Dori Midnight is an ordained interfaith minister and intuitive counselor who has come from a long line of tough ladies who healed people in their kitchens. She believes that healing is an "of the people, for the people" practice and works to keep healing accessible, affordable and full of magic. She teaches magic and folk & community herbalism to kids and adults, creates rituals and ceremonies, and provides intuitive counseling and healing for individuals. Dori makes delicious potions in San Francisco, but soon will be taking a jaunt to the hills of Western Massachusetts to write, teach, and be in the woods from Spring 2010 to Summer 2011.

"I was ordained as an interfaith minister in 2005 at The New Seminary in New York City, where I also trained as a spiritual counselor. I am a clinical Western Herbalist, a Reiki Master and I have studied intuitive healing with Suzette Rochat (aka Cybele) for ten years and with Jackie India Dennis; I am a flower essence practitioner (I studied with Jane Bell of Alaskan Essences and at the Flower Essence Society with Patricia Kaminski and Richard Katz; clinical western herbalism at the Ohlone Center for Herbal Studies and the California School of Herbal Studies, and Plant Spirit Healing with Pam Montgomery. My heritage is a mix of Sephardic, Ashkenazi, Roma Gypsy, and First Nations (Cherokee) and with gratitude I draw upon all my ancestors healing traditions in my work.

I currently run the Magical Arts program at an after school arts program in an alternative public school for kids K- 6th grade and Witch and Fairy Camp in the summertime. I have taught magic, art, and healing arts to adults and kids at Free Activist Witchcamp, Ohlone Center for Herbal Studies, St. James Infirmary (free clinic for sex workers), Trans:THRIVE (drop-in center for transgender folks), cellspace, LYRIC, Youth Guidance Center, The Institute for Urban Homesteading, and Bay Area public schools."

"My work is firmly grounded in self-determinism and collective liberation and illuminated by ancestral folk healing practices and magic. I believe that healing work should not be a luxury reserved for the few, but that healing ourselves is inseparable from healing our communities and the planet. With an approach to healing that is accessible, practical, loving, and down to earth, I am committed to mindfully attending to the impact that oppression has on our spiritual, emotional, and physical well being. My intention is to make social justice and anti-oppression work an integral part of our individual and collective healing process. My commitment to using local resources reflects my ancestral heritage, the folk practice of using what is on hand, and my strong desire to be mindful of consumption. I only use organic or ethically wildcrafted herbs and will often suggest easy and affordable kitchen remedies that you could make yourself.

For more about Dori, please visit her blog: midnightapothecary.blogspot.com