Harvest Shadows Publications - Interview with Jimahl di Fiosa

Jimahl's interest in the occult spans many years. Having been initiated into the Alexandrian tradition of Witchcraft fifteen years ago, Jimahl considers that experience to be a major turning point in his life. Since then he has devoted his spiritual path to exploring the mysteries of the goddess and to the preservation of the Craft for future generations. Areas of special interest include spiritualism, tarot and ceremonial magick. He also has a strong connection to the folklore and mystery of the Maya.

HSP: The original printing of A VOICE IN THE FOREST was back in 1999. What convinced you that you should come out with a second edition? Was it an easy decision for you?

JDF: I don't think anyone was more surprised by the success of VOICE than I was. At the time, I was so determined to write the book that I didn't put a lot of thought into the audience. Not to sound melodramatic, but it really was a spiritual quest for me. If no one read it, it wouldn't have mattered. But people did read it - and the praise was unanimous. In 2003 HSP approached me about a reprint. The original edition was pretty limited and there was still a demand for the book. At first I said no - I felt that the book had run its course. But HSP was so insistent that I reconsidered and finally said, "let's do it".

HSP: Let's talk about how your spiritual quest began. What made you decide to experiment with the spirit board that evening in the forest? And why the spirit board?

JDF: That's the amazing part of it - it was not an intentional decision. I was camping with some friends. It was late at night and someone suggested we play with a spirit board. I don't think any of us could have imagined the consequences.

HSP: Before the night in the forest, had you ever experienced any psychic incidents? Seen any ghosts or anything?

JDF: Yes, I'm afraid I was always a little "odd" in that regard. It started when I was very young. I'd see spirits around all the time, but at some point I started to believe my parents who kept insisting that it was "all in my imagination." It wasn't until my early thirties that I started doing serious research into parapsychology.

HSP: That's so sad when such a great gift was inadvertently squashed. Some people with psychic gifts, though, consider them to be more of a curse than a gift. I'm sure you probably thought that back when you were being told it was all in your head, but how do you feel about these gifts now? Are you comfortable with them?

JDF: Yes, very comfortable. Over the past twenty years I've learned to not only accept these psychic abilities, but also to appreciate them. Of course there is a down side - for example, it's very hard for anyone to surprise me. I am usually way ahead of them.

HSP: So, no surprise birthday parties for you?

JDF: Well, there was one...

HSP: So you have a spirit board and due to the answers to the question, you realize you have contacted someone important. What made you decide to write a book?

JDF: The decision to write a book came much, much later. It was actually Alex's idea. Apparently he was never afraid of publicity. I think the most fascinating aspect of the book is not so much the content of the communications with Alex (which is significant), but how this experience affected the people involved. It is the story of a group of friends who share a single remarkable experience that ultimately reshapes all of their lives in different ways.

HSP: What's next after VOICE? Any other writing projects planned?

JDF: Yes, definitely. I have already started mapping out a new project, but for now I'd like to keep it under wraps.

Jimahl di Fiosa currently resides near Boston with his two familiars, Luna and Storm.