{"id":27137,"date":"2022-10-01T01:10:58","date_gmt":"2022-10-01T05:10:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/?p=27137"},"modified":"2022-09-27T17:51:00","modified_gmt":"2022-09-27T21:51:00","slug":"exclusive-interview-with-author-nikki-van-de-car","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/2022\/10\/01\/exclusive-interview-with-author-nikki-van-de-car\/","title":{"rendered":"Exclusive Interview with Author Nikki Van De Car"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Nikki Van De Car is the author of several books including <\/span><\/span>The Witchy Homestead: Spells, Rituals, and Remedies for Creating Magic at Home<\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span> which we recently reviewed here on PaganPage<\/a><\/span><\/span>sOrg<\/span><\/span><\/a>. Nikki was kind enough to take some time out of her busy schedule to talk to us about her writing, her crafting, and the magic in her own life.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mabh Savage <\/b>(Mabh)<\/b>:<\/b> I\u2019ve just read \u201cWitchy Homestead.\u201d Firstly, congratulations on a wonderful book. What prompted you to write this? What was your main inspiration?<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Nikki Van De Car <\/b><\/i>(Nikki)<\/b><\/i>:<\/b><\/i> About five years ago, I left New York to return to my hometown in Hawaii. It\u2019s a tiny village with two stores and no stoplights, so quite a change! And I put a lot of energy into making it my own Witchy Homestead, and I wanted to share that with everyone\u2014including ways to make a Jersey City condo a witchy homestead, too!<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mabh: What was your favourite section to write and why?<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Nikki:<\/b> I have a confession to make\u2014I\u2019m actually a terrible gardener. I love the idea of it, but sadly it\u2019s not where my magic lies! But my mom became a master gardener while I was writing this book, so I was able to get her help on that section, and that was really fun. <\/i><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mabh: Was there any part of it that was more challenging, or is there an aspect of life that you find is more challenging to make magical and draw enchantment into?<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Nikki:<\/b> Well, despite gardening being so difficult for me, it is actually inherently magical, so that section was actually really easy. I suppose the section that is sort of least-intuitive is house-cleaning. It\u2019s something we consider a chore\u2014I can\u2019t even manage to wash the dishes without playing music or listening to an audiobook. So, I think the biggest challenge was figuring out ways to help the reader\u2014and myself\u2014find the enchantment in housework. That said, I also think that\u2019s so useful!<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mabh: Your junior books are very popular and well received with hundreds of 5 star reviews. What do you think is the key to making magical books accessible to children and young adults?<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Nikki:<\/b> Honestly, I think it\u2019s just like writing books for anyone else! I don\u2019t alter the magic in any way\u2014pretty much the exact same spells and rituals can be found in my adult books. I just try to place them in a context that makes more sense for younger readers\u2014school stresses, friends, family, etc. But in reality, they\u2019re just not that different.<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mabh: Do you plan to write any more books for younger folks?<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Nikki:<\/b> Absolutely! I actually have a whole bunch coming out soon. The Junior Tarot Reader\u2019s Handbook will be available in October, and in the next couple of years there will be a few more books, too! I love writing them, and I think they\u2019re so important.<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mabh: You describe yourself as a woman in search of magic \u2013 something many of our readers can relate to, I\u2019m sure! What\u2019s the most magical thing you\u2019ve discovered in life, so far? This could be an experience or simply one aspect of your life that brings you the most positive vibes. Anything goes.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Nikki:<\/b> Oh my goodness, this is a tricky question! I think\u2014and this sounds so trite\u2014but I think the most magical thing I\u2019ve discovered is letting myself be magical. I was always a very whimsical, fairy-finding kid, and then I let go of that for a long time. Working on these books and embracing that aspect of myself has really helped me find that sense of magic again. It\u2019s not like I cast complicated spells every day or anything\u2014it\u2019s more that I live magically in the everyday. And I let myself decide to feel that way.<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mabh: Do you have a favourite time of year or festival? What makes it so special for you?<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Nikki:<\/b> My favorite time of year is probably Fall, and I love Mabon. I love embracing the darker aspects of life, and finding joy in them.<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mabh: You\u2019re a prolific crafter and seem to have a real magic with yarn and thread! What\u2019s the most amazing crafting project you\u2019ve worked on?<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Nikki:<\/b> I think my favorite thing is a blanket I made for my sister. I got the wool from a sheep farm nearby, I cleaned it myself (and if you\u2019ve never done that, trust me, it\u2019s gross), and I carded it and spun it and dyed it and then turned it into a blanket. It was a yearlong project, but there was joy and learning\u2014and magic!\u2014in every part of it.<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mabh: Finally, what\u2019s next for you? What projects or goals are on the horizon for the coming year?<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Nikki:<\/b> I\u2019m working on a lot of things! I\u2019ve got a new book coming out in August, called Potions: A Guide To Cocktails, Tinctures, Tisanes, and Other Witchy Concoctions<\/b>\u2014and let me tell you, that was fun to write! And I\u2019ve got two more adult books coming out in the next year or two. I\u2019m keeping busy.<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Thank you so much Nikki! You can find more out about Nikki at her website<\/a>. <\/b><\/span><\/span>You can also visit her on her Instagram<\/a>. <\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

**<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

About the Author:<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Mabh Savage<\/span><\/span><\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>is a Pagan author, poet and musician, as well as a freelance journalist and content creator. She\u2019s a nature-based witch, obsessed with Irish and British Paganism and Folklore, plus she\u2019s a massive plant nerd. She\u2019s also a long-time Hekate devotee and a newbie Lokean. She works extensively with the UK Pagan Federation, including editing their bi-annual children\u2019s magazine. Mabh is a passionate environmentalist and an advocate for inclusiveness and positive social transformation.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Mabh is the author of\u00a0<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span>A Modern Celt: Seeking the Ancestors<\/span><\/span><\/a>,<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Pagan Portals \u2013 Celtic Witchcraft: Modern Witchcraft Meets Celtic Ways<\/span><\/span><\/a>, <\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span>and most recently, <\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span>Practically Pagan: An Alternative Guide to Planet Friendly Living<\/span><\/span><\/a>. <\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span>Search \u201cMabh Savage\u201d on Spotify and @Mabherick on all socials.<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  Nikki Van De Car is the author of several books including The Witchy Homestead: Spells, Rituals, and Remedies for Creating Magic at Home which we recently reviewed here on PaganPagesOrg. Nikki was kind enough to take some time out of her busy schedule to talk to us about her writing, her crafting, and the magic in her own life.     Mabh Savage (Mabh): I\u2019ve just read \u201cWitchy Homestead.\u201d Firstly, congratulations on a wonderful book. What prompted you to write this? What was your main inspiration? Nikki Van De Car (Nikki): About five years ago, I left New York to return to my hometown in Hawaii. It\u2019s a tiny village with two stores and no stoplights, so quite a change! And I put a lot of energy into making it my own Witchy Homestead, and I wanted to share that with everyone\u2014including ways to make a Jersey City condo a witchy homestead, too!   Mabh: What was your favourite section to write and why? Nikki: I have a confession to make\u2014I\u2019m actually a terrible gardener. I love the idea of it, but sadly it\u2019s not where my magic lies! But my mom became a master gardener while I was writing this book, so I was able to get her help on that section, and that was really fun.   Mabh: Was there any part of it that was more challenging, or is there an aspect of life that you find is more challenging to make magical and draw enchantment into? Nikki: Well, despite gardening being so difficult for me, it is actually inherently magical, so that section was actually really easy. I suppose the section that is sort of least-intuitive is house-cleaning. It\u2019s something we consider a chore\u2014I can\u2019t even manage to wash the dishes without playing music or listening to an audiobook. So, I think the biggest challenge was figuring out ways to help the reader\u2014and myself\u2014find the enchantment in housework. That said, I also think that\u2019s so useful!     Mabh: Your junior books are very popular and well received with hundreds of 5 star reviews. What do you think is the key to making magical books accessible to children and young adults? Nikki: Honestly, I think it\u2019s just like writing books for anyone else! I don\u2019t alter the magic in any way\u2014pretty much the exact same spells and rituals can be found in my adult books. I just try to place them in a context that makes more sense for younger readers\u2014school stresses, friends, family, etc. But in reality, they\u2019re just not that different.   Mabh: Do you plan to write any more books for younger folks? Nikki: Absolutely! I actually have a whole bunch coming out soon. The Junior Tarot Reader\u2019s Handbook will be available in October, and in the next couple of years there will be a few more books, too! I love writing them, and I think they\u2019re so important.   Mabh: You describe yourself as a woman in search of magic \u2013 something many of our readers can relate to, I\u2019m sure! What\u2019s the most magical thing you\u2019ve discovered in life, so far? This could be an experience or simply one aspect of your life that brings you the most positive vibes. Anything goes. Nikki: Oh my goodness, this is a tricky question! I think\u2014and this sounds so trite\u2014but I think the most magical thing I\u2019ve discovered is letting myself be magical. I was always a very whimsical, fairy-finding kid, and then I let go of that for a long time. Working on these books and embracing that aspect of myself has really helped me find that sense of magic again. It\u2019s not like I cast complicated spells every day or anything\u2014it\u2019s more that I live magically in the everyday. And I let myself decide to feel that way.   Mabh: Do you have a favourite time of year or festival? What makes it so special for you? Nikki: My favorite time of year is probably Fall, and I love Mabon. I love embracing the darker aspects of life, and finding joy in them.     Mabh: You\u2019re a prolific crafter and seem to have a real magic with yarn and thread! What\u2019s the most amazing crafting project you\u2019ve worked on? Nikki: I think my favorite thing is a blanket I made for my sister. I got the wool from a sheep farm nearby, I cleaned it myself (and if you\u2019ve never done that, trust me, it\u2019s gross), and I carded it and spun it and dyed it and then turned it into a blanket. It was a yearlong project, but there was joy and learning\u2014and magic!\u2014in every part of it.   Mabh: Finally, what\u2019s next for you? What projects or goals are on the horizon for the coming year? Nikki: I\u2019m working on a lot of things! I\u2019ve got a new book coming out in August, called Potions: A Guide To Cocktails, Tinctures, Tisanes, and Other Witchy Concoctions\u2014and let me tell you, that was fun to write! And I\u2019ve got two more adult books coming out in the next year or two. I\u2019m keeping busy.     Thank you so much Nikki! You can find more out about Nikki at her website. You can also visit her on her Instagram.   ** About the Author: Mabh Savage\u00a0is a Pagan author, poet and musician, as well as a freelance journalist and content creator. She\u2019s a nature-based witch, obsessed with Irish and British Paganism and Folklore, plus she\u2019s a massive plant nerd. She\u2019s also a long-time Hekate devotee and a newbie Lokean. She works extensively with the UK Pagan Federation, including editing their bi-annual children\u2019s magazine. Mabh is a passionate environmentalist and an advocate for inclusiveness and positive social transformation. Mabh is the author of\u00a0A Modern Celt: Seeking the Ancestors,\u00a0\u00a0Pagan Portals \u2013 Celtic Witchcraft: Modern Witchcraft Meets Celtic Ways, and most recently, Practically Pagan: An Alternative Guide to Planet Friendly Living. Search \u201cMabh Savage\u201d on Spotify and @Mabherick on all socials.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":206,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[14050],"tags":[13279,10346,14002,12792,12787,11883,10054,14033],"class_list":["post-27137","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-interviews","tag-and-remedies-for-creating-magic-at-home","tag-author","tag-crafter","tag-exclusive","tag-interview-with","tag-nikki-van-de-car","tag-rituals","tag-the-witchy-homestead-spells"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27137","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/206"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27137"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27137\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27144,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27137\/revisions\/27144"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27137"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27137"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27137"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}