HANA THE SUBURBAN WITCH - INTERVIEW WITH A WITCH.
Posted on October 05 2021
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INTERVIEW WITH A WITCH is a brand new series created by Yalu Natural Perfumery + Witchery founder, Rhiannon Mapstone. She wanted to create a space within 'Hey Witch' blog to introduce you to her favourite Witches from across the cosmos. Helping you to feel inspired and connected to the greater witchy community and celebrate our uniqueness and diversity. So without further ado, let's dive in and get to know the gorgeous and knowledgeable, Hana O'Neill from Suburban Witchery.
Hana O’Neill is known as Hana the Suburban Witch and is professional Tarot reader, Natal Astrologer and Eclectic Witch located in Australia.
Hana’s goal is to make Witchcraft and alternative spirituality fun, informative and accessible to all. She blogs about Witchcraft and Astrology with pop culture references to fandoms such as Disney and Harry Potter. She hosts the podcast ‘Witch Talks’ interviewing key Witches in the community, has a thriving YouTube channel with content from Spellcrafting, Tarot tutorials, Witchcraft basics and even details her own journey from Pentecostal Christian to proud Witch.
What's your sun sign, moon and rising?
Sun in Virgo, Moon in Scorpio and Rising Aquarius
Sun in Virgo, Moon in Scorpio and Rising Aquarius
Where do you dwell?
I currently live in Gippsland, Victoria. Last year I was in Perth, Western Australia and we're due to move interstate again at Christmas time! The saying "home is where the heart is" definitely rings true in our household... or I guess "home is where the air force sends us!
I currently live in Gippsland, Victoria. Last year I was in Perth, Western Australia and we're due to move interstate again at Christmas time! The saying "home is where the heart is" definitely rings true in our household... or I guess "home is where the air force sends us!
How did you get into witchcraft? and what age were you?
That is a very long winded story, my spiritual journey began in Pentecostal Christianity which meant all of my natural curiosity towards witchcraft, psychic work and the occult was squashed immediately. It took a lot of unlearning, and time away from the church for me to slowly explore that side of myself.
I was 21 when I had my first tarot reading (a huge milestone for me) which followed an entity attachment (unrelated to the tarot) and meeting my first real life Witch. At 25 I began experimenting with divination through tea leaf reading and everything just grew from there. I wasn't comfortable calling myself a witch until I was 27, and even that took a lot of practice and growth to do! Fake it till you make it was exactly what I did.
That is a very long winded story, my spiritual journey began in Pentecostal Christianity which meant all of my natural curiosity towards witchcraft, psychic work and the occult was squashed immediately. It took a lot of unlearning, and time away from the church for me to slowly explore that side of myself.
I was 21 when I had my first tarot reading (a huge milestone for me) which followed an entity attachment (unrelated to the tarot) and meeting my first real life Witch. At 25 I began experimenting with divination through tea leaf reading and everything just grew from there. I wasn't comfortable calling myself a witch until I was 27, and even that took a lot of practice and growth to do! Fake it till you make it was exactly what I did.
Can you define what kind of witch you are?
I would say I'm an eclectic Witch. Love my kitchen witchery, divination, astrology and ancestor work. I also work a lot in the psychic space and am currently developing my mediumship skills! Eclectic fits because it doesn't tie me down to a specific tradition or path and I'm free to explore at will. Taking what resonates and leaving the rest.
I would say I'm an eclectic Witch. Love my kitchen witchery, divination, astrology and ancestor work. I also work a lot in the psychic space and am currently developing my mediumship skills! Eclectic fits because it doesn't tie me down to a specific tradition or path and I'm free to explore at will. Taking what resonates and leaving the rest.
Do you use deities in your rituals and spellwork? If so, who?
If you had asked me this 3 months ago I would have said no. I don't work with deities, but that, like my practice, has changed over time. I've recently begun to work with Thoth after receiving numerous signs so I'm exploring that side of the craft at the moment and feeling like a baby witch all over again!
Prior to this I did work with saints and mystic figures in rituals and spell work which may have been my stepping stone into deity work.
If you had asked me this 3 months ago I would have said no. I don't work with deities, but that, like my practice, has changed over time. I've recently begun to work with Thoth after receiving numerous signs so I'm exploring that side of the craft at the moment and feeling like a baby witch all over again!
Prior to this I did work with saints and mystic figures in rituals and spell work which may have been my stepping stone into deity work.
What is your most treasured magical item? and why?
I don't really have one. Whilst I own a lot of amazing, witchy things. I know that I don't 'need' any of them. I'm attached to my tarot decks, but they're replaceable, as are my crystals.
The heirloom items on my ancestor altar are irreplaceable therefore the most sacred and treasured to me, however I don't 'use' them as magical items, they are representative of the people in our family line and items that they loved or passed on to me.
I don't really have one. Whilst I own a lot of amazing, witchy things. I know that I don't 'need' any of them. I'm attached to my tarot decks, but they're replaceable, as are my crystals.
The heirloom items on my ancestor altar are irreplaceable therefore the most sacred and treasured to me, however I don't 'use' them as magical items, they are representative of the people in our family line and items that they loved or passed on to me.
If you could land anywhere in time, where would you go?
TOUGH question. I love the idea of England in the Georgian or Regency era but that could be my love of Jane Austen. Or maybe Italy during the renaissance? I guess, part of the answer would depend on my circumstances at that time period. Am I going back as a obnoxiously rich venetian comtesse or an english duchess with a sprawling manner at my disposal? Or will I be begging for scraps and subject to disease and poverty?
If it's the latter, then I choose somewhere warm like southern Italy.
TOUGH question. I love the idea of England in the Georgian or Regency era but that could be my love of Jane Austen. Or maybe Italy during the renaissance? I guess, part of the answer would depend on my circumstances at that time period. Am I going back as a obnoxiously rich venetian comtesse or an english duchess with a sprawling manner at my disposal? Or will I be begging for scraps and subject to disease and poverty?
If it's the latter, then I choose somewhere warm like southern Italy.
Any advice for younger witches or witches starting out?
Be discerning in who you follow and listen to. Even if you really trust and love someone and their content, still treat every piece of information with critical thinking skills because all content creators, authors and authority figures are capable of misinformation (myself included).
Read a wide and varied selection of books. If reading isn't your thing, then use audio books, YouTube or podcasts. Diversify the content that you absorb and don't narrow it to only books on witchcraft. Anthropology, religion, philosophy, academic texts, they all serve a purpose.
Be discerning in who you follow and listen to. Even if you really trust and love someone and their content, still treat every piece of information with critical thinking skills because all content creators, authors and authority figures are capable of misinformation (myself included).
Read a wide and varied selection of books. If reading isn't your thing, then use audio books, YouTube or podcasts. Diversify the content that you absorb and don't narrow it to only books on witchcraft. Anthropology, religion, philosophy, academic texts, they all serve a purpose.
Do you listen to music when you do spellwork? If so, what are you listening to?
No, it would be very rare that I use music during my spellwork or rituals. I usually want complete focus and music seeks to distract me in those moments.
Outside of spellwork I'm currently listening to Lover boy by Queen on repeat and will never get over this song.
No, it would be very rare that I use music during my spellwork or rituals. I usually want complete focus and music seeks to distract me in those moments.
Outside of spellwork I'm currently listening to Lover boy by Queen on repeat and will never get over this song.
Your top 3 witchy reads?
- You can heal your life by Louise Hay. It's not 'witchy' exactly, but it was instrumental in helping to heal a lot of myself and I still turn to it for the spiritual reasons behind physical ailments. Big caveat here is that the book is not to be a replacement for therapy or medical treatment. It can serve as a great addition to modern medical practices.
- The Mayfair Witches trilogy by Anne Rice (actually everything by Anne Rice). This may not be a non-fiction book but her knowledge of witchcraft, the occult and voodoo influence mixed with her exceptional historical references (and incredible storytelling) is a wealth of knowledge. Sometimes inspiration can be found in the most unlikely of places. I am just thrilled it came in such a delectable and enjoyable way.
- Anatomy of the Spirit by Caroline Myss. This book was another game changer for me. It helped me to dive deeper into the energy centres and chakras and is fascinating to read!
- You can heal your life by Louise Hay. It's not 'witchy' exactly, but it was instrumental in helping to heal a lot of myself and I still turn to it for the spiritual reasons behind physical ailments. Big caveat here is that the book is not to be a replacement for therapy or medical treatment. It can serve as a great addition to modern medical practices.
- The Mayfair Witches trilogy by Anne Rice (actually everything by Anne Rice). This may not be a non-fiction book but her knowledge of witchcraft, the occult and voodoo influence mixed with her exceptional historical references (and incredible storytelling) is a wealth of knowledge. Sometimes inspiration can be found in the most unlikely of places. I am just thrilled it came in such a delectable and enjoyable way.
- Anatomy of the Spirit by Caroline Myss. This book was another game changer for me. It helped me to dive deeper into the energy centres and chakras and is fascinating to read!
Are you working on something new you'd like to share with us?
Yes! I've just released episode 1 of my brand new podcast! It's called Witch Talks - A Suburban Witchery Podcast and I'm interviewing professional witches out in the world.
Yes! I've just released episode 1 of my brand new podcast! It's called Witch Talks - A Suburban Witchery Podcast and I'm interviewing professional witches out in the world.
Your favourite fictional, movie or tv witch?
I really love Carmen from Siempre Bruja which is a corny Columbian tv show and I love it!
I really love Carmen from Siempre Bruja which is a corny Columbian tv show and I love it!
In your opinion, who is the sexiest person alive?
If my husband asks, I said him but just between us.. it would have to be, without a doubt, Dita Von Teese. I would worship that woman, she is so beautiful.
I also can't get enough of Ian Somerhalder in his role as Damon Salvatore. Just delicious.
If my husband asks, I said him but just between us.. it would have to be, without a doubt, Dita Von Teese. I would worship that woman, she is so beautiful.
I also can't get enough of Ian Somerhalder in his role as Damon Salvatore. Just delicious.
Something you don't do or you think is a big no-no in Witchery.
Cultural appropriation is a big no-no. Have I done it before? Yes. But once I know better I do better as should we all.
Taking from closed practices is a big no-no. They're closed for a reason. Teaching the oath bound knowledge from closed practices is really bad energy.
Talking down or dismissing how others practice, regardless of religion can also be a dick move.
Cultural appropriation is a big no-no. Have I done it before? Yes. But once I know better I do better as should we all.
Taking from closed practices is a big no-no. They're closed for a reason. Teaching the oath bound knowledge from closed practices is really bad energy.
Talking down or dismissing how others practice, regardless of religion can also be a dick move.
You are such a gift to the world, always offering your love and guidance, but who or what replenishes you and fills up your cup?
Hearing feedback from my lovely clients and followers fills me with such joy and keeps me motivated to continue doing what I'm doing.
My family replenishes me with their love, but so does my spiritual practice.
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If you'd like to keep vibing with Hana make sure you follow her socials, blogs and tune in to her fabulous new podcast 'Witch Talks' as the first one with Jason Mankey is so good! She is a natural host and I'm sure you'll become an avid listener after the first interview. TIKTOK INSTAGRAM