Episode 26: Healing, Magic, and Ancestral Wisdom with Wendy Mata

Episode 26: Healing, Magic, and Ancestral Wisdom with Wendy Mata

This week, Kanani welcomes Wendy Mata, founder of Bruja Power Botanica, Bruja Curandera by lineage, healer, teacher, and author. Wendy shares how her Mexican heritage, family traditions, and global spiritual studies have shaped her unique approach to combining healing and magic. Together, they explore the role of soul retrieval, cord cutting, spiritual protection, and energetic maintenance in everyday life. Wendy explains the differences and connections between Curanderismo, Brujería, folk magic, and modern witchcraft, while offering practical insights into working with energy, ancestors, and spiritual boundaries. The conversation also dives into cultural appreciation versus appropriation, the importance of honoring ancestral traditions, and how healing and magic work together to help us move beyond survival and into transformation. Plus, Wendy gives listeners a preview of her upcoming book, sharing the open practices, spiritual cleansings, ancestral healing techniques, and magical tools readers can expect to discover. Whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or simply magic-curious, this episode is a powerful reminder that healing and enchantment are not separate paths—they are strongest when woven 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   Wendy Mata is the founder of Bruja Power Botanica and a Bruja Curandera by lineage dedicated to helping witches, healers, and spiritually curious seekers reclaim their power and create lives filled with purpose, abundance, and magic. Initiated in shamanic traditions in the Yucatán and trained through her family’s lineage in Curanderismo and Brujería, Wendy combines ancestral wisdom with modern spiritual practices. She is a Reiki Master, Advanced Pranic Healer, Feng Shui Master, certified leadership coach, and lifelong student of energy, consciousness, and co-creation. Before fully embracing her spiritual calling, Wendy led global product launches in cybersecurity and digital forensics. Today, she bridges strategy and spirituality, helping thousands reconnect with their inner power through healing, magic, ancestral work, and personal transformation.   Learn more at brujacurandera.com [http://brujacurandera.com] and bruja.us [http://bruja.us] https://www.instagram.com/brujapower/ [https://www.instagram.com/brujapower/] https://www.tiktok.com/@brujapowerbotanica [https://www.tiktok.com/@brujapowerbotanica?_r=1&_t=ZT-97XsQya7RZW]

Episode 25: Harnessing Summer Solstice Energy w/ Remy Pandeia

The Summer Solstice is more than just the longest day of the year. It’s a powerful turning point in the Wheel of the Year, a moment when light reaches its peak before beginning its gradual journey back toward darkness. This week on Suburban Witch Lady, Kanani welcomes oracle, medium, Reiki Master, and High Priestess Remy Pandeia for a conversation about the magic, meaning, and practical applications of the Summer Solstice. Together they explore how ancient cultures honored the sun, why solstice celebrations remain relevant today, and how modern practitioners can work with seasonal energy to support manifestation, protection, growth, and transformation. Remy shares accessible ways to celebrate the season, from creating solar water and charging magical tools to gathering with community and simply taking time to honor the sun’s life-giving energy. The conversation also dives into the importance of reconnecting with nature’s rhythms, embracing the changing cycles of the year, and letting go of the pressure to practice “perfectly.” Along the way, Kanani and Remy reminisce about years of celebrating at Sunfest, discuss the role of community in magical practice, and offer encouragement for anyone looking to deepen their connection to the natural world. Whether you’re planning a full ritual, hosting a backyard gathering, or simply stepping outside to feel the sun on your face, this episode is an invitation to pause, celebrate, and embrace the abundance of the season. ___________________________________________ * 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 Remy Pandeia is an oracle, medium, ordained High Priestess, Reiki Master, and teacher with more than twenty years of study and experience in spirituality, religion, and magical practice. As the founder of Mystic Light Temple and a respected leader within the Pacific Northwest Pagan community, she is dedicated to helping others reconnect with their intuition, ancestral wisdom, and personal power.   Known for her compassionate honesty, grounded humor, and deeply practical approach to spirituality, Remy has spent more than sixteen years offering intuitive guidance, energy healing, ceremonial leadership, and both legal and symbolic rites of passage. Her work blends sacred tradition with everyday accessibility, empowering seekers to cultivate healing, balance, and authentic transformation.   Through her work with Mystic Light Temple and Harvest Hall Company, Remy continues to serve her community while helping others discover and remember the unique light they carry within.

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.