Oakenleaf

Welcome to the website of Oakenleaf a shamanic practice based here in Perth Scotland where shamanic healing sessions are offered along with remote distance work across our world. I work with people with one of sessions as well as with longer term work in more instensive processes and programmes depending on individual need.

My name is Brian Anderson and I have worked with shamanism personally since 2006. I have a background in counselling and psychology and a natural progression has led me to offer shamanism as a healing practice along with my work with Tarot as a therapy. www.brianandersontarottherapy.co.uk

I work with individuals in personal sessions along with a wider range from a healing day/s to longer process and moving beyond trauma work. I lead ongoing workshops and trainings which are held locally in Perth Scotland, or online and I have led these internationally. I offer work with healing of land and houses with blessings created personally for our land and homes also.

All details of individual work, workshops and trainings are on these website pages please do contact me with any questions or if you need further information.

I have a personal expereince of Shamanism for my own healing which has changed the shape of my life helping me claim a more naturaly authenic and personal rhythm. I have found a way to open myself to move beyond the stories and events that shaped me. I feel that with my ongoing commitment and dedication to these ways the benefits are leading deeper into a more authentic and natural expression of that which I am.

This healing process opens new possibilities where we can become the ones that shape and create a life that has personal meaning is fulfilling, creative and sustainable. We open to find our unique qualities so we can share them with our ourselves our families, communities and the land where we live.

My intial training and introduction to this work and the spirits was with Nick Levitt a shamanic practitioner based in Bath. I then trained as a shamanic practitioner in the UK (2006) with the Sacred Trust as well as extensively with the Foundation for Shamanic Studies.

I also have learnt with Sandra Ingermann, Jonathon Horowitz and Zara Waldeback as well as having had the opportunity to  learn with a number of indigenous Teachers that grew up with these ways from the Americas and my homeland of Ireland, those these are the sorts of people who do not have websites.

I am a qualified counsellor graduating from the University of the West of England after a four year training in 2004 and worked in this way and as a trainer for 15 years. I have expereince of working in this way in education settings, restorative justice, alongside the NHS and in residential and community based therapeutic support.

My work forms a bridge between ancient knowledge and spirit led wisdom to a grounded and practical application of the trans-personal with our modern understanding of psychology and therapy which I am trained in. I also naturally bring myself and personal expereince as someone who is walking this path of healing.

One of the themes of my own life has been a process of Alchemy with my own Trauma and wounds and I have come to see in my own healing journey that I am not anymore bound by the stories and events of my life and with willingness support and courage new possibilities have emerged as my own healing story continues to unfold.

With this personal healing and the grounding it brings along with my professional training, I am able to offer a safe and compassionate space. From this place I am able to accompany those that are looking for healing that empowers you and offers you practical ways to bring and incorporate this into your everyday life.

It is important to understand that Shamanism is not something that is “done to you” it comes as an offering and blessing for you and as such asks for your own commitment and dedication to your healing process as you integrate and bring about the changes you wish for into your everyday life.

It is a path that leads to a more authentic and creative expression of who you are though it may take courage and a commitment to bring this through facing and realizations of what blocks this shows itself. The work we undertake in the session offers and opens us to insight with power for you to bring into your life then it is your responsibility to bring this offering out to open to new possibilities.

If you are interested in shamanism and the way I work please contact  to book a session or with any questions via email (imbasdarachduille@outlook.com) or by phone (07976264432). Sessions are held in person near Perth Scotland and can be offered at a distance across our world using Zoom/Skype/Phone as a way to connect. .

Shamanism is a ancient healing method that has been practiced across all cultures in various forms and has enjoyed a return to our awareness in the western world since around the 1950’s.

A definition that captures something about shamanism for me is “that while in a shamanic state of consciousness the shaman works by asking for help from the spirits, bringing this information back and then doing something with it!” In my work I attain this state of consciousness through working with the drum, rattle and song as our ancestors did.

To talk about shamanism without talking of spirit would be like an electrician working away while denying the existence of electricity. The spirits do not see us in our perceived failings, but in our authentic creative and powerful nature, guiding and inviting us towards this.

When I talk about shamanism with people, I often find there is a sense of familiarity that comes through, as if the act of speaking about it unlocks a memory within our psyche – maybe this is because it has been such a part our past history. It is likely that your own ancestors would have experienced these ways at some time, as such this is a time tested and ancient practice.

The word “shaman” comes from the Tungus language of Siberia; however, it has been practiced in a local form, across all cultures, throughout the world, including here in Europe. It translates roughly as “the one who sees”, “the one who knows”, or “the one that can see in the dark”.

What it is that they see, and know well it is the spirit world. Shamans develop trusting relationship with helping compassionate spirits as partners in their healing work and learn how to navigate in these realms safely and effectively.

So, what are these spirits? My understanding is evolving with my experiences; Today I feel that what we are connecting with, and call “spirit”, is the wisdom and intelligence that creates, sustains and supports life.

Using shamanic methods this wisdom can be communicated with as we access the healing and guidance available to find solutions to the challenges we face, and questions that we bring. One of the most amazing benefits for me in practicing shamanism is to feel how supported we actually are and using our questions and intentions as a key unlocks the wisdom and empowerment and healing that is available. We have our own free will to do with what we will and choose with the answers and healing we receive.

The spirits present themselves in ways we can relate to, for example as “power animals”. As we develop a working relationship with this spirit, we ask for what we need; as we bring this guidance out into our everyday lives and see results, we develop trust in the method and our relationship with spirit.

I am, though, aware that trying to define something such as this is really difficult, and there also is a great mystery to spirit that can only come to be understood through our personal direct encounter. However Shamanism is empirical, do these other realities and spirits exist, well we can learn to journey or expereince healing and put it into practice and we can see what we experience and how this benefits our life!

I can say from my own experience though personally and observing those I work with that if you engage with shamanic methods and work in partnership with your spirits, your life will change in ways you may not of imagined and new opportunities will emerge.

From a shamanic perspective, the word “power” means that we are with spirit. To be “dis-empowered” from a shamanic perspective would to be with our perceived limitations and fear.

This power, though, is not over others, but self-mastery as we come to know ourselves in a deeper way. Our healing is not in isolation, but ripples out into our communities. This community though is not only people, but the land we walk upon and all life upon it.

One thing I know, through hard-won personal experience, is that it is possible to transform our lives. This happens when our willingness and openness to change meets supportive conditions, and when this happens so much more is possible.

My role as a practitioner is to create those conditions for you, and your responsibility after the session is to step back into your life in a new and different way – all that you need to do this will come through in the session, and will support and guide you to this. The responsibility is then with you to bring this into your own everyday life and create the life you are seeking or is seeking you.

“With practice and dedication shamanism opens a new yet old relationship with life inviting a way of being that honours the sacred and holds respect for all life helping us to see the reality of the cause of pain in ourselves and our world while opening us to see the beauty while feeling the joy too”

I remember my first encounter with shamanic healing – as I lay there I opened my eyes and for a moment in the candle light seeing the practitioner drumming and singing. This all felt very familiar to me and I thought this is my way I felt at home. From that moment I liked shamanism and shamanism seemed to like me. I have been exploring and following where this has led me ever since and what a journey that has been and continues to be!

With a background in counselling and psychology it made sense to me to follow my inner impulse to train in these ways and very soon after my first healing session I began my training. First with a local practitioner Nick Levitt then with the Sacred Trust based in the UK as well as extensivly with the Foundation for Shamanic Studies. I also learnt with Sandra Ingermann, Jonathon Horowitz and Zara Waldeback and a number of indigenous teachers that grew up with these ways form the Americas and my homeland of Ireland.

In my own life I have experienced a number of traumatic and distressing events which have impacted my life greatly and this is the reason I sought out a healing path. I needed it seems to expereince such a disconnection from life in order to seek such a deep re-connection that shamanism offers – I really needed relief from my distress wounds and traum and my own awakening occurred in 1999 and so begun what I refer to as my own intentional healing path which I had always been seeking or it had been seeking me.

As a result of my ongoing healing process these events no longer hold such power over me. Shamanism has been the catalyst to let go of these experiences and find a inner strength and flow with life. With the support and wisdom of spirit in a helping partnership, I have been able out of this to shape a life that works for me and transform my wounds into a way that can serve life.

Nature has always been a immense support for me as a child it was the place I wanted to be as it still is very much today. When my own healing process began the call from the natural world came and so much healing and insight has come to me simply by deepening my connection with the land in physical and spiritual ways. My own shamanism is rooted in natural cycles both my own and those of nature to follow and flow with these brings immense well being and opportunity, everything has its season I have come to see.

I am a qualified counsellor and trainer graduating after four years from the University of West of England in 2004 in counselling and psychology. I worked in this way working with individuals and groups in a variety of settings, education, restorative and criminal justice, alongside the NHS in residential and community therapeutic programs until 2012 when I left this work to focus and dedicate full time to my shamanic work.

This background of the personal and professional I feel gives me a good foundation and practical way of working of my work and offering with shamanism. I also work as a Tarot Therapist details of this work can be found on my website www.brianandersontarottherapy.co.uk

Meeting Shamanism changed the course of my life and brought a deep connection and acceptance of both my gifts and my shadow. The integration of these has brought a growing peace creativity and joy and where once the traumatic events of my life pulled me down and were destructive they now serve the work I offer. When challenges come and they do I have a rich resources to call on for help to address them.

I believe shamanism offers a new hope and vision for individuals as well as our society as a whole. I am inspired by the courage of people that come as they heal from there own challenges and I love to lead workshops showing those that come the possibilities that await as we learn to safely and effectively navigate the world of spirit.

I have a daily practice that includes prayer and meditation, shamanic work, walking with nature, exercise, yoga and divination. I practice Ahimsa as a way of intention (the way of non-harm) as well as my creative practices with writing and music. I play the guitar, recorder and am learning keyboards.

As a word weaver I have been published with articles on shamanism, animism and nature based topics in Indie shaman as well as other magazines and blogs. Currently I am writing my first book based on the course I offered “Communion with Trees” this is currently in the process of being published.

I am learning in such a transient world to put roots and connect and build a sacred relationship with the land you live on has great benefit for human beings and all that live on that land also. As part of this developing connection I am  involved in local conservation and re-wilding projects.

In offering myself as a shamanic practitioner I feel its important you have a sense of who I am and why I do this and hope these words meet this for you and may all blessings be yours, I wish you well in your life’s journey.

Personal sessions are held in a dedicated space, created, built in ceremony and partnership with spirit, so that the building can be in harmony with the land it is now a part off. For distance and remote working we can use zoom/phone/Skype as a way to connect, you are invited to prepare a space in your home to receive the work offered.

When we make a decision to change or let go of something, the healing process begins. We are asking and opening ourselves up to something new and different to come forward into our lives and awareness. We all need help at times, with support from someone to help us heal we really are not meant to live alone or solve everything ourselves.

Arranging a session can be seen as a commitment to the decision you have made to heal and resolve a issue, as you are taking action to follow this through the session will then become a part of your healing process. As with all healing, it is driven by your intention and is an active process asking for your participation. Once you commit then so do I to be with you in this process.

It will be help the work greatly to prepare with some simple practices to support you before we meet. I have found this really helps the session so there is a benefit to engage with them.

Firstly, to be with nature and on the land as much as possible before the session. While out there, try to sense that, as you go, you are being seen by nature itself – there you may wish to ask and contemplate the following questions.

• Why am I coming to shamanism at this time?
• What is it I am searching and hoping for, or looking to change or let go of?
• What is my vision and feeling of how I would like my life to be?

The asking is as important as getting the answer, as it opens us up to something new, so do not worry if you do not have complete clarity consider what happens when you ask these questions how do you respond? It will also help to be aware of any dreams you have any synchronicity or omens you encounter.

You may wish to work with a creative project with these questions and answers you receive. For example art such as painting or creating a collage or movement and dance, music, poetry whatever calls to you. We are all artists if we allow the space to be that, working in this way helps us become artists of our life!

Finally, the night before we meet, as you go to sleep ask for a dream that will support you in our work the next day. As you wake, take a moment to give thanks for your life and all that is to come.

There really is no typical session; each is a unique meeting, and I work with each person in different ways, depending on your needs, and by asking and listening to spirit. Together we co-create the session; my role is to act as a facilitator and holder of the space and to bring the healing through to you from spirit.

Before you arrive I will have prepared the space so that it is dedicated to your healing and well-being. This creates a safe and sacred container that holds and will support the work we are about to engage with.

There will be time to talk and let you settle when you arrive, and again afterward there will be a time to talk where I will share any healing stories and practices that support the integration of the healing as well as to make sure you’re ready and grounded, as you re-engage with your life now in a new and different way.

I feel it is important to support you both before and after, so once we have both committed to the session, I am here to support,within reason, you to help integrate the work done and answer any questions or to listen to your experiences. However in the spirit of the work it is you that is responsible for how this will unfold for you.

Sessions tend to last an hour and a half to two hours, though I will always work with your process as it shows itself in the session so a session can be longer or shorter in time depending on what is needed. I am flexible with time so please check for availability. It will help if you can have a relaxed day afterwards if you can get time to yourself in the natural world this will be a great support in your integration.

I ask the fee of £75/£65/£55 for each session please pay what is appropriate for your current circumstances from the sliding scale. I ask that you pay before the session using pay-pal my account name is this email address-imbasdarachduille@outlook.com- or bring cash on the day or ask for my bank details.

I have found it useful to have at least two sessions to support your healing and integration. Though this work is sometimes the end of something and sometimes the begining of something so each person is unique in what they need and how I can help. My role though is to make myself redundant and to empower you to live a lived life.

This work is not a replacement for medical and psychological interventions but can work hand in hand with these interventions.

“In this context we are using the word power to mean aligned with our own nature the essence of who we are , that which lies beyond the wonder of our personalities! From this centering we come into a aligned relationship with spirit and from this co-creative partnership we come to a life of power|”

The shamanic path ultimately leads us into one of service to life, rising up from the relationship we have with our inner power or nature together in partnership with helping spirits. I am offering to be a companion along with you as we uncover the map of your journey with my skill expereince and as a human support to guide and nurture this process.

Over a 9 month period we work together as you become a apprentice to your power and encounter your own unique offering, qualities and skills in the world with authenticity and integrity. This ask for commitment and dedication from us both. Firstly to yourself, spirit, the land, ancestors, and our process. The journey is unknown until it begins as over the 9 months we begin to work to heal and resolve that which blocks these connections to your own nature as they show themselves.

From the freedom this offers we can then encounter and embrace your own unique nature and from this awaken contact with your power so that it can be available and of service to our world. Finally by understanding how to be effective and spirit led we awaken our relationship to power with ourselves and spirit. This dynamic offers a co-creative partnership that is much needed at this time in our history.

If this is a journey you are interested in taking with me as your guide please contact to explore and discuss the details of this process, practicalities, costs and the commitment required of this sacred journey to yourself . It is important that we both are committed to take this step into the unknown, led by your courage and willingness, held by my knowledge and expereince within the unlimited generosity of spirit.

This nine month process is offered as one full day a month 10am-5pm and then a more regualr session afterwards to support the integration process. Cost each month is on a sliding scale of £180/£160/£140 with a £10 reduction it taken online as a simple vegan luch is offered for inperson sessions.