Juggernaut

by Katie Ness, Dark Thirty Poetry Publishing (editor), Adam Shove (editor)

101 pages, Paperback

Published March 9, 2024

About the author

Katie Ness is a historian-in-progress, and yoga instructor specialising in folklore and spirituality, holding a BA Honours in Fine Art from UCLAN, Level 4 certifications in Prehistoric Art: From Paleolithic to the Iron Age, The History of Folklore, The Practice of Magic in Medieval Society and Death and Devotion: The Art of Death across the Middle Ages from Oxford University, and extensive expertise in Yoga history, Vedic philosophy, Tantra, Sanskrit and the Śākta Traditions from the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies. Her MA to become an Occult Historian & Folklorist is forthcoming.

As an Ayurvedic yoga instructor (Hatha & Nidra) and wellness educator specialising in women’s spirituality and health-- in particular Grief Yoga and Ritual, Katie integrates yogic principles and foundations in Counselling with pagan practices, priestess ceremonies, women’s circles, womb healing and anointing oils together with therapeutic arts and folk-crafts, and she also offers instruction on the history and philosophy of yoga, available as a guest teacher for teacher training programs.

She has been a contributing writer for Kindred Spirit Magazine, Femme Occulte, Witches Magazine, Occulture Magazine, Haunted Magazine, The Feminine Macabre, The Pagan Dawn and Girl God Books, among a variety of others. Two of her short stories feature in Mulberry Literary and a book collection entitled ‘Incurable’ published with Running Wild Press. Her poetry is published widely with an array of anthologies and two poetry collections entitled ‘Aphrodite Fever Dream’ and ‘Juggernaut’.
Her non-fiction book entitled 'Word Witchery: Walking the Path of the Poetry Priestess' is set to be published with Moon Books in October 2025.
She is working on two new manuscripts for potential future publications!


She is a passionate globetrotter, Katie has explored over 25 countries, backpacked through 5 of them, and even set down temporary roots in Cyprus, Bali, and Australia, all while pilgrimaging to sacred sites on her adventures! She is also engaged in learning to play the Lyre Harp with Luthieros Traditional Music Company. As an enthusiastic linguaphile she has been learning Italian for over a year and is also studying Persian and Sanskrit in her free time.

As a devoted Bhakti Yogini of the Shakti tradition and initiated Magdalene Priestess, Katie beautifully weaves together her spiritual practice centred on the sacred feminine with hereditary hedgewitchery and folk magic.


Find her here: katie_wild_witch

Reviews

[Wendy Kosnaski · Rating 5 out of 5]

**A Raw Exploration of Grief and Resilience**

In Katie Ness's latest prose book, the reader is taken on an emotional journey through the labyrinth of grief, memory, and inner strength. From the deeply moving dedication to "Phil" to the evocative verses in "Daemonslayer," this collection is a powerful testament to the enduring impact of loss and the transformative power of writing.

The dedication sets the tone for the entire book, encapsulating the essence of the author's struggle with loss and the search for connection beyond the physical realm. The phrase, "Grief is reading too many books and writing too many words in order to reach you somehow in the other worlds to talk to you again," poignantly conveys the desperation and hope that drives the grieving process. The tribute to those who are "now with us in spirit and stars" reflects a universal sentiment that resonates deeply with anyone who has experienced the pain of losing a loved one.

"Daemonslayer" is a standout piece, brimming with intense imagery and raw emotion. The opening lines, "Light blazing like slaughter, a scorched creature plummets from the Elysian sky," immediately draw the reader into a vivid, almost mythic landscape. The language is both brutal and beautiful, with phrases like "Aphrodite foam tide brings bubbling blood" creating a stark contrast that mirrors the tumultuous nature of grief.

The visceral descriptions continue as the author delves into memories that "are a cage and a dagger," capturing the dual nature of remembrance as both a comfort and a torment. The graphic depiction of physical and emotional pain in lines such as "Scratched my cunt. Pierced me plenty into silence" speaks to the profound impact of trauma and the struggle to reclaim one's voice and power.

Throughout the collection, the author masterfully weaves themes of love, loss, and resilience. The prose is both lyrical and unflinchingly honest, challenging the reader to confront their own feelings of sorrow and strength. The closing lines of "Daemonslayer," where the author dreams of a "white hot earth howling" and a "Chthonic rage I've buried," encapsulate the ferocity and depth of their emotional landscape.

This prose book is not for the faint of heart. It demands to be felt as much as read, offering a cathartic experience for those willing to immerse themselves in its depths. Katie Ness has crafted a work that is as haunting as it is healing, a true exploration of the complexities of the human spirit.

In summary, this book is a compelling and powerful read that leaves a lasting impression. It is a poignant reminder of the boundless nature of love and the enduring strength found in the face of unimaginable loss. Highly recommended for those seeking a profound and moving experience.

[D A Nickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katie Ness is a word weaving sorceress!
From what appear to be some desperately sad experiences this poet takes us through on a trek from the joys of a close friendship, the fond memories of such to the bittersweet sadness of it coming to an end (SAND WITCHES), the loss of a man who was like a second father to her but also the lessons he taught along the way (JUGGERNAUT) and heartbreaking cruelties of others even others ever so close which whilst that fire caused great suffering, like a pheonix she was able to risefrom the flame and forge herself into the person she desired to be (GHOST GIRL). All in all excellent.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second poetry collection in honour of grief, love, forgiveness, memories and all those big things us mere mortals struggle to fathom.