In this episode, I share what Harold R. Johnson’s book, “The Power of Story: On Truth, the Trickster, and New Fictions for a New Era” taught me about being a witch and tending to my soul.

I was in the bookstore looking for my next read for the podcast when I noticed this book saying “Pick me. Pick me.” I picked it up, flipped through the first pages and came across the opening paragraph from Harold’s wife. She explained how Harold passed away a couple weeks after completing the edits for this book. She described her husband as a gifted storyteller whose last words are powerful and dedicated to all peoples. Upon reading her words, I immediately imagined myself in her shoes – my husband having died a couple weeks after completing what would be his last book. Writing a dedication under those circumstances would be so hard yet her dedication was touching and it made me tear up and her invitation to read the book drew me in.

I had to learn more.

You can view the written version of this episode on my blog.

In this episode, I share what Demetra George’s book, “Mysteries of the Dark Moon: The Healing Power of the Dark Goddess”, taught me about being a witch and tending to my soul.

Demetra is someone I was introduced to when I started studying ancient and Hellenistic astrology and whenever she is being interviewed on "The Astrology Podcast" I listen to, I swoon over her vast knowledge of the stars and Goddesses. What a phenomenal woman and role model! I looked up to her before I read this book so it was a treat to actually be with her words and stories for awhile.

In “Mysteries of the Dark Moon”, she incorporates mythological archetypes, transpersonal healing therapies and astrology as she explores the mystery, wisdom and power of the dark phase of the moon’s cycle.

In this episode, I summarize some of the teachings you'll find in her book and share my experience reading it.

You can also view the written version of this episode on my blog; https://danadaponte.com/this-witch-reads-podcast-episode-4-mysteries-of-the-dark-moon-by-demetra-george/

On this episode, I share my journey with a book by Marta McDowell called “Emily Dickinson’s Gardening Life: The Plants and Places that Inspired the Iconic Poet”.

Marta is a writer and a gardener and, according to the back cover of her book, her particular interests lie in authors and their gardens. She wrote Beatrix Potter’s Gardening Life as well but interestingly enough she was the Gardener-in-Residence at the Emily Dickinson’s Museum so she had a first hand experience tending to the same plants and flowers Emily did.

In this book, Marta weaves Emily Dickinson’s love of flowers, plants and gardening with her poems – or at least demonstrates how they inspired and informed one another. I admit, it is an odd choice for a witch podcast. When I bought the book, I had no idea how it would inspire and inform my own magic and healing. I just felt drawn to it so I trusted I would eventually see how it all comes together and I’m so glad I did because there are several reasons why this book deepened my understanding of how to practice magic and tend to my soul.

You can read this episode on my blog, https://danadaponte.com/this-witch-reads-podcast-episode-3-emily-dickinsons-gardening-life-by-mart-mcdowell/