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I have a story for you this week. Actually, I have a whole string of stories that somehow all lead back to the same place. A bear. It started with a little carved brown bear, then I got to see my first ever black bear up close and personal, and then I pulled Brown Bear Spirit from a deck of 68 cards (before I even knew there was a bear card in the deck). Then there was the bear etched into something connected to a book club. And somewhere along the way, my morning practice started changing too with a candle, my little bear carving, an iron othala rune ... all gathering together in one little space. At some point I had to ask Okay Bear… what are you trying to tell me? This week on Witchy Work Wishes, we are talking about the signs that seem to follow us home, what happens when a symbol keeps appearing in our lives, and whether sometimes the magic isn’t in finding the sign at all … it’s in finally slowing down long enough to notice it. And of course, there are plenty of life updates mixed in too because apparently things around here have been just about as busy as you would expect. Come listen and then tell me ... have you ever had an animal, symbol, number or sign keep showing up until you finally paid attention too? We've got this! Charlene Hearth & Hen Witchy Work Wishes Patreon Family

What happens when you take a needle, some thread, a little creativity… and add a touch of magic? This week on Witchy Work Wishes, I’m opening up the mic and welcoming Chelsie from Witchy Stitching! Witchy Stitching Instagram We are talking about how Witchy Stitching came to be, the magic behind creating something with your own hands, building a business around something you love, and all of the wonderfully witchy things that happen when creativity and intention come together. Because really… stitch by stitch, isn’t that a little bit like spellwork? So grab your coffee, your tea and your notebook ... or maybe your needle and thread this week and come join us! Episode #206 Witchy Stitching with Chelsie. Come make a little magic with us. Charlene Hearth & Hen Witchy Work Wishes Patreon Family

Bring me the pumpkins, the apples, the candles and ALLLLL the fall magic … because Mabon has arrived! This week on Witchy Work Wishes, we are celebrating the Autumn Equinox and the second harvest ... but we are doing things a little differently this year. Instead of simply talking about what we are harvesting, we are exploring the magic of the season through three places: The Pause, that beautiful moment when light and dark meet in balance. The Threshold, the mysterious space between where we've been and where we're going. The Turn, when we are finally ready to step forward and follow the season toward darker nights, warmer homes, glowing candles and a little more time turned inward. We will talk about liminal spaces, threshold magic, the history of Mabon, and some simple ways to notice the magic that exists in those in-between places we move through every single day. And, of course, I've got some life updates for you too ... including renovations on my 100-year-old farmhouse, changes happening at my own office, backyard cats, and a certain Bear story that seems to keep getting more interesting! So grab your coffee, your tea, your pumpkin spice latte and your notebooks … and come celebrate Mabon 2026 with me. 🎧 And if you're part of our Patreon family, there's an extra Mabon episode waiting for you too, where we take everything from today's episode and actually make some Mabon magic with it! Happy Mabon, witches! Charlene Hearth & Hen Witchy Work Wishes Patreon

Does the spell work because we are witches… or does the spell work because our minds believe it will? Last week, Connor and I explored the science behind the placebo effect ... what happens in our brains and bodies when we believe something is going to work. But today… we are bringing that conversation into the witchy world. What happens when we light the candle, stir the potion, speak the intention, pull the card or cast the spell? Is the magic happening around us? Is it happening within us? Or could it somehow be… both? In Part 2 of our Placebo Effect series, we are exploring ritual, intention, expectation and belief and asking what the science of the placebo effect might actually teach us about the way we practice witchcraft. Because understanding why something works doesn't necessarily make it any less magical. We've got this! Charlene WitchyWorkWishes.com Hearth & Hen Patreon

What if believing something will help you can actually change what happens inside your body? And what if believing something will hurt you ... can do the same thing? Today on Witchy Work Wishes, we are stepping just outside of our usual witchy circle for a fascinating (open mic) conversation about the placebo effect, the nocebo effect, and the very real connection between expectation, belief, the brain and the body. And I brought Connor back to help me explore it! With his background in psychology, Connor joins me as we look at what science actually knows about the placebo effect, why it happens, what researchers have discovered, how expectation can influence our experiences, and why some placebos can still work even when people know they're taking one. For this episode, we are doing something important ... we are leaving the witchcraft out of it. At least for now. Part 1 is about understanding the science first. Or some of it at least. Because next week, in Part 2, I'm putting my witch's hat firmly back on and asking a much more interesting question ... If belief, expectation and ritual can create measurable changes in the human experience … where does that leave magic? We are not trying to prove that science explains witchcraft or that witchcraft replaces science. We are getting curious. And around here, curiosity is where some of our very best conversations begin! So grab your coffee, your tea and maybe your notebook, and join Connor and me for Part 1 of The Placebo Effect. We've got this! Charlene Hearth & Hen WitchyWorkWishes.com Patreon Family

There are four months left in 2026. And before you say "ONLY four months?" I want you to try something different. Say, "I still have FOUR months." Because that's actually a pretty good amount of time. This week on Witchy Work Wishes, we are pulling those January goals back out and taking a look at where we are now. Some of them may have grown beautifully. Some may have been completely forgotten. Some might not fit the person you are anymore. And somewhere along the way, life probably handed you a few things you never planned for at all. That's okay. Witches don't walk straight lines. We work in circles, seasons, cycles and spirals. We harvest. We prune. We compost. We save seeds. And when something still matters to us, we begin again. In this episode, we are looking at what you've accomplished, what needs to be released and what you still want to complete before we close the book on 2026. We'll even break those remaining months down and talk about how much can still happen between September and December! So grab your coffee, your tea and your notebook and come join me. You are not too late. The year isn't over. And neither is the magic! We've Got This! Charlene Hearth & Hen Witchy Work Wishes Patreon

What if one of the simplest things you do every day could also become one of your most magical practices? In this week's episode of Witchy Work Wishes, we are stepping outside together to explore the ancient art of the Walking Witch. From sacred pilgrimages and winding labyrinths to quiet walks through your own neighborhood, we will discover how every path can become an opportunity for grounding, reflection, healing and magic. We'll talk about the history behind this practice, simple ways to weave intention into your walks, how to notice the signs and messages nature may be offering and why walking has long been a companion to both spiritual seekers and everyday witches. I'll also share a personal story that reminded me that sometimes the greatest adventures aren't found hundreds of miles away ... they are waiting right outside our own front door. So grab a comfortable pair of shoes, leave the distractions behind for a little while and come take a walk with me. We've got this, Charlene Hearth & Hen Witchy Work Wishes Patreon

What if the oldest form of witchcraft wasn't found in a spellbook... What if it began around a campfire? Long before we had podcasts, books, or even written traditions, people gathered around the warmth of a fire to tell stories, pass down wisdom, share laughter, comfort one another and remember who they were. In this special 200th episode of Witchy Work Wishes, we are stepping away from our usual lesson and gathering together around a campfire. We'll reflect on the path we've traveled, the unexpected turns along the way, the lessons that have shaped us, and the magic that has woven itself through the last 200 conversations. Whether you've been listening since the very beginning or you have only recently found our little corner of the woods, this episode is for you! So pour yourself a drink, find a quiet place to listen and pull up a chair beside the fire. There's always room for one more around the campfire! Cheers to #200, Charlene Hearth & Hen Patreon Witchy Work Wishes

What does it really mean to be a Witch of the Woods? It isn't about living deep in the forest or owning a little cabin tucked among the trees. It's about building a relationship with the land... slowing down long enough to notice its rhythms, its seasons, and the amazing lessons it has been offering all along. In this week's episode of Witchy Work Wishes, we are wandering beneath the trees together as we explore woodland magic, forest spirits, practical witchcraft and simple ways to create a deeper connection with nature no matter where you live. We'll also talk about bringing the calm, patience, and quiet wisdom of the forest back into our everyday lives (including the workplace). So grab your favorite drink, lace up your walking shoes and come spend a little time beneath the trees with me. We've got this! Charlene Hearth & Hen Witchy Work Wishes Patreon

When you hear the word harvest, what comes to mind? For many of us, it's baskets overflowing with grain, fresh baked bread, gardens ready to gather and the golden warmth of mid summer. But what if Lughnasadh is asking us to harvest something else? What have you grown over the past year? Not just in your garden, but in your confidence, your healing, your relationships, your work and your spirit. In this week's episode, we are celebrating Lughnasadh ... the first harvest of the Wheel of the Year! But instead of focusing only on its history and traditions, we are exploring what it truly means to receive the fruits of our own journey (even when that journey didn't unfold exactly as we planned). We'll talk about the magic of the first harvest, simple ways to celebrate this beautiful sabbat, and how to recognize the abundance that may already be waiting around you. So grab your favorite cup of tea, settle into a comfortable spot, and let's celebrate the first harvest together. Happy Lughnasadh, my friends. Charlene Witchy Work Wishes is available now on Spotify and wherever you enjoy listening to podcasts. Head to the website for all of the goodies too or right over to Patreon to join the family. Links are below. Hearth & Hen Witchy Work Wishes Patreon

Have you ever felt like everyone else comes alive in the summer... but you secretly long for misty mornings, quiet forests, cozy sweaters, and cooler days? Then this week's episode, The Winter Witch in Summer, is just for you! We are exploring what it means to honor your own natural rhythm, even when it doesn't match the season around you. Together we'll talk about finding peace in the shade, embracing slower moments, and remembering that there is no "right" way to move through the Wheel of the Year. We have options! Whether you're soaking up the sunshine or dreaming of autumn, I hope you'll join me for this cozy conversation. We've got this! Charlene Hearth & Hen Patreon Witchy Work Wishes

There is something ancient about gathering in a circle! Long before elaborate rituals and beautifully decorated altars, people gathered around fires, beneath the stars, and inside stone circles to mark the seasons, honor the land, celebrate life's milestones and simply remember that they belonged to something larger than themselves. In this week's episode at Witchy Work Wishes, we are exploring the magic of casting a witch's circle ... and not just how to do it, but why witches have been creating sacred circles for centuries. Together we'll talk about the history and purpose of the magic circle, the four directions and the elements, different ways to cast a circle (there is no "one right way"), when you might want to create sacred space (and when you don't need to) as well as how circles can become powerful containers for healing, spellwork, meditation, shadow work, and celebration. Of course I have a "Business Witch" perspective on creating healthy energetic boundaries in everyday life too. I also share one of my favorite personal rituals... my annual Birthday Circle and why it has become one of the most meaningful practices in my own witchcraft. Whether you've never cast a circle before or you've been practicing for years, I hope this episode reminds you that sacred space isn't about perfection. It begins the moment you step into your intention. So light a candle, pour yourself something warm, get cozy, and come sit beside me for a little while. I'm so grateful you're walking this path with me! We've got this! Charlene Hearth & Hen Witchy Work Wishes Patreon

Last week we explored wolves from the ground up because before we could understand the symbolism, we first needed to understand the animal itself. We talked about how wolves actually live, the strength of the pack, their intelligence, loyalty, communication, and the lessons we can learn simply by observing nature. This week, I'd love to take the next step. Now that we know the wolf ... and have revisited some of the myths, legends, and fairy tales that have followed them through history, let's explore the wisdom they have to offer. Let's step into the spiritual lessons and the practical ways we can begin working with The Wolf energy in our own lives. Because those stories were never really about wolves at all. They've always been stories about us. About courage, change and leaving behind what is comfortable. They are stories about becoming the people we are meant to be. You'll hear one theme woven throughout today's episode, repeated again and again: The Village (where everything is familiar and comfortable), The Forest (where transformation happens) and The Return Home (where the hero comes back forever changed). As I was preparing this episode, I realized this wasn't just the pattern of ancient stories... it's the pattern of our own lives. And it has helped me make sense of a question I've been asking myself lately: What comes next? How do I move from simply gathering knowledge... to actually living it? Maybe you've been asking yourself that same question. If so, I hope you'll come walk through the forest with me for a little while. We've got this! Charlene Hearth & Hen Witchy Work Wishes Patreon

What is it about wolves that has fascinated us for thousands of years? Is it their loyalty... their intelligence, their haunting calls through the darkness or the way they seem to walk so comfortably between the wild and the wise? This week we are beginning a brand-new two-part series exploring the magic, mythology and symbolism of the wolf. Together we'll journey through wolf folklore and ancient legends, werewolf mythology, Norse traditions, Odin, The Wolf Spirit and what wolves can teach us today along with practical ways to work with wolf energy in your own practice. But perhaps the greatest lesson of all... Knowledge is powerful. Wisdom is what happens when we live it. So pour yourself a cozy cup of coffee or tea, settle in, and join me for the first part of our journey! We've got this! Charlene Hearth & Hen Patreon Witchy Work Wishes

We can study poisonous plants, understand their folklore, and appreciate their role in magical traditions without ever handling them, growing them, ingesting them, or using them in our spellwork. But then, one day, there may come a time and situation where, after careful thought and with a tremendous amount of knowledge, respect, and caution ... a practitioner may choose to work with the symbolism and energy of these plants as part of their magical practice. And this is where many conversations about poisonous plants become a little heated. Because we tend to assume that anything associated with witchcraft must be focused on healing, blessing, attracting, manifesting, or calling things toward us. But that is only part of the story. Today we are stepping into a part of witchcraft that doesn't get talked about nearly as often as moon water, crystals, kitchen magic, or herbal teas.  We are venturing into the shadow garden. Into the stories, folklore, lessons, and symbolism of some of the most mysterious plants in magical history. Plants that inspired fear, respect and found their way into myths, legends, and witchcraft traditions across centuries.  We are exploring what these plants still have to teach us today about power, boundaries, protection, endings, and the wisdom of knowing when something no longer belongs in our lives. So settle in, take a sip of your drink, and join me for today’s episode all about Poisonous Plants and Baneful Magic! We've got this! Charlene Hearth & Hen Patreon Witchy Work Wishes