Come with us as Anna Willatt delves into the weird and wonderful corners of Kent. In this edition, we move on from modern witches to the work of a real-life shaman

Lying on a bed of cushions as night falls over Ramsgate harbour we delve deep into a meditation holding merkaba-shaped crystals.

A barefooted woman with a mane of mermaid-like hair guides the group of women down the metaphorical path of the meditation, through forests, into a glade and finally to gaze across the ocean. Many of us have come as strangers, but by the end of the evening there will be a bond that holds us and a candour that allows us to speak our minds in the closing circle and share what we’ve experienced. This is the work of Evie Montila, founder of Sea, Spirit and Stones (@seaspiritandstones). Caught in Evie’s spell, I needed to find out more about her work.

Evie, how do you describe the work that you do?

In a word, it’s magic. I connect the dots for people to explore the calling to be more spiritual. I’ve developed this understanding of the rhythm of the earth and how we are connected to the moon, tides and sun. I’m a healer, though I don’t like using that word or labels in general. I’m a soul that’s been a bit broken and I’ve learnt to connect back to source, my guides and Mother Earth. I help others to do this, too, to remember who they are and to feel comforted and safe. My role is to help people on their journeys. I have been told many times that I am a shaman – that’s someone who works with a lot of spirit animals and hands-on healing, as I do. So, if I needed to have a title, that’s what I’d use.

We are made of energy, including our souls – therefore we are endless as energy can’t be destroyed, only transferred. When you get your head around that, it opens lots of magical doors – where are we going and, even more mind-blowing, where have we been? Becoming conscious is a really powerful experience – it bridges the gap between life and death, removes any fear and helps you to discover You, your destiny and your guides.

I’m a trained Reiki practitioner, I work with people one-on-one to align chakras and release trauma that gets stuck in our energy fields. This work helps them to activate the energy and the tools to heal their own bodies and minds. I truly believe that if we don’t become self-aware and find out what is upsetting us, we can’t release the negativity. We need to go into our shadows and heal and forgive. Through healing mental trauma, it helps people physically. I also offer healing women’s circles and retreats.

When did you realise you had these abilities?

As a child I always had vivid dreams that would come true. It was always a joke that I was a white witch, a psychic. I have lots of weird encounters and ghost stories I could tell! When I was around 11, I started doing tarot cards round the Christmas table. I was always into the stars, I’d always want to guess people’s star signs as my conversation starter. When I was 16, one of my best friends bought me a star, so I blame him! My mum is a homeopath, so I’ve always grown up with alternative practices. I used to find lost children, I was always in weird places at weird times and that continued into adulthood. My sister used to say that things happen to Evie that don’t happen to other people. I’d always be there when something odd happened and I always intuitively knew what to do.

On our honeymoon we went to Sedona in Arizona, where there are a lot of Native Americans. I know I was a Native American in a past life. When we were in Sedona I was a dancer, I wasn’t on this journey yet. A Native man held my hand when we were on this vortex as my hand was throbbing. He said that I’d heal with my hands and surpass my teachers. That stayed with me and I always think about it. Giving treatments really started when I healed myself from excruciating pain I was getting around my cycle after the birth of my first child. It got unbearable and I decided one day that I was going to heal myself through deep meditation, hands-on healing and crystals. It’s now been two years without that pain. I’ve also brought back my sense of smell in the same way when I’d lost it for 10 months. I then started treating friends and the word spread like wildfire.

How has your work helped people?

Oh, I’ve got lots of stories, I had one friend who came to me very ill and had lost a lot of weight. He was in such a bad way. I took him on a deep meditation with a combination of hands-on healing and crystal work and he left and ate three cheeseburgers and was dancing around at home. His wife exclaimed that I’d brought him back to life! Another lady with long Covid was really ill, was signed off from work and is now better than ever.

Every circle I do starts with dancing – movement is medicine. Circles are centuries old and created to be a safe, sacred space with women empowering women. It’s true that when women get together, incredible things happen. That said, what happens in the circle stays in the circle. I’ve had lots of people talking about things that have happened to them since attending a circle; lots of people say they have changed their life and perspective on things. At every circle I do, I leave so inspired by the women I meet, by the strength they have and the stories they have to tell. It’s an honour to hold this space and share with them and a privilege to witness them and be witnessed.

What’s next for you?

I want to bring out a spiritual book about connecting to Mother Earth, to source and remembering to make everyone feel connected and nurtured. It’s already in the making. I also want to bring out my own oracle cards that will include lots of spirit animals and guides. I can’t wait to start my men’s circles. It’s 2022 now and in numerology that’s all about balance and unity. There’s lots of women reclaiming their power and we still need to support our men.

We’ve got a retreat coming up in June at The Quaives, which I’m so excited about. It’s more like a course as the people will go away with so much knowledge from homeopathy, through astrology to gong baths. We are bringing out our own shop with crystals and special boxes and packages. These will include our own smudge sticks and oils that we’ll be making in-house.

How can we all bring some more magic into our days?

Something I like to do is to ask a question to the universe and pay attention to what animals cross your path, particularly birds. Look up the spiritual meaning of the birds you see as these are messages from your guides.

In a world where people are scared to shine through fear of judgment, it’s time to shine now. It’s the golden age, the age of Aquarius, it’s a real magical time! It’s important to find time and space to connect with Mother Earth, reflect on yourself and go inward. Protect your energy and do what makes your heart sing. Get some sage and palo santo around your house, change the energy of spaces by opening some windows. Lift any dark energy and imagine turning it into light by offering forgiveness and love to the situation. Be authentic to you, step into your power. Finally, be sure to charge up in the sunlight, close your eyes and let your third eye power up in the power of the sun.

INSTA: @esoteric_Kent