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Hex Positive

Bree NicGarran

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A practical witchcraft podcast hosted by Bree NicGarran, author of Grovedaughter Witchery. Every month, join Bree for a discussion of secular witchcraft, with plenty of tips for witching on a budget, finding good resources, furthering your magical education, and keeping your common sense superpowers strong. We’ll also delve into the history of witches and witchcraft, and witches in folklore and literature, and how those ideas influence what it means to be a witch in the modern day. Support t ...
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Multi-talented author, artist, permaculturist, and head of the AODA Dana O’Driscoll drops by the virtual studio to discuss her newest book, “Land Healing: Physical, Metaphysical, and Ritual Practices for Healing the Earth.” Among the topics discussed are processes and procedures for connecting with the land spirits where you live, what’s in a crane…
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Lozzie’s back, friends and neighbors! And this month, we’re sitting down to talk about everybody’s favorite coven - the Witches of Lancre, from Discworld. Longtime fans of the show have heard the works of Sir Terry Pratchet (RIP) and the wisdom of Granny Weatherwax quoted many times on the show, but what other lessons might the Lancre coven have fo…
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It’s the fourth anniversary special and somebody turned Bree and Lozzie loose on another piece of occult history! This month, your intrepid host and everyone’s favorite horrible goose sit down in the virtual studio to discuss the history and tenets of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. And to the surprise of absolutely no one, things go off the…
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Returning once more to the topic of protection magic, this month we’re delving a little deeper into the topic of wards and warding. Bree shares some insight on the methods and concepts that she’s developed and discovered over the years, and shares a Witchcraft 201 level primer on some slightly more advanced warding techniques. (If you haven’t heard…
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Bree is joined in the virtual studio by Annika Hylmö, documentarian and director of the forthcoming film THE LAST WITCH. The film tells the story of a Massachusetts middle school Civics class and their campaign to secure exoneration for the last unpardoned victim of the Salem witch trials, Elizabeth Johnson Jr. It’s a poignant story about history, …
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(Sorry for the lateness of the episode, there were some technical difficulties to fix and a very sick Producer Penny to care for, but thankfully both are all better now. Thank you for your patience!) This month, we delve into the concept of familiars and familiar spirits, both in the context of folklore and witch trials, and what the term means to …
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There’s been a slight delay with the main episode this month due to technical issues, so I hope you enjoy these two powder recipes, one for attracting romance and desire, the other for repelling it. The recipes for Come Hither Powder and Get Thee Hence Powder can be found in Pestlework, now available on Amazon and in the Willow Wings Witch Shop. Ma…
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Happy New Year, witches! While we’re recovering from the mad rush of the holiday season, I’m sitting down with returning friend of the show Jenn the Ouija Girl and new pal from the tumblrverse Lorelei Rivers to both drink AND the spill the tea on those ghost-hunting grifters we all love to despise, Ed and Lorraine Warren. Discussions about the care…
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BAH HUMBUG! The annual onslaught of holiday music has begun, we’re all up to our necks in consumerism, and the glitter is EVERYWHERE. Thankfully, there’s refuge from the mad rush here on Hex Positive, where I cozy up with my CritWitchCon buddy Ana Mor to talk about fun and witchy folklore from the holiday season! Most of the stories come from Catho…
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Here it is - the episode you’ve all been waiting for! CritWitchCon 2023 was an absolute blast and Lozzie and I made the most of it with another LIVE episode of The Stardust Sessions. And as you may have inferred, the title of said panel was, “Bree and Lozzie Ruin Everything.” We each picked a topic which is taken for granted as Gospel Truth by cert…
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There’s a chill in the breeze, the leaves are turning, the pumpkins are grinning, it’s time for SPOOKY SEASON! Accordingly, I’ve brewed up a special surprise for all my witches and horror fans out there. This month’s episode is a crossover with Queerdo Babes From The Horror Pod-O-Rama, hosted by the absolutely fabulous Murphy Lawless. We sat down f…
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What do you get when you throw four witches with ADHD and a tendency to infodump into one chat room and give them an assignment? Utter chaos, of course. But somewhere along the way, they also produce a pretty damn good sneak peek at the upcoming Critical Thinking Witch Convention! Join Bree, Lozzie, Amethyst, and Ana Mor for this madcap ramble / ev…
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Since magic and writing first existed together, there have been books of magic. Grimoires and other mystical tomes dot the historical record, from illuminated manuscripts to beloved props of modern pop culture. For the modern witch, a grimoire is as much a personal reference guide as it is a self-written textbook of the craft. This month, we’ll dis…
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Cleansing is one of the most frequently-employed types of magic in the modern witchcraft community. Every time you turn around, you’ll see references to cleansing because of an auspicious occasion or recent castings or a particular celestial event or just because The Vibes Are Off. What we’re only beginning to see discussed is the practical aspect …
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Margaret Murray was a celebrated author, historian, folklorist, Egyptologist, archaeologist, anthropologist, first-wave feminist, and the first woman to be appointed to the position of lecturer in archaeology in the UK. So why so we get so annoyed whenever her name is mentioned in conversations about witchcraft? Well, it all has to do with a book M…
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Prosperity spells are some of the most commonly-found types of magical workings to be found in modern witchcraft and in the historical record. So why aren’t witches absolutely rolling in dough? And how do you make sure your magical windfall doesn’t come with unwanted consequences? As it turns out, mostly by keeping things simple. Pride Witch Market…
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A well-read witch is a happy witch. But how does one go about building a personal library to support their craft? Let’s talk about it! (And if you'd like to add any of my books to your library, you can visit the Willow Wings Witch Shop!) Hex Positive is now on YouTube! Check my Wordpress for full show notes, as well as show notes for past episodes …
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Sometimes, a witch just needs a break. Let’s all take a moment to go touch some grass...and talk about what that means. (Thank you for sticking with me through the hiatus!) Oddities Witch Market Sunday, April 2 2023, 12n-6pm Diversity Richmond, 1407 Sherwood Ave Facebook Event Page Check my Wordpress for full show notes, as well as show notes for p…
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Just one more hiatus episode to go! This month, we’re wrapping up our dive into the life and deeds of King James VI/I with a discussion of his literary exploits, from commissioning an approved English translation of the Bible to pamphlets on how to hunt witches and rule a country effectively. Learn how one man’s personal demons and some really poor…
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This month on our hiatus presentation of "Stardust Sessions," we’re continuing with our dive into the life and deeds of King James VI/I with a discussion of the North Berwick Witch Trials. We did our best to keep it light and not get too far into the more gruesome elements, but it was a very grim series of events that still echo in the history of S…
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In this special hiatus presentation of my Patreon series "Stardust Sessions with Lozzie Stardust and Bree NicGarran," we’re fulfilling a promise made in our inaugural episode and having a go at King James the Sixth of Scotland and the First of England. Same guy, weird title, and as the scholars called him - the Wisest Fool in Christendom. Or as Loz…
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While you're all patiently riding out the podcast hiatus, here's a little treat to tide you over! Earlier this year, Lozzie and I were panelists at the Critical Thinking Witch Collective online convention and we did a LIVE run of Stardust Sessions during our joint session on modern witchcraft, with special guest moderator Lee Curtis-Rogers of Do Th…
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Every so often, a witch's work needs to be done in secret, and we must be cunning and full of tricks in order to make sure our magics are not discovered until they've had a chance to work. Borrow a bit of that guile with The Fox's Gift, from the pages of The Sisters Grimmoire. (For more fairytale spells, you can purchase a copy on Amazon or from my…
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Volunteer educators are the backbone of the witchcraft community. That can be a huge boon to newer witches, but it can also cause problems when needless gatekeeping or misinformation start to become too prevalent. In this episode, I’ve set out to clarify a few things about what it means to be a volunteer educator, what it takes to be a guide and a …
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Break out your potion kits - it's time to make some Home Blessing Powder! From the pages of Pestlework, this powder is suitable for any spells you wish to cast around your dwelling which deal with the wellbeing, safety, and happiness of the homestead and those who live there. Visit the Willow Wings Witch Shop to purchase my books and homemade accou…
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This month, I wanted to talk about a subject near and dear to my own heart - what it’s like to be a witch with ADHD. I invited my good buddy and everyone’s favorite horrible goose, Lozzie Stardust, to join me for the discussion. Buuuut since we’re both in the club, things went off the rails pretty quickly. (We regret nothing. 😅) So we wound up havi…
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Sometimes the mirror doesn't show us what we want to see. So here's a spell inspired by a much-beloved fairy tale to help increase beauty and self-confidence. And it fits easily into your daily routine! And remember, darlings - you're already gorgeous. If others can't see it, that's THEIR problem. Visit the Willow Wings Witch Shop to purchase my bo…
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We all joke about the irony of polytheistic witches being called “godless,” but what happens when your craft is quite literally without deities or spirituality of any kind? I sat down with YouTube’s own Sedna Woo to find out. The answer is both simpler and much deeper than you might expect. (Spoiler: I’m totally adding open label placebos to my own…
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Welcome to the inaugural episode of The Stardust Sessions! In this Patreon-exclusive series, I'll be partnering with my good buddy and fellow Witchstorian Lozzie Stardust to dive into the fascinating events and people surrounding the history of witches and witchcraft. We'll talk about a whole lot of interesting things, maybe have a bit of a laugh, …
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Hope you're all feeling crafty this month, because we're making a Witches' Ladder! Grab your yarn, craft feathers, and bells, and get ready to make an early-warning system for trouble of all sorts. Another classic from The Sisters Grimmoire, Vol I. Visit the Willow Wings Witch Shop to purchase my books and homemade accoutrements for your craft! Che…
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Happy Podcastiversary! Hex Positive is officially two years old and I thought I'd celebrate with an important discussion about growth. We all start out with ideas and impressions that we must unlearn, re-examine, and correct over time. This constant cycle of critical thinking and re-evaluation in response to new information is a normal and necessar…
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Sorry it's a bit late this month, my darlings! My usual recording schedule got flipped a bit, what with a certain special project and getting ready for the May anniversary. But here you go! We're back to the fairy tales this month with a little attraction spell from The Sisters Grimmoire, Vol I. This is a three-day spell to help bring an ideal pers…
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IT’S FINALLY HERE – the long-await Easter Rant! If you’ve been following me on tumblr, you may already know how salty I get about internet posts claiming Ostara and Easter are the same holiday…and you may know that I’ve gotten into literal fights over the topic. So once and for all, I’m laying it all out to explore the origins of both Easter and Os…
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Spells don't always have to be big, complicated rituals in order to be effective. Sometimes the most powerful charm is the one you do with a snap of your fingers. To that end, here are some Quickie Charms from my personal repertoire. Adapted from Grovedaughter Witchery. Visit the Willow Wings Witch Shop to purchase my books and homemade accoutremen…
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WE'RE BAAA-AAAACK! And to celebrate, I'm covering a timely topic that's been tripping me up lately. We all encounter it sooner or later - that feeling of being bogged down, tired, uninspired, and unmotivated. The dreaded Slump. It happens in our craft just as much as our mundane lives and it can be hard to conquer. So, what’s a witch to do when mot…
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Originally aired on my Patreon. For this special episode, it's time to hop in the Wayback Machine! I sat down with my oldest friend, Jai McGrainer (we've literally known each other since we were twelve), to chat about her path as a healer and her marvelous holistic health clinic, Azalea House of Healing. There's a fair amount of reminiscing about o…
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In this special bonus episode, I sit down with my old friend and sister in the craft, Jenna. We chitchat about our days as basement witches, the informal coven-of-two we started, our old witchy haunts from back in the day, and what we're up to now. Along the way, the in-jokes fly, madness reigns, and somebody busts out a lolcat version of the Wicca…
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Every witch needs a good repertoire of protection spells. Shields and wards are all well and good, but if you want your magical defenses to have a little more bite, try creating a tiny household guardian with "Eyes Like Coals." (Note: You will have to feed it.) Adapted from The Sisters Grimmoire, Vol. I, 2nd edition. Visit my shop for books and oth…
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As we close out 2021, it seems like a good time to cover some basic home protection spells and warding techniques. In this episode, I cover the creation of wards and anchors, how to cast wards around your home, and what home protection magic can...and more importantly, CANNOT....keep away. I’ll be taking a short break and posting some Patreon bonus…
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Few things in life are more infuriating than seeing your power usurped by others, or worse, stolen from you And nothing is more satisfying than taking it back. If you're feeling beaten down and set upon, draw up your list of grievances and cry, "All Heads Off But Mine!" Adapted from The Sisters Grimmoire, Vol. I, 2nd edition. Visit my shop for book…
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Halloween may be over, but I’m not ready to be done with Spooky Season just yet! As such, this month, I’m diving into the history of Ouija boards, tracing their origins from the spiritualist camps of the late 1800s to their development as a popular party game to some of the modern myths surrounding the board. We’ll try to separate fact from urban l…
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As promised, it’s your Halloween treat - another installment of Listener Ghost Stories! We’ve got another marvelous collection this year, and I hope you enjoy them in all their spooky...and occasionally poignant…glory. Producer Penny makes a guest appearance to provide commentary. (Listen all the way to end for an adorable outtake!) Happy Halloween…
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It's a special Samhain bonus episode for all you lovely witches! I had the distinct pleasure of sitting down with Lee Curtis-Rogers of "Do The Magical Thing" to talk shop. We got into SO many things, from "outside the box" magical thinking to mental health and witchcraft to what it's like to be community educators and influencers, plus our plans fo…
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With a simple change of intention and timing, a spell can heal or harm as the caster wishes. "The Nesting Toad" is a perfect representation of this concept. What will you use it for? The choice is entirely up to you. Adapted from The Sisters Grimmoire, Vol. I, 2nd edition. Visit my shop for books and other witchy goodies! Follow the show on Twitter…
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Spooky Season is upon us and thanks to last month’s trip into the history of witch trials, I’ve got a score to settle with some witch-hating dead guys - Witchfinder General Matthew Hopkins and Witch-Pricker John Stearne. Luckily, my trusty witch pal and fellow WItchstorian Lozzie Stardust is ready to wade into the fray with me. The witch finders do…
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As promised, the followup episode is here! This time, I'm digging into witchcraft as it relates to modern law, plus covering a few key 20th-century events that I missed in Episode 20 and some legal codes that may apply to your practice even if they don't deal with witchcraft directly. We'll also be discussing some instances of modern witch hunts th…
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Surprise surprise, witches! It's a special bonus episode! This month, I sat down for a chat with the absolutely delightful host of the Inciting A Riot podcast and soon-to-be-published author, Fire Lyte. We talked about how he got his start in witchcraft, how his holistic views on education influenced his practice, and how the events of 2020 informe…
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Whether you need a change in circumstances or a quick boost to your bank account or you just want to go to the festival, "The Golden Tree" just might be able to help. Make the charm when you can, then use it when you need it. Adapted from The Sisters Grimmoire, Vol. I, 2nd edition. Visit my shop for books and other witchy goodies! Follow the show o…
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Grab your pencils, witches - it’s time for a history lesson! This month, I’m digging deep into the history of witchcraft-related laws and how changing views on magic, religion, and superstition first denied the existence of witches, then panicked over their alleged activities, and finally settled into something resembling common sense. This is a lo…
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