The Witch Behind the Site
I'm Hazel Dunlin. (This is my Craft name. The name given to me at birth was Jeanette. For more on Craft names, click here.)  I'm an eclectic Witch living every day following the path Nature shows me with the ideals of the Rede in mind, whether it's along a seashell scattered shore with sandpipers running about, down a deer run in an enchanted forest, or standing on line at the grocery store.

A link to the Ocean and the Forest is so strong that I can't bear to be without either of them. Growing up on Long Island (NY), I spent my Summers at the beach, on our boat at sea, or in the forests of the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. In 1991, I married a wonderful man (my high school sweetheart) and together we moved up-state to the country. We now live in a little cabin in the magickal Catskill Mountains and we visit the Island now & then to see family, friends, and of course, the Ocean!

Unknowingly, I had practiced an eclectic form of the Craft since childhood. Nearly twenty years later, in 1999, a movie offering a slightly alternate meaning of Witchcraft spurred me to investigate further - leading me to the Witches' Voice website. It was then that the realization came over me that I was not alone in my beliefs. After much research and exploration, I decided that practicing Paganism (or an extremely eclectic, somewhat recognizable form of Wicca) was much less restrictive for me than to keep to one 'organized' tradition. I continue to study many traditions and choose from them what feels right in my heart. Due to my heritage, I tend to include bits of Teutonic & Celtic/ Welsh beliefs, Italian Stregaria and Native American Shamanism. I draw strength and feel protected by honoring Hecate (Pre-Olympian Greek/ Thracian Goddess) and Her mysteries. Being a self-educated student of archaeology, anthropology and esoterica, I have a great passion for ancient cultures including Anatolian, Mesopotamian, Egyptian and Sub-Roman Britain, as well as several others.

Originally I started practicing Paganism as a solitary, though now I'm truly blessed to be a Sister in a local coven since 2003. Being solitary is/was wonderful, and I know this sounds ironic, but solitaries need to stick together to keep their sanity. E-mail is awesome for this and if you're lucky you might meet someone who lives near-by. It's always nice to have someone to learn and share things with like celebrating Sabbats, Full Moon Rites, and of course, days out shopping at a favorite Witch store!  So, here's a great site that's an excellent way to meet/ chat with others from all over the world or right next door: The Witches' Voice. Once at The Witches' Voice, click on your state or country then follow the links you're most interested in... like Events, Adults, Teens, Groups, Shops, etc. (of course, when meeting anyone new, please use caution).

When I'm not at Avalon Moon, updating the website, teaching, at coven gatherings, or with my hunny, my spare time <hee-hee> is dedicated to writing about Paganism, with my first published work being Traversing Veil & Shadow: A Literary Composition. I do make time now and then to continue writing (the Muses really do wait for nothing), so keep a weather eye for a few upcoming titles in the realms of magick, including a novel.

Back to Hazel's Book of Shadows