with Althaea Sebastiani
In this episode of The Hermit's Land podcast, I sit down with Althaea Sebastiani to dig into the heart of witchcraft—animism and spirit work. We explore what it means to walk this path with patience and authenticity. Learning to listen and truly hear will help you build deep relationships with spirits over time.
We get into the how-to of working with spirits and deities, discussing ways to practice outside formal or initiatory structures. This episode offers guidance on how to find the spirits where you live. We also dig into the responsibility of navigating cultural appropriation and engaging respectfully with Indigenous and other living traditions.
The conversation also covers spirit workers and teachers—the role they might play in your journey and how to decide if someone is truly trustworthy. With more sketchy folks gaining reach in the spiritual marketplace, discernment is more important than ever.
Finally, we remind listeners that spirituality doesn’t exist in a vacuum—the physical world still matters. Your health, well-being, and everyday life all shape your practice. Common sense is just as vital as intuition when walking a spiritual path.
If you're looking to start practicing witchcraft, this episode will give you the pointers you need to begin. With patience and practice, you’ll be building solid relationships with the spiritual world in no time.
You can find us on the socials. Or Althaea is here and Andrew is here.
Episodes with drop biweekly going forward. Help me let the world know I'm back by sharing on socials and leaving review on the platform on which you listen to us.
Much love
Andrew
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Witchcraft and Animism
04:54 Starting Your Journey in Witchcraft
11:04 Engaging with Spirits and Deities
21:12 Navigating Appropriation and Authenticity in Practice
26:56 Personal Rituals and Nature Connection
28:57 Engaging with Indigenous Traditions
30:53 Understanding Living Traditions
32:21 The Role of Spirit Workers
34:29 Finding Authentic Spirit Workers
36:42 Navigating the Spiritual Marketplace
40:34 Cautions in Spiritual Practices
43:04 Balancing Spiritual and Physical Worlds
Full transcript on my site here.
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51:52
EP131 The Art of Presence: Engaging with Life
With Enrique Enriquez
Are you ready to go deep? Andrew McGregor and Enrique Enriquez take a deep dive into the mysteries of presence, dreams, divination, and the ever-unfolding journey of the soul. They explore the impact of our physical presence on the world around us, the wisdom hidden within our dreams, and how divination can serve as a guiding light through life's uncertainties.
Enrique shares his thoughts on the soul as a dynamic process of engagement with the world. The discussion expands into the distinction between understanding and knowing, the metaphor of gardens as a way to think about presence and connection, and the intriguing concept of the invisible as the space between things. Through personal stories, humour, and wisdom, Andrew and Enrique highlight the importance of self-discovery, embracing fluidity, and finding meaning in the unknown.
Whether you're looking to deepen your awareness, explore the symbolic world, or reflect on your own place in the grand tapestry of existence, this episode is a must-listen.
You can find us on the socials. Or Enrique is emailable here and Andrew is here.
Episodes with drop biweekly going forward. Help me let the world know I'm back by sharing on socials and leaving review on the platform on which you listen to us.
Much love
Andrew
PS Enrique's favourite late cretaceous animal is the Stegosaurus.
Full transcript is available here.
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1:15:57
EP130 How to start Unlocking the Secrets of Tarot with Mary Greer
In this episode of The Hermit Lamp Podcast, tarot legends Andrew McGregor and Mary K. Greer unravel the art, ethics, and evolution of tarot reading. Whether you're a beginner shuffling your first deck or a seasoned reader refining your craft, this conversation is packed with wisdom and guidance to elevate your practice.
The key?
Choose a deck that resonates with you. Dive in. Start using your deck immediately. Let the images speak to you. Have a conversation with the cards. Bring in your personal associations and experience.
Andrew and Mary share how to structure a reading. A well-crafted question guides the reading, shaping the narrative that unfolds in the cards. Start with a Three-card spreads. It is a simple way to start building story, and comfort with the cards. Tarot isn’t just about predictions; it’s about weaving meaning, insight, and personal truth.
The discussion also ventures into deeper territory. Covering ethics, legal responsibilities, and setting boundaries. Readers should always try to empower. Engaging clients in the process strengthens understanding, especially when working with court cards, which often mirror real people in a querent’s life.
They explore the evolving nature of tarot, reminding us that meanings shift and grow over time. Book definitions and keywords are helpful, but intuition and experience can play a vital role too.
Mary and Andrew also tackle the emotional side reading of tarot. Anxiety and obsession can creep into practice, and managing them is essential for a healthy relationship with the cards. Boundaries matter—not just with querents, but also with ourselves.
Ultimately, this episode is an invitation to explore, experiment, and trust your own connection with the cards. Tarot isn’t about getting it "right"—it’s about discovery, transformation, and the magic that happens when you truly listen.
You can find us on the socials. Or Mary is here and Andrew is here.
Episodes with drop biweekly going forward. Help me let the world know I'm back by sharing on socials and leaving review on the platform on which you listen to us.
Much love
Andrew
PS Mary's favourite late cretaceous animal is the stegosaurus
Full transcript on my website here.
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52:40
EP129 Lessons from Our Ancestors: A Tarot Perspective
Andrew and Nancy have spent a long time working with ancestors and the tarot. In this conversation they share their journeys and perspectives on working with those on the other side. Discussing how ancestral stories shape our identities, the importance of connecting with ancestors for guidance, and the possible role of DNA in understanding our heritage. We also talk about how to handle the hard ancestors and trauma that can often be in our lineages.
There are a lot of practical tips on things like making an altar, working with taropt and pendulums and reflection through journaling. This is a chance to listen to two new friends get to share their stories and practices in a very personal and engaged way.
You can find us on the socials. Or Nancy is here and Andrew is here.
Episodes with drop biweekly going forward. Help me let the world know I'm back by sharing on socials and leaving review on the platform on which you listen to us.
Much love
Andrew
PS Nancy's favourite late cretaceous animal is the Quetzalcoatlus.
PPS Full transcript on my website here.
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1:03:25
EP128 Learning Astrology with Theresa Reed
Spiritual Fundamentals Part 1.
Welcome to the new getting started in spirituality series where we'll cover how to get going in different areas of study. Giving you an easy and accessible place to step into new areas of practice. Learning from established and trusted sourced to get you off on the right foot.
Astrology can be a daunting topic. There are million books and opinions you could read. It really doesn't need to be complicated though. Join Theres and I and we help you get started in a good way. We cover the importance of understanding zodiac signs, and the foundational elements of astrology, including the big three (sun, moon, and ascendant) and the significance of houses in a natal chart. Theresa shares her insights on how to approach learning astrology based on her vast teaching experience. This conversation is full of stories and easy to digest ideas to help you get started. After listening you'll have a framework to help you bring this ancient practice into you modern life.
You can find us on the socials. Or Theresa is here and Andrew is here.
Episodes will drop biweekly going forward. Help me let the world know I'm back by sharing on socials and leaving review on the platform on which you listen to us.
Much love
Andrew
PS Theresa's favourite late cretaceous animal is the Triceratops.
Parts of the conversation.
00:00 Introduction to Astrology and Tarot
04:30 Starting Your Astrology Journey
10:36 Understanding Zodiac Signs
12:15 Astrology as a Theory
14:16 The Importance of the Big Three
19:58 Exploring Houses in Astrology
23:22 Exploring House Systems in Astrology
25:56 Understanding the Significance of Houses
28:16 The Importance of Angles in Astrology
31:06 Navigating Challenges in Astrology
33:02 Living Astrology: Practical Applications
35:48 Astrological Red Flags and Pitfalls
Full transcript on my website here.
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