The work presented in this book is the result of almost two decades’ worth of research, experimentation, and esoteric exploration. Because the system of the Lunar Keys which make up the Avalonian Cycle of Revealing is not traditional, much time and effort has been put into identifying native British plants having energetic resonance with each moon as well as spiritual affinity with the goddesses and the stories with which these herbal allies have become associated. It is because of this that I am grateful for the women of Rhosyn Du Hearth, the original “beta testers” of this work, most especially Debbie S.; her herbal expertise and dedication to the work of Avalon made her an invaluable resource in the finalization of this herbal system in the late nineties.
I am also deeply grateful for the Sisterhood of Avalon and for all of my beautiful sisters. It has been my life’s honor to walk this path beside each and every one of you. I am especially grateful for the loving support and encouragement given me by the women of the Council of Nine and the SOA Board of Trustees, past and present. Your deep wisdom, insight, and dedication to our Sisters and to the Ladies of Avalon both humble and inspire me each and every day. Special thanks go out to Lori Feldmann for her brilliance and her cheerfully rendered editorial assistance. I less than three you very much! I am also deeply grateful to gender and sexuality expert Christy Croft, for her suggestions and insights around embracing a language of inclusivity.
I could not ask for a more incredible publishing team than the wonderful folks at Llewellyn Worldwide. Their support and expertise along every step of this publishing journey has helped me to grow as an author and I know that my work is better for it. I do not have the words to adequately thank my amazing editor Elysia Gallo for all of her patient support, good humor, and ability to hold a strong vision of the big picture, even as we address the minutiae. Thank you a thousandfold for believing in this work and in me.
I am grateful as well for the incredible circle of friends who have blessed my life in so many ways—who support and uplift me, who encourage and hear me, who understand and are patient with me, who arrange sleepovers with our children so that I can meet deadlines, who make sure that I eat and sleep, and who are truly reflections of the divine in the world. To Lori, Tiffany, Elisa, Judi, Gaia, Aria, and Shelly: thank you my dear, incredible, brilliant, and talented heart-sisters!
To my most beloved James—thank you for inspiring me with your gifts, challenging me with your mind, embracing me with your arms, and understanding me with your heart. I love you very much and am so grateful to have you in my life.
And last, but not least, to my dearest children—my heart and my center—thank you for the privilege of being your mother. You fill me with great joy, pride, admiration, wonder, and hope for the future. Thank you for the side-splitting laughter, the deep conversations, the challenges and triumphs, the never-ending hugs, and for all that you both teach me every day. I love, love, love you both, and I love our lives together. I know it’s probably not easy having such a strange momma, but I hope you know that I love you fiercely and unconditionally, and I want nothing more for you than for you to be who you are meant to be, to know and do your will in the world, and for you to know only love and happiness all the days of your lives.