Anneka Shally
Anneka is a multidisciplinary creative, entrepreneur and sacred space holder keeper with a long-held belief in the transformative power of storytelling and the arts to drive a global shift. After years working as a consultant in the world of international relations and sustainable development, work that inspired the creation of her first business, Storyweave Studios - Anneka sought to merge her expertise in global system change with her passion for ancient wisdom, personal growth and creative living.
This vision gave rise to The Arcadia Project, a creative platform designed to inspire people to connect more deeply with their purpose, live more fully in the world and support humanity’s return to harmony with the natural world. Through this initiative, Anneka weaves together ancient wisdom, the principles of sustainability and creative inspiration to catalyse meaningful transformation on both a personal and collective level.
A little bit about me
Background, experience, qualifications…
My journey has been shaped by a deep curiosity for life and a vision of a better world.
While I always say that life itself has been my greatest teacher, my formal path began with a BA in Literature, where I spent three years delving into the foundational works that shaped Western thought and culture.
For over six years, I worked as a communications consultant in the sustainable development space, giving me deep insights into what is happening in our world and how our governing systems are adapting and changing. Key experiences from these years included working with one of the world’s largest intergovernmental organisations on projects centred on the energy transition and women’s empowerment, giving me a holistic understanding of the global goals uniting governments, businesses and individuals. My work also led me to writing sustainability reports for leading investment firms in the U.S. and Middle East, providing insight into how our financial systems are shifting and embedding the principles of sustainability to restore balance to our collective system.
Parallel to my professional life, my journey of intentional personal growth began during my mid-twenties, when I spent several years somewhat in retreat from the world, developing a dedicated meditation and yoga practice and spending a lot of time thinking about our collective consumption. From there, I became interested in energy work, eventually becoming certified to teach a number of energy healing modalities, including Yin Yoga, Usui Reiki, Sekhem and Violet Flame healing, with a special mention to my teachers Jo Moore of the Breathe in Space and Alison Spirit Weaver, under whom I studied for two years.
While I have felt a deep connection with the natural world since I was a child, I began to deepen this relationship by connecting with plants as teachers. On this path, I first encountered the Blue Lotus. I have now been journeying with this flower for a number of years, complementing my own personal study with a group and later private mentorship with Jasmeen Hana of BLISS School. While forming a connection to this flower, I began to delve deeply into mythology of Egypt which ultimately led me to live in the land itself - finding my home in the Sinai Peninsula. During this time, I have also studied with a number of Egyptologists and spiritual teachers in Egypt, deepening my understanding of the archetypes, or “Neteru” (forces of nature), and deeper knowledge of these lands, with a special mention to dear teachers Katy Butler and her Egyptian Star of Life methodology and Ali Habib and the Semy Tawy school.
My time living in the Sinai desert also led me to the the study of the Kabbalah and the tree of life at the heart of its teachings. As well as sitting with the acacia trees, considered the tree of life, in the Sinai desert, I underwent a formal Acacia Arcana Medicine Woman facilitator training in 2024 - to support my capacity to share the wisdom of plants with others. The acacia is now a plant I love to weave into my work to facilitate deep insight and visionary work. My studies also extend to the Kabbalah through the Kabbalah Centre, and a special mention to Joseph Betsalel of Cosmic Kabbalah for opening the door to this pathway for me.
I have also spent time in the land where the ancient wisdom of the Kabbalah has been kept for many centuries, connecting with both communities in Israel/Palestine over the years through travels and my work. This close proximity to the conflict in the Middle Eastern region further consolidated my resolve to contribute to the collective vision of a unified future in a way that feels most true to me. The collective shift will not be effective if our resources only go towards changing the systems that govern us, the change must also come from within.
While there have been many number of other experiences worth noting… one last one. Prior to the pandemic, I lived in Athens, Greece - a period of my life which had a deep impact on me. Walking the hills of Lykabettus in Athens during my time living there, looking out towards the ancient Acropolis, I developed a deep connection to ancient temples and sacred sites where much of Western culture was birthed. Significantly, it was during this time that my journey into the world of international relations and sustainable development began, as well as my journey into the temple arts and the deeper mysticism of these ancient worlds.
At the heart of my approach is embodiment—a practice of going deeply into the lands, wisdom teachings, myths, and plants before sharing with others.
Every step of my path has been about deep listening, learning, and seeking harmony for myself, the collective, and the world around us.

“I am the blue lotus rising, i am the cup of dreams and memories opening.”
Becoming the Lotus, The Papyrus of Ani
Egyptian Book of Coming Forward into Light