About the Author

The author, Toni Gilbert, is the granddaughter of Ellsworth and Lilly Wilson Curtis, subjects in this family history. Many hours of Ms. Gilbert's youth were spent beside Lilly Wilson Curtis, at the kitchen sink and at the old treadle sewing machine, listening as her grandmother passed on her knowledge and her life skills. Today, a transpersonal counselor with a background in holistic nursing, Ms. Gilbert holds an associate's degree in nursing and a bachelor's degree in psychology and art. She pursued her interest in art and its symbolism in a graduate art therapy program and earned a master's degree from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology. Ms. Gilbert's first book, Messages from the Archetypes: Using Tarot for Healing and Spiritual Growth, is published by White Cloud Press. Her second book, Gaining Archetypal Vision, is published by Schiffer Books. To read articles Ms. Gilbert has published both locally and nationally, visit www.tonigilbert.com. In the recent past, Ms. Gilbert worked in the field of mental-health nursing and owned Centre of Main St., a wellness center in Jefferson, Oregon, where she saw clients and facilitated therapeutic groups. In addition, she has taught psychology at two community colleges. More recently, Ms. Gilbert established the Northwest Astrology & Tarot Salon, www.nwsalon.com; was the founding editor of the Alternative Journal of Nursing; the founding director of the Oregon Holistic Nurses Association, www.oregonholisticnurses.org; founder of the Jefferson Historic Society & Museum in Jefferson, Oregon.