N. Starcat Shields is an author, teacher, drummer, and eclectic pagan from the southern part of the state of Maine. She is the current president of Earth Tides Pagan Network, a member of the board and chair of the Education Committee for the Maine Pagan Clergy Association. Starcat explores spirituality and offers classes, writings and teachings such as a recent course on the Elements of Magic through the Elements of Magical Living Collective. She also maintains a regular blog, “Starcat’s Study” on her own as well as collaborating with her creative partner, BlackLion to create regular blog posts, articles, and workshops with their business Feline Dreamers.
Starcat responded to my interview questions by email so her responses are below in their entirety. Enjoy!
Keri: How were you first drawn to your spiritual path?
Starcat: I’ve really been a Pagan all my life, though I didn’t know it was called that until 20 years ago or so. I’m thankful to my parents for many reasons, but my top three are: not raising me in any organized religion, living out in the country with many chances to explore Nature, and letting me read whatever I wanted. My Mom is a feminist and I’m also grateful for what I learned from her about women being able to do whatever we set out to do.
When I was in college, I discovered that there were other Pagans and witches, and that there are many ways to explore and practice our spirituality. I studied mostly as a solitary at first. My initial interests were eclectic Wicca, Eastern philosophy (particularly Buddhism and yoga), the Seth material, and creating my own individual path. Eventually I became initiated (with a mentor who was also a solitary witch) and started an eclectic coven in 1999.
Keri: What events or people were most influential or stood out as turning points to you in your life?
Starcat: My magickal name, Starcat, is a tribute to Starhawk, whose writings really resonated with my own views. "The Spiral Dance" was one of the first Pagan books I read and I’ve enjoyed reading her works and those of other Reclaiming witches through the years. In 2005, I had a transformational experience at Vermont Witch Camp. It was an amazing experience, spending a week with other witches in a beautiful natural setting, exploring our paths in an open-hearted community. It inspired me to go even deeper into my spirituality and strengthen my connection with the Divine. My work in the Reclaiming tradition has now led to student-teaching an Elements of Magick course here in southern Maine and working with a Reclaiming-based study group.
Keri: How did you become involved with EarthTides and with Feline Dreamers?
Starcat: I learned about the EarthTides Pagan Network by picking up a copy of their newsletter at Silo Seven in Bangor in the early 90’s. I'd been looking for other local Pagans and was...
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