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In this episode of That Pennsylvania Witch, I sit down with Anna Urošević Applegate to explore the threads of heritage, spirituality, and ancestral memory. We talk about her Serbian roots, growing up in Chicago, navigating a dual faith tradition, and her new book, Slava!, which celebrates tradition and ancestral connection. Together, we reflect on the importance of honoring where we come from, the parallels between animistic practices across cultures, and how working with our ancestors can ground and guide us in the present.

Chicago native Anna Urošević Applegate is a first-generation Serbian American and ordained legal Pagan clergy. She holds an M.A. in English from Loyola University Chicago. Anna is the founder of an inclusive Rodnovery fellowship known as the Circle of Rodu. You can learn more at www.circleofrodu.com.

Buy Slava!

https://www.llewellyn.com/product.php?ean=9780738780672

https://bookshop.org/p/books/slava-slavic-paganism-and-dual-faith-folk-ways-anna-urosevic-applegate/0c41376d2c1034d2?ean=9780738780672&next=t

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In this episode of That Pennsylvania Witch, I sit down with Dodie Graham McKay to talk about her new oracle deck A Witch’s Ally, the power of connecting to the land, and the creative magic behind her zine work. We also explore how once you’re punk, you’re always punk, and how that ethos shapes her practice. The deck features stunning illustrations by Laura Tempest Zakroff.

Dodie Graham McKay (she/her) is a writer, Green Witch, and filmmaker. She is inspired to document and share stories that capture the beauty of nature and the visible and invisible realms of magic and witchcraft. She is the author of the books Earth Magic: The Elements of Witchcraft and A Witch's Ally: Building a Magical Relationship with Familiars & Animal Companions, and her documentary films include The WinniPagans, Starry Nights, and the Fibe TV four-part series Exploring the Sacred. Dodie spends her spare time walking her dogs, teaching witchcraft, and facilitating a busy coven. She lives in Treaty One Territory, Homeland of the Métis Nation, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

Dodie's Links:

https://www.dodiegrahammckay.com/

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In this episode, we explore Urglaawe as a living Heathen tradition rooted in Pennsylvania Dutch culture. I’m joined by authors Robert Schreiwer, Michelle A. Jones, and Stacey Lynne Stewart to discuss their book and the work of documenting and revitalizing this unique spiritual path.

We dive into the core beliefs and practices of Urglaawe, from household and community traditions to folkways like Braucherei, and how these customs continue to evolve in the modern world. Along the way, we reflect on the deep cultural roots of Deitsch life, the relationship with land and spirit, and what it means to keep a tradition truly living

And, of course, it’s not all serious, there are birch beer references, and a potential cave exploration field trip plan unfolding.

Bios and Links:

Robert L. Schreiwer is a co-founder of the Urglaawe tradition within Heathenry. He is a trained Braucher within the Oley Freindschaft guild and the founder of the Blobarrick Freindschaft of Braucherei and Hexerei. He also founded In-Reach Heathen Prison Services and Philadelphia Pagan Pride Day. He served as the Steersman (President and CEO) of The Troth from 2016-2022 and continues to serve The Troth as clergy and in advisory roles. He was a member of the team that authored Declaration 127. He is a Senior Manager of Heathens Against Hate and as one of the managers of Philadelphia's Parade of Spirits. He is a Special Education teacher by day and an Instructor of the Pennsylvania Dutch language at night.

Michelle A. Jones is a Hex, an Urglaawe Ziewerin, and secretary of die Urglaawisch Sippschaft vum Distelfink. She is also a founding member of the Primitive Grove Circle eclectic coven based in South Jersey.

Stacey Lynn Stewart is a Ziewerin within Distelfink Sippschaft and a Braucherin. She is involved with her local Pagan Pride Day events and is a past member of the High Rede of The Troth.

Stacey's Art:

https://theaccidentalurglaawer.com/shop/

Links:

https://www.urglaawe.org/

Buy the book!

https://www.llewellyn.com/product.php?ean=9780738777337

https://bookshop.org/p/books/heathen-traditions-of-the-pennsylvania-dutch-an-urglaawe-primer-michelle-a-jones/c2702d3a495b9a83?ean=9780738777337&next=t

https://www.amazon.com/Heathen-Traditions-Pennsylvania-Dutch-Urglaawe-ebook/dp/B0DHPPTM8D/

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/heathen-traditions-of-the-pennsylvania-dutch-robert-l-schreiwer/1146321232

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