Biography I was born on January 17, 1961 and am a Capricorn with my Moon & Mercury in Aquarius, my Sun, Saturn & Jupiter in Capricorn, my Venus in Pisces and my Mars in Cancer, for those of you interested in astrology. I am three-quarters Irish and one-quarter Cherokee and more than a little bit on the fringe. I graduated from The Evergreen State College with a B.A. in creative writing and theatrical management in 1983. 1 began college when I was 15, in 1976 (1 was skipped ahead from 9th grade into junior college) and received my Associates of Arts Degree in 1978. Then I hitch-hiked to California, and returned to Washington State, where I've been for most of the time since 1979. I write novels, nonfiction and poetry, and am also a professional Tarot Reader. I love novels and find myself drawn to the works of Amy Tan, Toni Morrison, Michael Crichton, Philip K. Dick, Richard Adams, Ray Bradbury, J.R.R. Tolkien, Margaret Atwood, Pearl S. Buck. I have a very special place in my heart for Daphne Du Maurier and find the woman as rich and as fascinating as her novels. I occasionally sneak into a Victoria Holt or Laveryl Spencer novel for mind candy. My favorite book of all time is Watership Down,by Richard Adams -- if I could write one book that has already been written, it would be this one. I still cry when I read the end of it, even now -- years and many readings later. I read all types of nonfiction -- James Herriot being one of my favorite authors in this category. But I don't limit myself -- I read everything from books on Hawai'i (the Big Island -- a favorite place of mine) to books on gardening to sailing to scientific work to sociological studies ... I also admit to reading true crime stories, if they're written by Ann Rule. I read a lot of trade books -- books about my vocation (writing) and of course, I peruse the metaphysical bookshelves on a regular basis. About the only nonfiction I'm not interested in involves political work and math books (I leave those to my husband). As far as poets -- Frost and Blake and, of course, Yeats. Tennyson! William Wordsworth -- how about Gerard Manley Hopkins? Oh, we can't forget Erica Jong (her poetry but not necessarily her novels) and May Sarton. I'd rather watch Shakespeare being performed than read his work and I admit to missing the thrill of working in the theatre, but I simply have no time for it, so I make do with going to plays when I can. I blend tradition with an eclectic view looking towards the fature. My mind is quick and active, and I aim towards achieving/maintaining a home that reflects a classic, romantic atmosphere along with clean, contemporary lines. On a more personal note, 1 am shaped much like the Willendorf Goddess with long hair that varies from burgundy to copper to sienna brown depending on mood. And yes, I'm a Witch and a Priestess of Mielikki and Tapio, Finnish Forest Deities. I also consider myself a devoted admirer of Pele, the Hawaiian Volcano Goddess. I've been in the Craft since 1980, and first entered the service of the Goddess through a mystical experience, described in my second book Embracing The Moon.I work primarily as a solitary, though I sometimes celebrate the Sabbats with others. Sam, my husband, is Pagan, but not a Witch. My magical totems are the black panther, the green boa, and the peacock. I'm also an artist. I paint mystical paintings of Goddesses, Elementals, etc., and I do some landscape work (mainly of Hawai'i). I am attempting to put together an Oracle Deck. Some of my favorite loves: Victoria Magazine; Opium, Casmir and Organza perfumes, powders, body creams, soaps (and anything else they make in those fragrances); tattoos (on myself as well as others), food--namely: chocolate, fried chicken, cranberries, chicken soup, TOMATOES in any shape or form, berry teas, peaches; shopping (as art form and therapy); and books and office supplies. I also love media; (old sitcoms like "I Love Lucy"); Frasier, X-Files, Deep Space Nine, Hercules and Xena. As far as movies, among my favorites you will find: Rebecca, Babe, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, The Lost Weekend, Rear Window, Muriel's Wedding, The Ghost & Mrs. Muir, The Mighty Quinn, Something Wicked This Way Comes, The Secret Garden, Shirley Valentine, and all the 1950's and 60's B-Grade science fiction movies. My favorite musical groups vary widely. I love classic rock like the Animals, the Doors, Pink Floyd, Alan Parsons, Cream, CCR ... my favorite group of all time is Jethro Tull. I also like technopop--Talking Heads, the Cars. I love classical music, soundtracks and have recently joined the 90's ... listening to more modem music like Radiohead, Live, NIN, Beck, Godsmack, Nirvana, Rammstein, Ween and several others I've recently discovered. My days are devoted to writing and painting, and I tend to be rather solitary, though I do enjoy my time with friends. I am married to Samwise, we were married on Beltane in 1993, and we have four wonderful felines (at this time-the number could grow, given the right circumstances and a bigger house).