Anodea Judith, Ph.D.

Anodea Judith is an American author, poet, artist, songwriter and musician, an expert on the Chakra system, mind and body integration, somatic therapy, a yoga therapist and a Reiki master. She has a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology from Rosebridge Graduate School of Integrative Therapy, a doctorate in Health and Human Services from Columbia Pacific University, and has done additional doctoral work in Systems Theory at Saybrook Graduate School and Research Center. She is a past president of the Church of All Worlds (CAW), and a founder of Lifeways (a school for the study of healing and magical arts).

Born Judith Ann Mull on the 1st of December 1952 in Elyria, Ohio. She was the only daughter of three children, David Mull and Martin Mull the 'comedian'. In her youth Judith spent much of her time on her grandmothers farm where she grew to appreciate nature and commune with animals. In her teens she read about and was particularly interest in the Goddesses of Greek mythology, which caused her to re-think her ideas of deity, and from which developed her interests in Paganism and Witchcraft.

Her interests in healing she gained from her families Christian Science background, which holds to the principle that most illnesses stem from the mind and is an error in thinking. The use of positive thinking techniques can result in a wholeness of mind, body and spirit effecting cure. "This taught me how our consciousness can effect our reality, which is one of the foundational principles of magic", she reportedly said. In high school she quickly became known as the healer. Christianity as a religion however, had no appeal for her and she sought another system in which to apply the same principles.

In 1971 Judith enrolled at Clark University studying psychology with the intention of becoming an analyst, but changed her mind in favour of a career in art and moved on to the California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland. After finishing college she spent the next few years living and working out of an artists 'attic studio' in Berkeley, where she made a name for herself painting "cloudscapes on ceilings" murals.

In 1975 realising that health and consciousness were essential components to the quality of her artistic expression, she determined to transform her spiritual self and started on a serious study of yoga and mediation. This led her onto a 12 year long study of the chakras, acupressure, bioenergetics, gestalt, radical psychiatry, ritual magic, shamanism, psychic reading and healing. The results of her studies would later lead to the publication of her first book: Wheels of Life: A User's Guide to the Chakra System.

As part of her studies Judith spent two months living alone in a tent atop of a California mountain, where a friend had given her a five-acre plot of land. She describes him as "A crazy Israeli chemist, who disappeared after bequeathing it to me". She spent her time there becoming one with the elements and felt she received direct teaching from the Goddess. This caused her to re-think her name and change it to Anodea ("one of the Goddess") Judith.

In 1977 Judith met Oberon Zell-Ravenheart and his wife Morning Glory, founders of the Church of All Worlds (CAW) with whom she formed a long-term friendship. Through them she met Gwydion Pendderwen, founder of Forever Forests and a co-founder with Alison Harlow of Nemeton. Judith helped Pendderwen to develop the CAW sanctuary 'Coeden Brith' located on a parcel of land in Mendocino County, North California (owned by Alison Harlow), and situated adjacent to his own 55-acre wilderness sanctuary 'Annwfn'.