Visiting the Island of the Witches - Impressions of Siquijor, Philippines

In the middle of the Philippines archipelago is the mysterious Siquijor -known variously as the Island of the Witches, the Island of Sorcerers or the Island of Healers.

This remarkable place is home to several thriving magical and healing lineages. Here is my story of visiting and encountering these traditions during the time of year where the healers travel up sacred Mount Bandilaan in order to collect the healing herbs their work requires for the whole year. These visits only happen on the seven Fridays between Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. I was fortunate enough to come along on one of these harvests.

It's a fascinating place that is illuminating in comparison with cunning traditions, curanderismo and other cosmovisions around the world: Saints, sacred timing, herb lore, energy work.

And if you are looking to visit Siquijor, check out the show notes:

🔼🔼SHOW NOTES🔼🔼
I have added the three healers I discuss to Google maps. So search for the following names on Siquijor:

- Annie Ponce (Nearest town is San Antonio)
- Batong Hakut (the name of Noel Torremocha's healing practice. Nearest town is Cantabon.)
- Loreto Quimno (In the town of San Juan.)

If you are visiting, I recommend the guide I used, Chelsey, whom you can contact via Facebook or Instagram. He came with me to each of the healers and accompanied me gathering herbs so he knows everyone and all the places. He's also a great guide just if you are visiting Siquijor:

https://www.facebook.com/chelsymend
https://www.instagram.com/chelseymendoza07/

🔼🔼ABOUT RUNE SOUP🔼🔼
Rune Soup is a podcast channel that platforms the most important discussions at the cutting edge of magic, animism and spirit work.

Gordon is chaos magician, shamanic practitioner, podcaster, author and permaculture designer with a background in data and analytics gained at some of the world's largest media companies. He is the author of four books on magic, animism and star lore: Star.Ships: A Prehistory of the Spirits, The Chaos Protocols, Pieces of Eight and Ani.Mystic: Encounters With A Living Cosmos.

When not travelling, Gordon hosts his weekly show, Rune Soup, from a small permaculture farm in southern Tasmania.

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