Vegan Retreat- Star Mountain Animal Sanctuary
"Let the beauty of what you love be what you do"
Rumi
About Star Mountain & Us
Star Mountain (Was Honey House) retreat centre was born in Bulgaria, the name came about after I had a dream in which an angel whispered in my ear ``you are a honey bee`` . Honey bees create the nectar of life and make the impossible possible. The centre in Bulgaria ran for a couple of years, each year more animals joined and the tribe grew in number as well as happiness and harmony.
In 2014, I (Annie) decided to move from Bulgaria to Portugal. Having never been to Portugal before, but with a sense it was the right place for the animals and me, I started to prepare for the move. The issue of moving 16 animals was solved by buying the aptly named Ark (a big 1982, 7.5 ton horse box) and by April 2015 it was time to depart. I advertised for a driving buddy with lorry driving experience and along came Adam.
The journey took 6 days and Adam stayed another 2 to help with unpacking and some fencing. We both knew we had made friends for life, as the journey was full of laughter, happiness and a feeling of having known each other for years rather than days. What we did not expect was the feeling of loss that we both felt when Adam left. It felt as though he belonged here in Portugal on the Ark with the animals and I, he was our Noah and he felt it too.
So here we all are. We bought a beautiful property in the Serra Da Estrela mountains of central Portugal and opened May 2016. We have welcomed many lovely guests and student's and look forward to meeting many more wonderful people. Our aim is to offer a peaceful retreat from the outside world. A warm friendly atmosphere and healthy hearty vegan meals. We look forward to meeting you and to seeing familiar faces from the previous years return. Wishing everyone love, peace and happiness.
Star Mountain is now a registered association providing sanctuary to animals in need. During your stay you are welcome to meet and hang out with the animals.
Annie,
Annie first began her journey in the alternative healing field in 1996 when she discovered Reiki; in 1998 she took a level 1 workshop and that workshop shaped the course of her life, she became qualified in 2000 as a Usui Reiki Master and has been giving treatments and teaching ever since as well as studying with other teachers to improve her own knowledge and practice.
An avid traveller and student her travels took her to many different countries where she studied many diverse fields from Shamanism to Crystal healing. She has studied Lucid dreaming in Guatemala and has practised Meditation for more than 20 years including 2, 10 day Vipassana courses. Whilst studying in Thailand with Master lee Wie Dee, Annie studied and worked in the field of Psychometry, Releasing earth bound entities and Pendulum diagnosis.
In 2003 Annie studied and worked as an assistant teacher with Sharat at the Himalayan Yoga Centre in India. She qualified as a Sivananda Yoga Teacher in 2005 and has been teaching on a regular basis since then. Annie is also a qualified yin yoga and womb yoga teacher. Having had many accidents during her younger years, yoga has been key to Annie's rehabilitation, combating chronic back pain and defying doctors who told her she would never be able to lift her right arm above her head with out an operation. She teaches gentle healing classes, that focus on breath and integrating our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual selves.
Having a Reiki session with Annie is often life changing, highly intuitive and able to commune with guides and spirits she pulls her knowledge of Reiki, shamanism,crystal healing,soul retrieval and Atlantean healing energies together with her connection to spirit guides, angels and other worldly positive beings to give the client a truly unique healing experience.
As a therapist she works with love and compassion helping the client to feel relaxed and open, seeking the best ways to achieve their goals.
As a teacher she guides her students with a patient and understanding attitude, her classes are full of joy and positivity
Adam
Vegan chef and all round super bloke, who keeps all the practical stuff running smoothly
I once had a dream where an angel whispered in my ear " you are a Honey Bee"
Bee`s Wisdom Includes
Connection to the goddess Diana
Understanding female warrior energy
Reincarnation
Helping earth bound spirits move on to their proper place
Communication with the dead
Concentration
Prosperity