Ardinger, Barbara

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Ardinger, Barbara

PERSONAL:

Education: Southeast Missouri State University, M.A.; Southern Illinois University, Ph.D.

ADDRESSES:

Home—Long Beach, CA. E-mail—[email protected].

CAREER:

Writer and witch. Freelance editor and writer, 1983—; I Can Write It for You (consulting service), owner. Also former adjunct professor at National University and presenter and lecturer at the University of Ccalifornia, Irvine Extension, California State University, Fullerton, Department of Communications. Volunteer with the American Holistic Health Association.

WRITINGS:

A Woman's Book of Rituals & Celebrations, foreword by Gloria Feman Orenstein, New World Library (San Rafael, CA), 1992.

Goddess Meditations, foreword by Patricia Monaghan, Llewellyn Publications (St. Paul, MN), 1998.

Practicing the Presence of the Goddess: Everyday Rituals to Transform Your World, New World Library (Novato, CA), 2000.

Quicksilver Moon (novel), Three Moons Media, 2003.

Pagan Every Day: Finding the Extraordinary in Our Ordinary Lives, Red Wheel/Weiser (San Francisco, CA), 2006.

Also author of the novel Crone Encounters; contributor to periodicals; former columnist for OC Metro magazine.

SIDELIGHTS:

Barbara Ardinger, a self-proclaimed witch, is the author of several books focusing on paganism and goddesses, as well as the vampire novel Quicksilver Moon. "I think everyone should be able to practice their religion," Ardinger told Lee Prosser in an interview posted on Ghostvillage.com. "That includes people following the standard-brand religions and people who follow Eastern religions."

In her first book, 1992's A Woman's Book of Rituals & Celebrations, the author provides guidance in performing pagan rituals. "A Woman's Book of Rituals & Celebrations is not for the base beginner, but for those who have already made their decision to follow this path," wrote a contributor to the Cauldron: A Pagan Forum Web site. "It does not include instruction on the concepts of the religion of Witchcraft. It is a book of inspiration on learning to communicate with the Goddess, and ideas for celebrating Her."

Pagan Every Day: Finding the Extraordinary in Our Ordinary Lives is a devotional book "filled with stories and words of wisdom," as noted by a contributor to the Paganews.com Web site. The reviewer also referred to Pagan Every Day as "a fantastic book filled with snippets of information about modern pop culture, Roman, Greek and Etruscan deities, saints and their saintly beginnings." In addition, the author explores classical and popular literature, her own personal experiences, and numerous other topics in a wide range of daily essays. Janet Tapper, writing in the Library Journal, noted the author's "deft prose and wry observations inspired by seasons, traditions, and cultural imperatives." A Publishers Weekly contributor wrote: "For readers looking for pagan trivia, … Ardinger's book of days is the ultimate find."