Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Yates Garcia.
Amanda, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My journey to becoming the Oracle of Los Angeles started young, you might say it started in utero. When my mother’s water broke it was black, meaning the baby is in distress; it was a traumatic birth. My heart stopped for five minutes. I was born already having been to the other side and back again. It’s a common experience among healers, witches, and shaman to have had a near-death experience.
Too, my mother was a witch. I was brought up reading tarot cards, making my own runes, learning about ancient goddesses like Hecate, guardian of the crossroads and Freyja, Norse goddess of magic and love. I was a feral child, I resisted sitting still in my seat. Like most children, I was an animist. I wanted to be outside talking with the crows, whispering with the blades of grass, not inside studying to be a wage slave.
Like many teenagers, for a time, I rejected the religion of my youth. I had to find my own path, which is part of the initiation process. I turned to dance, poetry; art became my religion. I traveled through Europe studying in Amsterdam, and in London where I eventually earned my BFA in Dance Theater. Then, came back to California where I graduated with a double MFA in Writing and Film and Video from Cal Arts. It took me many years of study to realize that magic had been hiding in the arts ever since the Enlightenment. Artists have kept the fires of magic burning, until now.
In 2010, I started leading my own public ceremonies and rituals. In grad school I made angry work, pointing out what was wrong with the world. Eventually, I realized that it’s easy to point out what’s wrong, everybody does it, much more advanced is a willingness to try and make it right. To stake a claim. To say, “This is how I think the world should be.” I wanted to live in a world where magic existed, where women are powerful, where nature is sacred. I decided to do my part in re-enchanting the world.
My rituals were public rituals were popular. Many people are hungry for the beauty and meaning ceremony provides; we want to heal ourselves, but sometimes therapy feels too clinical, and many religions too dogmatic. People started coming to me, asking me to lead personal ceremonies, perform divination with tarot and mediumship, and to do healing work. The Oracle of Los Angeles was born.
It took a few years, but eventually, I came to support myself solely as a professional witch. I lead private rites of healing and empowerment from my magical studio. I perform divination to help people find clarity, make the necessary choices, and find their power. I’ve led public ceremonies and rituals at The Hammer, The Getty, at MOCA, and Human Resources and many other places. And, I teach a monthly Mystery School called: Magical Praxis, where people can learn about magic, mysticism, witchcraft, and many other traditional forms of healing and ceremony.
Last year, at one of these Magical Praxis events, I did a ceremony as part of the #MagicalResistance – a magical working started by the magician Michael M. Hughes to bind Donald Trump. I was then interviewed about it on Fox News, you can see the video here: http://video.foxnews.com/v/5581455324001/?#sp=show-clips.
Next year, my book, “Initiated: The Wayward Girl’s Guide to Becoming a Witch” will be coming out through Grand Central Publishing. It’s a memoir that is about how you don’t need to be born to a witch mother to find your power and know your purpose. Life itself initiates you. If you look at your deepest wounds, you will find that where you heal, you can bring that healing to the world.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has not at all been a smooth road. Along the way I’ve lived in a shed in someone’s backyard, nearly froze to death in Amsterdam, struggled through divorce, anxiety, depression, abuse, a stint in the sex industry. I can look back and be grateful, because now I’m happy, and my experiences taught me compassion and resourcefulness. But, I would never suggest anyone should be grateful for their suffering. Instead, I would encourage people to be grateful to their spirits, that they had the strength to survive their struggles. This world is a challenging one. Just by living, each individual deserves respect. If we join together, in respect, compassion, and solidarity, I believe we can accomplish anything.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
As the Oracle of Los Angeles, I offer several modalities to support my clients in their process of personal growth and transformation.
Divination: tarot, astrology, runes, numerology, intuitive clairvoyance to help people find clarity, make choices, and move towards their fullest realization of self.
Healing: Reiki, breath work, shamanic journeying, chakra balancing, crystal healing, past life regression and hypnosis to help people feel strong and healthy, body mind and spirit.
Ceremonial Magic: rituals, spells, and ceremonies to help people focus their intentions, clear away obstacles and generate opportunities.
Coaching: where my clients work with me over a period of weeks or months to achieve their goals.
I’m different from many other healers of the “New Age” because my feet are planted firmly on the ground. My work is not about wishful thinking, conspiracy theory, or imaginative escapism. Ritual and ceremony have been used for thousands of years to help us change our consciousness and transform our lives for a reason. It works. Yes, there are a lot of charlatans out there (in many fields), but I stand by my work because I don’t lie to my clients. I know the work we do together is sacred.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.oracleoflosangeles.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @OracleOfLA
- Facebook: Oracle.Of.LA
- Twitter: @AmandaYatesG
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/oracle-of-los-angeles-los-angeles
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
