I grew up with a Methodist Mother and an Atheist Father, neither of whom was very spiritual or inclined to healing. It was my sister that showed me the way from a very early age, in fact it was her disability and the fact that we could communicate with each other without speech that first awakened me to the psychic world around me.

I was in my late teens when I picked up my first set of tarot cards and started to read. At this time I was also reading lots of books covering many aspects of mind, body, spirit, astrology, tarot, divination, crystals and healing the self and this began my journey of self discovery.

I was also aware at this time of a growing sense of never being alone. I experimented with the spirit board and had some unusual experiences talking with spirit that had passed on. On one occasion I visited a medium and actually felt spirit pass through me, slightly disconcerting but making me aware of the possibilities of communication with them.

For many years I was content to explore my path in a solitary fashion, doing readings for friends, family and anyone who asked. Developing my gift further.

There were occasions where friends would ask for a physical treatment like a manicure or facial. I had always been good with my hands and loved working at my art. One day a friend said that I should take this further and become a beauty therapist, so I decided to give it a try. Going back to college was fun but I found the beauty therapy too restrictive and was attracted more to the massage techniques I was taught and how these affected the whole body and mind, not only the external features.

This brought me into a whole new realm of possibility. I trained in reflexology, A&P, Indian Head Massage and Aromatherapy in quick succession, awakening latent passions for this type of work. Exploring the oils also lead me into the garden and I also began to explore herbs and other healing plants and pastimes. I was lead to explore new massage and healing techniques and designed my own unique set of massages and opened my own massage and healing practice called Phoenix Healing in 2004.

At this time my spiritual path was also shifting a gear and moving me upwards. I was becoming more and more draw towards healing and at this time my partner introduced me to a friend who was a Reiki Master and she agreed to give me my first degree in Reiki. This was a profound and powerful experience, awakening within me an energy that enhanced my connections to everything.

I began to do more and more readings using both tarot and oracle cards as a medium to connect me to the spirit world and the messages they imparted to others. I also explored my spiritual path more deeply and was led to a couple who trained me on my Pagan path allowing me to explore and develop, deepening my connection to Spirit and the Universe and the Natural world around me.

Through this path I found my next Reiki Master who took me through levels 2 and 3 of my Reiki training and also mentoring me in a Healing Circle I was running at the time. Through this I came in touch with my Shaman side.

As I was developing my connection with nature something incredible began to happen to me. I began to have a direct connection to my Spirit Guide who told me he was A Shaman from the old lands. It started with automatic writing and soon flowed in to trance channelling - this is where a spirit can speak through you in their voice to communicate with others - from there the connection got stronger and stronger and soon he became my teacher.

I was lead to explore the realms of Shamanism, through journeying and discovering my power animals and spirit guides, through drumming and sound, through much communication with the world around me and by learning to live as much a part of everything as was possible. I was lead to create a new form of healing that works with Shamanic values but is guided by my connections to Spirit and my guides and power animals and this I have called Shamanic Spirit Healing.

My journey in the last year has taken my healing and reading to another level again and 2008 was the year I began to teach and to share my collective knowledge with others so that they may also find their own path in life.

I feel blessed to be travelling and sharing my path with you.

Disclaimer - Information contained on this website is intended for general guidance only and is not a substitute for treatment by your medical doctor. You should always consult your medical doctor before embarking on any exercise or treatment programme.

©Alison Arcehelizaga - 2004-2009 - All rights reserved