What happens when a journey takes you somewhere you never intended to stay?

In this episode of Of Flesh And Stars, Mark Flaherty speaks with Mimi Buttacavoli, a shaman who has lived and worked in the Peruvian Amazon for more than 20 years.

Mimi's journey began as a traveller and neurology nurse from south London. A trip to Peru, an encounter with ayahuasca and a fascination with the spirits of the plants eventually led her into a lifelong path of shamanic apprenticeship.

From her home deep in the Amazon jungle, Mimi shares what it means to live between the physical and spiritual worlds, work with plant spirits, undertake shamanic dietas and learn the sacred songs known as Icaros.

It's also a deeply personal conversation about surrender, sacrifice, belonging and discovering the life you're meant to live.

IN THIS EPISODE

- Mimi's unexpected journey from south London to a life in the Amazon jungle


- Living between the physical and spiritual worlds


- Ayahuasca, plant spirits, dieta and the sacred Icaro


- The discipline of shamanic apprenticeship and the importance of spiritual lineage


- Why Mimi tried to leave the Amazon, and what called her back


- Building Puka Yaku and creating a different kind of retreat experience


- What it means to dedicate your life to a spiritual path

CHAPTERS

(00:00) Introduction: Mimi live from the Amazon jungle

(01:54) How Mimi came to settle in the Amazon

(04:11) Living between the physical and spiritual worlds

(12:52) The spiritual world and the plants

(14:13) What is an Icaro?

(18:56) Learning the Icaros and working with plant spirits

(21:51) From neurology nurse to shamanic practitioner

(28:45) Mimi's first ayahuasca experiences

(32:35) Life in Iquitos and the Amazon

(45:32) Living in the jungle and the discipline of dieta

(49:48) Apprenticeship, maestros and spiritual knowledge

(55:31) The commitment of the shamanic path

(57:35) Surrender and being called back

(01:02:01) Building Puka Yaku

(01:07:54) Being a Western woman in the Amazon

(01:15:35) Mimi's maestro Mario and the lineage

(01:20:59) Why come all the way to the Amazon?

(01:27:17) Sacred Tree Essences and 21 years of friendship

ABOUT MIMI

Mimi Buttacavoli is a shaman who has lived in the Peruvian Amazon for more than 20 years.

Originally from south London and previously a neurology nurse, Mimi travelled to South America in her twenties and eventually found herself drawn into the world of Amazonian plants, shamanism and spiritual apprenticeship.

She now works from Puka Yaku, her retreat centre in the Amazon jungle, alongside her maestro Mario. Her work includes shamanic dietas, ayahuasca ceremonies and Amazonian plant essences infused with sacred songs.

Find out more about Mimi's work at Sacred Tree Essences: sacredtreeessences.com

ABOUT OF FLESH AND STARS

Conversations and stories on the beauty, pain and mystery of this astonishing human experience with astrologer Mark Flaherty.

In conversation with astrologers, shamans, healers and embodiment practitioners, we explore the profound mystery of being human, and the ways planetary symbolism, spiritual wisdom and embodied experience can help us discover and follow our own individual soul's calling.

Mark Flaherty Astrology

markflaherty.com

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the channel, leave a comment and share it with someone who might be interested in astrology and the deeper questions of being human.

In this first episode of Of Flesh and Stars, consultant astrologers Mark Flaherty and Cameron Joyner begin their exploration of the magical, mystical and mysterious world of astrology.

They explore astrology as a form of communion with spirit and as a bridge to the unseen world. They speak about the importance of bringing real-life astrology charts and specific human stories into the way astrology is presented and understood.

Mark (Virgo Sun, Leo Moon) and Cam (Leo Sun, Sag Moon) introduce themselves through the lens of their own astrology charts, sharing personal stories and reflections and relating them to specific placements in their charts.

They speak about the healing journeys that brought them to astrology, and how the practice can offer meaningful guidance during life's most uncertain chapters. Cam discusses how themes of pain, fatherhood, relationships and healing have shaped his life. Mark opens up about launching the podcast, his tension between scepticism and faith, and his long journey towards feeling more alive and emotionally connected.

In this episode

• Why Mark created Of Flesh and Stars
• The original meaning of "amateur" — doing something for the love of it
• Bringing astrology back to real human stories and lived experience
• Cameron's path from scepticism to becoming an astrologer
• Healing childhood pain, relationship struggles and sexual anxiety
• Astrology as a guide to our gifts, challenges and deeper purpose
• Why astrology can offer valuable insight when making important life decisions

Memorable moments

• Mark explains why he wants astrology to feel more human and story-driven.
• Cam shares how an astrology reading changed the direction of his life.
• Mark reflects on moving from nihilism towards a stronger sense of faith.
• The two explore how difficult periods can become the beginning of genuine transformation.

Mark Flaherty Astrology

markflaherty.com

About the guest

Cameron Joyner is an astrologer and coach who supports men navigating sexual anxiety and emotional challenges.

Chapters
(00:00) Welcome to Of Flesh and Stars
(02:08) Doing Something for Love
(03:17) Bringing Astrology Back to the Human Story
(07:16) Meet Cameron: Change, Healing and Fatherhood
(14:03) Love, Relationships and the Stories in Our Charts
(15:31) Mark's Chart: Fear, Self-Expression and the Search for Meaning
(27:05) The Underworld, Transformation and Rebuilding a Life
(33:39) Cameron's Journey from Sceptic to Astrologer
(38:49) Astrology Is Not "Out There"
(45:37) What Comes Next — and How Astrology Changed Cameron's Life

Hear more about the intimate conversations and astrology that make up Of Flesh and Stars.