The name Zahara has always been a part of my life, originally belonging to a cherished family member—a wolf-dog cared for by my parents before my birth and until I was four years old—the name found its way back to me in the spring of 2022, surfacing in dreams, meditations, and visions, especially around the time of the full lunar eclipse in May. I sat with this name for some time, meditating on it further and finally accepting it around the summer solstice; the zenith of solar light.
 

I love to play with and explore the meanings of words...

Zahara means "shining" or "bright" in Hebrew, offering a contrast to my given name, Kara, which means "black" or "stormy" in Turkish. Kara also carries the meaning of "beloved" or "friend" in Italian, and it was certainly given to me lovingly, though my mother knows it never quite felt like my own. While my ancestry isn’t tied to these languages, the meanings of these words resonate deeply with me, reflecting my journey and the person I have grown to become.
 

The transition from Kara to Zahara holds deep meaning for me, symbolizing the profound interplay between light and dark that I feel such resonance with. As a young girl (Kara), I navigated through great darkness, initially trying to avoid my feelings, which led to some stormy experiences. However, through a long and ongoing journey involving various practices, teachings, mentors, and ceremonies, I eventually learned to embrace those feelings with love. By turning towards the darkness and accepting it, I found a path to healing. This journey deepened my self-awareness and nurtured a greater compassion for the darker, denser aspects of life that we all encounter.
 

As Kara, I learned how to be in the dark places and to shine a light of love and compassion. As Zahara, I have learned how to be the light—confidently and courageously shining into the darkness that we all confront at times. With a compassionate open heart, I extend an open hand to you as a facilitator of acceptance for this multifaceted human life—all of you belongs.
 

I am here to guide you in exploring the multidimensionality of life, offering healing spaces where you can meet all aspects of yourself—your darkness and your light—and embrace them with love and acceptance. This is how we heal.