Co Witchcraft Offerings with Michael J. Morris | Resources

Grounding Practice for the Revolution

Michael J. Morris · Grounding Practice For Revolution

For those who are returning from or going out into protest work or care work or whatever forms your activism is taking:

There are so many ways that we can and must contribute to collective movement and struggles for freedom and justice. I am continuing to find ways that I can show up for and with this moment in our world, as well as the long and ongoing work of liberation in the days ahead. One thing I can offer is magic and ritual for supporting revolutionary change. This is a 17-minute grounding ritual offered as magical support for the revolution, for the ongoing struggle of anti-racism, for the dismantling of white supremacy, and for the insistence that Black Lives Matter. It is a ritual for cultivating connection and grounding in the midst of struggle. This is a version of a practice that has been part of my own witchcraft for many years, that I first learned in Wiccan traditions, including both Reclaiming and the Ara Tradition. I’ve recorded it so that folks can access it whenever they need it, as many times as they need it.

This offering is free to everyone. I hope that it can support and sustain you.
Fannie Lou Hamer said that “Nobody’s free until everybody’s free,” and Angela Davis teaches us that “Freedom is a constant struggle.”
May this magic support you in continuing to struggle until every body is free.

Text by Michael J. Morris
Cello by Sam Johnson

Podcasts

I have had the delight to be in conversation with several really brilliant friends and colleagues on multiple podcasts, on which I discuss astrology, witchcraft, healing, feminist and queer theory, personal and collective liberation, the erotic, ecosexuality, the people who have inspired and guided my work, and more.

The Cosmic Eye Monthly Forecast: Pisces Season

I was very excited to be invited as a guest co-host with Vanessa Montgomery for The Cosmic Eye Monthly Forecast on the Astrology University Podcast. We chat about all things Pisces, classic Pisces folks Kate Bornstein, Amanda Gorman, and Simone Biles, PLUS the new and full Moon, the Venus/Mars marathon conjunction, Venus enclosed by Mars and Saturn, Jupiter in Pisces, and this month’s cosmic movements so you can plan your month ahead in alignment with the energies unfolding.

We also talk about TGIJP—the Transgender, Gender-Variant & Intersex Justice Project—as this month’s featured nonprofit. TGIJP is an advocacy and support organization for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated transgender, gender-variant, and intersex people. Learn more and donate to their work today at http://www.tgijp.org/about-us.html

You can listen to the podcast here or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Erotic Ecologies + Embodiment: Maps for Making + Revelation
A Threshold Event hosted by home—body

I was delighted to be part of this public conversation “Erotic Ecologies + Embodiments” at 1:30pm eastern on February 13, 2022. This event was hosted by Mary Grace Allerdice with guests Alkistis Dimech, Anicka Austin, and myself.
We explore connections between the erotic and creative embodiment, the erotic as a way of seeing and knowing the world(s) of which we are a part, the power of the erotic, and more.

The Strology Show: Earth Signs

Hosted by Kirah Tabourn

I’m so excited to share this episode of The Strology Show hosted by Kirah Tabourn with guests Mo Olufemi, Jason Kei, and me discussing the earth signs—Capricorn, Taurus, and Virgo—in astrology!
This was such a rich and satisfying conversation, and it was an honor to be talking with such brilliant and thoughtful colleagues. Whether you have significant placements in one of these signs—like your Ascendant, ruler of your Ascendant, Sun, or Moon—or you are a student or practitioner of astrology interested in hearing some old and new perspectives of these signs, I hope you give it a listen.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRlxjs6Hve4

The Sun & the Ascendant with Michael J. Morris

Hosted by Kelly Surtees of Kelly's Astrology

"Kelly and Michael discuss their mutual love of sharing Astrology with others in multiple ways. They give us glimpses into their own stories but also dig into the differences between the story the Sun tells in a birth chart and the ones told by the Ascendant and the ascendant’s ruling planet. They explore the spirituality and philosophy of the Sun, the ascendant, and the visible planets. They discuss the beauty of and the connections between ancient and modern astrological perspectives. They reflect on the question: 'How central a position does the Sun take in your chart?' Join them in this engaging exploration of astrology as a support system to understand our full selves, our potential, and our world."

Livable Futures Season 1, Episode 4: Interview w/ Michael J. Morris

Hosted by Norah Zuniga Shaw

This episode was recorded on August 30, 2019, and recently made its way into the world. We start with a grounding practice then move into discussions of the practices that sustain us, qualities of deep time, Black feminism, astrology, tactics for creating change, co-creating communities of practice, making dance that is also ritual and magic, collaborations with Kelly Klein and Keith Hennessy, staying with the trouble, coming into right-relationship with the earth, and more. Even though we recorded this many months before the onset of the global pandemic, it still feels very timely now.

Note: In the flurry of references I made during this episode, I misattributed this definition of magic: "Magic is the art of changing consciousness at will." This definition was originally offered by Dion Fortune and popularized by Starhawk. In the episode, I attributed it to Doreen Valiente, another important practitioner of magic and writer about witchcraft but not the source of this definition.

The Strology Show
Season 2 Episode 9: Asteroids

On this epsiode, Kirah Tabourn and I discuss the asteroids in astrology, including the asteroid goddesses—Ceres, Pallas, Juno, and Vesta—as well as the use of minor asteroids from philosophical, mythological, technical, and practical perspectives. Working with the asteroids has become one of my favorite parts of my astrological practice. While my training and consultation work with clients is built primarily on a foundation of Hellenistic astrology, the asteroids have been present in my practice almost since the beginning. They offer incredible nuance, specificity, detail, and story to a chart, and I find that they are often some of the most meaningful parts of the astrology I create with clients.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmmTf6a4YLU

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7JrqYDGDk34vSAkcLP593G?si=fR7O1Sp3SdaefHpnqSTf0A

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/asteroids-with-michael-j-morris/id1527840344?i=1000518639874

The Astrology Podcast Episode 279

Hosted by Chris Brennan

"In episode 279 astrologer Michael J. Morris joins the show to talk about using astrology within the context of the lives of transgender people.
We spend the first part of the episode talking about some basic things that astrologers should know in terms of cultural competence in order to work well in consultations with transgender clients
In the second half of the episode we get into more of a technical discussion about how different placements in the birth chart can manifest in the lives of transgender people, eventually going through each of the twelve houses and talking about different possible manifestations.
We also tried to ground the discussion by using several example charts of notable transgender public figures."

Energetic Principles Episode #95: Astrology & Feminist Praxis

Hosted by Melissa LaFara

"Welcome to this week’s EP podcast on “Astrology & Feminist Praxis” - where Columbus, Ohio astrologer, tarot reader, and witch Michael J. Morris joins me to discuss the multitude of layers that live behind the term feminism and how this concept can be interconnected within the astrological practice. Michael unpacks the definition behind feminism, stemming from their educational background based on Black feminist perspectives, and highlighting the need to have an intersectional approach and awareness of this topic. We dive into ways to cultivate connection through thinking things together that appear to be separate, making this a rich talk for practicing astrologers and dabblers alike. One of my favorite talks so far, I do hope you enjoy!"

Energetic Principles · EP Podcast #95 w/ special guest Michael J. Morris - Astrology & Feminist Praxis

homebody podcast: Episode 40 x Michael J. Morris

Hosted by Mary Grace Allerdice

In this episode, Michael J Morris returns to the podcast, and we talk eclipses (what are they, what do they mean, are they a good time for magic) and standing with #blacklivesmatter

We discuss:

Standing in solidarity with the black freedom movement
Suggested resources for taking action and furthering education
What are eclipses and what is their context within astrology
Why eclipses are not a great time for magic or manifestation
What are the north and south node?
Different perspectives on interpreting the nodes in a birth chart
Reasons why or why not an eclipse would feel significantly an eclipse could or could not be felt within a natal chart or experience
Difference between solar + lunar eclipses
Examples of how we have experience eclipses within our own charts
How astrology helps us create meaning, understanding and awareness around situations in our lives
The upcoming summer eclipses on June 5 in Sagittarius, June 21 in Cancer + July 5 in Capricorn
What kinds of activities could be useful during eclipse seasons

The Magic of the Spheres Podcast: Episode 58
Ecosexuality, Connection & Liberation

Hosted by Sabrina Monarch

"This episode is a deeper invitation into sensing and perceiving the interconnectedness of all things - from the connection between celestial and earthly events, from ecology and sexuality, between our lives and the evolution of the cosmos. I interviewed Michael J. Morris, and we discussed astrology, ecosexuality, Black Lives Matter and liberation. I said it a few times in the episode but the conversation was literally psychedelic in feeling to me. Michael speaks to us of *connection* and is themselves, such a connector and I am really excited to bring you this conversation.

Michael J. Morris is a writer, an educator, a facilitator, an artist, a witch, an astrologer, and a tarot reader who supports folks in making meaning of their lives as a practice of personal and collective healing and liberation. They have a consulting practice called Co Witchcraft Offerings, and they are also a Visiting Assistant Professor at Denison University where they teach in Women’s and Gender Studies, Queer Studies, and Environmental Studies. They hold a PhD in Dance Studies from The Ohio State University, and they bring decades of experience in movement and somatic practices, feminist and queer theory, and critical theories of embodiment to their work in astrology, tarot, and ritual. They are a practitioner of yoga, butoh, and reiki, all of which inform their approaches to healing and liberation."

homebody podcast: Episode 10 x Michael J. Morris

Hosted by Mary Grace Allerdice

"This episode is dense, beautiful and waxes eloquent on the revolutionary ; and I'm so excited to share it with you.
We discuss:

The approach + alchemy of their consultation practice
Bringing healing and intuition back into the body
What inspired them to begin their healing practice
Dance as a practiced ritual than can be about connection + healing
Embodying the elements through movement
“Fake healing” through dance
Exploring pleasure activism through dance
Political witchcraft
How they came to identify as as a witch
How their definitions of healing + spirituality have evolved
Ecosexuality + embodiment
Yoga as a practice for liberation rather than about exercise or relaxation
Questioning the role of the yoga teacher and colonization of the practice
The relationship between aesthetics + ethics"

homebody podcast: Episode 18 x Michael J. Morris

Hosted by Mary Grace Allerdice

"In this episode, Michael offers context and perspective on the practices of astrology; they also share with us some of the overarching themes and framework for this upcoming 2020 year.
We discuss:

What is astrology and looking at it from an arts + humanities perspective
What defines Hellenistic astrology, specifically
A brief cultural context on astrology
The 4 main branches of astrology
What does a reading look like?
What makes up your birth chart?
The danger of diminishing our differences
Astrological themes for 2020
What has already begun that will continue into 2020
Uranus in Taurus
Jupiter in Capricorn
Saturn/Pluto conjunction
Saturn moves into Aquarius
Venus retrograde in Gemini
Mars retrograde in Aries
A way to look at eclipses
How to interact with astrology in a supportive way"

homebody podcast: Episode 32 x Michael J. Morris

Hosted by Mary Grace Allerdice

"In this episode, Michael J. Morris and I conjure up the dancestors for wisdom and body magic.
We discuss:

How necessary joy + pleasure are to “stay with the trouble”
Re-imagining the indirectness of our survival and primal needs
The false binary of survival + pleasure
The body as the altar + container for magic
Butoh’s approach to the body and dance, lineage and revolution
Dance as a way to imagine other ways of being in a body
Being “with” difficulty and toxicity
Practicing empathetic embodiment and compassion
Exploring ordinary movement as dance
Practicing the aspirational
Authentic movement as a desire-based practice
Desire + pleasure as emergent and nonlinear

Queer Skies Episode 4: Michael J. Morris

Hosted by Daniel Bernal and Drew Levanti

"Feminist Theory, Queer Theory, & Cross-Pollination with Astrology:
Guest Michael J. Morris of Co Witchcraft Offerings joins the podcast for a discussion on the complexities of working as a practicing astrologer, the connections with the astrological community, and cross-pollination with/into other practices."

Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feminist-theory-queer-theory-cross-pollination-astrology/id1474572934?i=1000454266257

Queer Skies Episode 7: Astrology of 2020 Year Ahead Forecast with Michael J. Morris

Hosted by Daniel Bernal and Drew Levanti

"In this episode, we invite the extraordinary Michael J. Morris back as a guest to help us explore the astrological terrain of 2020! We talk about Saturn & Jupiter’s meetings with Pluto and the ways power structures and cancel culture might change. We talk about Mercury’s carbonated retrogrades powered by Uranus. We talk about the Venus and Mars retrogrades this year, what lessons they bring for us in terms of survival and resistance, and we talk big picture about what Aquarius has in store for us as our attention shifts."

Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/astrology-of-december-2019-queer-skies-ep-6/id1474572934?i=1000458903467

Queer Skies Episode 5: November 2019 Forecast with Michael J. Morris

Hosted by Daniel Bernal and Drew Levanti

"Guest Michael J. Morris of Co Witchcraft Offerings joins the podcast again, this time to break down the astrology of November 2019. We discuss the various dances occurring between Mercury & Saturn, Mars & Uranus, Venus & Jupiter. Take a look at what is in the stars this month!"

Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/astrology-november-2019-michael-j-morris-queer-skies/id1474572934?i=1000455736790

The Astrology of Artist Meredith Monk

Several months ago, I had the opportunity to discuss one of my all-time favorite artists, Meredith Monk, through the lens of her natal chart with astrologers, colleagues, and friends Drew Levanti and Òscar Moisés Díaz.

You can listen to our whole conversation on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G43kSBGrtA4

Ecosexuality in unbound ZINE: awakening

“What I hope is becoming clear is that sex and sexuality, even in their most mundane forms, involve our already more-than-human bodies mediating more-than-human sexual partners, incorporating more-than-human technologies with consequential entanglements with a much larger world that is far more than human. ‘Ecosexuality’ is a term for these and many other entanglements of human sexuality with the nonhuman world. Broadly speaking, ecosexuality directs attention toward various ways in which sexuality is already ecological, and the ways in which ecology might be understood as sexual or erotic. This term has come to be used by artists, academics, activists, environmentalists, people working in sex industries, and others. Its dimensions can be practical, material, biological, metaphorical, representational, conceptual, and philosophical.”
-Excerpt from “Ecosexuality: Toward Pleasurable Relationality With the More-Than-Human World,” a short piece I published in UnBound Zine Issue 9: “Awakening." Many thanks to executive director Lashonda Love for inviting me to contribute.

I wrote my doctoral dissertation on ecosexualities in performance, and this piece summarizes some of the important ideas that have continued with me from that work. I write about how I understand ecosexuality, the work of Beth Stephens and Annie Sprinkle who first introduced me to ecosexuality, the ways ecosexuality can disrupt human exceptionalism and anthropocentrism, and awakening to the deep pleasure of belonging with-and-in this world.
The full issue is available online here.

Planetary Magic Guides

Below you will find links to a series of blog posts I wrote about simple practices for working with planetary magic, for tuning in to the subtle, felt experience of each of the planetary energies, as well a rituals you might consider using to support yourself in develop more sensitivity to feeling astrology in an embodied way.