Let’s talk a bit about the relationship between Wicca and Thelema. How was Thelema an influence on the early days of Wicca? In what ways are the two religions alike? And–just as importantly–how do they differ? In this video, I talk through some of the history of Gerald Gardner’s meetings with Aleister Crowley and his […]
Read more "Video: Wicca, Thelema, and True Will"What is the relationship between witchcraft and astrology? Is there such a relationship at all? In this video, I talk a bit about the diverse practices under the umbrella of astrology, how they do (or don’t) relate to witchcraft, and why many witches seem to be turned off of astrology in general. I also talk […]
Read more "Video: Witchcraft and Astrology"Initiatory religio-magical traditions (including, but not limited to, traditional Wicca) face a unique problem: Initiates are sworn to secrecy about the details of their rites, which means that anyone joining one of these traditions undergoes initiation without really knowing what they’re getting themselves into. Potential initiates can’t give informed consent for the rites they’re about […]
Read more "Video: Consent and Initiation"Wiccan mythology (or at least, one strand of it) features a very specific kind of Goddess and God, and a particular understanding of the relationship between them. In this video, I talk about how this mythos is really modern in origin, how much of it can be traced back to James Frazer’s book “The Golden […]
Read more "Video: James Frazer and the Modernity of Wiccan Myth"I share some thoughts about the relationship between Wicca and sex, and the role that sex does and does not play in Wicca. The three main points I make: Sex is never, ever a requirement in the Gardnerian Tradition. Anyone who says differently is a predator. Our bodies are holy, and so are the things […]
Read more "Video: Wicca and Sex"In this video, I talk through the recommended reading list I give to seekers interested in Gardnerian Wicca. Different groups will have different recommendations, and some groups won’t have any suggested reading at all, but these are the texts that I, personally, think are the most helpful and informative for someone seeking traditional Wicca. The […]
Read more "Video: 13 Books for Gardnerian Seekers"When I first started reading Tarot, I felt like I had to be abstract and metaphorical in every interpretation of every card–as if it were somehow cheating for me to fall back on more straightforward, literal interpretations. In this video, I talk about how my reading style changed when I started to allow for literalism […]
Read more "Video: Getting Literal With Tarot"A few days ago, I announced the title and cover for my first book, “Qabalah for Wiccans,” which is coming out from Llewellyn in December of 2021. The title generated quite a lot of controversy, and many people voiced concerns about cultural appropriation, feeling that it was disrespectful and inappropriate for me, a non-Jewish white […]
Read more "Video: Qabalah, Wicca, and Appropriation"2020 has been a terrible year, and we’re all hoping that the year to come will be better. So let’s kick the year off right! Here are 21 Tarot questions to celebrate 2021. Please feel free to share your own answers, and tag them with #21TarotQuestions so I can follow along and see what you’ve […]
Read more "#21Tarot Questions 2021 Tarot Tag"Let’s talk about witch books! I talk through three of my favorite novels featuring witches and witchcraft. What are your favorites? Is there anything I’ve left off this list that should be here? Let me know!
Read more "Video: Favorite Witch Novels"
Jack Chanek 