Laylla and Chelle sit down with Appalachian witch and priestess Byron Ballard to discuss the aftermath of Storm Helene and how her community is finding resilience in its wake. Byron shares the vital role her Mother Grove Goddess Temple played in helping neighbors recover, offering practical support and spiritual guidance in challenging times.

The conversation flows into the spirits of the land and the Goddess in winter, exploring how the season of stillness and reflection can deepen our connection to the natural world and the sacred cycles of life. Byron’s wisdom as a caretaker of land-based spirituality shines as she discusses honoring the land and its energy during the dark half of the year.

They also chat about Byron’s upcoming book, A Feral Church, set to release on January 8th. Byron offers a sneak peek into her exploration of what it means to create a sacred community that thrives outside of traditional structures, inspiring witches and pagans to rethink how they gather and practice.

Join Laylla, Chelle, and Byron for a thoughtful discussion filled with wisdom, hope, and the power of community


Byron's website https://www.myvillagewitch.com/
Facebook: H Byron Ballard
Instagram: @byronballard5789
A Feral Church https://www.malaprops.com/book/9780738776361

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It’s the first night of Yule, and what better way to celebrate Mother’s Night than with some witchy wisdom and warm guidance from your favorite magickal aunties, Laylla and Chelle? In this cozy, fireside-style episode of Back on the Broomstick, the witches answer questions sent in by listeners, getting into the nuances, ethics, and practicalities of the craft.

From heartfelt questions like spellcasting for your child, to the mystical, like hedge riding tips and tools. Ever wondered what to do with your old spell jars? Laylla and Chelle discuss the dos and don’ts of reusing spell components, giving a fresh take on magical sustainability. They also explore the possibility of taking on students, whether its advised to use a pendulum with a Ouija board, and so many more.

Pour yourself a cup of spiced cider, light a candle, and join us for an enchanting start to the 12 Nights of Yule as Laylla and Chelle share their insights, stories, and magical know-how.

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In this festive and thought-provoking episode of Back on the Broomstick, Laylla and Chelle unwrap "The Good, the Bad, and a Yule Ghost Story" to bring a mix of holiday cheer, real-world reflections, and spooky seasonal vibes to your listening ears.

First, the good! The witches are over the moon to share their delight at receiving heartfelt Yule cards from listeners at their new post office box. Your warm words and magical blessings have filled them with seasonal gratitude and the joy of connection. Then, the bad: they dive into two troubling stories of religious discrimination involving witches, sparking a candid discussion about the challenges faced by modern practitioners and the resilience of the magical community in the face of prejudice.

Finally, we end with a hauntingly beautiful Yule ghost story straight from Massachusetts. A chilling Lady in White legend, who wanders the Winter Solstice night with an air of mystery and a connection to the season’s darker, quieter magic.

So grab a warm drink, light the Yule log, and settle in as Laylla and Chelle take you through an episode filled with joy, justice, and just the right amount of ghostly wonder. Blessed Winter Solstice and happy Yule!

The invocation from HP Amy Hardy-McAdams at the city council meeting:

As a Priestess of the Goddess, I invoke the Gorgonaea, champions of equality and sacred rage. I call to Medusa, monstrous hero of the oppressed and abused. I open the Eye of Medusa, the stare that petrifies injustice.

I call upon the serpent that rises from this land to face the Stars, the movement of wisdom unbound.

May these leaders find within themselves the Embodied Divine, the sacred essence of the spark of the Universe and the breath of the Awen.

Place in the hands of these leaders the sacred work of protecting the sovereignty and autonomy of all our people.

Gorgon Goddess, make them ready and willing to be champions for all in this city, not just those in power.

Shine a light for them, that they may walk the path of justice, protected and prepared, illuminating the darkness.

Endow them with the fire of courage, the waters of compassion, the air of truth, and the strength of the earth itself.

As Above, so below.

As within, so without.

As the universe, so the soul.

May there be peace among you all.

And so it is.

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Want to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?
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