Christina is the senior member of the coven. As an empath and a healer, she believes in a holistic approach, something she brings to her jobs of an emergency medical technician and a caregiver to the elderly. The next steps for Christina are becoming a death doula and volunteering in hospice to help the elderly and their families move on. Her husband, a Catholic, is supportive of her path. Learn why she stayed in the broom closet into her 40s, who her familiar is, and more from her answers to these questions.

1. Do you have a magical name you’re willing to share?
     A magickal name has not chosen me yet. Until then, Aisling means “Dream or Vision” in Irish.  

2. In what state do you reside?
     Connecticut

3. How do you make your living?
     Emergency medical technician and caregiver are my current careers and passions.

4. Are you out of the closet? / Have you felt threatened?
     Until my children and step children were 18, I had to hide my path from others to avoid custody battles. No one should ever have to do that. Now that I am living my path in public, I think I've helped others understand and learn the truth about being a witch.

5. When did you first know you were a witch? How long have you been practicing?
     I knew I was different since I was little, I just didn’t know why. By the time I was 12, I knew I was a witch, but people often made fun of me. Every time I tried to come out of the closet, I would have to go back into hiding, especially during my custody disputes.  Now, I’m out and loving my life.

6. How do you define your practice? Do you follow a specific tradition?
     After all of my secret research, I’ve learned that I love many different things about all sorts of witchery. I guess I would have to say I am an eclectic.

7. What one object must be on your altar for it to be an altar?
     I need to have candles. It wouldn’t be the same if I didn’t have the light and warmth from them.

8. Do you have a daily practice?
     My daily practice is to take my medication, and drink in and smell a cup of coffee. I am a breast cancer survivor and more than once have learned that life is too precious to waste. I also manage depression and PTSD.

9. How do you respond when someone asks, “Are you a good witch or a bad witch?” 
     I usually give people a bit of a side eye and say, “Duh. I’m a good Witch.”

10. Do you have a familiar?
     Yes, I do!  My Diamond is a 14-year-old tuxedo cat and she makes sure I listen to her. When I don’t, I usually regret it.

11. What was your most magical experience?
     I’m really not sure. If I had to choose, I would have to say the first time I circled with my first coven. The energy was like nothing I’d ever experienced.

12. What gifts, skills, or powers do you share?
     I’m still coming into my own, but every year at Mabon, I seem to acquire or learn a new piece to my path. One of the hardest for me to work with – still, and I'm 52 – is being an empath.

13. What is your favorite:
           Sabbat: Samhain
           Element: Earth and water – earth for the grounding and water for the vitality it gives me.
           Goddess: Epona
           Tool: My hands and my athame
           Gemstone: Garnet, my birthstone  
           Animal or other totem: Horse. It’s a hard choice. I’m an animal lover.
           Ritual garb: Whatever calls me ... usually something with the tree of life.
          Music/Performer: Kellianna
           Fictional witch: Cassie Nightingale
           Piece of wisdom: You will be given what you need, when you need it.  Be patient and GRATEFUL.