Being a Magic Maker: Pam Grossman on Magic, Creativity, and the Enchanted Path of Art
Pam Grossman, photo courtesy of Sylvie Rosokoff
Pam Grossman is a writer, curator, teacher, and practicing witch whose work explores the intersections of creativity, culture, and magic. She is the host of The Witch Wave podcast, described by Vulture as “the Terry Gross of witches.” Pam is the author of Waking the Witch: Reflections on Women, Magic, and Power and co-editor of Taschen’s Witchcraftvolume in the Library of Esoterica series. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, TIME, and more.
Her newest book, Magic Maker: The Enchanted Path to Creativity (Penguin Life & Hay House UK, October 14, 2025), is a guide to connecting with the creative force through ritual, history, and practice. It explores how artists and visionaries such as Hilma af Klint, David Bowie, Octavia E. Butler, and Leonora Carrington have used magic in their creative process, and how you can too.
Pam Grossman, photo courtesy of Sylvie Rosokoff
In This Episode We Discuss
Pam’s creative roots and how she began merging her artistic and magical practices
Misconceptions about witchcraft and how the archetype of the witch has evolved
How Magic Maker links art and magic, showing creativity as a spiritual practice
Rituals and practices artists can use to protect their studio time and invite inspiration
The idea of “low frequency” and “high frequency” desires in art and business
Pam’s experiences at MoMA and casting a spell on stage at Carnegie Hall with Jinkx Monsoon
Her research process and how she follows fascination when writing
Artists who inspire her: Leonora Carrington, Remedios Varo, Hilma af Klint, Max Ernst, Kurt Seligmann, and more
Resources and Mentions
Books by Pam Grossman
Magic Maker: The Enchanted Path to Creativity → Pre-order here
Waking the Witch: Reflections on Women, Magic, and Power
What Is a Witch
Witchcraft (Taschen’s Library of Esoterica)
Podcast
The Witch Wave
Exhibitions and Projects
Language of the Birds: Occult and Art (NYU) → languageofthebirds.org
Art of the Occult by S. Elizabeth
The Spiritual in Art: Abstract Painting 1890–1985
Artists Mentioned
Hilma af Klint, David Bowie, Octavia E. Butler, Leonora Carrington, Remedios Varo, Max Ernst, Kurt Seligmann
Create! Magazine Open Call
We are currently accepting submissions for our fall curated exhibition and catalog: The Spirit World. This virtual show explores the mystical, eerie, and uncanny, making it the perfect theme for the season.
Deadline: October 31, 2025
Connect with Pam
🌐 pamgrossman.com
🎙️ The Witch Wave Podcast
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