“It seems as though my whole life has been one big pilgrimage, the rise and the fall, the learning to unlearn and the reality that there is no greater mystery than the one that is unknown” - Alexandra Bourne, PCM
The Pilgrimage to the Cradle of Mankind is a journey of a woman with a spark of a dream and a stubborn fire of rebellion in her spirit. One where she found the courage to venture to remote and distance places for the sake of obtaining knowledge. Where she entered the world of wisdom through the existence of many perspectives not the conforming of just one. And in this is mastery of knowing oneself she built a bridge to ancient communities that many would not step foot in, guided by something greater than her. This book is not just a story but a legacy that stands for the liberation of our mind, our heart and our soul. Its the story of a girl who ran away from the illusion only so she could run into truth. And in the grand finale of a 10 year voyage settling in the roots of Africa she realized that this book was never about her, never about the “me” but truly about the devotion and love for all of humanity. For the greatest act of courage is not in living the story but in sharing the message of its becoming. The vulnerabilities of chaos, the collapse of order and the desire for simplicity that one could only ever find in the mess of conditioning. And so we write the history from the rocky plains of Canadian shield to the explorations in the birth place of mankind. To the solo off grid endeavors that led the way to meeting one of the first original tribes that walked this earth. Its nothing short of a miraculous journey in the alchemy of surrender and all the resistance that comes with knowing depth over distance. And perhaps if it inspires just one persons journey then its already a success.
The Pilgrimage to the Cradle of Mankind
Book release 2026
Alexandra Bourne is a medicine woman, artist, and storyteller, whose work bridges the ancient and contemporary through soul, story, and ceremony. Her creative journey, The Pilgrimage to the Cradle of Mankind, traces not only a path across sacred landscapes but a deep exploration of what it means to be human. She has spent the last decade travelling solo in remote places in an odyssey that was completed where the first heartbeats of humanity once echoed in the lands of Africa. On this journey Alexandra experienced art to be both language and medicine. The invocation of colour, form, and movement became tools for remembrance and healing. Her paintings have stretched all over the world, leaving with them, the essence of love and spirit. Guided by creativity and the teachings of elders and tribal medicine, she has cultivated a practice that honours rhythm, ritual, and intention as vehicles for transformation. From this medicine walk, Alexandra invites others into a shared ceremony of awakening, one that celebrates connection, humility, and the living pulse of Creator that unites us all.
The published book, The Pilgrimage to the Cradle of Mankind, is scheduled for release in 2026.
Lupa Vela Collective, “the she wolf who sails the seas”
The Art of Breaking Chains
Written off-grid next to the volcano of Mt. Taranaki in Aotearoa. Alexandra suffered a serious injury and spent months living alone in the forest to heal. In the depths of this journey she gave birth to The Art of Breaking Chains. It was once a published book, however, she now makes it available to the public for free. For the information and the artwork is far more valuable than the sale of a book. And in this offering we honour the Māori culture, the lands and the sacred wisdom and teachings that reflect in every word and brush stroke. In gratitude and for the love of humanity…enjoy!
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