Meghan Elizabeth 10/19/21 Meghan Elizabeth 10/19/21

Why Black Swan?

In late 2019, my whole world collapsed, and then the world collapsed too. This picture was one of the first I purchased from a thrift store to decorate my new home—it’s an original watercolour painting, one I wasn't sure was my style at first, but I bought it anyway despite my hesitation and it's hung in my bedroom ever since.

I believe that everything has an energy; every item we own tells a story, and in my many moments of solitude, I have contemplated each thing in my life in order to find the symbolism and meaning behind them--why I am drawn to certain people, places, and things and what I can learn about myself and the world in the process? I have looked at this painting through many different eyes--from insomniac tears at 4am, dissociating moments between schedules, and bright mornings with my son in my arms...why were those two black swans folded into eachother? Why are there mandala flower waves instead of water? And if nothing is arbitrary or even coincidental, how does this make sense in my life?

Well, here's what I've found: a Black Swan in economics is an extremely rare event with severe consequences which cannot be predicted by standard forecasting tools. When the event happens, however, it is said to be obvious in hindsight. Black Swan Events can cause catastrophic damage to an economy. Nassim Nicholas Taleb, a finance professor, writer, and former Wall Street trader argued that because these events are impossible to predict, it’s important to assume that they will happen rather than attempt to insulate the system from risk; therefore, by accepting that the system will inevitably fail, it actually strengthens it against such catastrophes.

My favourite movie Director, Darren Aronofsky, released the movie Black Swan in 2010. The movie’s aesthetic is heavily influenced by Satoshi Kon’s anime film “Perfect Blue,” which deals with conflicting yet intermingling dualities (while also touching on my affinity with the colour blue itself). Aronofsky presented his audience with several such dualities through striking light and dark imagery portrayed through a professional ballet production of Swan Lake. He explores concepts such as Innocence vs. Sensuality, Motherhood vs. Girlhood, New vs. Old, Obsession vs. Passion, and Real vs. Imagined.

In nature, the Black Swan is a rare discovery and, unlike it’s aforementioned interpreted meanings, would simply seem beautiful and awe-inspiring when encountered. When I had conceptualized this brand, a friend told me it sounded like an escort business. Even as I write this out, I have to wonder how all of these observations can somehow add up to the idea that this is a business about finding your way to a state of true happiness, self actualization and the balance of such dualities through the use of psychedelics.

Perhaps this is all too nuanced to matter, but then again, psychedelics will have you realize the depth and significance of such things. I’d also like to explain because I am entering the field of therapy from a completely different arena, and I feel I should explain my reasoning for presenting you with this service.

My journey towards mental health may not have been through a graduate program, but I can assure you, I have learned through experience and have taught myself many disciplines of thought to arrive here offering my time and energy to you. One of my greatest teachers, friend, and colleague on this path, and perhaps the meaning of the two swans in the picture, is my partner in this service; together we have expressed every aspect of our human experiences and discussed our discoveries, goals and visions together since we first met over three years ago. In our first meeting, we discussed how incredible it would be to have a clinic focused on holistic health and healing one day, and have marveled in the evolution of how quickly this dream seemed to manifest, despite the unlikely nature of it at the time.

So often we are searching for ourselves outside of ourselves, hoping that the doctor, therapist, teacher, partner, job, church, or whatever designated institution exists out there will provide the answer to the question, “who am I,” so we can finally feel truly happy.

There are many avenues to health, and psychedelics may not be the way for everyone, but they’re sure good at expanding our narrow views on how to get there and many people are lost, especially those who have exhausted our current system and still find themselves searching.

The Black Swan, for this purpose then, represents finding our identity—the one that got lost through the trauma, poverty, stress, and/or unpredictable circumstances that lead us astray. It’s the rare discovery and revelation of finding out that you were there all along, right in the middle of it all. It’s through this discovery that you may also see what catastrophes have been happening all around you, how much pain and suffering you have caused or been injured by, or how you fluctuate between the many dualities that exist in our world and how, once you accept that life is unpredictable, you strengthen your ability to cope with it.

This service, therefore, is a result of resiliency and the lifelong pursuit of what, before, seemed unattainable: unconditional love, peace, and prosperity—not only for you, but everyone.

We believe that we are stronger together and that an individual’s journey towards mental, physical, and spiritual health is a result of the efforts made through our own will and the people who have taught us along the way. We want to offer you our helping hands, hearts and minds and give you the space to feel seen, heard, and felt in a sacred and safe place. We believe that it’s our diversity in our training, our out of the box thinking, and our own self-discovery that have prepared us to serve as your guides along this path you’ve chosen to walk.

If you have read this and feel a sense of curiosity, then this might be the path for you. We offer free consultations and would be happy to meet with you to discuss your health goals. All you have to do is click to book with us, or send us an email :)