S3E4: Stripping Down the Sacred with Ember Fae

Summary

In this episode, I sit down with the electric and enchanting Ember Fae—fairy witch, burlesque performer, and exotic animal veterinarian—to explore the sacred intersection of dance, magic, and personal power. From the very beginning, we dive into the rituals that shape Ember’s world: lighting candles, drawing cards, and tuning into the energy of vengeance (yes, vengeance!) as a sacred response to systems of control. We talk about what it means to move beyond the binaries we’re handed—science or spirit, healer or performer, sexy or sacred—and instead choose integration.

Ember shares how burlesque became a surprising and powerful spiritual practice, transforming from a hobby sparked by burnout into a full-blown reclamation of self. With deep reverence for the art form’s rich and rebellious history, they walk us through what burlesque really is (hint: not just stripping), how it’s used for storytelling, activism, and ecstatic embodiment—and how it connects to witchcraft, ritual, and goddess work. We also hear the beautiful origin story of Ember’s burlesque journey, guided by intuition, community, and an accidental encounter with a flyer in a corset factory.

This conversation is alive with the energy of movement as ritual, with Inanna as our guide through descent, stripping down, and sacred rage. We talk about dancing with your spirit guides, casting circles before rehearsal, and even channeling egregores in the middle of a performance. If you’ve ever felt too much, not enough, or unsure how to bring all of your magic into one space, Ember’s story is a spell of permission. Move your body. Cast your spell. Be your whole self.

Takeaways

• Burlesque can be a deeply spiritual practice rooted in ritual, reclamation, and embodied magic.

• Sacred rage and vengeance can be powerful catalysts for healing and transformation.

• You don’t have to choose between science and spirit—true wholeness comes from integration.

• Performing can be a form of spellwork, especially when guided by intuition and ancestral energy.

• Stripping away layers—literal or metaphorical—can be an act of liberation and devotion.

Quoteables

• Burlesque is how I do my magic—every sequin is a spell, every shimmy a prayer. – Ember Fae

• Vengeance isn’t always violence—it’s claiming your power in a world that told you to stay small. – Ember Fae

• I don’t separate science from spirit—both are ways I listen to the world. – Ember Fae

• The stage became my altar, and my body became my offering. – Ember Fae

• Stripping is sacred when it’s on your terms—when you choose what gets taken off and what gets revealed. – Ember Fae

Notes

1. Dark Goddess Oracle Deck

Referenced during the card pull at the beginning.

🔗 https://www.llewellyn.com/product.php?ean=9780738758862

2. Wendy Mata’s “Forest Om” (Earth Playlist)

Matt mentions dancing to a song from this playlist during his morning ritual.

3. Gypsy Rose Lee / Gypsy (the musical/movie)

Referenced during the history of burlesque section.

🔗 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gypsy_(1962_film)

4. Twin Temple – “Let’s Have a Satanic Orgy”

Ember’s burlesque act is choreographed to this song.

🔗 https://www.twintemple.com

5. Astrea Taylor – Inspiring Creativity Through Magick

Book that helped Ember integrate spirituality into her art.

🔗 https://www.llewellyn.com/product.php?ean=9780738770154

6. Egregores (concept)

Discussed in relation to performance magick and creative spirits.

🔗 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egregore

7. The Magic Kitchen Podcast (Leandra Witchwood & Elyse Welles)

Both hosts are mentioned as influences and mentors.

🔗 https://www.themagickkitchen.com/podcast/

8. Seeking Numina – Elyse Welles

Ember references Elyse as a mentor through this platform.

🔗 https://www.seekingnumina.com

9. Instagram – Ember Fae (Guest)

Referenced for listeners to DM if interested in burlesque.

🔗 https://www.instagram.com/_emberfae_

Chapters

• 00:00 – Welcome + Introducing Ember Fae

Matt opens the episode with a warm welcome and introduces Ember Fae, a fairy witch, burlesque performer, and exotic animal vet.

• 00:51 – Card Pull: Revenge from the Dark Goddess Oracle

The pair pull a powerful oracle card to set the energy of the conversation, diving into symbolism and synchronicity.

• 04:23 – Discussion of Witchcraft in Cultural Contexts

Ember shares insights from a friend in India, comparing how witchcraft is perceived and practiced across cultures.

• 06:48 – Integration vs. Binary Thinking

Matt reflects on the theme of integration versus dichotomy, tying it to his personal journey away from evangelicalism.

• 08:14 – Who is Ember Fae?

Ember shares how her identity has evolved beyond being “just a vet” to include dancer, witch, and healer.

• 12:17 – What is Burlesque?

Ember introduces the art of burlesque and its empowering blend of performance, tease, and personal storytelling.

• 14:39 – The History of Burlesque

A spirited history lesson traces burlesque from its theatrical roots through its evolution in American culture.

• 24:02 – Common Misconceptions About Burlesque

Ember distinguishes burlesque from stripping, emphasizing the art, message, and intentionality of the form.

• 30:26 – How Ember Got Into Burlesque

A moment of intuition leads Ember from burnout and a Google search for kickboxing into the world of burlesque.

• 34:53 – Burlesque as Empowerment and Healing

The conversation explores dance as a grounding, ancestral, and transmutational form of self-expression.

• 41:23 – Parallels Between Burlesque and Ritual

Ember draws deep connections between preparing for a performance and crafting a spiritual ritual.

• 43:10 – Egregores and Performance Magic

She describes how egregores—spiritual thoughtforms—become collaborators in her creative process.

• 51:00 – Working with Goddess Energy: Inanna

Ember shares how she channels goddess archetypes, especially Inanna, into her burlesque acts.

• 58:30 – Ember’s Inanna-Inspired Act

Ember details her new piece inspired by Inanna’s descent myth, featuring roses, fire, and Nickelback.

• 1:00:29 – Advice for Those Curious About Burlesque

She encourages newcomers to try a class, support local shows, and find empowerment through dance.

• 1:02:36 – Closing Remarks and Call to Action

Matt wraps up the episode with gratitude, reflections on resonance, and a call for listener engagement.