Meet the author is a series of articles intended to introduce you to our wonderful authors. Learn about the books they’ve written, the spiritual pathways they’ve traversed and some fun little tidbits… introducing Dawn Leith Dougherty!

Tell us about yourself….

Dawn Leith Dougherty lives in the rolling hills of rural North Carolina, USA in the northern Piedmont region with her husband Ed “Greybeard”, and Spooky, a tiny fuzzy black cat who somehow lost her tail. Together with her husband Ed, a woodworker and gifted flute
maker, they are owners of Tree Of Life Designs, a true backyard enterprise
and labor of love. They sell their wares on the internet, as well as
occasional music and craft festivals hither and yon, and generally
making happy mischief!

Dawn is a Reiki Master-Teacher in the Usui System Of Natural Healing, an Ordained Priest in The Order Of Melchizidek, an Animist and Pagan, an early modern traditional Witch, a writer, a vocalist, musician, and performer in rock bands and stage productions, an amateur horticulturist, former florist, garden writer, and assistant manager of a garden center. The love of plants, herbs, and pursuit of a magical life led her to seek energetic cleansing herbs and resins and study as much as possible about this compelling subject. Her and Ed love good incense, and as a result have developed their own brand of Tree Of Life Incense loose herbal blends.

What books have you written?

Pagan Portals ‘Sage Advice, A Practical Guide to Energetic Smoke Cleansing and House Blessing’

How would you describe your spiritual pathway?

Eclectic, solitary early modern traditional witch, Animist, pagan, with special interest in divinatory methods such as tarot, oracle, and rune work, as well as Norse paganism.

Where can people find you?

http://www.treeoflifedesigns.com, Tree Of Life Designs on Facebook and Instagram

What tips do you have for folk beginning their spiritual journey?

With the world’s knowledge at your fingertips, it can be hard to wade through the myriad of books, websites, and social media accounts with any understanding of where to begin. I suggest outlining what you are looking for with a few points about your interests, goals, and what subjects you find yourself aligning with. Some examples: A path aligned with your ancestral heritage; specific pantheons of deities or beings you seem to be drawn to (you do not have to worship or work with any beings at all!); do you wish to do sorcerous workings and are you drawn to ceremonial magic, or magic such as folk magic, conjure, rootwork; do you feel a strong pull toward divination, herbology, death or necromancy, healing; mediumship? Make lists of your interests and leanings, dabble a lot, and become a voracious reader, read as much as you can about a varying degree of subjects! Be willing to change your mindset as your path and ideas evolve. I’ve wandered on and off many paths along my own journey as I’ve settled into what I feel I am aligned with at this time of my life. Understand that your path and interests may change at any time as your life unfolds and all of this is perfectly good. You may find a natural talent along the way you may have you didn’t realize. The more you study, the more you will know and be able to add to your spiritual toolbox!

What is something quirky about yourself?

I was in a zombie movie, my name is in the credits. ‘Devil’s Crossing, A Zombie Western’, changed to ‘Cowboys vs. Zombies’ at distribution. Had a featured zombie death scene, but it was cut.

What Deity(ies) would you love to have dinner with?

Probably Loki! I have a relationship with him and I think he would be a real hoot to have dinner and drinks with.

What magical items would you take with you if you had to live on an island for a year?

Most definitely my tarot and oracle cards, pendulums, and runes, as well as my incenses!

Dawn Leith Dougherty lives in the rolling hills of rural North Carolina, USA in the northern Piedmont region with her husband Ed “Greybeard”, and SpookyKat, a tiny fuzzy black cat who somehow lost her tail. Together with her husband Ed, a woodworker and gifted flute maker, they are owners of Tree Of Life Designs, a true backyard enterprise and labor of love. They sell their wares on the internet, as well as occasional music and craft festivals hither and yon, and generally making happy mischief!

Dawn is a Reiki Master-Teacher in the Usui System Of Natural Healing, an Ordained Priest in The Order Of Melchizidek, an Animist and Pagan, an early modern traditional Witch, a writer, a vocalist, musician, and performer in rock bands and stage productions, an amateur horticulturist, former florist, garden writer and assistant manager of a garden center, and was once a featured zombie in a B horror movie. Her love of plants, herbs, and pursuit of a magickal life led her to seek energetic cleansing herbs and resins and study as much as possible about this compelling subject. Her and Ed love good incense, and as a result have developed their own brand of Tree Of Life Incense loose herbal blends.

For more details: https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com/moon-books/authors/dawn-leith-dougherty