Hello, I’m Karen, the face behind Medicine Heart:

I hope you will watch this video of me introducing myself. But beyond the formalities, I love climbing mountains. Although these days it’s not about reaching the peak anymore. Instead it’s the pilgrimage – the journey itself, as nature interacts with me, and the beautiful, simple things that unfold in front of me. Filling my heart with gratitude, that I am aware enough to experience the deeper layers of all of life.

As I’ve delved deeper into nature, my love for recording those moments – for photography has grown. Art, poetry from Rumi and Mary Oliver, and roses bring the unworded beauty to my life too. I am a huge cat lover- both domestically, and animistically. The Jaguar, Puma, Snow Leopards and I, seem to have an understanding. And tickled as I know they speak through me when I facilitate- as my students discover too. 

I originally qualified as an Interior Architect, and even though everyone said I had ‘blue light around my hands and ‘should be a healer’, I was trying to fit into the normal world. But after being retrenched 3 times, I realised I was being called to a difference path, and began a healing practice. And so, I still have a love for beautiful structures and natural buildings – and wild, alive buildings like the Sagrada Família (church)  in Barcelona. And maybe one day, a dream of a tiny house or a small cabin will manifest from my designs, at one with the natural world.

The video will say more about my journey and work, BUT Peru has called me since I was a child. This tradition is like home for me, and over the last 14 years, the medicine has become my strength, my focal point and the base from which I do all workshops and healing now.

Who do I work with?

*I was called to a deeper commitment when I was hit by lightening…a sign from Nature which calls initiates to this path of service as a mystic/priest/shaman, and opening doors to healing Pachamama, and the Nature beings that serve her.

• In this role now, as a Pampamesayoq, I’m a priest- a medicine woman who works mainly with Pachamama, carries a Mesa (‘medicine bundle’), holds ceremony for the community (Allyu) & facilitates healing or connection with natures beings and elements, within oneself and then initiating students, etc.

​Many years ago, I was invited to pilgrimage with the Qeros high in the Andes to Sacred places & to receive rites, to be the light for Africa. I couldn’t say no. 

After much purification & learning, I was first initiated under Apu Ausengate, the ‘Great Teacher’ Mountain of the Sacred Valley of Cuzco.**

**This is an important thing to know, when you meet Andean medicine facilitators- to make sure you are getting authentic connection. 

I have trained with a few Lineages of Don Benito Qoriwaman, Don Manual Qespe (the Great teacher/Kamasqa). 

But in my naive days, some Peruvian and Western teachers too – but after so much drama and just bad western energy, I became so dissatisfied by IN-authenticity, that I vowed to only learn from the Authentic – the very old Q’eros who still share only Inka Medicine!

And then I met Don Mariano, the Dalai Lama of the Andes, and through his heart-based teachings, and initiations have developed into a decade of gifts and ancient precious knowledge, I am incredibly grateful.  I insist now, and teach my clients, to only receive authentic teaching and lineages. Not always easy as there are only a few of us individuals left.

These days:

One morning I woke up and ‘just knew’ the time had come to receive the Pampamesayoq rite directly from Don Mariano. Even though I already have this initiation from Pachamama and lightning, I knew I needed human support and lineage. When I asked him, in way that considered that I may not be legible for his blessing- he laughed and said he was not the one who decided. That I was the only one who would know when the time was right, because Pachamama would guide me from within- which she did again.

When I received that initiation from him, he said that now I am part of his Q’ero lineage too. And officially gave me permission to pass on this Pampamesayoq initiation with His lineage. THAT took me by surprise, as I don’t feel in anyway ready for that. But I have learnt in this medicine, that you never know what the future holds. So I have tucked this away, and can feel a deepening – and an independence within me. It is Pachamama and I as a team now. Serving where I am called.

What is Miskayani and why this name? 

In Qechua – the language spoken by the Indigenous people of the Andes Mountains – Miskayani was an ancient community of highly advanced Feminine Warriors, who were highly intelligent and powerful. But not masculine power = The Miskayani practiced feminine, spiritual ways in all aspects of life, bringing balance to the feminine and masculine. Holding the qualities of nature’s force in their everyday way of being, the Miskayani were known for their life giving, creative strengths.

Because in Qechua, Misk’i is sweet and tender from the heart, referring also to the most tender, first shoot of a newly germinated plant. Do you know how much power and strength it takes as a new plant, to break through the crust above you? A lot 😉

So the Miskayani possessed this tender yet powerful quality of that new sweetness of life, and created from there. The city of Miskayani was said to contain the most elevated female spiritual knowledge, infused into ways of being that were practiced and embodied.

It is this quality that I wish for all participants – to know the power and strength of the feminine within- and for it to be embodied. Not just a theory- or head knowledge. But deep within.

These days, my teachers call me Misk’i-Karen as my natural focus has always been inherently on the Heart Power (Munay), it’s strength and courage. And so I hope this supports a birth in my participants and followers, so that they each can access and expand this from within.