Embracing Witchcraft: Authenticity, Art, and Personal Transformation with Adam Z
Embark on an enchanting journey with us as we welcome Adam, also known as the mesmerizing August Thunderstorms, to share their unique path as an eclectic witch and drag performer. With talents ranging from intuitive oracle reading to crafting upcycled clothing, Adam's story is a testament to the power of embracing one's true self and the resilience embedded in the witch community. Discover how Adam weaves art, music, and hospitality into their spiritual practice, drawing inspiration from witch-themed media and the empowering identity of being a witch.
Honesty, intention, and authenticity take center stage as we uncover the transformative impact of witchcraft on everyday life. Adam reveals how embracing these principles has helped them align with my true desires, while facing the truth has opened new doors for personal growth. Join us in reflecting on how family dynamics, influenced by their grandmother's independent spirit, shapeed their spiritual practice, while overcoming challenges with those who may not understand their path. By maintaining authenticity, Adam strives to live a life where their thoughts and feelings are expressed fully.
Explore the magical world of personal tools and self-care rituals, as Adam sharestheir appreciation for cherished items like a unique wand and beloved oracle decks. The importance of elemental influences, such as air and water, is highlighted as we discuss the need for personalized spiritual practices that honor individual needs. With potential future guests like Morgana and Trinity, who bring diverse perspectives to the table, we emphasize the value of inclusivity and self-prioritization within the spiritual community. Join us for a compelling exploration of witchcraft, spirituality, and the connections that enrich our lives.
Follow Adam on instagram!
Grandpa Kimothy: 0:04
Welcome back to Your Average Witch, where every Tuesday we talk about witch life, witch stories, and sometimes a little witchcraft. In this episode I'm talking with Adam, a witch, performer, and creator. We talked about beating imposter syndrome, pulling yourself out of a slump, and family. Before we get started, I want to remind you that I'm opening up nine more spots in Crepuscular Conjuration in 2025. Crepuscular Conjuration is a subscription for my monthly spell box. You get a monthly spell, ingredients to do the spell, an altar tool or piece of Clever Kim's Curios jewelry, a snack, a crystal, and this year I'm sending two make-as-we-go items. One is a witchy protection tool and one is a divination system. So at the end of the year you'll have two really cool things to use in your home. You also get access to the private Facebook group and the Monthly Magic Marco Polo group. Join after January 1st at crepuscularconjuration.com. Now let's get to the stories. Adam, hello, welcome to the show.
Adam: 1:08
Oh, my goodness. Thank you so much, Kim, for having me on. It's an honor, a delight, a pleasure and a joy.
Grandpa Kimothy: 1:14
That's so nice, thank you.
Adam: 1:15
You're so welcome. I'll never forget I was, I think I was just minding my own business on my day off and my friend had instagrammed me saying, hey, there's this podcast and they're doing interviews for the upcoming year, for their fourth season. I'm like OMG, I'm not doing much. I'd be happy to be on and of course I did some snooping not a lot, but I saw you at least interviewed someone I know, I don't know, everybody knows Madam Pamita. I always mess up her name but as someone, as myself being of Slavic origin, because my family is from the former Soviet Union, so geographically it's more so like Central Asia as opposed to Russia directly or like Eastern Europe. But when I saw her on your podcast and I've seen her book I've just been following her and a few other Slavic witches in my time and it's just like OMG, it's like I'm in the presence of royalty. And then I even saw you interviewed Monica Bodirsky and we've got a few of her prints at one of the jobs that I work at. So it's just like, okay, I'm in good company here.
Grandpa Kimothy: 2:27
That's so neat. Yay, okay, yay. Can you please introduce yourself and let everybody know who you are and what you do and where they can find you?
Adam: 2:33
Absolutely! So my name is Adam. I am also a drag performer and my drag name is August Thunderstorms, but I am a solitary practitioner of Wicca and witchcraft. I'm a very eclectic witch, so I imbue and infuse pretty much whatever I come across into my practices. I am a bunch of things. One of the newest gifts I've acquired is that I'm an intuitive oracle reader. As of right now I'm only in person, but I'm pretty flexible. I'm also very good with needle and thread. So, by hand or by machine, I've made upcycled clothing and altar cloths and just a bunch of other really cool witchcrafted goods. I've started that somewhat recently, but I've been doing that for quite a while, and a few other things that I'm, you know, familiar and capable of is just pretty much anything and everything that has to do with, like art, music, food, people, because I went to school for hospitality. I have an associates in hospitality and tourism and my track was in travel and tourism. So less food-based, like less kitchen and culinary, but more so about people in general. So I cover all bases. I am a person that wears many hats and I'll probably forget to say this, but my pronouns are they, them, theirs as well, but I'd say that's you know. Just a little tidbit about me, or more than a tidbit, I should say. On Facebook I am Adam Zaydenband. That's Z-A-Y-D-E-N-B-A-N-D. My Instagram is baddestwitch369. And that's everything. That's both. You know me, my businesses, my drag. Just it's easier if it's all in one space, in one spot, so that way people aren't like looking at five different handles for just you know one person. And of course, email address is always, you know, convenient. So my email is thunderstormsaugust @gmailcom. And that's for everything drag as well as readings, clothes, etc. Like you name it. We could talk about it.
Grandpa Kimothy: 4:49
Awesome. So you do call yourself a witch, correct?
Adam: 5:05
I have considered myself a witch for a long, not even a long time, but for as long as I can remember, because you know, we've all grown up watching, you know movies and shows and whatever and the word gets, you know, thrown around here and there. But even in shows like Bewitched or Charmed and I'm missing a few others, I'm sure, but there's so many shows where the word witch and warlock and other you know terms that are similar or synonymous get thrown around. And I'd say you know terms that are similar or synonymous get thrown around and I'd say you know, witch is the one I'm more comfortable with personally and will probably use until you know there's a new word that rolls around.
Grandpa Kimothy: 5:37
So what does it mean when you say that? What does it mean to call yourself a witch?
Adam: 5:42
For me personally at least, it means that I'm a part of you know a greater collective and a more welcoming community of people, because you know we've been through so much throughout history not even just you know anywhere in particular, but like you name it and like we've been dealt with so much, so it's just I feel like there's a lot of you know courage that comes with using that word, as well as a lot of you know community and solidarity as well.
Grandpa Kimothy: 6:14
Would you say you have any family history, any witches in your background?
Adam: 6:20
Honestly, the more I really sit and think about it. With my family and my background, I don't think there were or have been much. I know superstitions cover pretty much everything. I think we all grew up with some superstitions and I grew up with my own, based on my culture and my background. My grandma, growing up, would always have a safety pin and it was just like a plain safety pin, no ribbon, no beads or anything, nothing super fancy or special. But essentially, if you had a safety pin on your clothing it would basically keep the evil eye away and keep any kind of ill intentions away. So I'd say, you know, that's the closest thing I kind of came across you know, a talisman growing up. But at some point in my graduate and postgrad I was like I gotta, you know, step more into this because we weren't religious. You know my family is Reformed Jewish and it just never sat right with me growing up. And you know, yeah, I got a bar mitzvah and it was whatever, but you know it just religion never sat well with me. And so at some point I moved away from religion, was atheistic and then agnostic, and then I just settled on being more spiritual, which is why I say I'm a eclectic, solitary practitioner of Wicca, witchcraft, pagan. You know, I just cover everything. But if someone were to ask me, you know what's the summary I'm more spiritual, for sure.
Grandpa Kimothy: 7:49
Cool, so can you introduce us to your practice? Do you have any consistent or maybe even daily things that you do that you'll share with us?
Adam: 7:58
Absolutely. I'd say. One of the biggest things I do besides meditating if not once a day, twice a day is I pull cards Again once, if not twice, a day. I like to do something in the morning, if not in the morning, the afternoon, and then also something for my end of day. Just as you know, it's a practice that I do and it just keeps me aligned with everything that's going on with me, with others, and then it keeps me with my soul committee that my good friend Trinity coined the phrase. So your soul committee is essentially anyone and everyone that you've come across, both in this dimension and your other dimensions, so people that you've chosen in this life to be with you, whether it's family, friends, colleagues, teachers, chosen in this life to be with you, whether it's family friends, colleagues, teachers, relationships, et cetera, but it's also ones that you know have crossed over. So it's you know, ancestors of the most recent and the not so most recent, your guides, your angels, your spirit guides and just essentially anyone and everything that is looking out for you and has the best intentions for you. As well as pulling cards and keeping up with the collective and the divine, I also make spell jars, and I make spell jars, not just for myself, but of course I make them for anyone and everything. So I try to make at least a new type of spell jar every once in a while. And of course, most recently, my most favorite film is coming up with a sequel Practical Magic. So I'm like, okay, in honor of the film, I should just do a Practical Magic spell jar. And of course everyone knows the quote at the end. You know, plant rosemary by your garden gate, plant lavender for luck, spill salt over your left shoulder and fall in love whenever you can. So I've taken elements of that and other elements of the movie, like midnight margaritas and what have you, and I've just placed that in a jar and it's nothing special or super fancy. But you know I make an assortment of spell jars, so I make them travel size where you could carry them with you, and I make them, you know, mega sized or altar sized, essentially. So I've incorporated many things into my practice and I just, you know, as long as I'm doing something, even if it's as simple as a ritual bath or something more, you know, ornate and intensive, as far as like putting more care, intention and meaning into what I'm doing, like a ritual or ceremony, whether it's by myself, a friend or my Sabbath squad. It's me and a group of friends that we get together every Sabbath that we can get together. So Yule recently just passed, but we keep in touch and if we can get the gang back together for Imbolc I'll be super happy, as always. But I'd say that's just a little tidbit of my practice, of what I do daily.
Grandpa Kimothy: 10:54
I like the term soul committee. I've heard spirit team, but soul committee sounds fancier.
Adam: 11:01
I do like spirit team, but I of course use them interchangeably because they cover the same thing. You know, words are just symbols put together to communicate what it is that we're saying and, of course, us on this plane, this dimension of this consciousness, what we say and think and feel, can only go so far. What we say and think and feel can only go so far. But you have to be able to, you know, converse, if you will, with your spirit team, with your soul committee, one way or another. And I kind of have had a soul committee before I even knew the word soul committee, because in my practice at least, I have not just a committee but like, almost like, literally like a pantheon, similar to how the United Nations are set up, but as opposed to the United Nations, it's like one deity, or all the deities of every mythology across, you know again, this dimension and the others, because there's more than just what goes on on this planet. We have a whole universe of, you know, consciousness, on this dimension as well as others. So why would I limit myself to what just happens on the solar system that we're inhabiting? There's so many others. So it just makes sense to call it a committee because it's more inclusive that way. Spirit team, it's the same thing, it's very inclusive. I'm not trying to exclude, I'm trying to include as much as possible. It's only fair. But that's just my personal opinion.
Grandpa Kimothy: 12:32
Well, I think it's a fun turn of phrase. I may use it sometimes.
Adam: 12:36
Right, like I said, I didn't coin the phrase, so I'm not going to take credit for soul committee, but my good friend Trinity, who is a unique psychic medium as well as a spiritual guidance counselor, has coined that phrase. She's coined a few other phrases, but more so, like that's, the one that has stuck with me the most, I'd say, is the term soul committee, and she and I both describe it and define it differently, but we're talking again about the same things one way or another, and words really do mean something because whether you say it or think it, feel it or know it, like one way or another, you're thinking and speaking these things into action, or putting them into more than just action, and giving them purpose, meaning, meaning and intention, and that's kind of what casting spells is all about, if I'm not mistaken.
Grandpa Kimothy: 14:02
You reminded me of something. We're gonna veer off on a tangent everybody, are you ready?
Adam: 14:15
Okay, so, it's what you and I are gonna do best. We are gonna go what I like to call them spirals. But it's not the spiral like staircases, it's spirals like on a gift, where you just have all these wrapped ribbons and everything's curled. It's all apart the same thing, but it's going somewhere.
Grandpa Kimothy: 14:31
We're going to go with those little things we'd play with as kids, as a little paragraph.
Adam: 14:37
That's what we're doing.
Grandpa Kimothy: 14:39
So one thing that I have said for lots of years now is that I try not to lie. One because I'm bad at it, and two because if I'm saying things that aren't true, I feel like that is going to affect my practice and my witchcraft. Because if I say things that aren't true, how is the universe going to know what the hell when I am trying to make things true that aren't true? How is the universe going to know what the hell when I am trying to make things true? If you, if you say things that aren't true, then the universe won't get it and it'll be like well, you said this, so what do you mean? Now? Who knows? I'm not going to do anything you say until you clarify. So I try not to lie.
Adam: 15:22
And that's fair. You know, lying is not the greatest thing. There's a little white lie, and then there's a not so little white lie, but it makes total sense to like, have what your intentions are, what your manifestations are, what your goals, dreams, et cetera, et cetera, whatever they are, to be as specific to the point and also not just honest but thorough as possible, because, again, what you put out, you receive, and one way or another it's going to happen, whether you wanted it or not. The universe gives us what we need, not what we want.
Grandpa Kimothy: 15:56
I don't love that.
Adam: 15:58
We don't love it, but it's the truth. And if the truth does hurt, what do you expect us to do about it?
Grandpa Kimothy: 16:04
I probably cry and eat a lot.
Adam: 16:07
Well, I'll hold your hand and we can eat and cry together. It's fine, okay.
Grandpa Kimothy: 16:15
How has witchcraft changed your life?
Adam: 16:18
I feel like witchcraft has changed my life for the better, because it's opened me up to a whole new world of not just possibilities and people, but just, you know, of a way of living, like when people say lifestyle, like to me, this is more than just my spirituality, this is my way of living. Like everything I do, I do with intention. I put on certain, you know, gems or colors or what have you. You know with intention. You know I'm not always the most ornate, but when I am, there's a reason behind it, you know, and sometimes it's just because, and other times it's. Well, this is the reason why and here's X, y and Z reason. If people get it or not, that's up to them, but I know at the end of the day I'm being me, my authentic self,000%, as we all should really be living our lives. We should really be 1,000% ourselves 24-7, 365. Again, but that's just my personal opinion, and my personal opinions are not that humble and I try not to keep them to myself, much like the Greek chorus, if you will. I'm speaking what's on everybody's minds.
Grandpa Kimothy: 17:32
That makes me happy.
Adam: 17:34
You know it's true. Though it's true, you have to say what's you know, what's on your mind or what's in your heart, because holding on to stuff just doesn't get you anywhere, and bottling it up doesn't get you anywhere. And bottling it up doesn't get you anywhere, and it's not just like for the lighthearted levity, it's also for the stuff that hits a little deeper and that hits a little harder.
Grandpa Kimothy: 17:55
How would you say, it's changed your life, though?
Adam: 17:59
I'd say it's changed my life because it's given me, you know, a real routine that I can live by. Like you know, I used to just wake up and not have any kind of routine, if you will, and now I really have set myself up and I have, you know, a little bit more structure, if you will, which is, you know, I wouldn't say taboo to say, but, you know, there's so much structure and there's so much nonsense when it comes to, like most religions, especially the monotheistic that we're all familiar with, but with spirituality and, you know, with being, you know, more aligned with witchcraft, like, I just feel I'm able to do what I want on my terms and I have some guidelines and some, you know, ground rules but, like, at the end of the day, I set what I want to do for me.
Grandpa Kimothy: 18:49
What would you say is the biggest motivator in your practice?
Adam: 18:53
Honestly, the biggest motivator in my practice would have to be my grandmother. The biggest motivator in my practice would have to be my grandmother, who we lost when she was 96, in 2021. And in this coming year, in May of 2025, she'll be 100. And I've seen her quality of life for as long as I can remember and once I turned 18, it wasn't the greatest and it wasn't the worst, but you know I wanted better for her. So I'd say my biggest motivator is not only my grandma and, like you, know how she was treated and her way of living but, more importantly, like the way she lived. Her life is like I shouldn't have to answer to anybody for anything. I should be able to do what I want to do when I want to do it, and if I need help, I know I can ask for it and I shouldn't be so stubborn and so difficult and I should be able to just speak what's on my mind. And so you know, ask anybody that knows me. They know I would do anything for my grandmother and, even though she's not with me physically in this plane, I know she's always with me one way or another and I know she's got my back and I'll always have hers.
Grandpa Kimothy: 20:10
So what do you think is your biggest struggle when it comes to witchcraft?
Adam: 20:14
I'd say my biggest struggle, you know, is the sad truth that my parents and my family don't understand or accept it. I wouldn't even say they tolerate it. And so with that, it's not hard to practice, but it's just difficult and uncomfortable sometimes to practice with them in the vicinity, so to speak. And if I had it my way, I wouldn't only be, like you know, living on my own, on my own terms, but I would be, you know, practicing with people similarly, if not, you know just, you know less tension and less aggravation when it comes to, like, the little things or the, even the big things that aren't really that big to some. But you know, it's a struggle when you want to practice what you preach to others and then you can't even practice, you know, in your own home.
Grandpa Kimothy: 21:13
It's good when you can.
Adam: 21:15
Yeah, oh, it's great when you can, and it's just one of those things where, like you know, nothing should really be holding you back. So that's why I do what I can when I can, but if I had it my way, I would do it all all of the time.
Grandpa Kimothy: 21:29
Would you say you have imposter syndrome? And if you do, how do you beat it?
Adam: 21:35
I wouldn't say I have imposter syndrome. I'm not one of the few, but I think I'm one of some that are like I don't have this imposter syndrome like some people do, and I wish I had tips on how to beat it, but because I don't have it, I don't know how to beat it, I guess.
Grandpa Kimothy: 21:57
Okay, I don't know what to do with that. Yes, you do yes, you do, you're doing how do you not feel like, okay, so you don't worry about whether or not you'll be quote unquote found out, because you don't have anything to find out, because here the fuck I am and everything's cool, and I know what I'm doing. And think about yourself.
Adam: 22:19
Exactly, I'm pretty much, you know I'm 28.
Grandpa Kimothy: 22:22
And that's never fake. You're never faking that, it's always.
Adam: 22:25
It's always like that. I'm always me 100% of the time, Not even 100% 1 million percent of the time Like-
Grandpa Kimothy: 22:32
Yeah, all the percentages, all the numbers, all the fractions, everything Quantum, exponentially.
Adam: 22:40
But yeah, like you know, again, I'm 28 years old and in my 28 years of living I've been through some stuff that I don't wish on anybody and I've been through other stuff that I would invite everybody to.
Adam: 22:53
And you know, I've lived long enough to know that you need to live your life to the fullest, because whenever we pass on and we have our tombstones, you know you have the date of birth, when you're born, and your date of decease, when you deceased, died and that hyphen in the middle. Nobody knows the dates and time and pinpoints, but that's your timeline, that's your lifeline, that's all the things that have happened. It's not just birthdays and graduations and weddings and all this other stuff, it's everything that happens in between and everything that leads you up to those points, in those moments in life. And I choose to live as much as possible because I don't know anyone personally, but I know there are some people that haven't lived to 28, that haven't lived to 21, that haven't lived to, you know, 15 or 10 years old even, and so I don't just live for me, I live for them.
Grandpa Kimothy: 23:49
Holy shit, that's so good. That might make me cry, I almost, and I don't want to make anybody cry while they're listening but it's the truth.
Adam: 23:56
You know, we only have one life to live.
Grandpa Kimothy: 23:59
Stupid hyphen. Oh, that's going to. That's terrible. That hyphen is your entire life.
Adam: 24:05
And it's one of those things where, if you think about it, nobody knows if they haven't met you, but for the ones that have had the pleasure, the honor and the joy of knowing and meeting you, they're not just a part of your hyphen, you're a part of theirs, and we're all interconnected and all woven into this grand, you know, fabric of life and each of us is a thread, if you will. But we have to live our life because one day we're not going to be here and if we are going to be here, we're not going to be here in this similar dimension, on this consciousness. You know, like right now, physically, I'm sitting here in New York State, but you know, one day we're not going to be sitting here, we're going to be elsewhere, floating around by Casper or who have you. You know, in my mind I think I'm Madame Leona, the lady in the crystal ball at Disney, but I'm probably Casper, the Friendly Ghost.
Grandpa Kimothy: 25:09
Well, that's a fun question, that's a fun… Maybe I'll ask that in the bonus from now on.
Adam: 25:15
Yeah, who are you? Are you Casper the Friendly Ghost, or are you Madame Leona? What ghost are, what famous ghost are you? Exactly? And there's so many, there's so many.
Grandpa Kimothy: 25:26
Okay, what is something you wish more people would ask you about?
Adam: 25:30
I honestly wish more people asked me about when I'm available, not just what is it I do. When are you available to do it? Because people ask me all the time oh, what do you do? And I give them my card, and then I tell them like you know, reach out to me, let's connect, and everything.
Grandpa Kimothy: 25:48
And then either I tell you their problems, right then.
Adam: 25:52
I mean, that's different. You know, I'd rather people book me so we could talk and I could be the intuitive oracle that I know I am. But I would rather people be like when are you available? I want to book you, I want to do something, and I've had people ask me and it's going well. But I wish everybody asked me, whether I know them or not, whether they're a friend of a friend, whether they're somebody I just bumped into because of work or whatever you know. I really genuinely wish people would book, not just me, but just would book right away and not have any hesitation or doubt, like there's no reason why we shouldn't give to ourselves the way we give to others, because so often people are, you know, running out and buying gifts for everybody and I'm not just saying that because it's the holiday season, but you know, so often people are getting stuff for everybody but they give very little to themselves. And you can't pour into other cups if yours is empty. You have to have a full cup. You have to give to yourself, if not as much as you give to others, maybe twice or three times as much that you give to others. Because I'm able to give to myself the way I do, I'm able to give to others and still have leftover for myself and, at the end of the day, still have something and then replenish. I make myself a priority because that's one of my mantras that I live by. I am my first priority. It wasn't always, but now that it is, it is and it shall be and it will always be my mantra that I live by. I am my first priority, and I don't just wish, but I am putting it out there, as I always do, that I grant that affirmation, mantra, whatever you want to call it for everybody I am my first priority. There are so many things we need to include in our daily lives, and it's more than just taking out the trash, washing the dishes, brushing our teeth. Out the trash, washing the dishes, brushing our teeth. It's also taking care of everything else on every other level, not just the physical, not just the emotional, the mental, the spiritual, the psychological, universal, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. So, yeah, I feel like I have wrapped up that thought, while going off on a tangent, if you will.
Grandpa Kimothy: 28:15
I 100% agree and it's actually caused some strife with my sister, who does not feel that way. So but I agree you know it's funny. You have to put yourself first just like on the freaking airplane situation yes, absolutely.
Adam: 28:37
You have to put your mask on before you put anybody else's yeah, before you contend to your child, because how are you going to be able to help if you can't help yourself?
Grandpa Kimothy: 28:47
Exactly, if you're unconscious because you didn't put that mask on, your child's definitely not going to get it on, so do yours first, yeah.
Adam: 28:54
You don't want to be out of luck, but it is a situation where you are shit out of luck if you don't put yourself first. And when you say that your sister doesn't think or feel the same way as you, I totally get it, because my sister is similarly, if not in that dynamic or whatever, but she and I are truly like night and day, where she is one and I am the opposite, and we couldn't be more polar opposite apart, I feel. But it is what it is. But it brings up a thought for me or not even a thought, but it's a conversation I've talked about with other people where you're not able to help and save everybody and you're not going to be able to bring everybody with you on the journey. That is life in general and that is your life, and I know some people have said it before. Some people are in your life for a season, a reason and a lifetime, and some people are just there for a brief moment. Truthfully and honestly, not everybody is there for the long haul and I know who my friends are that are my family, that are in this for the long haul, and I know who my friends are that are my family, that are long, that are in this for the long haul that I have forever and at the end of the day, I know some that are not going to be with me for the long haul. So sometimes it is just a matter of you know what I have to do, what I have to do and I have to live my life for me, and if that means not including certain people, then that means not including certain people. I am content with being the villain in others' story, but if people were to ask me why I'm the villain in their story, then they'll understand why I'm the main character in mine. That's a good one, you know, because it's true, like everyone's, like, oh, so-and-so did me this and so-and-so did that, and it's like, but why? Why did that happen? What led to that point? You're giving me only X, y, z, and I want A, b, C, d, e, f, g, h, I, j, k, l, m, n, o, p, because you need all of the facts, you need every side of the story. A diamond has facets, or a cut stone, I should say, has many facets, and if you only pinpoint a few, you're not cherry picking. And what's the point in cherry picking when you have a whole orchard?
Grandpa Kimothy: 31:13
What would you say is your favorite tool? It does not have to be a physical thing. It can be like a smell or a song or a theory.
Adam: 31:19
Okay, so I'm so glad you asked me this question because I have two tools technically three, because everything's in 369. But I have three tools in mind and my first tool that I love, that I enjoy, is a wand made by my friend, trinity. So again, trinity is a unique psychic healer, reader and a spiritual guidance counselor. She's just tapped in and she gets downloads and she's with it one way or another and whether you're with it or not, she's on her own thing, she's doing what she's doing. She's a Sagittarius I don't know if that has anything to do with it, but she made me a wand and it's the first one she ever made anybody. And now, because she made me a wand, she's now making others and they're very unique and they're not your typical wand. There are some that are more ceremonial, that are just decorative, and some that are more practical to use in your daily practice, and I'd say mine is like an equal balance of both, like it's ceremonial and I can use it with ease. The next tool that I love is an athame from my friend who owns Modern Druid. Again, the owner of Modern Druid is Morgana and she's a gem and a joy, but when she was moving houses she had this athame that looked like it was carved in another dimension, but it's this most like, it's just the most beautiful thing I've ever seen and it's just amazing and incredible and I love it to pieces. So again, I have two athames. One is, you know, a selenite athame and I love it. But this athame like takes the cake. It's like you know, blue ribbon winner, you know, first prize at the county state fair and it's just this amazing thing. And it's also great because it has, like this carrying case, whatever. So there's these little loops on the side. If I wanted to like walk around Ren Faire one day and have, just like you know, a dull athame as decoration, I could if I wanted. And then the third tool that I love, I'd say, are my Oracle decks. Like I don't really have one in particular that I love, but I love all of them. You know, it's like asking like who's your favorite child. It's like you don't say it, but you know you have one. For me those are my absolutely favorite tools, cause I feel like everyone says my crystals, my incense. You know, I feel like not enough people really talk about the stuff that they actually hold tangibly either. And you know, with those three tools, those are the ones I definitely, definitely, you know, feel because I'm holding them but I'm also using them as well.
Grandpa Kimothy: 34:12
So I am not a big fan of generalizations, but one I feel pretty comfortable saying is that we all have highs and lows. How do you pull yourself out of a low period magically?
Adam: 34:26
I'm in a low period and I'm doing everything I can when I magically pull myself out of a low period. It's basic self-care. But I take any kind of ritual bath I can, even if it's just what's it called body wash in the bathtub instead of soap, and I just lay there and I just meditate and I don't do anything super fancy unless I feel like it, because not everything has to be elaborate and ornate. And this production, if you will, it's not like a movie, but sometimes you have to do just the basics to get out of where you're at and get back to where you need to be, to where you need to be. So I always say a ritual bath. And if I can't do a ritual bath, I try and do some kind of ritual shower. If I don't drink water, I drink some kind of tea, of whatever suits my mood. And I'd say the biggest thing because, even though I'm an earth sign, I'm a Virgo sun I always feel the most important elements, for me at least, are air and water, air being the element of thinking, of inspiration, of ideas, and water being about emotions and intuition. I feel very much that I need those and also, being a Libra rising, you know, I feel more attuned with the air, which is why I'm so into, like, layering and being comfy cozy, because, like, yes, I am flying on my broomstick and I am going to be in the air and I need to be clothed and layered. But also, you know water, because you know earth is grounding but water is soothing. And so, if I can do anything that involves water or air because I can't always, you know, smoke, cleanse or incense but when I can, I can or I do. But yeah, I'd say those are the practices that I use when it comes to being in a low place and trying to get out of there, Because, yes, like a bridge over troubled waters it happens, but at some point there's no more troubled waters and it's just back to what it was. So there are some days where I'm a bridge over troubled waters and there are other days where I'm just cruise control. I'm just easy peasy, I'm just gliding by, and not everybody can be at cruise control, but if you can at least get yourself back to where you were, where you need to be, that's what matters. You don't always have to be at rock bottom. We hit rock bottom and it's not a permanent situation, it's temporary. It might feel like the end of the world. It might feel like you can't or you don't want to or you shouldn't, but you do. And if you don't do it for you, you do it for whatever other reason to get out of these low points, because you know everything's about highs and lows and middle grounds and peaks and valleys and slopes and chutes and ladders. But At the end of the day, you got to put yourself first. And I said it before, I'll say it again I am my first priority and I truly believe in that mantra more than any other mantra, more than any other podcaster, influencer, motivational speaker. That is the one that has stuck with me and works so speaking of other podcasters.
Grandpa Kimothy: 37:03
What do you wish was discussed more in the witch community?
Adam: 37:19
Honestly, what I feel is just me speaking. What I feel should be talked about more within the community, I think, is how we have generalized and we still gatekeep, and there should be no reason. We gatekeep practices like you can only do this, this. No, there's no one way or right or wrong way. It's per person, per practice. It's going to be different and some things may not mesh well with other people, and gatekeeping is the reason we're all out of religion, or at least from my case. I'm not going to generalize and speak for everybody, but gatekeeping is not a position I want to hold, not a hat I want to wear, and I would love if we would stop gatekeeping and telling others how we should do our practices and daily rituals and how we should be spiritual, because there's no right or wrong way. Somebody might like incense and somebody might like smokeless smudge sprays. Somebody might like having an altar cloth and somebody might not like having an altar cloth. Somebody might do cards, somebody might not read cards, somebody might do other forms of divination. Because there's so many. There's pendulum, there's bones, there's tea leaves, there's scrying. There's a variety. There's so many that I haven't even listed because the list goes on about the types of witches, that there are, the types of practices, the types of spiritualities, the types of deities and just everything. You know. So many things have so many meanings, like I can't even think about it off the top of my head, but like one symbol or one animal or one color or one flower can mean something to somebody. And then you go elsewhere, you hop the pond or go across the globe and it means something else. Like take the number 13, for instance. For us it's a very lucky number, it's a very, you know, sacred number and to others it's, you know, deemed unlucky, and that's why there's this. Originally, you know, Friday the 13th was such a taboo and it was deemed all of these things. In reality, it's actually a wonderful day for so many things, and Fridays as well. You know, Fridays are great. I mean, every day of the week is great, if you ask me, but Fridays and Friday the 13th are a great, great day for what it is that they're good for. So to say that you know you have to do it this way or you're doing it wrong just is so mind-boggling and it's just so befuddling and I'm just like why are we still like this? It makes no sense to do that, how we're gatekeeping and then ways to now, you know, circumvent that if you will, like walk, not walk away, but like rework that and stop gatekeeping. Because there are reasons why some people aren't in a coven because their coven or their high priest or high priestess is gatekeeping in a way, and then they feel they have to detach themselves. And others are just like. I would rather just not have rules and regulations when it comes to my spirituality because, at the end of the day, like you do what works best for you and you, as long as what you're doing isn't hurting anybody in the process, more power to you.
Grandpa Kimothy: 41:47
I just had a visceral reaction when you said rules. I hate being told what to do. I left the Army because don't tell me what to do.
Adam: 41:59
See like I think it matters in one place, and one place only, and as long as two consenting adults agree to that, then you know, go right ahead, but otherwise do not tell me what to do. You are not my mother, my father, my grandparent, my boss, my whatever.
Grandpa Kimothy: 42:12
Even if you are, you still don't get to tell me what to do
Adam: 42:17
And even if you are exactly, you still are like, listen, you could say your P's and Q's and dot your I's and cross your T's, but I'm an adult and I do what's best for me and I'm not trying to step on anybody's toes or push buttons or blah, blah, blah, but I'm also not walking on eggshells or broken glass.
Grandpa Kimothy: 42:43
Much more comfortable to not walk on crap.
Adam: 42:45
I'm going to walk on lavender fields and have bunnies and birds around me. I know for some that's, like you know, nightmarish and they would rather be elsewhere, but for me I want lavender fields in England, not in the South of France. I'm going to reserve my opinion of the French for another podcast, but I would much rather be with English lavender and bunnies and birds and all the animals. So basically what I'm trying to say is I am a Disney princess.
Grandpa Kimothy: 43:17
I was thinking Snow White when you said it.
Adam: 43:22
I mean it's the first Disney movie of the first Disney princess. I'll take Snow White, I'll take Cinderella, I'll take Aurora, I'll take any Disney princess, just like I'll take any Disney prince to be my Disney prince.
Grandpa Kimothy: 43:39
Think about the three biggest influences on your practice. It doesn't have to be a person. It can be a book you read. Once it could be a philosophy. What are the three biggest influences and how do they influence your practice?
Adam: 43:58
I'd say the three biggest influences on my practice today are, you know again, my Sabbath squad, my community, my people that I can lend an ear to and lean on when I need to, because not only do I have the elements at my side and spirit, my soul, committee and my deities that I worship and practice and leave offerings for, but I also have, you know, the people that are with me, the ones that I can hold my hand and stand in a circle after we've cast Circle and called the Four Corners and I can just feel like I'm doing the right thing and I'm doing it with the right people. So that's definitely one influence. Another influence I'd say would have to be, I guess, not necessarily like social media, but I guess like pop culture and like, you know, the portrayals that we have accepted and welcomed as witches over time. Like I definitely, definitely am a Samantha from Bewitched. I'm also a Samantha from Sex in the City, but that's again another podcast another day. But I'm definitely more Samantha from Sex and the City, but that's again another podcast another day. But I'm definitely more like an Andorra, like I'm definitely like her mother, I'm definitely all about. Like this is what we are, this is what we must do kind of thing, and like there's that episode of when Andorra turns Darren into a werewolf. So this has to be like season one or two. And you know, at the end of the episode or towards the end of the episode, you know Samantha's like how can you do this, how can you be the witch that they think we are? And now you're doing it to the one person who is willing to believe that we were otherwise not like this, who is willing to step outside of his way of thinking and the way witches were perceived and, in the eyes of some, still are, for whatever reason. But you know, samantha was just like listen, you can't hurt our allies when they're standing up to us for us in rooms where we can't where we can't. So I definitely you know people like her and definitely anyone from Sabrina whether it's Sabrina the Teenage Witch or the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina definitely Charmed for sure Elvira, like there are so many pop culture icons and just people that we look up to and I truly, truly respect and admire and love that have influenced my practice to just truly be my authentic self, because if you look at any of the series that I've mentioned or any other series. They were witches 365. It wasn't just they clocked in on Halloween and then at 1159 and 59 seconds they clocked out. They were witches 365 every day of the year, every night of the week, every day of every month, et cetera, et cetera. So I definitely take that as an influence. And I'd say my third influence on my practice is and I'm not trying to be selfish or cocky, but I would have to say I am my biggest influence, just like I am my biggest motivator. I really have influenced myself to be better and do better for again, myself and others, and I wouldn't wish the bad things that have happened to me onto anybody, but I wish for moments where I can be with everybody and anybody, all of the time and sometimes and every day of everything, like if it was up to me, I would have a commune, not a cult, but I would have a commune and it would be open to whomever, and whoever wants to stay and live there is more than welcome, and if you want to just stay and visit, we'll have a bed and breakfast. I'll bake breakfast in the morning, making myself sound like a regular Susie homemaker.
Grandpa Kimothy: 48:04
Now, yeah, but that was what you got your degree in, and let me tell you, I have also had a dream of doing a bed and breakfast.
Adam: 48:12
I mean, what's wrong with a witchy bed and breakfast? I would love that. I think it's possible. We'll find the right place. Let's network this, because maybe we just take a street of old Victorian homes and just build from the ground up, oh hello. Like each house is a different theme. Sure, like each house is a different theme. Sure, every house is a different theme. But I was thinking like each house is like an office, like I have mine and you have yours, and we all just have like land behind them, and like a separate entrance for like temporaries and then a separate entrance for the permanence and we'll have all the things and do all the fun stuff.
Grandpa Kimothy: 48:57
Okay, everything is possible.
Adam: 48:59
Even the impossible is possible because impossible spells out. I'm possible.
Grandpa Kimothy: 49:06
I will tell you, though, that I am not going to a place that has it's 20 degrees.
Adam: 49:11
No, I'm not recommending New York state, unless you know it's like a business venture. But I don't even necessarily recommend here, I'm not going to jump and run to like California or Florida either, but that's just…
Grandpa Kimothy: 49:25
20 is too few, but in a hundred is too many.
Adam: 49:28
Yeah, I'm, I know me comfortably. Put me anywhere between 55 and like 75, 80,. I'm good, I'm grand. That is my ideal temperature If I were to live somewhere at 365,. Again, I love New York. I get all of the four seasons, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. But every time I'm cleaning snow I'm like it's not a tsunami, it's not a monsoon, it's not a hurricane Like it's not these things that cause more damage. But still, you know, we gotta we gotta figure it out or we'll not. We gotta figure out, we will figure it out.
Grandpa Kimothy: 50:09
So what advice do you have for new witches?
Adam: 50:13
I would say my biggest advice that I can give anybody starting in Wicca, into witchcraft, into paganism, into druidry, into whatever the case may be shaman, whatever it is that is calling to you, my biggest thing is A research, research, what it is that is calling to you. And I'm not saying buy every single book that there is, but dabble in what it is that's out there, explore for sure. And I'd say the biggest thing also is to experiment. You have to get your hands dirty, and I'm not saying literally always get your hands dirty, but you have to do the work. And I'm not just saying do the work internally or spiritually, I'm saying do the work to feel out what it is that feels right for you. For you it's kind of similarly to how, when they say what do you want to go to school for? What is it you want to practice? What is it that you want to do? Because I can count on my fingers and toes and then all of my friends' fingers and toes. How many people? Is a Reiki master? That's great. I have nothing against anyone who's a Reiki master, but we have so many people that are Reiki masters and then there are so few that are not something else, and there are so many other practices and healing methods and spiritualities and mythologies that we can cover and work on and work with. So I'd say those are my biggest know my biggest pieces of advice, obviously like do what's best for you. If you want to join a coven, find one that feels right for you. If you want to just practice on your own, do what makes you happy Because at the end of the day, it's your personal practice, it's your own personal beliefs and, unless you know others align with it. Then do what works for you, because it's going to be different for everybody. At the end of the day, we're all similarly working towards. You know something or everything or nothing, but at the end of the day you have to do what works best for you.
Grandpa Kimothy: 52:23
Now that you have seen what it is like to talk to me, what it is like to be on the show, who would you recommend for the show?
Adam: 52:42
Okay, so I'm sure you've had Theresa Mariesa on and she's a gem and a joy. Yes, and I personally feel that now that I've talked about Trinity and Morgana, I truly would love to see them on here talking about what it is that they know, because, Morgana being Irish-Canadian, she was born in Halifax, canada, raised in Ireland by her mother, who I love also and adore, and then came and settled in the States. She's more than just the owner of Modern Druid. There's so much that she can cover and talk about because she's certified in just about anything and everything and she's so knowledgeable and she's also just a wonderful and lovely lady. I joke when I say that Morgana is like my spirit mom, like that is my mother, like you cannot tell me I don't love her and she doesn't love me, to kind of segue, not off of that, but similarly, trinity, who is a, again, a unique psychic reader and spiritual guidance counselor. She has studied sacred geometry, quantum physics, platonic solids, all of the things that some people are able to talk about but not all are familiar with. So she makes it I don't want to say digestible, but she's able to make it understandable for everybody and anybody. And she's an amazing reader and healer. She does readings in symbology and handwriting analysis, which to this day I don't really know anybody that does it like her. Her symbology is quite interesting, quite simple but quite I guess introspective is the word that comes to mind but she has you arrange these four symbols on a piece of paper and she'll instruct you how to arrange them. But essentially four symbols and depending on how you arrange them on the piece of paper, she'll tell you how or not how, but what she sees and the messages there. And again, she's a psychic medium. So that's her way of channeling, if and when her mediumship is tapped in and she has someone coming through and it's really amazing. I've gotten her symbology at least twice. Her handwriting analysis is, again, totally different. It's not graphology. She has you write your name in print and then write it in script, so how you would normally write it for anything and then how you would sign something and depending on how you write your name in print and script and it could be your full name, first name, nicknames, maiden name and divorced, whatever names you want to put down, it's the name you call yourself. That she needs for the messages and whatever she sees. There are all these double-sided pages of information. That's why it's called a handwriting analysis. She's handwriting all of these messages down and it takes her for oof. Sometimes it's a half hour, sometimes an hour and a half just to write everything. But then she goes over with it, with you, and she goes over what she sees and you keep the analysis as reference. Obviously she'll give you her business card as well, but it's anywhere from three to sometimes 12, 14, 17, and they're all double-sided. So there's so much information in your own name. Whether you know it or not, everybody knows, I guess. Well, I wouldn't say everybody, but most people know Adam means red earth. I wouldn't say everybody, but most people know Adam means red earth. Adam is also the first person on the planet, adam's as far as A-T-O-M is what we're made of. But then she dives deeper into everything else that you're a first and last name, middle name, nickname, again, whatever name you want to put down. So definitely you know Morgana Trinity should be on the podcast. I also would love to see Morgana's husband, my spirit father quote unquote Eric on here because he had a podcast and he and Morgana are going to start up another podcast similarly and he is just amazing and incredible from his life experiences. I always joke with him because he has four children and they're all amazing and lovely and delicious and wonderful, but he has a child and each child is a different sun sign. So he has a son who's a Leo, he has a daughter who's a Gemini, a daughter who's a Taurus and another son who's a Pisces, and each of those is a different astrology, but he is one of each. So it's just like you know. There's so many things that I could go on and on about these three people that I love and adore, but I would definitely love to see them all on here one way or another. I would probably be cocky to say, you know, I would love to do another podcast, but it's been a joy to talk with you today, kim. It really has. I've never really enjoyed anything more in my entire life as far as a podcast like this.
Grandpa Kimothy: 57:51
Oh yay, good. Is there anything else you wanted to bring up? Any questions I didn't ask, any questions you had for me? Is anything going on with you that you want to have people show up for?
Adam: 58:02
Funny enough, on the 29th. So this Sunday I'm doing Oracle readings as well as year ahead readings at my friend's studio. It's an art studio, but they also do flash tattoos when I'm there. So it's like a art studio multi-art space that they also have all the licensing so they could do tattoos as well. So it's like a flash tattoo pop-up with different arts and crafts as well as Oracle readings. I did it at the end of last month and it went well and they asked me back and I'm back again. It'll be from 4 pm to 9 pm. Again, you can contact me at Instagram baddestwitch369, to find out when and where, and you could also email me at thunderstormsaugust at gmail.com and email me for the flyer and times and everything. In case you don't have social media because I don't want to assume that everyone that's listening has Facebook, instagram et cetera I'm lucky I have Facebook, instagram and an email address, because if it was up to me, I would be sending out carrier pigeons and smoke signals and just handwritten letters me and my chicken scratch handwriting, but hey, and then I'd say that's all that's happening for me this month. But again, I'm open and available if people want to book me, for I make spell jars, I make altar cloths, I upcycle clothing, so if you wanted something for a ritual or ceremony or just something every day, I make those too. And again, the best way to contact me is my Instagram. Those two, and again, the best way to contact me is my Instagram baddestwitch369, not 963, but you could even put in August, thunderstorms, and that should pop up, and then again my email address being thunderstormsaugust at gmail.com. That's the best email address to contact me as far as anything and everything I've mentioned today.
Grandpa Kimothy: 1:00:17
Awesome, beautiful. So the last two things I have asked of my guests. Thing number one is please recommend something to the listeners. It doesn't have to be witch related at all, it can be whatever. You're into this week. You found some cool restaurant you like, whatever. Recommend something to the listeners you like, whatever.
Adam: 1:00:37
Recommend something to the listeners. Something I would recommend to the listeners is find not just a good podcast that you enjoy. Find something you enjoy doing that disconnects you from screens. We spend so much time on computers and TVs and iPhones and Androids and tablets and what have you, and it's not the worst thing in the world, but when you're on it for more than you need to be, you're doing yourself so much harm because of that blue light. So I recommend anything that doesn't involve typing and whatnot. So, whether it's art of some kind cooking, baking, dancing, exercise, singing, whatever have you my recommendation is to get out there and disconnect from the internet and connect to everything else that we need to connect to and I'm not just saying connect with nature, but we need to connect with nature but also connecting with people on a physical like, literally person, in person. Like I was and I always have been, I'm very cuddly and affectionate. Like I need my people time. I need my time to sit across and next to people and et cetera, et cetera. Like physical connection is one of the ways I know I show and receive love. Connection is one of the ways I know I show and receive love, but we have to be active. We can't sit in front of a screen forever because it's doing us more harm than good. I'd say that's definitely one of the biggest things I recommend. Another thing I recommend is again making yourself a priority and taking time for yourself, because you have to do what it is that's best for you.
Grandpa Kimothy: 1:02:19
Okay, the last thing I ask of guests is to please tell me a story.
Adam: 1:02:24
A story, okay, so funny enough, my spirit mother and spirit father. They were getting married. And they were getting married in Woodstock, new York, which for us is like about an hour or so north from where we are. And when she asked me Adam, would you not only watch the store for four days, would you watch my pet rabbit? There's nobody else I would trust. That's how I knew I'm a part of this family when, even though they wanted me at the wedding and they wanted me to see them, somebody had to watch the store. Somebody had to, you know, hold down the fort. And I'm always happy to be there and hold down the fort and do what it is that I love, which is, you know, holding space for others, know holding space for others. And when she asked me you know, can you watch my pet rabbit and essentially live in my home while you take care of the store, which is essentially an extension of who I am, an extension of myself? I was honored and thrilled and I was just delighted to be in the same room again with Maeve, her bunny, her pet rabbit, the fluffiest rabbit Like, literally, I've never met a fluffier rabbit. She's a Rex rabbit. So they have this extra, extra, extra fluffy fur. And when I saw her last month she like had shed her summer coat and I think her winter coat had come in. Oh, my God, the fluffiest bunny. And me and this bunny are like have to be one in the same kindred spirits, like we must have been in a litter eons ago, because she doesn't like to get picked up but she likes to get pet. And I'm the same. I'm the exact same way. I don't always enjoy getting picked up, but I enjoy getting, you know, stroked and massaged and cuddled and felt up, so to speak. But that's my story. Well, that's more than my story. That's my life story. I should say An hour and 13 minutes of my life story. To think I would have to spend a year talking about myself.
Grandpa Kimothy: 1:04:37
Well, thank you so much for the story and for being on the show.
Adam: 1:04:40
Thank you again for having me.
Grandpa Kimothy: 1:04:42
Thank you for being here.
Adam: 1:04:44
Well, thank you for holding faith. This is how we're going to go. We're going to be like thank you, no, thank you. It's like you hang up. No, you hang up, yeah.
Grandpa Kimothy: 1:05:01
Everybody. Please be sure to go down below and click links and go follow Adam everywhere you can, and I will see you on the internet.
Adam: 1:05:08
Okay, bye, bye for now kisses and hugs.
Grandpa Kimothy: 1:05:10
Adam.
Adam: 1:05:12
Kim.
Grandpa Kimothy: 1:05:13
Welcome to Hive House.
Adam: 1:05:15
I'm so glad to be a part of it.
Grandpa Kimothy: 1:05:18
Okay, I have cards in my hand and I am shuffling them.
Adam: 1:05:26
Oh, is that what that sound is? Okay, I thought it was the leaves rustling, because I assume you're outside. Why, I don't know, maybe you are. Maybe you're in the most quaint, tranquil, outdoor setting over in Tucson, living your best life.
Grandpa Kimothy: 1:05:39
Say when, so I can pull you a card.
Adam: 1:05:40
Oh, now, now, as good as time as ever.
Grandpa Kimothy: 1:05:43
Oh no, oh no. You’re not gonna… [fades out]
Adam: 1:05:47
[fades in] on the tip of of my tongue, but it'll come to me. It will. I know it. I think I don't know her name, but it's the unicorn in one of those Barbie movies and the unicorn talks that's me, because she's all pink, purple and shiny. [fades out]
Grandpa Kimothy: 1:06:10
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