Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? – I’m Irisanya Moon (she/they), an author, witch, priestess, international teacher, poet, ritualist, cat mom, and sometimes vegan who currently lives in Northern California. I spend a lot of time writing, but also moving my body by getting out into nature and traveling whenever I can. I do enjoy long walks on the beach, and am grateful to live close enough to the ocean that I can make it there a few times a week. 

How would you describe your spiritual pathway? – I have always been devoted to something bigger than myself. As a child, I talked with Mary and wanted to be a nun in the Catholic church. After writing a paper in university about the patriarchy, I started to look for alternative spiritualities, spending time in many groups before finding witchcraft. I ‘tried on’ new age groups and trainings, but realized I was a witch during a fateful internet search that sounded like it was describing me.

How and when did your spiritual journey begin? – My current journey in Reclaiming Witchcraft started when my then-partner happened to go to school with an organizer of California Witchcamp. This organizer suggested I should go to camp, and I did, finding magick in the redwoods with a community that felt like home. From there, I took classes in Reclaiming, planned and facilitated public rituals, started teaching core classes and organizing, and was invited to teach at international witchcamps. Along the way, I engaged with my shadow (and my shine), softened my defenses, and learned to build sustainable communities.

You currently have (ten) books published with Moon Books, what inspires you to choose the subjects you write about? – While it wasn’t my intention at first, I notice I chose topics and deities I’m already invested in or have relationships with. I like to ‘introduce’ deities to readers and offer accessible, simple practices to build authentic relationships. I also tend to write about deities who don’t have a lot of ‘press,’ e.g., Iris. I want people to know about the lesser known deities and their magicks.

Which goddess have you worked with for the longest and why? – This is a tricky question, as many deities have come in and out of my life. I think it’s realistic to say I’ve worked with Iris for the longest time in a consistent manner. It was a large rainbow outside my window that encouraged me to make the decision to step into Reclaiming magick while I filled out the first class’ registration form. And after a quick internet search, I met Iris and she’s been a guide ever since. I consider my writing an act of honoring for her, as she is the messenger of the gods, bringing their wisdom to others, including humans.

Do you have a regular daily spiritual practice? – I like to focus on consistent practice, instead of daily. But I also think anything can be a practice when you’re devoted to it. Currently, I like to move my body, visit my altars, and practice Greek most days. I also like to visit nature and tell the flowers and the ocean how beautiful they are.

Has your practice changed over the years? – I used to be a lot more rigid with my practices before I came to believe that everything can be spiritual and magickal when it’s done intentionally. I focus more on how I am loving the world and myself, how I am speaking up for the world and myself, and how I am building relationships with myself, my deities, and my communities. 

What or who inspires you on your spiritual journey? – This might sound a little dark, but I think it’s true for me. Heartbreak is what inspires me most often. The realization of how deep love can go reminds me to be as present as possible for it, reminds me how much the heart knows and holds. Grief and love hold hands in my mind, and they are intertwined in all places of my life. While there is pain and loss, there is also the possibility for expanding my capacity to love even deeper.

What do you wish you had known about when you first started your spiritual journey? – I wish I’d known about grounding’s value in a magickal practice. I resisted it for so long as a fire sign. 

What new projects are you currently working on? – Right now, I am currently writing a few books (Athena, a new Aphrodite book, and others…to be a little mysterious), as well as teaching a year-long Aphrodite priestess/priestex training. I have also been presenting at online conferences and collaborating with some beloveds on some writing projects and topics dear to my heart. I’m always in the middle of several things, and even I have to look at my website to remember them all. And I love it. www.irisanyamoon.com

For more details: https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com/moon-books/authors/irisanya-moon