My story so far…

Certifications

• Certified Insured Shamanic Practitioner
• Bard studying with OBOD (Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids)
• Self-diagnosed Autistic

What I offer:

A space for:

• Recovering from autistic shutdown and burnout
• Exploring spiritual connection, especially for men who feel disconnected
• Grounding while exploring ancestral/generational weight
• Recovery from workplace stress and stuck spaces

How I work

• Queer-affirmative
• Neurodivergent-affirmative
• Consent-led
• Grounded in Leave No Trace when working with land and space
• This work is spiritual and energetic in nature
• It’s not therapy, counselling or medical treatment

My Story

My name is David (he/him).  I am a Scottish soul, born and raised in Midlothian and Edinburgh, and I’m a shamanic practitioner rooted in the land, stories, and spiritual life of this part of Scotland.

I grew up in Bonnyrigg, Midlothian and always spent a lot of time outdoors on my own – either in Roslin Glen, Polton Mill or any of the woods in Penicuik.

After high school, I went to university to learn Computer Science, which then led me to my first job as a programmer.  It was a fantastic opportunity to use the skills that I had learned during my degree.  I threw myself into it completely to the detriment of relationships and my own mental health.  If you have the time and are interested in what that looked like, you can read the tale here.  I learned in painful detail what burnout felt like.  It was to be an important part of who I later became.

During my period of work-related stress at that job, I had one of the most powerful spiritual experiences that moved me on.  I was driving through Roslin Glen, and after getting to the other side, a sea eagle landed right in front of me in the middle of the road.  We looked at each other for 5-10 minutes, making me late for work.  I knew in that moment that I had to change something.  I was signed off with work-related stress.

A month or two later, I left.  Your brain still carries the memories, though.

My second moment came at a heated pool in Tenerife a few months later.  I was sitting by the pool, my feet in the pool, and I decided in my wisdom to spend my last 15 euros on a mojito.  In that moment, I had no responsibilities, no money, no stress.  It was a moment of complete freedom.

I came back from Tenerife changed.  I realised that part of the problem had been office politics.  I decided I wouldn’t get involved in those again.  

The final realisation that sent me down the path of Druidry and into becoming a Bard in the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids came after a challenging spell during which I attended Hope Park Therapy.  One afternoon after leaving my session, I felt completely at peace with the day.  I spent a few hours wandering around the Meadows, just taking in the breathtaking trees and the surrounding nature.  It gave me the courage to join a Druid Grove over in Fife.  

Liz was one of the Druids in that group.  Shortly after initiation, she started the Shamanic Drumming Circles that have taken off in Fife.  I attended almost every one of the first year.  I noticed that I could go completely stressed out and, even though I would black out, still come away completely relaxed.  It was like my brain had done a complete reset.

During those first few years, I started to investigate whether I might be autistic.  See my story here.  My doctor put me on Edinburgh’s long waiting list in 2020, where I am still.  I noticed I started to feel the city’s energy, the energy at social occasions, and the spirit of every journey I took.  Once I started to see everything as energy and energy flow, life became a whole lot easier.

In 2023, after a series of challenges, I found my brain kept turning off.  It happened on buses, at work, or wherever I was.  My therapist said she thought I was experiencing Autistic Shutdown (which I had never heard of).  You can read a bit more about that here.  It took me about 1 month to work out some strategies, although it can take much longer.

After I recovered, I learned Liz had started offering a course in Celtic Shamanism.  I signed up for the second year it was offered.  It’s been an intense, interesting journey which has brought me full circle from student to Shamanic Practitioner.  I learned not to black out during Shamanic Journeys, developed many self-management skills, and learned how to help others.

A colleague from the course invited me to come along to a Men’s drumming circle which he was starting.  I went along, and I am proud to say, I couldn’t have met a nicer bunch of gentlemen.  We have talked about many issues, ranging from shame and some harder things to the group starting a choir or band.

One of the most notable moments of my journey was an evening walk at dusk in early October.  As I approached the woods, I suddenly became aware of everything around me.  I was connected, in tune, and a surreal atmosphere descended.  As I walked into the woods, I suddenly felt called to stop and remain still.  A herd of deer passed within 2 feet of me.  One of the juvenile stags stopped to give me the once over, before accepting me as part of the herd or not a threat.  The herd grazed a little before moving off to find somewhere to settle for the night.  I heard them throughout the walk.  I went home totally energised by this.

I went to Druid Camp Alba last summer, and on the journey back, I went on a spiritual journey of my own.  I realised that I had the skills now to help people with autistic shutdowns, work-related stress, and during my course, I developed the skills for ancestral work during my coursework.

This realisation has led me to create Stagfire Healing.