Author and paranormal expert and trailblazer Rosemary Ellen Guiley passed away on Thursday July 18, 2019 at the age of 69, ten days after her birthday. Though battling cancer, her crossing came as a shock and was announced on multiple sites as well as Coast to Coast AM, a late-night radio program the focuses on paranormal topics and where she was a frequent guest and contributor.
Guiley was born in Florida and grew up in Alaska and Washington. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from University of Washington with a major in communication. After completing her degree, she worked as a news journalist in New York. But, by 1983, she was working exclusively on paranormal topics.
Early in her career, she began writing on, what might be broadly described as Western esotericism. Guiley wrote for Fate magazine, the longest running publication on paranormal topics, and ultimately became its Executive Editor.
Rosemary Ellen Guiley [Courtesy]
In her personal statement, Guiley wrote that her “interest in the paranormal began in childhood, inspired by experiences, extraordinary dreams, an intense interest in astronomy, and a voracious reading of nonfiction and fiction related to the paranormal, occult, science fiction and fantasy.”
That breadth and interest would ultimately manifest more than 65 books on paranormal topics; and knowledge and experience made her a formidable compiler of information and advocate for understanding and exploring the paranormal and the spiritual.
One of those books, is the unparalleled compendium, The Encyclopedia of Witches, & Witchcraft first published in 1989 and now in its 3rd printing. The encyclopedia was a mammoth reference volume that covered the topic extensively and thoroughly. The encyclopedia “aims to dispel such notions, with a comprehensive guide to witchcraft throughout history and around the world.” It became of staple of many bookshelves, including those of practitioners as well as academics researching the topic.
She would continue with other volumes of similar scope on magic, cryptids, demons, angels, ghosts and psychic phenomena. Her works has been translated into 17 languages.
Guiley was also a practitioner. She was a certified hypnotist with the International Hypnosis Federation, a Tarot card reader and consultant on psychic development and past life memory recall. She also explored the use of bio-energy and healing. She offered readings as well as training on psychic development.
Guiley was enthusiastic and empowering in her hands-on approach to supernatural and paranormal activity. She served on the board of director of the “National Museum of Mysteries and Research” and was also a board member for the “Foundation for Research into Extraterrestrial Encounters” as well as the “Paranormal Romance Guild.”
She conducted her own investigations on paranormal events and often joined fellow researchers and enthusiasts in their own exploration.
The Encyclopedia of Witches and Witchcraft [First Printing]
Guiley would write that, “The emphasis of my work is on knowledge and enlightenment pertaining to our extraordinary experiences involving other realities, including the afterlife. I research and investigate experiences and phenomena, from the uplifting and mystical to problem cases of spirit attachments and negative hauntings.”
Guiley insisted that exploring the paranormal was natural. She would state many times that every person has untapped psychic potential. She added that individuals should use all tools to explore the world of the paranormal through their path and resources of comfort, whether that meant their own intuition, magical tools or technology.
Because of her extensive work, Guiley was honored with a lifetime achievement award by the Upper Peninsula Paranormal Research Society in 2015.
Guiley appeared on many shows and documentaries including A&E’ Network’s The Secret Life of Vampires; Animal Planet’s The Lost Tapes and The Haunted; The History Channel’s Angels: Good or Evil; The Discovery Channel’s The Quest: Lunar Mysteries and William Shatner’s Weird or What; and The Travel Channel’s Children of the Grave, Mysterious Journeys, and Witchcraft in Salem.
Through it all, she also found the time to start her own publishing and productions company, Visionary Living, Inc.
Guiley’s personal spirituality was very much that, personal. She taught everyone to remain “Open to all possibilities.” She believed, “Our experiences form patterns throughout history that reveal our constant interaction with dimensions of the afterlife, spirit, the Divine, and a wide range of beings.” She would also add that she examines “both the light and dark sides of our experiences, from the mystical and angelic to the invasive, demonic, and problematic. To know one side, you must also know the other.”
Many Pagans and polytheists offered their condolences on Facebook and in personal posts. Many noted that she was an incredible friend and mentor no matter the spiritual path; and that she was always available to guide and advise. They added their names to the long lists of colleagues in the paranormal community expressing their shock as well as their admiration for Guiley.
Guiley is survived by her husband, Joseph Redmiles.
What is remembered Lives!
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