Seeking Numina: The Sacred Places Podcast

What if the land beneath your feet is not just a place you inhabit, but a relationship you must nurture?In this episode of Seeking Numina: Sacred Places, host Elyse Welles welcomes David Shi, a shamanic worker and folk magic practitioner whose practice draws on North Asian traditions and the spiritual heritage of his ancestors.Together, they explore the living world of land spirits, sacred rivers, ancestral traditions, and the offerings that help build relationships with the unseen. David shares insights into the spiritual traditions of Mongolia, Siberia, and Manchuria, revealing how the land shapes shamanic practice—and why respect, reciprocity, and boundaries matter.From mysterious river traditions and sacred shrines to stones used in divination and the spirits behind familiar folklore, this conversation invites us to reconsider what it means to be a good neighbor to the land.What might change in your spiritual practice if you began listening more closely to the place you call home?About David ShiDavid Shi is a shamanic worker and folk magic practitioner whose work draws on North Asian shamanic traditions and ancestral spiritual practices. Of primarily Manchurian descent, with additional ancestry spanning Mongolia, China, Korea, Siberia, and Central Asia, he explores the spiritual traditions of his ancestors and the wider Eurasian region.He is the author of Spirit Voices: The Mysteries and Magic of North Asian Shamanism and offers spiritual services, readings, and workshops in his community.Find David and his work:Follow David on Instagram or find his book, Spirit Voices: The Mysteries and Magic of North Asian Shamanism.Episode EditorThis episode was edited by Bree Saga. Follow her on Instagram, explore her writing on Substack, or connect with her for travel planning through her Fora Travel Advisor profile.Order my books to support me and support your connection with the land! https://www.elysewelles.com/booksSubscribe to Seeking Numina with Elyse Welles on YouTube for video versions of ALL episodes sharing footage of the places and topics discussed. To learn more about my upcoming retreats to sacred places in Greece and beyond, or learn with me in workshops, classes, or mentorship, visit elysewelles.com. Support Seeking Numina on Patreon for a library of 300+ rituals, meditaitons, exclusive videos, and more, + opportunities for free tarot readings and discounts on ALL classes and retreats. Visit patreon.com/elysewellesSeeking Numina can also be supported via my Dashery merch shop.Music: Tribal Wind - SergePavkinMusicMusic Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWe5Z7qISMQ

What if ancient temples were never meant to be monuments—but living expressions of the Goddess herself?In this episode of Seeking Numina, Elyse Welles sits down with Katinka Soetens, ceremonial priestess of the Goddess, sacred sexual priestess of Rhiannon, and director of the Path of Love Mystery School, to explore the ancient goddess temples of Malta and the mysteries they may still hold.Together, they explore the relationship between sacred landscapes and the divine, the symbolic language of our ancestors, and what happens when we approach ancient sites through lived experience rather than history alone.From the mysterious Hypogeum to the sleeping figures of Malta's temples, this conversation invites us to reconsider what our ancestors understood about the Goddess, the body, and the land—and what we might have forgotten.What if these ancient places still have something to teach us?Learn More About Katinka SoetensExplore Katinka’s work, teachings, pilgrimages, and priestess training through the Path of Love Mystery School.Episode EditorThis episode was edited by Bree Saga. Follow her on Instagram, explore her writing on Substack, or connect with her for travel planning through her Fora Travel Advisor profile.Order my books to support me and support your connection with the land! https://www.elysewelles.com/booksSubscribe to Seeking Numina with Elyse Welles on YouTube for video versions of ALL episodes sharing footage of the places and topics discussed. To learn more about my upcoming retreats to sacred places in Greece and beyond, or learn with me in workshops, classes, or mentorship, visit elysewelles.com. Support Seeking Numina on Patreon for a library of 300+ rituals, meditaitons, exclusive videos, and more, + opportunities for free tarot readings and discounts on ALL classes and retreats. Visit patreon.com/elysewellesSeeking Numina can also be supported via my Dashery merch shop.Music: Tribal Wind - SergePavkinMusicMusic Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWe5Z7qISMQ

What if the land remembers what history tried to erase?In this episode of Seeking Numina, Elyse Welles talks with Welsh witch, occult teacher, astrologer, and devotee of Aphrodite, Bunny Gourlay, about the sacred landscapes of South Wales—and what happens when we begin to listen to a homeland differently.They explore land spirits, Welsh mythology, language, industrial landscapes, pilgrimage, the Otherworld, and the strange moment when a place stops being somewhere you visit and starts feeling like somewhere that knows you.From the valleys of South Wales to sacred Greece, this conversation asks what it means to come home to the land—and what the land might have been waiting to tell you.Bunny's Instagram Edited by: Bree SagaInstagramSubstackTravel Advisor Order my books to support me and support your connection with the land! https://www.elysewelles.com/booksSubscribe to Seeking Numina with Elyse Welles on YouTube for video versions of ALL episodes sharing footage of the places and topics discussed. To learn more about my upcoming retreats to sacred places in Greece and beyond, or learn with me in workshops, classes, or mentorship, visit elysewelles.com. Support Seeking Numina on Patreon for a library of 300+ rituals, meditaitons, exclusive videos, and more, + opportunities for free tarot readings and discounts on ALL classes and retreats. Visit patreon.com/elysewellesSeeking Numina can also be supported via my Dashery merch shop.Music: Tribal Wind - SergePavkinMusicMusic Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWe5Z7qISMQ

 What do bees, Dionysus, labyrinths, and magic have in common?In this episode of Seeking Numina, Elyse Welles sits down with witch, occultist, tarot reader, and magical educator Ivy Bromius to explore the surprisingly deep relationship between bees and the sacred.From the wild sovereignty of the hive to Dionysus, altered states, labyrinths, and the liminal spaces where magic happens, this conversation asks us to rethink what it means to work with nature rather than simply work with it as a symbol.They also explore the challenges of learning magic in an age of endless information—and why sometimes the most powerful magic can't be found online.🐝 Learn more about Ivy Bromius:Circle ThriceSubstack🎬This episode was edited by Bree Saga:Substack | Instagram Order my books to support me and support your connection with the land! https://www.elysewelles.com/booksSubscribe to Seeking Numina with Elyse Welles on YouTube for video versions of ALL episodes sharing footage of the places and topics discussed. To learn more about my upcoming retreats to sacred places in Greece and beyond, or learn with me in workshops, classes, or mentorship, visit elysewelles.com. Support Seeking Numina on Patreon for a library of 300+ rituals, meditaitons, exclusive videos, and more, + opportunities for free tarot readings and discounts on ALL classes and retreats. Visit patreon.com/elysewellesSeeking Numina can also be supported via my Dashery merch shop.Music: Tribal Wind - SergePavkinMusicMusic Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWe5Z7qISMQ

What if your body knows something your mind has forgotten?In this episode of Seeking Numina, Elyse Welles talks with Macedonian priestess, world dancer, choreographer, and somatic educator Sophia Blanton about the spiritual power of movement—and what can happen when we stop trying to control the body and allow ourselves to be moved.Together, they explore sacred dance, collective movement, trauma, trance, land spirits, pilgrimage, and the mysterious relationship between the body and the sacred landscape.From traditional Macedonian dance to ritual movement at sacred sites, Sophia shares a perspective on embodiment that invites us to ask: What happens when we let the body become the oracle?🌿 Learn more about Sophia Blanton  🎬This episode was edited by Bree Saga:Substack | Instagram Order my books to support me and support your connection with the land! https://www.elysewelles.com/booksSubscribe to Seeking Numina with Elyse Welles on YouTube for video versions of ALL episodes sharing footage of the places and topics discussed. To learn more about my upcoming retreats to sacred places in Greece and beyond, or learn with me in workshops, classes, or mentorship, visit elysewelles.com. Support Seeking Numina on Patreon for a library of 300+ rituals, meditaitons, exclusive videos, and more, + opportunities for free tarot readings and discounts on ALL classes and retreats. Visit patreon.com/elysewellesSeeking Numina can also be supported via my Dashery merch shop.Music: Tribal Wind - SergePavkinMusicMusic Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWe5Z7qISMQ

 What happens when the ancient gods begin calling again?In this episode of Seeking Numina, Elyse Welles sits down with Gwendolyn Reece, author of The Waters of Mnemosyne, to explore sacred Greece, pilgrimage, ancient mysteries, and what it means to build a living relationship with the Greek gods today.From Artemis and Apollo to Athena, Delphi, Brauron, and the forgotten mysteries, Elyse and Gwendolyn explore what happens when we stop treating ancient sacred places as ruins—and begin listening to what they might still have to say.They also discuss gnosis, spiritual archaeology, the revival of the mysteries, sacred community, and the surprising ways the gods may be calling modern practitioners into service.Could the ancient mysteries be ready to return?Tune in to the full conversation to find out!🌿 Learn More About Gwendolyn Reece🏛️ Sacred Space Conference  🎬This episode was edited by Bree Saga:Substack | Instagram Order my books to support me and support your connection with the land! https://www.elysewelles.com/booksSubscribe to Seeking Numina with Elyse Welles on YouTube for video versions of ALL episodes sharing footage of the places and topics discussed. To learn more about my upcoming retreats to sacred places in Greece and beyond, or learn with me in workshops, classes, or mentorship, visit elysewelles.com. Support Seeking Numina on Patreon for a library of 300+ rituals, meditaitons, exclusive videos, and more, + opportunities for free tarot readings and discounts on ALL classes and retreats. Visit patreon.com/elysewellesSeeking Numina can also be supported via my Dashery merch shop.Music: Tribal Wind - SergePavkinMusicMusic Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWe5Z7qISMQ

 In this episode of Seeking Numina: Sacred Places Podcast, Elyse Welles is joined by author, spiritual teacher, and fellow podcast host George Lizos to explore the ancient Greek sacred sites of modern-day Turkey, the spiritual legacy of Lycia, and what it means to practice Living Hellenism today. Fresh from an unforgettable journey through ancient Lycia, Elyse and George recount their pilgrimage to remarkable temples, mountaintop tombs, and forgotten sacred landscapes that reveal the enduring relationship between land, ancestors, and the Greek gods. Together, they discuss:  Exploring the ancient Greek sites of Lycia (modern-day Turkey)  Temple hopping through Anatolia and sacred landscapes  The breathtaking Lycian rock tombs and ancestor veneration  The Temple of Leto and the origins of the Mother Goddess  Artemis, Apollo, and Leto beyond the classical myths  Spiritual archaeology and intuitive research at ancient sites  Connecting with land spirits through meditation and ritual  Why sacred places call us when we're ready  Living Hellenism as a modern spiritual path  Reciprocity with the land and honoring sacred places  Entrainment: an energetic practice for connecting with the landscape  Why ancient temples continue to transform those who visit them Throughout the conversation, Elyse and George reflect on how sacred places become living teachers—inviting us into deeper relationships with history, mythology, the natural world, and ourselves. From meditating inside the Temple of Leto to standing among Lycian tombs during a mountain storm, they explore how pilgrimage can become a profound spiritual initiation. Whether you're interested in Greek mythology, Hellenism, sacred geography, land spirits, pilgrimage, archaeology, or ancient spirituality, this episode offers a fascinating look at one of the Mediterranean's most overlooked sacred landscapes. 🌿 Learn more about George Lizos: Website | Instagram   🎬This episode was edited by Bree Saga:Substack | Instagram Order my books to support me and support your connection with the land! https://www.elysewelles.com/booksSubscribe to Seeking Numina with Elyse Welles on YouTube for video versions of ALL episodes sharing footage of the places and topics discussed. To learn more about my upcoming retreats to sacred places in Greece and beyond, or learn with me in workshops, classes, or mentorship, visit elysewelles.com. Support Seeking Numina on Patreon for a library of 300+ rituals, meditaitons, exclusive videos, and more, + opportunities for free tarot readings and discounts on ALL classes and retreats. Visit patreon.com/elysewellesSeeking Numina can also be supported via my Dashery merch shop.Music: Tribal Wind - SergePavkinMusicMusic Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWe5Z7qISMQ

In this episode of Seeking Numina: Sacred Places Podcast, Elyse Welles welcomes bestselling author, tarot reader, and magical practitioner Judika Illes for an inspiring conversation about spellcraft, elemental magic, sacred places, and her newest deck, The Magic Spells Oracle.Known for beloved classics including The Encyclopedia of 5,000 Spells, Encyclopedia of Spirits, Pure Magic, and many more, Judika shares how decades of magical study have shaped her understanding of the elements, sacred landscapes, and the enduring relationship between people and place.Together, Elyse and Judika explore:The inspiration behind The Magic Spells OracleElemental magic and balancing the four elementsWhy no witch works with only one elementSacred places and the power of landscapeThe spiritual significance of oceans, rivers, volcanoes, and mountainsMorocco, Hawaii, Malta, the Caribbean, and other spiritually powerful destinationsAncestral memory and how the land recognizes usAncient monuments, archaeology, and magical historyThe relationship between travel, pilgrimage, and spiritual growthSpellcasting as a path toward harmony and balanceAstrology, the elements, and magical practiceJudika also reflects on her lifelong love of travel, discussing how sacred places reveal themselves through history, geography, mythology, and the elemental forces that shape both the Earth and ourselves.Whether you're interested in witchcraft, spellcasting, sacred geography, animism, folklore, tarot, or the deeper mysteries of the natural world, this conversation offers a rich exploration of how magic is woven into both landscape and daily life.📚 Featured books by Judika Illes:The Encyclopedia of 5,000 SpellsEncyclopedia of SpiritsPure MagicThe Magic Spells OracleDaily MagicEncyclopedia of WitchcraftEncyclopedia of Mystics, Saints & Sages🌿 Learn more about Judika Illes:InstagramFacebook  🎬This episode was edited by Bree Saga:Substack | Instagram Order my books to support me and support your connection with the land! https://www.elysewelles.com/booksSubscribe to Seeking Numina with Elyse Welles on YouTube for video versions of ALL episodes sharing footage of the places and topics discussed. To learn more about my upcoming retreats to sacred places in Greece and beyond, or learn with me in workshops, classes, or mentorship, visit elysewelles.com. Support Seeking Numina on Patreon for a library of 300+ rituals, meditaitons, exclusive videos, and more, + opportunities for free tarot readings and discounts on ALL classes and retreats. Visit patreon.com/elysewellesSeeking Numina can also be supported via my Dashery merch shop.Music: Tribal Wind - SergePavkinMusicMusic Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWe5Z7qISMQ

In this episode of Seeking Numina: Sacred Places Podcast, Elyse Welles welcomes Welsh folk witch, author, and first-language Welsh speaker Mhara Starling to discuss Welsh mythology, fairy lore, spirits of place, and the living magical traditions of Wales.Born and raised in North Wales, Mhara shares deeply personal stories of growing up among ancient standing stones, sacred coastal landscapes, and places that seemed to call to her long before she understood their archaeological or spiritual significance.Together, Elyse and Mhara explore how the land itself teaches us to listen, remember, and build relationships with the unseen world.Mhara also discusses her experiences leading spiritual tours across Wales, sharing how ancient monuments, coastal cliffs, forests, and mountains continue to hold memory, magic, and relationship for those willing to listen.Whether you're drawn to Celtic spirituality, Welsh mythology, fairy lore, or sacred geography, this conversation offers a beautiful invitation to deepen your connection with place and the living landscape.📚 Learn more about Mhara Starling's books found wherever books are sold:Welsh FairiesWelsh WitchcraftPantheon: The Welsh 🎬This episode was edited by Bree Saga:Substack | Instagram Order my books to support me and support your connection with the land! https://www.elysewelles.com/booksSubscribe to Seeking Numina with Elyse Welles on YouTube for video versions of ALL episodes sharing footage of the places and topics discussed. To learn more about my upcoming retreats to sacred places in Greece and beyond, or learn with me in workshops, classes, or mentorship, visit elysewelles.com. Support Seeking Numina on Patreon for a library of 300+ rituals, meditaitons, exclusive videos, and more, + opportunities for free tarot readings and discounts on ALL classes and retreats. Visit patreon.com/elysewellesSeeking Numina can also be supported via my Dashery merch shop.Music: Tribal Wind - SergePavkinMusicMusic Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWe5Z7qISMQ

In this episode of Seeking Numina: Sacred Places Podcast, Elyse Welles welcomes occult herbalist and author Coby Michael to discuss sacred plant allies, poisonous herbs, entheogens, witchcraft, and his groundbreaking new book, The Poison Path Oracle. Together they explore the fascinating relationship between poisonous plants, sacred places, and altered states of consciousness, including the enduring mystery of whether the Oracle of Delphi used entheogenic plants during prophecy.Coby also shares his philosophy on approaching poisonous plants with reverence rather than fear, explaining how these remarkable plant allies invite practitioners into deeper relationships with the natural world and the sacred landscapes they inhabit. 🌿 More About Coby Michael 🎬This episode was edited by Bree Saga:Substack | Instagram Order my books to support me and support your connection with the land! https://www.elysewelles.com/booksSubscribe to Seeking Numina with Elyse Welles on YouTube for video versions of ALL episodes sharing footage of the places and topics discussed. To learn more about my upcoming retreats to sacred places in Greece and beyond, or learn with me in workshops, classes, or mentorship, visit elysewelles.com. Support Seeking Numina on Patreon for a library of 300+ rituals, meditaitons, exclusive videos, and more, + opportunities for free tarot readings and discounts on ALL classes and retreats. Visit patreon.com/elysewellesSeeking Numina can also be supported via my Dashery merch shop.Music: Tribal Wind - SergePavkinMusicMusic Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWe5Z7qISMQ