Shirah grew up in Alexandria, Egypt, where her mother, Nisa, was a kedeshah, covered in red henna tattoos. Though kedeshah had to serve priests sexually and could not marry, they had many freedoms unavailable to most women. Nisa was allowed to pray, seek an education, and venture out into marketplaces.

By the time Shirah was eight, Nisa had taught her to write in Hebrew and Aramaic as well as cast spells and make charms. Nisa noted all her spells in a notebook. While the magic practiced by men was called holy, women’s magic was deemed secret and sinful. The great goddess Ashtoreth, whom Nisa followed, was considered sacrilegious by Shirah’s time, her idols melted away.

When Shirah was four years old, her mother took her to the Nile and asked her to go into the water. Shirah was delighted, and her mother told her water was her element. In the water, Shirah saw a luminous fish as big as a man. When she told Nisa about the fish, Nisa prophesized the fish represented love, which was dangerous for a woman.

Shortly after Shirah got her own tattoos at the age of 12, Nisa sent her away from Alexandria for her protection.