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About Matthew Avelland I grew up in the small town of Washington Court House, Ohio. As a young man, I lived for a year in Turkey, spending time in both Istanbul and Ankara - an experience that gifted me with a love of travel and an interest in different cultures and religions.   I attended Ohio State University in Columbus, where I studied both Religion and Psychology. My independent pursuit of knowledge included extensive reading on mythology, comparative religion/theology, and in-depth study of runes, tarot, and other divinatory systems. I completed two courses with the B.O.T.A. (Builders of the Adytum), an organization dedicated to Tarot, the Qabalah, and other Western Mystery Traditions. Writers on tarot and divination who have influenced me include Karen Hamaker-Zondag, Gail Fairfield, Robert Wang, and Israel Regardie. My interest in the ogham (the Celtic tree oracle) developed naturally from my attraction to Celtic culture and spirituality; I am currently a member of ADF (Ár nDraíocht Féin / A Druid Fellowship) and AODA (The Ancient Order of Druids in America). Other spiritual paths and practices of interest to me include Buddhism, Vipassana meditation, panentheism and Creation Spirituality, particularly the writings of 12th century mystic Hildegard of Bingen, and the works of contemporary theologian Matthew Fox.