Theresa Varela is an Award-winning Nuyorican author with a PhD in Nursing Research and Theory Development from New York University. When she’s not writing Dr. Varela is working as a psychiatric nurse practitioner at a New York City shelter for persons living with severe mental illness. While engaged in the educational process, she realized that her true calling is as a novelist and poet. She was born in Brooklyn, New York and has lived there proudly all her life. A few readers have mentioned that Brooklyn is one of Theresa Varela’s greatest protagonists in her novels.  In weaving the aspects of writing, her characters usually thrive in Brooklyn, delve into spiritual realms and the Orisha tradition. They grapple with the grim realities of urban life. Mental illness, domestic violence, and substance dependence are areas that are integrated in her protagonists’ lives as they search for personal meaning and how to become their most authentic selves. Her published novels are: Coney Island Siren, Nights of Indigo Blue: A Daisy Muñiz Mystery, Covering the Sun with My Hand, and Answered by Silence: a collection of poems. Theresa Varela’s relationships with her spirit guides have led her into the creation of the Graciella la Gitana Oracle/Oráculo de Graciella la Gitana. This oracle offers spiritual direction on a path of compassion and love—something we truly need for the restoration of ourselves and our Earth Mother. She also experienced a special joy as her daughter, Mara Alicia Cordova illustrated the oracle deck.  With clarity on how to enrich our lives within the context of healthy self-identity, relationships, and careers, we are better equipped to exist and prosper in our abundant and loving Universe.