Florinda Donner facts for kids

Florinda Donner, whose original name was Regine Margarita Thal, was an American writer and anthropologist. She was also known as Florinda Donner-Grau. She was one of three women called "witches" who were friends and students of the writer Carlos Castaneda.

Early Life and Studies

Florinda Donner was born Regine Margarita Thal on February 15, 1944. She was born in Amberg, a town in Bavaria, Germany. When she was a child, her parents, Rudolf Thal and Katarina Claussnitzer, moved to Venezuela.

She later studied anthropology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Anthropology is the study of human societies and cultures. She earned her bachelor's degree in 1972 and her master's degree in the same year. She continued her studies to work towards a doctorate, but she stopped in 1977. While she was studying, she met Carlos Castaneda and helped him develop his ideas.

Her Books and Writings

Florinda Donner wrote several books. These books were often about different cultures and their beliefs. She wrote about indigenous healing, which means traditional ways of healing used by native peoples. She also wrote about sorcery and lucid dreaming. Lucid dreaming is when you are aware that you are dreaming while the dream is happening. Besides her own books, she also worked on books by Carlos Castaneda.

Disappearance

After her mentor, Carlos Castaneda, passed away in 1998, Florinda Donner disappeared. She was last seen in Los Angeles, California, the day after Castaneda's death. Four other women who followed Castaneda also disappeared around the same time.

Works

• Shabono
• The Witch's Dream
• Being-in-Dreaming

See also

In Spanish: Florinda Donner para niños