Mandy became interested in shamanism in the early 2000s when, by chance, she came across a book by Carlos Castaneda called The Active Side of Infinity. This is a “collection of memorable events which are a vehicle for the emotional and energetic adjustment necessary for venturing, in terms of perception, into the unknown.” During the reading of this book she experienced a profound ‘energetic adjustment’ of perception that set her on a quest to ‘discover’ shamanism. She began with training as a shamanic practitioner with the Sacred Trust whilst also following their teachings in the ‘Path of Pollen’.
In 2015 another ‘energetic adjustment’ helped her develop an interest in eco shamanism and she developed a way of working that reflects our soul ‘outside’ of ourselves. This involves looking closely at natural systems, particularly rewilding and instinction. Memorable events include studying Dark Ecology with David Abram, author of Spell of the Sensuous, Erotic Ecology with Andreas Weber, Rewilding the Soul with Manda Scott and working with futurist Hardin Tibbs. Believing that a convergence of shamanism and ecological thinking and perception can help us to change the way we live on our Earth, she is currently pursuing an awakening of perspective which help us reconnect to our home, our planet, to ‘becoming one with our Earth’.
Mandy lives on the edge of the ancient Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire close to the Wye Valley and the rich farmlands of Herefordshire and Monmouthshire. Nature, being the visible face of nature, is her ultimate teacher. Yet is is ‘venturing, in terms of perception, into the unkown’ which calls to a deep knowing of ourselves as natural beings in a wild universe that drives her inspiration.
Her past includes teaching classical and jazz piano and singing. In the 1990s she set up and ran a small organic vegetable garden selling the produce through one of the first vegetable box schemes, subsequently writing a book on the subject entitled ‘Valuable Vegetables’.