Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelley Harrell.
Hi Kelley, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I never planned to work with other people or have a private practice of any kind. However, after formal studies in spirit work I realized that it was learning things not meant to be kept to myself, and I created Soul Intent Arts in 2000. I earned a Masters of Divinity in interfaith ministry, and through my practice I have worked to support others in their spiritual paths for almost 30 years. I have deep respect for the traditions that my clients carry, as well as for their land, Ancestors, and heritage. The emphasis of my work is helping my clients and students to be fit, embodied elders, who upon death become wise, capable Ancestors. To that end I offer death doula services, as well as community support and education in spirit work.
Since the inception of Soul Intent Arts, I’ve published seven books, including my most recent, “From Elder to Ancestor,” host the podast, “What in the Wyrd,” and maintain a thriving membership community, “Runes for Change.”
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
One of the biggest challenges and blessings was learning to support people from diverse backgrounds. I had to learn a lot about not just different religions, but different traditions. What people believe and how they demonstrate those beliefs in the everyday are two different yet really important views into who they are as people. In the early years of my work, clients would come expecting a magic pill for their needs, and they would leave at ease with confidence to have their own spirit dialogues with life.
On a personal level, I’ve also dealt with significant chronic illness and disability, which challenges how much I can engage public and face-to-face events. Due to disability well before COVID I had moved my practice laregly online, as it remains. It has been really wonderful to teach people how meaningful digital connection and community can be, particularly when they cannot find such where the live, in-person.
I am also the mother of twins, which helped me be more outgoing and brave.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m proud of all aspects of my work, though I’m esepcially pleased with the books I’ve published. My most recent book came out last June, “From Elder to Ancestor,” and it truly is the user manual I wish I’d had on how to human well. We don’t begin becoming elders in age. We begin the day we’re born, shaping who we are, how we move in the world, what we will give to community, what we will leave behind. I adore all of my books though in that one I was finally confident and mature enough to say exactly what I wanted to about my exepriences in soul work education, the impact of a life committed to such work, and how I want to leave it all better than I found it. I got to speak as an elder in that book, and it was the realization of a lifelong dream, and need.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned along the way is that I am always at the beginning. No matter how much I have learned, how my lore continues to evolve and grow, or who I become, I am always at the beginning. No matter how much I know, I’m a student. No matter how accomplished, the need to serve community persists. There’s been a lot of ego-releasing to come to these realizations, but it has been necessary and grounding.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://soulintentarts.com
- Instagram: instagram/kelleysoularts
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/SoulIntentArts
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/kelleysoularts
- Other: https://tiktok.com/@kelleysoularts
