Meet Emberstorm Spiral Sojourner

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Emberstorm Spiral Sojourner a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Emberstorm, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

Even as a young child I have always danced (and painted) to the “beat of my own drum.” Despite being raised Catholic (sixteen years of Catholic education), my spiritual quest remained unique and a driving force in my life. I have always sought out spiritual truth which earned me the labels “intelligent,” “creative,” and “strange” at a young age. Since psychic gifts and mediumship were frowned upon, my younger self hungrily read books on ancient cultures, mythology, and works by Edgar Cayce and Ruth Montgomery. Even my 7th grade science project combined “pyramid power” with ESP Zener cards (I won first prize.) I kept searching for the right book or the right teacher to provide the secrets needed to spiritually grow. . At the age of fifteen, I was offered an apprenticeship in learning tarot due to my unusual gifts.
While at a Catholic college earning two bachelor’s degrees in English and Fine Arts, I found the label that seemed to fit for how I processed and interacted with the natural and spiritual world…”witch.” I stumbled upon a copy of “Spiral Dance” by Starhawk and instantly felt I had come home. Soon after, I met the High Priest of Foxwood Temple and was invited to take their “Wicca 101” class. I studied with Foxwood then joined another coven where I was initiated into a lineage of Faerie and Alexandrian tradition. I later was initiated as a priestess into the Sacred Sisterhood of the Daughters of Hecate which was life changing in more ways than I could have imagined. By the time I graduated, not only did I refine and hone my art of drawing and painting, but the spiritual art that was my Witchcraft. But I was hungry for more and I could not find teachers as dedicated, transparent and ethical as I believed they should be.
The next twenty years were very difficult staying true to myself, and in that regard I failed miserably. I married and had four children who I adore (and who would later bless me with seven grandchildren!) But that marriage was spiritually abusive (as well as abusive in other areas.) I escaped and finally reclaimed my true spirit nineteen years later and instantly my visual art as well as my craft exploded with a new inner fire and passion.
While researching and continuing my quest, I was asked by some female friends to begin running a circle which grew into being asked to become their priestess. In a dream, I was given the coven’s name “Spiral Sojourn” and my eclectic coven was born. For eleven years I offered classes to many students (female and male), and provided seasonal celebrations, rituals and initiations. A year after the coven formed, I met the love of my life who later became my husband and supported me in running the coven. I became a Gendai Reiki Level 3 practitioner and honed my healing skills as I continued to develop my shamanic art style in my drawings and paintings. In 2015, I formed a local chapter of the Sacred Sisterhood in York, PA and established the tradition of an Annual Hecate’s Tea and Croning Ceremony providing magic and sisterhood to women young and old alike.
Last year I retired my coven and moved into my role as founding elder of Spiral Sojourn Sanctuary. It is a sacellum of Nature providing sacred space for connecting, honoring, educating, nature worshiping, and conserving. It honors the Old Ways, each sacred turn of the year, and rites of passage in our lives. It is a safe place to worship the All-Mother Earth and connect with the ancestors, land spirits and each other. When my husband and I were called to purchase the four acres that are now the Sanctuary, my Spirit found home.
My quest has not ended as nothing ever ends in the Sacred Spiral. (I am currently working on publishing an Oracle Deck channeled in honor of my patroness Hecate.) But I did find the teacher I have been seeking for all my life…I was her all along.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I am currently networking to publish my Oracle Deck “Whispers from the Crossroads: Hecate’s Veiled Visions.” The deck was channeled back in 2018, and I have finished writing the book in addition to creating the art for the cards. It is a shadow work deck designed to help heal oneself with advice from Hecate and one’s higher self.
We are currently busy at the Sanctuary with the Pollinator Garden, native plant and tree plantings, riparian restoration, seasonal rituals, and life ceremonies. We will be offering women’s circles, additional workshops, and creating a Crone Meditation area in 2025. The long-term goal is to become a recognized non-profit.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Creativity, Optimism, Kindness

Creativity-We are all artists and creators-do not be afraid to be messy or limit your media! Visual arts, music, performance, cooking, gardening, planning, writing, parenting, creating new projects and businesses, problem solving-all of these things require creativity.

Optimism-Know that everything in life is cyclical…hope is practical! Trust in the journey for nothing remains dark or light for long… there will always be balance.

Kindness-Love is the highest magic, and kindness should be the character of those who practice it. Great things are born in a moment of kindness.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

I would love to hear from other people who share my passion for earth-based spirituality and who are concerned and committed to providing future generations with a world of hope and healing despite the current physical and spiritual climate. Seeking individuals who are willing to do the hard work and not be afraid to get their hands dirty (literally as well as metaphorically, tree planting is dirty work!) My dream is for folks to trade services and products rather than charge for teachings and workshops. I would love to see us focus on spirit and nature more than profit and greed.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://patreon.com/spiralsojournsanctuary
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spiralsojournsanctuary/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpiralSojournSanctuary
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@spiralsojournsanctuary2868
• Other: Tik Tok- https://www.tiktok.com/@emberstormspiralsojourn

  Sacred Sisterhood of the Daughters of Hecate-https://www.facebook.com/groups/574936355990328