We recently connected with Ana Jost and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Ana, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
I found my purpose through a profound spiritual awakening in 2011, which shifted my path from fashion design to a deeper exploration of spirituality. After years of studying with various masters and seeking through different traditions, I experienced a revelation of the true nature of the self. In that moment, I realized that there is no separation between the Creator and myself. My purpose is simply the Creator expressing itself through me as a spiritual coach and tarot card reader, and any other role or activity like guiding others on their own journeys of self-discovery,being a mother, wife, daugther , sister or friend and simply being , at all times I am living my purpose.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am a spiritual guide, Tarot therapist, and traditional Andean-Amazonian therapist with roots in Peru. My spiritual awakening began in 2011, and since then, I have trained with many masters in traditional indigenous healing, plant medicine, psychedelic therapy, dream interpretation, tarot and non-duality . I hold deep love and gratitude for the people and medicines and tools that have helped me and given me the visions that guide my work today. In 2021, I experienced a sudden awakening to my true nature and the nature of the universe, which revealed my connection to consciousness and lead me to the comprehension of the teachings of non-duality. Today, I integrate these teachings into my work as a Tarot card reader, I now offer Tarot Therapy, both online through my website, shamanfashionista.com, and in person at a well-known teahouse called Calico Cat. This service helps bring awareness to clients’ true nature, guiding them through their own healing process.
Also as a former fashion designer, I was able to combine fashion skills with spirituality and offer handmade healing art designs and tools that are available on my website shamanfashionista.com. These pieces reflect my love and respect for my Peruvian heritage and my collaboration with Shipibo and Q’ero artisans to preserve traditional art and culture. While I offer healing, my focus is on empowering clients to tap into their inner wisdom and navigate their own journeys of self-realization.
Outside of work, I find peace in practicing Allin Kawsay (good living), meditation, gardening, working out, and making crafts. Despite my loner nature, I value deep social connections and cherish my relationships with family and friends. I now live in Snuneymuxw Territory, Nanaimo, Canada, with my loving husband and our two amazing children. I am grateful for the blessings in my life and continue to explore the depths of spirituality while supporting others on their journeys.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back on my spiritual journey, three qualities have been the most impactful: self-awareness, trust in the unknown, and connection with ancient wisdom and plant medicine, as well as the importance of experiencing spirituality in your own way rather than following others’ beliefs.
Self-awareness: This is at the core of any spiritual growth. For me, developing self-awareness was the first step toward understanding my true nature. It involved diving deep into my own patterns, beliefs, and conditioning. Meditation played a big role in this, as well as practices like dream interpretation and Tarot Therapy. My advice for those starting their journey is to make space for self-reflection. Whether through journaling, meditation, or working with a guide, cultivating self-awareness allows you to uncover the parts of yourself that need healing and opens the door to self-realization.
Trust in the unknown: My path has involved stepping into the unknown many times, whether through spiritual experiences, working with plant medicines, or encountering new teachings. Learning to trust the process, even when I didn’t have all the answers, was key. I had to trust that everything would unfold as it was meant to and that the universe was guiding me. For those just beginning, I recommend learning to surrender to uncertainty. Spiritual growth doesn’t come from controlling every aspect of life but from allowing things to unfold naturally. Trust in your inner wisdom and the guidance that comes your way.
Connection with ancient wisdom and plant medicine: My work with traditional indigenous healing, especially plant medicine and sweat lodge has been transformational. The plants have healed me and given me visions that shaped my path. The wisdom of these plants, along with teachings from the elders of the Shipibo Q’ero, , Toltec and Coast Salish traditions , Zen and Allin Kaysay practices, connected me to something much greater than myself. For those beginning their journey, I encourage seeking out ancient wisdom, whether through indigenous teachings, nature, or the plant kingdom. Approach these teachings with reverence and an open heart. If plant medicine calls to you, work with it respectfully, ideally in a sacred or guided setting, and with the right intention.
Experience spirituality for yourself: One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is that spirituality must be experienced directly. It’s important to avoid following someone else’s beliefs blindly. My journey was shaped by my own realizations, my own inner experiences, and the lessons the universe brought me. For those just beginning, I suggest exploring various teachings but always trusting what resonates with your soul. Spirituality is deeply personal—there is no one right way. It’s about finding what aligns with your truth and being open to discovering that through your own experiences.
Advice for those early in their journey:
Develop your self-awareness through practices like meditation, journaling, or working with Tarot. It will help you understand yourself and guide your healing.
Embrace uncertainty and learn to trust the unknown. Growth comes when we step outside of what we already know.
Seek ancient wisdom and connect with nature or plant medicine if it resonates with you, but always do so with respect and guidance.
Honor your own path. Spirituality is something to be experienced firsthand. Don’t feel pressured to adopt someone else’s beliefs; find what resonates with you and trust your inner guidance.
Stay open to the journey—each step will lead you exactly where you need to be. The most powerful realizations come from your own experiences, not someone else’s version of the truth.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
Looking back, there are several individuals and influences that have been instrumental in helping me overcome challenges and develop the essential skills and knowledge I needed on my spiritual journey.
However, I would say the most impactful have been my spiritual teachers, the plant medicines, and my own inner guidance.
My spiritual teachers and mentors: Throughout my journey, I’ve been blessed to learn from many incredible teachers, especially those from the Anadean and Amazonian and Coast Selish traditions. In addition to indigenous healing, I also had the privilege to study non-duality and Tarot with wise and insightful teachers. These teachings deepened my understanding of spiritual realization and helped me develop the clarity and insight I needed to guide others. They taught me not to follow rigid beliefs but to explore my own truth, which has been foundational to my work.
Plant medicines: The plants themselves have been some of my greatest healers and teachers. Through their guidance, I received visions and insights that profoundly changed me. They not only helped me heal from personal wounds but also connected me to something far greater than myself. Their wisdom taught me patience, surrender, and how to trust in the process of life. I am deeply grateful for their presence in my life.
My inner guidance and intuition: Ultimately, my journey has been guided by my own inner voice. As helpful as external teachers, plant medicines, and spiritual practices have been, the most important guidance has come from within. Learning to trust my intuition and follow my inner knowing, especially in difficult moments, has been one of the greatest lessons. When I faced challenges, it was this inner wisdom that allowed me to find my way through and continue growing.
For those on their own path, I would recommend finding a balance between seeking external guidance and trusting your own inner voice. Teachers and external practices can be powerful guides, but it’s your inner guidance that will lead you to your unique truth. Never underestimate the strength of your own intuition—nurturing it will help you navigate even the most challenging moments with grace and clarity.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://shamanfashionista.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shamanfashionista/
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