In this sun-soaked episode of Back on the Broomstick, Laylla and Chelle throw open the doors to the Solarium and invite you into the green-growing magic of their top 5 favorite herbs for a spellcraft summer. These aren’t your average tea herbs; these are radiant, protective, visionary, and sensual allies, ready to be sipped, smoked, or burned in your spellwork. Whether you're brewing a potion, crafting a charm, or just need something smokable to stir your senses,the witches have got you covered!

We’re talking Calendula for joy and radiant abundance, mugwort for dreams and divination, damiana for sensual fire and confidence, peppermint for purification and momentum, nettles, catnip, garden sage, and more! Expect practical tips, lore-rich insights, and a little irreverent laughter as the witches stir together kitchen magic, smoke blend suggestions, and spellwork ideas to carry you through the season.

So grab your mortar and pestle, your favorite smoking vessel, and a mug of something enchanted, and join us in the Solarium for an episode packed with herbalicious summer witchery. This is the start of your season of spellcraft and these plant allies are ready to rise with you.

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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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The witches are celebrating Ostara a little late this year and that’s totally okay! Chelle and Laylla share why waiting for the actual signs of spring in your own environment can make your sabbat celebrations more meaningful, rooted, and energetically aligned. The wheel of the year doesn’t always turn on the calendar’s schedule, and honoring your local land’s rhythm can be just as sacred as any celestial festival date.

Laylla shares a beautiful Ostara-themed Tarot spread she found on Tumblr that focuses on renewal, what’s germinating in your life, and what’s ready to bloom. Plus, she unveils a natural eggshell spell she created to harness the energy of new life and fresh intention. It’s perfect for witches who want to seed their goals with a little seasonal magic, literally.

Whether you're right on time, running late, or have been celebrating spring all along, this episode is your reminder that you are not behind on the Wheel of the Year. You’re exactly where you’re meant to be; and spring will come when it’s ready, just like we do.

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Laylla and Chelle spill the enchanted tea on their magical adventures at the 2025 Sacred Space Conference! From leading their deeply transformative Fool Meditation Ritual to hugging the absolute spell out of some beloved listeners, it was a whirlwind of candles, community, and just the right amount of chaos!

The witches share stories from the workshops they attended and the brilliant witches they connected with...yes, we’re talking about Mat Auryn, Jhenah Telyndru, Amy Blackthorn, Mhara Starling, Kristoffer Hughes, Christian Brannen, and so many more. There were spellbooks, sacred moments, and possibly a few awkward ones too! Like when Chelle said something very, very cheeky to Kristoffer Hughes, who (thank the gods) found it hilarious. Laylla, on the other hand, may or may not have had an awkward entanglement with Jhenah Telyndru and is now fairly convinced she has to avoid the Avalonian Priestess out of sheer embarrassment.

Between the deep spiritual work and the laugh-until-you-snort moments, this episode is part recap, part celebration, and all community. Whether you were there in person or in spirit, come along for the ride as the witches reflect on the joy, power, and absolute magic of sharing sacred space with this incredible pagan community.

Fool of the Labyrinth Chant (replace Lady with Fool)

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In this episode Chelle and Laylla are joined by Lacey Burbage, hearth witch, green magic devotee, and author of the just published book Naturally Modern Magick: The Essential Compendium of Spells and Rituals for Health, Happiness, and Prosperity

The witches chat about what it means to be a modern house witch and how Lacey weaves ancestral wisdom with a contemporary, practical approach to witchcraft. As a fourth-generation folk healer and hereditary witch, Lacey brings a deep reverence for nature-based traditions, while keeping her practice grounded in the everyday magic of home, hearth, and herbs. She shares insights from her book, the heart behind her YouTube channel Naturally Modern Witch, and her favorite ways to live by the seasons and the moon even in the middle of modern life.

This episode is a warm, magical cup of tea with a dash of domestic enchantment. Tune in for a nourishing conversation about honoring your roots, creating an authentic path, and finding the sacred in the simple rituals of daily life. Whether you're a kitchen witch, a green witch, or just witch-curious, Lacey’s gentle wisdom and practical magic are sure to inspire.

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In this episode of Back on the Broomstick, Laylla and Chelle are looking ahead to 2025’s pagan festivals and magical conferences! Wonderfully witchy gatherings that stir the cauldron and bring the community together! From long-time favorites they’re planning to attend, to dreamy “someday” events, and even a few they just discovered, this is your sneak peek into the witchy calendar. They look forward to drumming under the stars, workshops on herbalism, or a chance to finally meet your favorite witch authors, they’ve got some exciting events to share.

Our witches also take on some thoughtful listener questions in this episode. How do witches cope with PTSD while doing deep magical work? What if you don’t vibe with either air or fire for the suit of Swords? And do all witches really visualize with crystal clarity during meditations? (Spoiler alert: nope, and that’s okay!) Laylla and Chelle talk about aphantasia and face blindness in magical practice, how to build a system that feels right for you, and why you don’t have to “see” to be deeply intuitive and connected.

Tune in for an episode full of inspiration, honesty, and a healthy dose of witchy wanderlust. Whether you're planning your festival road trip or just trying to figure out what to do when the elements don’t line up with your feelings, this one’s for you.

Mandragora Magika list of festivals

Our list of festivals

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