Dion Fortune (born Violet Mary Firth, 1890-1946), founder of the Society of the Inner Light, is recognized as one of the most luminous figures of 20th-century esoteric thought. A prolific writer, pioneer psychologist, powerful psychic, and spiritualist, she dedicated her life to the revival of the Western Mystery Tradition. She was also a member of the Order of the Golden Dawn, whose members included A. E. Waite, Aleister Crowley, and W. B. Yeats.
Judika Illes is a lifelong student, lover, and practitioner of the magical arts. She is the author of numerous books devoted to spells, spirits, and witchcraft, including the bestselling Encyclopedia of 5,000 Spells and Encyclopedia of Spirits, as well as Pure Magic; Daily Magic; Encyclopedia of Witchcraft; Encyclopedia of Mystics, Saints, and Sages; Witches: A Compendium, and Magic When You Need It . Judika is the editor and curator of two books of mystical fiction, The Weiser Book of the Fantastic and Forgotten and The Weiser Book of Occult Detectives . She has been a professional tarot card reader for over three decades and is also a certified aromatherapist. A native New Yorker, Judika teaches in the US and internationally, live and virtually. Follow her on Instagram @judikailles