Shapeshifters and Edgewalkers: Living Craft in a Mundane World

The concept of shapeshifting has been present throughout human history and pre-history.  The concept of edgewalking has been developed as a method for success in today’s capitalist culture, although it, too, has a long history.  While this form of activism is more low-key and subtle than outright rebelling, both it and shapeshifting are valuable techniques of doing magic, i.e., “changing consciousness with will.”

M. Macha NightMare, Witch at Large, is a ritualist, both solo and collaborative, interfaith and environmental activist, and a published author. She was in the original of Reclaiming Collective in San Francisco. Reclaiming has evolved into a Craft tradition. Macha co-created, with Starhawk, The Pagan Book of Living and Dying and is author of Witchcraft and the Web: Weaving Pagan Traditions Online and Pagan Pride: Honoring the Craft and Culture of Earth and Goddess. She has contributed to many anthologies, religious studies textbooks, encyclopedia entries, and guest blogs. Macha holds Elder and ministerial credentials through the Covenant of the Goddess. A member since 1981, currently a national interfaith representative. Cherry Hill Seminary, (in several capacities, currently as an Advisor. She is also an Advisor to COMPASS (Commons of Modern Pagans and Spiritual Seekers), where she works with the Pagan History Project, among other projects. She serves Wiccan inmates at San Quentin State Prison and Wiccan patients at Napa State Hospital. Member of the American Academy of Religion Pagan Studies Unit;, and Marin Interfaith Council, a Cooperation Circle of the United Religions Initiative, and CCL-EBSAT (Citizens Climate Lobby Earth-Based Spirituality Action Team). In her efforts at fostering Pagan solidarity, she views documenting, archiving, and preserving our Pagan heritage, especially as it relates to telling the stories of elders and founders, as essential. She enjoys immersing herself in the diverse community that is American Witchcraft.