An Interview with Lider Vanesa, The Power Witch

Welcome to our interview series. We’re honoured to have you with us today, Vanessa. To begin, where are you from, and can you share a bit of your story in your own words?

I am from Romania, the land of old forests, ancient rituals, and stories that people now call “Dracula’s country.” I was born into a long line of Romanian witches – my grandmother Tilora, my mother Luminita, and now myself and my daughters. I grew up in a home filled with candles, whispered prayers, herbs hanging from the ceiling, and people coming quietly at night to ask for help with love, protection, and destiny.

From a very young age, I understood that my life would never be “ordinary.” Magic was not a hobby or a trend in my family – it was our duty and our inheritance. Now I continue this legacy through my work as a witch, healer, and spiritual guide, working with people from Romania, Europe, Australia, Canada, and beyond.

1. Can you share the moment or experience that first inspired you to step into energy work and spiritual healing?

The turning point came when I was still a little girl, around ten years old. My grandmother and my mother placed a deck of tarot cards in my hands and said: “If this is in your blood, you will understand them.” When I started to read for people, I realised I could feel their pain, fears, and hopes just by looking into their eyes and touching the cards.

A little later, my grandmother took me into the forest at night to help a woman whose child was tormented by nightmares. We did a powerful cleansing ritual under the trees, and after several nights, the child finally slept peacefully. Seeing that transformation in real life – not in a story, not in a movie – made me understand that energy work and spiritual healing were my true path.

2. What inspired you to found Love Tarot Australia, and how did your vision for it take shape?

Love Tarot Australia was born from two things: a dream and a constant wave of messages from women in Australia. Before I ever came here, I dreamt of red earth, a huge sky, and a feeling that the land itself was calling me. At the same time, women were writing to me online: “Please come here, we cannot travel so far, we need your help.”

I realised that love is the main reason most people come to me – broken hearts, betrayal, loneliness, fear of never being loved again. So I created Love Tarot Australia as a dedicated space for love, relationships, emotional healing, and spiritual guidance. My vision was to mix traditional Romanian witchcraft with modern tools like tarot, energy work, and ritual, to help women reclaim their power and open their hearts again.

3. What was the biggest challenge you faced while building your practice with limited resources, and how did you overcome it?

My biggest challenge was starting over in a new country with almost no network, no big budget, and a very unusual profession. In Australia I did not arrive with a PR team or a marketing plan. I had my phone, my cards, my candles, my rituals – and my courage.

At first, I worked from very simple spaces, sometimes outdoors, sometimes in small rented rooms, taking every person seriously no matter how small the session fee was. I built trust one client at a time. People felt the results and told their friends. Social media, especially short videos, later became a tool to reach more people – but the real foundation was always word-of-mouth and authentic results.

4. Many people face doubt when choosing a spiritual path. How did you deal with skepticism and build trust within your community?

Skepticism has always existed, especially when it comes to witches and magic. I never try to convince anyone with arguments – I let the work speak. When someone comes to me, I listen carefully, I explain clearly what I can and cannot do, and I never promise miracles.

Trust is built when people feel seen, respected, and safe. When they experience a real shift – in their sleep, their energy, their relationships, or their courage – they no longer need long explanations. I also stay honest about boundaries: I don’t accept every request, and I talk openly about ethics and consequences. That honesty creates long-term trust.

5. For those unfamiliar, how would you describe Romanian witchcraft and the lineage you draw from?

Romanian witchcraft is not Hollywood fantasy. It is a mix of very old pre-Christian traditions and later Christian prayers, combined with deep knowledge of herbs, seasons, moon phases, and human psychology. It lives in villages, in families, in kitchens and courtyards, not in theatres.

The lineage I come from is matrilineal: my grandmother Tilora, my mother Luminita, and now my daughter Ionita Monica. In our tradition, power is passed through teaching, observation, and initiation, not through books. We use fire, water, soil, iron, thread, wax, plants, and words – all anchored in respect for the unseen world and responsibility for the people we help.

6. Are there specific rituals, symbols, or energies from Romanian tradition that you feel deeply connected to?

Yes, very much. I feel a strong connection to candle rituals done at crossroads, water rituals done before sunrise, and herb rituals in the forest under the moon. I often use red thread for protection and binding, wheat or bread for prosperity, and specific combinations of herbs to cleanse or attract energy.

Symbolically, I am very connected to the circle – of women, of fire, of generations – and to the idea that three women working together (grandmother, mother, daughter) multiply the power of any ritual. I never reveal all the details, because secrecy is part of the tradition, but the energies I work with are rooted deeply in Romanian land and ancestry.

7. Your services include magical guidance, love and relationship rituals, abundance spells, tarot readings, astrology, and energy elixirs. How do you decide which modality is right for each client?

First, I listen. I ask what they are going through, what they truly want, and what they are afraid of. Then I feel their energy: their voice, their eyes, their body language. Often, the person thinks they need one thing – “bring him back” – but I can feel they actually need healing, closure, or protection.

If the issue is emotional confusion, I begin with tarot and energy reading. If the person carries heavy energy, jealousy, or curses, I recommend cleansing rituals and sometimes a protective talisman. For money and career, I use prosperity rituals and specific herb work. For deep heart matters, I combine love rituals with coaching-style guidance, so the spell and the person move in the same direction.

8. What role does intuition play in your readings, and how do you balance intuitive guidance with structured tarot methods?

Intuition is at the centre of everything I do. The cards are a sacred tool, but they are not a machine. When I read, I look at the symbols, the positions, the spread – but I also feel the story behind the cards. Sometimes one card speaks louder than all the others because of the client’s energy at that moment.

I balance structure and intuition by respecting both. I follow the layout and traditional meanings so the reading has clarity and coherence. Then I allow my intuitive sight – built through years of practice and ancestral training – to add details, nuance, and warnings. This mix of discipline and intuition makes the guidance practical and also deeply personal.

9. How do you maintain ethical standards and emotional sensitivity when working with clients who are in vulnerable states?

Many people come to me during their darkest moments – after betrayal, loss, depression, or deep anxiety. I always remember that I am not just a witch, but also a mother, a woman, and a human being. I never humiliate, judge, or rush someone’s pain.

Ethically, I avoid giving absolute predictions that can create fear. I don’t tell someone, “You will die,” or “You will never have love.” Instead, I show possibilities, patterns, and choices. I also refuse requests that are purely vindictive or abusive. If someone wants to destroy another person’s life out of jealousy, I will not help them. My aim is to protect and restore, not to create new harm.

10. Can you describe a transformative moment or breakthrough you’ve witnessed in someone you guided (without revealing private details)?

One story that stays with me is of a woman who arrived completely broken after a long, toxic relationship. She believed she was worthless and that no one would ever love her again. We worked together through cleansing rituals, love spells not to “trap” a man, but to open her heart again, and talismans for self-worth and protection.

Over time, her posture changed, her voice became stronger, and she started making different choices – in relationships, work, and self-care. She eventually found a healthy relationship, but the real transformation was inside her. She no longer begged for crumbs of love; she knew her value. Watching that evolution is the kind of magic that moves me the most.

11. Your international project “The Legacy of the Witch” has brought global attention to Romanian magical traditions. How do you carry this ancestral wisdom into your work in Australia, and what makes these ancient teachings meaningful for modern clients today?

“The Legacy of the Witch” is my way of honouring the women in my bloodline and showing the world that Romanian witchcraft is a living tradition, not just a legend. Through photography, storytelling, and ritual work, I show three generations of witches – grandmother, mother, daughter – and how our magic travels across borders.

In Australia, I bring this wisdom into my sessions by combining old rituals with modern realities: burnout, divorce, anxiety, online dating, identity crises. Ancient teachings about energy, protection, emotional boundaries, and spiritual responsibility are extremely relevant today, because people are more exposed than ever, but often feel spiritually empty. My work helps them reconnect to strength, intuition, and meaning.

12. When you look back at your journey from starting small to becoming highly respected, what has been the most rewarding part?

The most rewarding part is seeing the light return to someone’s eyes. Titles, articles, and interviews are nice, but nothing compares to that moment when a woman who arrived bent by pain leaves my space standing taller, breathing deeper, and believing in herself again.

It’s also deeply meaningful for me to know that my ancestors’ work did not die with them. Through my sessions, my daughters, my projects, and my presence in different countries, their magic continues. I feel like a bridge between the old world and the new one – and that is a great honour.

13. How do you respond when people misunderstand or judge spiritual practices such as rituals, spells, or energy healing?

I respond calmly. I don’t try to fight or force them to believe. I explain that for many cultures, including Romanian, spiritual practices have been part of daily life for centuries: blessings, protections, prayers, candles for the dead, rituals for harvest, love, and health.

If someone is respectful but unsure, I invite them to simply listen or experience a small reading. If they come only to attack or mock, I protect my energy and step back. My work is for those who are genuinely seeking help or understanding, not for those who just want to argue.

14. For individuals who feel called toward spiritual or healing work but are afraid to begin, what guidance would you offer them?

I would tell them: first, heal yourself as much as you can. You don’t need to be perfect, but you must be honest about your wounds so you don’t project them onto others. Study, practice, listen to elders, and respect the traditions you are drawn to.

Do not rush to call yourself a healer just because it sounds glamorous. This path is beautiful but also heavy. People will bring you their deepest pain. If you still feel the calling after knowing that, start small, with humility. Help one person at a time. Let your results and your integrity build your reputation, not marketing slogans.

15. Your online presence, especially on TikTok, connects you with thousands of people seeking clarity and direction. How do you use social media as a tool for spiritual support?

On TikTok and other platforms, I share small pieces of wisdom, short readings, and glimpses of my rituals – without exposing sacred secrets. Social media is a way for people who would never meet me in person to feel seen and encouraged.

I use it to teach basic things: how to protect your energy, how to recognise toxic patterns, how to listen to your intuition. I also remind people that magic is not instant entertainment; it is a serious path. For many, a short video or message is the first step that leads them to deeper healing work, either with me or with someone else they trust.

Tiktok– https://www.tiktok.com/@thewitchofusa4?_r=1&_t=ZP-91fWyuSxOFr

16. What do you believe makes your spiritual and energetic work uniquely powerful compared to others, and how do clients usually describe the shift they feel after working with you?

What makes my work unique is the combination of three things: a very old lineage, strong black and white magic rituals, and my direct, honest way of speaking. I don’t sugarcoat, but I also don’t crush people. I tell them the truth as I see it energetically, then I help them act on it.

Clients often say they feel “lighter,” “protected,” “more themselves,” or “finally understood.” Some say that after rituals, situations in their lives move quickly – doors open, toxic connections end, hidden truths come to light. Many describe a deep sense of calm and inner power returning, as if something that was lost comes back home.

17. Many people come to you during deeply emotional moments. How do you create a safe, healing environment that encourages openness and transformation?

I create a space where nothing is “too much.” Crying is allowed, anger is allowed, confusion is allowed. I light candles, sometimes burn herbs, and make sure the environment feels warm, not clinical. I listen more than I speak at the beginning.

I also make clear that everything shared with me stays with me. Confidentiality and respect are sacred. I never push someone to talk about something they are not ready for. When people feel they are not judged, they can open fully – and that is when real transformation begins.

18. As someone who bridges ancient traditions with modern life, how do you keep your rituals and teachings relevant for today’s relationship and emotional challenges?

Today’s problems have new clothing – social media, dating apps, long-distance relationships, burnout – but the core wounds are very old: fear of abandonment, jealousy, shame, loneliness, hunger for love. My rituals address the root, not just the outer form.

I might do a traditional love ritual, but I also talk to the client about boundaries, self-respect, and patterns. I bring old wisdom into conversations about gaslighting, emotional abuse, or childhood trauma. In this way, ancient practices become powerful tools for very modern situations, instead of museum pieces.

19. What future goals or visions do you hold for your community, your practice, and the people you feel called to empower?

I dream of creating a dedicated space where women from all over the world can come to experience Romanian witchcraft in a respectful way – through circles, retreats, and rituals, both in Romania and abroad. I also wish to publish my story and teachings in a book, so that my daughters and future generations have a clear record of our legacy.

For my community, my goal is simple: I want more women to feel strong, protected, and connected to their own power. Whether they work with me once or many times, I want them to remember that they are not weak, they are not alone, and they have more magic inside than they think.

20. If someone is considering booking a session with you but feels unsure or intimidated, what would you want them to know about the experience ahead?

I would tell them: you don’t need to be afraid. A session with me is not a performance; it is a conversation and a ritual of support. You stay fully conscious and in control. I explain what I see, what I suggest, and what I will do energetically, and you are always free to say yes or no.

You don’t have to believe in everything perfectly. You just need to be open and honest. If you come with respect and a true wish to change something in your life, I will meet you with all my heart, my experience, and the power of the women who came before me.