Episode 24: Eastern Astrology, Ancestors, and the Fire Horse Year with David Shi

Episode 24: Eastern Astrology, Ancestors, and the Fire Horse Year with David Shi

What can Eastern astrology teach us about destiny, spiritual practice, and navigating the energy of a changing world? This week, Kanani sits down with traditional shamanic worker, folk magic practitioner, and author David Shi for a fascinating exploration of Eastern astrology and North Asian spiritual traditions. Together, they unpack the twelve zodiac animals, the five elemental forces, and how Eastern astrological systems differ from—and complement—Western astrology. David shares how astrology functions as a spiritual identifier within his ancestral traditions, why your birth animal is only the beginning of the story, and how layered influences of animals, elements, lunar cycles, and planetary movements create a unique energetic blueprint for every individual. The conversation also explores the significance of the Year of the Fire Horse, the role of astrology in ritual and divination, and how these ancient systems can help us better understand ourselves, our health, and the cycles of change we experience throughout life. Whether you’re deeply immersed in astrology or simply curious about another way of viewing the cosmos, this episode offers a thoughtful and accessible introduction to a rich spiritual tradition that continues to shape the lives of millions around the world. In this episode: * The origins of the twelve zodiac animals * How Eastern astrology differs from Western astrology * The five elements and their planetary correspondences * Why your birth year is only one piece of your astrological profile * Spiritual uses of astrology in shamanic practice * The meaning and energy of the Fire Horse year * Lunar New Year traditions and spiritual protections * How Eastern and Western systems can work together ___________________________________________ * You can join my Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/cw/suburbanwitchlady] for additional photos, video clips, full episode recordings and more! * You can also find me on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/suburbanwitchlady/], Threads [http://threads.net/], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@SuburbanWitchLady] and my website: suburbanwitchlady.com [https://suburbanwitchlady.com/] * You can pre-order my book:"Witchcraft in the Cul-de-Sac: Practicing Magic in Suburbia" direct from Llewellyn Worldwide, [https://www.llewellyn.com/product.php?ean=9780738781341] or from Barnes & Noble [https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/witchcraft-in-the-cul-de-sac-kanani-soleil/1149231530?ean=9780738781341] in the States, or from Amazon [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Witchcraft-Cul-Sac-Practicing-Suburbia-ebook/dp/B0GGZHHRM2/ref=sr_1_1?crid=24F4NTYQJKNUL&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.jCou69FaY-crYCG9SIo50w.HfF_wQqpHBeosjue1V0OYED5Hd5YuuwdTe8dKgDmpQA&dib_tag=se&keywords=witchcraft+in+the+cul+de+sac&qid=1771696592&s=books&sprefix=witchcraft+in+the+cul+de+s%2Cstripbooks%2C418&sr=1-1] in the UK. It's due out in October this year. ___________________________________________ SPONSORS   * Make magic delicious with olive oils, coffees, risottos and more at Cucina Aurora Website [http://cucinaaurora.com/]! Suburban Witch Lady listeners save 10% off products (excluding subscriptions) with coupon code WITCHLADY. ___________________________________________  BIO   David Shi is a traditional shamanic worker, folk magic practitioner, and educator whose spiritual practice is rooted in ancestral North Asian traditions. Primarily of Manchurian descent, with ancestral ties to Mongolian, Chinese, Korean, Siberian, and Central Asian Turkic peoples, he was raised in a household that incorporated both Southeast Siberian and North Chinese spiritual customs. Recognized as a future shaman prior to initiation within both Mongolian and Korean traditions, David’s work centers on spirit communication, ancestor veneration, and collaboration with land spirits. His teachings emphasize the living spiritual traditions of North Asia, including shamanism, folk magic, divination, and astrology. David is the author of Spirit Voices: The Mysteries and Magic of North Asian Shamanism and frequently teaches workshops and presents at conferences throughout the United States. His work seeks to preserve, share, and contextualize the spiritual practices of Greater Eurasia for modern practitioners. Follow David on Instagram: @davidjshi311.

Episode 23: Grief, Healing, and the Witch’s Path with Courtney Weber

Grief touches every life, yet many witches and spiritual practitioners struggle to find resources that speak directly to their experiences. This week, Kanani welcomes award-winning author and longtime friend Courtney Weber for a heartfelt conversation about loss, healing, and the inspiration behind her book Sacred Tears: A Witch’s Guide to Grief.   Together, they explore the many forms grief can take, from death and miscarriage to divorce, life transitions, and the loss of the future we imagined for ourselves. Courtney shares her personal journey through profound loss, how it shaped her spiritual path, and why she felt called to create a resource specifically for the witchcraft community.   The conversation dives into closure myths, grief as a spiral rather than a straight line, supporting loved ones through loss, and the importance of allowing ourselves to feel difficult emotions without judgment. Kanani and Courtney also reflect on friendship, community care, generational attitudes toward grief, and the ways spiritual practice can help us navigate life’s hardest moments.   Whether you’re carrying a fresh loss, processing an old wound, or supporting someone you love, this episode offers compassion, insight, and a reminder that healing is not about “getting over it” but learning how to move forward while honoring what was lost.   In this episode: • Courtney’s inspiration for writing Sacred Tears • Grief beyond death and mourning major life changes • Why witches need grief resources of their own • The myth of closure and creating meaning after loss • Grief as a spiral, not a straight line • Supporting loved ones through practical acts of care • Finding beauty in our stories, even when they aren’t finished ___________________________________________ * You can join my Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/cw/suburbanwitchlady] for additional photos, video clips, full episode recordings and more! * You can also find me on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/suburbanwitchlady/], Threads [http://threads.net/], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@SuburbanWitchLady] and my website: suburbanwitchlady.com [https://suburbanwitchlady.com/] * You can pre-order my book:"Witchcraft in the Cul-de-Sac: Practicing Magic in Suburbia" direct from Llewellyn Worldwide, [https://www.llewellyn.com/product.php?ean=9780738781341] or from Barnes & Noble [https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/witchcraft-in-the-cul-de-sac-kanani-soleil/1149231530?ean=9780738781341] in the States, or from Amazon [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Witchcraft-Cul-Sac-Practicing-Suburbia-ebook/dp/B0GGZHHRM2/ref=sr_1_1?crid=24F4NTYQJKNUL&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.jCou69FaY-crYCG9SIo50w.HfF_wQqpHBeosjue1V0OYED5Hd5YuuwdTe8dKgDmpQA&dib_tag=se&keywords=witchcraft+in+the+cul+de+sac&qid=1771696592&s=books&sprefix=witchcraft+in+the+cul+de+s%2Cstripbooks%2C418&sr=1-1] in the UK. It's due out in October this year. ___________________________________________ SPONSORS   * Make magic delicious with olive oils, coffees, risottos and more at Cucina Aurora Website [http://cucinaaurora.com/]! Suburban Witch Lady listeners save 10% off products (excluding subscriptions) with coupon code WITCHLADY. ___________________________________________  BIO   Courtney Weber is a witch, award-winning author, tarot advisor, educator, and spiritual influencer known for making witchcraft accessible, practical, and deeply meaningful. She is the author of numerous acclaimed books, including Brigid: History, Mystery, and Magic of the Celtic Goddess, The Morrigan: Celtic Goddess of Magic and Might, Hekate: Goddess of Witches, Tarot for One, Sacred Tears: A Witch’s Guide to Grief, and the forthcoming Pentacle: The Shape of Power. A respected voice in modern witchcraft, Courtney has been featured in Maxim, HuffPost, Vice, and The Thom Hartmann Program. Through her writing, workshops, and online communities, she helps practitioners explore magic, spirituality, personal growth, and the sacred mysteries of everyday life. You can connect with Courtney through her website, CourtneyAWeber.com [http://CourtneyAWeber.com], or follow her on social media @CourtneyAWeber, where she’s always sharing something magical.

Episode 22: Finding Your Magical Community w/ Heather of Divine Warrior Witches

This week, Kanani sits down with Heather, a neurodivergent pagan mother, high priestess, and community builder from Tacoma, Washington, for a heartfelt and inspiring conversation about finding, and creating, your magical tribe.   Heather shares how she went from a shy solitary practitioner who rediscovered witchcraft during the pandemic to stepping up as high priestess for Divine Warrior Witches, a ritual group that now draws 30+ people to sold-out Wheel of the Year celebrations. Her story is one so many witches will recognize: craving community, showing up anyway, and watching something beautiful grow from a single brave step.   Together, Heather and Kanani explore what group ritual really feels like, why that post-ritual crash is so real, and how shared magical experiences give us the validation and connection that solo practice can’t always provide.   In this episode: * how to find magical community near you * tips for raising pagan kids * planning Wheel of the Year sabbaths * adapting ritual for neurodivergent practitioners,  * the nine knot spell * Heather’s advice for anyone who wants to build their own community from scratch. ___________________________________________ * You can join my Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/cw/suburbanwitchlady] for additional photos, video clips, full episode recordings and more! * You can also find me on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/suburbanwitchlady/], Threads [http://threads.net/], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@SuburbanWitchLady] and my website: suburbanwitchlady.com [https://suburbanwitchlady.com/] * You can pre-order my book:"Witchcraft in the Cul-de-Sac: Practicing Magic in Suburbia" direct from Llewellyn Worldwide, [https://www.llewellyn.com/product.php?ean=9780738781341] or from Barnes & Noble [https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/witchcraft-in-the-cul-de-sac-kanani-soleil/1149231530?ean=9780738781341] in the States, or from Amazon [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Witchcraft-Cul-Sac-Practicing-Suburbia-ebook/dp/B0GGZHHRM2/ref=sr_1_1?crid=24F4NTYQJKNUL&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.jCou69FaY-crYCG9SIo50w.HfF_wQqpHBeosjue1V0OYED5Hd5YuuwdTe8dKgDmpQA&dib_tag=se&keywords=witchcraft+in+the+cul+de+sac&qid=1771696592&s=books&sprefix=witchcraft+in+the+cul+de+s%2Cstripbooks%2C418&sr=1-1] in the UK. It's due out in October this year. ___________________________________________ SPONSORS * Make magic delicious with olive oils, coffees, risottos and more at Cucina Aurora Website [http://cucinaaurora.com/]! Suburban Witch Lady listeners save 10% off products (excluding subscriptions) with coupon code WITCHLADY. ___________________________________________  BIO   Heather is a pagan mother, neurodivergent witch, and high priestess living in the Pacific Northwest. She serves as one of five core leaders of Divine Warrior Witches, a ritual group based in Tacoma, Washington that hosts community Wheel of the Year sabbath celebrations throughout the year, most of which regularly sell out.   Experienced in adapting ritual and spellwork for differing abilities and energy levels, Heather keeps her personal practice rooted in energy work, divination, relationship with spirit, and liminal spaces. She is a lifelong learner with a deep love of ancient mythology, Celtic paganism, folk magic, and the Divine Feminine, expressed through writing, painting, and art.   You can find her on Instagram at @HeatherHereThere and follow the group at @DivineWarriorWitches or at divinewarriorwitches.com, where upcoming events, ticketing, and post-ritual blog recaps are regularly updated.

Episode 21: Beneath the Surface of Crystal Magic w/ Dina Rosenberg

This week, Kanani sits down with master crystal healer, Reiki practitioner, and sound healer Dina Rosenberg — co-owner of the beloved Amityville Apothecary on Long Island, New York — for a rich, warm, and deeply insightful conversation about all things crystals. Dina breaks down how anyone can begin developing a real relationship with crystals, from the basics of wearing and placing stones in your environment, to more advanced energy work like laying on of stones and crystal healing. She shares a fascinating framework using the Mohs scale of hardness to help you choose the right crystal for your situation — whether you’re processing something fresh or working through deep, long-standing patterns. They also explore how crystal energy is personal — why what works for someone on TikTok may not work for you, what it means when you stop “feeling” a crystal you used to love (hint: it hasn’t stopped working), and how to choose crystals intuitively by letting them choose you first. Dina also gives us a peek into her stunning new Crystal Keys Tarot deck — a complete system pairing every tarot card with a corresponding crystal, designed for tarot readers who love crystals and crystal people who want a new way into tarot.   In this episode: •How to start working with crystals as a beginner (her “be a scientist of your own experience” approach) •The Mohs hardness scale as a guide for choosing crystals based on what you’re healing •Grounding practices for working with high-vibrational stones like moldavite •How to cleanse and charge your crystals (singing bowls, selenite, moonlight & more) •Dina’s personal favorite crystals — fluorite, labradorite, and quartz varieties •A deep dive into the Crystal Keys Tarot and how the deck came to life   _________________________________________________________________________________ * You can join my Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/cw/suburbanwitchlady] for additional photos, video clips, full episode recordings and more! * You can also find me on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/suburbanwitchlady/], Threads [http://threads.net/], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@SuburbanWitchLady] and my website: suburbanwitchlady.com [https://suburbanwitchlady.com/] * You can pre-order my book:"Witchcraft in the Cul-de-Sac: Practicing Magic in Suburbia" direct from Llewellyn Worldwide, [https://www.llewellyn.com/product.php?ean=9780738781341] or from Barnes & Noble [https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/witchcraft-in-the-cul-de-sac-kanani-soleil/1149231530?ean=9780738781341] in the States, or from Amazon [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Witchcraft-Cul-Sac-Practicing-Suburbia-ebook/dp/B0GGZHHRM2/ref=sr_1_1?crid=24F4NTYQJKNUL&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.jCou69FaY-crYCG9SIo50w.HfF_wQqpHBeosjue1V0OYED5Hd5YuuwdTe8dKgDmpQA&dib_tag=se&keywords=witchcraft+in+the+cul+de+sac&qid=1771696592&s=books&sprefix=witchcraft+in+the+cul+de+s%2Cstripbooks%2C418&sr=1-1] in the UK. It's due out in October this year. _________________________________________________________________________________ BIO Dina Rosenberg is a lifelong student and practitioner of the metaphysical and healing arts. A master crystal healer trained under Laurel Rethke in New York City, she is also a Reiki practitioner and sound healer who integrates crystal energy, intuitive practice, and energetic alchemy into her teachings and sessions. Dina is the co-owner of Amityville Apothecary, a thriving metaphysical shop located at 174 Park Avenue in Amityville, Long Island — about an hour east of New York City — which she runs alongside her business partner and fellow Libra, Danielle Deacy. What started as a small shop has grown to include a full bookstore next door and a robust schedule of classes, workshops, and in-person and virtual events through their Alchemy Academy. A tarot reader since 1995, Dina recently channeled that decades-long passion into creating the Crystal Keys Tarot, a full 78-card deck published by Weiser Books that pairs each tarot archetype with a corresponding crystal. The deck bridges the worlds of tarot and crystal work, offering an intuitive entry point for practitioners of both. Dina and Danielle also co-host Apothecary After Dark, a podcast exploring magic, metaphysics, and modern witchcraft with warmth and wit, available on all major platforms and YouTube. You can find them on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok @AmityvilleApothecary, and shop online at amityvilleapothecary.com

Episode 20: The Elements and your Magic  w/ Tahverlee Anglen

This week, Kanani Soleil sits down with the incredible Tahverlee Anglen for a deeply personal and magical conversation about elemental witchcraft, shadow work, sovereignty, and the sacred cycles that shape our lives. From powerful spoken rituals and spirit communication to the ways our bodies hold memory, trauma, and transformation, this episode dives into the heart of what it means to truly embody magic. Tahverlee also shares insight into her upcoming book series Sacred Magic, her elemental teachings tied to the cardinal directions, and the philosophy behind becoming “dangerous” in your authenticity and power. This one feels less like an interview and more like sitting down with old friends over tea while talking about the mysteries of the universe.œ Tahverlee Anglen is the heart and High Priestess of the Moon Temple Mystery School, guiding seekers through self discovery, witchcraft, empowerment, and spiritual awakening. Rooted in ancient wisdom and aligned with the wild, she helps others embrace sovereignty, embodiment, and personal magic through ritual, elemental work, and spiritual practice. She is the author of the forthcoming Sacred Magic book series, the creator of a Witch’s Oracle Deck, and the author of Becoming Dangerous, a manifesto centered on reclaiming power and authenticity. Through her teachings, classes, and community work, Tahverlee inspires others to walk a path of liberation, healing, and sacred transformation ___________________________________________ * You can join my Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/cw/suburbanwitchlady] for additional photos, video clips, full episode recordings and more! * You can also find me on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/suburbanwitchlady/], Threads [http://threads.net/], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@SuburbanWitchLady] and my website: suburbanwitchlady.com [https://suburbanwitchlady.com/] * You can pre-order my book:"Witchcraft in the Cul-de-Sac: Practicing Magic in Suburbia" direct from Llewellyn Worldwide, [https://www.llewellyn.com/product.php?ean=9780738781341] or from Barnes & Noble [https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/witchcraft-in-the-cul-de-sac-kanani-soleil/1149231530?ean=9780738781341] in the States, or from Amazon [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Witchcraft-Cul-Sac-Practicing-Suburbia-ebook/dp/B0GGZHHRM2/ref=sr_1_1?crid=24F4NTYQJKNUL&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.jCou69FaY-crYCG9SIo50w.HfF_wQqpHBeosjue1V0OYED5Hd5YuuwdTe8dKgDmpQA&dib_tag=se&keywords=witchcraft+in+the+cul+de+sac&qid=1771696592&s=books&sprefix=witchcraft+in+the+cul+de+s%2Cstripbooks%2C418&sr=1-1] in the UK. It's due out in October this year. ___________________________________________ SPONSORS   * Make magic delicious with olive oils, coffees, risoottos and more at Cucina Aurora Website [http://cucinaaurora.com/]! Suburban Witch Lady listeners save 10% off products (excluding subscriptions) with coupon code WITCHLADY.   * Witchsey.com [http://witchsey.com/] is a curated marketplace filled with independent magical makers and practitioners. We’re talking ritual tools, crystals, tarot decks, spell kits, sacred art, and offerings created by real witches who care deeply about what they’re crafting.Support witches. Support small makers. Support magic that feels like home. _________________________________________________   BIO Tahverlee Anglen is the heart and High Priestess of the Moon Temple Mystery School, guiding seekers through self discovery, witchcraft, empowerment, and spiritual awakening. Rooted in ancient wisdom and aligned with the wild, she helps others embrace sovereignty, embodiment, and personal magic through ritual, elemental work, and spiritual practice. She is the author of the forthcoming Sacred Magic book series, the creator of a Witch’s Oracle Deck, and the author of Becoming Dangerous, a manifesto centered on reclaiming power and authenticity. Through her teachings, classes, and community work, Tahverlee inspires others to walk a path of liberation, healing, and sacred transformation