Most of us are taught from a young age not to question death.We’re handed a set way of doing things. But what if you step outside that and take a closer look?In this episode of The Pagan Portal Podcast, Rachel Patterson and Kristoffer Hughes talk about death, dying, and what it truly means to return to the earth. They cover topics like the environmental impact of cremation and the process of human composting, also known as terramation. Their conversation challenges the idea that our bodies are simply something to discard.Kristoffer shares his own experience with natural organic reduction, including the unusual moment when he lay in a coffin during a mock funeral. This changed how he views death. The experience felt less clinical, less final, and more alive.This conversation is about more than just alternative death practices.It’s also about the words we choose, the rituals we keep, and the ways we’ve learned to think about the end of life.And maybe it’s about remembering something much older as well.Topics Covered:- What terramation / human composting actually is- Why “disposal” might be the wrong word for death- The environmental impact of cremation and burial- Experiencing a mock funeral firsthand- Decomposition vs transformation- Pagan perspectives on death and returning to the earth- Why ashes don’t nourish life, and what does- Reimagining funeral rituals and sacred spaceLearn more about Terramation and Eterrna here: https://www.eterrna.life/If this episode speaks to you, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who’s open to rethinking what comes next.

Beltane is often described as a fire festival, a fertility festival, or a date on the calendar, but it is much more than that. In this special Beltane episode of The Pagan Portal Podcast, host Rachel Patterson speaks with Jessica Howard, Lucya Starza, and Katie Ness to discuss what Beltane really feels like in practice. They cover everything from Jack in the Green processions and Victorian folk customs to the awakening of creativity, working with the land as it is, and allowing the Wheel of the Year to turn naturally instead of following fixed dates. This conversation focuses on experiencing Beltane rather than just following a set of rules.The discussion highlights anticipation over arrival, why Beltane can feel like a personal new year, how modern Paganism carries ancient energies into new forms, and why celebrating life, creativity, and connection is essential to the season. It’s thoughtful, grounded, and based on real practices rather than a quest for perfection.Whether you celebrate Beltane through ritual, art, offerings, community events, or simply by noticing the changes in the land around you, this episode invites you to slow down and connect with the season in your own way.Topics covered include:- What Beltane means on a personal level- Jack in the Green and the value of modern traditions- Beltane as anticipation, momentum, and celebration- Creativity, art, and the return of colour and energy- Allowing the Wheel of the Year to turn naturally- Working with local land, plants, and offerings- Modern Paganism as a living traditionIf you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share it with someone who is also walking the Wheel with you.

In this episode of The Pagan Portal Podcast, Rachel Patterson is joined by Swailes from The Bell Witch Podcast for a candid conversation about discovering effective magic and releasing what doesn’t work.They discuss their first experiences with sigil magic, including the meaningful act of baking and eating a sigil as a ritual for self-worth and growth. The talk then shifts to the impact of words, the importance of speaking kindly to yourself as an act of magic, and how we often slip into patterns of self-criticism without noticing.Swailes describes their personal method for creating sigils, which is a slow, meditative practice that takes hours, followed by daily work and charging. They also talk about simplifying your craft, moving away from spiritual consumerism, and trusting your instincts rather than sticking to rigid guidelines.There’s a reflection on using inherited tools, the practice of using a single crystal for Reiki, and the magic found in objects that carry history. The episode wraps up with a discussion about witchcraft as a journey home, one that reshapes boundaries, self-worth, and how you navigate the world.Topics covered include:- Sigil magic and embodied ritual- The power of words and intention- Simplifying witchcraft practice- Reiki, crystals, and ancestral tools- Witchcraft as a path of personal change