#163 - Banafsheh Sayyad, Divine Dancer

Fiona Horne is widely recognized as one of the original pioneers of modern witchcraft — and one of the few to remain relevant, respected, and bestselling across three decades. As a trailblazing public witch she’s been a popular radio and TV personality on shows including Entertainment Tonight, Good News Week, Party in Australia, and Mad Mad House. She was also the frontwoman for the hit electro-rock band Def FX, and she is a licensed commercial pilot with a focus on humanitarian aid and animal rescue missions. She now leads beloved travel experiences at sacred sites throughout the world through her “Meet Yourself” expansion trips. Fiona is the author of sixteen bestselling books including Witch – A Personal Journey, The Art of Witch, and The Lost Book of Spells, and she’s the creator of four oracle decks. Her newest book and oracle deck are called Coven. On this episode, Fiona discusses her decades long career as a public witch, the performance versus practice of witchcraft, and how covens change oneself and the world for the better.  Pam also talks about the importance of group magic, and answers a listener question about finding magical gatherings in NYC.Check out the video of this episode over on YouTube (and please like and subscribe to the channel while you’re at it!)Our sponsors for this episode are Wheel of Fate, Dear Antigone, BetterHelp, Blessed Be Magick, Mithras Candle, and Robin Rose Bennett We also have print-on-demand merch like Witch Wave shirts, sweatshirts, totes, stickers, and mugs available now here, and all sorts of other bewitching goodies available in the Witch Wave shop.And if you want more Witch Wave, please consider supporting us on Patreon to get access to detailed show notes, bonus Witch Wave Plus episodes, Pam’s monthly online rituals, and more! That’s patreon.com/witchwave

Banafsheh Sayyad is a master Iranian sacred dancer, choreographer, transformational teacher, and founder of Dance of Oneness®, a certification program that explores dance as a path of embodied spirituality. Performing and teaching internationally, she has initiated thousands into the profound wisdom of the body. She is one of the few bearers of Persian dance in the world and a pioneer in creating a liberated feminine expression in the Sufi dance tradition. Her new book, Dance of Oneness, is out on March 10th and available for preorder now.On this episode, Banafsheh discusses how dance connects us to the divine, Persian magic and the Iranian protests, and why moving our bodies is a form of resistance.Pam also talks about magical art as an antidote to fascism, and answers a listener question about a divinely gifted book.Check out the video of this episode over on YouTube (and please like and subscribe to the channel while you’re at it!)Our sponsors for this episode are Snowy Owl Tea, Jo Miller Loves, Blessed Be Magick, BetterHelp, Robin Rose Bennett, Mithras Candle, and Ace of Wands TattooWe also have print-on-demand merch like Witch Wave shirts, sweatshirts, totes, stickers, and mugs available now here, and all sorts of other bewitching goodies available in the Witch Wave shop.And if you want more Witch Wave, please consider supporting us on Patreon to get access to detailed show notes, bonus Witch Wave Plus episodes, Pam’s monthly online rituals, and more! That’s patreon.com/witchwave

Justina and Dr. Ronnie Blakeney are the daughter and mother team behind GROW: Pathways to Passion, Purpose & Peace Guidebook and Oracle Deck.Justina Blakeney is a visionary artist, designer, and New York Times bestselling author. As the founder and creative force behind Jungalow®, she’s known for her bold use of color, pattern, and plants to inspire soulful, joy-filled living. Architectural Digest recently named her “one of the 20 most famous interior designers working today.” Her work—spanning art, design, and writing — celebrates the wild beauty of nature and the transformative power of creativity.Her mother, Dr. Ronnie Blakeney, is a Harvard-trained developmental psychologist and a lifelong guide for growth and healing. Whether she’s consulting at the White House, founding a therapeutic school for adolescent girls, and so much else, her work bridges deep emotional wisdom with practical tools for change. She’s helped thousands navigate life’s challenges with more courage, clarity, and heart.Justina and Ronnie’s magic together is a highly potent blend. GROW, their first creative collaboration, is a soul-nourishing project decades in the making. Blending art and science, intuition and insight, it’s a heartfelt invitation to awaken the wisdom within and live more meaningfully, intentionally, and beautifully.On this episode, Justina and Ronnie discuss the magic of beauty, the alchemy of collaboration, and a divinatory message from their oracle deck to guide us through dark days.Pam also talks about casting love spells for Valentine’s Day, and answers a listener message about a flourishing creative project.Check out the video of this episode over on YouTube (and please like and subscribe to the channel while you’re at it!)Our sponsors for this episode are Mineralogy Project, Blessed Be Magick, BetterHelp, Robin Rose Bennett, Mithras Candle, and Ace of Wands TattooWe also have print-on-demand merch like Witch Wave shirts, sweatshirts, totes, stickers, and mugs available now here, and all sorts of other bewitching goodies available in the Witch Wave shop.And if you want more Witch Wave, please consider supporting us on Patreon to get access to detailed show notes, bonus Witch Wave Plus episodes, Pam’s monthly online rituals, and more! That’s patreon.com/witchwave

Aliza Kelly is a celebrity astrologer, author, and media personality known for bridging mysticism with the mainstream. Recognized for her grounded and relatable approach to astrology, Aliza's worked with dozens of stars, including Drew Barrymore, Bella Hadid, Keke Palmer, Yara Shahidi, Jonathan Van Ness, Lana Condor, Alix Earle, Paige DeSorbo, and Hannah Berner, among many others. Aliza has been featured in The New York Times, The New Yorker, Cosmopolitan, The Today Show, and People Magazine. She is the author of 5 bestselling books, including This Is Your Destiny and It’s All Magic, which integrates astrology, manifestation, and tarot into accessible practices for spiritual growth.

Aliza began studying astrology in 2013 and, with the mentorship of Annabel Gat and Anne Ortelee, developed her signature approach. In 2014, she co-founded an astrology dating app (operational until 2016), and by early 2017, became a full-time professional astrologer. She is the host of the top-rated podcast Horoscope Weekly, founder of the Constellation Club, and currently writes as a columnist for The Cut and Marie Claire.On this episode, Aliza discusses how our zodiacal chart can help us live our highest purpose, the light side and shadow side of astrology going mainstream, and what the stars have in store for us in 2026.Pam also talks about the importance of pacing oneself, and answers a listener message about donating magical tomes to incarcerated folks via Books Through Bars.Check out the video of this episode over on YouTube (and please like and subscribe to the channel while you’re at it!)Our sponsors for this episode are Mineralogy Project, Snowy Owl Arts + Tea House, Mithras Candle, BetterHelp, and Sister Temperance TarotWe also have print-on-demand merch like Witch Wave shirts, sweatshirts, totes, stickers, and mugs available now here, and all sorts of other bewitching goodies available in the Witch Wave shop.And if you want more Witch Wave, please consider supporting us on Patreon to get access to detailed show notes, bonus Witch Wave Plus episodes, Pam’s monthly online rituals, and more! That’s patreon.com/witchwave

Mandy Aftel is a pioneering American artisan natural perfumer who has been called one of the fragrance industry’s “most prolific talents” by Vogue and an “angel of alchemy” by Vanity Fair. She is an author, educator, and founder of Aftelier Perfumes and the Aftel Archive of Curious Scents located in Berkeley, CA. Mandy is renowned for her deep focus on plant-derived essences, historical fragrance, and innovative perfume creation that connects scent to memory and emotion, establishing new standards in natural perfumery through her many books like Essence & Alchemy and Fragrant. Her new book, Symbolorum: The Secret Wisdom of Emblems explores the esoteric insights and enchanting imagery of the Baroque emblem book, a long-lost cousin of the tarot.On this episode, Mandy discusses the alchemical magic of perfume, favorite sacred scents, and her latest fascination with the esoteric emblem book.Pam also talks about scented solar spells for Solstice, and answers a listener message from the snowy bottom of the globe.Check out the video of this episode over on YouTube (and please like and subscribe to the channel while you’re at it!)Our sponsors for this episode are Mithras Candle, Zouz Incense, and Sister Temperance TarotWe also have print-on-demand merch like Witch Wave shirts, sweatshirts, totes, stickers, and mugs available now here, and all sorts of other bewitching goodies available in the Witch Wave shop.And if you want more Witch Wave, please consider supporting us on Patreon to get access to detailed show notes, bonus Witch Wave Plus episodes, Pam’s monthly online rituals, and more! That’s patreon.com/witchwave

Sarah Potter is a professional witch, intuitive tarot reader, and spiritual guide who combines ancient wisdom with modern mysticism. She is the author of Sober Magic: Using the Tarot and Ritual in Your Journey Away from Drinking. Sarah also writes Tarotscopes for Astrology.com and Bust Magazine, is the creator of the Cosmo Tarot deck for Cosmopolitan, and leads Full Moon ceremonies with the Asbury Hotel. Her work includes guiding rituals, offering personal guidance, and hosting events to help people connect with their intuition, manifest desires, and live intentionally. She is based in New York City.On this episode, Sarah discusses how witchcraft can support one’s sobriety, the Fool’s healing journey, and the sacred relationship between 12 Steps and the tarot.Pam also talks about the magic of the Temperance tarot card, and answers a very special listener question about rituals for celebrating a milestone birthday.Check out the video of this episode over on YouTube (and please like and subscribe to the channel while you’re at it!)Our sponsors for this episode are Woodland Magic, Weiser Books, Immaculate Design, BetterHelp, and Sister Temperance TarotWe also have print-on-demand merch like Witch Wave shirts, sweatshirts, totes, stickers, and mugs available now here, and all sorts of other bewitching goodies available in the Witch Wave shop.And if you want more Witch Wave, please consider supporting us on Patreon to get access to detailed show notes, bonus Witch Wave Plus episodes, Pam’s monthly online rituals, and more! That’s patreon.com/witchwave

Erika Kubick is an author, artist, recipe developer, and practitioner living in Chicago. In 2015, she founded Cheese Sex Death as a blog devoted to educating, exciting, and empowering cheese lovers everywhere. Since then, she has amassed an international following and published two books: Cheese Sex Death: A Bible for the Cheese Obsessed in 2021 and, her most recent, Cheese Magic: Seasonal Recipes, Plates, and Pairings out now. Her mission is to inspire others to connect with the natural world through food, ritual, and other earthly pleasures.On this episode, Erika discusses the connections between cheese and witchcraft, divine dairy deities, and magical feasting for the holiday season.Pam also talks about “fromage mystique,” and answers a listener question about simple rituals for burnt-out witches.Check out the video of this episode over on YouTube (and please like and subscribe to the channel while you’re at it!)Our sponsors for this episode are Woodland Magic,  Spells for Success, BetterHelp, and the 2026 Many Moons Lunar Planner, and Mithras Candle.We also have print-on-demand merch like Witch Wave shirts, sweatshirts, totes, stickers, and mugs available now here, and all sorts of other bewitching goodies available in the Witch Wave shop.And if you want more Witch Wave, please consider supporting us on Patreon to get access to detailed show notes, bonus Witch Wave Plus episodes, Pam’s monthly online rituals, and more! That’s patreon.com/witchwave

CAConrad has been writing poems for over 50 years and working with (Soma)tic poetry rituals for over 20 years. Their latest book is Listen to the Golden Boomerang Return (Wave Books / UK Penguin 2024). They won the Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize, a Creative Capital grant, a Pew Fellowship, a Lambda Poetry Award, and others. The Book of Frank is now available in 9 different languages, and they coedited SUPPLICATION: Selected Poems of John Wieners (Wave Books). They also exhibit poems as sculpture with recent solo shows in London’s CHAMP LACOMBE, MOCA-Tucson, Fluent in Santander, and Batalha Centro in Porto. They teach at the Sandberg Art Institute and De Ateliers in Amsterdam. They are on Instagram at CAConrad88.On this episode, CA discusses their lineage of occult poets, spirit-led writing, and how they came to develop their (Soma)tic poetry ritual practice.Pam also talks about the magic of solitude, and answers a listener question about needing alone time for one’s witchcraft.Check out the video of this episode over on YouTube (and please like and subscribe to the channel while you’re at it!)Our sponsors for this episode are Weiser Books, Spells for Success, Immaculate Design, BetterHelp, and Mithras Candle.We also have print-on-demand merch like Witch Wave shirts, sweatshirts, totes, stickers, and mugs available now here, and all sorts of other bewitching goodies available in the Witch Wave shop.And if you want more Witch Wave, please consider supporting us on Patreon to get access to detailed show notes, bonus Witch Wave Plus episodes, Pam’s monthly online rituals, and more! That’s patreon.com/witchwave

The Death Witch, Loretta Ledesma, also known as Loo, is the founder of The Mile High Conjure Gala, a Santa Muerte Devotee, and a co-owner of The Cauldron Black. She has a deep relationship with the spirit world, ancestors, and is a lover of plants and a seeker of justice. She approaches the work from the Conjure tradition and has a close open relationship with the dead. Loretta walks her spiritual path comfortably with less freely talked about workings. She is also a maker of traditional oils, powders, waters, and other fine provisions.Loretta is a legacy student of Conjure Man Professor Charles Porterfield. She has learned from and sits at the table with some of the most sought-after teachers and elders in Conjure. Her goals in the work are community building and participation, and reclamation of the magic that runs through all our veins. On this episode, Loretta discusses her relationship to death, her approach to justice magic, and how she’s thinking about Samhain during this transitional and historical time.Pam also talks about honoring her creative ancestors, and answers a listener question about cohabitating with a non-witch neatnik. Check out the video of this episode over on YouTube (and please like and subscribe to the channel while you’re at it!)Our sponsors for this episode are Witch Baby Soap, Mithras Candle, BetterHelp, and Immaculate Design.We also have print-on-demand merch like Witch Wave shirts, sweatshirts, totes, stickers, and mugs available now here, and all sorts of other bewitching goodies available in the Witch Wave shop.And if you want more Witch Wave, please consider supporting us on Patreon to get access to detailed show notes, bonus Witch Wave Plus episodes, Pam’s monthly online rituals, and more! That’s patreon.com/witchwave

Happy Magic Maker pub day!! On this bonus episode, the tables are turned, and Pam is a guest on the Missing Witches podcast to discuss her magical new book. Magic Maker: The Enchanted Path to Creativity is out everywhere now! Please order yours, and join Pam for some Magic Maker launch events in person and online.