Interviews

Interview with Phoebe Garnsworthy Author of ‘I Affirm My Power’ with Lady Saoirse

Bright Blessings, Readers!

Last issue, I was able to review Phoebe Garnsworthy’s book I Affirm My Power, and you may have had the chance to read it by now. I have even more exciting news…Phoebe was good enough to let me interview her! Sometimes I give a full intro of the author and their work, but usually that is when the review and interview are together. If you want to know about Phoebe and her book, check the review in our last issue: Book Review – I Affirm My Power: Everyday Affirmations and Rituals to Create the Life That You Desire by Phoebe Garnsworthy – PaganPages.org

 

Now- without further ado, I will let Phoebe’s words speak for themselves!

 

Lady Saoirse- As a writer, when did you know that you wanted to write? Was there an “Aha!” moment, or was it more subtle? What other authors do you feel inspired by?

Phoebe- I had a wonderful “aha” moment! Since I was old enough to write, I have kept a diary (and still do to this day). As I grew older, my diary entries evolved into expressions of my feelings and attitudes toward the challenges that I faced. It wasn’t so much, “this happened today,” but how I felt and what I wanted to do about it. I now look at journaling as a prominent form of self-healing and self-awareness and realize that through my regular use of this medium from a young age, I was constantly practicing personal development by reflecting, analyzing, and channeling my intuition.

When I was younger, I never thought anything further of it, until one day I came home to visit my family. I had been living overseas for five years with a good career in fashion, but I didn’t love my work. I always had a strong work ethic embedded into me, and I knew that when I found my dream career, I would throw myself into it with love! But I had been searching for this for many, many years. 

When I came home, I went through my old storage boxes and suddenly found all those journals—there were about twenty of them. I was fascinated with the entries, and I could see how this process really shaped my outlook on life. As I continued to read my old primary school memories, I found a box filled with stories that I had written and were filled with magic and fairies and queens and princesses. I’d created covers for these stories and cut out pictures to accompany the characters. As I looked through all my journals and stories, I realized… I was always meant to be an author!

Other authors that I have been inspired by include ancient philosophical poets like Rumi and scriptures such as Tao te Ching by Lao Tzu—just to name a few.

 

Lady Saoirse- If you would like to share, what sort of things did you go through that your affirmations have helped with, and how do you feel those can help your readers? 

Phoebe- Nurturing and healing my mental health is the core reason I began implementing affirmations into my practice. I have suffered deep depression through intervals of my life, and it is something that still rears its head time and time again. I don’t think it will ever go away, but I know not to run from it. I have gathered the strength, courage, and wisdom within me to face it, to feel it, and to know that it will not stay. I know that with time, it also moves on.

I began by being aware of my self-talk, especially during these dark times, and anytime a sentence came up that spoke negatively, I dismissed it and turned it into a positive affirmation. With time, you begin to realize that these negative thoughts are simply words, and you have the power to choose to let them go and to align with the positive vibrations. This simple practice of being mindful of my internal dialogue and implementing positive affirmations into my life, have helped soften the symptoms of depression and allow me to just feel the energy and move through it. Whereas before, I would entertain and acknowledge those negative thoughts. Now, I know they are just floating words that will pass by. 

The affirmations I share in my books, specifically my latest book, I Affirm My Power: Everyday Affirmations and Rituals to Create the Life That You Desire, will help provide the reader with an affirmation to choose for the day. You can write this affirmation down, set it as a reminder in your phone, and choose to use this at any point of the day when something negative is bringing you down. There is a phenomenal synchronicity when using this book, where the affirmation you choose for the day is exactly what you need!

 

Lady Saoirse- Tell us how you came to your personal spiritual path. What things guided you to where you needed to be? Are there any special mentors or guides?
Phoebe- Being faced with death at a young age ignited my interest in the spiritual path. My primary school friend died in a freak accident, and I had difficulty comprehending what death was and how it could happen so quickly. This process made me question everything around me. I withdrew from school, rebelled against authority, and rejected religion. I was nine years old, but I had the understanding that everything around me was not my choice—it was forced upon me. Yet, I couldn’t understand why I was forced to live within these confined parameters when I could potentially die at any moment. This string of questions about what life is and why are we here prompted a deep internal exploration that carried over through my adult life.

I still ask those questions, but now I have found spiritual philosophy and practices to provide me with the answers (which I share in my books)! Over time, I have established a strong connection with my soul, and my spirit guides to provide me guidance on this great adventure of the unknown that we call life.

I have four main spirit guides who govern certain areas of my life, and I connect with them when I need support or answers. I’ll share two of them. There is an old man who sits on top of a tall mountain, behind a large desk, and I ask him for guidance on my writing career. He has wonderful items on his desk; it’s always full! He has long white hair and a white beard. And the second is a beautiful young woman who I meet in a waterfall. She helps provide guidance on my personal family life. I share a few meetings with my guides in some of my books also, specifically Align with Soul and Remember the Witch Within.

 


Lady Saoirse- Where do you see your spiritual journey taking you in the future?

Phoebe- I love this question because I really don’t know! At present, I am tuning deeply into the energetic vibrations around me and utilizing this for peace and clarity. I see myself working deeper with these natural gifts of creation. I believe my practices will become stronger and more magical every day… and where can that take me? Only my soul knows! I look forward to weaving more of my experiences of the spirit world into my books and sharing my ritual practices. 

 

Lady Saoirse- What is next for you as a writer?

Phoebe- I’m always working on multiple projects in my writing. I love poetry (from my journals), fantasy (to channel my younger self), and self-help nonfiction (to express and document my practices). These three channels are always speaking to me. I am constantly working on a book for each! Before they are finished, I have a new book channeling through me. A dream of mine would be for my fantasy books to be turned into movies or series so that others can incorporate spiritual lessons and magical worlds through other mediums other than reading! 

 

Lady Saoirse- Do you have any advice for someone who wants to start a spiritual practice?

Phoebe- Finding the right practice that works for you takes time and experimentation. Mine has evolved a lot over the years, but it always involves meditation and journaling.

I’d suggest first gathering items that you love and keeping them in a small area. It could be a box or a table. I have crystals, candles, incense, figurines, sticks, jewelry, singing bowls—just to name a few! Sit with your items and connect with them. Let your soul guide you. As you pick up the item, listen to what it represents to you and find the words to describe the energy that it provides. When ready, try journaling or meditation, or—ideally—both. It doesn’t have to be long; you can start with just five or ten minutes and see how that evolves. 

For the items on my ritual altar, I love to connect with the universal energies of earth, air, water, fire, and spirit. I set my intention for what guidance I need to receive and channel those energies to ask for support. My meditation practice is where I really gain insight and wisdom. I find it provides me with self-love, healing, and clarity for my day. I place a lot of emphasis on practicing rituals and have written two books about them: Daily Rituals and I Affirm My Power. Both books provide you with an explanation of how to create a ritual practice with guidance and prompts on journaling and meditation exercises. If you aren’t sure where to start, these books will provide you with the answers you need!

 

Here are links to Phoebe’s work, check these out and make sure to read her books and online work. Blessed Be!

Books: https://www.phoebegarnsworthy.com/books/

Website: https://www.phoebegarnsworthy.com/

Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/lost_nowhere/ 

https://www.facebook.com/lostnowhere/

https://www.youtube.com/phoebegarnsworthy

https://www.tiktok.com/@phoebe_garnsworthy

 

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About the Author:

Saoirse is a practicing witch, and initiated Wiccan of an Eclectic Tradition.

A recovered Catholic, she was raised to believe in heaven and hell, that there is only one god, and only one way to believe. As she approached her late 20’s, little things started to show her this was all wrong. She was most inspired by the saying “God is too big to fit into one religion” and after a heated exchange with the then associate pastor of the last Xtian church she attended, she finally realized she was in no way Xtian, and decided to move on to see where she could find her spiritual home.

Her homecoming to her Path was after many years of being called to The Old Ways and the Goddess, and happened in Phoenix, Arizona. She really did rise from her own ashes!

Upon returning to Ohio, she thought Chaos Magic was the answer, and soon discovered it was actually Wicca. She was blessed with a marvelous mentor, Lord Shadow, and started a Magical Discussion Group at local Metaphysical Shop Fly By Night. The group was later dubbed A Gathering of Paths. For a few years, this group met, discussed, did rituals, fellowship, and volunteering together, and even marched as a Pagan group with members of other groups at the local gay Pride Parade for eight years.

All the while, she continued studying with her mentor, Lord Shadow, and she became a Third Degree High priestess in 2022. She belongs to the Black Dragon Clan.