Stephanie's Studio

What if you could learn to deepen your spirituality through the practice of Hoodoo, day-by-day? How about if you could study herbalism, practice rites, and match spells to your intentions? These are some of the ideas behind my soon-to-be-released book, "365 Days of Hoodoo: Daily Rootwork, Mojo & Conjuration." Perfectly timed to be released in the latest part of the year--perfect because then you can peruse the contents in December, gather what you need, and get yourself ready for using it in the New Year of 2019. This book shares the wisdom of traditional Hoodoo and also offers modern/contemporary approaches. It was a labor of love to be sure. I think it comes in around 400 pages! Whether you are already practicing or new to Hoodoo, or even just curious about it, I think you're going to find this book to be one you'll want to engage in, for the entire year. I'm so happy it is coming closer and closer to it's publication date . Stay tuned f...

It has been a long, exceedingly cold, long winter. If I never hear the words polar vortex it will be too soon. The spring in this area was nothing to write home about either. I haven't completely packed away my winter sweaters because they still come in handy from time to time. But alas, Litha has ushered in summer with the longest day of the year, our wonderful solstice yesterday. Today, I celebrated Litha inspired by these: Thinking I was an awesome athlete: I set out in the morning, doing what I've done to celebrate the arrival of summer since my earliest memories...I returned to the water, and it was awesome! Meditative and quiet, I was left feeling connected to nature around me and to my innermost self. My soul felt contented and complete. Summer comes on swiftly with heat and testy storms in the Midwest. With its warmth there also comes the opportunity to delight and to retreat in pure unadulterated joy and the sweet memories this season invokes. Though i...

Like most of you, I've been pinning away for spring. I've posted about it several times, wondering where it was and when would it arrive. Yesterday, it was the warmest day we've had this year. It was a balmy and humid 91 degrees. It takes the body, mind and spirit time to adjust to such drastic changes. The day before that I was wearing a sweater and wrapped in a blanket. This morning when I went outside there was evidence it had rained overnight and it felt chillier but okay, considering the harsh winter that we'd just mustered through. Then on my way home from dropping my son off at school it started pouring. Traffic crawled. My morning that had started so promising, on the wings of yesterday, had suddenly taken a turn for the worse. We talk about the weather so much because it is our common experience as humans. It is what makes up much of our outdoor environment and yes, it does color our mood. In film and sometimes in books as well, when it rains or pou...

Yesterday was an exciting day! I was in communication with the publisher that might publish my spirituality and weight loss book that I've mentioned before. This book focuses around earth-based spirituality and earth wisdom like prayer, invocation, plant wisdom, the elements and more. Another publisher has also come forward to express interest, so now there are two. Both publishers are newer, especially in comparison with the publishers I have worked with in the past. Each one has a huge upside. The one is very eclectic and experimental in taste, whereas the other, is going to be devoting the house to more metaphysical and ritualistic titles. I will be reflecting on where might be the best home for my baby and should be able to share that with you shortly. I have posted in this space about Dealing with Rejection because it is something I struggle with. I think most artists and writers do. In fact, I can't think of any one I know that loves to be rejected. I also posted re...