Fernanda Paiva
I am originally from Brazil, where I graduated in History before moving to the UK in 2008. Since then, I did Reiki level one and two at the London Reiki Academy in 2011, got my certificate with distinction at the London School of Astrology in early 2015, did a level one course on Bach flower remedies in Bath in 2017 and I have recently successfully completed the MA in Cultural Astronomy and Astrology at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David.
Education and personal development are of paramount importance to me, and in my work, the client’s growth and wellbeing is always my priority. I like to interpret and use astrology as a way of brainstorming and expanding meaning in order to enhance empowerment rather than giving stifled interpretations that, in my view, would limit and potentially have only negative or fearful connotations.
I work with humanistic and psychological astrology and I am fond of its premise which says that what happens within finds its way and manifests without as well, and in special the idea that the amount of free will one has, in many cases, is intrinsically connected with the process of expanding consciousness. The more we know ourselves the more able to choose how to interact with others and life’s situations rather than being unconsciously reactive.
Some of my work has been published at the astrodienst website, by Flare UK, the Astrological Journal from the Astrological Association of Great Britain, IAM Infinity Magazine, Vice Brazil. I have been teaching astrology around the UK and online, including a series of webinars created by me and talks for many astrological groups and organizations like the Kepler’s College, the AFAN and at the Astrological Association of Great Britain’s annual conference.
Many of the odd jobs that I have done throughout the years have helped me developing my understanding and relationship with others, a Vipassana retreat in 2017 and an intensive Yoga course in Thailand in 2016 are also part of my personal journey and are embedded in my astrological work as well. The name Hitchhiking Stars came from a hitchhiking trip I did in Europe for three months around the time I started blogging, and this is the name I chose to use for all the educational part of my work – the lectures, courses, talks, and videos that I will be working on.