About the Authors
Peg Aloi is a freelance writer and media studies scholar. She has written on diverse subjects ranging from color symbolism in film to aromatherapy to women’s sexual health. She is also an accomplished singer of traditional music and an award-winning poet. Her blog The Witching Hour (at Patheos) explores popular media related to Witchcraft, Paganism, and the occult.
Elizabeth Barrette has been involved with the Pagan community for more than twenty-six years. She served as managing editor of PanGaia for eight years and dean of studies at the Grey School of Wizardry for four years. She has written columns on beginning and intermediate Pagan practice, culture, and leadership. Her book Composing Magic explains how to combine writing and spirituality. She enjoys magical crafts, historic religions, and gardening for wildlife. Visit her blog, The Wordsmith’s Forge (www.ysabetwordsmith.livejournal.com), or website, PenUltimate Productions (www.penultimateproductions.weebly.com). Her coven site is Greenhaven Tradition(www.greenhaventradition.weebly.com).
Penny Billington is a Druid author, speaker, and ceremony and workshop leader who has had a significant role in the Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids for many years and has edited their magazine Touchstone for fifteen. Her published work includes The Path of Druidry, a best-selling practical Druid study course and guide, and The Wisdom of Birch, Oak, and Yew (both Llewellyn). This year she has written on Druidry, ancestral connections, and meditative practice. Visit her at www.pennybillington.co.uk.
Stephanie Rose Bird is an Eclectic Pagan practicing Hoodoo, Green Witchcraft, and shamanism. Deeply into meditation and yoga, she is a creative visionary. She has written five books: The Big Book of Soul; A Healing Grove; Light, Bright, and Damned Near White: Biracial and Triracial Culture in America; Sticks, Stones, Roots & Bones; and Four Seasons of Mojo. Her debut novel is No Barren Life.
Deborah Blake is the author of the Baba Yaga paranormal ro-mance series (which includes Wickedly Magical, Wickedly Dangerous, Wickedly Wonderful, and Wickedly Powerful ), as well as nine books on modern Witchcraft from Llewellyn. She has an ongoing column in Witches & Pagans Magazine and was featured in The Pagan Anthology of Short Fiction. When not writing, she is the manager and cofounder of the Artisans’ Guild, a not-for-profit artists’ cooperative shop where she also sells her jewelry. She can be found at www.deborahblakeauthor.com.
Blake Octavian Blair is an Eclectic Pagan, ordained minister, shamanic practitioner, writer, Usui Reiki Master-Teacher, tarot reader, and musical artist. He blends various mystical traditions from both the East and West with a reverence for the natural world into his own brand of modern Paganism and magick. Blake holds a degree in English and religion from the University of Florida. Blake lives in the New England region of the United States with his beloved husband. Visit him on the web at www.blakeoctavianblair.com or write to him at blake@blakeoctavianblair.com.
Emily Carlin is an Eclectic Witch, teacher, mediator, and ritual presenter based in Seattle, WA. She specializes in shadow magick, defensive magick, and pop culture magick. She teaches one-on-one online and in-person at events on the West Coast. For more information, go to http://about.me/ecarlin.
Deborah Castellano writes for many of Llewellyn’s annuals and writes a blog on PaganSquare about unsolicated opinions on glamour, the Muse, and the occult. Her shop, the Mermaid and the Crow, specializes in handmade goods. She resides in New Jersey with her husband, Jow, and two cats. She has a terrible reality television habit she can’t shake and likes St. Germain liqueur, record players, and typewriters. Visit her at www.deborahmcastellano.com.
Alexandra Chauran is a second-generation fortuneteller, a third-degree elder high priestess of British Traditional Wicca, and the queen of a coven. As a professional psychic intuitive for over a decade, she serves thousands of clients in the Seattle area and globally through her website. She is certified in tarot and has been interviewed on National Public Radio and other major media outlets. Alexandra is currently pursuing a doctoral degree, lives in Issaquah, WA, and can be found online at www.SeePsychic.com.
Dallas Jennifer Cobb practices gratitude magic, giving thanks for personal happiness, health, and prosperity; meaningful, flexible and rewarding work; and a deliciously joyful life. She is accomplishing her deepest desires. She lives in paradise with her daughter in a waterfront village in rural Ontario, where she regularly swims and runs, chanting, “Thank you, thank you, thank you.” Contact her at jennifer.cobb@live.com or visit www.magicalliving.ca.
Kerri Connor is the author of The Pocket Spell Creator, The Pocket Guide to Rituals, The Pocket Idiot’s Guide to Potions, Goodbye Grandmother, and Spells for Tough Times. High priestess of the Gathering Grove, she has been published in several magazines and is a frequent contributor to Llewellyn’s almanacs. A graduate from the University of Wisconsin, Kerri holds a BA in communications and lives with her family, cats, and chickens in rural Illinois. Visit her website, www.kerriconnor.com.
Sally Cragin is the author of The Astrological Elements and Astrology on the Cusp, which have been translated and sold overseas in a half-dozen countries. She serves on the Fitchburg School Committee (MA), teaches in the adult education program at Fitchburg State University, and is available to speak about readings, astrological or tarot. Visit “Sally Cragin astrology” on Facebook or e-mail her at sally@moonsigns.net.
Monica Crosson is a Master Gardener who lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, happily digging in the dirt and tending her raspberries with her husband, three kids, three goats, one dog, three cats, many chickens, and Rosetta the donkey. She has been a practicing Witch for over twenty years and is a member of Blue Moon Coven. Monica writes fiction for young adults and is the author of Summer Sage. Visit her website at www.monicacrosson.com.
Autumn Damiana is an author, artist, crafter, and amateur photographer. She is a Solitary Eclectic Cottage Witch who has been following her Pagan path for almost two decades and is a regular contributor to Llewellyn’s annuals. Along with writing and making art, Autumn is currently finishing up her degree in early childhood education. She lives with her husband and doggy familiar in the beautiful San Francisco Bay Area. Visit her online at www.autumn
damiana.com.
Raven Digitalis is the author of Shadow Magick Compendium, Planetary Spells & Rituals, and Goth Craft (all Llewellyn). He is a Neopagan priest and cofounder of an Eastern Hellenistic nonprofit community temple called Opus Aima Obscuræ. Also trained in Georgian Witchcraft and Buddhist philosophy, Raven has been an earth-based practitioner since 1999, a priest since 2003, a Freemason since 2012, and an empath all his life. He holds a degree in anthropology and is also a professional tarot reader, DJ, small-scale farmer, and animal rights advocate. Visit www.ravendigitalis.com, www.myspace.com/oakraven, and www.facebook.com/ravendigitalisauthor.
Denise Dumars is a college English professor and writer. She is cofounder of the Iseum & Lyceum of Isis Paedusis, a study and worship group chartered by the Fellowship of Isis. Her botanica, Reverend Dee’s Apothecary (www.DyanaAset.com) is the only Southern California source for all-natural essential oil and New Orleans–style magickal and spiritual oils and products. Find information on her writing and speaking engagements at www.DeniseDumars.com.
Ash Wennsday Everell is a Green Witch, writer, and illustrator who loves gardening almost as much as collecting punk vinyl records. They live in Los Angeles with their partner and an unruly kitten named Artemis and run the Witching blog Theory of Magick (http://theoryofmagick.tumblr.com).
Michael Furie (Northern California) is the author of Spellcasting for Beginners, Supermarket Magic, and Spellcasting: Beyond the Basics (all Llewellyn) and has been a practicing Witch for over twenty years. An American Witch, he practices in the Irish tradition and is a priest of the Cailleach. Find him online at www.michaelfurie.com.
Shawna Galvin lives in Maine with her husband and son. Her novel, The Ghost in You, was released in 2013, and a collection of poetry and essays, Mimi’s Alchemy: A Grandmother’s Magic, was released in February 2014. Shawna’s writing has appeared in a variety of publications, and she has edited short stories for Brutal as Hell. She works as a writer, publisher, editor, and part-time professor of writing and literature as she continues on a spooky publishing journey at Macabre Maine. She holds an MFA in creative writing. Visit www.shawnagalvin.com.
Magenta Griffith has been a Witch since the 1970s, and a high priestess for more than twenty-five years. She is a founding member of Prodea, which has been celebrating rituals since 1980, and a founding member of the Northern Dawn Council of Covenant of the Goddess. Magenta, along with her coven brother Steven Posch, is the author of The Prodea Cookbook. She presents classes and workshops at a variety of events around the Midwest. She shares her home with a small black cat and a large collection of books.
Justine Holubets, a Solitary Wiccan practicing ancient Egyptian sacred traditions, lives in Ukraine (Lviv) and is a tarot and lunar rhythms/astrology consultant for Zodiaclivetarot.com in the UK. A published author focused on philosophical, social, and gender issues, she also prepares courses to help women maintain healthy, dignified intercultural relationships. She also explores sacred architecture and symbols, Greco-Roman mythology and psychological archetypes, and chakra and energy healing. Visit http://www.zodiaclivetarotreading.com/tarot-reader?id=129.
Hannah E. Johnston is a Witch, mother, and musician. She has researched and written about young people and Pagan Witchcraft for over a decade and is the author of Children of the Green: Raising Our Kids in Pagan Traditions. For more information, visit her website at www.hejohnston.com.
James Kambos is a writer and an artist from Ohio. He has written many articles about folk magic and enjoys sharing his thoughts about magic and mysticism with Llewellyn readers.
Najah Lightfoot is a priestess of the Goddess. She is a Witchvox sponsor, a Lucky Mojo Certified Practitioner, and an active member of the Denver Pagan community. Najah is dedicated to keeping the Old Ways while living in these modern times. She enjoys movies, good food, and practicing the art of Shaolin Kung Fu. She can be found online at www.craftandconjure.com, www.facebook.com/priestessnajah, and www.twitter.com/priestess_najah.
Lupa is an author, artist, nature nerd, and wannabe polymath in Portland, OR. She is the author of several books on totemism and nature spirituality, including Nature Spirituality From the Ground Up: Connect with Totems in Your Ecosystem (Llewellyn, 2016), and is the creator of the Tarot of Bones. Her primary website is http://www.thegreenwolf.com.
Melanie Marquis is the author of A Witch’s World of Magick and The Witch’s Bag of Tricks. She’s the founder of United Witches global coven and a local coordinator for the Pagan Pride Project in Denver, CO, where she currently resides. She is also a tarot reader, folk artist, freelance editor, and literary agent. Connect with her online at www.melaniemarquis.com or www.facebook.com
/melaniemarquisauthor.
Estha K. V. McNevin (Missoula, Montana) is a priestess and ceremonial oracle of Opus Aima Obscuræ. She has served the Pagan community since 2003 as an Eastern Hellenistic officiate, lecturer, freelance author, artist, and poet. Estha studies and teaches courses on ancient and modern Pagan history, multicultural metaphysical theory, ritual technique, international cuisine, organic gardening, herbal craft, alchemy, and occult symbolism. In addition to hosting public rituals for the sabbats, she organizes annual philanthropic fundraisers, Full Moon spell-crafting ceremonies, and women’s divination rituals for each Dark Moon. To learn more, please explore www.facebook.com
/opusaimaobscurae.
Susan Pesznecker is a writer, college English teacher, nurse, practicing herbalist, and hearth Pagan/Druid living in northwestern Oregon. Sue holds a master’s degree in professional writing and is cofounder of the Druid Grove of Two Coasts and the online Ars Viarum Magicarum, a magical conservatory and community (www.magicalconservatory.com). Sue has authored Yule: Rituals, Recipes, & Lore for the Winter Solstice, The Magickal Retreat, and Crafting Magick with Pen and Ink (all Llewellyn). Visit her on her website (www.susanpesznecker.com) and Facebook author page (www.facebook.com/SusanMoonwriterPesznecker).
Suzanne Ress has been writing for many years. She published her first novel, The Trial of Goody Gilbert, in 2012 and has since completed two more. She is an accomplished self-taught gardener, beekeeper, silversmith, and mosaic artist. She lives in the woods at the foot of the Alps with her husband, daughter, four horses, three dogs, four hens, millions of bees, and an ever-changing assortment of wild creatures.
Cassius Sparrow is a Hellenic polytheist and Witch, tarot reader, author, and garden enthusiast. He is a devotee of both Hermes and Dionysos and has been a practicing polytheist for over ten years. He currently lives on the Gulf Coast of Florida with his darling wife. In his free time, he can be found writing, baking, or working in his herb garden. Contact him at cassiussparrow@gmail.com.
Melissa Tipton is a Reiki practitioner and professional tarot reader who loves helping people discover their soul path through energy work and tarot. She writes extensively about happy living through yoga and Witchcraft on her website, www.yogiwitch.com. When she’s not on her yoga mat or hiking Missouri trails with her husband, she’s in her studio sculpting fake food for her dollhouse miniatures business, the Mouse Market.
Charlynn Walls resides with her family in Central Missouri. She holds a BA in anthropology with an emphasis in archaeology. She is acting CEO of Correllian Education Ministry, which oversees Witch School. She is an active member of the St. Louis Pagan Community and is a part of a local area coven. Charlynn teaches by presenting at various local festivals on a variety of topics. She continues to pursue her writing through articles for Witches & Pagans Magazine; Llewellyn’s Magical Almanac, Witches’ Companion, and Witches’ Spell-A-Day Almanac; and on her blog, Sage Offerings (www.sageoffereings.net).
Tess Whitehurst is an award-winning author, feng shui consultant, and intuitive counselor. In addition to creating the Magic of Flowers Oracle, she’s written six books that have been translated into nine languages, and her articles have appeared such places as Writer’s
Digest, Whole Life Times, and Law of Attraction magazine. She’s appeared on morning news shows on both Fox and NBC, and her feng shui work was featured on the Bravo television show Flipping Out. Tess lives in Boulder, CO, with her longtime boyfriend, Ted Bruner, and their magical black cat, Solo.
Charlie Rainbow Wolf is happiest when she’s creating something, especially if it can be made from items that others have cast aside. She is passionate about writing and deeply intrigued by astrology, tarot, runes, and other divination oracles. Charlie is an advocate of organic gardening and cooking and lives in the Midwest with her husband and her special needs Great Danes. Visit her at www.charlierainbow.com.
Natalie Zaman is a regular contributor to various Llewellyn annual publications. She is the coauthor of the Graven Images Oracle deck (Galde Press) and writes the recurring feature Wandering Witch for Witches & Pagans Magazine. Her work has also appeared in FATE, Sage Woman and newWitch magazines. Find Natalie online at www.nataliezaman.blogspot.com or at www.broomstix.blogspot.com, a blog aimed toward Pagan families.