About

About me

I started this website and blog as part of fulfilling the desires of my heart and soul – to know and to share peace.

As part of living this desire, I work as a spiritual counsellor, as a facilitator and trainer, privately and in the public and voluntary sectors, and as a celebrant, conducting heart-centred ceremonies to mark the changing cycles of life. I have a particular calling to support lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in their spirituality, particularly healing past hurts from experiences with religious groups, and opening the heart to direct experience of the Divine, including within relationships.

My own spiritual path has strong foundations in the Feri and Reclaiming traditions of Paganism. I also find peace and inspiration in the practices and teachings of Sufism, Taoism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and many other paths.

I am currently based in three locations – Tyne and Wear, London and southern Scotland. I am available to conduct ceremonies in all three locations. I offer spiritual counselling sessions in London, in Tyne and Wear, or by telephone or Skype.

My training

1994 – Holistic Aromatherapy and Stress Management at Evolve, taught by Jacqueline Herron

1994, 2001, 2003, 2007 – Conflict Resolution, Welcoming Diversity and Prejudice Reduction with the National Coalition-Building Institute, led by Val Carpenter and Liz Neat.

1996-1998 – Interfaith Ministry and Spiritual Counselling at The Interfaith Seminary, taught by Miranda Macpherson

1999 – Foundation training with LifeRites, taught by Cheryl Menzies-Runciman

Ongoing spiritual development with teachers/mentors T. Thorn Coyle and Valerie Walker.

About ahamsa

After hearing the word ahamsa during meditation some years ago, I carried out some research into its meaning. It is a Sanksrit word meaning ’swan’. It is also one of the titles of the unmanifest Divine in Hindu and related traditions.

In Vedic literature, swans are thought to be able to separate milk from water, just as the goal of the mystic is to be able to separate the unreal from the real, allowing the seeker to know and share peace, and to experience the Divine Presence.

I therefore felt ahamsa was a highly appropriate title for this blog, and a reminder for me of what my work is about.