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"New on YouTube. Qabalah for Wiccans released last week, which means I’m officially a published Pagan author now. That’s incredibly exciting, but it’s also weird in some ways I hadn’t anticipated. I share some thoughts about the Pagan community’s relationship with publishing and with authors, the way an author’s involvement in book publicity requires the […]
Read more "Video: Thoughts on Being a Pagan Author"To celebrate the release of Qabalah for Wiccans, I joined Patti Negri, the host of The Witching Hour with Patti Negri, to talk about Qabalah, witchcraft, and magic. You can listen to it on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/qabalah-for-wiccans-with-jack-chanek/id1510679547?i=1000544790285
Read more "My Appearance on The Witching Hour"We’re only one week away from the release of my first book, Qabalah for Wiccans. This time next week, it will officially be out in the world, for anyone to read. Honestly, it doesn’t feel real. I’m excited, and nervous (so extraordinarily nervous), but not nearly as excited or nervous as I thought I would […]
Read more "Qabalah for Wiccans"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"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"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"In all the conversations people have about Wicca, it seems they’re often not working from a shared definition of what Wicca actually is–and that can be a source of confusion and problems. In this video, I talk through what I consider to be the six basic defining features of Wicca: -It’s a form of witchcraft […]
Read more "Video: What is Wicca?"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"Some rambling thoughts about a popular theological viewpoint in Paganism, which I term the “Pratchett-Gaiman” theology: The idea that we create the Gods through our belief in and worship of them. I understand why this theology is appealing, but it doesn’t quite resonate with me, and I try to talk through the reasons why. Be […]
Read more "Video: Do We Create the Gods?"
Jack Chanek 