I have a life-long love of nature and journeying to otherworlds and this first manifested in caring for horses at a local riding school and reading mythic literature and fantasy.

During my childhood, as an undiagnosed autistic kid who was a little chubby, I was bullied. This led to me developing an eating disorder which began with binge eating then led to dietary restriction combined with drinking to self-medicate my anxiety.

I went to college and university, where I studied for a Philosophy Degree. During this period, when I was eating little, drinking heavily and taking a lot of drugs, I had my first initiatory experiences. Without a context, I feared I was going mad. Whilst studying for my MA in European Philosophy, I discovered Nietzsche’s writings on the Greek Gods and began to question whether there were Gods in Britain too. This led me through Paganism and Druidry to Brythonic Polytheism* and shamanism.

In 2012, at a time I was struggling with suicidal ideation, I met my patron God, Vindos (Gwyn ap Nudd) and realised my initiatory visions had been of His people and realm, Annwn, the Brythonic Otherworld. He saved my life and gave me meaning and purpose. I served a seven year apprenticeship to Gwyn as an awenydd ‘person inspired’. During this period, I used a combination of research and shamanic journeying to reimagine His myths and other Brythonic and local lore and developed a practice deeply rooted in the land and traditions of Britain. Afterwards, I dedicated myself to Gwyn for life.

Practicing core shamanism with the Way of the Buzzard, I developed strong relationships with my power animals and gained in depth experience of working with animal spirit guides, spirit teachers, tree and plant allies, land spirits, and ancestors.

Yet, I still struggled with binge drinking and restrictive eating and over-exercising due to anxiety. In 2021, I was diagnosed with autism and realised much of my overwhelm comes from sensory and information overload. I took up strength training with a personal trainer at a gym and developed healthier nutritional and exercise habits.

In 2022, I founded the Monastery of Annwn and lived as a nun by the name Sister Patience. Living by vows and a rule formed a monastic discipline I continue to live by today. I also entered a spiritual marriage with Gwyn which continues to nurture and sustain me. After three years, I realised, long term, monasticism was not for me.

In 2023, I entered mentorship with shamanic practitioner and embodied relational therapist, Jayne Johnson. This has been deeply transformative as I have come to know and heal my own wounds. Meditation, breathwork, shamanic work and embodiment techniques have led to me developing a better relationship with my body and learning to regulate my nervous system. In 2024, I began training as a shamanic practitioner with Jayne. My experiences have stood me in good stead for healing others.

I have volunteered and worked in conservation and ecology. In 2012, I founded the Friends of Greencroft Valley (which has now merged with Guardians of Nature). With others, I work to maintain and improve the diversity of the site, along with regular tasks like litter picking. I tend a garden where I enjoy growing small green things.

*Brythonic Polytheism is the worship of the Old Gods of Britain.