The Priestesses

In this episode, Jacob travels to the fabled Twin Cities in mystical land of Minnesota, for a field interview with minzoku NEO-shintôist and shrine-runner, Volkhvy. What is minzoku NEO-shintô? How does it connect with the bigger picture of Shinto practice? And how does one go about it? Grab your haraegushi, because this episode is completely shide! Minzoku Neo-Shinto: - shi-yaku-jin no hokora: http://www.shi-yaku-jin-no-hokora.org/ - minzoku NEO-shintô: A Book of Little Traditions: http://www.shi-yaku-jin-no-hokora.org/minzoku_neo_shinto/title_intro.html - Sacred Cedar Shrine: http://sacredcedarshrine.org/ - shi-yaku-jin no hokora / minzoku NEO-shintô (Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/pg/shiyakujin.no.hokora/ - minzoku NEO-shintô (Facebook Group): https://www.facebook.com/groups/443385432350496/ Volkhvy's Shinto Reading List: - Shinto: The Kami Way, by Sokyo Ono: https://www.amazon.com/Shinto-Kami-Way-Sokyo-Ph-D/dp/0804835578/ - Shinto Norito: A Book of Prayers, b...

In this high-flying episode, the gang saddles up for Studio Ghibli's animated classic, Kiki's Delivery Service and Studio Ponoc's new magical adventure, Mary and the Witch's Flower. What themes in these films speak to real-life Paganism? How do they deal with magick? And what lessons can we find in them for our own self-development? Note: Something was amiss with our equipment that wasn't apparent when we recorded. Please be aware that the sound quality is a little rougher than usual at times. Mentions: - The Sanderson Sisters (Hocus Pocus): http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/The_Sanderson_Sisters - Magical Girl (Mahou Shojou): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magical_girl - Madoka Magica: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puella_Magi_Madoka_Magica Trivia: - https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/may/04/hiromasa-yonebayashi-interview-studio-ghibli-mary-and-the-witchs-flowe r - http://www.nausicaa.net/miyazaki/kiki/faq.html Links: - Website: http://www.theprieste...

The Amanda and the Jacob talk with real-life teenage Pagan and all-around excellent human being, Selje. What's it mean to be young and Pagan today? How's it different from back in the 90's and early-aughts? And where might the future of Paganism be heading? Mentions: - Harry Potter (book series): https://harrypotterbooks.scholastic.com/ - Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon_Mystery_Dungeon:_Explorers_of_Time_and_Explorers _of_Darkness - Final Fantasy (series): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Final_Fantasy - Chrono Trigger/Chrono Cross: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrono_(series) - Kami: http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/shinto/beliefs/kami_1.shtml - Yokai: http://yokai.com/about/ - Numinous: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Numinous - Mysterium Tremendum: https://www.britannica.com/topic/mysterium-tremendum-et-fascinans - Angelfire: http://www.angelfire.lycos.com/ - GeoCities: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...

In this squirrelly episode, Amanda, Aimee, and Jacob look to the matters of direction, intention, attraction, manifesting, and seeking guidance. What do these mean? Where do we find them? And just how the the universe are they supposed to work? Not all who wander are lost, so come along for an encompassing journey about: The law of attraction, thought and behavior patterns, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), the drumbeat of time, limitations, mentors, sources of support and guidance, choosing consciously, goal-making, wants and needs, expectations, self-questioning and self-doubt, accountability, geas (actually pronounced "geSH"), rewards, creating new habits and routines, allowing failure, Pavlov's cat, and much, much more... Squirrel! Mentions: - SMART Goals: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMART_criteria - The Pomodoro Technique: https://francescocirillo.com/pages/pomodoro-technique - Orphan Black: http://www.bbcamerica.com/shows/orphan-black - This Isn’t the Ko...

In this brief, strange trip, Amanda and Jacob sit down with the enigmatic "Shamama," for a little look into the history and use of entheogens and psychedelics in modern Paganism. Are drug culture and Pagan culture somehow inseparable? What connects us to sacred experience? And what made "Neo-Paganism" so "neo," anyways? Mentions: - Timothy Leary: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timothy_Leary - Ram Dass (Richard Albert): https://www.ramdass.org/bio/ - Terrence McKenna: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terence_McKenna - Peter Max: https://petermax.com/pages/peter-max-biography - Legal history of cannabis in the United States: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legal_history_of_cannabis_in_the_United_States - Marijuana Timeline: https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/dope/etc/cron.html - A Social History Of America's Most Popular Drugs: https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/drugs/buyers/socialhistory.html - The Grateful Dead: http://www.dea...

Amanda, Aimee, and Jacob are joined by their friend Sam for a sobering discussion about alcohol, addiction, and recovery in Pagan culture. How do we hold space for those who struggle with addition or those in recovery? What resources does the Paganosphere provide? And just where is that higher power found? In pursuit of those questions, and the answer to life, the universe, and everything, the gang comes clean about: Socio-cultural pressures, alcohol in ritual and sacred spaces, the challenges of shared experience, navigating support groups, AA, twelve-step programs, creating inclusive events and spaces, the will to action, finding what works for you, and a whole lot more. Disclaimer: The Priestesses do not advocate for or condone alcohol abuse or illegal drug use. The purpose of this episode is for topical discussion, storytelling, and the free expression of opinion only. Mentions: - Burger King: https://www.bk.com/ - Bill W. (Wikipedia): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_W. -...

The Priestesses go to the movies! Again! In this fresh installment, Amanda and Jacob "Ohm" in on the Studio Ghibli classics, Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind and Princess Mononoke . What makes these films so powerful, even today? What lessons and perspectives might Paganfolk find within them? And what makes a Princess a Princess? Wading into the water includes exploring: Thematic similarities, liminal protagonists, complex antagonists, strong female characters, ritual purity, human action and inaction, the power and terror of rage, the might of nature, karma, some Pagan exegesis and eisegesis of the films, and much, much more. Miyazaki-sama, osoreirimasu! Mentions: - Mister Rogers' Neighborhood: https://www.fredrogers.org/media/mister-rogers-neighborhood/ - Return to Oz: https://movies.disney.com/return-to-oz - Cleansing & Purification, pt 1: What is Ritual Pollution?, by Lady Althaea: http://www.ladyalthaea.com/every-day-is-magickal/cleansing-purification-pt-1-w...