red Wheel / Weiser Online

Raven Grimassi is the author of over a dozen books dealing with witchcraft, some of which include his award winning book Wiccan Mysteries, Wiccan Magick, Hereditary Witchcraft, as well as his controversial book Ways of the Strega (re-released as Italian Witchcraft). We meet with Raven and Stephanie to learn about their work and to discuss Raven's recent book Grimoire of The Thorn-Blooded Witch which was a companion book to his 2011 release Old World Witchcraft.

For the first time in more than a decade, Grimassi introduces readers to a new system of witchcraft, one that draws upon the old ways and the old days. Rich with spells, rituals, and detailed illustrations of plant spirits, Grimassi dares readers to take the path that leads deep into the darkened woods—to traverse upon the Thorned Path. Meet the entities that dwell within the organic memory of the earth, the devas, the deities, the magical life force that lies within the wooded glen. Learn to work with these spirits, and use their wisdom to transform your life and your practice. - Red Wheel / Weiser Online

The songs featured in this episode were:

“Mr. Raven” by MC Lars
“Gentle Storm” by Betsy Tinney
“Wild Purple Irises” by Jessica Star
“Ravens in the Library” by S.J. Tucker
“The Morrigan” by Omnia
“Blaue Stunde ” by Faun
“Sons and Daughters (of Robin Hood)” by Damh the Bard

DatC #048 - The Cunning Peter Paddon Nov 01, 2014

Show notes

Hello and thank you once again for joining me 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. Tonight, we meet with The Crooked Path walking Cunningman himself Peter Paddon to discuss Traditional Witchcraft. Peter and I had a great conversation about witchcraft and his thoughts on deity, the mysteries, his work, and what he had planned in the future. Peter was very big on utilizing technology in his teaching and in making himself available to the rest of the community. However, the heartbreaking reality of this interview is that Peter passed away quietly in his sleep three days after I spoke with him. His family made an announcement online about his passing and an obituary for him was written by Heather Greene for The Wild Hunt. My heart goes out to him and his family during this time. Though he was in the middle of a short break from his pod/vidcast during the time of his passing we at least have this final interview with him as well as the legacy of his writings and shows to learn from and honor him by. As you will hear in my discussion with him, he was extremely honest and friendly and had a lot of knowledge and experience to share. He touched the lives of many, including myself, with his show and teachings and he will sorely be missed. Farewell Peter.

The music featured in this episode.

"Walpurgisnacht" by Faun
"Salad of Doom" by S.J. Tucker
"Fehu" by Wardruna
"No Harm" by Tara Rice
"The Winnowing" by Swallows
"Call Me Satan" by Omnia
"Fire in the Head" by Sharon Knight
"Imramma (A Soul Journey)" by Damh the Bard

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DatC #044 - Why You Can't Worship Jesus Christ and Be Pagan with Sam Webster Jun 15, 2014

Show notes

Tonight we meet with former Patheos.com Columnist Sam Webster (now at The Wild Hunt) to talk about his controversial Patheos article "Why You Can't Worship Jesus Christ and Be Pagan," and other issues such as the superiority of Pagan theology, his concerns regarding the popular notion of building interfaith relationships, religious legitimacy, and his thoughts on what we need to be doing as Pagans to insure our religious future in the years to come.

Sam is also the President and Executive Director of the Pantheon Foundation, whose mission is to provide organizational support for the practice of Pagan religion and the fostering of Pagan Ministry. To study the history, promote the culture, and advance the social welfare of Pagans and the Pagan community.

Sam Webster, M. Div., Mage, hails from the Bay Area and has taught magick publicly since 1984. He graduated from Starr King School for the Ministry at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley in 1993. He is now a PhD candidate at the University of Bristol, UK, studying Pagan history under Prof. Ronald Hutton. He is an Adept of the Golden Dawn, a cofounder of the Chthonic-Ouranian Templar order, and an initiate of Wiccan, Druidic, Buddhist, Hindu and Masonic traditions. His work has been published in a number of journals such as Green Egg and Gnosis, and 2010 saw his first book Tantric Thelema, establishing the publishing house Concrescent Press. He authors two blogs, Arkadian Anvil and Pagan Restoration . In 2001 he founded the Open Source Order of the Golden Dawn, and serves the Pagan community principally as a priest of Hermes. - SamWebsterMage.com

The songs featured in this episode were:

“Hunter” by Pandemonaeon
“To The Morrigan” by Sencha the Vate
“Call Me Satan” by Omnia
“Alesia” by Eluveitie
“A Poison Tree” by Finvarra
“Glashtyn Shanty” by SJ Tucker
“Green and Gray” by Damh the Bard
“Pagan Ways” by Damh the Bard

DatC #043 - Modern Witch, Devin Hunter May 21, 2014

Show notes

Tonight, we have a great candid and honest discussion with Modern Witch Podcast host Devin Hunter. I spoke with Devin back in March about the state of the community. This is one conversation that may turn some heads and incite some feedback. We discuss current issues such as British Traditional Wicca and his issues with it as a gay man, Wiccanate Privilege, the LGBT Pagan community and what it may not be doing, and finally where he thinks the pagan community should be heading in the future. We also get to hear about his up coming projects and his online witchcraft academy starting in June called Black Rose Witchcraft and more, blessed be!

The songs featured in this episode are:

“Fehu” Wardruna
“Soul Journey” by Cernunnos Rising
“Earth Warrior” by Omnia
“Berserker” by Leslie Fish
“Thousandfold” by Eluveitie
“Wild Rose” by Faun
"Snake Star Song" by SJ Tucker
“Waking Panther” by Mama Gina

DatC #042 - Living A Life Of Magic Mar 02, 2014

Show notes

Hello and thank you once again for joining me Down at the Crossroads 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 lovable, hug-able host Chris Orapello and tonight, we meet with the loving and enchanting Australian visionary songstress We ndy Rule to discuss her recent escapades and activities, her thoughts on the Pagan community, and her popular online course Living a Life of Magic which will be entering into its third year. All this and more, enjoy!

Renowned Pagan Visionary Songstress Wendy Rule and her partner Timothy Van Diest present an exciting 13 month online journey through the year’s Lunar cycles. Deepen your connection with Self, Nature, Community, and Spirit and discover the unique Magic within you. Together we will create a focused and vibrant community of fellow spiritual journeyers, which will enable us to share our knowledge, exchange ideas, and create lasting connections.

The songs featured in this episode were:

"My Sister the Moon" by Wendy Rule
"The Ash Grove" by Kellianna featuring Wendy Rule
"Black Snake" by Wendy Rule
"A Witches' Brew" by Omnia
"Kelpie - The Cliffs of Moher" by Finvarra
"Bewitched" by Sharon Knight
"The Winnowing" by Swallows
"Glashtyn Shanty" by SJ Tucker
"A Will of its Own" by Wendy Rule

DatC #041 - Pagan Leadership with Shauna Aura Knight Feb 08, 2014

Show notes

Hello and thank you for joining me Down at the Crossroads 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 host with the most Chris Orapello and tonight, we meet with author and teacher Shauna Aura Knight to discuss problems and leadership in the Pagan community and her workshops at this year's PantheaCon. Are you a good leader? Are you sure? Well, regardless, we all can learn something about being better at what we do because being better only helps us and our community to prosper and grow.

"An artist, writer, leader, teacher, event organizer, environmental activist, and spiritual seeker, Shauna travels nationally offering intensive education in the transformative arts of ritual, community leadership, and spiritual growth." - shaunaaura.wordpress.com

The songs featured in this episode were:

“Brighid” by Damh the Bard
“Proof of Life” by Sora
“Book of Shadows” by Ralph Buckley
“Punagra” by Faun
“Moon” by Omnia
“Fire in the Head” by Sharon Knight
“Black Snake” by Wendy Rule
“Stand Up” by Omnia

DatC #040 - Green Wizardry with John Michael Greer Jan 13, 2014

Show notes

Hello and thank you for joining me Down at the Crossroads where we turn the pagan community on its head to watch it flail about like a beetle on its back.. Tonight, we are joined once again by author and Grand Archdruid of the Ancient Order of Druids in America, John Michael Greer to discuss his new book Green Wizardry: Conservation, Solar Power, Organic Gardening, and other Hands-On Skills from the Appropriate Tech Toolkit and boy do we talk. This is one heavy in your face conversation where we also discuss the Pagan community and where it may be heading. You might be surprised!

The songs featured in this episode were: