When you first meet Sandra Cheryl Richardson, she's nothing like what you would expect a witch to look like.
No black pointy hat. No flying broom. No magic wand. Just golden curls and flowing skirts.
But a witch she is.
Just call her the Grand Elder High Priestess of the Circle of Isis Rising, a coven in Miami.
Next week, she'll be celebrating Winter Solstice and helping lead the Yule Sabbath Celebration at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation church, 7701 SW 76th Ave.
Just consider her a ''good witch'' -- the type that has received national attention with Brunonia Barry's recent best-selling novel, The Lace Reader.
Richardson runs Celestial Treasures Network, formerly 32 Paths, in Coconut Grove with the help of her husband, Joe. The shop is packed with Tarot cards, books, incense, crystals, jewelry, essential oils, greeting cards and hand-made art, among thousands of other items. The store caters to the metaphysical community and the different ''paths,'' such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Kabbalah, Yoga, and of course, Wicca.
When longtime friend Cindy Tjauw, a native of Suriname, bought the store two years ago, Richardson was tapped to lead it.
''I'm living proof that whatever people want to do with their lives, they can do it,'' Richardson said, while sitting in the back room of Celestial Treasures.
''To me, I can be OK with all the religions because they are different expressions of the same greater force,'' she said.
Every now and then, curious passersby, such as Jennifer Leigh from Orlando, wander in.
''It's very interesting,'' said Leigh, a federal background investigator vacationing in Miami. ``They have a lot of unique things.''
Richardson also is a psychic, paranormal investigator, metaphysical teacher and author of Magicka Formularia. She has been sought out by the Discovery Channel and Telemundo, as well as law enforcement agencies around the country, to speak on the topic of witchcraft.
Once a novice working psychic hot lines in Kendall, Richardson these days has a long list of faithful clients. Among them is Hilda Collins, a Spanish language instructor.
''Every time she reads my cards, she hits it on the nose,'' Collins said. ``She just radiates harmony. Whatever is troubling you, she makes it go away.''
As a little girl attending Baptist services in Chatsworth, Ga., Richardson said she was fascinated by the occult, bedazzled by TV sitcoms I Dream of Jeannie and Bewitched.
''Something inside my heart and soul screamed for something more,'' Richardson said.
She moved to Miami in 1976 and got an accounting/business degree from Miami Dade College. But it wasn't until 1989, while on vacation in California, that she found what she was searching for. It came in the form of a book titled The Truth about Witchcraft, which she bought for $4.95.
''I became excited by the idea of manipulating energy to get what you want,'' Richardson said. ``Everything felt like it called to me; felt that on some level all these little beliefs made sense.''
Shortly after, she met Nicole Everett, who became her teacher and founded the Religious Order of Isis Rising. She began serving as coven master and was then appointed Grand Elder High Priestess.
Richardson describes Wicca as a nature-based religion honoring seven holy powers, including an almighty Creator, gods and goddesses and the four elements.
An animal lover with four cats, an 18-pound leopard, a turtle and several fish, Richardson said her coven does not engage in blood sacrifices.
Wiccans celebrate eight holy days, she said. One of the most significant is Winter Solstice, the longest day of winter after which the sun is born again and light returns upon the earth. This holiday season, she will lead the Yule Sabbath Celebration, starting at 6 p.m. Dec. 20 at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation church.
The event will include opening and closing rituals, a potluck and a raffle to win a witch's cloak.
She dreams of one day owning her own pagan sanctuary.
Her faith didn't scare Joe, a Christian.
The couple married 16 years ago in a ceremony that combined both their faiths. While he said he doesn't align himself with any church, he said at first he had concerns about his wife's religious path.
''Everything is perfect between us, but I just don't know if I can be comfortable with this,'' he remembered telling a friend when things got serious. 'And then he asked me, `Are you sure you're right? What if in the end you find out she was right?' And that was it.''
After 22 years in construction, Joe switched to selling collectibles on eBay until he ``ran out of things to sell.''
The couple owned a metaphysical store on Coral Way until it closed nearly 10 years ago when business slowed. He then joined his wife as manager of Celestial Treasures.
Together, they have forged a unique bond, taking turns saying blessings and honoring both traditions.
''Joe's actions and his selfless dedication to helping people, even helping in our coven when this isn't his belief -- for him, that's representing Christianity,'' his wife said.
