Initiated

By: Amanda Yates Garcia

Narrated by: Amanda Yates Garcia

Length: 12 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's Summary

Smoke Gets in Your Eyes meets Women Who Run With The Wolves in this "gorgeously written, fierce, political, personal, and deeply inspiring" (Michelle Tea) memoir about finding meaning, beauty, and power through a life in witchcraft.

An initiation signals a beginning: a door opens and you step through. Traditional Wiccan initiates are usually brought into the craft through a ceremony with a High Priestess. But even though Amanda Yates Garcia's mother, a practicing witch herself, initiated her into the earth-centered practice of witchcraft when she was 13 years old, Amanda's real life as a witch only began when she underwent a series of spontaneous initiations of her own.

Descending into the underworlds of poverty, sex work, and misogyny, Initiated describes Amanda's journey to return to her body, harness her power, and create the magical world she longed for through witchcraft. Hailed by crows, seduced by magicians, and haunted by ancestors broken beneath the wheels of patriarchy, Amanda's quest for self-discovery and empowerment is a deep exploration of a modern witch's trials - healing ancient wounds, chafing against cultural expectations, creating intimacy - all while on a mission to re-enchant the world. Peppered with mythology, tales of the goddesses and magical women throughout history, Initiated stands squarely at the intersection of witchcraft and feminism. With generosity and heart, this book speaks to the question: Is it possible to live a life of beauty and integrity in a world that feels like it's dying?

Declaring oneself a witch and practicing magic has everything to do with claiming authority and power for oneself, of taking back our planet in the name of Love. Initiated is both memoir and manifesto calling the magical people of the world to take up their wands: stand up, be brave, describe the world they want, then create it like a witch.

©2019 Amanda Yates Garcia (P)2019 Grand Central Publishing

Critic Reviews

"Initiated is a stunning act of generosity from a fearless and wise spirit guide. Amanda Yates Garcia has cracked open her life - the brutal lessons, the romantic entanglements, the yearning to be a force of love - to empower all of us to write our own magic myth into the sky." (Margaret Wappler, author of Neon Green)

"Effortlessly weaving Goddess myths from diverse cultures with her own life story, Garcia's reverent, powerful work will encourage readers to forge their own values and join in her 're-enchantment' of the world." (Publisher's Weekly, starred)

"This bold and transporting story of one woman's awakening into her own spiritual power reads as a metaphysical coming of age, bearing gifts for anyone seeking her own alignment in the world." (Amelia Gray, author of Isadora)
 

A profound life story with great narration

Initiated is so gripping that I could not stop listening. It's an 'I see you girl, you got this life' for the witchy weirdo's out there who might find the NYT bestselling inspo-novellas a bit too vanilla to relate to. Even if you've walked the straight and narrow this book will draw out your inner wise woman and leaving wanting more insight about how to tap into your instinctual, wild self. The author narrates the book and I find her voice to be almost lyrical. I love the personality it brings, going back to my other books feels bland in comparison.

2 people found this helpful

Yes yes yes

I am so glad it was read by the author, her storytelling is enchanting. This is such valuable work, all I can say is thank you AYG for writing this, for being present, claiming the narrative, and writing the stories.

2 people found this helpful

Wonderful memoir

I loved this book! It was great storytelling of a woman's magical life, with wise gems placed throughout. I enjoyed this completely.

1 person found this helpful

Empowering Story!!

Empowering !!
This well written and delightfully narrated story has reinforced and helped structure the way I have tried to see many events in my life in a positive and productive and empowering way. Thank you Sister ❤

1 person found this helpful

Beautifully Written and Narrated

Amanda is so brave to share her life with the world. She takes us on so many adventures!! I listen to audio books while working, and this has been a 4x read for me. Her voice makes you feel like you are sitting down talking to a best friend. I Love This Book. :)

1 person found this helpful

Life Altaring (sry cldnt resist)

For real though ... I honestly LOVE this treasure of a book with my whole entire heart. It’s a beautiful story bravely and boldly told with honesty, raw emotion, joy, heartbreak, trauma, humor, sexuality, spirituality and most of all MAGIC. Amanda thank you for telling your family curse to suck it and writing the best book I’ve read in years. Maybe ever. I’ve told basically everyone I know to read this immediately or fuck off. Thank you for this. I love you.

1 person found this helpful

I liked it

If you like the podcast, Strange Magic, you will probably like this. I can ‘t imagine how much work went into writing and recording this. She did a really great job.

2 people found this helpful

Enchanting and magical

The story of Amanda’s life is unbelievable, but somehow completely relatable in spirit. As a fellow woman, witch, underworld expert, and lover of all things beautiful, this book has revived me and inspired me so much. Thank you for this wonderful gift. Thank you for sharing your stories with us.

Preview before you Buy

I try to listen to this book several times but that voice!!!! I just can't is awfull.
I know many people in reviews said is wonderful , so my advice is to try and listen a little bit before you purchase.
I have been listening AudioBooks for several years, and some voices can affect the story (for the listener).
This one I just couldn't.

Authentic, empowering, and pure magic.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, not only because of the author's storytelling ability, which is extremely poetic and painterly, but also because of the honesty and authenticity of which this book was written. This book is not only a journey of one witch's becoming, but it is also an examination of intergenerational trauma and family histories. I could not put this book down. It is beautiful and raw, and definitely an important part in my own healing. I am grateful that the author wrote this book and shared her story for others to bear witness and know that they are not alone.