2016-12-06T08:37:58-05:00

Photo courtesy of Brandi Auset. All rights reserved.
Divination interview with Brandi Auset. Photo courtesy of Brandi Auset. All rights reserved.

Voodoo Universe is proud to present our divination interview with Brandi Auset. Brandi Auset is trained as a High Priestess of the Goddess, Reiki Master Teacher, massage therapist, spiritual counselor, and intuitive reader. She has been working with Goddess energy for most of her life, and she teaches workshops on many topics, including sacred sensuality, and techniques for infusing the Divine Feminine into daily life and spiritual practice. Brandi is the author of “The Goddess Guide: Exploring the Attributes and Correspondences of the Divine Feminine“, published with Llewellyn Worldwide. You can connect with Brandi at brandiauset.com and at RED Wholistic on Facebook.

When did you start divining?

I suppose I have technically always been a diviner. I’ve seen and heard spirits and guides since I was a child; by age eight I was regularly having premonitions through dreams and demonstrating empathic abilities. But I didn’t start to hone those skills until I was around fifteen years old. I started reading cards professionally in 1995, when I was seventeen years old.

With what method of divination?

Like so many others, I started with the Rider-Waite deck. It’s a great place to learn the basics – to get the symbolism of the actual cards and artwork down. And then I started combining that knowledge with my intuition and the wisdom my guides and Goddesses gave me. I studied runes and playing cards as well. As I grew in the craft and my love of art and creativity became apparent, I expanded to oracle decks, and crystal divination.

Which method do you use most often now?

I’ve developed so far in the craft that most of my readings are accomplished by sitting in meditation, and just connecting to and reading the energy. But for client’s with specific questions, The Goddess Oracle card deck, written by Amy Sophia Marashinsky with art by Hrana Janto is my go-to deck. My training as a High Priestess has led me to work specifically with Goddess energy during my readings. And I love using the Wild Unknown deck to expand on a specific topic.
And I recently ordered the Dust II Onyx: A Melanated Tarot Deck ( Check out the Voodoo Universe post about this deck ), and I cannot wait to get my hands on that!

How important is the choice/phrasing of the question?

So important! I think what many readers and clients forget is that a reading is based off of the energy the client puts forth. If the question is too specific, too limited, it skews the results because the question may be phrased in a way that excludes pathways of growth and knowledge. For example, if a client asks “When will I get that job at the bookstore?” – well, what if you aren’t supposed to work at the bookstore? What if the bookstore will only make you miserable? What if there’s another job that’s perfect for you ? But the client has limited that knowledge because of how the question was phrased.
And if you are too general you run the chance of receiving too much information, and have to sift through to figure out what pertains to your situation in the present moment.

An experienced reader can work with either of these situations, but really – why make the situation more difficult with off phrasing? So I find the best question to ask is “tell me what I need to know about_______.” That way, the client gets the exact information they need to help them along their path.

Do you have a yes/no method of divining you recommend?

I love working with pendulums for yes/no divining. It’s a fun method and it reminds me how the energy of the world and my body are aligned… all the answers you need are inside of you, if you’re willing to look.
I also use tarot cards for yes/no when I need a bit of clarity about that yes or no. I shuffle the deck, ask my question, and pull one card. If the card is upright the answer is yes; reversed, then the answer is no. And then I divine the card to get a deeper understanding.

Is there any advice you have for newcomers when using divination?

Trust your instincts. Trust whatever Gods, Goddesses, etc you work with. Trust your Self.
The best advice I ever received about divination was from a woman named Donna Metcalfe. I was sixteen years old, and every time I gave a reading, it felt like I was just telling a story, like I was making it all up. And that made me nervous that I was getting it wrong, or I was a fraud, and all those other self-deprecating things we think about ourselves sometimes. And Donna just smiled at me and said, “Everyone feels like that in the beginning. But ask yourself, out of all the stories you could have made up – why that one? Why did you choose to tell that particular story?” And for me, the answer to that was because it felt right.

It felt true, and real. So I had to learn to trust the story, to trust the feeling that came with telling the story. Because that feeling, that tingle in my head and my belly, was Goddess speaking to me. It was the energy of my intuition, of my heart and crown. And once I learned to recognized that, divination became a way of life.

You are the gifted author of The Goddess Guide and more. Can you tell us about your books, and any other new projects you are developing?

Right now I’m working on a kind of field manual for spiritual women – a way to live your day to day life within Goddess energy. It covers everything from dealing with fear and poverty consciousness, all the way to sexuality and sensuality. I also explain the Goddesses to work with for each situation, and their mythology.
It’s a work in progress, and should be ready for release in late 2017.

2016-12-12T05:02:51-05:00

Love Magic by Lilith Dorsey. All rights reserved.
Love Magic by Lilith Dorsey. All rights reserved.

It’s almost time, I’m so excited my new book Love Magic will be officially released on December 1st. The interesting path to writing my new book Love Magic wasn’t an easy one. But in many ways everything from the sensuous delights of Heaven, to the seedy underbelly of Hell prepared me for it.

Prurient pomegranate photo by Lilith Dorsey. All rights reserved.
Prurient pomegranate photo by Lilith Dorsey. All rights reserved.

One of the most entertaining parts of producing this book was creating the book trailer video. Regular readers of this blog know I did my undergraduate and graduate work at NYU studying film, and film-making is a deep and sincere passion of mine. I wanted my book trailer video to be funny, entertaining, and informative. Consequently,, I think I may have done my job too well. Some of the early comments on the short said the banana was too offensive, and I should remove the offending pomegranate. Please watch, see for yourself and let me know what you think in the comments below and on youtube. A special thanks and a million blessings to the Dragon Ritual Drummers whose music appears in the video – you can purchase their powerful music on itunes.

 

Frequent visitors to this blog also know for over 25 years I have worked as a professional psychic and priestess. For better or worse, most of the time when people come to me for psychic readings and spells, it is because of love. Over the years I have helped my clients, my friends, and myself to find genuine love spells that really work. Doing readings in bars, parking lots, at hotel conferences, concerts and more, I got to experience the full spectrum of questions about that mysterious, delightful, and divine thing called love. People have come to me looking to find love in every facet. I have done my best to help them find it.

This lovely journey led me to the writing of Love Magic. The book is available now to order wherever books and ebooks are sold. It contains over 250 magical spells for getting love, keeping love, loving yourself, spreading the love and more. There are spells to honor the Goddess in all her glorious forms. Spells to connect with your ancestor’s wisdom for guidance, and much more. Please check it out, and if you can leave us an honest review on Amazon and Goodreads.

Thanks for watching, reading, sharing, and most of all loving !

 

2016-10-16T07:02:01-05:00

Photo by Courtney Alexander. All rights reserved.
Dust II Onyx Tarot. Photo by Courtney Alexander. All rights reserved.

I can honestly say the Dust II Onyx- A Melanated Tarot is one of the most beautiful and powerful decks I have ever seen. It was a great honor to interview it’s artist and creator, Courtney Alexander. If you can, please support the kickstarter for the project which ends on October 17th, and is fortunately very near it’s goal as I write this. You can read more about the project below, and if you have enjoyed what you found here, please remember to share, share, share !

When did you start divining?

Well I can’t say I’ve been doing it too long. I’ve only been reading tarot for others less than a year. However most of my life I have found myself giving guidance to others. It’s always felt like a gift, the wisdom and encouragement that I have been able to give to others. It’s just been on a more intuitive level. Using tarot has allowed me to harness and refine that skill. Besides tarot, when someone visits me I allow them to choose a crystal to take home. Then I tell them about why they chose it and what their spirit is asking for.

I’m also a very vivid dreamer. I’ve had many premonitions and messages come to me throughout my life. The more I’ve grown into my spiritual authenticity the more connections I am now able to make. So I’ve been paying more attention to what my dreams tell me.

How important is the choice/phrasing of the question?

Phrasing I’ve learned makes a world of difference. Sometimes it helps to write down questions. We aren’t always conscious of the uncertainty we place on messages before we even start. When I do yes/no questions I go for a more simple pull to find out the overall answer. Then if I need clarification I pull additional cards. If I need to know something specific then I make sure that while I’m shuffling I state what each and every card placement will tell me so then I can reiterate what kind of answers I am looking for. That’s why I find general readings a bit more difficult. Spirit has so much information to give us and there is an infinite well of divine knowledge to pull from. Imagine walking in a library and just asking someone to find a book for you without specifying a topic. You’d simply be pulling books until you randomly found one. But properly stating your questions helps bring a focus to your intentions and we know with magick intention is everything.

Courtney Alexander photo. All rights reserved.
Courtney Alexander photo. All rights reserved.

Is there any advice you have for newcomers when using divination?

I prefer to not use tarot to predict. If I read for anyone or myself it is always with the premise of empowering the receiver. There is no system of divination that can overpower my ability to make decisions or manifest in my life. It can not replace my free will. All it can do is give me a forecast. From there I always have the power to make decisions that align with my soul growth. It is an informant of sorts. So with the philosophy in mind it keeps me from falling into the trap of believing tarot has some special power to control my life. That’s how many who read or go to readers are disappointed. However, when we see tarot as a teacher we are in a much better place to receive the lessons we need to learn.

Also be patient with yourself. Experiment. Remove the idea from your mind that divination has to look a certain way. There are no concrete rules. Learn how your spirit speaks and give it attention. You will always be way better at a method tailored to you than picking someone else’s. You will also build trust in yourself that way, which will strengthen everything you do. Anything can be read and used for divination. Water, shells, cards, smoke, road kill. ANYTHING. Because divination methods are tools to draw out of you what is already there. So honor and appreciate the gift you have.

3 of Cups Dust II Onyx Tarot. All rights reserved.
3 of Cups Dust II Onyx Tarot. All rights reserved.

You are a gifted artist, working on Dust II Onyx A Melanated Tarot, can you tell us about it?

Being a fat/black/queer woman there wasn’t a deck I saw myself in. I agonized for months over how to express the depth and diversity I wanted to see. After months of not having a vision for what it’d look like a dream came to me. Then it came to me again. In the dream was an intensely gorgeous black portrait which has become the inspiration behind this deck. I began the work using my current knowledge of tarot and mostly my own intuition. The imagery that comes forth is as new to me as it is for the readers who will use this deck. It is coming from a place that is far beyond my conscious mind. Dust II Onyx was created from my desire to make artwork that resonated with my soul, and now has become a work I want to share with others.

My desire is for people to see themselves in this deck. To have a kindred connection. To see the mirror reflecting who they really are. It’s about deep, impactful transformation. That’s the energy I put into them and hope resonates with each user. Whether you’re an enthusiast or a reader, the work is meant to stir within you on the soul level.

The Kickstarter is nearing its end on October 17! So please support in any way you can. If you can not donate right away, I also take shares and positive loving energy. All of your beautiful messages sent have definitely motivated me through this intense process. Please visit Http://Kck.St/2cIbJ1F to support the Kickstarter! You may also sign up to receive updates at Www.Dust2onyx.Com.

Dust II Onyx: A Melanated Tarot Deck will be a full 78+ card tarot deck. Each card will feature spot gloss and gold foil accents to maintain varying surface quality of the original works. The cards will be high quality 3.5 ” x 5″ cards on 350GSM stock with rounded corners. The decks will come in a limited edition lidded box. You may also purchase metal and digital prints of the artwork during this campaign!

What’s next for you ?

More work! I do have other decks in me, I know this much. But they will arise in due time. Otherwise I will continue to work on my craft and plan exhibitions. My desire is to use art to spread love around this world, using the faces of those that have too often represented oppression. That is the legacy I want to leave behind.

 

2016-10-08T11:12:12-05:00

Voodoo Universe photo by Lilith Dorsey. All rights reserved.
Voodoo Universe photo by Lilith Dorsey. All rights reserved.

400 posts. Sometimes I’m in awe of the body of work we have put together for this blog over the years. We profile accurate and respectful information about the religions of New Orleans Voodoo, Haitian Vodou, La Regla Lucumi, and other Afro-Diasporan traditions.  There are important posts that I am very proud of, ones that help to correct stereotypes and document vital histories. There are those that are necessary, for better or worse, like the one last week about Help My Ex is Doing A Hex. Then there are those that you probably need but don’t even know it yet. 400 posts are a lot and if you have the time, I’ve got the posts, and I humbly suggest you go back to see if there is something you may have missed. Thanks so much for reading !

Altar for Chango Feast and Ritual, photo by Lilith Dorsey
Altar for Chango Feast and Ritual, photo by Lilith Dorsey

Many times I have had the pleasure of sharing food posts with some of my favorite ritual recipes for the Gods, Goddess, Orisha and Lwa. Undoubtedly the one that sparked the most controversy was Chango’s Cashew Chili, well we all know Chango is fiery. I think many people objected not to the recipe but to the fact that the accompanying photo included some altar items that they felt were inappropriate. No I’m not talking about something sexual or spoiled, It was a photograph of James Dean. Which in hindsight I realize needed some explanation. Over my 25 plus years of experience setting up altars and ritual spaces very often the element of chance has come into play. There was the time We did a veve for Agwe and the shadows from the wall made the imprint of a fishnet on top. Or the times when it jumped, flipped or otherwise fell into place amidst the sacred space. These are seen as divine reminders of possibility, so when a photograph of James Dean, the powerful actor, iconoclast, and racecar driver whose life was taken too soon, fell among the items for that year’s Chango altar, we left it. Nevertheless, the recipe is delicious, so check out the link above to try it out !

What’s New ?

I’m so proud of my new instagram challenge for myself and hopefully all of you reading this. #31daysofsamhain

#31DaysofSamhain instagram challenge photo by Lilith Dorsey. All rights reserved.
#31DaysofSamhain instagram challenge photo by Lilith Dorsey. All rights reserved.

is the hashtag to use on instagram this month to show your visual love for your ancestors, and all things related to Samhain. Some great images are popping up already, so please join us !

What’s Next ?

I’ve been leaving little excited hints here and there on social media, but I’d like to officially announce the upcoming release of my new book Love Magic published by Weiser. It is available for pre-order now on Amazon, and will be in everyone’s hot little hands by December. Based on years of magical experience and prodigious research, this book includes sections on such topics as self-love, marriage, fertility, erotic adventures, the ethics of love magic, and more.

What’s Free ? Our Screw Columbus Day Giveaway

African-American Ritual Cookbook by Lilith Dorsey
African-American Ritual Cookbook by Lilith Dorsey

I’ve gotten a lot of buzz lately around my African-American Ritual cookbook. It contains ritual dishes to enjoy and share with those you love. Hopefully by now everyone knows Columbus Day is a ricockulous holiday celebrating someone didn’t really discover America, because it was full of native people already. People who suffered and were almost destroyed by Eurocentric agression. Columbus wasn’t even the 1st European to land on these shores, that honor goes to Lief Erickson. So in an effort to give back, and also give the finger to this unpleasant event, which spurs more sales than it does sympathy and understanding, I’ve decided to give away copies of my cookbook. It is always available for free to those who have kindle direct, but this weekend it will be free for everyone to download. The promotion will end on Monday so act now, as spread the word. And please if you enjoy what you get consider leaving me a review ( I need help with the haters.)

What You Can Do !

Unfortunately, blogging doesn’t pay very well. Most months it doesn’t pay at all. Some of my fellow bloggers have made a “buy me a cup of coffee” button where you can send them $3 to have a drink on them. Coffee does make the world go around. If you’d like to show your appreciation and send me $3 for a delicious beverage click here and I’ll be truly grateful you even get a free gift download. There are other ways to help too, we have recently set up a patreon account, click here to support us with a small monthly donation, so the videos, photos, and information you love will keep coming. Another option to keep in mind is our amazon store, there is a link in the tabs above, and if you access the site that way you can help us out when you purchase household staples, download your favorite videos, or buy your florida water. Last but not least I need to say thanks, and if you have enjoyed what you found here in our over 400 posts, Please remember to share, share, share!

2016-09-01T15:17:16-05:00

Detail of page from Who Is Ana Mendieta by Christine Redfern and Caro Caron. Licensed under CC 2.0
Detail of page from Who Is Ana Mendieta by Christine Redfern and Caro Caron. Licensed under CC 2.0

“My art is the way I reestablish the bonds that tie me to the universe. ” – Ana Mendieta

It has been over 30 years since the brilliant, talented, visionary, and spiritual artist Ana Mendieta plunged to her death on the streets of New York City. But all too often in stories like hers people focus on the negative and not the beauty of what was, and what remains behind.

In her lecture at NYU Divinating Black Body and Black African Sisterhood, scholar Genevieve Hyacinth “confronted issues of race and ethnicity, comparing Mendieta’s work to other Cuban female performance artists, and considering it in relation to the Black Cuban spiritual practice of Santería (Also known as Lucumi). While Hyacinth acknowledged that Mendieta did not actually practice Santería herself, she asserts that Mendieta drew on the religion in her performances to ‘assault her whiteness and social privileges.’ ” The work of Ana Mendieta is certainly magickal. It burst forth from her Cuban roots, informed by the majesty of nature and ourselves. She pushed boundaries and at their core that is what art and magick are about. Some of her artwork included earth, water, blood … the stuff of life.

In a lecture earlier this year her niece Raquel Cecelia Mendieta spoke about Ana Mendieta’s art, films, and life.

Like so many visionaries, Ana Mendieta’s strong and beautiful life was cut too short. Thank you for reading this blog if you have enjoyed what you read here please remember to share, share, share.

 

2016-06-20T05:40:46-05:00

Dead lighter cemetery at Brushwood Folklore Center. Photo by Lilith Dorsey, all rights reserved.
Dead lighter cemetery at Brushwood Folklore Center. Photo by Lilith Dorsey, all rights reserved.

The weather is warm, the skirts are short, and festival season is upon us. So dye your hair, fluff up your tutu, patch up your tent, and get ready to rock. Festivals are a chance to get with kindred spirits, both old and new. I’ve been lecturing, vending, and partying at Pagan festivals for over twenty years, and what a long strange trip it’s been.

A few years ago I published the popular –

Top Ten Survival Tips For Pagan Festivals

  • What happens at the festival stays at the festival, now that’s not to say there aren’t many people who have met their true love at a Pagan event, myself included on more than one occasion, but for the most part the atmosphere is one of love and fuzziness that doesn’t necessarily survive the journey home.
  • Baby Wipes- Doesn’t matter if you are preparing for the Zombie apocalypse or a Pagan event, these wonderful things come in handy. Now there are others practicals too like bungee cords and dog ties, but that is a blog post of a different color and a list post for another day. I do like to add a few drops of lavendar oil to my wipes, it is anti-bacterial and spiritual at the same time.
  • Check your presenters credentials ! At one time, back in the day, most of the presenters at events were scholars,authors, and longtime practitioners, unfortunately this is no longer the case. I’m not condemning people for not having training, but it is a requirement before you start to teach others.
  • Be Nice. Drive slow if it’s an outdoor event. Read the rules. Line up quietly and courteously, maybe you didn’t get a full night’s sleep, that guy on line for coffee ahead of you probably didn’t either
  • Be careful. These woods can be treacherous.

You can read the rest here. This year I’m getting ready to hit the road again. On July 9th I will be at the 5th annual Witchsfest USA located at Astor Place in NYC from 10-4 pm. I will be offering a workshop, book-signing, readings and more. It is free for all to attend and I will be joined by such notables as Christopher Penczak, Rhea Rivera, Rhonda Harris Choudry, Starr RavenHawk, and many more. Please join us.

55 Ways to Connect to Goddess by Lilith Dorsey
55 Ways to Connect to Goddess by Lilith Dorsey

Later on in the month from July 10-17th I will be in Upstate NY at the Sankofa Festival, where I will be offer 3 workshops, including one about my new book 55 Ways To Connect To Goddess. If you get a chance to say hi, sit down and have a cup of coffee, and maybe a reading, I’d love to see you there. At the same location, in Sherman, NY from July 18-24 will be the World famous Sirius Rising festival. I am proud to have been part of this event from it’s very beginnings. This year I will be offering workshops, readings, and even a little something special for those who seek me out. Mention the blog for a free gift, and much love. Brushwood Folklore Center, where the event takes place is one of the best Pagan campgrounds around. If you get a chance visit the dead lighter cemetery, the ancestor mound, our newly planted Oshun garden and much more. We hope to see you there ! If you have enjoyed what you read here please remember to share, share, share, and I’d love to hear what festivals you are packing and planning for, please leave me a note in the comment section below, and Happy Camping !

 

2016-06-06T05:37:58-05:00

Courtesy of Theitic. All rights reserved.
Courtesy of Theitic. All rights reserved.

Theitic, like many profiled here on Voodoo Universe, has been both a friend and an inspiration for many years.  Born in Providence, R.I. in 1956, he began studying magick in 1968. He graciously agreed to answer some questions for us about divination, and his exciting new projects.

When did you start divining?
I formally began using divination when I was about 12 years old. I was in a store and I found the Swiss Tarot Deck. I wasn’t terribly fond of the style, but I was thrilled to learn of the Tarot. It was some years later that I came across the Rider-Waite deck, and the symbolism spoke to me. I have continued using variations of this style ever since.

With what method?
In my early years, I used numerous forms of divination. However, I always came back to the Tarot as my favorite.

In addition to the Tarot, I have used a variety of other systems to foretell – cowrie, astrology, pendulum, searching the Akashic record and the inner landscape, picking up 3 random objects on the seashore (as taught to me by Elizabeth Pepper) and others.

Which method do you use most often now?
The Tarot (when a deck is available to me) is still my divining method of choice. I use an astrological method to forecast, but only turn the card/s that are necessary for the required answer. No need in complicating the reading or confusing your querent with unnecessary card positions.

How important is the choice/phrasing of the question?
If I am reading for someone, the question must be phrased as perfectly as possible. If I am divining for myself, the intention of the question is more important than the verbalization of it. At all times for the witch and magician alike, what is intended carries the most power and can have the greatest effect.

Pendulum photo by Lilith Dorsey. All rights reserved.
Pendulum photo by Lilith Dorsey. All rights reserved.

Do you have a yes/no method of divining you recommend?
Although Tarot is my divination method of choice, when I need a quick yes/no question answered, the pendulum is quite effective.

Is there any advice you have for newcomers when using divination?
Divination is a very personal art. It is best to learn as much as you can about various forms of divination before you choose your primary method. Once you have decided upon your personal choice, practice it in every way possible – read for yourself, for friends, for family, for your pets, for world events, etc. Experience the skill of prophecy in every way that you can. Over time, this will lead to being comfortable enough to look at divination as an extension of your senses.

I’m honored to say we have been friends for over a decade now, there have been a lot of changes in the Pagan community over those years, what has surprised you and what has pleased you over time about the community?
This is a big question, encompassing more than can be answered here. However, I will provide a few brief comments.

I must say that I continued to be surprised by “learned” people mixing traditions, method, deity, etc. all into one practice. It is fine to practice them at different times, but not all at the same time. To me, this is like mixing sweet and sour chicken with spaghetti and meatballs and burritos. The results are not only something you don’t expect, but often not pleasing to the spiritual palette.

I also think that the bickering about “Witchcraft” and “Wicca” is unnecessary. Both systems are equally valid and should be respected as such.

On a positive note, I am very happy to see new generations coming into spiritual power. I am pleased that young people are embracing the environment, nature and time-honored traditions and practices. People are expanding their horizons and learning new things. Meditation is on the rise, battling stress and many stress related diseases. Spiritual practices that were once found in remote parts of the world, now can be found everywhere. Here in RI, the smallest state in the U.S., you can find Hindu worshipers, a Santeria house (or two!), members of an OTO lodge, a practicing Palero, at least two Buddhist temples, Wicca in many forms, several Botanicas, old world Witchcraft and folklore and much more diversity than you would have found in the past 200 years.

Witches' Almanac Coloring Book.
Witches’ Almanac Coloring Book.

You are a gifted author, working on The Witches’ Almanac and more. Everywhere I turn these days I see your wonderful new coloring book, can you tell us about it?
I am very pleased to have put out the Witches’ Almanac Coloring Book this year. It has been a tremendous success, selling out of our wholesaler (Weiser’s) warehouse in just 2 months. We are reprinting it this week.

The coloring book is filled with fun images – old woodcuts, some of which do not reproduce very well, but we wanted to keep the original images without tinkering with them. Stellar images, Egyptian motifs, American symbols and deities, and much more embellish this large 8 ½ x 11 book. Adults and children are enjoying this title, which can also be found at Barnes & Noble.

What’s next for you? Are there any new projects in the works?
There certainly are new projects up my sleeve. Although I can’t talk much about them now, I can tell you that one deals with a very well known author and his love for the Tarot. We are producing a book describing his original Tarot designs and their meaning. This book will be out before the end of 2016, and promises to be beautifully illustrated.

A second project involves the practice of Hoodoo. Many folks have asked about Hoodoo and related spiritualism, and we are answering that need. This is a time consuming project. The final product will be a hefty tome. We are moving along nicely and with luck, this title will also be available before the end of 2016.

As always, the next Witches’ Almanac takes up most of the staff’s time. The 2017 issue has some fascinating material. Here’s a sneak preview of some of the articles – The Beekeeper’s Year, Cemetery Symbols & Funeral Art, Graeco-Egyptian Magic, The Never Resting Sea, Easter Witches, Spirits and Ghosts in Norway, Speaking in Tongues and Poppets!

Theitic’s journey in the craft has been extensive. He explains :  I came in contact with my first Coven in 1974, the year I met Gwen Thompson. I was initiated in 1976 into the N.E.C.T.W. Tradition. I became an HP and began running my own Coven in 1978. In 1975 I founded the Center for Exoteric Research and Esoteric Studies (C.E.R.E.S.) in Providence. While continuously practicing the Craft, from 1976 through the present, I also worked with a Ceremonial Magic Tradition and I opened a metaphysical and occult store – the Flaming Cauldron, Inc. During the 1980’s and 90’s I also took initiations in Palo Meyombe, Santeria, and traditional Nigerian spiritual practices.

Currently, I am active in three Covens of the N.E.C.T.W. Tradition, Coven of Minerva has been operational since 1987, Coven of the Crossroads since 2009 and Coven Sidera since 2007. I am also the historian for the N.E.C.T.W. Tradition. In 1995 I was initiated into the Alexandrian tradition (through the Mary Nesnick & Hans Holzer line) and, with Morganna Davies, ran Phoenix Rising Coven for approximately 10 years. Although not running a Coven, I am a 3rd degree Gardnarian.

In my Craft business world, I am running two small publishing companies, Olympian Press and The Witches’ Almanac Ltd (www.TheWitchesAlmanac.com) – which was left to me by my close friend of 30 years, Elizabeth Pepper. Through Olympian Press, I am co-author (with Robert Mathiesen) of The Rede of the Wiccae – a book about the Rede and the family of the late Gwen Thompson (Healy).

I am a 32 degree Freemason – Scottish rite, and have taken most of the York Rite degrees. Charity and the non-profit world have always been important to me and currently I am the Executive Director of Acts of Kindness (www.a-o-k.org) – a pagan run charity, Sacred Ground (http://www.sacred-ground.org), and the Society of the Evening Star (S.O.T.E.S.) (http://www.sotes.org), – all 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations.

He lives in Providence, RI with his husband, Thor and his beloved dogs, Dana and Samson.

If you have enjoyed what you have read here please be sure to check out Theitic’s work, and remember to share, share, share.

 


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