Interview With Wiccan Author, Theresa Chaze!

Theresa Chaze is a Wiccan writer is a prolific writer whose first book of the Dragon Clan Trilogy, Awakening The Dragon, is now available. I am really fortunate to have gotten this interview with her and to share her insights with you!

1. You have put forth such imagery and power in AWAKENING THE DRAGON I am interested in your personal background and experience with Dragon magic.

I belong to the Air clan and am associated with the fire clan. Most of my knowledge about dragon magic came back when my soul's memories awakened. I fudged a little for the plot line by stating that dragons of different clans don't associated. What is true is that not all dragons are wise and balanced. It doesn't happen often, but it does happen. Some of the dragon rituals I use are listed in my ebook of Shadows, Out of the Shadows and Into The Light, including how to contact the Mother of all Dragons.

To be part of a Dragon clan means that you have made the decision over several life times to follow the path of Truth and Justice. Both words are capitalize to symbolize the big picture. In life there are a lot of little truths, but when it comes to the soul truth, there isn't discretionary wiggle room.

2. Do you consider yourself a Witch or Wicca?
I consider myself to be a spiritual being currently assigned to earth in human form. But by the time you have gotten half way through the statement, the other person's eyes have glazed over.(Unclear-who is the other person/) Wicca is closest to what I believe so I call myself such. I am a fully dedicated Wiccan Priestess and Ordained Minister, along with a Tarot Reader and Reiki Master.

3. I know you were raised in a traditional religion. Do you remember the point at which you began to ponder exploring a different belief system.
My family genetics made me a natural intuitive and empath. I have always been able to sense things that others couldn't I started to break away from the Catholic church when I was very young because what they preached didn't match what I experienced in life. All spiritual paths deserve respect; however, there is no one size fits all. Each religion has a piece of the big "Truth". For one to claim to be all knowing and all powerful is to be disrespectful to the spirituality of that path and all the others.

4. Can you tell us more about your spiritual journey?
On both sides of my parentage, there were abilities. My grandmother was not only able to sense the dead, but frequently see them. She also had a way of knowing with out knowing how she knew, which helped her know when to play the lottery. Although, she never won big, she won frequently. It's too bad she didn't pass that on to me along with the ingrown toe nails. Unfortunately, her Christian heritage kept her from understanding and training her gift. When she saw the other side, it frequently frightened her. Her sister, Edith had a natural intuitiveness about people. She could read them like no other, but she also didn't understand her talent. Instead, she used alcohol to suppress her impressions. There were family rumors about their mother, but the children were never included in the late night discussion. My grandmother would say, "little pictures have big ears." Sometimes I would pretend to be asleep so that I could listen. unfortunately, it didn't take too long for me to stop pretending and I missed out on a lot. My mother knew how to communicate with animals and instinctively knew what she needed to do to heal them. We had two puppies that contracted parvo that the vet had given up on. She brought them home and proved him wrong. She had a knack of seeing into other's lives. Once she described to a woman her entire house down to the color of the walls in her bedroom; the woman's reaction prevented her from ever doing it again. Even through they were Christian, they were able to teach me how to see and hear in other ways From my mother's side of the family, I was blessed with intuition and empathy. From my mother, I am able to connect with animals. However, it wasn't until my grandmother died that her ability to perceive the dead was passed on to me. From my mother I gained a natural healing ability. My father's side of the family is more complicated. We weren't close. However, his one aunt could not only sense the dead but communicate with them as well.

When I was about five, I told my grandmother's neighbor, that I saw fairies in her garden. She took me into her kitchen and poured water into an old bowl and put candlestick in the center. She lit the candle and had me watch the flame as she talked to me. Decades later I remembered in a dream how she shut down that part of my natural gifts. When I was ready, not only did the memory come back but the ability as well. Kate was a very spiritual woman, who went to church every morning at 6 am. Her faith was an active part in her life, yet she still knew how to reach the earth spirits. Although her age kept her from doing much work, her gardens were always lush and her grapevine remained fertile. Her home was old and run down. She was one of the last people in town to install indoor plumbing. The only source of heat for the large two story home was a wood stove in the kitchen, yet it was always warm. Her house was unique. It was two story, but the upper level could be reached both from the inside and out. The wooden stairs led to a porch and then the entrance. She had boarded it up, keeping whatever was in on the inside and keeping the rest of us out. When she died, so did her gardens and the house seem to collapse into itself.

Many more teachers have found their way into my life. Bobby taught me to channel not only the Deities, but to reach into other realms. Mary, a woman from college, helped me reopen the door Kate closed. Beverly attuned me to Reiki healing. Anne followed it with Shambala. I've studied Physics to understand the way energy works. Tarot helped me focus my intuition.

6. You have rescued cats. What insight can you share on cat medicine?
The best way to understand cats is to love them and be open. Cats are wonderful teachers and healers. But you need the courage to love them for who they are, not who you want them to be.

7. Can you tell us about your new publishing company, Valkyrie Publishing?
It is embarrassing to admit that even through I did the research and talked to other writers, I was taken advantage of not once but twice by unethical publishers. Not only was I doing all the promotional and marketing, but also what books I did sell I wasn't paid royalties for. Which is why I has created Valkyrie Publishing. I provide the technical support for authors who decide they want to publish their own work, which includes typesetting and the creating custom book covers. The author maintains all rights and profits from the work. Valkyrie Publishing only provides the technical services needed to make the work printer ready. If you would like to learn more about what I can do for your work go to her site at www.theresachaze.com or go to Amazon to look at her novel, Awakening the Dragon--Book One of the Dragon Clan Trilogy.

8. What advice do you have for anyone searching for a new spiritual calling and for those experiencing challenging times?

Don't get stuck in the labels. A good person is a good person, no matter what label they or anyone else places on them. To quote a John Meloncamp song--It's what you do not what you say. If you aren't part of the future than get out of the way. We are living in very challenging times. In many some people are running far ahead of the pack when it comes to spiritual growth, while others are stuck in the dogma. This is true of all spiritual paths. So many people--even Wiccans and Pagans take themselves, their believes and their "dogma" so seriously that they miss out on many blessings and the small miracles in life. Each and everyone of us can create a miracle every day. We don't have to part the Red Sea. Sometimes a kind word and a smile is all that is necessary. If more of us had the courage to open our hearts, minds and souls, we could find more common ground. Oprah once said that there are only two emotions--love and fear. I go a step further. If you come from fear, you will never have love. If you come from love, you will always have it in your life.

Awakening The Dragon: Filled with magic, suspense and romance, the residents of Coyote Springs will entice and frighten you as they face challenges that come from within and without. Awakening the Dragon--Book one of Dragon Clan Trilogy. You may also purchase this book through amazon.com. For publishing tips, resources and paying gigs go to http://theresachaze.blogspot.com/