Jo “Mariah” VonStein MA, CHT

My counseling has evolved out of my own experiences that began one summer when I was reading both The Spiral Dance and Truth or Dare by Starhawk and Psychology and Alchemy by Carl Jung.

In 1986 and '87, depression settled over my life, draining it of all joy and vitality.  Six months of weekly therapy with a mainstream psychologist failed to bring any light into my abyss of despair.  But as I read and created my own rituals, the combination of Jung’s insight into the nature of soul and Starhawk’s connection to the practice of ancient goddess spirituality forged in me a radically different approach that redefined, renamed, and explored this universal human experience through myth.  My recovery began as I read Starhawk's words:

"When you hear the call
from the land below
it sounds both strange and familiar
Like the chorus to a song
whose words you don't remember
Like the promise of a lover
you don't completely trust
Like a dare
It frigh­tens you
Entices you. . ."

From The Descent of Inanna in “Truth or Dare” by Starhawk

I followed the Goddess Inanna into the underworld to dare the experience of spiritual rebirth.  And as I returned, I brought with me a deep understanding of C.G. Jung's insights. This journey of self-healing stretched from the abyss of despair to the snow-capped mountains of psychology, philosophy and religion as I searched for an understanding of what happened and why it happened.  As I healed Starhawk poetry connected me to the wisdom of Goddess Spirituality while Jung's interpretation of Alchemical symbolism forged the foundation for my Wiccan Spiritual Practice, his quaternity illuminated the four corners of my world, and individuation charted my course back to wholeness.

I offer these insights to others in a variety of ways.

As a Spiritual Mentor:
I offer the foundation of a MA from California Institute of Integral Studies in East/West Psychology with a concentration in Myth and Symbol.  My Master’s Thesis is: The Role of Astrology in C.G. Jung’s model of the Evolution of Consciousness. My committee was chaired by David Ulansey and included Richard Tarnas.

In addition, I became a certified hypnotherapist (CHT) through the Alchemical Hypnotherapy Institute in order to use trance states more effectively in my own spiritual journey and in guiding others.

My Counseling techniques include Dream interpretation, Shamanic Journeys, Guided Imagery, Past-Life Regression, Tarot and Astrology.

As a Student of Starhawk, I teach classes that have evolved within the Reclaiming Tradition and help plan and perform personal or group ceremonies such as Handfastings.  In addition I am an ordained Priestess of the Well of Avalon, a non-profit organization, and the Wicca advisor at the Women’s Correctional Facility in Mitchellville, Iowa.

The practice of Wicca has taken me deeply into the study and practice of Herbalism with my mentors Trilby Sedlacek and Matt Wood