ABOUT YLVA MARAMy name is Ylvadroma Marzanna Radziszewski, I go by Ylva Mara. I am a High Priestess, a temple tender, traditional witch, teacher, published author, artist, acupuncturist, and herbalist. I am also a chronically ill, non-binary, trans femme and a survivor of childhood incest and sexual assualt. I currently live on occupied Duwamish and Coast Salish land, now named Seattle. I’m a white person of assimilated Romani (German Sinti, Bashaldé) & Balkan (Croatian Romani) maternal ancestry and Polish & Ashkenazi paternal ancestry. I was born on occupied Tequesta, Mayaimi, Seminole, Calusa, Ais, and Jeaga land, now named Florida.
I approach my work with a commitment to further understand how access to wellness and traditions of magic is complicated by and interconnected with the violence of settler-colonial, cis/het centric, ableist, white supremacy and capitalism; centering my practice in service to those most affected by systems of kyriarchal oppression. As someone who was raised within an assimilated American Romani & immigrant Polish family; and as someone who benefits from gadjeness and white privilege, my work focuses on magic as reparation, service, and radical resistance. My practice centers supporting Sex Workers, Black, Brown, Indigenous, and Romani community members, Femmes (especially my Fat Femme siblings), survivors of trauma & abuse, survivors of incest & assault, chronically ill folx, Trans & Non-Binary specific health concerns, harm reduction, abortion & reproductive health support, and folks navigating the complexity of mental health concerns. PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND In 2010 I earned my MS in acupuncture from Bastyr University and have a bachelor's degree in Social Work from Florida State University (2004.) My work in social service focused on familial reunification & mediation, mental health advocacy, substance recovery support, case management, anti-poverty & anti-racist activism, and LGBTQ rights. Still a part of my healing craft, I advocate to make ceremony an active form of radical resistance. GRATITUDES In 2016 my teacher, Jackie McCloskey, passed away. I am forever changed by the 19 years I spent as her apprentice. For the wisdom and blessing of the Healing Craft, I first thank my teacher Jackie McCloskey, School of Traditional Magic is my gift to her in honor of her teachings. I thank all my teachers, for better or worse. Those whose teachings I still honor and those whose work I no longer endorse. Most importantly my Grandmother Jewel for the Latcho Drom, and my Grandmother Angelika for the gift of our Whisper. |
photo by Mel Carter 2021
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