Public - The Pagan Portal Podcast

What does Lughnasadh, also known as Lammas, mean to modern Pagans and witches? Is it just about baking bread, honouring Lugh, and celebrating the first harvest, or does this ancient festival offer something deeper than tradition? For this Lughnasadh special, Rachel Patterson talks with Jessica Howard, Lucya Starza, and Katie Ness in a relaxed conversation about how each of them celebrates this time of year. They discuss everything from baking bread and making corn dollies to river offerings, foraging, journaling, working with deities, and simple seasonal magic. Each guest shares personal stories, practical tips, and thoughts on what this festival means today. They also talk about how changes in the seasons and climate can affect traditional celebrations, why gratitude matters more than obligation, and how it's fine if your practice is different from others. Whether this is your first Lughnasadh or you’ve celebrated for years, you’ll find ideas here to…

Dragons appear in almost every culture, but were they always the frightening creatures we imagine today? In this episode of The Pagan Portal Podcast, Rachel Patterson chats with stone carver, artist, and author Dave Stone about the deeper history of dragons and serpent stories. Drawing on mythology, archaeology, folklore, and his own experiences, Dave shares what he discovered while writing his latest book and explores why dragons continue to fascinate us. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why dragon myths appear in cultures across the world • The connection between dragons, serpents, wells, rivers, and sacred waters • How dragons became demonised in many religious traditions • Why dragons may originally have been symbols of nature, place, and animistic belief • The hidden meaning behind dragon slayer myths such as Apollo and Python, Marduk and Tiamat, and St George and the Dragon • How dragon symbolism survived despite religious and…

In this episode of The Pagan Portal Podcast, Rachel Patterson talks with Sam Wise about how witchcraft, queer identity, community, and spiritual practice all connect. They talk about the history of Lavender Witchcraft, the close ties between queer communities and magical traditions, and why it’s important to make Pagan and witchcraft spaces openly inclusive. Sam also shares thoughts on ancestor work, including connecting with both family ancestors and queer activists, elders, and trailblazers who have shaped today’s communities. They also talk about nature-based spirituality, finding a connection with the natural world in daily life, and how people outside cultural norms have often played important roles in spiritual traditions. Rachel and Sam discuss allyship, learning from mistakes, and building communities where everyone feels truly welcome. Topics Covered: • What is Lavender Witchcraft? • The history behind the Lavender Menace • Queer identities in witchcraft and folklore • Spiritual roles beyond traditional…

People often put runes into simple categories like divination tools or mystical symbols, making them seem distant and mysterious. In this episode, we challenge that idea. Rachel Patterson talks with Imelda Almqvist to explore what runes really are and what they have always meant. They discuss common misconceptions, such as the belief that runes are only for magick, and connect them back to their origins as a living writing system from the Viking Age. Topics Covered:

• Common misconceptions about runes

• Elder Futhark vs Younger Futhark

• Runes as language vs magickal tools

• The rune wheel and creation cycles

• The Norns and the nature of fate