Being Catholic as a Queer Witch, & Connecting with Filipino Roots with The Mestizo Mystic

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Intro 0:00
Interview 0:33
Trigger Warning 30:58
Interview 33:09

[@lorenzopau7289]

Awesome episode! Being of mixed-blood and a mixed practitioner, I use Curanderismo/traditional Mexican healing techniques and Hilot/ancient Filipino healing methods interchangeably. Common people know Hilot as just a massage, but it is actually a complete set of healing methods passed down through generations. The Babaylan were the keepers of those healing secrets before Spanish colonists arrived at around 1565. Moreover, the first group of the migration were Mesoamerican, due to the viceroy in Mexico; therefore, some healing techniques between Mexico and Philippines are quite similar. A few examples are: using an egg or candle wax for deciphering the occurrence of either an energetic and/or physical unbalanced situation, and burning of herbs for clearing and cleansing a person from harmful energies. Colonialism surely was the cause of the destruction of having our ancient practices go underground, but I am fortunate to have grown up with a magical and spiritual family. My late grandmother Rose was the last healer in our family, and I wrote down most of the rituals she used that were passed down from her mom, Magdalena and a long lineage of past family members. Our rituals are kept secret and not in public books, strictly used for our family and loved ones. We come from Antique and Iloilo of Panay Island, and also Cebu, of the Philippines.

[@gustavquicksand3402]

I'm a catholic who's recently developed an interest in magick, so this video was very interesting. Thanks!

[@mercryujladebbarma8206]

Christianity there is no such called magic and catholicism is origin of all faith this things misleading the belivers.....

[@janehughart9290]

@@mercryujladebbarma8206 why are you here?

[@deadlylaughterproductions]

@@mercryujladebbarma8206 Resurrection, transubstantiation (bread to flesh, wine to blood), alchemy (water to wine), candles, prayers (spells/incantation), veneration of saints (spirit work)

[@k.m.223]

This has been an eye opener. I was raised catholic (in a lazy sort of way), and struggled with balancing that with my witchy leanings. That the two can not just coexist but overlap is fascinating.

[@izzyb9460]

Being a Filipino makes me so happy and proud that you are actually diving in back to your roots. It's true that it is difficult to find how we do magick and know that if you are from a devoted Catholic background it would raise eyebrows if they know you are actually practicing witchcraft. We have "barang" and "kulam" that is like a hoodoo or voodoo counterpart. We have "usog" that can cause a person harm with just a simple gesture of greeting someone. The word "tala" yes it literally means star." And Stella Maris is the name of the school where I studied from elementary to high school, St. Francis of Assisi is our patron saint and we are under the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary. Really impressed with your knowledge of Filipino magick. Very on point and very informative. Thank you for sharing. I've had my reservations, my family did not approve of the path I took and they did not support me on that. Now I have my own family and they know my practice and respect it. 🙂 Hope you have more episodes like this. Blessed be!

[@geosustento8894]

I think Mayari is unique in all of the Philippine pantheons in that she's the only moon deity (that I know of) that's also a warrior goddess. Again, as per my previous comment, it's practically impossible to reconstruct the worship of the old gods, but it might be best to treat her as you would any war deity. There are various other aspects of the moon like Bulan or Libulan. The latter is extra interesting because modern day witches in the Philippines have coopted him as the patron of queer people as he is said to have androgynous features. Babaylans, male witch doctors of the past who also happen to usually take on the role of women healers in Visayan communities, are said to be under his protection.

[@SistersOfTheWell]

I have found by looking at various traditions, superstitions, mythologies, and other practices in cultures, religions, and families you can see and find the magical practice within them - rooted in them. I see too often people arguing (especially towards Christianity) that there isn't witchcraft there - yet they are steeped in ritual and magical practices, they just don't call it that. I think if we can start looking through the lense of similarities instead of divisions, we as practitioners would have a stronger community.

[@alyseandrews1066]

Yep! I worked at a Christian summer camp as a teen and there was one week we had soms major weird vibes and dark dreams and creepy stuff. The spiritual director lead a cleansing ceremony, praying, annointing, clearing the space of unwelcome energies (they called it demons) but it was a very mystical and "witchy" experience.

[@Divineinlimitedenergy]

Well said!

[@nitewarden]

I think I can identify with this type of practice. Like I always felt "witchy" or whatever that means to me but also Catholic too. I feel like on some level, Catholicism has a lot of roots in folk and pagan traditions and it feels very natural to incorporate those into your daily life.

[@altheac4140]

As a mixed Filipina still-new bruja I just wanna let yall know I HAVE NEVER FELT MORE SEEN!!! THANK YOU SALAMAT GRACIAS THANK YOOOOUUU!!! 😂 I love every single thing. So relatable 🥹 I cannot thank you guys enough 🇵🇭✊♥️

[@vickyparsons]

I actually can't believe you've posted this. Im also half filipino and have recently found so many parallels between your beliefs and have been wondering about connecting to filipino roots

[@judethaddeus9856]

Thank you for this video!!! I am also a gay, Roman Catholic witch I will say after going to private Catholic schools from PreK (1987) straight through HS graduation (2001) and was always very serious about it, I even wanted to be a priest at one time.. the (Roman) Catholic Church has NEVER told me or anyone else « what to do » I have always been partial to Our Heavenly Mother and pretty much know of EVERY apparition!! I think the 15 Promises of the Rosary came from Fatima or Lourdes..

[@kevinmorgan8534]

The 15 rosary promises came from St. Dominic.

[@Sconnie13]

Great Interview! My first decade as a baby witch, I was also a practicing Catholic (90's and early 2000's). It was to the Virgin Mary that I would give my prayers and homage too. While I no longer practice Catholicism, I do still go three times a year to pay my ancestral respects to my deceased parents. It's the few times a year that I can feel them sitting next to me on the pew.

[@theresaz2603]

I’m new in this spiritual path. I’m also an Irish/ Italian catholic. Sometimes I feel very conflicted between Catholicism and the present spiritual path that I’m on. Amazingly when Ryan spoke of the blessed Mother and referred to he as Stella Maris, almost knocked me off my chair… the catholic school I attended was named Stella Maris. Many of the Italian people are very fond of our blessed Mother and honor her regularly. I feel it is a sign that both can be incorporated in my personal path. Thank your for this post✨

[@Raych-]

This gives me hope that I will find a comfortable symbiosis between my witchcraft and Catholic faith. Thank you from the UK x.

[@gabrielleangelica1977]

So glad we're having a civil discussion about the Craft and Christianity. ( Catholics ARE Christian).

[@camilla79]

Thank you for this interview! As a practitioner with catholic roots his point of view was illuminating! You're really a great interviewer! Looking foward to them, it really helps to build knowledge about practices around the world, especially since I'm searching for my own style/group.

[@produmpsterdiver5456]

Love how clear you are and truthful

[@produmpsterdiver5456]

How can black men get into this

[@madisonb.3856]

I love how he called them phoenix moments. Such a great way to describe that. 12:48

[@ploomer264]

Literally 🤌🏼

[@animisttoo3890]

In terms of general magic theory, all these folk/icon spectrums of practices amount to "evocation sorcery with a focus/fetish," and you can hybrid or mix & match them however works for you. The god(s) really don't care if you do -- it's all flattering to them in various ways, and they will tend to meet you according to your own expectations of style & form. Have fun and don't let the stuffy puritans get you down :)

[@TheExhaustipatedBookworm]

This is so great when you guys tell us more about your practices. I’m glad to learn more about your practices and your opinions. I always learn something new. I am Norse Shaman

[@SpottedTiger89]

Super interesting! Loved the interview!

[@TheTimeshadows]

This was great. Thanks to both of you. :D

[@elizabethmitchell7445]

Super informative I love your style of interviewing and chatting with other practitioners.

[@pomegranateandivy9833]

I haven't watched the entire interview yet, but Ryan seems to be an amazing person and really cool practitioner!! 🙂

[@minja7777]

I really like this. I've been thinking a lot of being catholic but also I'm a natural born witch - and they say nothing about these natural born skills in the Bible. I was wondering how I can be both Catholic (queer) and a witch even though people always say they can't coexist. But God works in mysterious ways, and he picks us to join his path. I'm glad I've found my people!

[@dkultraw6412]

What a great interview!

[@hi-po5xs]

i loved this interview!

[@LorraineCareyAuthor]

I wrote a trilogy about a secret cult of women from New Mexico and decided to bring Santa Muerta into part of their rituals. After that, it became as though I was using automatic writing to finish these stories and the stories became very real to me. I believe she was coming through in this tale. Great interview by the way.

[@laurencevillarama3867]

Hi, im from the philippines and your interviewi is very informative as always.I been watching your channel for about a long time now😊. I am a devotee to hekate and artemis and started praying to archangel michael(ever since he appear to me).Their is still a part of me that I still do not want to forget the practices that I have learn from my christian days. Since being a catholic is my first practice ever since I am at christian school and before I started my path from witchcraft. Praying the rosary and the saints gives me the inspiration that if you have faith then your intentions that you have set will come true as long as you believe in the power of the spirits.

[@hirayamarqueses]

Omgomgomgomg as a Filipino and practicing witch I’m so glad I found you guys!!!

[@witchofthenight88]

I love your videos. This was very knowledgeable.

[@Maribelle_ugc]

Thank you for this 🥹

[@jonhedgecorth4148]

just finished episode with the wicked witch of LA & this video. i am a newer practitioner & half latino (costa rican). recently been connecting with my heritage and studying brujeria & santa muerte. thank you for doing these 2 videos, they were much needed and appreciated.

[@yadidameng]

Yup, half Filipino and Catholic here lol. I think there are a lot of people that relate to both of you like I feel like I do. Thanks for sharing!

[@nainem.4148]

Amazing, thank you!!❤

[@kellyjuarez3492]

This is exactly what I have been looking for

[@synchronise_living111]

Hey really love these. I would love to see a deity one a couple being Lilith, Aphrodite and Freya. I would also love to see someone who works with the mermaids, sirens and also ones that work with fae would be epic. Thanks for the amazing video.💜

[@venizmaja20]

Omg thank you for this!!! - A Filipino

[@cakemakerheheh123]

Between you and Frankie, I feel so seen. I am an Azorean Catholic Folk Practitioner and I’ve always craved more content on folk magic and Catholic folk magic. Thank you 🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@adriannaayala3726]

I’m also Azorean, and Mexican as well! Currently trying to explore more ancestral folk practices so these vids are great to see

[@Delphadae]

My mom is from the Azores, and I've been trying to connect with her roots/side of my family. I'm very new to the practice, but I love seeing other fellow Azorean bruxas!

[@kylaallen822]

You mentioned Babayan symbology etc., do you have a link to that? EXCELLENT interview, thank you! My grandfather was from Manila.

[@kaiulani9118]

My grandmother was half Filipino and half Hawaiian and I’ve been researching more about that side of my family and so this is pretty cool.

[@elcoyote9410]

The basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico city was built on the site of an Aztec temple to Coatlicue/Tonanztin the Aztec mother goddess. Her statue was so frightening to the Spanish they buried it, it was found again in the 1600 or 1700s scared the shit out of them again, so they buried it again. It was last dug up in the 1970s by accident. You can now see it at the Museum of Anthropology in Mexico city. Guadalupe is essential to us Mexican brujos and neo pagans. Mexican/Chicano pagans dont forget other manifestations of the goddess. Toci the Crone, Chalchiutlicue goddess of horizontal waters, and Tlazolteotl goddess of witchcraft among others. Many faces, many aspects of the divine feminine all very valuable to our spiritual evolution. Lastly if any queer Mexican/Chicano pagan practitioners are interested in a patron deity associated with queerness, research Xochipilli

[@fatuusdottore]

Bruh.

[@elcoyote9410]

@@fatuusdottore bruh...

[@eclecticwanderer7455]

As a Visayan still very intrigued by the f that you are a Filipino (no matter how half you are as long as you are part you're still one 😂) as I have said to one of your vids aside from having relevant similarities with Hekate (yes, she already got here) . I do suggest Cebuano Sorcery by Richard W. Lieban which I accidentally bump into while searching books to read since I know you're a Cebuana and just being Visayans u know we're notorious here in PH for having an annotation being witches (mangkukulam, mambabarang, witch doctors, manugbutbot etc...) Central to West Visayas more predominantly ✨

[@eclecticwanderer7455]

*Baneful magick actually

[@ivyslotus]

can you tell me any more books abt that? i'm visayan too & i'd like to read more !!

[@Curtis488]

I'm 1/8 Filipino on my paternal grandfather's side of my family

[@MarinaMiniatures]

I'm half filipino!! I always wondered if you were!!

[@a.h.5296]

Catholic Italian here and I’ve been feeling my roots coming out to so say. Always knew there was … more ❣️❤️‍🔥⚛️

[@babyinvasion]

Born and raised Catholic. Altar server and all. I practice WC. My Christian friend keeps trying to convince me that I'll go to hell for practicing witchcraft and connecting with the dead. Wish I could remove his veil.

[@deadlylaughterproductions]

Would you mind sharing the process of going from Catholicism to witchcraft?

[@jeremiahstephens9670]

This is so cool. I’m a closeted witch in a Christian family. I have spoken to my siblings about spirituality (astral projecting, spirits other than angels and demons). I would never be able to tell my family about my practice. Because I’m closeted I have limited options for my practice so I do knot magic, bone throwing (not only bones), enchanting jewelry, visualization (for cleansing and other stuff) and some divination. If I told my family I might be kicked out or possibly be put in an unsafe environment and I’ve got a little while till I’m able to move out. For the more experienced witches I do have a question. When we cleanse what exactly are we cleansing out. For Example negative energies, harmful entities, or something else.

[@kirstencorby8465]

Yay, the Way of the Rose! I do that too.

[@mariahhoel7073]

You both mentioned that you work with death and I was wondering if really you have any book recommendations on working with death? I read Of Blood and Bones after watching your recommendation and I felt like it just unlocked an entire second half that was missing from my practice and I'm very interested in expanding that part of me.

[@LA-yf4jf]

It makes me feel so seen and heard. Catholic, witch, queer, and Filipino/mestizo. Long lost cousin or something 😂

[@getshorty7549]

Olivia, you had mentioned doing divination before ANY magical working. Would you still recommend divination before doing devotion to one's Gods (sorcerous devotion) -- like Hekate's Deipnon supper if one is a devotee of Hekate or the Agathos Daimon of Noumenia?

[@geosustento8894]

That manifestation of Mayari checks out. She's also a warrior goddess.

[@MyrnNecromanson]

Oh, this hit me. Hard. I'm catholic, witch adjacent or full witch depending on definition, and do go y any pronoun

[@annevanbrunschot7235]

The doorbell ringing after the mention of ghosts tho

[@kibbynibby]

MY FAVORITE CREATORS ????? ON A PODCAST?? FILIPINO WITCHES REP?? YES!!

[@bleu.honey88]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@iskra2677]

Im in my first step witch journey right now because i keep denying the call si ce when i was in elementary school

[@kyreneherrera]

well isn’t this just absolutely perfect for me hhahaha

[@purawngailocano]

I’m also a mestizo witch 😊 🤚🏼

[@Psych.o.delica]

Thank you for sharing this super fascinating conversation!! Love to see queer enby ambi-dextrous-path multi-cultural representation

[@wonyyy5707]

IM FILIPINO TOO!!!!

[@jonny_disorder]

I'm Italian, I could say a thing or two about the difference between folk catholicism and institutional catholicism 😂 I'm queer too and even though I got rid of everything christian soon in my life, I still find interesting to see how other people manage their queer/witchy side in a folk catholic context.

[@zoebella314]

Why not try a little of the Pentecostal Christians as well who still believe in speaking to spirits, through the holy gifts of speaking in tongues. As well as other spiritual gifts. Which a lot of Christian religions, few as Demonic. The Pentecostal church, that I went to was very open, my cousin who Identifies as a male or female, goes to that church, them, and thier wife, and little boy, also go there, they say that they always feel welcomed, im sure many may be different

[@geosustento8894]

Tala rhymes with the word gala. TAH-la.

[@TheEpicwtf]

I can't find his insta

[@andreaquiles2766]

Woohoo filipino’s, 🎉

[@dogtaurus4daisy]

🧡☺️🧡🇵🇭

[@annevanbrunschot7235]

A CHRISTMAS CAROL BY CHARLES DICKENS Y'ALL

[@JoseMartinez-gl1be]

I am mexican, and did you know that we have more in common than most people would like to acknowledge? Let me star by saying that I was blocked from different Filipino pages for saying the following. Did you know that the Philippines was conquered out of Mexico? Did you know that the same nation/tribe/people who allied with the Spanish to defeat the Aztecs were also taken to the Philippines to conquer it(the tlaxcaltecas) and stayed there. Did you know that there was trade between Mexico and the Philippines for close to 300 years through the port of Acapulco with la "Nao De China". Did you know that in the biggest town square in the country which is at mexico city there was for hundreds of years a market called "El Parian" ok we have no fucking idea of what parian means but there it is. Did you know that there is a dish very popular around the state where la "Nao De China" landed called "Dinatan" and yea, you guessed it its shrimp in a coconut sauce. And yea there it is, let see if you can deal with those little facts. Cheers.

[@geosustento8894]

Please don't use the term "Filipinx." The word Filipino has historical and cultural relevance that gets appropriated and gentrified by Westernizing it.

[@TheWitchOfWonderlust]

I hear both sides of it, but there are many people who are non binary or gender fluid who don’t identify or feel comfortable using Filipina or Filipino. So Filipinx seems to be the term many are comfortable with.

[@geosustento8894]

@@TheWitchOfWonderlust Historically, only white Spanish colonizers were called Filipinos. People who look like us are called "Indios." The same way white settlers in America called Native Americans Indians. It was supposed to other us and to separate us from them. It was a form of oppression and a message that we, people who were born in our lands, are not recognized as citizens of this country. And so when we rebeled and rose up against Spain, then US, and Japan, we did so by calling ourselves Filipinos. It was an act of defiance and national identity, so I hope people in the diaspora who say they want to be more familiar with their roots understand what they're trampling on when they use linguistic conventions from other languages to coopt a word that has this weight to it. The Filipinx community can't just pick and choose which identity from the motherland they like and coopt stuff that they don't. That's cultural appropriation.

[@geosustento8894]

@@TheWitchOfWonderlust I'm sorry for the lengthy response. I'm not sure if you realize how many of us in the Philippines don't like this appropriation of our identity. At best, some of us think it's stupid, but harmless. But I don't think any of us ever sees this as positive.

[@geosustento8894]

@pita love that's not what I said

[@geosustento8894]

@pita love their respective communities

[@tcamuta2807]

The Catholic church is centered on the Holy Eucharist, the body and blood soul and divinity of Jesus Christ. Mary, our blessed mother, leads us to her son. Witchcraft and Catholicism(Christianity) cannot be placed together, please do not be deceived by these words! I Pray the Holy Spirit guides/reveals his power and opens the eyes of all being led astray by these words. 😢🙏🏾

[@geosustento8894]

Bathala is but-HA-la.

[@gee_ohh]

(1 Corinthians 10:21) You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and also the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and of the table of demons.

[@BiornBear]

Love your channel but the whole “pronoun” thing is just too much lol. Just be who you wanna be and I’ll be who I wanna be. Live and let live.