Join MysticMag and step into the mystical world of Shardai Moon, a seasoned healer, and priestess whose professional journey took her from the corridors of mainstream medicine to the sacred landscapes of indigenous wisdom. Through her work, Shardai guides individuals on transformative journeys of healing, empowerment, and ancient remembrance, weaving together the rich tapestry of earth-based ceremonies and feminine spirituality.
What can you tell me about yourself and your professional journey?
My professional journey began in a very mainstream way, being that I grew up in the heartland of Iowa conservatism. I became a Registered Nurse and worked full-time for several years in various settings, from prison infirmaries to surgical wards. But where I really found myself shine was in working with post-suicidal youth in an acute adolescent psychiatric unit. It allowed me the freedom to utilize more of my feminine side and softer skillset, which came very naturally to me.
After a life-altering trip to provide medical aid to an African orphanage, my world was opened up wider to the wisdom of indigenous remedies. I went on to study a year of Chinese medicine, and then I graduated from a three-year regenerative ecology program, Weaving Earth, that taught indigenous-rooted wilderness survival, permaculture, ceremony, and community-building leadership skills. It was there that I gained many of my skills of mentoring and rites of passage ceremonial work in nature because that’s what was expertly role-modeled for me.
Continuing my veer from a traditional track, I found my rhythm the most in the ceremonial landscape. I found myself guiding my community in experiences of deep healing and ancient remembrance through-let’s say- transformational artistry. I studied and became an advanced shamanic healer, and sanctioned teacher of the Pachakuti Mesa Tradition of cross-cultural shamanism.
I then went on to become an initiated Priestess with several mystery schools teaching the ancient wisdom arts of the Goddess cultures, and lineage of the Rose. And that’s where you find me today- weaving together earth-based ceremonies of the Goddess, and providing transformational healing arts for my community.
For people unfamiliar with it, can you explain what Pachakuti Mesa Tradition is?
Absolutely. So Pachakuti is a Quechua word that means “world reversal.” This is the Andean way of identifying and naming the great transition of consciousness that humanity is in now, which has been long prophesied throughout shamanic cultures worldwide. In essence, the old ways are crumbling, and the new ways are emerging.
“Mesa” is, in this instance, referring to a ceremonial altar used for shamanic practice, where the curandero/a holds their medicine pieces and performs many kinds of healings or ceremonies based upon his or her training. This is the foundation of what is taught in our PMT apprenticeships.
And “Tradition” of course, meaning that this school of consciousness is rooted in millennia-old traditions that have been passed down through the generations as sacred gifts for us today. It is only with the direct permission and insistence from those lineage carriers, that this wisdom is now accessible worldwide.
For me, this tradition has been a grounding anchor, a healing refuge for everyday spiritual practice, and a way to organize my spiritual life around a cosmovision or ‘map’ of the 7 directions and associated guardians, elements, and healing energies. Its a way to orient oneself to the world and to the Self. Myself, and other teachers who’ve been sanctioned by our maestro don Oscar Miro-Quesada, offer in person apprenticeships in North America and Europe, to study these arts of universal shamanism. We also have a global online presence, and weekly free offerings which you can access through my website, or through The Heart of The Healer (www.theheartofthehealer.org).
What is Rose ROP and what is the difference between it and the other 1:1 ceremonies you offer?
Rose Rite of Passage is how I offer my services as a Sacred Celebrant and Priestess. It is a “rite of passage,” meaning it is a ritual way to honor and acknowledge a particular milestone in your life. This could look like preparing yourself for marriage through a self-marriage ceremony or celebrating a milestone like motherhood, or cancer remission. It may also involve honoring the moments of grief and loss in life such as the death of a loved one or divorce.
It’s different from my other offerings, in that it doesn’t involve so much of the process of getting you to that threshold-crossing moment, like my other programs are meant to do. It’s more of a concise solo ceremony that we design and co-create together, when you know you are ready. It generally takes place over 3 sessions. My signature program is Sophia Rising: A Sacred Feminine Initiation. It is a 3 month deep dive into the mysteries of the Goddess. It addresses the three main issues I find all women face when choosing to return back to their Feminine power: Embodying safety, abundance, and worthiness.
Through spiritual mentorship, shamanic journeys, soul oracles, and at-home rituals in nature, women learn to embody the goddess within them, and feel safe and unconditionally loved while doing so. The core teachings are aimed to re-connect them to the roots of their blood and spirit lineages, and powerfully anchor them onto their journey of self-discovery of what it means to be a magical creative woman in today’s world.
Soul Alchemy is a bit of a pre-curser to Sophia Rising, in that it really takes you on a deep journey of healing from your past, and calling your lost power back home. It’s a ‘clearing house’ of sorts. This one is great for anyone going through a physical illness or spiritual confusion. People really benefit from this 3 month intentional container, as it allows them to carry a specific intention of healing with them through the entire alchemy process, where it finally leaves them with a sense of levity and ease with life again.
What can people expect from the Sanctuary and Journey circles?
Sanctuary is our women’s space for gathering in community in devotion to the love within our own hearts. It is our “Goddess Church” where we unite through sacred ritual to honor the Divinity in ourselves and each other. This looks like anointing with Holy Oils, sharing our prayers for self and the world, dancing organically to sacred music, learning about different energies of the Goddess, and taking the ancient rite of Sacrament together.
I weave together the archetypes of the Goddess from the 13 Moon Mystery School and the spiritual guides of the rose lineage- such as Mary Magdalene, Isis, Hathor, and Yeshua. Many who grew up in mainstream judeo-christianity are drawn to these teachings.
For many it is a safe haven to be free to express Femininity in its many shapes and forms, outside of the patriarchal paradigm of our everyday lives. Many don’t realize how much they were struggling to fit into those societal molds until they step into our virtual Sanctuary, and their whole body takes a deep exhale. My 3 Worlds journey circle, is a guided shamanic journey. Meaning I use my drum and voice to take participants into a deep meditation where they can ‘journey’ through their active imagination and all their senses.
On this journey they will encounter various helping guides and allies on their path that are there to give them relevant assistance for their lives. Some may meet with ancestors, or be offered spiritual healing from this altered state of consciousness. Great and subtle shifts can happen in journey space, and we’ll take some time to hear from anyone who would like to share what they experience.
Is there anything else about your work that you’d like to share that we haven’t covered?
I’d just like to share that really the core mission of Sophia Rising is to uplift the Feminine in all beings, and to support women in healing from living in a patriarchal world, especially how it is expressed through worldwide religions, and to step back into roles of spiritual leadership. In the process, we hope they are affirmed that there is indeed a place for them (and the Feminine) in this man-made world. In fact- a very crucial place!
And paired with that mission of empowering the Feminine, is the mission of regenerating the Sacred. Bringing back the ancient rituals of our ancestors, as tools of resilience for the chaotic times we are now beginning to live through in this Pachakuti. There is so much wisdom that has been buried, or kept underground… but make no mistake, none of these wisdoms were truly ‘lost,’ rather they are ours to re-member, together. They live on in our flesh and bones and in our ancient memories. This is my devotion- to help others along their path of personal remembrance of who they truly are.
To learn more about Shardai and her work, you can visit www.sophiarising.com
