My Victorian Nightmare – "Fan Coven Sneak Peek!"
Host: Genevieve Manion
Date: September 8, 2025
Episode Overview
This special episode offers listeners a preview of the exclusive "Fan Coven" content available to supporters. Genevieve Manion guides her audience through a reflective discussion on closure, self-perception, and spiritual transformation during the September lunar eclipse in Pisces. The episode also features a soothing, ritual meditation designed for witches and non-witches alike, blending Victorian-themed mysticism with modern self-help insights.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Introduction to Fan Coven & Episode Purpose
- [00:50] Genevieve introduces the benefits of joining Fan Coven: ad-free episodes, her audiobook on witchcraft, and extra creepy stories each week.
- This episode originally aired for the recent eclipse and includes a meditation "that whether you are a witch or not, you might find rather relaxing."
"You'll receive my Victorian Nightmare extras, a whole extra creepy story with a deep dive each week and episodes like this one." (00:53)
2. Astrological Context & Significance of the Eclipse
- [01:38] Eclipse in Pisces represents closure, endings, and making a conscious choice to leave behind limiting beliefs or negative cycles.
- Full moons and eclipses are described as opportunities for release and transformation.
"Full moons are a time for releasing, letting go, and eclipses are the ends of chapters, turning points." (02:15)
3. Self-Reflection: Limiting Beliefs and Societal Conditioning
- [03:15] Genevieve shares a personal story about her own fears of being "too old" to podcast, exploring how internalized ageism undermines confidence.
- Addresses the persistent "tricky little birdie" of negative self-talk and the importance of recognizing its origins.
"You're too old, Genevieve. You're not young and fresh. People only want to hear young people speak. People do not like older women—older than 25. They do not like them. Give up. Throw in the towel. This little bird can be pretty darn dramatic, I'm telling you..." (04:05)
- Encourages listeners to say, "I don't care," to limiting beliefs, reframing self-doubt as irrelevant to one's purpose.
4. Eclipse Ritual Advice
- [09:12] Genevieve advises that eclipse energy is better suited to release, not "big jazzy rituals" or dramatic acts.
- Suggests releasing symbolic objects, burning mementos tied to lies or toxic relationships, and utilizing peaceful elements like lavender or tea tree oil in rituals.
- Emphasizes letting the eclipse "wash over you and take something that is not serving you... back out to sea." (10:00)
5. Guided Meditation: Cleansing, Elemental Connection, and Gratitude
- [11:42] The meditation begins by calling the directions: North (earth), South (fire), West (water), East (air), and invoking personal guardians.
- Earth: Nurturing, grounding, stability
- Fire: Passion, transformation, courage
- Water: Intuition, purification, healing
- Air: Lightness, openness, peace
- Listeners are guided through relaxing breathwork, body scanning, and inviting feelings of unconditional love.
- The meditation incorporates mindfulness, labeling sensations simply (e.g., "sound", "pain", "feeling"), and returning attention to the breath.
- Ends with a gratitude practice and a simple blessing.
"There will be no deep introspection in this meditation, no intense visualization. This is insight meditation. Vipassana. A lot happens under the hood when we do this particular form of meditation." (11:58) "May you be peaceful. May you be happy. May you live with ease. Be especially kind to yourself through this eclipse season and bless it." (22:07)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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Letting Go and Self-Redefinition:
"Start with 'I get to change something that isn't working' rather than focusing on the steps to change. If anything, just think on the things you would like to leave behind as part of your past and say to yourself, I get to leave that path behind. I have that as a gift. Because today on this eclipse, you do." (02:39)
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Reframing Self-Doubt:
"Try saying 'I don't care' to 'I'm too old, I'm too heavy, I'm not experienced enough, I'm not attractive enough.' And you know, maybe to some people I am all of those things. But I don't care. I'm gonna do the thing anyway. These definitions are not serving me." (06:31)
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Eclipse Ritual Philosophy:
"Many folks think that witches use eclipses for big jazzy rituals. Raising the dead from their graves, hexing enemies. No. No way. We are all letting go tonight. This energy is so chaotic. The best thing that you can do, the most effective thing that you can do is, as I mentioned last week, just let it take you." (10:41)
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Guided Meditation Blessing:
"May you be peaceful. May you be happy. May you live with ease. Be especially kind to yourself through this eclipse season and bless it." (22:07)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- [00:50] – Introduction to Fan Coven perks
- [01:38] – Eclipse in Pisces and what it means
- [03:15] – Genevieve addresses limiting self-perceptions
- [09:12] – Guidance on eclipse rituals: what to do and what not to do
- [11:42] – Beginning of the elemental meditation
- [22:07] – Closing blessing and advice for self-kindness
Summary
Genevieve Manion uses this Fan Coven preview to foster a sense of community and introspection, blending Victorian gothic aesthetics with modern spiritual practice. The episode is thematically centered around letting go—of outdated stories, harmful relationships, and self-doubt—using the symbolism and energy of the lunar eclipse in Pisces. Genevieve's vulnerability regarding her own insecurities gives the episode a heartfelt tone, while her ritual and meditation guidance offers listeners practical, soothing strategies for transformation and self-care during turbulent times. The closing meditation, rooted in elemental witchcraft and mindfulness, encapsulates the episode's message: embrace endings as opportunities for renewal and show yourself kindness through the process.
