A growing movement with several followers in the U.S. alone, Witchcraft is the most popular of the paths. With the advent of Internet technology, a once isolated community is finding new ways to make connections. Covens and information on Witchen rituals, beliefs, and spellwork are just a mouse-click away. In her new book, M. Macha NightMare, a practicing witch for 30 years, takes an unconventional look at the cultural effects of the Internet on the ancient-future spirituality that is contemporary Witchcraft. Witchcraft and the Web: Weaving Pagan Traditions Online discusses: how a new web is being woven for the ancient/future religion of Witchcraft; manipulating energy in magic and via electronic communications; sacred technologies and accessing the "between the worlds" place in cyberspace and in terraspace. Taking up the thread of tradition and technology, M. Macha NightMare weaves a new version of the multi-hued tapestry that is Witchcraft in the 21st Century.
Born in New England, raised in the Delaware Valley, and a Californian for half a century, M. Macha NightMare, Priestess & Witch, is among the founders of Reclaiming Tradition Witchcraft, and an initiate of (Anderson) Faery/Feri Tradition as well. As a Witch at Large, she has circled with Witches of many different traditions as well as with people of other Pagan paths throughout the U.S., and in Canada and Brazil.
An internationally published author, Macha co-authored, with Starhawk, and edited The Pagan Book of Living and Dying: Practical Rituals, Prayers, Blessings, and Meditations on Crossing Over (1997), voted #1 of the most significant Pagan titles by the reviewers of PanGaia Magazine; Witchcraft and the Web: Weaving Pagan Traditions Online (2001), and Pagan Pride: Honoring the Craft and Culture of Earth and Goddess (2004).
Contributor to anthologies Irish Spirit: Pagan, Celtic, Christian, Global, Patricia Monaghan, ed., The Green Egg Omelette, Oberon Zell-Ravenheart, ed., Celebrating the Pagan Soul: Our Own Stories of Inspiration and Community, Laura Wildman, ed. and Exploring the Pagan Path: Wisdom from Elders, Kristin Madden, ed.
Macha's writing has appeared in periodicals and she has contributed encyclopedia entries. In addition, she frequently speaks about Paganism to journalists, at colleges, universities, and seminaries, and in the context of interfaith activities.
In 2008, she spoke on behalf of Pagans at Peoples of the Earth, a conference of Earth religions practitioners (Heathen, Hindu, Shinto, Mayan, Native Californian (American Canyon), Orisha, Buddhism, et al.) at the Interfaith Center of the Presidio.
Featured in a year-long study (2002-03) of religious leaders in Marin County, CA called "Women in Leadership in Faith: Voices of Hope and Healing in a Troubled World," Macha has spoken and/or performed rituals at the Center for Multifaith Education at Auburn Theological Seminary, New York City; Pacific School of Religion at Berkeley's Graduate Theological Union; Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, Palo Alto; Claremont Graduate University; Stanford University, UC-Berkeley; Sonoma State University; St. Lawrence University, NY; Cornell; Eastern Michigan Univ., Ypsilanti; St. Mary's College, Moraga, CA; College of Notre Dame de Namur University, Belmont, CA; New College of California and California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco.
A member of the American Academy of Religion, the Marin Interfaith Council, the Nature Religion Scholars Network, serves on the Boards of Directors of Cherry Hill Seminary, the first and only graduate-level education for Pagan ministry in the modern world, and the Foundation for the Advancement of Women in Religion, and on the Advisory Boards of the Sacred Dying Foundation and PEARL (Pagan Elders Assistance & Resource League) and was Pagan participant in The Biodiversity Project Spirituality Working Group.
Since 1981, Macha has held Elder credentials through the Covenant of the Goddess (CoG), the oldest and largest non-denominational organization of Witches in the U.S.
Her matron "deity" is Kali Ma. Her magical practice is inspired by feminism and a concern for the health of our planet, and is informed by Celtic, Hindu and Tibetan practices, and the magic of enchantment.
She lives Marin County, California, with her partner Corby and two felines, Oona and Fernando. Her beloved daughter Deirdre lives nearby.
When the opportunity presents itself, Macha travels the broomstick circuit, where she enjoys immersing herself in the diverse community that comprises contemporary American Paganism. Macha is circuit priestess and an all-round Pagan webweaver.
