How To Be Magical

Host Nikki Buchanan talks about her new book "The Lil Book of Glamour Baths" and the importance of using glamour magic in our everyday lives. Download a free digital version of the book at Soulthingsbotanica.com.

In this episode of How To Be Magical, host Nikki Buchanan sits down with singer, author, and Hoodoo Jay St. Flono to discuss about their new book "Black American Magic: A Feast of Food & Folklore". Available for purchase at Barnes & Noble. Follow Jay on instagram at @jaysaintflono and on Twitter at @zorascreation For show notes, resources and clips from this episode follow the podcast on Instagram at @howtobemagicalpodcast, on Twitter at @howtobemagical and bookmark the website soulthingsbotanica.com

In this last installment of "The Good Spirits Return" and the second half of host Nikki Buchanan's conversation with Alex and his Yayi Mercedes, Alex continues his tale of discovering which house was best for him, his journey as a medium, and his relationship with his godmother Mercedes. To learn more about navigating your natural gifts from Mercedes follow her on Instagram at @Cubanthingssynergy. To keep up with Alex and his astral adventures follow him on TikTok at @itsalexsiwa. For more show notes, resources and clips from this episode follow the podcast on Instagram at @howtobemagicalpodcast, on Twitter at @howtobemagical and bookmark the website soulthingsbotanica.com

In the final installment of The Soul of Masquerade host Nikki Buchanan speaks with her good friend - native Brooklynite, Orisha devotee, carnival enthusiast, and flight attendant, N'ima Alston. N'ima shares her connection to carnival culture, how it's transformed her personhood, and how she incorporates the culture into her life. To follow N'ima's adventures in the sky and on the ground follow her on Instagram at @nimasco. For more show notes, resources and clips from this episode follow the podcast on Instagram at @howtobemagicalpodcast, on Twitter on @howtobemagical and bookmark the website soulthingsbotanica.com

In the third installment of "The Good Spirits Return" host Nikki Buchanan of Soul Things Botanica speaks with multi-disciplinary practitioners Alex and his Godmother Mercedes about their roots and experiences with different spiritual systems. To learn more about navigating your natural gifts from Mercedes follow her on Instagram at @Cubanthingssynergy. To keep up with Alex and his astral adventures follow him on TikTok @itsalexsiwa. For more show notes, resources and clips from this episode follow the podcast on Instagram at @howtobemagicalpodcast, on Twitter at @howtobemagical and bookmark the website soulthingsbotanica.com

In this first installment host Nikki Buchanan of Soul Things Botanica chops it up with writer, carnivalian, and co-host of Stay In The Sun podcast, Toni Wilson about body positivity and liberation in carnival culture. Follow Toni on Instagram at @fatblackluxury. For more show notes, resources, and clips from this episode follow the podcast on Instagram at @howtobemagicalpodcast, on Twitter at @howtobemagical, and bookmark the website soulthingsbotanica.com.

In this first installment host Nikki Buchanan of Soul Things Botanica sits down with Orisha devotee and Trinidadian Devante about his experience as a masquerader, the importance of carnival culture in the African diaspora and the significance of the steel pan. To keep up with Devante on social media follow him on Instagram at @thehoodobeahman. For more show notes, resources and clips from this episode follow the podcast on Instagram at @howtobemagicalpodcast, on Twitter at @howtobemagical and bookmark the website soulthingsbotanica.com.

In the second installment of "The Good Spirits Return" host Nikki Buchanan of Soul Things Botanica chops it up with Hoodoo and Conjure man Marsan of Coil & Bloom Conjure about his foundation in hoodoo, ancestor veneration, and working roots. To schedule a consultation or to purchase mojos, conditioning oils, and powders from Marsan bookmark his site coilandbloomconjure.com and use the coupon code HOWTOBEMAGICAL for a special discount. Be sure to follow him on Instagram at @coilandbloomconjure. For more show notes, resources, and clips from this episode follow the podcast on Instagram at @howtobemagicalpodcast, on Twitter at @howtobemagical, and bookmark the website soulthingsbotanica.com

Welcome to the 3rd season of The How To Be Magical podcast. In this first installment host Nikki Buchanan of Soul Things Botanica has a cross Atlantic chat with spiritualist Sharifa of Ageno's Luxury Decks about her journey with spirit, reclaiming her personal power through the White Table and her path as it unfolds in the Akom tradition. To schedule a reading or to purchase decks, baths, curios and more from Sharifa bookmark her site agenos.bigcartel.com and follow her on Instagram at @agenosluxurydecks. For more show notes, resources and clips from this episode follow the podcast on Instagram at @howtobemagicalpodcast, on Twitter at @howtobemagical and bookmark the website soulthingsbotanica.com

Last week I sat with Brooklyn emcee and magical being Savage the Poet as we discussed his new project Keep Your Head in the Clouds. Listen to the Ep on Spotify and watch the video for ‘Plane’ on YouTube. It’s so dope and oh so dreamy! Here’s part 2 and the conclusion of our conversation, ‘Mysticism & Music’. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/howtobemagical/support

It's National Poetry Month! This week's episode features the incredibly eloquent Savage The Poet. Listen in as we talk about the magic of music and about his journey as an independent artist. Check out his new EP 'Keep Your Head in the Clouds' and be sure to pop back in next week for the conclusion of this conversation. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/howtobemagical/support

A continuation from last seasons episode on dating. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/howtobemagical/support

Happy Black History Month! Everyone’s spiritual practice is different and there are as many Madamas as there are women. This episode of the How To Be Magical Podcast is an in-depth discussion about who the Madamas are and the ways that we honor that commission of spirits. This week's special guest is vocalist, historian, and ethnomusicologist TreZure Empire. Follow TreZure! Website Instagram Twitter Check out the Soul Searching blog for links, resources, and more information about what was shared in this episode. Follow The How To Be Magical Podcast! Instagram Facebook --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/howtobemagical/support

2021's first episode is all about history and how we can learn from the mistakes and triumphs of the past.  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/howtobemagical/support

Let’s get really personal. Here’s my story and here’s why we, as a community, need to stand up for what is right. Your character is everything. Iwa pele cannot be purchased! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/howtobemagical/support

In this episode of the HTBM podcast Nikki discusses a few simple techniques to employ when doing protective work. As always check out the Soul Searching blog for links, resources and more information about what was shared. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/howtobemagical/support

In this week's episode, Nikki sits down with espirtista and Olorisha, John Michael Corales to go deeper into the origins and practices of espiritismo. From Espiritismo Cruzado to Espiritismo Criollo to family patron saints, listen in as JM goes in about The Good Spirits. Follow John Michael on Instagram at @elbrujocoral. As always be sure to check the blog for show notes, resources, and links to learn more about this episode. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/howtobemagical/support

In this week's episode, Nikki sits down with espirtista and Olorisha, John Michael Corales to go deeper into the origins and practices of espiritismo. From Espiritismo Cruzado to Espiritismo Criollo to family patron saints, listen in as JM goes in about The Good Spirits. Follow John Michael on Instagram at @elbrujocoral. As always be sure to check the blog for show notes, resources, and links to learn more about this episode. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/howtobemagical/support

In this week's episode of HTBM Nikki has a talk with writer Keka Araujo of Negra with Tumbao about Keka's journey as an Olorisha and priestess of Two Waters (Oshun and Yemaya). Follow Keka on social at @negra_with_tumbao on Instagram and Negra with Tumbao on Facebook. As always be sure to check the blog for show notes, resources, and links to learn more about this episode at https://blog.soulthingsbotanica.com/archives/869 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/howtobemagical/support

In this weeks episode of HTBM we are talking about Espiritismo! Listen in as Nikki is joined by Caribbean historian and culturalist Elliott Ray Lassi as they share their journeys in discovering their roots, ancestry, and personal histories through the vehicles of mediumship, prayer and ancestor elevation. Follow Elliott on Instagram at @elliott.r.lassi to learn more about his work as a writer, genealogist and musician. As always be sure to check the blog to get more information on this episode in the show notes https://blog.soulthingsbotanica.com/archives/859 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/howtobemagical/support

In this episode of the How To Be Magical podcast I am joined by the lovely Sade Oyaniiyun Adona aka @qweenkobra as we discuss dreams, egbe, and astral travel from an African diasporic perspective. Follow Sade on Instagram @qweenkobra and check the Soul Searching blog for more show notes and resources on this episode! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/howtobemagical/support

Full Moon in Aries and my birthday month? This episode is all about ME! Some personal revelations and a little social spiritual experiment that I hope I passed. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/howtobemagical/support

There was no West Indian Day parade in Brooklyn this year. In this episode of the How To Be Magical podcast I'm back with cousin Devante aka Di Chow Man. Listen in as we discuss the magic of carnival, how it became the essential diasporic tradition that we honor today and how we can continue to use it as a vehicle of protest and liberation. Follow Devante on Instagram @dichowman and @babacornhusk Check the Soul Searching blog for more show notes and resources on this episode! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/howtobemagical/support

In this episode of the How To Be Magical podcast I talk with ethnomusicologist and vocalist TreZure Empire about the cross-cultural connection between Black Americans and Caribbean Latinx folks. There's so much to discuss but here's the raw convo between us two. Connect with TreZure on social to learn more about diaspora sounds and it's continued influence on our experience as children of the diaspora. Follow TreZure on Instagram at @trezureempire, @diasporaplay and @becomingthebotanica.

Welcome to the second season of the How To Be Magical podcast! The first episode is a super enlightening convo with Devante aka Di Chow Man about the origins and practices of Trinidadian Spiritual Baptist tradition. Be sure to connect with Devante on social as he is truly a wealth of information on Caribbean folk tradition and history. Follow Devante on Instagram @dichowman and @babacornhusk Check the Soul Searching blog for more show notes and resources on this episode!

Octavia E Butler, visionary and Oracle, tried to warn us but we ain’t wanna listen! In this episode of the HTBM podcast I discuss a few things Muva imparted on us in her 1993 dystopian novel ‘Parable of the Sower’.

What are the things that are absolutely essential in a time of uncertainty? How can we fortify ourselves, our ancestors and our tribe using the things we have at our disposal?

Community wellness and ancestral guidance at the height of global Coronavirus Pandemonium. What would your great grandma do?

On spiritual conservatism and blind consumerism. Why you can’t buy your way into your spiritual gifts when time, discipline and devotion are free!

How do you navigate romance while on your spiritual journey? A quick talk about how working with your spirit guides can be a challenging yet rewarding process for your dating life.

What is your ancestors love language? Why do we pray? Why do we give offerings?

What is malochia? What is bad mind? How do we participate in bad mind culture and what can we do when we get hit with the evil eye?

What are some basic items to keep in your magical stash? What are some ways that you are documenting and tracking your spiritual journey? In this episode I’m sharing a few tips on how I stay focused and engaged on my path.

Your altars are a place to come together with your ancestors, honor your highest self and to do your spiritual work. What are some of the ways you can build and experience intimacy with your altar workings? Listen to find out more.

Have you ever gotten a reading? Are you curious about what to expect after you book one? Listen in to hear some tips on what to look for when scheduling a reading and how to get the most out of this sacred divination practice.

When starting your spiritual journey how can you stay aligned and committed when you aren’t fully sure of what you’re doing yet? Listen in to learn some ways you can strengthen yourself while challenging yourself to grow on your path.

Happy new year! Welcome to How To Be Magical, The Podcast: one black woman’s journey to being who she is supposed to be in the eyes of her ancestors. Created by Nikki Buchanan of Soul Things Botanica, HTBM touches on myriad of topics such as how to connect with your ancestral energies, how to keep your head on straight when the world is testing you and how to exact yourself in a society that wants you to play small. Listen in every week for discussions about all things soulful from the perspective of a black native Brooklynite.