'I’ve always made it a policy to do things that scare me,' Amanda Yates Garcia boldly declares in her fascinating new book ... As a witch, writer, artist and the self-declared Oracle of Los Angeles, Yates Garcia demystifies a lot of the misconceptions about life as a practicing witch, revealing how venerable pagan traditions not only resonate in modern, mechanized society but are also a source of relevance and inspiration for feminists and their allies ... Initiated is just as much a compelling memoir about the author’s experiences as a sex worker and spiritual seeker as it is a guidebook to magical living that’s infused with impressive literary allusions and historical references.
Garcia, self-proclaimed Oracle of Los Angeles, shares the series of initiations that led to her practice as a professional witch, writer, and healer in her superb debut ... Effortlessly weaving Goddess myths from diverse cultures with her own life story, Garcia’s reverent, powerful work will encourage readers to forge their own values and join in her 're-enchantment' of the world.
While Yates Garcia’s account of her own magical coming-of-age includes mystical experiences and glimpses of rituals she has crafted, it is also a forceful critique of capitalism and patriarchal culture. Her philosophy of witchcraft emphasizes collective action and social justice. But this is not a manifesto. It’s a tale of adventure, a heroine’s journey to find her own power ... Thoughtful, engaging, and fresh: a welcome addition to the annals of women’s spirituality
