In this special Samhain episode of the Pagan Portal Podcast, we embrace the turning of the wheel as the nights draw in and Halloween approaches. It’s the perfect time to honour the ancestors, share stories, and perhaps indulge in a comforting cottage pie.Join host Rachel Patterson alongside guests Jessica Howard, Lucya Starza, and Katie Ness, as they share their wisdom, insights, and seasonal magic.So pull on your favourite hoodie, put the kettle on, grab some autumnal treats, and settle in for this enchanting Samhain celebration with The Pagan Portal Podcast.

Words hold power. In this episode of The Pagan Portal Podcast, host Rachel Patterson is joined by author and priestess Katie Ness for a deep exploration of word magic—from ancient hymns and love charms to modern poetry and spellwork.

Together, they discuss:

✨ The role of chanting inward and outward in ritual and energy work

✨ Whether intention or wording matters more in spellcraft

✨ Ancient practices of weaver priestesses, who sang and blessed cloth with sacred words

✨ The goddesses of writing and knowledge: Nisibar, Seshat, Saraswati, and Minerva

✨ How poetry, journaling, and even tarot cards can become tools of word witchery

✨ Personal stories of grief, creativity, and transformation through writing

From Mesopotamian curse tablets to Egyptian funerary hymns, from yogic chanting to poetry inspired by tarot, this episode weaves together myth, history, and modern Pagan practice.

Perfect for anyone interested in Paganism, Witchcraft, goddesses, creativity, ritual, yoga, and the sacred power of words.

In this episode of The Pagan Portal Podcast, host Rachel Patterson speaks with Barbara Meiklejohn-Free and Flavia Kate Peters about their life’s work, magical practices, and deep spiritual callings.

Barbara shares the powerful origin of Spirit Visions, born from a four-day vision quest in the Badlands, and the story of Arnemetia — the ancient water and grove goddess of Buxton whose sacred well still flows today. Together, Barbara and Flavia explore the importance of healing past-life wounds, guiding souls through death rites, and weaving magic into the entire cycle of life.

From drumming in the King’s Chamber of the Great Pyramid to their everyday rituals with candles, altars, and incense, they reveal how magic infuses their daily lives. They discuss the role of magical tools, the importance of keeping one’s deities private, and their shamanic connection to animals — from cats who guard their rituals to elephants and leopards offering profound moments of healing.

✨ In this episode:

- The origin of Spirit Visions & Arnemetia’s Grove

- Healing Witches’ Wounds & past-life cycles

- Death rites, celebrancy & rites of passage

- Magical tools, drumming & sacred sound

- Keeping deity work private for spiritual protection

- Daily rituals to honour the sacred

- Shamanic connections with animals & familiars

In this episode of The Pagan Portal Podcast, Rachel Patterson is joined by author and plant witch Dawn Leith Dougherty for a rich, grounded conversation about the art and history of smoke cleansing.

Together, they explore:

- The global traditions behind burning herbs and resins

- Why white sage isn’t the only option, and what to use instead

- Creating your own incense blends for ritual, rest, or energetic shifts

- The power of sound: chanting, humming, and music in spiritual practice

- Scientific studies that show how sacred smoke affects microbes and energy

- Growing and connecting with your own herbs for deeper magic

Dawn also shares her personal journey into plant magic, her favourite blends, and how you can begin working with herbs. Whether you’re deeply spiritual or simply looking for a more grounded and calming practice.

This is a conversation full of wisdom, humor, and heart. Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or new to working with smoke and sound, there’s something here for you.

In this episode of The Pagan Portal Podcast, host Rachel Patterson is joined by best selling author Morgan Daimler to dive deep into the tangled roots of Irish mythology, fairies, and spiritual practice.

Morgan shares insights from their upcoming translation project Tales of the Tuatha Dé Danann, highlighting how Victorian mistranslations, poetic wordplay, and modern fantasy games have all shaped and sometimes distorted our understanding of Ireland’s ancient stories. From Macha’s not-so-symbolic acorns to the unique nature of fairy magic, this episode unpacks the complexities behind some of Irish paganism’s most widely accepted beliefs.

They also discuss the nature of the Otherworld, the blurred lines between the Tuatha Dé Danann, the Aos sí and other spirits, and the critical importance of returning to original source texts for anyone working with Irish deities and traditions today.If you’re drawn to Celtic mythology, fairy faith, or the deeper study of Irish pagan spirituality, this is an essential listen.

Topics covered include:

- What the ancient Irish believed about the Otherworld

- Why some fairies come from D&D, not folklore

- The misunderstood symbolism of Macha’s “acorns”

- Fairy magic as its own tradition

- Translation issues in Irish mythology

- The overlap between gods, fairies, and spirits

- Making myth more accessible through literal translation

In this rich and expansive episode of The Pagan Portal Podcast, host Rachel Patterson is joined by author, scholar, and Druid Kristoffer Hughes to explore the myth, meaning, and mystery of Arianrhod, one of the most enigmatic figures in Welsh mythology.Together, they delve into:- The origins and evolving spelling of her name (Aranrhod vs Arianrhod)- What it means to “make” a goddess in contemporary Paganism- The symbolism of the Silver Wheel and the spiritual power of the axle- Fate, fortune, and the still point within the chaos of life- How myth lives in the land itself—and continues to speak through usKristoffer offers a deeply personal, scholarly, and heart-led perspective on Arianrhod as more than a mythic figure: as a living presence who helps us stabilise the turning wheels of our own lives.✨ Whether you're a devotee of Arianrhod, a student of Welsh lore, or simply seeking a deeper connection to land, myth, and meaning, this is a conversation not to be missed.📘 This conversation is inspired by Kristoffer's book, available now from Moon Books.🎧 Listen to The Pagan Portal Podcast on your favourite platforms or watch the full episode on our channel.

Rachel Patteson sits down with Laura Perry, author of Pantheon: The Minoans, to explore the fascinating world of Minoan spirituality and their sacred connection to the cosmos. In this engaging podcast episode, they uncover how archaeoastronomy reveals the Minoan sacred calendar, aligned with solstices, equinoxes, and the heliacal rising of stars like the Pleiades.

Together, they dive into the truth behind the myth of Ariadne and the Labyrinth, reveal the Minoan origins of Greek gods such as Dionysus and Rhea, and discuss how the Minoan culture embraced gender equality, a sharing economy, and peaceful success, offering timeless lessons for modern spirituality and society.

Whether you’re a pagan practitioner, mythology enthusiast, or seeker of ancient wisdom, Laura and Rachel connect you to a lost civilisation where ritual, intuition, and cosmic cycles shaped daily life, with insights that still resonate today.

Join us for an unforgettable conversation with Mhara Starling, author, witch, and renowned voice in Welsh folk magic and mythology.

In this episode, Mhara takes us deep into the heart of Welsh witchcraft, the enduring legacy of the Mabinogi, and the bardic traditions that continue to shape Welsh identity and spiritual practice today. This is a journey of ancestral wisdom, magical storytelling, and cultural revival.

✨ In this episode, we explore:

- What makes Welsh witchcraft unique, from its poetic charms to its deep cultural roots

- The spiritual power of song, spoken word, and the bardic arts

- Why the Mabinogi remains vital to understanding Welsh myth and magic

- The recurring theme of shame and redemption in the Four Branches

- How oral tradition preserved these stories long before they were written down

- That epic moment when a giant is mistaken for an island and his sister declares, “That’s my brother, and he’s angry.”🌀

Mhara shares personal insight into how these tales inspire her own witchcraft and how they remain relevant for modern spiritual seekers and lovers of story alike.