Magic in the United States

23/07/2024

Join host and a bunch of amazing folks including and or a conversation about podcasting, communication, esotericism, Occulture, and magic!

The event is free and open to the public tomorrow, July 24, 2024 at 11am Eastern.

14/06/2024

What is 'taboo' to you and why?

Magic in the United States
Season 2, Episode 6: Satan Shoes
https://www.magicintheunitedstates.com/s2e6

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11/06/2024

Season 2, Episode 6: Satan Shoes https://www.magicintheunitedstates.com/s2e6

When the art collective MSCHF released their Satan Shoes in collaboration with artist and rapper Lil Nas X in 2021, all hell broke loose. According to the company, each of the 666 pairs of shoes contained 60cc of ink, including 1 drop of human blood from members of MSCHF, a bronze pentagram, and the Bible verse Luke 10:18 written on one side. The shoes were instantly condemned by social and religious conservatives, and a lawsuit from Nike resulted in MSCHF being required to give refunds for purchased shoes. Lil Nas X asserts he’s not a Satanist. But how do self-described Satanists navigate moral panics? And what does the Church of Satan have to do with this? In this episode, we’ll learn about Anton LaVey, the Church of Satan, the great diversity of actual Satanists through time. We’ll also explore why Satanic Panics might have more to do with pushing cultural norms—like normalizing being young, q***r, Black, and a successful — and less to do with the Devil. Featuring Cimminnee Holt, Tyler McKenzie, and Ethan Doyle White.

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07/06/2024

Season 2, Episode 5: Renewal Dance
https://www.magicintheunitedstates.com/s2e5

Whose land are you on?

Check out https://native-land.ca/ if you're not sure how to get started, and watch this TED talk to learn more about the Land Back movement. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kADwVHIP8zs

                                     

             

       

07/06/2024

Season 2, Episode 5: Renewal Dance
https://www.magicintheunitedstates.com/s2e5

Whose land are you on?

Check out https://native-land.ca/ if you're not sure how to get started, and watch this TED talk to learn more about the Land Back movement. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kADwVHIP8zs

Land thrives in Indigenous hands, and there are real, tangible ways you can help return what was stolen by colonizers from tribes across North America. Indig...

04/06/2024

Season 2, Episode 5: Renewal Dance
https://www.magicintheunitedstates.com/s2e5

For the Paiute of the late 1800s, the “Ghost Dance" promised a new world where the beloved dead would return home and white settlers would disappear into the earth. It was a dance of hope and rebalance in a world devastated by U.S. policies bent on the destruction of Native cultures and sovereignty. This new dance was – and still is – often referred to as a ‘religion’ by outsiders, even though the very words ‘religion’, ‘magic’, and ‘spirituality’ are external ideas historically imposed upon indigenous practices. This story of the Ghost Dance is a story of grief, renewal and political resistance. But the story of Native dances and Ceremonies – and efforts by the U.S. government over the decades to restrict them – is also the story of just how limited the word ‘religion’ really is. Featuring Jennifer Graber, Abel Gomez, Tria Blu Wakpa.

31/05/2024

If anyone in your family has stories from the Great Depression, we'd love to hear them!

Listen to season 2, episode 4, Montague and Duck at https://www.magicintheunitedstates.com/s2e4

28/05/2024

Season 2, Episode 4: Montague and Duck
https://www.magicintheunitedstates.com/s2e4

exactly is a witch? When is the word a slur, and when is it a title of empowerment? And when is the word a bit of both, a slippery glamor or tricky cunning -- as in the case of Montague and Duck Moore. Little is known about Mont and Duck, an elderly couple who moved into a rural community near Rocky Mountain, Virginia, sometime in the early 1900s. But Mont and Duck engaged in magical racketeering, and their story is recounted in several books of Appalachian folklore. Appalachia has a rich history, and in this episode, we chase down the fragmentary tale of Montague and Duck Moore, unpack the role of folklore in their tale, and uncover the origins – and contemporary forms – of Appalachian folk magic. Featuring Sara Amis, Cory Hutcheson, and Trevor McKenzie.

24/05/2024

Season 2, Episode 3 Listen Question - Okay, manifestors! How do *you* think this works?

21/05/2024

Season 2, Episode 3:

From to to – these hashtags are all over social media platforms. But what do they mean and where do they come from? The idea that our thoughts can change our wealth, bodies, and fortunes is so pervasive, that we don’t realize how old – and distinctly American – these ideas really are. In this episode, we’ll travel backwards in time from TikTok to the dawn of Christian Science and unpack the origins of manifesting our desires with our minds – and see how these very popular beliefs pit science against mysticism.

Featuring Susannah Crockford, Sean McCloud, and students Andrew, Amani, Chris, Eva, Journei, Sam, and Taylor.

17/05/2024

Have you ever faced a conflict between your religious beliefs and the law? What happened?

Sometimes we're so aware of social stigma, that we don't even realize we're self censoring. And sometimes it's because of 'gray' areas in the law. Either way, we're *all* involved in the pursuit of civil liberties.

Listen to Season 2, Episode 2: The Church of Lukumi Babalu Aye today!

14/05/2024

In 1987, the City of Hialeah, Florida passed local ordinances that prohibited animal sacrifice for religious purposes. The laws targeted one group in particular – the Church of the Lukumi Babalu Aye. The City was taken to court, and the case eventually made it all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. The justices ruled against the city and called the ordinances "religious gerrymandering.” Almost 40 years later, African Diaspora Religions like Lucumí still face legal discrimination over core practices. These challenges reveal a long history of bias against African Diaspora practices, beliefs, and worldviews. Featuring Dr. Danielle Boaz, Frank Burgos, Silver Daniels, and Mindy Marqués.

Listen to Season 2, Episode 2: The Church of Lukumi Babalu Aye wherever you get your podcasts!

10/05/2024

What's the bravest thing you've done for something or someone you love?
Whether it's quitting your job and moving across the country to the one you love; seeking gender affirming care "late" in life; or dedicating yourself to finding furever-homes for rescue dogs -- there are so many ways we demonstrate bravery for the things we love. Sometimes we turn our lives inside out. And sometimes just showing up is the bravest thing of all.

Tell us your stories!

lgbt #

07/05/2024

"Magic in the United States" Season 2, Episode 1 out now!

It’s the 1970s and New York City is vibrant. Edmund "Eddie" Buczynski is coming into his own as a gay man in the Big Apple. He's also a Seeker of initiatory witchcraft. He faced challenges from many angles, but couldn't be stopped --and created his very own witchcraft tradition: The Minoan Brotherhood. Join us for the first episode of Season 2, featuring Thumper Forge, Michael Lloyd, and Matthew Sawicki.
# lgbt ***an

30/04/2024

Listen to the trailer for Season 2 of Magic in the United States today! First episode airs Tuesday, May 7th, wherever you get your podcasts. https://www.magicintheunitedstates.com/s2bonus

12/04/2024

We're getting ready for Season 2 of Magic in the United States so we're doing a live stream on YouTube April 21st at 4pm eastern to get ready!
https://www.youtube.com/

I'll attempt to make sigil* stamps and explore fun ways to use them for sorcerous, social, and artistic ends this spring!

I'll also talk through some of the magical, religious, spiritual, and folk significance of April 30th - May 1st and some observances of Beltane / May Eve / Walpurgis Night / May Day. We'll also give you a little teaser of Season 'Magic in the United States', and it'll be "ask me anything", while I field questions and comments in the chat!

Magic in the United States PRX

*What are sigils? They can be a lot of things, but one of the most common forms is an abstract image representing a complex idea. A heart emoji can be a sigil of love; a plus sign in a circle could be a sigil for crossroads; your initials could be a sigil of you!

We'll talk just a little about ways to make sigils, but to learn more, check out this conversation between author and magical practitioner Laura Tempest Zalroff and Chaweon Koo (featured in Season 1, Episode 6):
https://youtu.be/u3m6IKVnumY?feature=shared
or check out Laura's book 'Sigil Witchery' https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071HZSLJB/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=sl1&tag=hichaweon-20&linkId=222b286182bda08cb58938af2b36205a&language=en_US

Join Heather Freeman, the writer and host of 'Magic in the United States' (http://magicintheunitedstates.com/) on Sunday, April 21st at 4 pm Eastern as she (...

27/02/2024

Just a few more months until Season 2 of Magic in the United States, but in the meantime, enjoy this excerpt from Dine with the Divine!

In this episode, host Ashley interviews author David Shi about North Asian Shamanism. Then head over to www.dinewiththedivine.com to hear the rest of this episode, and listen to more of Ashley’s content which includes magically inspired recipes and occult history shout-outs!


PRX

01/02/2024

Okay, on a lark, I'm going to livestream making candles while talking Season 2 of 'Magic in the United States' this Friday, Feb. 2 at 10 am Eastern.

(This is bound to end with badly or with a mess, so you should lurk and enjoy instead of taking that meeting.)

https://www.youtube.com/live/NmKIEpUw74A?feature=shared is the link if you can magic Instagram to make links work, or search on YouTube! (Apologies to the Heather Freeman here in Instagram who snagged that name!

30/01/2024

We’ll be back this spring with a new season of Magic in the United States, but in the meantime, enjoy this guest episode from Seeking Witchcraft Podcast!

In this episode, host Ashley interviews Gardnerian High Priestess and initiate of the Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O.), Angela Z, about the life and times of Aleister Crowley.

Angela tells us how Crowley became one of the best-known occultists of the 20th century, how he became involved with the O.T.O., founded Thelema, and got chummy with Wicca’s founder, Gerald Gardner.

It’s a fascinating biography of a big occult personality, presented by two charming witches — enjoy!

Want to learn more about Aleister Crowley? check out Richard Kaczynski's (featured in Episode 2!) biography:

"Perdurabo, Revised and Expanded Edition: The Life of Aleister Crowley"

01/12/2023

Do you have an ancestor altar, or photos of family from the past in a place of honor in your home? How do you interact with your ancestors?
And thank you for listening to Season 1 of Magic in the United States! We hope you liked it, but would love to hear your feedback! Or do you have an idea for a future episode? We'd love to hear about that too, or any personal stories you'd like to share. So give us a ring! Leave a voice memo at ‪(980) 277-4402‬ or at [email protected]. We might include your story in a future episode!
.shi.71 .borja.165

28/11/2023

Magic in the United States - Season 1, Episode 6
Future Ancestors: Korean American Shamans and Witches
https://www.magicintheunitedstates.com/episode-6

"Asian Americans represent a vast diaspora within the United States, but many have been separated from the traditional folk healing and shamanic practices of their ancestors. Something is changing that, and some GenX and Millennial Asian Americans are pivoting their spiritual practices to those of their ancestral homes — like Korean Americans Jennifer Kim and Chaweon Koo. But this isn’t a nostalgia for a romanticized past. These practitioners are seeking, discovering, and creating entirely new ways of practicing shamanism, ancestor worship, and magic. And it’s only the beginning."
PRX Spotify Spotify Apple Podcasts iHeartRadio UNC Charlotte David Shi Mudang Jenn Melissa Borja
And we'd love to hear from you! Leave a voice memo with your feedback, ideas for future episodes, or personal stories at (980) 277-4402‬ or [email protected].

24/11/2023

Question for the listeners! Are there any "good luck" charms or rituals you do before travel or a big event? (And where do you think it came from?) Listen to Episode 5 - "Rootwork and the Great Migration" at http://www.magicintheunitedstates.com/episode-5
Tayannah Lee McQuillar Yvonne Chireau .bird.3386

21/11/2023

Magic in the United States - Season 1, Episode 5 Rootwork and the Great Migration https://www.magicintheunitedstates.com/episode-5
Hoodoo’s origin lies in resistance and survival. Developed by enslaved Black Americans during the antebellum South, Hoodoo, Rootwork, and Conjure practitioners provided medical care and protection. These practices continued to evolve under the continued injustices of Jim Crow and moved North with Black Americans during the Great Migration. And they flourish to this day, foundational to many distinctly American practices, from mixing peace water to crafting spell candles.
Tayannah Lee McQuillar Yvonne Chireau Stephanie Rose Bird

17/11/2023

Question: When have you ever experienced a ghost?

Why do we ask? Listen to Episode 4 - "The Heartbreak of Harry Houdini" to learn more! http://www.magicintheunitedstates.com/episode-4

And how are you liking 'Magic in the United States' so far? Please review it on Apple Podcasts, rate it on other platforms, and share it widely!
.tucker.39

14/11/2023

Perhaps the most famous magician of all time, Harry Houdini had a complicated lifelong relationship with Spiritualist mediums. Listen and find out more at https://www.magicintheunitedstates.com/episode-4 -- Like the podcast? Please rate, review, subscribe, and share widely!
.tucker.39

10/11/2023

Question for the listeners! When have you felt jinxed?
Listen to Episode 3 - The Murder of Nelson Rehmeyer to learn more! https://www.magicintheunitedstates.com/episode-3
(And please review on Apple Podcasts, rate on other platforms, and share widely!)

07/11/2023

In 1928 Nelson Rehmeyer was murdered. He was Pennsylvania Dutch and a powwower -- a traditional folk healer. But so were his killers, and the media circus around their trial nearly destroyed powwow.

Please subscribe, like, rate, review and share widely!

#1928

04/11/2023

31/10/2023

Digital technology, the 'Satanic Panic', online magic, and international friendships? Sure!
Listen to "Ancient Technopagans" the latest episode of Magic in the United States. Please share, review, follow, and like!
Richard Kaczynski
#93