Initiated

Memoir of a Witch

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)
 

Difficult to Listen To

The writing is good, but the author/narrator is overly enchanted with her own self. She reads every line like it's the most profound and magical thing ever uttered in a repetitive sing-songy cadence. This could be powerful if used more sparingly but I found myself wishing over and over again that she would save the theatrics for the truly profound moments. I did find a bit of solution to this....speed up the playback speed.

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.

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.

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.

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.

it was a memoir of a hurt women....

it was more of a memoir of a hurt women who turns to witchcraft to understand or make sense of very shitty pitfalls in life. to each his own. one good point was the ending where she went over all the great women in the world and their power. however it was not the memoir of a witch I was looking forward too...meh. more like justification for why bad things are kicking you repeatedly.

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.

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 ❤

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. :)

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.