Zahra Indigo Rønlov, MA, MCPC, is a multifaceted healer, artist, author, wisdom teacher, and spiritual guide who integrates ecopsychology, healing arts, and transpersonal coaching to inspire growth, connection, and health. Rooted in sacred practices of diverse spiritual traditions, she serves as a ceremonialist, pilgrimage leader, and minister, guiding individuals through transformative experiences. She has a master’s degree in ecopsychology from Naropa University and is currently working on her PhD in Visionary Practice and Regenerative Leadership at Southwestern College. Zahra Indigo offers a holistic approach that nurtures personal evolution and environmental sustainability. Living in the Pacific Northwest, she is dedicated to honoring the land, her lineage, and the interconnectedness of all life. MysticMag had the privilege of passing some precious time with her.
Sacred Witness Pilgrimages uniquely combines travel with deep spiritual experience. How do you integrate your training in the Egyptian Mysteries and the lineage of Djehuti (Thoth) into the pilgrimages you lead?
My training in the Egyptian mysteries is deeply rooted in the mythology and stories of Egypt’s gods and goddesses. I work with these deities as archetypes. Each one represents a unique aspect of nature—not only of the natural world around us but also of each of our inner nature. Every Egyptian deity reflects some element of our psyche, personality, or essence. When I lead tours and pilgrimages, my primary aim is to help those who journey with me to form connections with these deities, known as the Neteru in ancient Egypt. Building a relationship with the Neteru allows us to engage with both our inner selves and the natural world, providing insights and messages to help with living. Because these deities were revered in various forms thousands of years ago, and in honoring them, they become a bridge or a connection to the past, to something ancient and enduring.
With your extensive knowledge of the Egyptian Mysteries and modern Islamic culture, how do you balance honoring ancient traditions while being respectful of Egypt’s current cultural landscape during your tours?
On a very practical level, when I lead tours in Egypt, I like to respect the local Islamic culture and suggest that the women dress modestly, but not in an overly strict sense. Dressing this way garners a different kind of response from the local community. It is a recognition that we are consciously honoring the customs of where we are. I feel strongly that, as we walk through the ancient mysteries of Egypt, we are also guests in a country with a living, present-day culture. It’s essential to walk thoughtfully, to respect the Egyptians who live there and those who work with us, and to make the tour as smooth as possible. Inshallah, as they say.
On a personal level, leading these tours in Egypt has inspired me to understand the culture more deeply. My journey to learn about Islam began as a way to respect the people I work with, but over time, it has profoundly deepened. I wanted to go beyond simply being a Western woman leading other Westerners through another country. Instead, I worked to form genuine friendships and connections, honoring the culture and the people to the best of my abilities.
This commitment to respect their culture and my work is complex because my work involves the Egyptian mysteries, which can seem at odds with Islamic beliefs. Islam emphasizes that there is only One, while many view ancient Egyptian beliefs as polytheistic. So, there’s a synthesis I aim to achieve—understanding and respect for modern Islamic culture while also continuing to uncover and explore the Egyptian mysteries I teach.
Over time, I’ve come to question the idea that the ancient Egyptians were purely polytheistic. I believe the Egyptian gods and goddesses likely represented archetypal aspects of nature and human potential rather than distinct, separate deities that walked the earth with a human body and animal head. For example, Djehuti (or Thoth) depicted with a man’s body and an ibis-head, wasn’t suggesting that there were literally hybrid human/bird head deities walking around, but rather that we each contain elements of Djehuti’s wisdom and nature within us. To the ancient Egyptians, the purpose and foundation of life was Ma’at, the principle of truth and balance. The people’s purpose was to uphold Ma’at, to live in harmony with truth, so that when they crossed from this life to the next, their heart would balance against the feather of Ma’at, symbolizing a life well-lived. So rather than polytheistic, I believe they were closer to monotheism than the modern narrative suggests, with Ma’at being the One that everything balanced upon.
How do the principles of Ma’at—Truth, Justice, Harmony, and Balance—inform your approach to leading Sacred Witness Pilgrimages in Egypt and what can you tell us about your book The Gifts of Ma’at?
Ma’at is not merely a concept of truth, simply “a truth” among many. Ma’at is the ultimate embodiment of TRUTH itself, the cosmic law governing everything from the orbits of planets to the innate patterns of nature. Embodied as both pure concept and a goddess, Ma’at’s influence encompasses natural order, evident in the way dogs come from dogs, humans from humans, wheat from wheat, without crossing these fundamental lines of nature. Additionally. She is justice, guiding human culture and personal conduct, from the way people should live to how pharaohs were expected to rule. She represents reciprocity, harmony, and balance, providing the framework for a life lived in accordance with principles that transcend individual desires or subjective truths.
In the mythology, when an individual died, they passed through the “Halls of Two Truths,” where they faced 42 Assessors—gods and goddesses from the 42 regions of ancient Egypt. To these assessors, the deceased made 42 “Negative Confessions,” declaring, “I did not steal,” “I did not murder,” and so on. Each represented an ethical principle that was important in their lived life and represented a testament to their moral integrity. The final test in this journey was the weighing of their heart—symbolizing their spiritual self—against the feather of Ma’at. If the heart was lighter than the feather, it meant the person had led a good, honest life, which would allow them to pass on into the Field of Reeds, their paradise. However, if the heart was heavier, it would be devoured by Ammit, a fierce demoness—part crocodile, part hippopotamus, and part lioness—and the soul would be denied passage to the afterlife.
What I have learned from Ma’at inspired me to create my own version of the 42 Negative Confessions by transforming them into 42 Positive Declarations of how I want to live my life. Instead of waiting until the end to assert that I avoided wrongdoing, these affirmations help me to consciously shape my life in alignment with my values. There is a gift of following the guidance of Ma’at. In my book, The Gifts of Ma’at, I invite readers to explore these ancient mythos and deities, especially Ma’at as the personification of truth, justice, and balance.
The book guides readers through these principles, encouraging each individual to identify their own “42 Positive Dedications” of a life well-lived. Included is a guided visualization, where readers can experience their own truth and journey toward a heart as light as Ma’at’s feather. And if we find that our heart feels heavy, rather than fearing the consequences, we can offer up these burdens as offerings to Ammet.
Ultimately, The Gifts of Ma’at is an invitation to find your truth and to walk in the world with the strength and clarity of knowing what that truth is, moving forward with a heart light enough to pass through whatever gates of truth we encounter, now and beyond.
Your work spans various modalities, from life coaching to ecopsychology and alchemical healing. How do you decide which approach to use with a client or group, and what is the key to harmonizing these methods?
Alchemical Healing is a healing art form assembled by Nicki Scully. It is rooted in the principle that each practitioner brings their own unique skills and knowledge to the healing container. This means that Alchemical Healing is not a one-size-fits-all practice—it’s a dynamic and adaptive approach. For instance, a practitioner who’s also a massage therapist might integrate bodywork techniques into sessions, while a medical doctor might bring a deeper understanding of anatomy and medical insight. Whatever skills each practitioner has cultivated become essential tools within their Alchemical Healing framework.
In my practice with clients, this approach translates to being fully present with them, allowing the session to unfold based on their intention in the moment, rather than on what they might have written or shared beforehand. When we’re in session, I draw from a “medicine bag” of possibilities, practices, or exercises—whether it’s breath, guided visualizations, connecting with spirit allies, or engaging with nature. Each tool is chosen in active response to what the client needs at that precise moment. This creates a practice that is always responsive, flexible, and in tune with the intention and present needs of the client.
Ecopsychology plays a large role in this approach as well. This methodology suggests that a healthy human is one whose psyche, ecological relationship, and spiritual life are in balance. By psyche, I mean that part of us that is our personality, our history, our story. By ecology, I refer both to our relationship with the natural world and the inner environment of our bodies. And by spirituality, I mean our connection to something beyond ourselves, however each person defines it.
If one of these areas is out of balance, that’s where our focus goes for healing. Balance here doesn’t mean avoiding pain or sadness or only experiencing happiness or joy; rather, it’s about centering in the heart and letting it guide us through life’s highs and lows. The heart is our compass, where we can feel fullness and heaviness simultaneously. It’s where we hold love, inspiration, and the soul’s truth. True balance lies in staying heart-centered, whatever the circumstances, and allowing this inner equilibrium to lead us through the ebbs and flows of life.
Whether I’m guiding a healing session, leading a tour, or just moving through my own daily life, this heart-centered approach is my foundation. It reminds me that balance is not a fixed state—it’s an ongoing practice of aligning with the heart, in joy or sorrow, while moving forward with grace and intention as best I can.
Having studied with influential teachers such as Nicki Scully and Pir Zia Inayat Khan, how have these teachings shaped your spiritual journey, and how do they continue to influence your work?
Reflecting on the truth that we each stand on the shoulders of the many invites a powerful sense of gratitude and interconnectedness. Each of us is shaped not only by our personal teachers, mentors, and family but also by the vast web of life that has come before us—ancestors, historical figures, as well as the natural world. This perspective reveals that our existence is built upon countless visible and invisible influences. Acknowledging these influences is more than just honoring the past; it’s recognizing the continuum of learning, growth, and legacy that we’re all part of.
It is a gift to have had the opportunity to learn with many wise teachers such as Nicki Scully, Jyoti Ma, and Pir Zia Inayat Khan. Each embody a continuum of learning, growth, and legacy as well as a dedication to the health and well-being of all beings that inspires me to always strive to be the best I can be.
Nicki opened a doorway to the healing arts and to Egypt, which changed the course of my life as it led me into the mysteries of that ancient land. Her guidance wasn’t so much historical knowledge, but about experiencing Egypt’s energy and essence, creating a bridge for my own relationship with the people, the land, and the mythos. Her mentorship also taught me the intricacies of leading tours, a craft she had honed over decades. With her love and support, I have been able to carry on my work in Egypt.
Jyoti Ma has been a spiritual guide, mentor, employer, and now colleague. I first came to know her during my two year ministry program with the Center for Sacred Studies. Since then, she has co-led a pilgrimage with me in Egypt and I have assisted her in a variety of activities. Currently, I am the executive director for a non-profit foundation she started called The Fountain for the Natural Order of Our Existence. In the work we do, I am just coming to better understand our world and the original principles that sustained life for eons. Because of her faith in me, I have had the opportunity to meet amazing humans from all curves of the biosphere. To witness her dedication to follow her vision, despite the challenges, is inspiring.
Pir Zia, lineage holder for the Inayatiyya Sufi Order, has connected me with a depth of beautiful teachings and a community that embraces love, acceptance, and a unity with the Divine. The Sufi path is one of the heart, where diversity is seen as strength and where all faiths can coexist in celebration rather than competition. For me, what I have found is that the Sufi path offers me a reminder that all paths ultimately lead to the same source, LOVE. It is then from this source of LOVE that we move forward.
There are also many others I would include as influential teachers, mentors, and learning institutions, some who I have been honored to study with in person and some through their life’s work. To name a few of them is to honor them: Joanna Macy. Normandi Ellis. Thich Nhat Hahn. Taj Inayat. Hazarat Inayat Khan. Brian Swimme. Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. Southwestern College in Santa Fe, New Mexico. International People’s College in Helsingør, Danmark.
It is also true that teaching and wisdom received isn’t exclusive to traditional teachers and mentors. My children, the dog, bunny, cats, and hundreds of house plants are my teachers. My past self is my teacher. Each phase of my life has offered lessons that my present self stands upon. Acknowledging my younger self’s experiences, challenges, and insights reminds me that I have always been my own teacher, continually evolving and learning. My future self will be standing upon my present self’s doings. What I choose now is vital in shaping who I will be.
In this way, when we can each honor ourselves as our own teachers we give ourselves a beautiful gift. No matter how many guides, teachers, or how much schooling and workshops we’ve attended, it’s ultimately we who internalize the lessons and grow from it.
Our life’s journey is a balance of guidance from others and self-discovery. In that balance, we recognize that just as we stand upon others’ shoulders, we also become a foundation for those who are around us now and who will come after us to stand upon. We are each a part of an ancient and continuous lineage of learning, a succession of existence that reaches back to the very first life on planet Earth and extends far into the future. You being you is a miracle. Me being me is a miracle. Honoring our lineages is an act of deep gratitude and self-respect.
To conclude:
I have abundant appreciation and gratitude for your time and attention reading my ponderings and considerations. Thank you for whatever it is you do to help to heal any part of this precious world.
If you would like to find out more about Zahra Indigo, you are invited to visit https://sacredwitness.center/
Bio photo by #lornegreenphoto at the ancient Sayburç Site, Türkiye, October 7, 2024.
