We were lucky to catch up with Monica Bodirsky recently and have shared our conversation below.

Monica, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

My skill set is a little unusual relative to the mainstream. I learned to be a practitioner of the magical and esoteric arts through observation, reading many academic and mainstream books related to the occult, divination, folk magic, Witchcraft and paganism and from the many mentors I’ve had. I worked at an Indigenous-run community centre as a storykeeper for many years and learned about the reality of residential schools, community, resilience and the importance of anecdotal histories.
This experience led me to trace my own ancestral and familial roots. I discovered we all share the ability to be walkers between the worlds, people who experience liminal spaces much more intensely than most including dreaming true, mediumship (dead talkers) and diviners.
Writing and art are just something I’ve always done and continued at the university level. Being an educator wasn’t something I actively pursued until much later in life. I was always asked to explain things to people and have a knack for synthesizing large amounts of information into digestible chunks. It makes me so happy to watch people’s eyes light up when I’ve explained something in an accessible way.
Always eager to jump in with new technology, I worked briefly as a computer system administrator and acquired graphic design production knowledge. I started a part-time crafting business in 1993 and haven’t looked back since. Though I’ve had several bumps along the way and many pivots, I love the freedom of being a small business owner and entrepreneur. I self-published a Lenormand (oracle deck) first then pursued a contract with a large publisher for subsequent tarot and guidebook decks. I am happy to say Red Feather Mind Body and Spirit, an imprint of Schiffer Publishing) has been a great experience.
As far as obstacles, there are so many I’ve encountered internally and externally including self-doubt, however I think the biggest hurdle I encountered when growing up was gender. Many times I had ambitions that were not supported at school or work and was told many times to go home, find a man and reproduce. Often the spaces I tried to access professionally and spiritually were blocked by the ‘old guard’ in the 1970s and I was frequently rendered invisible due to my gender, and because I was perceived as a foreigner. The lesson I learned was persistence, self-confidence and finding solutions to blocks. Things have changed since and have become a lot easier now.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a first-generation settler on Turtle Island on the Indigenous lands of the Anishnaabeg, Haudenosaunee, Mississaugas of the Credit, the Huron, Wendat and the many others who lived and currently live here in Tkaronto (Toronto), Ontario, Canada. Since I was very young, I experienced spiritual encounters, and was always sketching or writing stories which led me to become an artist, designer and educator like many of my extended family members.
As a person who identifies as a Witch and walker between the worlds, I honor my familial and ancestral tradition of spiritual gifts and practices.
The majority of my heritage is Germanic, Slavic, and Scandinavian. I also have Romany roots, Balkan as well as Baltic. The family moved very frequently from the North Sea down to the Mediterranean and back. I’ve spent a large portion of my life learning and practising art, design, Witchcraft and divination and am also a consultant and a chartered herbalist. I like tea but can’t live without the life-giving elixir known as coffee. I have a dry sense of humor and if describing myself will always go with Wednesday Addams — perhaps a very mature one, but still Goth to the core.
Teaching residencies, university, creating tarot and oracle art and guides, as well as community gatherings is something I love doing because it allows me the opportunity to discuss and share communally.
If I had to express what sets me apart from others, that’s a hard one. I feel pretty average. I don’t know if it’s something we all share, but I would say that I will never give up no matter how difficult things get. I am an odd mix of cynicism and optimism and much like a river, if I can’t find a way straight through, I’ll wind my way around until I get there.
I spent fifteen consecutive years as a caregiver to three close family members who passed away and while it was excruciatingly painful and all-consuming, it built resolve. I think I’m most proud of getting back up when I’ve been knocked down, laughing as much as crying and sharing with others the methods that help me thrive.
I will continue to work to bring people together so we can become one strong community. My definition of community is a group of people who share similar ethics and values, I don’t have to do the things I do, I get to do them and for that, I am incredibly grateful.
I have offered tarot readings professionally for many decades as well as having the incredible opportunity to work on a film set and teach legendary actor Diahann Carroll how to use tarot so she would appear professional on camera.
Currently, along with the ever-present ‘new-deck and book-deadline.’ I am beginning an online academy of esoteric arts called Obsidian whose motto is ‘Mystica Intus Suscitate,’ roughly translated as ‘Awaken the Mystic Within.’ Classes begin late September 2024 and registration is now open.
Obsidian is being built on a foundation of equity, inclusivity and diversity to create positive change through teaching esoteric, spiritual knowledge and encouraging engaged inquiry. By creating a supportive environment with experienced faculty and a variety of courses, the academy will transform lives and build empowered communities.
Learning and employing arcane spiritual practices and methodologies as well as creativity will help us all become more self-reliant in the face of an uncertain future, and, I believe together we can help ourselves, the environment, and the next generation one person at a time.
Everything we experience in life whether easy or difficult leaves us wiser and offers fresh opportunities.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn the idea that society treats everyone equally and that art and creativity have little value.
Fortunately, I never believed that folk magic or Witches were evil but seeing marginalized or non-conforming members of society and creative people in general ignored or mistreated was something I was exposed to throughout my childhood.
It can be challenging to allow yourself the full expression of creativity when it is seen as unnecessary, childish, play not work, or believed to be sustainable financially
I had to unlearn conformity for the sake of avoiding uncomfortable situations and spent a fair bit of time just trying to fit in. I had to unlearn the fear of being playful as an adult and tackled the concept of ‘growing up’ before I realized I don’t need to fit in with people who don’t see things the way I do. I came to realize fairly early on that if creativity is synonymous with immaturity for some, I will blissfully remain who I am regardless.
Once I realized I was living by imposed and unhealthy rules that I didn’t create nor agree with and that my creativity was a contribution not a liability to society, I transformed from a struggling artist to a whole and happy person. I wish this for everyone regardless of how they would like to live their life.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I don’t believe that anyone can be defined as a ‘non-creative’ so I suppose that might be my biggest insight. Perhaps the extent to which you are creative is something people don’t understand. I have a choice to pretend I am not driven to create but I am, and if I don’t create, I am not being myself or a whole person. I would be a shadow of who I am supposed to be. I’m sure many people out there would slow down the criticisms of non-mainstream spiritual beliefs, of marginalized or non-conforming individuals if they were happier with themselves.
I don’t feel the need to seek credibility, just to keep improving what I do and offer to people. I will continue study psychology to ensure I am giving trauma informed advice and suggest professionals where required. I keep drawing, painting, writing and teaching. I speak to spirit and invite others to find their ancestral roots and be proud of themselves and at peace as an alternative to toxic nationalism passing as pride.
I refuse to partake in the pervasive myths that art or writing are fun hobbies for retirement, and that spirituality is for those who dislike science. Alternative spirituality, creativity and contributing members of society that are non-conforming are not to be feared.
There is no need to label, divide and segregate beliefs, people and ideas, There is space for everyone and everything.
Creativity arises from the need for solutions and imagination is something we can all learn to set free. Technical skills of design, art and writing are something we all possess and choose whether to strengthen or ignore. Some will learn more quickly than others, but persistence is more vital than speed.
If you feel driven to create, you must be who you are and find a way to earn a living from your heart’s desire.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.monicabodirsky.com
• Instagram: monicabodirky
• Facebook: monica bodirsky
• Youtube: monica bodirsky shadowland

Image Credits

Allan Webster