Radical Elphame

For those of us drawn to the mysterious realm of Faerie, we're often led to folklore to dive deeper into the subject. While you know how Emma Wilby-pilled I am, there's something novel and exciting about stumbling upon an unpresented series of channeled texts ostensibly written by a faery woman named Fiona Macleod, through the faculties of a middle aged man (William Sharp). Steve Blamires has written extensively on this peculiar case, and in his most recent book: The Confessions of Fiona, he combs through the texts of Fiona Macleod for clues of an esoteric Faery Tradition of magic, as well as Gods and Goddesses particular to the Faerie realm. We also go into the mysterious figure of Dalua who inspired the opera The Immortal Hour, and his relationship to the Folkloric Devil, and explore Steve's writing on the Ogham script.   

SHOW NOTES: 

The Confessions of Fiona: Book

Celtic Tree Mysteries: Book

Steve's Site: Inchanted Journeys

MUSIC:

"Stormy Point / Back of Beyond / The Seamstress" off the album Fable & Fire by Andrew Marlin - https://www.andrewmarlin.com

I'm so excited to have Reverend Janglebones back on the show. He's one of the rare guests that makes me feel like hitting the record button without a list of questions or an outline for our conversation mapped out in advance. The result is a very fun and casual conversation about the Christ-like aspects of the Devil, and the Luciferian aspects of Jesus — amongst other things. We also talk about the importance of humor in spirituality, the bizarre experience of having a relationship with a spirit who also encapsulates some aspect of the fundamental fabric of our reality, and the reverse dualism that is somewhat prevalent in the Traditional/Folkloric Witchcraft community these days. I can't recommend checking out Reverend Janglebones' recent substack series (Hillock & Holler) on Jesus & Lucifer enough. 

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SHOW NOTES:

Hillock & Holler: The Rev's Substack

-The Good Reverend's Writing, services and materia: Hillock & Holler

-Soapbox Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soapbox/id1628906671

IG: @reverendjanglebones

-MUSIC: "Stormy Point / Back of Beyond / The Seamstress" by Andrew Marlin off the ablum Fable & Fire. https://www.andrewmarlin.com/

Today on the one year anniversary of Radical Elphame, we invite back the guest who helped us kick off this peculiar experiment: the delightful Briar of The Greene Chapel. We explore a recent essay she published on her Greene Chapel site: "The Lady with a Mead Cup," which dives into the primordial image of a virginal Cup Bearer, and how this mythopoetics relates to divinely inspired poetic inspiration and prophecy as a sacred ritual. We untangle the labyrinthian mystery of the Celtic "imbas forosnai," and its relationship to the lady of the day: Brighid. We do some UPG mind melding as well, exploring the relationship between Brighid and her theorized Mothers: The Morrigan AND Boann. It was such a blast reconnecting with Briar, and getting to celebrate Imbolc with someone who can capture and crystalize the essence of Brighid better than anyone.

SHOW NOTES:

The Greene Chapel - https://www.greenechapel.com

Briar's Patreon: Briar of the Greene Chapel

Briar's Chapbook: The Beheading Game

Briar's Course: Working With Joan of Arc as Saint of the French Fairy Faith

Briar's IG: greene_chapel

MUSIC:

"Stormy Point / Back of Beyond / The Seamstress" off the album Fable & Fire by Andrew Marlin - https://www.andrewmarlin.com

We welcome back to the show the seership super group that is Rose Auroras, B. Key and Sfinga for a scryers round table: Unsolved Mysteries edition. We chat about the philosophy behind the practice of scrying, and what it's like to teach the technique to others. We also go through a greatest hits of the weirdest shit they've ever scryed — from Unsolved Mysteries, to paranormal hotspots and infamous people — and what insights they were able to glean. We also chat horror movies, cursed films, and summon good ol' Bobby Eggnog.   

SHOW NOTES:

Sfinga and Key's website: With Cunning and Command Website

Sfinga and Key's Podcast: The Frightful Howls You May Hear

Rose's Website: Readings with Rose

Salem Witchfest: All of our guests today will be presenting in 2025

Sfinga's IG: Dragoncunning

B. Key's IG: Barnowl.key

Rose's IG: RoseAuroras

Horror Film Recommendation: In the Tall Grass (2019)

MUSIC:

"Stormy Point / Back of Beyond / The Seamstress" off the album Fable & Fire by Andrew Marlin - https://www.andrewmarlin.com

Today we welcome back my friend C.R. Sanders to the show for the first in person recording! We have a freewheelin' chat about CR's recent travels to Glastonbury, the mysterious nature of our human interactions with the numinous, and the magical sense of place we can uncover when we engage deeply with the land and culture of a given local. It was great getting to catch up and shoot the shit under the shadow of Mount Shasta.   

SHOW NOTES:

C.R.'s Website: https://lalanomicon.com/

Alien Encounters: Fact or Fiction: HBO MAX

MUSIC:

"Stormy Point / Back of Beyond / The Seamstress" off the album Fable & Fire by Andrew Marlin - https://www.andrewmarlin.com

For the last show of the year, we're joined by the legendary Morgan Daimler. Morgan is a writer, a teacher of esoteric subjects, and a practitioner very well acquainted with the Othercrowd. We explore two of her most recent non-fiction books: Fairy: The Otherworld by Many Names, and Celtic Fairies in North America — both fascinating reads that feel very much of a piece to me.  We dive into some of the more "thought experiment" approaches Morgan employs in these books that tug at the evergreen mystery: what is the nature of fairy? We also chat about a tagline of Morgan's own Feed the Fairies podcast: "Fae Propaganda," and what the implications of promoting engagement with the folklorically feared Othercrowd means. I'm so grateful to close out the year with such a great chat.   

SHOW NOTES: 

Morgan's Books: Author Page

Feed the Fairies Podcast: Spotify Link

Morgan's Patheos Blog: Patheos Pagan

Morgan's Classes: Irish Pagan School

Morgan's Instagram: @morgandaimler

MUSIC:

"Stormy Point / Back of Beyond / The Seamstress" off the album Fable & Fire by Andrew Marlin - https://www.andrewmarlin.com

Today on the show we chat with Chaise Levy of Northern Spirit House podcast. Chaise is a father, husband and storytelling sorcerer based in Northern California. We talk about the ideas and approaches behind his workshop with the School of Mythopoetics on Skaldskapr (Poetic Story Magic) — from historiola to engaging the mythic. We also explore the complex reality of engaging with a magical practice while parenting a young family — the difficulties, the inspiration, and the unexpected insights. To wrap up, Chaise shares a bit about a new workshop he's working on around our animistic relationship with Amanita Muscaria, the Fly Agaric mushroom of lore. 

SHOW NOTES: 

Chaise's Website: chaiselevy.com

Northern Spirit House Podcast: Spotify Link

Northern Spirit House Substack: Substack

Skaldskapr Course: School of Mythopoetics

Chaise's Instagram: @telluric_tounges

MUSIC:

"Stormy Point / Back of Beyond / The Seamstress" off the album Fable & Fire by Andrew Marlin - https://www.andrewmarlin.com

Today on the show we have the delightful Nay Noordmans of House of Gnomi to talk about the Saint beloved as much by Faeries and chthonic deities as by the good Catholics of Tours: Saint Martin. In honor of his feast day — and Old Halloween — Nay takes us on a deep dive of the life of Saint Martin, and we explore some of the more novel and whimsical moments in his hagiography. Nay also delves into how Saint Martin plays a role in the classic Fortean story of the Green Children of Woolpit, and might himself blur the lines between Saint and psychopomp at times. In what is sure to be the first of many conversations with Nay, we also explore the idea of the "Faerie Saint" as an intercessor for the magical practitioner, and where Fortean studies could be contextualized with magical philosophy.   

SHOW NOTES: 

House of Gnomi: https://www.instagram.com/houseofgnomi/

Nay's Links: https://linktr.ee/houseofgnomi

MUSIC:

"Stormy Point / Back of Beyond / The Seamstress" off the album Fable & Fire by Andrew Marlin - https://www.andrewmarlin.com

Today on the show we have a special Halloween hangover episode, with the hosts of the Southern Bramble podcast: Austin Fuller and Marshall the Witch of Southern Light. I've been a big fan of their show for a while now, and really appreciate the ideas and perspectives they've been promoting in the wider witchcraft community. We talk about Traditional Witchcraft — where it's going, how it got here — and how Marshall and Austin's practices have evolved during that journey. We explore the complicated modifier of "folk" in the context of a magical practice, the rise (or resurgence) of dual faith spirituality, reclaiming eclecticism, and the fundamental role of creativity in witchcraft.  

SHOW NOTES: 

Southern Bramble Podcast: Spotify Link

The Red Mother by Marshall WST: Marshall's new book!

Marshall's Links: https://linktr.ee/WitchofSouthernLight 

Austin's Site: https://www.banexbramble.com/

Austin's Links: https://linktr.ee/Banexbramble

MUSIC:

"Stormy Point / Back of Beyond / The Seamstress" off the album Fable & Fire by Andrew Marlin - https://www.andrewmarlin.com

Today on the show we have the wonderful Jo Hickey-Hall of The Modern Fairy Sightings podcast. Jo is a Folklorist, Researcher, Social Historian, and an engaged practitioner. We talk about the novel age we're living in, where Fairy sightings appear to be the rise, and what might be behind that trajectory. Jo describes exploring the phenomenon through both academic and folkloric studies, as well as via magical pursuits. Jo also graciously shares an incredible story of an experience she had while performing an energy healing on a love one during an intense and dire moment. It was a real treat to turn the microphone around on Jo for a while, and hear more about the creator of such a personally beloved show. 

 

SHOW NOTES: 

The Modern Fairy Sightings Podcast: https://www.scarlettofthefae.com/the-modern-fairy-sightings-podcast/

Jo's Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOWBU36ADJMVxngGPFF9aSA

MUSIC:

"Stormy Point / Back of Beyond / The Seamstress" off the album Fable & Fire by Andrew Marlin - https://www.andrewmarlin.com

ART:

Painting by Katharine Cameron

Today on the show we have the delightful Rose Auroras and B. Key. Both are accomplished seers and scryers with a strong foundation in folkloric and spirit-led techniques, but also a fascination with the modern incarnation of some of these skills — most often under the umbrella term "psi." We dive into the groovy world of the US Government's Psychic Spy Programs in the 70's and 80's, Remote Viewing, the Gateway Tapes, CE5, and where these topics intersect with more folkloric seership practices. We also talk UFOs, some personal experiences, and inspired by Rose and Key's shenanigan's of scrying "Unsolved Mysteries" topics in their spare time, we all have a go at scrying the mysterious Mount Shasta.

SHOW NOTES:

Readings with Rose: https://www.roseauroras.com/

With Cunning and Command Website: https://withcunningandcommand.com/

The Frightful Howls You May Hear podcast: https://thefrightfulhowlsyoumayhear.libsyn.com/site

MUSIC:

"Stormy Point / Back of Beyond / The Seamstress" off the album Fable & Fire by Andrew Marlin - https://www.andrewmarlin.com

ART:

Painting by Ingo Swann

Sfinga joins us from The Frightful Howls You May Hear podcast, and With Cunning and Command. Sfinga is a traditional witch and diviner from the Balkans, as well as an initiate of Brazilian Quimbanda. We talk about Sfinga's incredible podcast, and the unique philosophies that inform its expert approach to a diverse array of spiritual and occult topics, all while maintaining a disarming, casual ,and communal tone. Sfinga also dives deep into the witchlore of the Balkans including the region's unique expression of dragons and The Vila. We also talk about the complex and powerful experience of incorporating spiritual currents from vastly different cultures into a single life. Sfinga is a fascinating thinker and a gracious communicator, and such a pleasure to chat with.

SHOW NOTES:

With Cunning and Command Website: https://withcunningandcommand.com/

The Frightful Howls You May Hear podcast: https://thefrightfulhowlsyoumayhear.libsyn.com/site

POEM:

Obilić Dragon's Son: https://sr.wikisource.org/sr-el/Милош_Обилић_змајски_син

MUSIC:

"Stormy Point / Back of Beyond / The Seamstress" off the album Fable & Fire by Andrew Marlin - https://www.andrewmarlin.com

ART:

"A Pavilion Neither in the Sky nor on the Earth" - Painting by William Sewell 

Today I have the true honor of welcoming to the show: Lee Morgan. Lee is a writer, teacher, traditional witch, and a story sorcerer. Lee has written what to my estimation are some of the essential texts on Traditional Witchcraft and the Faery Faith, and his newest book is a fascinating addition to that bibliography. People of the Outside is a fearless examination of all the cultural taboos that haunt the archetype of "the witch," and how many of these traits may be transmissions or memories from our Elder Folk ancestors, before they were subsumed by Sapiens. In the spirit of People of the Outside we don't shy away from any thorny topics here, and dive headfirst into the role cannibalism plays in witchcraft, the similarities between Faery culture and Elder Folk culture, the "witch blood" controversy, and yes . . . even Bigfoot. It was a blast getting to interview a personal hero of mine on the show, and I hope it inspires everyone in the audience to pick up Lee's new book.

SHOW NOTES:

Lee's Website: https://www.leemorganbooks.com/

Lee's Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=19417687

MUSIC:

"Stormy Point / Back of Beyond / The Seamstress" off the album Fable & Fire by Andrew Marlin - https://www.andrewmarlin.com

ART:

"Cueva de las Manos" 

Today on the show we're joined by witch, writer, teacher: Aidan Wachter. Aidan is an excellent communicator on the subject of magic, and has the rare ability not to get bogged down with dogma while exploring what can often be incredibly complex topics with thoughtful and simple clarity. Today we discuss the fundamental and inherent nature of magic, its role in our lives, and how it interacts with the world around us. We consider the critique some occultists have been expressing lately that the current magical revival we're living through has possibly led to "too much magic," and resulted in a Capitalist influenced pursuit of "stuff" through magic. We talk about the controversial text "Aradia: The Gospel of Witches," and whether or not its historical authenticity has the final word on the role it has played in the craft. Of course we also go into where the current of witchcraft and the Fae realm meet, and why folklore is prone to making both into villains. It was a real pleasure getting to chat with Aidan, and I hope this is the first of many great discussions.

SHOW NOTES:

Aidan's Website: https://www.aidanwachter.com/

Aidan's Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/aidanwachter

MUSIC:

"Stormy Point / Back of Beyond / The Seamstress" off the album Fable & Fire by Andrew Marlin - https://www.andrewmarlin.com

ART:

"Untitled" by Roger Hane

C.R. Sanders joins us to talk about his new Discovery Channel series — hosted by the legendary Mitch Horowitz — Alien Encounters: Fact or Fiction. When I heard that the newest Discovery channel UFO show was being produced by someone with such an accomplished occult background, I knew it was going to be something unique, and it does not disappoint. We explore the complex nature of the wider UFO / UAP subject, and its relationship with the Faerie realms and Otherworlds of mythology and folklore. We dip our toes into the wild "disclosure" news of the past few years, and wonder if there's any significance to the replacement of the word "object" with "phenomenon," in the recent reclassification of UFO with UAP by the powers that be. C.R. also shares some of his surreal and synchronistic adventures on site and in pursuit of experiencing the phenomenon. 

SHOW NOTES:

C.R.'s Website: https://lalanomicon.com/

Alien Encounters: Fact or Fiction: https://go.discovery.com/show/alien-encounters-fact-or-fiction-discovery-atve-us

MUSIC:

"Stormy Point / Back of Beyond / The Seamstress" off the album Fable & Fire by Andrew Marlin - https://www.andrewmarlin.com

Today on the show we have a really free flowing conversation with Reverend Janglebones of the Soap Box podcast. The Reverend is an animistic practitioner working within an eclectic range of  currents including the Thai Occult as well as Saint an Angel magic. We talk about his recent brush with The Good Neighbors, and the effect that it's had on his practice. We also talk about the double edged sword of feeling in the dark as a solitary practitioner trying to cultivate a spirit-led practice. We explore righteous trickery, and of course we can't help pondering the true nature of the spirits as well. The good Reverend was gracious enough to have me on his show a few weeks back, so be sure to check out our conversation on the documentary Room 237 over there. Enjoy . . . 

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SHOW NOTES:

-The Good Reverend's Writing, services and materia: https://www.etsy.com/shop/Numinauts?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1364320320&from_page=listing

-Soapbox Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soapbox/id1628906671

-MUSIC: "Stormy Point / Back of Beyond / The Seamstress" by Andrew Marlin off the ablum Fable & Fire. https://www.andrewmarlin.com/

Today on the show I'm so excited to bring you my conversation with Amaya Rourke. Amaya is a practicing Animist and Folk Witch offering consultations around coming into relation with the fixed stars, as well as shepherding magical folks down the crooked path of cultivating their own personal practices. In the show we explore Amaya's own crooked journey to her primary Spirit Patron: the Irish God and Faery King Manannon Mac Lir, as well as what she's learned over the years helping individuals cultivate sovereignty in their personal practices and develop discernment in their spiritual relationships. I also can't resist getting Amaya's take on the nature of deity, and we hear about Amaya's upcoming retirement (or sabbatical) from the public facing side of her spiritual and consulting practice. I've been a big fan of Amaya's work for years now, and was truly honored to get the chance to have this conversation. There was some fun transcontinental audio shenanigans afoot, but I don't thnk it distracts too much from all the great wisdom Amaya imparts here. 

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SHOW NOTES:

-Consult with Amaya: https://www.amayarourke.com/writings/coming-into-relation-with-the-fixed-stars-where-to-learn

-MUSIC: "Stormy Point / Back of Beyond / The Seamstress" by Andrew Marlin off the ablum Fable & Fire. https://www.andrewmarlin.com/

On today's show we have Robert Peter of Sacred Heart Occult. Robert is a practitioner with a foundation in Chaos Magic, that has evolved into an eclectic and animistic adoption of deity work and Saint magic. In the show, we explore how different magical currents can exist side-by-side and be engaged in all at once, the nature of diety and the role sychretization might play in their evolution, and for good measure we concur up friend of the show: Dionysus. Robert was really gracious in humoring some of my more wonky lines of questioning on somewhat unknowable subjects, and brought a generous amount of knowledge and personal experience to the converation. 

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SHOW NOTES:

-Book a reading with Robert: https://calendly.com/rhreadings

-MUSIC: "Stormy Point / Back of Beyond / The Seamstress" by Andrew Marlin off the ablum Fable & Fire. https://www.andrewmarlin.com/

Today we welcome on the show writer, astrologer, and herbalist Maeg Keane of Third Sister. Maeg has a really beautiful and almost alchemical perspective on the role that plants and the stars play in our lives, and how we can engage them for personal growth, exploration, and evolution. Maeg originally caught my attention through her writing and astrological services around Dionysus and the 5th house of the birth chart. The mythopoetics of Dionysus has played a pivotal role in my life and practice and it was a blast talking with someone with such an eloquent take on a shared passion. Maeg and I also can't contain ourselves in dedicating most of the show to another shared interest, and a being Maeg is planning on exploring more deeply in the coming months: Ariadne. We discuss the notion of Dionysus and Ariadne through the lens of Faery King and Queen. The way deity can speak through mythologies that might even be written to subvert their role and power in society, and how these beings speak to us through the stars. I hope this is the first of many chat's with Maeg on these subjects.

SHOW NOTES:

Maeg's Website: https://www.third-sister.com

MUSIC:"Stormy Point / Back of Beyond / The Seamstress" off the album Fable & Fire by Andrew Marlin - https://www.andrewmarlin.com

Daniel Yates is a theologian, artist, and folklorist with an uncanny eye behind the camera. Today we pull no punches focusing on the stated goal of this show and explore Daniel's radical ideas about "Elphame." We talk about Daniel's upcoming book, Mysteria, which is a grimoiric treatise on what he calls "Elphamic Witchcraft," and as he says: "a work that will challenge many people's assumptions regarding what Elphame is and how we interact with it." Furthermore we delve into the double edged sword of understanding the past through its folklore, the theological underpinnings of Sabbatic Witchcraft, and hot takes about the hidden nature of Elphame and those who dwell there. This was a really interesting and exploratory conversation, the kind of which I hope to have many more of here. I hope you enjoy it.

SHOW NOTES:

Daniel's Website: https://www.photophrenic.com

Mysteria & Elphamic Witchcraft: https://www.photophrenic.com/elphamicwitchcraft

The Occult Library: https://www.occultlibrary.org

MUSIC:"Stormy Point / Back of Beyond / The Seamstress" off the album Fable & Fire by Andrew Marlin - https://www.andrewmarlin.com

ART: "Chesed" Photo by Daniel Yates