Laylla and Chelle sit down with Appalachian witch and priestess Byron Ballard to discuss the aftermath of Storm Helene and how her community is finding resilience in its wake. Byron shares the vital role her Mother Grove Goddess Temple played in helping neighbors recover, offering practical support and spiritual guidance in challenging times. The conversation flows into the spirits of the land and the Goddess in winter, exploring how the season of stillness and reflection can deepen our connecti...
Dec 28, 2024•53 min•Ep. 95
It’s the first night of Yule, and what better way to celebrate Mother’s Night than with some witchy wisdom and warm guidance from your favorite magickal aunties, Laylla and Chelle? In this cozy, fireside-style episode of Back on the Broomstick, the witches answer questions sent in by listeners, getting into the nuances, ethics, and practicalities of the craft. From heartfelt questions like spellcasting for your child, to the mystical, like hedge riding tips and tools. Ever wondered what to do wi...
Dec 20, 2024•48 min•Ep. 94
In this festive and thought-provoking episode of Back on the Broomstick, Laylla and Chelle unwrap "The Good, the Bad, and a Yule Ghost Story" to bring a mix of holiday cheer, real-world reflections, and spooky seasonal vibes to your listening ears. First, the good! The witches are over the moon to share their delight at receiving heartfelt Yule cards from listeners at their new post office box. Your warm words and magical blessings have filled them with seasonal gratitude and the joy of connecti...
Dec 13, 2024•42 min•Ep. 93
The longest night of the year is upon us, and the witches of Back on the Broomstick are here to guide you through the magic of Yule and Winter Solstice traditions! In this festive and witchy episode, Laylla and Chelle celebrate the season of light returning by sharing their favorite Solstice practices, cozy rituals, and ways to infuse your home and winter celebrations with magic. Learn about the ancient Nordic practice of Sunwait, where witches honor the sun’s slow return leading up to Yule. Get...
Dec 06, 2024•33 min•Ep. 92
This week, the witches of Back on the Broomstick welcome a true Tarot powerhouse: Brigit Esselmont, the founder of the website Biddy Tarot and author of best-sellers like Everyday Tarot and The Ultimate Guide to Tarot Card Meanings and her newest book Intuitive Manifesting: Align with Your Inner Wisdom and Attract Your Dream Life . With over 25 years of experience and millions of readers worldwide, Brigit has redefined what it means to work with Tarot as a modern, intuitive tool for empowerment ...
Nov 29, 2024•46 min•Ep. 91
Forging the Bonds of Community With A day of Online Workshops! Upcoming Fundraiser! Proceeds Benefiting Hurricane Helene Relief of Western NC Plus more prerecorded workshops from some of the best available! Details and tickets HERE In this special Back on the Broomstick Solarium episode, the witches welcome Sam 'Bo' Thompson, the chief tea slinger from The Grove Teas he owns with his beloved, and author of Metal Never Lies: An Introduction to Metal Magic , for a warm and magical conversation tha...
Nov 27, 2024•49 min
The holiday season is here, and in this episode of Back on the Broomstick, Laylla and Chelle explore the magick of gratitude while sharing spells to keep Thanksgiving and holiday gatherings harmonious. The witches discuss how practicing gratitude can shift your energy, enhance your spellwork, and create a peaceful atmosphere at home during what can often be a stressful time. Our witchy hosts also share spells and magickal tips to ensure holiday dinners run smoothly. Including Lilith Dorsey’s “Sw...
Nov 22, 2024•29 min•Ep. 90
In this raw and heartfelt episode, the witches of Back on the Broomstick discuss the difficult emotions all of us face at some point in our lives - disappointment, grief, and sadness. As practitioners of the magickal arts, how do we transform this heavy energy into something empowering? The discussion explores both mundane and magickal approaches, with Laylla sharing a candle spell and a dark moon ritual to help process these challenging feelings. Also in this episode, learn what a "fuck you" ri...
Nov 15, 2024•40 min•Ep. 89
In this episode of Back on the Broomstick, Chelle and Laylla dive into the art of divination for the dark half of the year. As Samhain fades and the veil is still thin, it’s the perfect time to look ahead at what the months between now and Beltane might hold. Inspired by Chelle’s new charm collection, they explore the fascinating world of charm casting—an ancient form of divination that’s experiencing a magical revival. They chat about how to curate your own set of charms, interpret each one’s u...
Nov 08, 2024•48 min•Ep. 88
Laylla and Chelle honor the life and legacy of Pamela Colman Smith, the brilliant artist behind the iconic Rider-Waite-Smith (or what Laylla calls the Smith-Waite) tarot deck. Overlooked until recently, Pamela’s work has influenced countless readers and seekers for over a century, yet her story remains shrouded in mystery and intrigue. Join the witches as they delve into Pamela’s life as a (possibly) queer, (possibly) mixed-race artist and occultist, her connections with the Golden Dawn, and the...
Nov 01, 2024•33 min•Ep. 87
As a special Throwback Thursday surprise for Samhain, we’re bringing back one of our favorite "Stoned Witches Hour" Wheel of the Year episodes to get you in the Halloween spirit! The third harvest is upon us, and in this timeless episode, Laylla and Chelle dive into the magic and mystery of Samhain, the witch’s New Year, that liminal space when the veil between life and death is at its thinnest. Join the witches as they explore the traditions, symbols, and sacred practices that define this high ...
Oct 31, 2024•45 min•Ep. 86
In this episode of The Solarium, Laylla & Chelle review a couple of dark, scratch art decks and a whole bunch of books about our favorite Goddess of the Crossroads, Hecate. They explore The Wanderer's Tarot by Casey Zabala and The Untamed Spirit Animal Oracle: Wisdom from the Wild Within by Francesca Matteoni, illustrated by Rocco Lombardi. On the book front, they discuss Entering Hekate's Cave: The Journey Through Darkness to Wholeness and Entering Hekate's Garden: The Magick, Medicine &...
Oct 29, 2024•38 min
Get ready to light some candles and clutch your crystals, because this week on Back on the Broomstick, Chelle and Laylla are sharing one of their most unforgettable—and unnerving—paranormal experiences; the time they recorded a Ouija board session in a notorious haunted house, an encounter so chilling it made Chelle swear off ever stepping foot in the place again. Our witchy hosts then take you on a journey through the fascinating history of spirit communication, tracing séances from Victorian p...
Oct 25, 2024•56 min•Ep. 85
It's almost Samhain! The spooky season is the perfect time to cuddle up with a good witchy movie. Laylla and Chelle talk about some of our favorite Halloween classics to uncover the real magic behind the Hollywood spells. With blankets wrapped tight, hot tea in hand, and snacks aplenty, our witches have put in the *tough* work of rewatching beloved witchy flicks to answer the burning question: Is there real magic in these movies, or is Hollywood just spinning broomsticks for cash? And is there a...
Oct 18, 2024•42 min•Ep. 84
In this episode of The Solarium, Laylla and Chelle are joined in their sunlit haven by special guests Paulina Stevens and Jezmina Von Thiele, authors of the book Secrets of Romani Fortune-Telling: Divining with Tarot, Palmistry, Tea Leaves, and More, and co-hosts of the Romanistan podcast. The authors share their personal experiences of being raised in traditional fortune-telling families, offering listeners an intimate look into the rich and complex world of Romani divination practices. In thei...
Oct 14, 2024•43 min
Laylla and Chelle sit down with the delightfully witchy (and very busy!) Rev. Laura González for a conversation about Parliament of Worlds Religions, Tarot, teaching, ancestors, and death traditions for this time of year. Rev Laura shares her experience opening Parliament as well as powerful insights and meaningful ways to remember our beloved dead and celebrate the cycle of life, death, and remembrance. As we move deeper into the Season of the Witch and closer to Samhain, our hosts discuss the ...
Oct 11, 2024•55 min•Ep. 83
This week, Laylla and Chelle dive into the world of paranormal investigation with special guest Alonnie, psychic medium and Co-Founder of SPECTERS (Study of Paranormal Events Confirmed Through Evidence, Research, and Science). From sensing spirits as a child to leading one of Central New York's paranormal research teams, Alonnie shares her journey of learning to understand her ability to see ghosts and how she has channeled that ability to help others. Get ready for a fascinating discussion abou...
Oct 04, 2024•56 min•Ep. 82
Get ready to light those candles and stir the cauldron, it’s officially the Season of the Witch! In this episode Laylla and Chelle kick off a month of delightfully spooky topics perfect for October. The witches chat about their recent adventures at CNY Pagan Pride Day, share some magical moments from the festival, and dish on connecting with community. They'll explore the thinning of the veil, honoring ancestors, and why this sabbat holds such a special place in witchy hearts. Plus, get ready fo...
Sep 27, 2024•42 min•Ep. 81
As the Autumn Equinox falls further behind us and the veil between worlds thins, the spooky season is in full swing! Join your favorite witchy podcast hosts, Chelle and Laylla, for a deliciously dark snack of a mini episode that's sure to get you in the Samhain spirit. This week, the dynamic duo have, for your delectation, a dramatic reading of the haunting piece "Never Again the Burning" by the one and only Gale Perrigo Hamby. (we know her! we know her!) This powerful piece is a tribute to the ...
Sep 25, 2024•6 min
Chelle and Laylla welcome the insightful and enchanting Amy Blackthorn, author of "Social Media Spellbook: 366 Ways to Get Witchy on the Web" and "Blackthorn's Book of Sacred Plant Magic: Spells, Rites, and Rituals for Living an Aromatic Life." Together, they dive into the world of herbal magic, offering wisdom on how to harness the power of plants and intention in your spellwork. Amy discusses how a basil plant can be a love spell as well as how to interpret surprise plants and herbs that pop i...
Sep 20, 2024•39 min•Ep. 80
In this enchanting Solarium episode of Back on the Broomstick , Laylla and Chelle dive headfirst into the world of witchy subscription boxes, just in time for the Spooky Season! It may be almost the Autumn Equinox, but Samhain is fast approaching and Halloween will soon be filling the air with magick. What better way to prepare than by exploring some of the most popular subscription boxes for witches? The witches review the mystical offerings from Inked Goddess Creations , Witch Casket , and The...
Sep 16, 2024•49 min
Join your favorite witches for a spellbinding episode of Back on the Broomstick as we delve into the mystical energies of the fall season! In this autumnal special, we explore the lore and superstitions surrounding Friday the 13th, unraveling the mysteries behind this enigmatic date. We'll then shift our focus to the significance of the Autumn Equinox in witchcraft and pagan traditions, discussing how this powerful time of balance can be harnessed in your magical practice. As we embrace the chan...
Sep 13, 2024•43 min•Ep. 79
Join witchy besties Laylla and Chelle as they light up your magical practice with an illuminating episode all about candle spells! In this episode, our hosts cover 3 simple candle spells every witch should know Blessing: Infuse objects or spaces with positive energy Cleansing: Banish negative vibes and start fresh Protection: Return to sender The witches also discuss 3 slightly more advanced candle spells to keep in your witchy repertoire: Money Bowls: Attract abundance Manifestation: Bring your...
Sep 06, 2024•50 min•Ep. 78
Chelle and Laylla are unpacking from festivals and camping trips and diving into their backlog of questions, comments, and DMs from listeners. First a PSA on counterfeit Tarot decks; how to spot them and what to do if you purchase one. What are the risks of ancestral work? What to do with a protection item that has broken while protecting you? Are the witches culturally appropriating practices? What can be done for the political unrest in the USA? Register to vote or check your registration! LGB...
Aug 30, 2024•46 min•Ep. 77
The witches watched the movie Tarot together and give you all the dirty details! Did the witches like it? Was it accurate? How creepy is it? From wikipedia " Tarot is a 2024 American supernatural film written and directed by Spencer Cohen and Anna Halberg in their feature film directorial debuts. It is based on the 1992 novel Horrorscope by Nicholas Adams. The film stars Harriet Slater, Adain Bradley, Avantika, Wolfgang Novogratz, Humberly González, Larsen Thompson, Olwen Fouere, and Jacob Batal...
Aug 23, 2024•40 min
In this enchanting episode of Back on the Broomstick, Laylla & Chelle sit down with Mhara Starling, a Welsh-born witch and author of Welsh Witchcraft: A Guide to the Spirits, Lore, and Magic of Wales and the upcoming Welsh Fairies: A Guide to the Lore, Legends, Denizens & Deities of the Otherworld, Mhara shares her unique perspective as a Folk Witch, blending ancient Welsh traditions with modern practice. The conversation delves into the fascinating world of animism and sacred places, ex...
Aug 16, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 76
Welcome to another Solarium episode of Back on the Broomstick! This week, Laylla and Chelle review a sea of magical goodies and literary wonders. First up, we're gushing over the adorable squid earrings sent in from Kat at Force of Nature Creations . These cute cephalopod accessories are adorable! We wore them in NYC at the Witch's Fest USA festival and got tons of compliments. Thank you!! Then, we're diving deep into a treasure trove of new tarot books and oracle decks: "Tarot for the Hard Work...
Aug 09, 2024•45 min
Grab your dowsing rods and EMF meters, witches! This week, Laylla and Chelle sit down with the enigmatic Davezilla to explore his haunting new creation, "Tarot of the Unexplained," dropping on August 5th. In this spine-tingling episode, we'll: Delve into the inspiration behind this unique deck Share bone-chilling ghost stories and cryptid encounters Explore how urban legends and unexplained phenomena translate into tarot Offer our unfiltered thoughts on the deck's artwork and energy Hear Laylla'...
Aug 02, 2024•56 min•Ep. 75
Grab your sickles and join Laylla and Chelle as we dance into the golden fields of Lammas, also known as Lughnasadh! In this bountiful episode of Back on the Broomstick, we're celebrating the first harvest of the year and all its witchy wonders. Our cauldron is bubbling over with: The history and lore of Lammas/Lughnasadh Traditional and modern ways to celebrate this sabbat Delicious recipes for your Lammas feast Crafts and rituals to honor the grain god and the abundance of the earth We'll expl...
Jul 26, 2024•27 min•Ep. 74
Grab your broomsticks and join Laylla and Chelle for an enlightening conversation with special guest George Lizos, spiritual teacher, intuitive healer, and author of "Secrets of Greek Mysticism: A Modern Guide to Daily Practice with the Greek Gods and Goddesses" and "Be The Guru". In this episode, we dive deep into the realm of personal deity and divine connections. George, a priest of Greek Paganism, shares his unique insights on why having a personal relationship with the Gods is vital, as wel...
Jul 19, 2024•29 min•Ep. 73
