Laylla and Chelle sit down with author and druid Christian Brunner to discuss his latest book, Alpine Witchery: Austrian Folk Magic, Lore & Spellcraft. Drawing from trial records spanning the 15th to 19th centuries, Christian unveils nearly fifty authentic spells and the captivating stories behind them, offering a rare glimpse into the lives of the accused witches of the Austrian Alps .

Unlike the Salem witch trials, where many of the accused were innocent, some individuals in these Austrian trials were indeed practitioners of folk magic. The trio delves into the cultural and historical contexts of these practices, exploring how magic was interwoven with daily life in the Alpine regions. They also discuss the unique ingredients and rituals found in these spells, such as using animal parts or specific herbs, and how they can be adapted for modern practice.

And of course, it wouldn’t be a conversation with Christian Brunner without a few jaw-dropping spell ingredients pulled straight from the old grimoires. One 400-year-old spell includes a smokable blend involving pig poo...yes, really. Even Laylla, known for her love of smokable spells and adventurous herbal blends, had to draw the line. There’s natural... and then there’s no thank you! Sometimes history is magickal, and sometimes it just stinks.

Whether you're a history enthusiast, a practitioner of folk magick, or simply curious about witch trials, this episode offers a fascinating journey into a lesser-known aspect of European witchcraft. Join us as we explore the rich tapestry of Alpine witchery with Christian Brunner.

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In this Beltane 2025 episode of Back on the Broomstick, Laylla and Chelle light the fires of the season with a warm and witchy exploration of all things Beltane; from ancient rites to modern magic. They begin with a look at the history of the May Queen, a surprisingly short but deeply symbolic tradition that still holds power in today’s rituals. Whether you’re dancing around a maypole or honoring the turning of the Wheel quietly at home, this episode is full of inspiration for how to celebrate Beltane as a solitary witch, including ribbon magic, sacred fire ideas, and simple ways to connect with the rising energy of the land.

The witches share a spell to honor the May Queen or May King within yourself, tapping into your own sacred vitality, creativity, and wild joy. They also talk about the community from their old Beltane festivals and how excited they are to share another Beltane with that same group! The witches are more than ready for open fields, bonfires, ecstatic dance, and the deep magic of shared seasonal celebration!

They touch on a bit of current controversy too; specifically some recent conversation around the Beltane Fire Society in Edinburgh, where a new tax may be causing issues with this years celebration. No, it’s not about how they pronounce Edinburgh wrong (though, yes, they have in the past), but rather a conversation around public paganism and potential targeted harassment in the form of administrative paperwork and fees.

Whether you’re rekindling old traditions or crafting new ones, this episode invites you to stand in your own sacred spark, celebrate the beauty of Beltane, and remember that the fire lives in you, too.

Fire Festival 2025

Fire Festival Controversy

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​In this episode of Back on the Broomstick, Laylla and Chelle are joined by astrologer Laurie Farrington to discuss her latest book, How to Read and Interpret a Birth Chart: Guideposts for Understanding Natal Astrology. Laurie brings decades of experience interpreting the stars through a deeply intuitive and grounded lens, and this book reflects her commitment to helping others align with their soul path through astrology.

During their conversation, Chelle confesses her long-standing fear of astrology (mostly due to the math) and Laylla drops an astrology secret of her own. Together, they dig into what sun, moon, and rising signs really say about us, why Laylla thinks astrology charts are basically a celestial Tarot spread, and whether Mercury retrograde is truly something to fear or just misunderstood cosmic drama. Whether you’re fluent in your birth chart or still wondering what a rising sign actually does, this episode offers an open-hearted, witchy look at the skies above and the wisdom they hold.

Laurie's Website

Laurie's Substack

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