Witches in the Stacks: Charmed Chatter

Time for a Demon-stration!!

In this demon-packed season 3 blowout, we’re hanging out with the Underworld’s worst (and occasionally most relatable) offenders: invisible assassins, rage demons, bounty hunters, and one very dramatic wind demon named Shax. We’ll break down the Charmed demon hierarchy, then zoom out into real demonology and global folklore—from Bael’s invisibility tricks and Andras’s murderous rage to Zhong Kui, King Solomon’s demon‑binding ring, Japanese onmyōji, Princess Bari, and storm spirits like Ala and Dagwanoenyent. Along the way, we’ll chat about why so many cultures give anger, storms, and assassination a demonic face, and how Charmed gleefully mashes grimoires, myth, and pure camp into one hell of a season finale and a perfect way to celebrate our one‑year podcast anniversary. TRIGGER WARNING: Trigger warning: Violence, demonic entities, assassination, and references to death and natural disasters (storms, tornadoes, etc.). Learn More:  * Ancient Origins. (2020, March 15). Onmyodo: The way of yin and yang, Japanese sorcery and divination. Ancient Origins. https://www.ancient-origins.net/history-ancient-traditions/onmyodo-0012127 [https://www.ancient-origins.net/history-ancient-traditions/onmyodo-0012127]  * Black Witch Coven. (n.d.). Lix Tetrax: The wind demon. Black Witch Coven. https://blackwitchcoven.com/lix-tetrax-the-wind-demon/ [https://blackwitchcoven.com/lix-tetrax-the-wind-demon/]  * Brendan Noble. (2022, May 17). Chała (Ala): Woe, Slavic demon of the air and storms. Brendan Noble. https://brendan-noble.com/chala-ala-woe-slavic-demon-of-the-air-and-storms/ [https://brendan-noble.com/chala-ala-woe-slavic-demon-of-the-air-and-storms/]  * Daoist Gate. (2022, October 10). Zhong Kui: Demon hunter. Daoist Gate. https://daoistgate.com/zhong-kui-demon-hunter/ [https://daoistgate.com/zhong-kui-demon-hunter/]  * Delirium’s Realm. (n.d.). Lix Tetrax. Delirium’s Realm. https://www.deliriumsrealm.com/lix-tetrax/ [https://www.deliriumsrealm.com/lix-tetrax/]  * Farmers’ Almanac. (2021, August 23). Weather-ology: Daughter of the wind. Farmers’ Almanac. https://www.farmersalmanac.com/weather-ology-daughter-of-the-wind [https://www.farmersalmanac.com/weather-ology-daughter-of-the-wind]  * Fun! Japan. (2021, June 3). Zhong Kui: The demon-quelling deity of China and Japan. Fun! Japan. https://www.fun-japan.jp/en/articles/13925 [https://www.fun-japan.jp/en/articles/13925]  * Japanesemythology. (2012, September 23). Onmyodo and Onmyoji: Legendary magicians and diviners of the Heian period. Japanese Mythology. https://japanesemythology.wordpress.com/2012/09/23/onmyodo-and-onmyoji-legendary-magicians-and-diviners-of-the-heian-period/ [https://japanesemythology.wordpress.com/2012/09/23/onmyodo-and-onmyoji-legendary-magicians-and-diviners-of-the-heian-period/]  * La Seoulite. (2023, July 7). The tale of Princess Bari and the mudang. La Seoulite. https://laseoulite.substack.com/p/the-tale-of-princess-bari-and-the [https://laseoulite.substack.com/p/the-tale-of-princess-bari-and-the]  * MIT. (n.d.). The Testament of Solomon [Text file]. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. https://web.mit.edu/mjperson/Desktop/mjperson/OldFiles/Assassin/Darkness/Books/testament-solomon.txt [https://web.mit.edu/mjperson/Desktop/mjperson/OldFiles/Assassin/Darkness/Books/testament-solomon.txt]  * Multo (Ghost). (2013, May 15). Solomon and the demons. Multo (Ghost). https://multoghost.wordpress.com/2013/05/15/solomon-and-the-demons/ [https://multoghost.wordpress.com/2013/05/15/solomon-and-the-demons/]  * My Kagawa. (n.d.). Aooni, the blue ogre of Kagawa. My Kagawa. https://www.my-kagawa.jp/static/en/aooni [https://www.my-kagawa.jp/static/en/aooni]  * Occult Live. (n.d.). Andras. Occult Live. https://www.occult.live/index.php/Andras [https://www.occult.live/index.php/Andras]  * Occult World. (n.d.-a). Andras. Occult World. https://occult-world.com/andras/ [https://occult-world.com/andras/]  * Occult World. (n.d.-b). Lix Tetrax. Occult World. https://occult-world.com/lix-tetrax/ [https://occult-world.com/lix-tetrax/] Occult World. (n.d.-c). Shax. Occult World. https://occult-world.com/shax/ [https://occult-world.com/shax/]  * Pantheon. (n.d.). Tephros. Pantheon: Encyclopedia Mythica. https://pantheon.org/articles/t/tephros.html [https://pantheon.org/articles/t/tephros.html]  * Snow White Writes. (2022, March 10). Korean folklore & K-pop demon hunters. Snow White Writes. https://snowwhitewrites.com/korean-folklore-kpop-demon-hunters/ [https://snowwhitewrites.com/korean-folklore-kpop-demon-hunters/]  * Starisloveni. (n.d.). Ala. Starisloveni. https://www.starisloveni.com/English/Ala.html [https://www.starisloveni.com/English/Ala.html]  * Theoi Greek Mythology. (n.d.). Anemoi Thuellai. Theoi Greek Mythology. https://www.theoi.com/Titan/AnemoiThuellai.html [https://www.theoi.com/Titan/AnemoiThuellai.html]  * Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). List of demons in the Ars Goetia. In Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved Month Day, Year, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_demons_in_the_Ars_Goetia [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_demons_in_the_Ars_Goetia]  * Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Testament of Solomon. In Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved Month Day, Year, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Testament_of_Solomon [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Testament_of_Solomon]

Who Let the Banshee Out? Grief, Demons, and the Brain

In this episode, we dive into the Charmed season 3 episode “Look Who’s Barking” and use its banshee big bad as a portal into real‑world folklore and grief science. Drawing on Irish legends of the banshee as a messenger of death, we compare the show’s demonized version to the older stories that inspired it, then turn to psychology and neuroscience research to explore what actually happens in your brain and body when you’re grieving. Along the way, we talk about how popular culture reshapes myth, why the “inner cry” of pain resonates so strongly, and what current research suggests about living with loss. TRIGGER WARNING: Themes of death, grief, and loss, including real-world experiences of bereavement. Learn More:  * American Brain Foundation. (n.d.). How tragedy affects the brain. American Brain Foundation. https://www.americanbrainfoundation.org/how-tragedy-affects-the-brain/ [https://www.americanbrainfoundation.org/how-tragedy-affects-the-brain/]  * American Heart Association News. (2021, March 9). How grief rewires the brain and can affect health—and what to do about it. American Heart Association. https://www.heart.org/en/news/2021/03/10/how-grief-rewires-the-brain-and-can-affect-health-and-what-to-do-about-it [https://www.heart.org/en/news/2021/03/10/how-grief-rewires-the-brain-and-can-affect-health-and-what-to-do-about-it]  * American Psychological Association. (2022, March 29). How grieving changes the brain, with Mary-Frances O’Connor, PhD [Audio podcast episode]. In Speaking of Psychology. American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/grieving-changes-brain [https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/grieving-changes-brain]  * Atsma, A. (n.d.). Keres. Theoi Greek Mythology. https://www.theoi.com/Daimon/Keres.html * A-Z Animals. (n.d.). These animals are used to represent death. A-Z Animals. https://a-z-animals.com/slideshows/these-animals-are-used-to-represent-death/ [https://a-z-animals.com/slideshows/these-animals-are-used-to-represent-death/]  * Bird History. (2023, October 15). When birds mean death. Bird History. https://birdhistory.substack.com/p/when-birds-mean-death [https://birdhistory.substack.com/p/when-birds-mean-death]  * Chatterjee, R. (2021, December 20). How grief and loss affect the brain, and how we can heal. NPR. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/12/20/1056741090/grief-loss-holiday-brain-healing [https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/12/20/1056741090/grief-loss-holiday-brain-healing]  * Discover Magazine. (n.d.). Why do these 6 animals represent death in cultures around the world? Discover Magazine. https://www.discovermagazine.com/why-do-these-6-animals-represent-death-in-cultures-around-the-world-45511 [https://www.discovermagazine.com/why-do-these-6-animals-represent-death-in-cultures-around-the-world-45511]  * Discover Wildlife. (n.d.). Animals associated with death. Discover Wildlife. https://www.discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts/animals-associated-with-death * Geggel, L. (2023, October 31). Creatures associated with death from around the world. Live Science. https://www.livescience.com/animals/creatures-associated-with-death [https://www.livescience.com/animals/creatures-associated-with-death]  * Greek Gods and Goddesses. (n.d.). Keres. Greek Gods and Goddesses. https://greekgodsandgoddesses.net/goddesses/keres/ [https://greekgodsandgoddesses.net/goddesses/keres/]  * Lewis, T. (2023, July 6). How the brain copes with grief. Scientific American. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-the-brain-copes-with-grief/ [https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-the-brain-copes-with-grief/]  * Mindful Synergi. (n.d.). The biochemistry of grief: How loss changes the body. Mindful Synergi. https://www.mindfulsynergi.com/the-biochemistry-of-grief-how-loss-changes-the-body/ [https://www.mindfulsynergi.com/the-biochemistry-of-grief-how-loss-changes-the-body/]  * Olympioi. (n.d.). Keres: Goddess of violent death. Olympioi. https://olympioi.com/demigods/keres [https://olympioi.com/demigods/keres]  * Rolfes, S. J. (2024). Beware the banshees cry: The folklore and history of the messengers of death. Llewellyn. * The Times of India. (2024, March 1). 7 birds that are considered bad omens in different cultures [Photo story]. The Times of India. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/etimes/trending/7-birds-that-are-considered-bad-omens-in-different-cultures/photostory/120649246.cms [https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/etimes/trending/7-birds-that-are-considered-bad-omens-in-different-cultures/photostory/120649246.cms]  * Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Keres. In Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved Month Day, Year, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keres [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keres]  * YouTube. (n.d.). [Video on Keres] [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgH7Q3p3quM [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgH7Q3p3quM]

Gone With the Sin, Baby!

In Charmed, Season 3, Episode 18, “Sin Francisco”, the Halliwell sisters are up against a series of attacks tied to the seven deadly sins—but the twist? Even they aren’t immune. Sloth, gluttony, lust, and pride creep into their own lives, amplified in ways that are equal parts dangerous and revealing. Today, Lex and T will dive into the fascinating history of these sins and explore how they’ve been reinvented in modern pop culture. We’ll also touch on the flip side: the Seven Virtues, the moral counterpoints that offer courage, wisdom, and hope. TRIGGER WARNING: This episode includes discussions of violence, murder, and graphic or disturbing content, including depictions of death, self-destruction, and a brief reference to suicide. It also explores heavy themes such as sin, moral corruption, and psychological distress that may be sensitive for some listeners. Learn More:  * Darksiders Wiki. (n.d.). Avarice. Fandom. https://darksiders.fandom.com/wiki/Avarice [https://darksiders.fandom.com/wiki/Avarice]  * Darksiders Wiki. (n.d.). Envy. Fandom. https://darksiders.fandom.com/wiki/Envy [https://darksiders.fandom.com/wiki/Envy]  * Darksiders Wiki. (n.d.). Gluttony. Fandom. https://darksiders.fandom.com/wiki/Gluttony [https://darksiders.fandom.com/wiki/Gluttony]  * Darksiders Wiki. (n.d.). Lust. Fandom. https://darksiders.fandom.com/wiki/Lust [https://darksiders.fandom.com/wiki/Lust]  * Darksiders Wiki. (n.d.). Pride. Fandom. https://darksiders.fandom.com/wiki/Pride [https://darksiders.fandom.com/wiki/Pride]  * Darksiders Wiki. (n.d.). Sloth. Fandom. https://darksiders.fandom.com/wiki/Sloth [https://darksiders.fandom.com/wiki/Sloth]  * Darksiders Wiki. (n.d.). Wrath (Character). Fandom. https://darksiders.fandom.com/wiki/Wrath_(Character) [https://darksiders.fandom.com/wiki/Wrath_(Character)]  * DC Extended Universe Wiki. (n.d.). Seven deadly sins. Fandom. https://dcextendeduniverse.fandom.com/wiki/Seven_Deadly_Sins [https://dcextendeduniverse.fandom.com/wiki/Seven_Deadly_Sins]  * Siddiqui, M. (2019, March 27). The factory of seven sweet sins. Medium. https://medium.com/@madinasid/seven-sweet-sins-61599c13c95e [https://medium.com/@madinasid/seven-sweet-sins-61599c13c95e]  * ThoughtTheory. (2023, December 30). The 7 deadly sins; A modern perspective. Medium. https://medium.com/@ThoughtTheory_/the-7-deadly-sins-a-modern-perspective-3c5d9fffc735 [https://medium.com/@ThoughtTheory_/the-7-deadly-sins-a-modern-perspective-3c5d9fffc735]  * UOSenki. (2025). Se7en: The series killer didn’t complete the 7 deadly sins. Reddit. https://www.reddit.com/r/CharacterRant/comments/1gn02vr/se7en_the_series_killer_didnt_complete_the_7/ [https://www.reddit.com/r/CharacterRant/comments/1gn02vr/se7en_the_series_killer_didnt_complete_the_7/]  * University of St. Thomas. (2026). The seven virtues. https://www.stthomas.edu/about/our-campuses/minneapolis/frescoes/the-seven-virtues/ [https://www.stthomas.edu/about/our-campuses/minneapolis/frescoes/the-seven-virtues/]  * Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). The Seven Deadly Sins (manga). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Seven_Deadly_Sins_(manga) [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Seven_Deadly_Sins_(manga)]

“Do you guys ever think about dying?”: We’ve Got You Barbie!

In this episode of Witches in the Stacks: Charmed Chatter, Lex & T unpack Season 3, Episode 16 “Death Takes a Halliwell,” where Prue comes face-to-face with the Angel of Death while deadly seekers hunt Cole. As chaos unfolds, the real focus turns inward - exploring grief, control, and what it means to accept the inevitable. From the Grim Reaper to La Catrina and shinigami, we dive into how cultures across the world personify death, not as a villain, but as a guide and balance-keeper. Drawing on mythology, religion, and Tarot, we explore death as transformation rather than an end. TRIGGER WARNING: This episode includes discussions of death, dying, grief, violence, and brief references to suicide, as well as religious and cultural perspectives on the afterlife. We also explore existential themes and symbolic imagery (including disease, decay, and mortality) that may be sensitive for some listeners. Learn More:  * Cereal Ventures. (n.d.). Day of the Dead: Who is La Catrina? Day of the Dead. https://dayofthedead.holiday/traditions/who-is-la-catrina/ [https://dayofthedead.holiday/traditions/who-is-la-catrina/]  * Dhwty. (Ancient Origins. (2019, March 14). Shinigami: The grim reaper and god of death in Japanese folklore. Ancient Origins. https://www.ancient-origins.net/myths-legends/shinigami-grim-reaper-japanese-folklore-006072 [https://www.ancient-origins.net/myths-legends/shinigami-grim-reaper-japanese-folklore-006072]  * Sandoval, M. (2023, October 29). How “La Catrina” became the iconic symbol for the Day of the Dead. PBS News. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/arts/how-la-catrina-became-the-iconic-symbol-for-the-day-of-the-dead [https://www.pbs.org/newshour/arts/how-la-catrina-became-the-iconic-symbol-for-the-day-of-the-dead]  * Wikipedia contributors. (2026, April 22). La Calavera Catrina. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=La_Calavera_Catrina&oldid=1350524215 [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=La_Calavera_Catrina&oldid=1350524215]  * Wikipedia contributors. (2026, April 17). Shinigami. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Shinigami&oldid=1349425426 [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Shinigami&oldid=1349425426]  * Yokai.com. (2026). Shinigami. https://yokai.com/shinigami/ [https://yokai.com/shinigami/]

Songs That Bewitch: The Devil’s Chord, Sirens, and Magical Minstrels

Get ready for a supernatural soundscape! We’re talking Charmed season 3, episode 10, “We All Scream for Ice Cream”—where the Halliwell sisters face off against a magical menace straight out of music theory: the Devil’s Chord. From creepy ice cream truck melodies that mesmerize demon kids, to real-world tales of the tritone in horror flicks and heavy metal, we riff on music’s role as spell, weapon, and healer. Plus: lore about sirens, Pied Pipers, and magical instruments, with a dip into how tunes manage emotions, scare us silly, or save the day. Learn More:  * Fender. (n.d.). The Devil’s Chord: The eerie history of 'diabolus in musica'. Retrieved from https://www.fender.com/articles/chords/the-devils-chord-the-eerie-history-of-diabolus-in-musica [https://www.fender.com/articles/chords/the-devils-chord-the-eerie-history-of-diabolus-in-musica] * LibraryThing. (2021, November 4). Group discussion: Music in fantasy? In FantasyFans. Retrieved from https://www.librarything.com/topic/333697 [https://www.librarything.com/topic/333697] * Melanie, K. (2025). Tuning out the dark: Music as a defense and folk solution. All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present, 102. Utah State University. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1100&context=gradreports2023 [https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1100&context=gradreports2023]  * Mental Floss. (2016, March 28). A brief history of the devil’s tritone. Retrieved from https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/77321/brief-history-devils-tritone [https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/77321/brief-history-devils-tritone] * Music & Memory. (2012, April 13). (official) Alive Inside Film of Music and Memory Project - Henry's Story [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/5FWn4JB2YLU [https://youtu.be/5FWn4JB2YLU] * Music Mentor. (2025, April 3). The Devil’s Chord: Its haunting history and controversial uses in music. Retrieved from https://musicmentor.ai/the-devils-chord-its-haunting-history-and-controversial-uses-in-music/ [https://musicmentor.ai/the-devils-chord-its-haunting-history-and-controversial-uses-in-music/] * Neely, A. [Adam Neely]. (2017, June 5). The Devil in music (an untold history of the Tritone) [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/eR5yzCH5CsM?si=f_fkt0qi7Ry7pbPg [https://youtu.be/eR5yzCH5CsM?si=f_fkt0qi7Ry7pbPg] * Pop Culture Madness. (2023, April 18). 100+ magical songs in popular music. Retrieved from https://popculturemadness.com/100-magical-songs-in-popular-music/ [https://popculturemadness.com/100-magical-songs-in-popular-music/] * Reddit. (2024, January 23). Music based magic systems? : r/Fantasy. Retrieved from https://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comments/19e75zg/music_based_magic_systems/ [https://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comments/19e75zg/music_based_magic_systems/] * Reflections of Pop Culture & Life's... (2009, July 29). Songs about magic & mystery. Retrieved from https://coolrain44.wordpress.com/2009/07/30/songs-about-magic-mystery/ [https://coolrain44.wordpress.com/2009/07/30/songs-about-magic-mystery/] * Schulter, M. (n.d.). Tritones in early music: Were they always prohibited? Medieval Music & Arts Foundation. https://www.medieval.org/emfaq/harmony/tritone.html [https://www.medieval.org/emfaq/harmony/tritone.html]  * Smith, K. (2022, February 1). Infradonic sound and horror movies. Donut tasting 101 reloaded: A community audio journal. North Carolina State University Department of Communication. https://classapps.chass.ncsu.edu/com304/?p=432 [https://classapps.chass.ncsu.edu/com304/?p=432]  * TV Tropes. (n.d.). Magic Music. Retrieved from https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/MagicMusic [https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/MagicMusic] * Vice. (2024, July 27). A brief timeline of magic in music. Retrieved from https://www.vice.com/en/article/timeline-magic-music-bowie-hole-princess-nokia-iamddb/ [https://www.vice.com/en/article/timeline-magic-music-bowie-hole-princess-nokia-iamddb/]