167: Litha 2026 - Witching in the Shade at the Start of Summer

The sun is high, the days are long, the flowers are blooming, the herbs are going wild, and somehow your calendar has also decided to become an overgrown garden of obligations. Welcome to Litha, witches! In this episode of Back on the Broomstick, Laylla and Chelle celebrate the summer solstice, the longest day and shortest night of the year, by talking about what happens when all that solar energy starts to feel like a little too much. Litha is a season of fire, growth, joy, abundance, and everything blooming wild under the sun, but it can also be a time when life ramps up, the to-do list gets louder, and even your magic starts feeling like one more thing you’re supposed to keep alive.So this year, we’re looking at Litha through the eyes of the tired witch at midsummer. How do you stay connected to your craft when you’re busy, overheated, overstimulated, broke, allergic to everything green, or just not in the mood to build an elaborate solstice altar? How do you let the sun warm you without burning you out?We’ll share simple, practical, witchy ways to keep magic woven into your everyday life during the bright, busy rush of summer. From tiny solar rituals and sacred shade to ripening, boundaries, and tending your own light, this episode is a reminder that you do not have to do more to be magical. Sometimes the most powerful Litha spell is drinking some water, stepping into the shade, and remembering that even the sun knows when to rest.Karen's etsy shopSummer Magick and the Forgotten Sabbat68: Litha Stories, Spells, & Rituals - Myth of the Oak King & Holly King119: Midsummer Magick: Litha Lore and the Fair FolkGot a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

There is something deeply witchy about leaving your normal home, your normal bed, your normal coffee mug, and stepping into a place where the land does not already know your name.In this episode of Back on the Broomstick, Laylla and Chelle are packing up the magical bug spray and heading into the wilds to talk about witchcraft while camping, traveling, and wandering off to summer festivals. Whether you’re sleeping under the stars, staying in a cabin, road-tripping to a sacred site, or setting up your tent at Brushwood, Dragonfest, Starwood, Mystic South, or Pagan Pride, travel has a way of pulling us out of our everyday patterns and into threshold space.The witches talk about how to set up camp respectfully, create temporary sacred space, connect with the quarters in a new landscape, and build a mini altar that won’t take over your entire backpack. They explore offerings for the land, listening to local spirits, working with tree, stone, and place energy, and why “leave no trace” might be one of the most magical rules a witch can follow.They also wander into the idea of land guardians, festival grounds that hold years of ritual memory, and how to form a temporary connection with a place without trying to claim it, tame it, or accidentally bring home every bit of spiritual static clinging to your hiking boots.From gratitude rituals before leaving a campsite to practical witchy packing tips, this episode is all about staying enchanted on the road without making things complicated. Sometimes the most powerful altar is a picnic table, a lantern, a cup of camp coffee, and a quiet thank you whispered to the trees.Starwood Sankofa FestivalSirius Rising FestivalGot a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

Welcome back to the Solarium, witches.We’ve dusted off the chairs and tables, planted a few rows of herbs, brought in fresh candles and cushions, and stocked the shelves with plenty of tea, smokable blends, and magical conversation. So pull up a chair and settle into that warm, candlelit sanctuary where every chat feels just a little enchanted.In this Solarium review episode, Laylla and Chelle gather around the reading table to talk about the witchy books and oracle decks currently rattling around their brains and haunting their bookshelves in the best possible way.The episode begins with Tarot Tableau Revolution by Maria Alviz Hernando, a visually rich and imaginative exploration of tarot symbolism, storytelling, and layered interpretation that sparks a conversation about personal readings, artistic inspiration, and the strange poetry hidden inside the cards themselves. From there, the witches move deeper into the cauldron with Pagan Portals: Cerridwen by Danu Forest and Entering Hekate’s Cauldron by Cyndi Brannen, exploring themes of transformation, initiation, crossroads magic, goddess devotion, and the sacred mysteries waiting in the darker corners of spiritual practice.Then the oracle decks come out, and the energy shifts.Laylla and Chelle discuss The Initiates Oracle by Marcella Kroll and Adam Smith, with its mystical atmosphere, initiatory themes, and the sense that some decks arrive less like tools and more like invitations through hidden doorways.But the true magical spark of the evening comes when the Solarium welcomes a very special guest: the legendary Judika Illes, author of The Magic Spells Oracle.Together, Laylla, Chelle, and Judika chat about spellcraft, magical traditions, oracle creation, intuitive practice, and the living heartbeat of magic itself. The conversation drifts from thoughtful and inspiring to delightfully chaotic in true broomstick fashion, creating the kind of intimate witchy gathering that feels like staying up far too late beside the fire while the incense burns itself down to ash.This episode is cozy, insightful, funny, and overflowing with magical inspiration for witches, readers, tarot lovers, deck collectors, and curious seekers alike. Expect book talk, oracle deck reviews, goddess lore, laughter, and at least one moment where everyone disappears down a wonderfully strange metaphysical rabbit hole.Pour yourself something warm, light a candle, and join Laylla, Chelle, and Judika Illes for an evening of books, cards, conversation, and candlelit magic beneath the glow of the broomstick lantern.Side effects may include compulsive deck collecting, sudden altar rearranging, and an urgent need to haunt your local occult bookstore.Got a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

The sun is high, the herbs are humming, and the witches are opening the curtains wide for an episode all about sun magick.This week on Back on the Broomstick, Laylla and Chelle bask in the golden glow of solar witchcraft, exploring how witches can work with the energy of the sun for confidence, clarity, protection, healing, abundance, and good old-fashioned get-it-done power. From sunrise intentions to noon-day charging rituals, from solar water and candle spells to herbs, crystals, colors, and deities linked with the sun, this episode is a warm little spell for anyone who needs more fire in their practice.The witches will talk about the difference between moon magick and sun magick, why solar energy is not just “masculine” energy, thank you very much, and how to build a sun-based practice that feels joyful, grounded, and alive. Expect practical tips, personal stories, seasonal wisdom, and probably at least one tangent about forgetting something outside to charge until three days later. You know, witch life.So grab your citrine, pour some sun tea, open a window, and let the light in. Whether you’re looking to boost your courage, cleanse your space, bless your garden, or simply remember that you are allowed to take up space and shine, this episode will help you bring a little more solar sparkle into your craft.Got a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

Blue Moons have long carried an air of mystery, rarity, and magic. But what actually makes a Blue Moon special? Is it truly more powerful than any other Full Moon, or is the magic found in the meaning we humans give it?In this episode of Back on the Broomstick, Laylla and Chelle unravel the folklore, history, and witchcraft surrounding the Blue Moon. From its strange linguistic origins in the courts of Henry VIII to the accidental modern definition created by an astronomer’s mistake, we trace how this rare moon became spiritually iconic. Along the way, we explore lunar cycles, feminine mysteries, Sagittarius fire energy, the symbolism of the color blue, and why rare celestial events have always captured the witch’s imagination.The witches also discuss the psychological and magical power of collective belief, the liminal nature of “extra” moons, and how modern witches can work with Blue Moon energy through intention-building, cleansing rites, manifestation work, and self-consecration under moonlight.This particular Blue Moon also happens to fall on Chelle’s birthday, making the episode feel even more personal and perfectly timed. Honestly, if anyone was going to incarnate under a rare and slightly chaotic lunar event, it was probably Chelle.Laylla also shares the story of helping rescue an orphaned baby red squirrel and getting the tiny little chaos goblin safely into the hands of a licensed wildlife rehabber. We’re linking the rehabber’s wishlist here for anyone who would like to help support the care of injured and orphaned wildlife.Join us as we talk about magic, meaning, intention, and the human need to mark certain moments as sacred. Whether you’re crafting a Blue Moon ritual, chasing a long shot dream, or simply standing outside under the night sky feeling something ancient stir in your bones, this episode is an invitation to reconnect with wonder, with nature, and with the wild rhythm of the cosmos.Animal Rescue RehabIncubator Donations Needed!Kaitlyn's Rehab Amazon Wish ListGot a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

*WARNING This Episode discusses sensitive topics including murder, murderers, and suicide*Some objects feel old. Some feel loved. Some feel wrong.This week on Back on the Broomstick, we step into the strange world of haunted objects, cursed artifacts, murderabilia, spirit attachment, and the unsettling idea that energy may linger long after a moment has passed. From Zak Bagans’ Haunted Museum and the infamous Dybbuk Box to Peggy the Doll, serial killer relics, and rooms soaked in decades of fear and fascination, we explore why certain objects seem to gather stories, emotion, and power around them.But are these objects truly haunted? Or are we feeding them through belief, attention, trauma, and collective imagination? We talk about Stone Tape Theory, energy transference, thoughtforms, servitors, tulpas, egregores, psychometry, and the animist idea that places and things may carry memory in ways modern culture has forgotten how to recognize.Whether you’re a skeptic, a believer, or somewhere in the shadowy space between, this episode wanders the crossroads where magic, psychology, folklore, and the paranormal all blur together. So light a candle, maybe cleanse your favorite thrift store find, and join us as we ask one very uncomfortable question: can objects remember?Got a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

Between the wild green fire of Beltane and the golden blaze of Litha lives a season of pure enchantment. In this episode of Back on the Broomstick, Laylla and Chelle step into the lush, humming magic of early summer, where flowers burst open like spells, fireflies flicker over fields at dusk, and the land itself seems drunk on possibility.Together, they explore the magick “between the spokes” of the Wheel of the Year. That fertile stretch of time where passion becomes action, abundance begins to ripen, and we choose what deserves our energy, attention, and devotion. From Beltane’s fertile spark to the radiant power of Litha, this episode is all about sustaining joy, feeding creativity, and falling back in love with life itself.The witches share practical everyday enchantments to help keep the season’s energy moving. Think dandelion honey spells for sweetness and stubborn growth, mugwort dreamwork beneath open summer windows, and self love glamour magic designed to make you magnetic to your own spirit first and foremost. There’s talk of daydreams as portals, summer as a season of manifestation, and the sacred art of romanticizing your own beautiful existence.This is an episode about living intentionally with the season instead of rushing through it. About remembering that your passion is your power. About noticing the way warm night air, cricket songs, blooming flowers, and long golden sunsets can become part of your spiritual practice if you let them.So grab an iced tea, light a candle, step barefoot into the grass, and join us for a cozy, witchy conversation about abundance, desire, beauty, and the living magic of summer.Got a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

The fires of Beltane are lit, and we’re stepping into the season where everything starts moving. In this episode, we talk about what Beltane looks like in a modern, solitary practice and how to work with its energy as a living current that carries you through early summer, not just a single night.We get into flower magic as both spellcraft and language. From Victorian floriography to intuitive plant relationships, we explore how bouquets can hold intention, send messages, and even influence the energy around you. Yes, including how to set boundaries with flowers or nudge things in your favor without saying a word. We also talk about wearing your magic through oils and scent, turning your body into part of the working instead of just the caster.This is an episode about working with what’s already alive. About setting something in motion at Beltane and tending it as it grows Got a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

The cauldron is bubbling, the inbox is overflowing, and this week Laylla and Chelle are finally answering your questions… and oh, you brought some good ones.In this cozy, chaotic, wisdom-filled episode, the witches gather up your fan mail, your voicemails (yes, you can send those now!), and your late-night spiritual spirals, and they answer it all with the kind of honesty that only comes from decades of lived, practiced magic. It’s part advice column, part coven circle, and part “wait… are we really talking about this right now?” energy.They wander through the wild terrain of tarot, where elemental associations get shaken up and turned on their head. What happens when swords feel like fire and wands start whispering like air? Is that wrong… or is that your intuition trying to speak? Laylla and Chelle unpack the history, the why, and the permission you didn’t know you needed to read the cards your way.Then things get practical. When a single tarot pull leaves you squinting at the cards like, “girl, what do you mean?”, do you pull another? Reshuffle? Sit in the discomfort? The witches talk about trusting the conversation between you and the deck, and why sometimes clarity isn’t about more cards, but more listening.From there, the questions get deeper. Can you cast multiple spells close together, or does that drain you dry like an oversteeped tea bag? What does real cleansing look like beyond TikTok trends and conflicting traditions? And maybe the most tender thread of all… how do you walk a spiritual path without losing your grip on reality?This episode gently but firmly explores the difference between spiritual experience and spiritual psychosis. Not with fear, but with care. No judgment, but with grounded, real-world wisdom. Because magic, as they remind us, should expand your life, not isolate you from it.And just when you think you’ve reached the end of the circle, they open a new door. A brand new PO Box. A chance to send something physical into the world. And for one lucky listener, the opportunity to receive a personalized spell pen pal letter crafted by the witches themselves. A little piece of magic, inked and intentional, arriving right at your doorstep.This one feels like sitting around the kitchen table long after the candles have burned low. Honest. Thoughtful. A little messy in the best way. The kind of episode that reminds you you’re not alone on this path… even when you’re figuring it out as you go.So grab your cards, your tea, maybe a notebook if you’re feeling studious, and settle in.The witches are answering.Books:Tarot Deciphered: Decoding Esoteric Symbolism in Modern Tarot M M Meleen, T Susan Chang,Tarot Correspondences: Ancient Secrets for Everyday ReadersT. Susan ChangMary K. Greer's 21 Ways to Read a Tarot CardGreer, Mary K.Holistic Tarot: An Integrative Approach to Using Tarot for Personal GrowthWen, BenebellGot a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website

Beltane has a reputation. Flowers, fire, sex, fertility. And yeah, all of that is there… but what does it actually mean in a modern witchy life?In this episode, we take the old idea of fertility and crack it open. Not just babies and crops, but creation in every form. The things you’re building, the energy you’re pouring into your life, the parts of you that are ready to grow whether you feel “ready” or not.We talk fire magick, that spark that gets things moving when you’ve been stuck too long, and how to work with it in a real, grounded way. There’s knot magic you can actually do without overthinking it, and a look at the sacred woods of our region and how to connect with them in a way that feels alive and connected to the energies of place.We also walk through a Beltane tarot spread built like a balefire, so you can see what’s fueling you, what’s rising, and where all of this energy is actually going.And because it wouldn’t be Beltane without it, we talk about the thinning veil, connecting with spirit, and how this season opens a very different kind of doorway than Samhain. Same threshold. Completely different energy.This one is about momentum. About choosing what you’re growing on purpose. About lighting the match and actually letting something take hold.Got a question? Send the witches a message here!Support the showWant to send us a letter? Witchy things to review?Our mailing address is:Back on the BroomstickPO Box 21Tioga, PA 16946Email: [email protected] FacebookInstagramBack on the Broomstick Website