00:03:03.280gather that elixir to hydrate my soul.
00:03:06.820And as we at Missing Witches also gather names to add to the list of people who help us define what magic is, what a soul is, what it might mean to be a witch, I hear the music of Alice Coltrane.
00:03:24.780Alice Coltrane who, no stranger to loss, found music and found God.
00:03:32.700I titled this episode Spiritual Jazz for two main reasons.
00:03:38.000First, it's a kind of jazz music that has some kind of influence of spirituality,
00:03:43.580like an older, cooler, wiser, deeper, third cousin twice removed of Christian rock.
00:14:07.700A feeling of great love permeated the air.
00:14:12.060Spiritually, John Coltrane was there too.
00:14:15.600A huge golden harp sat next to a concert grand piano.
00:14:20.060Drums and cymbals, bells and gongs were about the room, reminding us of John Coltrane's explorations and sound.
00:14:28.420The quiet dignity of Alice Coltrane, the tranquility and graciousness of her home, confirmed the belief that John Coltrane truly left a great legacy to those dear to him, peace and love, end quote.
00:14:47.860According to Alice, John wasn't looking to make music. He was trying to channel a universal sound.
00:14:54.920How to even attempt to conjure the soul's expression of divinity into music, into a universal sound?
00:15:04.360To accomplish this, Alice blended everything she could find from the whole world.
00:15:11.480She went through a profound period of grief and soul-searching,
00:15:15.600which led her to explore many religions and mystical traditions as pathways to peace and understanding.
00:15:23.040Alice threw herself entirely into this spiritual seeking, her search leading her to study the teachings of several spiritual traditions from around the world, including Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism, as she sought that greater understanding of life and the universe.
00:20:09.900She translated her anointed name from Sanskrit as
00:20:13.360the Transcendental Lord's Highest Song of Bliss.
00:20:18.920Typically, a Hindu monk or guru ordains a Swami into a recognized lineage.
00:20:24.020However, according to Alice, her initiation came directly from the Lord, a download resembling the call to preach in her family's Baptist faith.
00:20:37.100In the last interview she granted before passing away, Alice recalled her experience.
00:31:21.580guiding lost souls through the sonic journey to oneness her legacy hums in
00:31:28.720every note she left behind a reminder music is magic and all creation sings
00:31:38.920she died in 2007 but lives on as we chant her name here today Alice Coltrane
00:31:47.580If you, dear Coven, like me, are looking for a brave, safe space to be reminded of the
00:32:08.220great vibration that connects us all, trying to transcend loss and grapple with grief,
00:32:14.500Put on your headphones and find Alice Coltrane there in the space between your ears to guide you to explore spirit for yourself and maybe even find something permanent, something that can't die or be washed away, a musical legacy, a spiritual legacy.
00:32:39.900then sing sing anything or chant for alpha brainwaves because when you express your heart
00:32:51.680it has to come from you all creation sings sweet witches and you are a member of a universal choir
00:33:02.180that awaits your improvised harmonies.
00:33:05.820It's a spell that's been working for me.