Acknowledgments

IT TAKES A TRIBE TO BIRTH A BOOK, from its humble beginnings as the insight that inspired me, to the finished volume you hold in your hands. It would be impossible to list everyone who has helped in this venture, but know that my gratitude flows to each person involved.

First and foremost, to the many women I have known, thank you for everything you’ve done. Most people are fortunate to have a single mother, but I feel like I have been raised by a tribe of women: my mum, my birth mother, my grandmothers and great-grandmothers, my aunts—not to mention my innumerable friends, colleagues, teachers, and mentors. In some way or another you have shaped my life. My sisters, cousins, and other women in my family are also shining examples of the Divine Feminine in the everyday world. You have inspired me in so many ways, and it is my sincere wish that you be recognized as the goddesses you are. I couldn’t possibly name each of you, so I throw this blanket of gratitude as wide as the ocean over all of you. Thank you for being the living embodiments of the Goddess. Thank you for teaching me to see her in each of you, for you are the real-life Maidens, Mothers, and Crones.

To Steven Walsh, thank you for your unerring support and artistic photography. Working with you on this book has been like making magick. I love you more than words can express.

To Maggie Marullo, thank you for unknowingly inspiring me to reconnect with the Goddess, and for gifting materials to help me hone my magickal craft.

To Sharron Britton, thank you for years of friendship, for sharing your crystal wisdom, and for supporting this and many other projects. Thank you for the magick that you work every day, and thank you for sharing your insights into the stones that speak most directly to the Goddess and her radiant heart.

To Miranda Solace, thank you for helping me find a home amid your team at Avalon, in Orlando, Florida. I am so grateful that you’ve allowed me to use the store and its selection of stones for many of the photos in this book, as well as for hosting my first “Stones of the Goddess” workshops. Thank you to the rest of the team at Avalon for becoming part of my spiritual family.

To Mat Auryn and Dan Lupacchino, I am grateful for your effort in reading initial drafts of chapter 5 and providing feedback on the Triple Goddess of Stone.

To Victor Lugh, thank you for the gift of the biotite lenses that you found in Portugal.

To Kathy and Miguel, my gratitude extends to you for introducing me to Atabey and helping me connect to her gemstones.

To the visionary team at Inner Traditions, I cannot thank you enough. Your expertise and experience have helped guide and refine this work into the beautiful book it is today. Thank you to everyone who has helped make Stones of the Goddess a reality.