Down at the Crossroads

Hello and thank you once again for joining us down at the crossroads for some music, magick, and Paganism. Where witches gather for the sabbath, offerings are made, pacts are signed for musical fame and we usually cross paths with today’s most influential Pagans, occultists, and deep thinkers, but tonight that’s not happening because it’s film club time. I am your bewitching, bald headed, host Chris Orapello and tonight, Tara and I are joined by a friend as we journey back to the 17th century Basque witch trials to learn about the witch’s sabbath. What does a goat in a cassock and a pig in a ruff have in common? Find out by joining us as we watch Pablo Agüero’s 2020 film “Coven of Sisters.” So make some popcorn. Secure your copy, sit down and get comfortable as we get into tonight’s movie. Please be aware that this episode does contain spoilers, but we are happy to bring this conversation to you and hope that you participate with us in our viewing of the film. (Click Here For The full Show Notes)

Hello and thank you once again for joining us down at the crossroads for some music, magick, and Paganism. Where witches gather for the sabbath, offerings are made, pacts are signed for musical fame and we usually cross paths with today’s most influential Pagans, occultists, and deep thinkers, but tonight that’s not happening because it’s film club time. I am your bewitching, bald headed, host Chris Orapello and tonight, Tara and I delve into the realms of family, Goetic spirits, allergies, the persistence of tradition, and scary naked old people! And no I’m not referring to your last private Pagan gathering because tonight we’re watching Ari Aster’s 2018 film Hereditary. Are you curious? Are you a believer? We certainly hope so. So make some popcorn. Secure your copy, sit down and get comfortable as we getting tonight’s film. Please be aware that this episode does contain spoilers, but we are happy to bring this conversation to you and hope that you participate with us in our viewing of the film. (Click here for the complete show notes)

Hello and thank you once again for joining us down at the crossroads for some music, magick, and Paganism. Where witches gather for the sabbath, offerings are made, pacts are signed for musical fame, and we usually cross paths with today’s most influential Pagans, occultists, and deep thinkers, but tonight that isn’t happening because it’s minisode time! That’s right. It’s time to get personal. I am your bewitching, baldheaded, host Chris Orapello and tonight Tara and I sit down to discuss a question sent in by a listener regarding covens. Creating them. Establishing them. Running them. Finding members, etc. We take on this huge topic in about an hour. Hopefully there’s plenty of food for thought contained within. Without a doubt, it’s definitely a topic we may revisit because it’s just that gigantic of a thing. So, be sure to let us know what you think.(Click here for the full show notes)

Hello and thank you once again for joining us down at the crossroads for some music, magick, and Paganism. Where witches gather for the sabbath, offerings are made, pacts are signed for musical fame and we cross paths with today’s most influential Pagans, occultists, and deep thinkers. I am your bewitching, bald headed, host Chris Orapello and tonight Tara and I welcome author and teacher Sara Mastros author of The Sorcery of Solomon, A Guide to the 44 Planetary Pentacles of the Magician King, from Red Wheel / Weiser Books. During our conversation we discuss tree friends, boring witchcraft, the realness or magick, Moina Mathers, unexplained words, the effect of color in magick, and of course the Sorcery of Solomon. (Click here for the full show notes)

Hello and thank you once again for joining us down at the crossroads for some music, magick, and Paganism. Where witches gather for the sabbath, offerings are made, pacts are signed for musical fame, and we usually cross paths with today’s most influential Pagans, occultists, and deep thinkers, but tonight that isn’t happening because it’s minisode time! That’s right. It’s time to get personal. I am your bewitching, bald headed, host Chris Orapello and tonight Tara and I sit down to discuss the current books we’d recommend to new practitioners of the craft while reminiscing about the books we no longer recommend and why that’s changed. It was good to get back behind the microphone and as you’ll find out, the caterpillars were plenty. (Click Here for the complete show notes)

Hello and thank you once again for joining us down at the crossroads for some music, magick, and Paganism. Where witches gather for the sabbath, offerings are made, pacts are signed for musical fame, and we cross paths with today’s most influential Pagans, occultists, and deep thinkers. I am your bewitching, bald headed, host Chris Orapello and tonight Tara and I welcome author Jason Miller back to the show to talk about his book Consorting with Spirits: Your Guide to Working with Invisible Allies. And during our discussion we also get into chopping vegetables, bad ass witches, horror and magick, what a spirit is, personal gnosis, witchcraft and sovereignty, and more. This was an insightful discussion with Jason that garnished an immense amount of food for thought -vegetables included- and we hope you enjoy it. (Click here for the full show notes)

Hello and thank you once again for joining us down at the crossroads for some music, magick, and Paganism. Where witches gather for the sabbath, offerings are made, pacts are signed for musical fame and we usually cross paths with today’s most influential Pagans, occultists, and deep thinkers, but tonight that’s not happening because it’s film club time. I am your bewitching, bald headed, host Chris Orapello and tonight, Tara and I are joined by a friend as we watch Liam Gavin’s 2016 film A Dark Song. So make some popcorn. Secure your copy, sit down, and get comfortable as we delve into the realms of ritual magick and see what happens when you try and teach an old grimoire new tricks. Are you curious? We certainly hope so. Please be aware that this episode does contain spoilers, but we are happy to bring this conversation to you and hope that you participate with us in our viewing of the film. (Click Here for the complete show notes)

Hello and thank you once again for joining us down at the crossroads for some music, magick, and Paganism. Where witches gather for the sabbath, offerings are made, pacts are signed for musical fame and we cross paths with today’s most influential Pagans, occultists, and deep thinkers. I am your bewitching, bald headed, host Chris Orapello and tonight Tara and I meet with podcaster and author Lonnie Scott to discuss his path as a Chaonimist Heathen Sorcerer and more. Lonnie is the midwestern regional steward for The Troth and a future author with Llewellyn books. During the discussion we get into his involvement with Paganism and Heathenry, his experiences with the paranormal and hunting vampires, his first legit WTF moment, his involvement with The Troth, living in Saga Times, Problems within modern Heathenry, its Wiccan roots, and why Lonnie is a bad Heathen. This was an overdue yet frank discussion and we’re finally glad to have Lonnie on the show and to address an area of modern practice that we’ve largely avoided until now. Now, along with our discussion we will be hearing music by Faun, Hey Satan, SJ Tucker, Langfinger, and Wardruna. (Click here for the complete show notes)

Hello and thank you once again for joining us down at the crossroads for some music, magick, and Paganism. Where witches gather for the sabbath, offerings are made, pacts are signed for musical fame and we cross paths with today’s most influential Pagans, occultists, and deep thinkers. I am your bewitching, bald headed, host Chris Orapello and tonight Tara and I meet with blogger, teacher, and author Jason Mankey to discuss his book The Horned God of the Witches available from Llewellyn. Get ready for the lingering effects of the Satanic panic, Jesus with boobs, phalluses old and new, internalized homophobia, the history of witchcraft books, alcohol and community, the problem of evil, makeup and the shaving of one’s legs, Elen of the ways, authenticity, and more. This is a fun, long overdue, interview with Jason and we’re happy to finally be able to bring it to you. (Click here for the complete show notes for this episode)

Hello and thank you once again for joining us down at the crossroads for some music, magick, and Paganism. Where witches gather for the sabbath, offerings are made, pacts are signed for musical fame and we usually cross paths with today’s most influential Pagans, occultists, and deep thinkers, but tonight that’s not happening because it’s film club time. I am your bewitching, bald headed, host Chris Orapello and tonight, Tara and I turn our eyes and minds to the 1968 Hammer Horror Classic, The Devil Rides Out starring Christopher Lee and Charles Gray and a list of others. Secure your viewing experience and join us we delve into a world of black magick, chickens, an Eliphas Levi montage, kidnapping, purple robes, giant spiders, Golden Dawn ritual, devil worship, forced romance, and no seatbelts. Are you intrigued? We certainly hope so. Now, please be aware that this episode does contain spoilers, but we are happy to bring this conversation to you and hope that you participate with us in our viewing of the film. (Click here for the complete show notes)

Hello and thank you once again for joining us down at the crossroads for some music, magick, and Paganism. Where witches gather for the sabbath, offerings are made, pacts are signed for musical fame, and we usually cross paths with today’s most influential Pagans, occultists, and deep thinkers, but tonight that isn't happening because it's minisode time! That’s right. It’s time to get personal. I am your bewitching, bald headed, host Chris Orapello and tonight Tara and I sit down to discuss where the hell we’ve been and what we’ve been up to during the majority of 2021 and to let you know that we’re still here and we’re not going anywhere! (Click here for the complete show notes)

Hello and thank you once again for joining us down at the crossroads for some music, magick, and Paganism. Where witches gather for the sabbath, offerings are made, pacts are signed for musical fame, and we cross paths with today’s most influential Pagans, occultists, and deep thinkers. I am your bewitching, bald headed, host Chris Orapello and tonight Tara and I meet with teacher and author Ivo Dominguez Jr. to discuss his new book The Four Elements of the Wise: Working with the Magickal Powers of Earth, Air, Water, Fire. During our discussion we delve into dealing with the pandemic, reading professionally, The New Alexandrian Library, Between the Worlds, Kumbaya magick, advanced books, approaching the elements in a new way, how to magickally keep the ice in your drink from melting, Voltron, and more. Ivo was a fun guest, and it was great to have him back on the show. ()

Hello and thank you once again for joining us down at the crossroads for some music, magick, and Paganism. Where witches gather for the sabbath, offerings are made, pacts are signed for musical fame and we cross paths with today’s most influential Pagans, occultists, and deep thinkers. I am your bewitching, bald headed, host Chris Orapello and tonight Tara and I meet with podcaster and now author Cory Hutcheson to discuss his long-awaited book New World Witchery: A Trove of North American Folk Magic. During the episode we talk about social media, conversations that are needed, the instant gratification culture in witchcraft, the history of the craft and why that is important, and just what new world witchery is all about. It was great to sit back down with Cory and pick his brain. We certainly hope you enjoy this discussion because it is always fun to chat witchcraft with Cory. (Click here for the full show notes)

Hello and thank you once again for joining us down at the crossroads for some music, magick, and Paganism. Where witches gather for the sabbath, offerings are made, pacts are signed for musical fame and we cross paths with today’s most influential Pagans, occultists, and deep thinkers. I am your bewitching, bald headed, host Chris Orapello and tonight Tara and I meet with author and musician David Bramwell about his recent book “The Cult of Water” and upcoming album of the same name released by his band Oddfellow’s Casino. During the discussion with learn about his background as an author, musician, and Druid; how came to find Druidry as a path; his prior esoteric experiences and involvements; and how his growing up in Doncaster -under the influence of two ancient beings- shaped his world. This was a pleasant and very unexpected conversation that gets complimented by his music during the show. David was a great guest, and we are happy to have the opportunity to share his work with you all tonight. (Click here for the complete show notes)

Hello and thank you once again for joining us down at the crossroads for some music, magick, and Paganism. Where witches gather for the sabbath, offerings are made, pacts are signed for musical fame and we cross paths with today’s most influential Pagans, occultists, and deep thinkers. I am your bewitching, bald headed, host Chris Orapello and tonight Tara and I meet with artist, author, folklorist, esoteric researcher, and cartomancer Via Hedera to discuss her experiences, thoughts, and path as a witch. During the discussion we touch upon ownership of place, finding your own way in a multicultural world, cultural appropriation, rat letters, dealing with history in one’s practice, as well as learning about her art and her upcoming book Folkloric American Witchcraft and the Multicultural Experience: A Crucible at the Crossroads available for preorder from Moon Books. Via was a great guest and we hope you enjoy this thought-provoking episode. (Click here to view the complete show notes)

Hello and thank you once again for joining us down at the crossroads for some music, magick, and Paganism. Where witches gather for the sabbath, offerings are made, pacts are signed for musical fame and we usually cross paths with today’s most influential Pagans, occultists, and deep thinkers, but tonight that’s not happening because it’s film club time. I am your bewitching, bald headed, host Chris Orapello and tonight, Tara and I turn our eyes and minds to Colm McCarthy's 2010 film Outcast. That’s right, make some popcorn, secure your copy, lower the lights, sit down, get comfortable, and join us as we watch and discuss tonight’s movie where shit gets weird, love is in the air, magick is afoot, and a beast stalks a family harboring a secret. Get ready from some great world building and interesting takes on magick and sorcery. Please be aware that this episode does contain spoilers, but we are happy to bring this conversation to you and we hope you participate with us in our viewing of the film. (Click here for the complete show notes)

Hello and thank you once again for joining us down at the crossroads for some music, magick, and Paganism. Where witches gather for the sabbath, offerings are made, pacts are signed for musical fame and we cross paths with today’s most influential Pagans, occultists, and deep thinkers. I am your bewitching, bald headed, host Chris Orapello and tonight Tara and I Zoom with authors Thorn Mooney and Jason Mankey about covening and being witches during the Pandemic. Generational witchcraft. Internet drama and how so many of us seem to love it. Putting people on pedestals or thrones as the case may be. Issues with social media and more. This was a frank lively chat with a lot of great insight, and a bit of unbridled horsing around. So, hop on and giddy up to this latest installment that we hope you enjoy. (For the complete show notes, click here)

Hello and thank you once again for joining us down at the crossroads for some music, magick, and Paganism. Where witches gather for the sabbath, offerings are made, pacts are signed for musical fame and we cross paths with today’s most influential Pagans, occultists, and deep thinkers, but tonight that’s not happening because it’s film club time. I am your bewitching, bald headed, host Chris Orapello and tonight, Tara and I turn our eyes and minds to Roman Polanski's 1999 film The Ninth Gate. That’s right, make some popcorn, secure your copy, lower the lights, sit down, get comfortable, and join us as we watch and discuss tonight’s movie where Johnny Depp plays a rare and exotic book detective who crosses the threshold of money and power as he walks into a world of magick and the occult where death, deception, and intrigue only draw him further into deciphering a centuries old puzzle designed by the devil himself. Please be aware that this episode does contain spoilers, but we are happy to bring this conversation to you and we hope you participate with us in our viewing of the film. (Click here for the complete show notes for this episode)

Hello and thank you once again for joining us down at the crossroads for some music, magick, and Paganism. Where witches gather for the sabbath, offerings are made, pacts are signed for musical fame and we usually cross paths with today’s most influential Pagans, occultists, and deep thinkers, but tonight that’s not happening because it’s film club time. I am your bewitching, bald headed, host Chris Orapello and tonight -along with a friend- Tara and I turn our eyes and minds to Rob Zombie’s 2012 film The Lords of Salem. That’s right, make some popcorn, secure your copy, lower the lights, sit down, get comfortable, and join us as we watch and discuss tonight's movie where Rob Zombie nurtures his inner Ken Russell and brings back some familiar faces in tonight’s witchy horror. LOL. Please be aware that this episode does contain spoilers, but we’re happy to bring this conversation to you and we hope you participate with us in our viewing of the film. (Click here for the complete show notes)

Hello and thank you once again for joining us down at the crossroads for some music, magick, and Paganism. Where witches gather for the sabbath, offerings are made, pacts are signed for musical fame and we cross paths with today’s most influential Pagans, occultists, and deep thinkers. I am your bewitching, bald headed, host Chris Orapello and tonight Tara and I welcome blogger, teacher, and now author Mat Auryn back to the show to discuss his new book, Psychic Witch: A Metaphysical Guide to Meditation, Magick, and Manifestation. During the episode we talk about his recent participation at PantheaCon and being a presenter as well as workshop etiquette and being an attendee. His experiences on being a professional witch in Salem, Massachusetts during the month of October. Some tips and tricks on how to keep oneself from psychically burning out as well as his thoughts on extra sensory perception, the spirit of place, and more. Chronologically, this conversation occurred at two different times, but we'll get into that later. This was a fun and unexpected chat and we hope that you enjoy it. (Click here for the full show notes for this episode)