CedarLight Healing

02/08/2026

A big post to catch up on 2026. Cause you know - it's only August!

What a year it's been. Between new granddaughters (!), new kitchens, family visits from Mexico and finishing my Compassionate Inquiry professional program, time has flown.

But my Spirits have been loud this year. Showing up in dreams, chatting to me when I run the dogs at the shore or the castle wood and giving me that healing energy, right when I need it.

My practice has been very much my own these last few years, but thanks to a relationship with Irvine-based charity NODA, it's been lovely to open it back up to the community with journey circles and an upcoming workshop.

I recently had a wonderful healing by a local Shamanic practitioner who practices in Galston, and I was reminded how powerful this work is as a client, and how incredible it can feel when the Spirits show up for us. We have agreed I'm to pay him in homegrown sweetgrass.

Speaking of sweetgrass... Heavens. I thought it'd be difficult to grow, given that it's an endangered plant here in Scotland and all. But somebody forgot to tell the sweetgrass, for it grows, and grows, and GROWS. I have had to dig a trench around it so it doesn't escape my allotment and spread to the neighbours! I mean, personally I think that'd be grand - more healing for everyone, but my allotment committee might not feel the same.

My beloved white cedar is growing so quickly I can barely keep up, and this year, all my second-year mulleins grew tall and proud and sunshiny-beautiful. The to***co is well on its way in my back garden, but the only thing that is never gonna grow in this climate (despite my friend Linda telling me that she has successfully grown it many times) is any kind of wild sage. But I'll survive, because of the sheer amount of juniper and mugwort that grows wild and is so easy to forage.

My goal has always been to make shamanism accessible to those who need it. My Cedarlight medicine garden allows me to provide the things I need for healing work at no cost to my clients and minimal cost to myself. For those who have asked if I'll sell my surplus sweetgrass: Never. I give it to others doing the work and the odd client, and will continue to do so.

I am seeing clients again, but only on a case-by-case basis, and will continue in this way until I'm finished with my counselling studies in 2027. With Lughnasadh here, the wheel of 2026 keeps turning. Here's to a happy harvest, keeping healthy and keeping the momentum up till we all get to exhale this autumn!

07/12/2025

A big thank you to Linda & the crew at NODA Ayrshire for hosting my shamanic journey circle. Lots of gratitude to the participants who arrived with open minds and open hearts despite the weather and a lot of flu going round.

What made this circle special for me was that it was the first time I used to***co grown in my own medicine garden. I currently grow my to***co, sweetgrass, mullein and white cedar (remember I learned my craft in Canada, so that influence is ever-present), and forage for other medicines like mugwort and juniper locally to use in my practice.

It's a small but meaningful thing I can do for the community, and it gives me an excuse to work with the land, for what is gardening if not small acts of creation to clear the mind!

I will return the to***co we used to the land today through the massive cedar tree in my back garden, infused with prayer and intention, and with that, my role in this is over for now. All that's left is for those of us who were in that circle - sisters every one - is to be aware and honour the healing the spirits bring to us.

Thanks again NODA, and all who participated :)

25/11/2025

The giving tree... I took this pic today on my dog walk because I was struck by the abundance of this tree.

Hawthorne berries can be used for syrups and jellies and all manner of things, and the usnea can be used to treat all manner of health issues. These are two of the medicines I'm slowly building a relationship with. The hawthorne is showy and extroverted. Gorgeous and dramatic, the flowers smell like heaven in the spring and look at these berries... and it's the last days of November (!!).

The usnea is different. Sensitive - we may never pick it off the tree. We must wait for it to surrender and gather it from the ground. And then, to access the medicine, it's a complicated double-distilling process. I believe we must work hard to get to know it, but once usnea opens itself to us, it's generous and helpful.

Shamanism is about creating relationships with the world around us and harbouring a deep love for the land that stems from those healing relationships.

13/11/2025

Excited for the shamanic journey circle on Dec 6th! Details are below. If you've ever wondered about shamanism, come! Everyone is welcome at NODA here in Irvine🌲 ❤️🌲

Now FULLY BOOKED with a waiting list for the next circle.

Shamanic journey circle

Step into sacred space and reconnect with your inner wisdom...

Join us for a morning of rhythmic drumming, guided journeying and shared insight in a safe, supportive circle:

No experience needed, just an open heart and a curious spirit

Discover guidance, healing and connection beyond the ordinary

Please bring a yoga mat, blanket and eye cover for your comfort

49 Bank Street, Irvine

Saturday, 6th December, 10am – don’t miss out! Booking essential as places limited.

09/11/2025

When it's been a week of it, and I'm exhausted. Fighting deadlines, bad customer service, an unreliable car, and waaayyy too many hands in my wallet. A last-minute rush to the beach to at least get a dog walk in before it's dark, and Mother Nature says, "Hello daughter, I know you're tired, but you've done well, and here's something I thought you'd like. Enjoy it, maja, and get some rest."

(Irvine Beach, last week)

27/10/2025

A few spots left for complimentary counselling 🌿

As part of my Compassionate Inquiry® Professional Training (developed by Dr. Gabor Maté), I’m offering complimentary online counselling appointments on evenings & weekends.

These sessions are ideal for anxiety and stress because they're gentle, compassionate and we go at your pace.

I'm certified in counselling skills with COSCA (Counselling & Psychotherapy in Scotland) and have close to a decade of therapeutic experience, so you're in safe hands.

If you'd like to try this approach, send me a note via Messenger and we'll get it set up...

26/10/2025

Autumn is in full swing here in the UK. The clocks have moved back, the Atlantic wind is threatening my roof tiles, and the rain is taking the final petals off those brave late dog roses that grow at the shore.

In shamanism, we tap into the rhythm of the seasons and feel those shifts in our bodies. Even when the wind is blowing a hoolie, it's important to me to get outside and experience it. It's like prayer - talk to God, talk to trees - all while wearing a good warm coat and tall wellies.

The dogs, on the other hand, would rather be in their beds, but after a few minutes of chasing and sniffing in the rain, even they don't seem to mind it.

Sunday afternoons in a vibrant wet forest give us a reason to surrender to the season and rest happily at night, before work life begins again tomorrow.

13/10/2025

Hello everyone 💛

As part of my journey in the Compassionate Inquiry® Professional Training (developed by Dr. Gabor Maté), I’m offering a few free one-on-one sessions for my case studies this autumn.

These sessions are a gentle, confidential space to explore what’s going on beneath the surface with curiosity, compassion and presence.

If you’ve been feeling called to look within and would like to try out this approach, let's connect. Send me a note via messenger and we'll get it set up virtually.

03/02/2025

So many trees down from storm Eowyn last week, and even more of them this week.

I've been heading to my friend's place that's forested for the last two weekends, and many redwoods have toppled. And where I walk the dogs, there are many pine trees down.

What can one do but pray over them and honour them for what they brought to our community? And so I do.

I'm starting to understand why our ancestors revered trees as they did. And as I become more grounded in this land, and deepen those relationships, I begin to glimpse the power and wisdom the trees carry.

I hate to lose a single one, even though I know it's the way of things.

Even in death they teach us, and the lesson they're teaching me is to embrace endings and transitions, and to take time to mourn.

02/01/2025

Happy new year!
2025 is already off to a grand start. Putting all those boundary lessons I learnt in 2024 to the best use, and so many meaningful new adventures, plans and projects to look forward to! And always, the light-filled path is infront of me, inspiring, teaching and protecting me. Thank you, Spirits! Here's to a gorgeous 2025 for all of us!