Navigating the Mysteries
On a mission to co-create a more loving world!
Hello,
I’m Annie and I’m delighted that you are here.
May I introduce myself?
That’s always easier said than done!
Over the last few years, I’ve shifted from identifying myself by saying what I do or by my academic achievements, important as these can be. In-part, that’s because my “doing” has been an ever-changing feast of different experiences and roles, none of which have stuck!
I could say that I’m in transition, but that’s true for all of us – all the time! And doesn’t give many clues about who I am when I am simply “being”.
I wanted to find a way to express my essence, and I hope that the word art graphic manages that in some small way. I’d love for you to pore over the image a while and see which words speak to you.
If you’d like to know something of the journey that brought me to this place, please read on.
In 2019, I walked a section of the Camino de Santiago, an ancient pilgrimage route across northern Spain. As I claimed the identity of pilgrim, I saw how my whole life has been a pilgrimage – a lifelong love affair with understanding; understanding myself and humanity. It continues to be a search for meaning and purpose, a quest for my essential self or Soul.
As you can tell, I love the ethereal, and I love to have my feet firmly on the earth. So, let me expand upon some of the words contained in the graphic and tell you about some of the things that are important to me.
I am or have been a daughter, sister, aunt, niece, friend, mother, lover, wife, neighbour, colleague, student. A social worker, trainer, teacher, guide, coach and accompanier in the UK the Middle East and Spain.
I love patterns and rhythms, stories and connections and I want to know how things work! I love to see the interplay of ideas and find how they fit in the bigger picture. I love the way that different disciplines can be interwoven, so the softer arts & sciences appeal to me, especially the -ologies; biology, sociology, psychology, anthropology, philosophy, theology, mythology and astrology, with a smattering of numerology and cosmology thrown in for good measure!
Spiritually, I am in awe of the possibilities that await us and delight in the ever-expanding journey. For a long time, I wore the label of Christian although mine was a mystical, experiential understanding. Even when I was actively involved in a “Christian community” I preferred the term “a child of God”. It saddens me that the essence of Christianity has been so horribly corrupted, and so, whilst there are many aspects of Christian teaching that I love, for now, I choose to put the label aside.
For now, at least, the term Contemplative feels comfortable. Following my heart inevitable led me away from the mainstream. And now, opening before me is a wonderful fusion of traditional and contemporary spirituality, eastern and western ways of knowing, arts, sciences and mystical experiences. As the great poet said, “the path is made by walking” – and what a wonder-full path it is!
One of my greatest teachers is Nature herself, and I love to spend time immersed in and with her, observing, listening feeling, absorbing all she has to offer. Most recently, she has encouraged me to look up and I’m drawn to the amazing, expansive art and science of astrology.
Astrology brings together patterns and rhythms, mythology and psychology and was the perfect next step for my personal growth. It offers a non-judgemental way to reframe life’s experiences, to see and therefore be able to step into more beneficial ways of being. From this viewpoint, I can see how our inner lives are reflected in our outer circumstances and vice versa.
Astrology has led me to explore emerging ideas about consciousness, energy and frequency and together they give me a new way to understand what is happening in the world and our evolutionary trajectory towards higher consciousness and love.
When I founded Navigating the Mysteries, I coined the tag line that seemed to fit my experience – Finding authenticity and our way to a more loving world.
Two years on, after a lot more searching for authenticity beneath layers of social conditioning, I’m feeling called to share all that I have learned.
My longing is to co-create a world where the earth and all who live on and in her are valued. Where grace prevails. Where we remember our humanity and inter-connection with one another. Where cooperation, collaboration, compassion and justice become our driving principles. Where we thrive together sustainably, harmoniously and joyfully.
I believe that all I have learned may be of help to you, as you continue your journey towards your essential Self.
I look forward to sharing my learnings with you through the Contemplating Consciousness blog posts, Contemplative Caminos and other offerings that can be found on this site.
Come! Join me! Let’s Navigate the Mysteries together and re-emerge to make the world a more loving place.
Please enjoy exploring my website and contact me with your queries
Inspiring teachers and authors
who continue to influence my work.
Alan Clay – New Stars for a New Planet, Sedna Consciousness, Angels Can Fly: Modern Clown User Guide
Alan Clay & Melissa Billingham – The Astrology of Haumea, The Astrology of Makemake.
Alexander John Shaia – Radical Transformation: The Four-Gospel Journey of Heart and Mind, & Returning From Camino.
Angeles Arrien – The Four-Fold Way: Walking the Paths if the Warrior, Teacher, Healer, and Visionary & The Second Half of Life: Opening the Eight Gates of Wisdom.
Anne Wilson Schaef – Becoming a Hollow Bone: Responding to the Call of Our Ancestral Blood.
Beebe Bahrami – The Way of the Wild Goose, Moon Camino de Santiago, The Spiritual Traveller in Spain
Bill Plotkin – The Journey of Soul Initiation & Wild Mind: A Field Guide to the Human Psyche
Clarissa Pinkola Estés – Women Who Run with the Wolves: Powerful Archetypes in Women´s Lives
Demetra George – Mysteries of the Dark Moon
Eckhart Tolle – The Power of Now & A New Earth.
Gary Zukav & Linda Frances – The Heart of the Soul: Emotional Awareness
Heather Ensworth – Finding Our Centre, Wisdom from the Stars and Planets in Times of Change and https://www.youtube.com/@HeatherEnsworth
Jean Shinoda Bolen, Goddesses in Everywoman, Goddesses in Older Women
José Stevens – Awaken the Inner Shaman: A Guide to the Power Path of the Heart, The Power Path: The Shaman’s Way to Success in Business and Life, Transforming Your Dragons, How to Turn Fear Patterns into Personal Power
Kristina Lea and Heather Ensworth, From Trauma to Freedom. One Woman’s Journey and a Holistic Guide to Healing
Martin Shaw – A Branch from the Lightening Tree, Scatterlings, Snowy Tower, Courting the Wild Twin and many more via Substack.
Melanie Reinhart – Chiron Pholus and Nessus: To the Edge and Beyond
Pam Gregory – How to Co-Create using the Secret Language of the Universe and https://www.youtube.com/@PamGregoryOfficial
Phil Cousineau – The Art of Pilgrimage
Richard Rudd – The Gene Keys
Robert Moore & Douglas Gillette – King, Warrior, Magician, Lover. Rediscovering the Archetypes of the Mature Masculine.
Sylvia Brinton Perera – Descent to the Goddess
Thich Nhat Hanh – How to series . . . Walk, See, Love, Connect, Focus
Tyson Yunkaporra – Sand Talk
