The first episode of 2018 whirls in with pagan wisdom and Goddess power of Amanda Yates Garcia otherwise known as "The Oracle of Los Angeles." Amanda is a witch by birth, profession and soul. She's out to bring light, healing and knowledge to all those that seek her expertise. We did this podcast in person at the kitchen table and I'll confirm that her force field is powerful, seductive and extremely thought provoking. Our conversation dove into many mystical nooks and crannies surrounding the world today coupled with practical witchy suggestions for applying magic into ones own life. Amanda's perspective into how society and consciousness fuse together with the elements of the physical world is truly remarkable. I learned so much from this one, there must be a part 2 someday. If you're at all curious about how a modern day witch operates and thrives in today's world look no further. INTRO RANT - New Year, New Everything Amanda Yates Garcia - Growing up in a pagan household my magical education started young; I learned to read the tarot and made my own set of runes before I entered my teens; my great grandmother read palms and tea leaves, and I share the same family tree as Edgar Cayce. Today I draw from a broad range of esoteric strategies including the Western Mystery Traditions of tarot, alchemy and Hermeticism; shamanic healing practices; positive magic and witchcraft; herbalism; energy work (Reiki, tantra and other yogas); psychomagic and more. Throughout my years as a magical practitioner, I’ve given countless tarot readings; spent months at Zen monasteries; given lectures on Witchcraft at ESMOA, UC Irvine, Cal State Pomona and UCLA; received my Reiki Master initiation from Tibetan monk Tenzin Lama Sherpa; studied Holotropic Breathwork with Michael Stone and have received a certification in breathwork by David Elliott; and trained in shamanic healing techniques with Amanda Foulger of the Foundation for Shamanic Studies. I also have a BFA in Dance Theatre from University College of London, and an MFA in Writing/Critical Theory and Film/Video from California Institute of the Arts.