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The BS-Free Witchcraft Podcast: 80. A Couple of Things...

This month I wanted to talk about a couple of things that wouldn’t necessarily fill out a whole episode on their own. First off, after last month’s episode I wanted to clarify some of my thoughts on psychics. Secondly, I wanted to talk about bias and what we do with evidence that runs contrary to our beliefs.

It should be a fun one though.

Remember you can always buy Trae’s Books, and find me at Evercon Feb 28th-March 2nd, 2025.

(And, of course, don’t forget this show is part of the Nerd & Tie Network, and funded by listeners like you via Patreon. Consider joining our Discord or our forums!)

Music: “So I Said It,” “The Man With One Eye,” “Untitled Nonsense” (Trae Dorn) / Random Loops (Apple Music Library)

Listen to the Episode | Subscribe: Apple | Spotify | YouTube

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Please consider masking at cons

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Also, Archive.org functions as a library, and they have witchcraft books you can borrow if your local library doesn't have everything you're looking for.

do you know of any free/public domain books i can find on witchcraft, but more like “how to do” witchcraft and not just history and famous figures and stuff? im closeted and young so i cant buy my own, i have about a years worth of knowledge on it already from online research so im not like a complete beginner anymore but would still like to read some actual books on it.

Unfortunately, due to the nature of public domain laws, pretty much all the books you're going to find about witchcraft that ARE in the public domain are...well, old and outdated. The movement hasn't existed long enough for the authors of the more updated how-to books to have passed away and to have their works enter public domain.

The good news is, there are PODCASTS.

Plenty of witches make podcasts that are available for free and a lot of them either provide transcripts or the audio can be run through a transcription app or service if you need a written version or have audio processing issues.

Obligatory personal plug, I have a show called Hex Positive that deals with a lot of tips for building your craft, plus discussions about the history of witchcraft, issues facing the community today, and guests whose perspectives are interesting. There's also BS-Free Witchcraft, hosted by our favorite curmudgeon @traegorn, which examines modern witchcraft through a Wiccan lens minus the usual bullshit. Both shows are on the major platforms (and live on the Nerd & Tie Podcast Network).

There are also plenty of YouTube channels dedicated to witch tips, instruction, discussion, and so forth. (Personally, I recommend Do The Magical Thing with Lee Ignire, they're marvelous AND you can find lots of recs on their channel.)

There are also groups like @criticalthinkingwitches that can recommend additional resources and provide community and feedback, should you wish it.

Hope this helps!

ADDENDUM:

A very smart person in the comments brought up Your Local Library, which I completely forgot about, and that is an EXCELLENT way to read recent publications of all sorts FOR FREE, plus they have ebooks and audiobooks and will happily purchase or borrow books from other branches if you ask nicely.

(Also these establishments are already under fire and need all the support and foot traffic we can give them as free information centers, gathering spaces, and sources of public education.)

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This is still true three years later.

The truth about me

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Today's Trae: Much sorer than yesterday's.

Like the bruise is right where the lumbar support on my chair hits.

THIS SURE IS FUN.

Not having the best week

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Not having the best week

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happy Thursday the 20th

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hi i just wanted to tell you that your voice is really nice to listen to

Well good news, there are hundreds of hours of it recorded and available online :P

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"That would have done numbers on Tumblr"

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Given you're someone knowledgeable about the history of Wicca, what is your opinion on Michael Howard's book, "Modern Wicca." It seems pretty legit but I don't have much of a baseline

Honestly I haven't read it.

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The article won't embed, which sucks <<but it there

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I mean, it's a "hat" so you can cover your head in bright places where you can't dim the lights. It IS just a normal travel pillow -- just one where you might not need to wear a sleep mask.

Absolutely cursed object.

@elodieunderglass does this count as a Horrible Thing With Legs* or????

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Just a reminder that I'm going to be at Evercon from Feb 28-Mar 2, 2025!

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I can barely read what I'm typing right now

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It's the lie that gets me...

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Oh, again, I am absolutely terrified of flying myself.

But I don't let my irrational screaming anxiety brain give me advice let alone anyone else. 😆

To the anon with flight anxiety, if it’s any comfort, my dad has to fly a lot (both domestic and overseas) and has been doing so since January and hasn’t had a single issue once. I’m sure your parents will be alright, but I completely understand the anxiety.

Like I don't think people realize that in the United States alone about 1.73 million people fly on tens of thousands of flights on an average day. Even with the awfulness that has happened recently, it's still one of the safest ways to travel.