”A medicine man shouldn’t be a saint. He should experience and feel all the ups and downs, the despair and joy, the magic and the reality, the courage and the fear, of his people. He should be able to sink as low as a bug, or soar as high as an eagle. Unless he can experience both, he is no good as a medicine man.”
– John Fire Lame Deer
About Annie
I’ve always been an empirical learner. As a child I went to temple with a friend as a way to learn about and experience religion. In my 20’s, while working with children and adults in various mental health facilities, I watched, integrated and took action. And after the homebirth of my son in 1980, I became a midwife through the apprenticeship model.
My education as a spiritual healer has been no different. In 1992, while working as a practicing midwife and teacher, I was invited to attend a Native American healing ceremony. To my surprise, shortly afterwards I began receiving visits from wise, spiritual beings. They offered me profound overview and insight and became my first official teachers from the “unseen” realms.
I began to seek teachings in this reality as well, and attended workshops with Michael Harner and Sandra Ingerman where I learned the fundamentals of shamanism and soul retrieval. I gained general hands-on healing skills at an intensive with Barbara Brennon. With a grounded foundation from these outer teachers, the space for my inner teachers became limitless.
In 1996 I traveled to Peru for the first time and participated in an initiation ritual called “The Hatun Karpay” led by Andean priest and mystic, Juan Nunez del Prado. For a number of years Juan became an important mentor to me. During that time I was initiated into the fourth level as it relates to the Inka prophesy, and also became a chunpi paq’o, one who opens energy belts with sacred stones. My heart overflows with gratitude for the ways Juan supported my growth.
My foundational initiation into shamanism and spiritual healing was in early 1997 when I had a spontaneous, conscious, near-death experience. It shook me to my core and solidly placed my feet on this limitless and miraculous path.
I travel throughout the United States and to various parts of the World on behalf of my work. The apus (mountain spirits) led me to Peru and Tibet on pilgrimages for planetary healing and are still calling me back to Peru. Bolivia, India and Nepal provided fertile ground for initiation and growth. In Hungary I taught workshops and facilitated healing ceremonies for individuals and communities, and since 2006 I have been co-leading spiritual journeys to Mexico.
As the spirits continue my education, I walk upon the path of Faith and Trust sharing my medicine through my open heart.
“I have known Annie since 1983, and she has been my teacher, healer and friend. When we were midwives together, I watched her work with energy in a way that was profound for laboring women; it was clear she had a gift. Annie has facilitated the biggest and most important realizations in my life. She has an incredible ability to hold a space and go into the deeper waters of soul work. I have personally experienced her unique ways of helping one come to truth and peace, and she has helped me free myself from some of the chains of childhood wounds. When I’ve been in terrible pain, Annie has laid her hands on me, and the pain went away. She always inspires me to believe in boundless, compassionate love and know my own true nature and strength. Most importantly, Annie nurtures me to honor my soul and the unity of spirit that sustains life.”
—Janice, FNP, CNM
