Raven Digitalis is an award-winning author, empath, Witch, and Pagan Priest known for his impactful work on empathy and shadow work. With a foundation in Georgian Witchcraft and ordination as a Priest since 2003, he blends influences from Wicca, Neopaganism, and Hinduism to offer spiritually diverse teachings. Holding a degree in cultural anthropology, Raven co-operated a nonprofit Pagan temple for sixteen years. In addition to writing books and creating Oracle decks, he is also a professional Tarot reader, Reiki practitioner, editor, Freemason, and animal-rights advocate. MysticMag features an exclusive interview.
Your Empath’s Oracle deck offers a unique pathway for empaths to connect with their inner world. How do you see this tool supporting emotional resilience and intuitive clarity in day-to-day life?
I believe that now, more than ever, the world is in dire need of empathy and emotional awareness—both to evolve collectively as a species and to strengthen our individual communities. My Empath’s Oracle is one small but heartfelt contribution toward this vision. It was created to support emotional intelligence, personal empowerment, and energetic protection—especially in a world where not everyone operates with goodwill or integrity.
One insight frequently shared by those who use the deck is the painful realization that not everyone is as empathetic, sensitive, or compassionate as they are. Many highly empathic people grow up assuming that others feel life’s experiences as deeply as they do, only to be disillusioned by the harshness of reality. In response, it’s common for empaths to retreat—entering a kind of emotional hibernation or isolation, numbing their sensitivity in an attempt to cope with the overwhelm.
While that reaction is understandable, especially in moments of emotional saturation, it’s not always the healthiest path—particularly in the long term. It’s never hopeless, and we must choose our friends, family, and communities wisely! My intention with this work is to inspire empowerment: to help empaths cultivate resilience without losing their openness, and to navigate the world with both heart and strength.
You’ve written extensively about the spiritual and energetic dimensions of empathy. In your view, how can understanding empathy from a metaphysical lens deepen our awareness of self and others?
Empathy wasn’t given much attention within the scientific community until the late twentieth century. Since then, we’ve seen a gradual integration of mystical and metaphysical perspectives alongside scientific inquiry. I personally love exploring both realms in their own unique ways; however, my work is primarily rooted in metaphysical principles. I believe that by understanding the energetic dynamics of empathy, we gain deeper insight into how we perceive ourselves and how we relate to others. It’s through this lens that empathy becomes not just an emotional experience, but a powerful tool for self-awareness and meaningful connection. Empathy is the glue that bonds people, animals, and the earth together!
Your integration of Tarot and Reiki in healing sessions reflects a holistic approach. What have you observed about the synergy between these two practices, and how do they complement each other in supporting personal transformation?
It’s similar to therapy—if someone seeks out a therapist who seems disinterested or emotionally detached, it becomes difficult for the client to trust the guidance or insights being offered. In the same way, when empathy forms the foundation of spiritual services, whether Tarot, Reiki, customize spell kits, or anything else, it creates the conditions for trust to grow. With that trust in place, meaningful transformation and deeper healing become far more possible.
Would you describe yourself as an empath?
Oh my gosh yes. I’m proud to be an empath—life would feel so lackluster otherwise! My journey with empathy began when I was just 16, during high school. There was one day where I was feeling especially overwhelmed—emotions were coming at me from all directions, and I couldn’t distinguish between what was mine and what belonged to others. It was a whirlwind of confusion. That fateful day, it all became too much, and I had a bit of a breakdown. I left campus and walked a few blocks to visit a spiritual mentor. She looked me deep I the eyes and said, “Raven, you’re an empath.” I remember asking, “What on earth does that mean?” Once she explained it, everything started to make sense.
One message I share often is that we’re all developing empaths—each of us experiences emotional absorption differently. Everyone is empathic to some degree. It’s part of our biological design—empathy allows communities to flourish and species to both survive and thrive. Empathy is not only emotional and spiritual, but also evolutionary. It has numerous dimensions and layers.
A concept that resonates deeply with me, which I learned from the work of Karla McLaren, is that true empathy requires a compassionate response. That’s why I take issue with terms like “dark empath”—they often just repackage narcissism. If someone can emotionally register what another person is feeling and then use that information to manipulate or harm, that’s not empathy. Yes, there may be emotional absorption, but without compassion, it isn’t truly empathic. Empaths, in contrast, genuinely want to make the world better—and sometimes, that earnestness can become a spiritual challenge. It’s through shadow work and honest reflection that we grow from those experiences, rather than shutting down completely.
While my recognition of being an empath came at 16, my exploration didn’t end there. I actually wrote three books before publishing my first book specifically for empaths, called Esoteric Empathy, which is geared toward those drawn to magical spirituality and esoterica. My following book, The Everyday Empath, is more accessible and designed for a general audience. It was also translated into Spanish—Spain Spanish, interestingly—and turned into an English-language audiobook!
The third part of what I call my “empath trilogy” is The Empath’s Oracle, which I co-created while living in Hawai’i. That period followed a series of difficult personal experiences in my hometown of Montana. I needed a reset, and Hawai’i provided a space for that. The Empath’s Oracle was born from that healing journey, and I’m truly proud of how it turned out.
Shadow work is a recurring theme in your teachings. How do you approach the process of uncovering and integrating the shadow, particularly for highly sensitive or empathic individuals?
That’s right. The other subject I’m most known for writing about is shadow work. I’ve created a trilogy of shadow work books, including one Oracle deck, all centered around the theme of harnessing the shadow for the greater good. I actually have a fourth book in the series coming out in March of 2026 called Shadow Magick Spellbook.
I believe shadow work is incredibly important—not just for highly sensitive people, but for everyone! It’s a deeply personal process that doesn’t really end, and I always encourage people to engage with shadow work on their own terms. At the same time, I think it’s valuable to gently push our boundaries if we want to spark real, positive, lasting transformation.
From a metaphysical standpoint, I find it helpful to divide shadow work into different realms or aspects. These categories create a kind of spiritual architecture that makes the work more approachable rather than overwhelming. For me, the shadow breaks down into four main areas:
The Inner Shadow – our personal, internal fears, wounds, and suppressed traits; this greatly draws on the Jungian approach to the shadow self.
The Interpersonal Shadow – how our unacknowledged shadow shows up in relationships of all kinds; this includes collective traumas, cultural conditioning, and inherited systems.
The Shadow of Nature – the shadow as it beautifully appears in the natural world, including autumn, dusk, and the lunar cycle.
The Shadow of the Otherworld – this includes our relationship to death, dying, dreaming, invisible planes, and the unknown beyond this life.
These divisions allow us to work with shadow more consciously and intentionally. They help us compartmentalize complex aspects of our psyche and spirit, making space to process, integrate, and ultimately transmute them into something powerful.
Drawing from various mystical and spiritual traditions, your work weaves together a rich tapestry of insight. How do you balance these influences in your offerings, and how does this multidimensional approach shape the experiences of those you serve?
I try to keep in mind that everyone approaches spirituality from a different background and history—and that includes unique experiences, cultural beliefs, and even superstitions. When I create my books and Oracle decks, I’m mindful about the fact that I’m communicating to a wide audience whose shared goal is to learn, grow, and deepen one’s understanding about the self and about this fascinating reality in which we find ourselves.
While my personal spiritual path is rooted in Wicca and Neopaganism, as well as Hinduism, I make an intentional effort to present spirituality through a variety of lenses. I want my readers to see themselves reflected in the work, or to discover something that resonates deeply with where they are on their path. One of the greatest recurring points of feedback I receive is that my writing respectfully approaches readers as peers, rather than as mere students who need to be lectured or patronized! I’m also thrilled to say that I am far from perfect and don’t have all the answers. It’s exciting to help equip readers with tools, practices, and perspectives that encourage self-awareness and kinship.
I genuinely believe that every culture and every spiritual tradition has something valuable to offer. The more perspectives we’re open to, the more tools we have for growth and transformation. As I like to say: “The more we know, the more we grow.”
If you would like to find out more about Raven Digitalis, or to book a personal Tarot consultation, please visit him at https://www.ravendigitalis.com or find him on social media @ravendigitalis.
