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There has been a massive uptick in subscribers in the past several months, and it seems like a good time for an “introduction” post.
Thank you for being here, reading, and participating in the comments section. It is a joy to connect with so many kindred spirits.
You can undoubtedly learn a lot about me through what I write, the topics I explore, and how I approach various subjects, but I think it’s nice to get to know the authors you subscribe to in their own words.
I’m going to begin with my age, and if that seems like a weird place to start, I agree; even just last year, I would never have begun here. Yet, now it seems important. I will be 62 this month. I’ve never been squeamish about my age. Since childhood, I’ve been described as an old soul, and I view age with honor.
I begin with my age because this notion of being an analog elder is brewing in my mind (and as soon as I get my thoughts organized, I’ll be writing about this). My age places me in a particular spectrum of time (born in the 1960s, grew up in the 70’s, and matured in the 80’s), which informs how I see the world. It also underscores my professional mission and soul calling: to guide. If someone is to guide you safely, they must first know the territory you will travel. Six decades and my particular life circumstances have made me intimately familiar with the areas of life I guide people through.
It’s taken me a long time to construct a crystal clear vision about this. While I am also many other things that I will briefly highlight, my primary purpose on this earth is to guide others through their life experiences, helping them navigate their interior and exterior worlds. This is an incredible honor and a responsibility I hold with the greatest humility. In my twenties, I was strongly encouraged to become a therapist or, at the least, a counselor, but it took many decades until I was ready to step into that role.
One of the things that shapes me is the exploration of the symbolic life, which we can access through myth, folklore, image, poetry, art, spirituality, creativity, ritual, and psychology. I write about these things often. Understanding symbolic systems like tarot, kabbalah, alchemy, astrology, and divination is a lifelong pursuit. In my personal life, they intersect with my own spiritual/religious belief system. I present them in neutral ways in my professional and public life, encouraging engagement from various perspectives.
My first clairaudient spiritual experience at four years old prompted me to ask my mother, “What is God?” and ever since, I have been pursuing spiritual mysteries.
The other important part of me you should know about is that I’m an artist devoted to Art, the Artist Archetype, and the power of art to heal the soul. After a long career as a professional artist, I pursued certification as a Creative Depth Coach, which combines everything I shared above, including being a guide, spiritual pursuits, symbolic life, and creativity in one fascinating profession. I’m also a certified Jungian Tarot Reader, a wonderful addition to Creative Depth Coaching, offering clients a visual and interactive way to engage with archetypes and inner and divine wisdom.
The third important thing is that I am deeply connected to Nature. I love the created world. Animals, plants, trees, stones, stars, moon, weather, water, air, fire, and earth are precious and dear to me. It will be no surprise to you then to learn I am an avid organic and native plant gardener who has been working closely with native populations of plants, animals, birds, and insects for many years now. This love of nature blossoms and expands into working with herbs, crystals, incense, and teas and supporting several rescue farms and bird of prey rehabilitation centers.
My life has been fairly ordinary, yet certain things show how life experiences often shape who we become; here are a few. My father died unexpectedly just a month after my tenth birthday. Growing up, we faced many challenges, especially financial ones. During my formative years, ages four through thirteen, I experienced the deaths of a close family friend, my aunt, my father, and my grandmother, each three years apart. The day my father died, Pandora, from Greek myth, visited me and helped me understand that while the box had been opened and death was part of life, life also held great beauty and joy. These events directly influenced where I am today, personally, spiritually, and professionally.
I grew up, went to college, received a degree in fine art, worked in the corporate world for a while (not.for.me.), checked out of that, and became a floral designer. I got married and will celebrate thirty-six years of marriage on the spring equinox this year. We have three children, and we home-schooled them for various reasons, but doing such a counter-cultural thing back in the '90s certainly reflected my husband and I being children of the 1960s. They are all now in their thirties, including a son with significant special needs who lives with us.
We have a lovely 3-acre piece of land and, at the moment, two Shetland Sheepdogs, Molly and Quinn.
As I wrap up this introduction, if I had to sum up everything, I‘d say that while I am a deeply spiritual person who pursues Truth in myth and esoteric and symbolic systems, I’m also incredibly down-to-earth. I don’t go in for theatrics, costumes, flamboyant titles, or guru status. I’m too Pagan for some Christians and too Christian for some Pagans, but that is the lot of one who is an edge dweller, a Hedge Mystic, who dwells in the liminal threshold between here and there. I’m here to guide others as they explore their inner world and the spiritual realms while building their outer world in authentic and aligned ways. I accompany them so they can find their own way and not get lost.
You might enjoy reading What is the “Hedge” in Hedge Mystic?
or last years’ spring equinox post Persephone, the myth you need to know
Check out the Topics Library to access a complete archive of Hedge Mystic posts conveniently sorted by topic and familiarize yourself with what Hedge Mystic is all about
I’m excited to get to know you. Please feel free to use the comments section to introduce yourself and share with the Hedge Mystic Community some interesting facts about who you are and what you do.
The comments section is a safe and welcoming space to share your insights and experiences.
Comments and conversation are always appreciated and enjoyed, so feel free to let your voice be heard. I read them all and try to respond to each one.
March Tarot Offerings
In March, I am offering Spring Equinox Tarot Readings. I will draw pairs of cards to explore balance and imbalance in your life. This reading is very flexible and can be personalized to your concerns and situations.
45 min. Spring Equinox reading ~ $99
Paid Hedge Mystic Subscribers ~ $79
Other types of readings are available; learn about them HERE
Thank you for reading Hedge Mystic and participating in this vibrant and growing community of creative, spiritual humans. You are always welcome here, appreciated, and loved.
What a lovely intro, thank you! I relate deeply to so much of this. I'm so happy to have found you.
So delightful to meet you through this beautiful introduction. I feel life *is* symbol and story. 🙏