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Spellbound

The biannual ritual resource, Spellbound is the go-to magazine for the modern witch. Each issue delves into the intricacies of spells, op-eds, and interviews with practicing witches, and navigating what it means to be a contemporary witch in an ever-evolving world. The angular gemstone motif is carried throughout the layout, and the masthead evokes runic imagery.

The biannual ritual resource, Spellbound is the go-to magazine for the modern witch. Each issue delves into the intricacies of spells, op-eds, and interviews with practicing witches, and navigating what it means to be a contemporary witch in an ever-evolving world. The angular gemstone motif is carried throughout the layout, and the masthead evokes runic imagery.

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HOW TO BE A

MODERN WITCHAn Interview

with

Author Gabriela Herstik

by Jessica Golich

Shining a light in the dark and pouring

forth her heart into her life-work, loving,

multifaceted human being, Gabriela

Herstik, has tuned into her intuition and

ignited her mission to spread awareness

of consciousness beyond the physical.

On the edge of the release of her new book,

Craft: How To Be A Modern Witch, I caught

up with the sorceress to discuss her first

experiences with witchcraft, tuning into her

spiritual darkness, her rich ancestral history

and so much more.

Congrats on the upcoming release

of Craft: How To Be A Modern Witch.

What are some of the most potent

discoveries that you have learned

about yourself in the process of

writing the book?

That’s a good question. I was able to see

how big and important this has been within

my life for such a long time. I really do

recognize that I am writing about

things that are unconventional.

I did a lot of research and

recognized that

I was writing

about stuff that hadn’t really been involved

in my practice for awhile because as you

know, your practice evolves along with you.

I learned how deep my practice has been.

I learned how important my spiritual path

has been and how important it has been for

shaping who I am. There really is such

a need for goddesses, spiritual paths,

religion, etc and these are things that are

not necessarily going away any time soon.

Back when I started writing about this stuff

about four or five years ago, it was right

at the height of the fashion/witchy trend

so people really liked looking like a witch,

but there weren’t many people who were

actually familiar with the practice of it. Ever

since then, it has exploded yet now, people

are into the practice. It has made me see

that this is exactly what I am supposed to be

doing. I learned so much about myself and

my own relationship to true witchcraft

throughout the process of writing this book.

It has been very reaffirming of my passions.

I perceive that witchcraft has become

a selfless practice for you. Ultimately,

as you continue to gain ground and

tune into your intuition, you are

serving to aid in others lives through

the medium.

Exactly. Something that I love about

myself is that I very much know

who I am.

I am unapologetic about it. I think that

as you recognize that about yourself, it gives

other people the permission to do the same.

It inspires others to do the same — it goes

hand in hand! If human beings are living

their truth, it reminds others that it is okay

to do so as well. It is okay to do things that

are unconventional, or even go against

societal norms, and a lot of witchy things

do. It’s good to connect to yourself.

Yeah, absolutely. It is so powerful

to embody and embrace exactly

who you presently are. Tell us about

some of your first experiences with

witchcraft and connections beyond

the physical plane.

I am actually really ethnically Jewish.

My father is a rabbi and I grew up with

a mother who was always very spiritual.

For instance, her first memories with me

are breathing with the crystal pyramid when

I was two-years-old. I was always a very

Aquarian, crystal child. I have always been

very interested in consciousness, life and

death and I would also talk to my father

about God, religion and more, but my path

with witchcraft specifically started when

I was around twelve-years-old.

I was gifted a fairy

oracle deck.

136 | SPELLBOUND | Summer 2022

Gabriela Herstik

and her novel.

Photos courtesy of

evolveandascend.com

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