What Magic Is This?

The World of Jinn with J. M. Hamade

One of the most unique facets of the Jinn, is that they are attested to and given a complete history within both the main and supplementary scripture of Islam. In the Qur

"Tell me about the time you visited the City of Jinn, Darragh..."

What Magic is This? Podcast will be entering some unfamiliar territory. For the Islamicate world, a whole other group of beings share this reality with us. They are the J

The History of Fairies feat. Francis Young

It always felt somewhat incomplete; the Fistful of Fairies series here on What Magic is This? Podcast was in need of a revisitation. While the series went in many major a

The Discoverie of Witchcraft

There are very few books within the Western Magical Tradition which have had an impact and legacy beyond the tradition itself. In 1584 a book appeared written by a countr

The History of Cartomancy

Playing cards have always been magical. While not as ubiquitous and long tenured as dice and other means of games and gambling, card games have been a part of western cul

Pamela Colman Smith & The Tarot Deck which changed everything

If the western Magical tradition has one object which has bled into mainstream culture and seems like it is there to stay, it would be a pack of Tarot cards designed and

Magical Treasure Hunting

If there is one thing that can put a fire into the heart of many a person over the last two thousand years, it is the enticement of buried treasure. Yet for centuries, bu

"Christmas. It's All Pagan Anyway." - A Holiday Tradition

One must have their peculiar Holiday traditions. For me, being involved in the stranger side of life and culture, I always take note of a particular happenstance that occ

Past Lives & Reincarnation

One of the longest enduring afterlife beliefs that we have is reincarnation. The thought goes that once we pass away, some part of us is reborn into a new person; a new b

Spirits, Stories & the Supreme Secret of Sorcery! with Wren Collier & Joshua Cutchin

One of the oddest and least talked about aspects of the Paranormal and the Supernatural is something called fictional incursions. Simply put, this is when certain ideas,

Solomonic Magic: Addendum

The interest in the history of magic, witchcraft and the occult has seen a discernible rise in the last 25 years. In many cases, our picture of its story through the ages

Demonology

Simply put, Demonology is the study of Demons; what they do and how they interact with humans. While most cultures throughout time here in the west have had their own spe

Angels

We live in an infinitely complex cosmos, more alive and chaotic than any of us can ever imagine. Throughout human history, the great mystery of our existence has been ren

Putting the Hamster Back on the Wheel

Excellent news, weirdos- The Great What Magic is This? Podcast Hiatus of 2025 is coming to an end! The show will be returning shortly with a newish presentation and new a

Doing Hermeticism & Magical Timing with Sam Block

One of the most asked questions that I get, is about something which has already been covered on the podcast previously but perhaps needs a bit more context. Hermeticism

Dad Jokes

Happy 2025 Humble Listeners! We made it! I thought that this would be an appropriate time to make a small announcement. Please be sure to have a listen to get some news r

Runes with Siri Vincent Plouff

Not unlike the Celts, if you head to your local New Age Occult store you will notice that there is an overabundance of Runes. From necklace pendants, to books, to divinat

The Influences & Influence of Robert Anton Wilson with Richard Metzger

It has been quite some time since What Magic is This? has had the chance to talk about one of the most important figures of High Strangeness in the last 100 years. Robert

Ghosts?

As far as we can look back into our past, humanity has both interacted with and been haunted by the spirits of the dead. The tales of apparitions and hauntings pervade no

Magician's Workbooks with Alexander Cummins

Most Grimoires which are housed in the many museums and collections around the world are somewhat well copied documents that seems to have been done by professionals. Yet