Heathen's Journey Podcast (Siri Plouff)

In this interview, I'm speaking with Lindy-Fay Hella of Wardruna and Johanna Elf of Cult Botanic. These two fantastic artists are collaborating on a new intention oil. Join us as we explore scent, memory, and Nordic herbcraft. I had such a lovely time speaking with these two about their deep relationships with the sensual and the magical, and I know you'll love it too.

Check out Cult Botanic

Check out Lindy-Fay's website here. Listen to her on the new Wardruna album here.

Book a tarot or rune reading with me: northernlightswitch.com/shop

Sponsors: 

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Swamp Witch Stephanie

Needfire Wellness + Apothecary

The Radical Runes Course admissions close on Monday, September 14th at 5pm CST! This is the course I wish I'd had when I first started learning the runes. Radical Runes is a 12-week transformative journey through the Runes. This course is unlike any other runes course in that it is grounded in queer, leftist theory and practice. Register today! https://www.northernlightswitch.com/product/radical-runes-course/

I am honored to have Tomás Prower as a guest on the podcast this week. When I started planning this season, I knew that I wanted to bring Tomás on. Tomás Prower is a graduate of the University of California: Santa Barbara with degrees in Global Socioeconomics and Latin American Studies. With fluency in English, French, and Spanish, he has worked for the French Government as a cultural liaison throughout South America with extended assignments in Buenos Aires, Santiago de Chile, and the Amazon jungle. Since then, he has been the External Relations Director for the American Red Cross of Nevada, LGBT+ Programs Director for entertainment productions in Los Angeles, and a licensed mortuary professional in California and Nevada. Currently, Tomás resides in Palm Springs, California, as the Director of Communications for the LGBTQ+ Center of the Coachella Valley.

Link to the LGBTQ+ Center of the Coachella Valley

Antiracist Heathenry Resources

Support the podcast on Patreon

After the storm, we must rebuild. After Hagalaz comes Nauthiz. In this episode, Siri explores the ways that the Nauthiz rune reveals what is truly necessary in our lives. Nauthiz, need-fire, rune of potential and action and making choices to get ourselves out of the direst of circumstances.

Here is a YouTube video I found that provides a really nice view on making needfire for yourself. Just be careful!

Preorder Lessons from the Empress

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We continue our exploration of the runes with Raidho. Siri talks about the role of travel and chariots in Old Norse thinking, as well as the different soul parts that make up a pre-Christian Nordic concept of self. The Fylgja, or guide, is deeply connected with the Raidho rune. They are a part of the Nordic soul, and are often thought of as an ancestor, and can often take the shape of an animal. Raidho invites us to move forward in both our mundane and spiritual lives. Let's explore our personal gnosis together, and get to know our motivations better with Raidho.

Transcript: https://www.northernlightswitch.com/2021/04/28/episode-18-meeting-our-soul-guides-and-moving-forward-with-raidho/

Creating in Wyrd Times: http://cassandra-snow.com/tarot-class-registration

Needfire Wellness (promo code heathenjourneypodden): https://www.needfirewellness.com/

Swamp Witch Stephanie (promo code heathen): https://swampwitchstephanie.com/

hey hey! Just popping into your podcast feed to remind you that registration for the last ever live session of Radical Runes closes at midnight on Saturday, February 3rd!

You can register here: https://www.sirivincentplouff.com/shop/p/radical-runes-winter-2024

Radical Runes is a six week course in Nordic divination practices using the Elder Futhark as a launchpad. Each week, I will cover a different topic in depth from a queer, modern perspective. All are welcome - you do not need to be of Nordic descent to practice this kind of magic or divination. You will be learning from a rune expert - I've been studying the runes for years, and made my first set of runes nearly 20 years ago. I think it is especially important to bring queer perspectives to Nordic magic because there is so much shape shifting, trickster, and transformational energy within the Nordic myth cycles.

So join us! I would love to have you!

While being incarcerated for her struggles with drug addiction, Awyn Dawn began to actively look for her spiritual side - and she found it in Paganism.By developing a profound relationship with the gods, Awyn gained greater clarity and a deep sense of peace. You can too with help from this empowering guide to starting and strengthening your spiritual practice. Her book comes out in December and is available for pre-order now. 

Support the podcast on Patreon

Register for Creative Grimoiring on December 5: https://www.northernlightswitch.com/creative-grimoiring-december-5

Book your Year Ahead Reading: https://northernlightswitch.as.me/

In this episode, I begin our journey through the Elder Futhark with Fehu. This is the first rune we encounter, and traditionally means wealth, property, or cattle. But what does wealth mean to the radical heathen? How can we know where to start with wealth when we have complicated feelings about it? Abbie dives into the many layered meanings behind the Fehu rune, and looks at it from an anticapitalist perspective. We talk about generosity, reciprocal communities, and making sure our needs are met before we go off on our own journeys.

Links: 

northernlightswitch.com

patreon.com/northernlightswitch

Follow me: 

Instagram: @northern.lights.witch

Twitter: @northlightwitch

Sources: 

The Poetic Edda (translated by Carolyne Larrington). Oxford University Press. 1996.

Aswynn, Freyja. Northern Mysteries and Magick: Runes and Feminine Powers. Llewellyn Worldwide, 1998.

Murphey, Bradley. Othil: Norse Ancestral Traditions. Thrymheim Publishing. 2006.

Paxson, Diana. Taking Up The Runes: A Complete Guide to Using Runes in Spells, Rituals, Divination, and Magic. Weiser Books, 2005.

Plouff, Abbie. Heathen’s Journey Column on Little Red Tarot. First published in 2017.

And now for something a little different! In this episode, I interview author and friend Kelden about his new book "The Crooked Path: An Introduction to Traditional Witchcraft." We talk a lot about familiar spirits, traveling to the Pagan Otherworlds, and the distinction between Traditional Witchcraft and other paths. I know that this podcast is focused primarily on Heathenry, but Traditional Witchcraft is another practice that is dear to my heart and can teach us a lot about our folk paths. 

Recommended reading: 

The Crooked Path: An Introduction to Traditional Witchcraft

Sponsors: 

Needfire Wellness + Apothecary (use code HeathenJourneyPodden for 10% off!)
Anchor.fm

Perthro is a mysterious rune that means luck, mystery, and the mead. In this episode of the podcast Siri covers the beauty of this rune in a solo-episode. We talk about the different soul parts, and how Perthro is connected with the Hamingja. This rune disappears in the Younger Futhark, which only adds to its mystery. We also discuss the sacred quality of mead and seeking the mead as spiritual initiation.

Read the Transcript

Register for Radical Runes

Support the podcast on Patreon

Buy my book (and Ryan Smith's "Spinning Wyrd") on my bookshop.org affiliate shop

Kari Tauring's Soul Parts and Healing Course

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Sources:
Kvilhaug, Maria. Seed of Yggdrasil. Three Little Sisters Press. 

Smith, Ryan. Spinning Wyrd. Llewellyn Books, Woodbury, MN. 2023

Tauring, Kari. The Runes: A Deeper Journey. Minneapolis. 2015.

Tauring, Kari. “Soul Parts and Healing Course.”

Welcome back for a conversation about the Younger Futhark with Kari Tauring! This episode is released in celebration of her newest book.

"The Runes: A Pandemic Journey" manifests Kari Tauring’s journaling and teaching of the embodied practice of Völva Stav. In its pages, she walks you through the sixteen Younger Futhark runes, the Anglo-Saxon Nine Herbs Charm, and the Norwegian Primstav perpetual calendar. While writing the book, Tauring was impacted by the Global Pandemic and uprising for justice in Minneapolis between 2020 and 2023 and that experience has been woven into the text.

Purchase "The Runes: A Pandemic Journey" here

Purchase "The Day Begins at Sunset" here

Support Siri on Patreon here: patreon.com/sirivincentplouff

Support Kari on Patreon here: patreon.com/karitauring

Preorder Siri's new book, "Queering the Runes"

In an episode that I didn't plan I swear, Siri discusses harvest festivals and the rune Jera. To Siri, Jera is not just about the year, but it is related to earth itself. This is a rune of appreciation of the gifts of nature, as well as of cultivation. The shape of the rune - two v’s turned on their side and intertwining - speaks to me of cycles. This episode happens to come out on Mabon, and so of course Siri discusses harvest festivals and the deity Freyr.

**

Buy "Lessons from the Empress: A tarot workbook for self-care and creative expression"

Support the podcast on Patreon

You may know Marcus McCoy's work already - he runs the Trollcunning Forge, a blacksmithing studio dedicated to crafting beautiful occult wares. There are a lot of misconceptions about alchemy, including the idea that it was all metaphorical. It's not! In this episode, we go deep on magical practice, the blurry lines between folk and ceremonial magic, and the art of the forge. 

Books and teachers for further research: 

Robert Bartlett
The Forge and the Crucible: the Origins and Structures of Alchemy by Mircea Eliade
Ars Filtron by Daniel Schulke
Rituals and Remedies by Kathleen Stokker

Link to join my mailing list: https://bit.ly/2KDHZsK

Support the podcast: patreon.com/heathensjourneypod

Find me on social:
Instagram: @siri.vincent.plouff
Twitter: @northlightwitch

We're back to studying the runes in depth! In this episode, Siri talks about Ansuz and communication. They also discuss Odin at length - as it's nearly impossible to study the runes without also studying Odin. 

After an unintended hiatus, we are back with season 2 of the Heathen's Journey Podcast. This week, we're talking about Gyfu, Mutual Aid, and Creating Reciprocal communities and what that means in 2021. 

Gyfu is one of my favorite runes, and I hope you enjoy it. 

Support me on Patreon

Visit the Apothecary

Sources: 

"The Runes: A Deeper Journey" by Kari Tauring
Interview with Sara Axtell (episode 19)
"Wild Soul Runes" by Laura Veleda Vesta
"Taking Up the Runes" by Diana Paxson
Norwegian Language Primstav Facebook page

This episode covers the necessity for secrecy in witchcraft, some examples of why you might want to keep your magic a secret. This episode also covers some psychic protection basics, as well as instructions on warding your home from negative entities or energies. 

Further Reading: 

“The Witch’s Shield” by Christopher Penczak

“Psychic Self-Defense” by Dion Fortune

Sponsors: 

anchor.fm

Needfire Wellness + Apothecary

Swamp Witch Stephanie

Today I'm sharing a conversation with my mentor Kari Tauring. She is the author of “The Volva Stav Manual,” “The Runes: A Deeper Journey,” and today we’re discussing her newest book: “The Day Begins at Sunset.” This is a collection of poems reflecting on the Primstav, an Old Norse calendar stick that helped people follow the seasons and the Saint Days in the Middle Ages. I spoke about this with Sara Axtell as well in episode 19. In that episode we focused on the concept of Unsettling Ourselves - on how we as settler colonizers can actively participate in decolonization while appreciating the land around us. This is pretty different from that episode - here, we talk about the Primstav as a relic of the transition between Paganism and Christianity, violent histories, ancestor work, and more. Kari reads some of her poetry and it is absolutely beautiful.

Learn more about Kari and buy her books here: karitauring.com

If you are in the Twin Cities area and you're available, you should come to Kari's book release party! It's on Sunday, October 29th 2023 at the Bryant Lake Bowl. Details here

Listen to a previous episode about the primstav with Sara Axtell here: Episode 19

You can support this podcast on Patreon:

http://patreon.com/heathensjourneypod

Want more writing from Siri? Subscribe to the Troll-Brev Newsletter!

Buy Siri's book and more at their Bookshop Affiliate Link:

https://bookshop.org/shop/sirivincent...

This week, I’m going to be talking about the history of white supremacist and Nazi appropriation of Germanic and Nordic symbols. This is at the heart of my work, and is a big part of the reason I write about the Norse path. I think it is a deep responsibility that we have as white people to understand our cultural lineage, and how we got to this place.

Resources: 

Shannon Weber, “White Supremacy’s Old Gods: The Far Right and Neopaganism,” at Political Research Associates. February 1 2018 (https://www.politicalresearch.org/2018/02/01/white-supremacys-old-gods-the-far-right-and-neopaganism)

Sarah Emily Bond, “Hold My Mead: A Bibliography for Historians Hitting Back At White Supremacy.” History From Below. September 10, 2017. (https://sarahemilybond.com/2017/09/10/hold-my-mead-a-bibliography-for-historians-hitting-back-at-white-supremacy/)

Shane Burley, “Rainbow Heathenry: Is a Left-Wing, Multicultural Asatru Possible?” at Gods and Radicals. April 6 2016. (https://godsandradicals.org/2016/04/06/rainbow-heathenry-is-a-left-wing-multicultural-asatru-possible/)

Katy Swallow is a spirit worker, reader, mage and reiki practitioner, who tends to specialize in uncomfortable things. Death, grief, and intergenerational and ancestral trauma are her frequent companions. Her work can be accurately described as “navigating the lines between everything.” In this episode, Katy and Siri talk about their experiences working with spirits, speaking with ancestors, and ancestral healing. We also laugh a lot and have an overall amazing conversation. 

Katy has some classes coming up! Please check out her website for more information: katyswallow.com

You can also follow her on Twitter here: @kswallowtarot

Register for Intro to Spirit Contact on February 7th here

Read my blog here

Support this podcast on Patreon

I am so thrilled to finally be able to release this episode into the world! Eric Purdue has been working tirelessly on a new translation of the Three Books of Occult Philosophy - the first new translation in over 300 years. This edition corrects many, many mistakes and mistranslations, and will hopefully make this behemoth of a classic more approachable for the modern occultist. Purdue has studied metaphysics and the occult and has practiced magic and astrology for more than thirty years, with a particular focus on practical folk and astrological magic. Through his lectures and writings on traditional astrology and talismanic magic, he has been a notable voice on the subjects of medieval astrology, traditional magical systems, and the legacy of Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa. 

Preorder your copy at the Northern Lights Apothecary

Support the podcast! Become a patron on Patreon: patreon.com/heathensjourneypod

We continue our journey through the elder futhark with Kenaz. This is a rune of fire, truth, and in some ways - balance. Listen to the podcast episode to learn more about this rune, and to hear how it plays with other runes.

Transcription: https://www.northernlightswitch.com/blog/heathens-journey-podcast-ep-21

Northern Lights Apothecary

Needfire Apothecary

Nicolette Miele is an an author, herbalist, pagan witch, and animal advocate. Her first book, "Runes for the Green Witch," is a magical grimoire that immerses readers in the widsom and folklore of the 24 runes of the Elder Futhark.

Check out Nicolette's links, including her apothecary Handfuls Of Dust: handfulsofdust.com

**

Join the newsletter to stay up to date on all the things! Including the "Queering the Runes" course!

Support the podcast on Patreon at patreon.com/sirivincentplouff

Siri explores what heathenry is - how heathens define it, and what it looks like in belief and practice. This is essential as we move through the rest of this podcast, seeking Nordic wisdom and to live in the rhythm of the natural world. 

Books mentioned:

"A Practical Heathen's Guide to Asatru" by Patricia Lafayllve

"The Way of Fire and Ice" by Ryan Smith

Support this Podcast on Patreon:
patreon.com/heathensjourneypod

Sponsor:
anchor.fm

Did you know that there are technically two full months of Jul in Norse tradition? There is so much to celebrate! In this episode, Kari and Siri talk about the different winter traditions, keeping time in an old Norse way, and the tension between joy and grief that accompanies this time of year. 

If you're interested in learning more about these traditions, join us for Jul Fest at Needfire Wellness! This is a series of zoom classes all about Jul. Learn more here: http://www.needfirewellness.com/jul-fest

You can book a year ahead reading at my Acuity Scheduling page here.

Click here to learn more about Folk Songs of Another America

And here is the Frugal Gourmet, to learn some ancestral recipes

Support the Podcast on Patreon

I have a new podcast! It's called Chaos and Cunning and it is all about the intersection of culture, folk magic, and chaos magic. Basically, I wanted a place to talk about occult things that I engage with that aren't explicitly heathen in nature. Enter: Chaos and Cunning.

This episode is an intro and an explainer. Learn more about host Siri, as well as the general philosophy behind the podcast.

Join us next week over on that feed for our first interview with the one and only Kelly-Ann Maddox!

**

Support the show on Patreon: https://patreon.com/sirivincentplouff

Check out Siri's wares at Lore Books: https://lore-books.com/shop

Queering the Runes Course is currently open for registration! Check it out and register here: https://lore-academy.teachable.com/p/queering-the-runes

Today on the podcast, Siri is in conversation with Ryan Smith, author of The Way of Fire & Ice: The Living Tradition of Norse Paganism, and Spinning Wyrd: Exploring the Nordic Mysteries. Expanding on the progressive ideas and practices in The Way of Fire and Ice, this next-step book teaches you how to tap into the forces of the Nordic cosmos. The greatest of these forces is wyrd, the symphony of life cocreated by all beings, from the humblest plants to the mightiest gods.

You can purchase Ryan's books (as well as many others) at Siri's Bookshop.org Affiliate Shopfront: https://bookshop.org/shop/sirivincentplouff

Support the podcast on Patreon: https://patreon.com/heathensjourneypod

Sign up for Troll-Brev

Did you know there's no future tense in Old Norse? It's a huge part of why I (Siri) don't use the runes for predictive reading or fortune telling. My approach has shifted a lot since going deep in my relationships with the runes, and now I'm primarily using tarot for year-ahead readings. I like to take a very practical approach, using divination to help me understand what the best actions to take are. 

I hope you are staying safe and healthy.

Book a year-ahead reading with me: https://northernlightswitch.as.me/

Join my Patreon: patreon.com/northernlightswitch

Cory Thomas Hutcheson is the cohost of the popular podcasts New World Witchery, Chasing Foxfire, and Myth-Taken: A Buffy the Vampire Slayer Podcast, and author of the book New World Witchery: A Trove of American Folk Magic. He has a doctorate in American Studies with specializations in folklore, religion, and ethnicity from Penn State. He is a contributor to the Oxford Handbook of American Folklore and Folklife Studies and American Myths, Legends, and Tall Tales. Visit him online at www.newworldwitchery.com

Support this podcast on Patreon

Preorder your copy of Lessons from the Empress

Check out my website

Ren Zatopek is a heretical, hedgeriding witch of the Ced Tradition with more than fifteen years of experience working full-time as a spiritual guide, healer, and ritualist. She has a special interest in helping folks with exceptional intensity, sensitivity, and creativity explore the deeper, more troubling waters of witchery without losing their shit. She believes that a healthy, intentional relationship with trance is a great place to start, so she created the online Hedge+Riders Trance Training Ground as a place for folks to work on the kinds of wide-awake, walking, talking trance states that are most conducive to conscious spiritwork, spellcrafting, and ritual.

+ Ren offers accessible online training through renspiritwork.com

+ Folks local to Raleigh, North Carolina can email hello@renspiritwork.com for info on in-person gatherings.

+ Ren’s elders in the Ced Tradition teach out of The Green Man Store in Los Angeles, CA

You can support this podcast on Patreon:

http://patreon.com/heathensjourneypod

Want more writing from Siri? Subscribe to the Troll-Brev Newsletter!

Buy Siri's book and more at their Bookshop Affiliate Link:

https://bookshop.org/shop/sirivincent...

Lara Veleda Vesta, MFA, is an artist, author, storyteller and educator transforming chronic illness into a path of healing and reclaiming.   She is the  illustrator of The Moon Divas Oracle Cards, author of The Moon Divas Guidebook, and the newly released Wild Soul Runes: Reawakening the Ancestral Feminine. Her research interests include ancestral connection, mythtelling and disability as initiation, and she is currently creating an illustrated guide to death transitions. Her path of myth, folk magic, ancestor lore and ritual practice is shared through classes at the Wild Soul School.

Check out the giveaway of Wild Soul Runes over on Instagram! 

Newsletter for Apothecary Updates

Patreon.com/northernlightswitch

Sign up for Radical Runes

Affiliate Link for Needfire Wellness (use code heathenjourneypodden for 10% off)

Let's dive deep into the rune Uruz, its different meanings, and how we can gain strength from and persistence. In this episode, I talk about Audhumla, the Norse creation myths, and the meeting of fire and ice. 

Bonus: If you want to learn runes with me, I've got a class coming up on August 18th, 2020! Intro To Runes will give you a quick overview of the full futhark, the history of the runes, and other important info. You can sign up here: https://thefuturempls.com/collections/events/products/august-18-intro-to-runes-online

References: 

The Poetic Edda (translated by Carolyne Larrington). Oxford University Press. 1996.

The Prose Edda. (edited by Anthony Faulkes).

Aswynn, Freyja. Northern Mysteries and Magick: Runes and Feminine Powers. Llewellyn Worldwide, 1998.

Murphey, Bradley. Othil: Norse Ancestral Traditions. Thrymheim Publishing. 2006.

Paxson, Diana. Taking Up The Runes: A Complete Guide to Using Runes in Spells, Rituals, Divination, and Magic. Weiser Books, 2005.

Plouff, Abbie. Heathen’s Journey Column on Little Red Tarot. First published in 2017.

Rhys-Mountfort, Paul. Nordic Runes. Versa Press, 2003.

Tauring, Kari. The Runes: A Deeper Journey. Self published, © 2007

Eiwaz is the first tree rune in the Elder Futhark. It is a highly toxic tree that is used to both poison and heal, and is thought by many to be the tree that Odin hangs himself on to take up the runes. Learn more about this fascinating rune in today's episode!

You can read a transcript of this podcast here: https://www.heathensjourneypod.com/episodes/s2-e8-eiwaz-a-portal-to-the-underworld

You can support this podcast on Patreon: http://patreon.com/heathensjourneypod⁠

Want more writing from Siri? Subscribe to the Troll-Brev Newsletter!

Buy Siri's book and more at their Bookshop Affiliate Link: https://bookshop.org/shop/sirivincent⁠...

Sources: 

Boyer, Corinne. Under the Witching Tree. Troy Books, London. 2016.

Smith, Ryan. Spinning Wyrd. Llewellyn Books, Woodbury, MN. 2023

Tauring, Kari. The Runes: A Deeper Journey. Minneapolis. 2015.

Vesta, Lara Veleda. Wild Soul Runes: Reawakening the ancestral feminine. Newburyport, MA. 2021

Yew - Paradox. Tree Spirit Wisdom. ⁠https://treespiritwisdom.com/tree-spirit-wisdom/yew-tree-symbolism/#:~:text=In%20Norse%20mythology%2C%20the%20yew,nine%20nights%20and%20nine%20days⁠. Accessed on 4/27/23Carboplatin-Taxol page. National Cancer Institute. ⁠https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/drugs/carboplatin-taxol⁠. Accessed 4/27/23

Success Story: Taxol. National Cancer Institute. ⁠https://dtp.cancer.gov/timeline/flash/success_stories/s2_taxol.htm#:~:text=Taxol%C2%AE%20(NSC%20125973),as%20well%20as%20Kaposi's%20sarcoma⁠. Accessed 4/27/23

Hot Queer Summer continues with Fire Lyte!

Siri and Fire got a little ... enthusiastic in this episode. It is a huge topic in Fire's book, "The Dabbler's Guide to Witchcraft." Fire refers to this book jokingly as "the anti-beginner's book" specifically because he takes a scientific, experimental approach. In this episode, Fire and Siri discuss atheistic witchcraft, threading the needle between a beginner and advanced witchcraft book, discernment, how to tell you're not in joining a cult, and so much more. Fire Lyte is the host of the Inciting A Riot podcast, and has been creating pagan content for over a decade. 

You can listen to Inciting A Riot wherever you get your podcasts.

Sponsors: 

Support the Podcast by becoming a Patron on Patreon

Shop the Northern Lights Apothecary

Shop Needfire Wellness + Apothecary

This episode was recorded the Friday after election day. In this episode I talk about the ideas of localized resistance. I have a feeling I'll be putting out more episodes like this, probably with more research and heft behind them. I will also be launching a new podcast next month called Chaos and Cunning, which will be a space where I can expand beyond the confines of heathenry to talk about other magical practices.

I had a file mishap and the wrong file uploaded, so I'm sorry if you're seeing this twice! I've had quite the autumn for podcasting errors. It was obviously not my intention to release this incorrectly, but mistakes happen. Ya got me this time, Loki.

**

Patreon.com/sirivincentplouff

lore-books.com

Ryan Smith's fantastic post-election episode: On Endings and Beginnings

Siri sits down with Cassandra Snow for a chat about what it means to queer your witchcraft. Cassandra is a queer tarot reader, writer, and witch who recently released "Queering Your Craft: Witchcraft from the Margins." In this episode, Siri and Cassandra talk a lot about how their personal witchcraft styles developed, how queer people can harness magic for themselves, and so much more. 

To follow Cassandra on social media: 

Instagram: @tarotcassandra

Twitter: @tarot_cassandra

Patreon: patreon.com/cassandrasnow

To support this podcast: 

patreon.com/northernlightswitch

Lex Ritchie is a tarot reader and folk magician weaving spells for liberation, living in the Great Black Swamp. They believe individual liberation and enchantment create collective liberation and enchantment. Lex helps witches connect to their power, agency and magic so they can make magic that makes change. In this conversation, Siri and Lex talk about ancestor work - including some ways for those who are new to ancestor work to get started. 

Lex's Website: thelexritchie.com

Instagram + Twitter: @TheLexRitchie

More on the Viking calendar: https://www.vikingsofbjornstad.com/Viking_Calendar.shtm

How to Host a Dumb Supper

Support this podcast on Patreon

Matthew Venus is a Folk Magician, Artist, Writer, and Witch based in Salem, Massachusetts. He is the owner and lead apothecary of SpiritusArcanum.com. In this conversation, we talk a lot about spirits, working with spirit familiars, and the spirits of plants. Venus has thirty years of experience with witchcraft and folk magic, and is a veritable wealth of historic knowledge. I hope you enjoy this episode! Like, subscribe, and review <3

Sponsors: 

Swamp Witch Stephanie

Needfire Wellness

Lex Ritchie returns to the podcast to talk about all things Underworld with Siri. They share wisdom from their wealth of knowledge about the Underwolrd, tell a queered version of the Persephone myth, and talk about the Underworld as a threat to capitalism. Lex Ritchie is a tarot reader and folk magician weaving spells for liberation, living in the Great Black Swamp. They believe individual liberation and enchantment create collective liberation and enchantment. Lex helps witches connect to their power, agency and magic so they can make magic that makes change. They offer tarot readings and folk magical education and can be found online at thelexritchie.com, and on IG & Twitter @thelexritchie.

Read the transcript on the Heathen's Journey Website

Sign up for Lex's newsletter: https://artisanal-painter-6163.ck.page/eab4ed3ee9

Read Lex's blog posts about radical ancestor work: https://thelexritchie.com/2022/07/finding-magic-and-healing-through-ancestor-work/

Sign up for Siri's Newsletter: https://motivated-painter-7114.ck.page/8b3528173f

Support the Podcast on Patreon

It's been one year since Cassandra Snow and I published "Lessons from the Empress: A tarot workbook for self-care and creative growth!" In celebration of the book's birthday, I invited a special guest host to interview Cassandra and I. Maria Minnis is a tarot reader and author of the forthcoming "Tarot for the Hard Work: An Archetypal Journey to Confront Racism and Inspire Collective Healing." She is absolutely fantastic and we get to talk some juicy details about creativity, where we are now, and how it feels to be one year out from publishing the book.

If you don't have your copy yet, you can buy "Lessons from the Empress" here **affiliate link**

You can preorder "Tarot for the Hard Work" here **affiliate link**

Support the podcast on Patreon

Subscribe to the newsletter

Hello I go by Siri now! Please use they/them pronouns to refer to me.

In this episode, I come out of the gender closet, and relate that back to Uruz. I also talk about the rune Thurisaz, an intense one that many people struggle to work with. This is the introduction of aggression into the futhark, but it is also one of the most powerful runes we can use for self protection.

Resources:
Blog post on Radical Runes: https://www.northernlightswitch.com/2020/08/26/radical-runes-the-class-i-wish-id-had/
Sign up for Radical Runes: https://www.northernlightswitch.com/product/radical-runes-course/
Join the Troll Club: https://www.needfirewellness.com/troll-club

Wouldst thou like to live deliciously? Explore what joy and happiness mean in this episode. This is a solo episode in which Siri dives deep into the meaning of the Wunjo rune.

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Happy Winter Solstice! Have a rerun episode! This episode was originally released on Dec 30 2020.

Did you know there's no future tense in Old Norse? It's a huge part of why I (Siri) don't use the runes for predictive reading - instead, I use them for assessing the situation and figuring out what the best path forward is for me or my client. But there are plenty of other divination methods in Nordic folk magic and heathenry! Listen to this episode to learn all about them.

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Read a Transcript here

Welcome to the 2023 Halloween Werewolf Spectacular! There is a LOT of wolf lore in Nordic mythology and throughout folklore all around the world. I spoke with my friend Matt who has been obsessed with werewolves for most of his life. And at a certain point, doesn’t obsession beget expertise? So I decided to invite him on the podcast for a special werewolf bonanza. We’ll talk about the Werewolf Trials of medieval Europe, the Ulfheidnar in Germanic and Norse culture, Werewolf Saints, and so much more.

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Transcript for this episode can be found here: https://www.heathensjourneypod.com/episodes/s2-e12-halloween-special-werewolf-spectacular

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http://patreon.com/heathensjourneypod

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Buy Siri's book and more at their Bookshop Affiliate Link:

https://bookshop.org/shop/sirivincent...

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References for this Episode:

Old Thiess, a Livonian Werewolf

https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/O/bo46813477.html

Werewolf Magick by Denny Sergent

https://www.amazon.com/Werewolf-Magick-Authentic-Practical-Lycanthropy/dp/0738764450

Wolfs-Head: Óðinn, the Ecstatic God of Tethers & Skin-Turning

[Volume II of the Óðinn Trilogy within the Northern Otherworld Series]

by Shani Oates

https://www.anathemapublishing.com/books-prints/p/wolfs-head

Werewolf: The Apocalypse free intro kit

https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/3370/werewolf-the-apocalypse-free-introductory-kit

In this episode, Abbie interviews teacher Kari Tauring (she/her). Kari is a Nordic folk musician, cultural educator, and spiritual leader, a staff carrier and horn prayer living in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. In this episode, we talk about the concepts of frith, grith, healing oorlog, and what it looks like to be a professional Volva. For more info about Kari, visit her website (karitauring.com). To take one of her online classes, please visit the Needfire Academy (https://needfire-wellness.teachable.com/) for more information. Skol!

Aidan Wachter has been actively involved in magical practice since the 1980’s. His work reflects a wide ranging, eclectic, and non-dogmatic approach with influences from many paths including witchcraft, folk magic, and chaos magic. His books focus on the practice of the craft as a learnable set of skills that can be developed rather than innate talents that must be inherited or granted to the seeker. They are field guides rather than philosophy. In this episode, Aidan and Siri talk about using Black Books for working magic and changing your fate. 

If you loved this episode, you should consider attending Siri's talk at the Salem Witchcraft and Folklore Festival, which runs August 5-7 2022. You can register here.

Take the Heathen's Journey Podcast listener survey to help Siri shape the future of this podcast!

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Preorder Lessons from the Empress here!

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Isa represents Ice: That which is frozen. It is a barrier. It is water that has become so still, it has been made solid. Ice is one of the elements that signaled the birth of our world.

"Ice is hard and without motion. It constrains the movement of waters, but those who try to walk on it may find themselves moving out of control." - Diana Paxson, "Taking Up The Runes."

Resources: 

National Geographic video on singing ice

Jonna Jinton's Atmospheric video of singing ice sounds

Information About Lessons From The Empress

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This is a little bit of a different podcast! I'm actually posting an interview I did with Haley over at Opening the Door Podcast. This episode was originally titled "Exploring Nordic Folklore and Folk Witchcraft with Siri Vincent Plouff."

Because it was released very close to Halloween, we ended up talking almost exclusively about Draugr. Now, posting this over a month later, it is still timely because Christmas is actually a very spooky time of year.

Exciting announcements!

I'm teaching "Queering the Runes" as a FULL ONLINE COURSE! Early bird pricing is $300, and the price goes up to $400 on 12/16.

Learn more and register here

The intro to Chaos and Cunning is OUT as a teaser now! Go and follow/subscribe/check it out!

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The Heathen's Journey Podcast is back from unintended hiatus! In this episode, Siri talks about pagan timekeeping practices and holidays. You *might* have noticed that this is the spookiest time of year, and many witches celebrate accordingly. Siri talks about Samhain, the Norwegian Primstav as a living relic of folklore, and Alfablot. So grab a cup of your favorite tea, coffee, or ale, and have a seat by the fire.

Sponsors and links:

Witchcraft Immersion: https://www.northernlightswitch.com/witchcraft-immersion/

Witchcraft Immersion Scholarship Fund: https://www.gofundme.com/f/witchcraft-immersion-fundraiser

Witchcraft Immersion Scholarship Application: https://forms.gle/AmqHdAH9zdADaCZV7

Take 10% off your purchases at Needfire Wellness with offer code HeathenJourneyPodden: needfirewellness.com

I interview Minta Karlsson about Trolldom and Needfire Wellness. In this interview, we talk about methods of folk magic, how to get started, as well as dealing with our complex understandings of our own ancestors as settler colonialists. We talk about how the privilege of traveling to our ancestral homelands has opened our eyes to what we’re missing in America, and how to try to make that more accessible to people who still live in America.

I am also happy to announce that the Radical Runes course is live! This is a 12-week rune intensive starting on September 15, 2020. You can learn more and register here: https://www.northernlightswitch.com/product/radical-runes-course/

If you want to treat yourself to some magical goodies, head on over to needfirewellness.com and use offer code HeathenJourneyPodden for 10% off your purchase.

Getting experimental and immersing myself in runes for a full year! After healing from magical burnout, I'm more interested than ever in experimentation. The "Queering the Runes" course has inspired me to undertake a full year immersion of experimentation with the runes.

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Register for the Queering the Runes course now through Jan 28 2025!

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Welcome back to the Heathen’s Journey Podcast! Siri took some time off to recalibrate and think through the direction of the podcast. We’re back now, in seasons! Each season we will be focusing on a major theme within heathenry and the runes. This season, we’re covering the second aett of the Elder Futhark through the lens of an Underworld Journey. In this opening episode, Siri covers Hel, Hagalaz, and the Underworld.

Browse the new Heathen's Journey Website: heathensjourneypod.com

Support the Podcast: patreon.com/heathensjourneypod

Preorder "Lessons from the Empress" and buy suggested reading here: https://bookshop.org/shop/sirivincentplouff

In this episode of the podcast, Siri is joined by Sara Axtell, a local leader in the heathen community in Minnesota. The conversation is wide-reaching and deep, and all centered around the idea of getting to know our natural, ancestral rhythms. This allows American heathens to unsettle themselves, and start to make reparations for the wrongs of our ancestors. This work is in part guided by learning the Primstav, a Norwegian calendar stick that kept time for our ancestors and holds a lot of local folklore for us to discover. 

To learn more about the Primstav, here are some resources: 

Primstav Study Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/2354134371472956

Healing Roots:  https://healingrootscommunity.com/

Gullveig's Hearth:  https://www.facebook.com/Gullveigs-Hearth-106320354684263

Primstav learning resources:

Norwegian language primstav page:  https://www.facebook.com/Primstav-1386373814920152

Marking Time:  The primstav murals of Sigmund Aarseth by Kathleen Stokker

The Nordic Animist Year by Rune Hjarnø Rasmussen

Primstav Explanations by Alfred Miller

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Creating in Wyrd Times: Pay it forward ($250); Standard Price ($197)

Radical Runes ONLINE via Catland Books

Podcast Affiliate: Needfire Wellness and Apothecary