H. Byron Ballard, BA, MFA, is a western NC native, teacher, folklorist and writer. She has served as a featured speaker and teacher at Sacred Space Conference, Pagan Spirit Gathering, Southeast Wise Women’s Herbal Conference, Glastonbury Goddess Conference, Heartland, Sirius Rising, Starwood, Scottish Pagan Federation Conference, Hexfest and other festivals and conferences. She serves as senior priestess and co-founder of Mother Grove Goddess Temple and the Coalition of Earth Religions/CERES, both in Asheville, NC. She podcasts about Appalachian folkways on “Wyrd Mountain Gals.” Her essays are featured in several anthologies and she writes a regular column for SageWoman Magazine. Her books include “Staubs and Ditchwater” (2012), the companion volume “Asfidity and Mad-Stones” (2015) “Embracing Willendorf” (2017), “Earth Works: Ceremonies in Tower Time” (2018),“Roots, Branches, and Spirits: the Folkways and Witchery of Appalachia” from Llewellyn (Feb. 2021) and “Seasons of a Magical Life: a Pagan Path of Living” (Weiser, August 2021). Upcoming: “The Ragged Wound: Tending the Soul of Appalachia” (Smith Bridge Press), “Porch Food: a cookbook from Wyrd Mountain” and a musical adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. www.myvillagewitch.com
My name is Atalanta Moonfire. I am a Psychic Spiritual Advisor and teacher of bone divination. Author of the book, "Throwing the Bones Divination for the Modern Practitioner", I have specialized in divination for over 25 years. I began with using tarot, now focusing on throwing bones or casting bones as you might know it. I have practiced eclectic witchcraft for 35+ years, beginning at age 14, practicing since I was 18, finding my true path in my 30’s. In addition to being in practice of Throwing Bones Divination, I am High Priestess of Sacred Moon Coven, and 1st Degree Priestess of Hecatean witchcraft. I am also a Reiki Master, ordained minister, Spirit Walker, and Rootworker/Hoodoo Practitioner. I am a graduate of Harvard ED Online "Omens, Oracles and Prophecies". Always looking to expand my knowledge, I am currently studying Buddhism and Yahshua and Yahweh. Born in Manassas, Virginia, I grew up moving frequently, which gave me the ability to be flexible and adaptable to change as well as diverse life experiences. At 52 years young, my goals in life are to bring this ancient and personal form of bone divination into the mainstream and to expand my spiritual education and help others who share my desire of understanding this magnificent universe in which we live.
Tish Owen has been a presence in the Nashville metaphysical world for several decades. She has done psychic sessions for the famous and for your next door neighbor. She is also the owner and creator of Pagan Unity Festival, which has just celebrated their 25th year.
Sue Balaschak is the creator of Primal Rhythm and founding member of Burning Sage. She has produced, engineered and owns the the record label, FireBand Records. Her first solo disc received rave reviews in national publications and is featured in the documentary "Return of the Cuyahoga" which aired on PBS and toured the Sundance Film festival. Sue has been playing drums professionally since the age of 12 and has taught drumming since she was of 17. She has facilitated drum circles and drum workshops within the Pagan community for the past 20 years. She has taught accredited classes for National Music Therapists. She has facilitated healing circles at Memory Care facilities and has performed journey work. She blends her professional career and her spiritual life. She lives in Cleveland, Ohio with her 3 canines and one feline. If she is not drumming, she can be found hiking with her canines in the National Parks. or on the Appalachian Trail. She hosts the show "Drumming Ceremony" an internet radio show that airs on International Pagan Radio on Sundays. Sue's website- primalrhythm.net