By Marivir R. Montebon
New York City — The crowded room of the Huge Holistic Bazaar in mid-Manhattan’s Subud New York was a vibrant energy of exchanges of people reawakened to healthy living. At one corner, there was the stress busting tea from Brazil. On the other side, there was vegan pizza and organic homemade chocolate to taste.
Dawn Petter, whose friendliness was seen in the welcoming smile, was an easy attraction. Her cashmere sweaters on display were beautiful and classy. And her insistence at some healing session was like a magnet as well.
So out of curiosity, there was I, seated and reverting inside myself in the midst of the business noise at the fair. I closed my eyes (missing those meditation sessions I used to do years back). I didn’t know what she was doing but I saw flashes of light with eyes closed.
And after a few minutes, Dawn mentioned the year 2007. There must be something which happened in 2007, she said. And I replied, that’s the year I was widowed. The conversation grew further. Until I asked if she was open for an interview. Such was how enterprising women conduct business. Awesomely.
Dawn was born in London and has lived in NYC since 1994. “I relocated because I wanted an adventure. As a child I used to dream of NYC and when I first visited the City in 1991, I knew I would live here.”
Dawn started a career in knitwear design having finished the course Knitted Texted Design on top of her class at Nottingham Trent University in June 1993.
She has worked as a sweater designer for the last 20 years and consults and designs for various brands. In 2003, she launched Petalune, a sweater line that blends cashmere with semi precious stones.
Continuing the theme of creativity and healing inspired in her collection, Dawn has extended her talents becoming an energetic practitioner, and a wellness guide, currently completing her first year of a three year herbal medicine program and working towards certification in Matrix Energetics.
Excerpts of the interview:
1. What led you to become an energy healer?
I have always been interested in healing and the movement of emotional states. As an artist and sweater designer for the last 20 years, it took me a while to shift from being a recipient of other’s healing gifts to seeing that I could offer back what I had learned to clients. But, in 2012, I experienced a radical shift from being recipient to practitioner when I discovered that one of my healer’s, John Cook, had passed on. I had worked with him for four years and his passing propelled me to shift my focus.
Once I made that decision, I started learning reiki, how to use flower essences, teach hatha yoga and to work with matrix energetics. I am also in my first year of herbal medicine training. One study has led to the next and I blend this melange of skills together when I work with a client.
2. How long have you been practicing this?
In terms of offering my services professionally, I must admit, this is a new transition. I was prompted to pursue it, by my friends and colleagues who I have worked on and made profound shifts with. My experience has been gradual but, as my confidence and results have grown, so has my enthusiasm to offer this as a service to others. Its truly amazing, when you see someone’s face light up when a pain they have had for months dissipates or an emotional situation they have struggled with seems to have clarified.
3. You are an artistic and creative person, other than being a healer, have both capabilities developed side by side? Tell us your story.
Being an artist came first in terms of establishing a profession, but, because I am an artist, I am a keen observer of life and often notice what others miss and what is not said. These skills together with a good dose of curiosity have been great assets when working with someone new. I am often asked what it is that I do, and to describe what it is that someone might experience. The truth is, everyone’s experience is unique and different.
I usually offer to show someone a demonstration of the energy work I practice, so that they have a reference point for what it feels like. The results can show up instantly or can take a few days to shift. Generally change happens when you stop looking for it!
4. What are the prospects for your healing mission? How is it going now?
My healing mission is to offer others an experience of their lightness and inner joy, to support clients in taking care of themselves and to remind them that we are all connected to each other.
(Photos by Naini Nakagawa and Dawn Petter)
To schedule an in person or skype session with Dawn, visit www.raindropsandelderberries.
To see the sweater collection visit, www.dawnpetter.com and click on Petalune. Prices available upon request.
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