Being Witch with Sarah Wu
What does it mean to Be Witch?
It is an identity, a lifestyle, a spiritual practice, a political ethos and an esthetic. In this series, let’s look at important concepts, strengths, limitations, ethics and social considerations for being a modern witch.
Some may think that this series is going to be talking about fluffy black cats, pointy hats and spooky things in general. What is different about this perspective on being a witch in the modern world is that Sarah will address issues of power dynamics, cultural context, binaries, intersectionality, political values, social justice, anticapitalism and anarchy.
As a modern witch we have a big responsibility to hold true to the value of personal and communal empowerment as folks who identify with a decentralized and growing spiritual path. Sarah opens up the notion that being witch is only for female identified and calls listeners to have an acute awareness of cultural appreciation and appropriation. Bringing in her lovely sister, Leah Wu, who raises her children as witch, listeners get some insight to what is means to also raise children on this path.
Episode are 15 – 35 minutes each, 5 hours in total
Sarah Wu is a passionate educational curator, facilitator and mentor dedicated to adult learners of all backgrounds. A representative for Mother Nature as a writer and teacher of Deep Ecology, Therapeutic Spiritual Ecology and Whole Systems Design shared through the lens of Herbalism and Permaculture.
Sarah Wu has 24 years studying and practicing the science, art and craft of Regenerative Herbal Medicine. Her foundation is in eclectic energetic and Western Wise Woman Traditions, actively practicing clinical herbalism in the Neo-Tropics for 15 years. With 30 and counting, 75+hour Permaculture Design Courses (PDC) in her portfolio, which encompasses earth sciences, regenerative strategies for human settlement design, community development and alternative social structuring. She teaches all aspects of herbal medicine from Materia Medica, ethnobotany, medicine making, formulation and anatomy/physiology. Sarah teaches workshops to young women, 10 - 16 years old about their physical and spiritual bodies in correspondence with lunar and planetary rhythms. Sarah attended the Tyler School of Art, where she immersed herself in the Fine Arts and Art History, Mythology, Symbolism and Philosophy. She is well versed, teaching archetypal symbolism and storytelling for personal reflection via Tarot and Modern Astrology.
A producer at heart, Sarah loves curating courses, workshops and events tailored to community, deep ecology, regenerative design and holistic health that highlight diverse and dynamic facilitators. Sarah is the friendly Village Witch, co-founder and producer of Envision Festival, a 10,000 person arts and culture event in Costa Rica (2011-present), where she curates the educational offerings spanning six stages and 300 hours. An international facilitator, Sarah has brought her teachings to the United States, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama, Cuba, Italy, Portugal, France and Germany.
Sarah lives with her husband, animals, plants and community off-the-grid half the year at their 2500 square meter homestead of the broader Tacotal Colectivo in the low mountains of Costa Rica, and the other half of the year in the coastal mountains of the La Marche region of Italy on a 1 hectare permaculture farm, in both locations they tend the land, teach, make medicine and host events.
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Being Witch - Intro to Being a Modern Witch
In Episode 1 of “Being Witch,” Sarah shares her personal journey of embracing her identity as a witch and emphasizes the importance of spiritual self-discovery. The episode explores the uniqueness of each individual’s experience with witchcraft and draws parallels between indigenous cultures and ...
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Being Witch - Intro to Course PDF
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Being Witch - History of the Witch Craze
In Episode 2 of “Being Witch,” the exploration of the history of the witch craze delves into ancient and modern cultures, highlighting the evolution of beliefs around witchcraft from the worship of goddesses to associations with demonic forces. The episode reveals how women were often targeted as...
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Being Witch - History of the Witch Craze PDF
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Being Witch - Witch is Non Binary
In Episode 3 of “Being Witch” explores the inclusive and non-binary nature of witchcraft, highlighting the importance of embracing diverse identities and fostering unity within the witchcraft community. The episode emphasizes the core principles of witchcraft, including the concept of duality and...
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Being Witch - Witch is Non Binary PDF
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In Episode 3 of “Being Witch” explores the inclusive and non-binary nature of witchcraft, highlighting the importance of embracing diverse identities and fostering unity within the witchcraft community. The episode emphasizes the core principles of witchcraft, including the concept of duality and...
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Being Witch - Modern Stereotypes
In Episode 4 of “Being Witch,” the narrative explores how media portrayals of witches have perpetuated harmful stereotypes, leading to fear and even driving some to identify as witches. The episode also addresses the negative impacts of exploitative capitalism within modern witch culture and the ...
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Being Witch - Modern Stereotypes PDF
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Being Witch - Not Feminism nor Matriarchal
In Episode 5 of “Being Witch,” the narrator, Sarah, explores the intricate relationship between witchcraft, feminism, and matriarchal power dynamics, highlighting that witchcraft doesn’t neatly fit into the categories of feminism or matriarchy but aims to empower those who have faced oppression d...
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Being Witch - Not Feminism nor Matriarchal PDF
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Being Witch - Decentralized
In Episode 6 of “Being Witch,” the narrator, Sarah, explores the theme of decentralization within witchcraft, emphasizing how it contrasts with traditional centralized power structures and promotes direct communication with the divine and a deep connection with nature. She underscores the value o...
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Being Witch - Pop but not a Fad
In Episode 7 of “Being Witch,” Sarah delves into the complexity of popularity within the witch community, exploring how aesthetics, symbols, and media influence play significant roles. She emphasizes the importance of appreciating the diversity of identities within witchcraft while fostering a se...
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Being Witch - Pop but not a Fad PDF
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Being Witch - Which Witch
In Episode 8 of “Being Witch,” Sarah provides an in-depth exploration of the diverse and fluid nature of identifying as a witch, delving into various paths, traditions, and practices within witchcraft, from Wicca to green witchery, and highlighting the rich tapestry of this mystical world.
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Being Witch - Marked by the Goddess and Symbolism
In Episode 9 of “Being Witch,” Sarah takes listeners on a fascinating journey through the world of symbols, exploring their intricate meanings within diverse cultural contexts. She highlights the dual nature of symbols and their power to transcend surface meanings, connecting with different cultu...
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Being Witch - Marked by the Goddess and Symbolism PDF
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Being Witch - What the Spell & Right Ritual
In Episode 10 of “Being Witch,” titled “What the Spell & Right Ritual,” Sarah delves into the world of magical practices, highlighting ethical considerations and guiding listeners to align their intentions with their inner truth. This episode explores various aspects of magic, including dark and ...
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Being Witch - What the Spell & Right Ritual PDF
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Being Witch - Ethics, Cultural Appropriation and Appreciation
In Episode 11 of “Being Witch,” titled “Ethics, Cultural Appreciation & Appropriation,” Sarah delves into a profound exploration of ethics, cultural appreciation, and cultural appropriation within witchcraft. The episode emphasizes the importance of recognizing and acknowledging our ancestral roo...
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Being Witch - Ethics, Cultural Appropriation and Appreciation PDF
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Being Witch - Your Momma is a Witch
In episode 12 of “Being Witch,” host Sarah engages in a captivating conversation with her sister, Leah Wu, discussing the challenges and joys of raising children within the context of witchcraft. They emphasize the significance of fostering radical inclusivity, sharing insights on integrating spi...
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Being Witch - Your Momma is a Witch PDF
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