The Hidden Gods of New York City | Queens

In this final episode of the Hidden Gods of New York City Series, we explore and uncover the magick of Queens; the power and might of the Waters of the World; and the revelations included in the ritual, Surrendering to the Waters. Dare to submerge yourself beneath the waves and surrender?

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WE ARE GOING TO SALEM!
Instagram: @beyondtheseaspodcast
EMAIL ME: beyondtheseaspodcast@gmail.com
Tarot Collaboration: @thefeatherwitchnyc
Weekly Book: Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell
Podcast website: https://beyondtheseas.buzzsprout.com/
More info: https://www.kierandanaan.com/beyond-the-seas

Author Interview Collaboration
Crossed Crow Books (@crossedcrowbooks)

Next Author Interview:
Albert Björn Shiell, Icelandic Folk Magic

Music
"Family" by Josh Leake
"Intimacy" by Ben Winwood
"My Portion" by David James Terry
"Where the Wind Blows" by Sean Williams
"Irish Mountains" by Ben Winwood

Cheers Magick Makers,
Kieran

Transcript

It was from Washington Square Park that the stories arose. 

One man described a blinding flash of light, then chills along his arms. 

Two women saw waves crashing over the pavement and grass.

Another revealed the darkening of the sky by moon’s eclipse. 

And in all of these tales, there was a resounding grain of truth:

Magick had crept back into the world. 

For the Hidden Gods, The Old Ones:

Cerridwen and Odin, Dionysus and Marimba, 

Shiva and Saint Genesius,

Fates and Muses, 

Hades, Osiris, the Morrigan,

Manannan mac Lir, Yemaya, and Poseidon:

Had joined heart to heart, and hand to hand. 

In Circle and Compass, they trod the space, 

Bringing forth the power of magick and might, 

And making known to humankind once more:

They had never disappeared. 

They shed their cloaks of concealment, and as one,

Revealed their nature to the peoples surrounding them.

Their work—their worship—was a reminder:

That their Love and the Old Ways survived. 

That their Love protected and nurtured,

Rather than tormented and punished. 

Theirs was the Way of Old,

The Way of Magick. 

And with the stories that arose from the Park that night, 

Came hidden desires among the Peoples:

The desires to return to the Old Ones,

And pay homage to the most mystical practice of all:

The practice of Magick.

And as the Hidden Ones rejoiced, and danced and sang, with the humans,

The night spun forth into eternity,

Heralding a new dawn and new age. 

For their triumphant return and work…

Had finally finished. 

And something else….

Had finally…begun.

(transition music)

            Grand tidings and welcome to you on this, the 43rd episode, of Beyond the Seas. My name is Kieran and here we are again, back at it for another week. So before we dive into two big announcements, let’s get in on that plugs time: @beyondtheseaspodcast, on Instagram, and Claudia’s account, @thefeatherwitchnyc, to follow along with the weekly tarot collaboration reels, wherein Claudia teaches the tarot one card at a time, one week at a time. And also, our collaboration with Crossed Crow Books in Chicago, @crossedcrowbooks! And don’t forget to leave a five-star rating and review, so the show may continue its trek through the interwebs towards new listeners and practitioners the world over. I am so excited to be here with all of you, and sending you my love and thanks for joining me here, on the show, today. 

            Okay, okay, okay, so—here are some big announcements that are coming up with the show! I am so excited to announce that next week, September 5th, we will be hosting our next author interview from Crossed Crow Books: Albert Björn Schiell, author of Icelandic Folk Magic. I have had the great pleasure to read through his book more than once, in preparation for the interview, and Magick Makers I have to tell ya: there is so much magic and power in that book. I have already stuffed one of my working grimoires with knowledge and wisdom thereof, as well as having tried my hand at a few of its contents in practicum. So get ready for next week’s interview by looking at Albert’s Insta, @sussex_pellar, as well digging into Icelandic Folk Magic. I cannot wait to ask him questions and to share our thoughts of magick together—and to share all of it with you. 

            Also, second big announcement: starting today, August 29th, Beyond the Seas is officially launching it owns…Patreon. Ahhhhh!! Can you believe it?? I am so excited for this next big step for the show because, Magick Makers, it would not have manifested without all of you. So, here’s the run-down: there are two subscription tiers, Mages of the Circle being the first and Sorcerers of the Circle being the second. The first one is the lighter option: a monthly ritual and fifteen-minute guided meditation, to name a few of its offering, as well as access to our Community Altar. The second builds up to a 30-minute meditation—plus: Crossroad Coven Chat, with me and Claudia, every month; Deeper Dive Bonus Episodes, where I have additional material and/or touch upon, in more depth, past show topics; access to a private Facebook group and community, and so many others. Finally, both subscriptions offer three automatic entries to three planned giveaways from the show! More details on those giveaways coming soon. But for now, head on over to Patreon.com/BeyondtheSeas and sign up on one of the tiers today! It makes such a difference to the show, in terms of your subscription, as it helps us keep the production costs covered and avenues open for future Magick Makers to find the show and join the circle. Yayayay, huge steps and announcements! 

            And now, artistic and literary updates! We are closing Dial M for Murder this week and I am sad to see the assassin character go. Hahaha! It has been so much fun playing the villain, for my job and health insurance, and having the opportunity to be fight choreographer and captain. Now, if you are in the area, tickets are still available, both in person and at the door, so please do make sure to make some time to see yours truly craft more magick on the stage. Now, the book: y’all, I LOVED Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell. It is easily one of my absolute new favorite books of all time. The language, characters, perspective on being both fantasy and historical fiction, use of magic and faerie lore—it ate this book up. The ending had me feeling all sorts of ways and I did not want to leave this world—that is how you know a book is good, you do not want to give back your passport. Thus, if you have yet to read this hefty tome, do yourself the favor of picking up a copy and diving straight into it. 

            And now, the Card of the Week! This card inspires two key words that I am sure most of us will resonate with: opportunity and respect. We are back in the minor arcana this week, specifically with Wands, as we dive deeper into the energies of the Nine thereof. The Nine of Wands suggests taking a moment to pause, reflect, and breathe into the space of everything you have created so far—and the space that is yet to be filled with future work and opportunities. Rest is necessary throughout the entirety of a journey from beginning to end, and no feat of great work may successfully be accomplished without it. Thus, respect not only the work, the plan, but also yourself. Take care of yourself. And know that, deep within your spirit and being, you have the energy and power to complete any task you take up. You are stronger than you think, rest assured. So breathe in those moments of work and rest this week, as you continue fanning the flames of your inner fire. 

            And now, the Wine of the Week! Last week, I was lucky enough to stay with my hosts, Mark and Jane, for the days off between show weeks. And we had so much good wine, so so much good wine. But the bottle that stood out to me the most was Xavier’s 2024 SM Cotes du Rhône. Y’all. Y’all. Y’ALL, I say for a third time. This bottle of wine very well may be the best one I have had to review for the show. BOLD STATEMENT! But this wine was so tremendously good that I had like one glass and was satisfied—which never happens to me hahahaha. It was almost too perfect, which is why I didn’t want to be selfish and drink all of it. It was so smooth, so silky, so entirely…French. Cherry, raspberry, blackberry, blueberry, cinnamon, vanilla, oak, earth, dark shadows and light—it was one of the most perfectly balanced wines I have ever had. And man, I want more of it. It went so well with our Salade Niçoise that night, among the three of us, and I highly recommend pairing it with something cool, crisp, and summery. You absolutely will not regret it. 

            And, finally, this week’s topic. As this is the final episode of the Hidden Gods of New York City Series, we have but one great borough left to explore: Queens. It is a most magickal area of Long Island and I cannot wait to explore it with you. Thus, which of the Hidden Gods of Old reside there today? What cultural aspects of the many peoples and neighborhoods suggest these associations and powers? And, most importantly, how might we connect with and work towards relations with these Hidden Gods?

            Ergo, grab your favotire bottle of red, find a comfy chair, and close your eyes as I tell you the tale of The Hidden Gods of New York City | Queens—and take you..,

            Beyond the Seas.

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            One of my favorite places to venture towards is Claudia’s home in Astoria, Queens. To get there, I travel on the M60 bus, along 125th Street in Harlem, and over the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge, into Astoria. There, it is merely a few minutes until I see my dearest friend, and get the chance to meander through the glorious energies of the neighborhood. It is but one of many that call Queens home, but I have to say…it is my favorite. 

            Much like Brooklyn, it began as a Dutch settlement—and the name Queens was therefore granted as an honorific to the current queen of England at the time, Catherine of Braganza. Then, after the American Revolutionary War, it became its own constituency under American rule. Between the end of the War and 1897, great neighborhoods and populations grew and flourished, until it was finally subsumed as a borough to the City of New York. Thereafter, much like Brooklyn, it continues its tradition of housing many cultural and diverse peoples: Indian, Asian, Guyanese, Irish, Polish, Greek, and so many others. 

            There are four great neighborhoods within the borough itself: Flushing, Far Rockaway, Long Island City, and Jamaica. I personally have been to two of these areas—and I guess you’ll just have to wonder which ones, hehehe. Suffice it to say that Queens is absolutely massive, for each of these four areas contains rich cultural traditions and peoples. In Flushing, for instance, there is an amazingly large Asian population—and the food is to die for, gotta say. 

            Now, back to Astoria. There, predominantly, lives one of the largest Greek populations. It is truly amazing to see the different churches, restaurants, and older gentlemen who sit outside and smoke and have their coffee on the sidewalk. The bright blues, arched white domes, and veiled grandmothers who walk past make one feel transported to the Aegean. And perhaps that is why, whenever I am there, coupled with the many people who have come from away and set sail to America—I equate Queens to the Gods of the Seas and Waters.

            For truly, when I am in Astoria, I see and hear Poseidon in the laughter and lilting intonations of the Greek grandfathers who sit outside. The way their heads move, as they watch the passersby, mirrors the tides and waves that are under the control of this great god of the sea. Poseidon is known as the earth shaker, and causes as much creation as he does destruction. So, when looking at Astoria, I am reminded that the joy and peace and quiet that resides there is a precious thing—for you never know if or when it will be taken away. Poseidon lives on in not only the people, but also the atmosphere: he protects and warns, guides and releases. And whenever I walk along the East River, at Astoria’s edge, I feel his presence in the air and know that he is never as far away as I think.             

            When I venture into Long Island City, just across the East River from Manhattan, I feel Mama Ocean, Mother of Us All: Yemaya. She is one of the Seven African Powers and holds sway over all the waters and seas of our world. She lives in the liminality and abundance of life in that portion of Queens, for it is both old and new—chic and traditional. It is her voice that rings out after the fall of night, when the towers and skyscrapers alight with torches in the darkness—and all one hears is the lapping of the river’s waters against the rocks and barriers. For therein, Yemaya is singing. I hear her voice in the rain that falls during autumn and spring, pounding on the pavement—much like all the artists and actors who live in Long Island City. For the power of water is the guide and the way, the intuition that spurs us all towards success and right action. And our Great Mother, Yemaya, opens the waves and tides to allow our footsteps towards our goals and dreams. 

            And right alongside these two gods rows the King of the Waves, the Master of the Storm, the Hidden One in the Mists and Rains: Manannán mac Lir. As the Son of Lir in Irish Mythology, he took possession of the seas and the Lands Beyond the Waves—hahaha, Beyond the Seas, as it were, right? He wears his infamous cloak of concealment and, whenever mist and fog abound in City of New York, I am instantly reminded of him. He is on the cool, cold winds that blow forth from the bottom of Manhattan and swirl around the entirety of Queens. He is in the crossing over from Borough to Borough. In Queens, he is in the underground waters and waves that fuel and support the many peoples and communities that live and travel through there. When the fountains erupt and tinkle in the dead of night, Manannán mac Lir is lifting his oar and guiding his boat along the waves. And I am always reminded of not only his position as a member of the Tuatha de Danaan, but also his daughter, Niamh: she of the bright and fair hair. Remember when I recited W.B. Yeats’ The Hosting of the Sidhe? Yep, that’s Niamh. And as a result, it is not difficult in any way whatsoever to know how intimately connected are the seas of the world and the myths in our hearts. Led by Manannán mac Lir himself, he guides us from Queens, over the waters, and into the future. 

            Thus, overall, throughout the many neighborhoods of the Boroughs of New York City, the Hidden Ones live on forever—in our humanity, surroundings, and choices. After the break, there is a profound ritual that connects with these Gods of the Seas and Waters, one that I hope enlightens and elucidates new facets of your practice and Craft. 

            Refill your drinking horns, your goblets, your chalices, for the second half of The Hidden Gods of New York City | Queens, after this brief break. 

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            Water is life. Water is power. Water is truth. Water is freedom. Think back for a moment, to when you were fully submerged beneath water. How you were supported. Held. Weightless. And everything around you was…silent. There was nothing but you and the water. A kinship is there, right? Because of the physical composition of our bodies, we are made up of over 70% water—much like the Earth herself is covered in 70% water. It is a vital part of our lives, and constantly teaches us new lessons and perspectives. 

            Thus, today, I proffer a ritual of connection and thanksgiving to the waters, a ritual that I have come to call Surrender to the Waters. For this, gather such simple items as a large bowl of silver, pewter, or wood; an amethyst crystal, and a clear heart. 

            At the liminal time of dawn, make way to a body of water: it may be an ocean, lake, pool, or pond. If this is not possible, create a bath in your home or cooling shower. As always, begin the rite by centering and grounding the spirit. Breathe deeply into this liminal time, arising to the newness of the day. Breathe out the old and the past, that which you need not hold onto, and let go of the weights you carry. Continue this process until you feel sufficiently at peace, and ready to begin. 

            Then, if near a body of water, take your large bowl and fill it with water thereof. Breathe softly onto the surface of the liquid in this container, connecting yourself and spirit to the spirit of the water—and the Gods of the Seas and Water by extension. The waters flow in and out of you, much like the air of this world—and cleanse you entirely for this moment. Place the bowl in front of you and either draw a circle in the sand, place leaves and stones, large pieces of wood and branches—any way you may, create a circle with found objects in the area you are in. Then, of course, cast the circle or tread the compass round in your traditional manner. 

            Call forth the Four Directions, asking of them to bestow peace and tranquility. When facing the West, which is my traditional view of Water and Intuition, ask the spirits of the Undines, Merfolk, Selkies, and such to aid you in your quest between the worlds in this liminal time. Then, invoke Poseidon, Yemaya, and Manannán mac Lir into your Circle, speaking words of devotion, kindness, peace, and tranquility in their honor. 

            Continue breathing in this moment, as the light around you grows towards daybreak. This is the time to travel further within yourself, as to open the inner sight and see beyond the physical limitations of our world. When ready, open your eyes and peer into the bowl of water before you. As you scry, chant the names of the Gods of Sea and Water slowly and softly, focusing upon clearing the mind and seeing into the Beyond. Sit in this moment of scrying and allow the visions gifted by them to flow into your being. Receive them, interpret them with your heart and intuition, and thank the gods for their blessings. 

            Then, when ready, create a door in your circle. This is done, traditionally, with an athame—in this regard, the best tool is yourself. Namely your finger. Envision this energy opening as a door as you trace from the ground up to the sky, then over, and back down again—all in the shape of a door. Step out of your circle and “shut” the door by tracing the shape backwards, the opposite of the way you just did. 

            Face the water before you. See the light of day about to burst over the horizon. Hear the sounds of the wild around you. Feel the wind on your body. Smell the earth beneath you. Feel the fire of your heartbeat pulsing within you. As the light of day breaks over the horizon, step forth and into the waters. Go as far as you are able, the ultimate goal being complete submersion. Release yourself into these Waters. Much like the tides push and pull, so too do many things come and go in our lives. Rather than this moment being totally about the letting go of whatever may weigh you down, it is an opportunity to receive, as well. What messages and powers and magick do these waters have to gift to you? What new information from your spirit arises in this moment? What insight and perspectives do you now see and understand? Literally float in this moment, as you surrender totally to the current of the waters. 

            Then, return to land. Open the door of your circle and shut it once more behind you. Feel the coldness of the water on your body as you stand in this moment. Feel how the air in your circle begins to evaporate it into the atmosphere. Know that it carries a piece of you with it, and connects you to the world at large. Thank the gods for being here with you in this moment and invite them to stay, but say your farewells. Then, release the Four Directions and open your circle in your traditional manner. Finally, take the bowl of water and pour it into the body from whence it came, envisioning it as a drop in flowing back into the greater whole of the waters of the world. 

            Know that this moment is one of growth and transformation, an opportunity to release and receive. Much like the Nine of Wands reminds us of, it is a moment to pause and reflect—to grab onto the opportunity of breathing presently and interacting with the world around you. To feel the waters of life flowing over and within you. And how much we are dependent upon them and connected to them. For the Gods of the Sea and Waters are never as far away as we think. And our relations to them will gift us with the power of wisdom, insight, and wonder. 

            And as a result, your magick, my magick—our magick—will always be made stronger…because of it. 

            (transition music)

            The stories, research, and production elements were done and edited, respectively, by me, Kieran, with sources attached in the description. If you want to be a guest on the show, or have a topic you wish me to explore and discuss, send me an email at beyondtheseaspodcast@gmail.com. And be sure to hit the follow button, on whichever platform you enjoy the podcast, and look forward to more content next week. Until then, seek the veil between the worlds, and allow yourself to travel…Beyond the Seas.