The Pagan Portal Podcast

Divine Wounds is a new anthology from Moon Books, spearheaded by High Priestess Nierophant and author Ness Bosch (Sacred Bones, Magic Bones), and in this podcast, host Rachel Patterson is joined by Ness, alongside best-selling authors, Morgan Daimler, Irisanya Moon, Sian Sibley and Annwyn Avalon, all of whom have contributed to Divine Wounds. Together, they discuss the project and explore multiple wounds across various mythologies....

Birds have always captured the human imagination. They walk the land, swim the waters, and soar through the skies—crossing boundaries we can only dream of. In this episode of The Pagan Portal Podcast, host Rachel Patterson speaks with author Mabh Savage about the symbolism, myths, and magic of birds in Paganism, Witchcraft, and folklore.Together they explore:- Why birds are seen as liminal beings that move between worlds- How categ...

In this special Samhain episode of the Pagan Portal Podcast, we embrace the turning of the wheel as the nights draw in and Halloween approaches. It’s the perfect time to honour the ancestors, share stories, and perhaps indulge in a comforting cottage pie.Join host Rachel Patterson alongside guests Jessica Howard, Lucya Starza, and Katie Ness, as they share their wisdom, insights, and seasonal magic.So pull on your favourite hoodie,...

Words hold power. In this episode of The Pagan Portal Podcast, host Rachel Patterson is joined by author and priestess Katie Ness for a deep exploration of word magic—from ancient hymns and love charms to modern poetry and spellwork.

Together, they discuss:

✨ The role of chanting inward and outward in ritual and energy work

✨ Whether intention or wording matters more in spellcraft

✨ Ancient practices of weaver priestesses, who sang and...

In this episode of The Pagan Portal Podcast, host Rachel Patterson speaks with Barbara Meiklejohn-Free and Flavia Kate Peters about their life’s work, magical practices, and deep spiritual callings.

Barbara shares the powerful origin of Spirit Visions, born from a four-day vision quest in the Badlands, and the story of Arnemetia — the ancient water and grove goddess of Buxton whose sacred well still flows today. Together, Barbara an...

In this episode of The Pagan Portal Podcast, Rachel Patterson is joined by author and plant witch Dawn Leith Dougherty for a rich, grounded conversation about the art and history of smoke cleansing.

Together, they explore:

- The global traditions behind burning herbs and resins

- Why white sage isn’t the only option, and what to use instead

- Creating your own incense blends for ritual, rest, or energetic shifts

- The power of sound...

In this episode of The Pagan Portal Podcast, host Rachel Patterson is joined by best selling author Morgan Daimler to dive deep into the tangled roots of Irish mythology, fairies, and spiritual practice.

Morgan shares insights from their upcoming translation project Tales of the Tuatha Dé Danann, highlighting how Victorian mistranslations, poetic wordplay, and modern fantasy games have all shaped and sometimes distorted our unde...

In this rich and expansive episode of The Pagan Portal Podcast, host Rachel Patterson is joined by author, scholar, and Druid Kristoffer Hughes to explore the myth, meaning, and mystery of Arianrhod, one of the most enigmatic figures in Welsh mythology.Together, they delve into:- The origins and evolving spelling of her name (Aranrhod vs Arianrhod)- What it means to “make” a goddess in contemporary Paganism- The symbolism of the Si...

Rachel Patteson sits down with Laura Perry, author of Pantheon: The Minoans, to explore the fascinating world of Minoan spirituality and their sacred connection to the cosmos. In this engaging podcast episode, they uncover how archaeoastronomy reveals the Minoan sacred calendar, aligned with solstices, equinoxes, and the heliacal rising of stars like the Pleiades.

Together, they dive into the truth behind the myth of Ariadne and...

Join us for an unforgettable conversation with Mhara Starling, author, witch, and renowned voice in Welsh folk magic and mythology.

In this episode, Mhara takes us deep into the heart of Welsh witchcraft, the enduring legacy of the Mabinogi, and the bardic traditions that continue to shape Welsh identity and spiritual practice today. This is a journey of ancestral wisdom, magical storytelling, and cultural revival.

✨ In this ...

What is feminist witchcraft—and what isn’t it?

In this rich, honest, and often hilarious conversation, we explore feminist witchcraft as a spiritual path, political act, and deeply personal practice. Our guest shares their journey into goddess-centred traditions, the liberatory power of witchcraft, and the critical importance of inclusion, especially for trans women, nonbinary folks, and witches of colour.

We unpack common mi...

Join Rachel Patterson on the Pagan Portal Podcast for a captivating conversation with Moss Matthey—a Pagan Witch, Druid, and folklorist whose practice weaves together the rich spiritual traditions of Wales and Germany. From growing up immersed in Welsh mythology and language to uncovering the hidden threads of German folk magic, Moss shares their unique journey into a path where witchcraft, Druidry, and folklore intertwine. Discove...

Dive into the flowing currents of water witchcraft, river spirits, and stone divination in this enchanting conversation! Host Rachel Patterson chats with Jessica Howard about:🌊 Water Magic as Spiritual BalanceWhy a self-proclaimed "fiery Aries" was drawn to water witchcraft—from crafting intention-filled soaps to tea rituals and connecting with the Thames’ energy.🌿 Father Thames & Local DeitiesDiscover the shift fro...

When we dismiss Roman deities as mere copies of Greek gods, we erase centuries of cultural wisdom - just as we'd erase Welsh spirituality by calling it "Norse knock-offs." In this captivating episode of The Pagan Portal Podcast, host Rachel Patterson sits down with flower essence practitioner and pagan scholar Rachel S Roberts for a profound exploration of how land shapes belief, why plant spirits might be your most p...

Dive into the enchanting world of Sabrina, the goddess of the River Severn, in this captivating episode of The Pagan Portal Podcast! Join host Rachel Patterson and guest Brett Hollyhead as they explore Sabrina’s paradoxical nature—fluid, ever-changing, and transcending traditional gender roles. 🌊✨

From her origins in the Cambrian Mountains to her modern-day revival by poets, Sabrina embodies both maiden and mother, Welsh and Englis...

Join Rachel Patterson and Rebecca Beattie in this captivating episode of The Pagan Portal Podcast as they explore the many layers of witchcraft, from ancient traditions to modern practices. Rebecca shares her journey from acting to witchcraft, her deep connection to planetary magic, and how she weaves the pre-modern seven-planet system into her daily craft. Together, they discuss the importance of flexibility in the Wheel of the Ye...

In this enchanting episode, your host Rachel Patterson is joined by the incredible Frances Billinghurst for a captivating conversation that dives deep into the mystical world of Witchcraft, Dark Goddesses, and the Magic of the Moon. 🌙✨

Together, they explore the powerful energies of the Dark Goddesses, uncover the secrets of lunar magic, and share their wisdom on how to weave these ancient practices into your modern spiritual j...

In this episode of The Pagan Portal Podcast, host Rachel Patterson is joined by best-selling author Raven Digitalis to discuss his latest anthology, Black Magic: Thirteen Tales of Darkness Horror in the Occult. Raven is joined by contributors Miranda S. Hewlett, Adele Cosgrove-Bray, Rhea Troutman, and Jaclyn M. Cimminelli, who each share insights into their devilishly dark and spellbinding short stories. Dive into the chilling them...

Join host Rachel Patterson and guest Irisanya Moon as they delve into the timeless wisdom of Hestia, the goddess of hearth and home. This episode explores hearth magic as a tool for community-building, Hestia's modern relevance, and the art of working with multiple deities. Discover the fascinating parallels between Hestia and her Roman counterpart, Vesta, and unpack the enduring allure of Greek myths in modern media. Whether you'r...