In this episode of The Hermit's Land podcast, I sit down with Althaea Sebastiani to dig into the heart of witchcraft—animism and spirit work. We explore what it means to walk this path with patience and authenticity. Learning to listen and truly hear will help you build deep relationships with spirits over time.

We get into the how-to of working with spirits and deities, discussing ways to practice outside formal or initiatory structures. This episode offers guidance on how to find the spirits where you live. We also dig into the responsibility of navigating cultural appropriation and engaging respectfully with Indigenous and other living traditions.

The conversation also covers spirit workers and teachers—the role they might play in your journey and how to decide if someone is truly trustworthy. With more sketchy folks gaining reach in the spiritual marketplace, discernment is more important than ever.

Finally, we remind listeners that spirituality doesn’t exist in a vacuum—the physical world still matters. Your health, well-being, and everyday life all shape your practice. Common sense is just as vital as intuition when walking a spiritual path.

If you're looking to start practicing witchcraft, this episode will give you the pointers you need to begin. With patience and practice, you’ll be building solid relationships with the spiritual world in no time.

You can find us on the socials. Or Althaea is here and Andrew is here.

Episodes with drop biweekly going forward. Help me let the world know I'm back by sharing on socials and leaving review on the platform on which you listen to us.

Much love

Andrew

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Witchcraft and Animism

04:54 Starting Your Journey in Witchcraft

11:04 Engaging with Spirits and Deities

21:12 Navigating Appropriation and Authenticity in Practice

26:56 Personal Rituals and Nature Connection

28:57 Engaging with Indigenous Traditions

30:53 Understanding Living Traditions

32:21 The Role of Spirit Workers

34:29 Finding Authentic Spirit Workers

36:42 Navigating the Spiritual Marketplace

40:34 Cautions in Spiritual Practices

43:04 Balancing Spiritual and Physical Worlds

Full transcript on my site here.

Are you ready to go deep? Andrew McGregor and Enrique Enriquez take a deep dive into the mysteries of presence, dreams, divination, and the ever-unfolding journey of the soul. They explore the impact of our physical presence on the world around us, the wisdom hidden within our dreams, and how divination can serve as a guiding light through life's uncertainties.

Enrique shares his thoughts on the soul as a dynamic process of engagement with the world. The discussion expands into the distinction between understanding and knowing, the metaphor of gardens as a way to think about presence and connection, and the intriguing concept of the invisible as the space between things. Through personal stories, humour, and wisdom, Andrew and Enrique highlight the importance of self-discovery, embracing fluidity, and finding meaning in the unknown.

Whether you're looking to deepen your awareness, explore the symbolic world, or reflect on your own place in the grand tapestry of existence, this episode is a must-listen.

You can find us on the socials. Or Enrique is emailable here and Andrew is here.

Episodes with drop biweekly going forward. Help me let the world know I'm back by sharing on socials and leaving review on the platform on which you listen to us.

Much love

Andrew

PS Enrique's favourite late cretaceous animal is the Stegosaurus.

Full transcript is available here.

In this episode of The Hermit Lamp Podcast, tarot legends Andrew McGregor and Mary K. Greer unravel the art, ethics, and evolution of tarot reading. Whether you're a beginner shuffling your first deck or a seasoned reader refining your craft, this conversation is packed with wisdom and guidance to elevate your practice.

Choose a deck that resonates with you. Dive in. Start using your deck immediately. Let the images speak to you. Have a conversation with the cards. Bring in your personal associations and experience.

Andrew and Mary share how to structure a reading. A well-crafted question guides the reading, shaping the narrative that unfolds in the cards. Start with a Three-card spreads. It is a simple way to start building story, and comfort with the cards. Tarot isn’t just about predictions; it’s about weaving meaning, insight, and personal truth.

The discussion also ventures into deeper territory. Covering ethics, legal responsibilities, and setting boundaries. Readers should always try to empower. Engaging clients in the process strengthens understanding, especially when working with court cards, which often mirror real people in a querent’s life.

They explore the evolving nature of tarot, reminding us that meanings shift and grow over time. Book definitions and keywords are helpful, but intuition and experience can play a vital role too.

Mary and Andrew also tackle the emotional side reading of tarot. Anxiety and obsession can creep into practice, and managing them is essential for a healthy relationship with the cards. Boundaries matter—not just with querents, but also with ourselves.

Ultimately, this episode is an invitation to explore, experiment, and trust your own connection with the cards. Tarot isn’t about getting it "right"—it’s about discovery, transformation, and the magic that happens when you truly listen.

You can find us on the socials. Or Mary is here and Andrew is here.

Episodes with drop biweekly going forward. Help me let the world know I'm back by sharing on socials and leaving review on the platform on which you listen to us.

Much love

Andrew

PS Mary's favourite late cretaceous animal is the stegosaurus Full transcript on my website here.