Wayfinding Woman

A Quest for Meaning Through Soul and Story

Analogue photograph of author shot in the Indian Himalayas, 2010

As a teenager, I devised a way to make decisions easier.

I carried two stones in a small velvet pouch: a rose quartz heart and an amethyst heart. Each stone represented "yes" and "no." When I needed help deciding, I would shake the bag, reach inside, and hold one stone in my palm until it warmed up like a baby’s tiny hand. Then, I would pull the stone out to reveal the answer.

What was interesting about this system was not the belief that the stones knew the answers or that I blindly followed whatever I picked. Instead, I was trying to gauge my reaction to each choice. If I drew the "yes" stone, did I feel an uplifting expansion in my chest or scrunch my forehead in disappointment? If I picked the "no" stone, did I sigh in relief or feel resistance welling up within me?

Looking back, this method of navigating choices was quite profound. I didn’t necessarily believe in absolute truths; I used my experiences to uncover my true feelings. Though I no longer have that little bag of stones to guide me, I still apply the same concept as I navigate life.

I first encountered the term "wayfinder" in the writings of Wade Davis, a Canadian anthropologist, prolific explorer, and captivating storyteller.

In his book, The Wayfinders: Why Ancient Wisdom Matters in the Modern World, Davis shares the remarkable story of ancient Polynesians who embarked on long sea voyages without modern navigation instruments. Instead, they relied on the night sky, ocean swells, and wind patterns to find their way. Polynesian seafarers had developed an extrasensory perception of their environment, knew how to read the stars and dared to let go of known shores for open seas. This oral tradition teaches us something about the extraordinary human ability to navigate the unknown if we can pay close attention to the signs guiding us.

Dressed in traditional clothing while hiking around Sekota, Ethiopia, 2012

Although I haven’t spent much time sailing, I’ve been wayfinding for as long as I can remember. My soul-searching has taken many forms since that bag of stones I used to carry, from drinking Ayahuasca in the Amazon to backpacking across the world to falling into hopeless romances. Looking back at my colourful life outside the lines, I realize that there has always been one thread that holds the tapestry of my various choices together: My truth. Whether it was forgoing university to travel, flying to Africa for an internet romance (which turned out to be a scam, surprise!), or giving birth to my daughter at home in a small town in Mexico, I have been determined to follow what feels true for me at all costs, and there have been plenty.

For two decades, I traversed the planet on a treasure hunt for personal meaning and purpose.

I left Canada at eighteen to backpack in Asia, and that singular choice impacted my identity and perspective more than anything else has. I have spent years exploring the lives and stories of my ancestors, documenting and celebrating global peoples and cultures through photography and words, learning to trust my intuition in unknown places and follow my heart like a compass. Although I didn’t always grasp the pulse of my existence or understand how all the pieces fit together, pursuing my highest truth has remained a guiding star, constantly in sight as I crossed distant seas.

Standing barefoot on the smooth stone floor of the Meenakshi Temple, Madurai, India

Each of us possesses a unique navigation system we are tasked with understanding on our mythic journeys. We carry symbols and myths that help us orient ourselves spiritually and physically. For some, discovering a specific object may indicate that a loved one is trying to communicate with them. We cherish heirlooms, parts of our stories that connect us to time and history. We write down our dreams in the hope that they provide clues about what we should focus on or foretell the future. Certain sounds, tastes, and smells in particular places can evoke emotions and bring our inner landscapes to life. While our symbols and stories may differ, we are all wayfinders, following our hearts and the stars to the meaning and truth of our unique lives. 

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