about us | The Edinburgh Shamanic Centre

In these unprecedented times, we find ourselves collectively facing immense challenges. It is crucial that we delve into the depths of our being to unlock hidden potentials, so that we may serve humanity and the Earth with unwavering dedication. With a profound commitment to ourselves, others, and the world around us, we strive to embody authenticity and integrity in all that we do.

We recognize that the path of service requires us to embark on a personal journey of self-discovery and self-transformation. By diving into the depths of our inner landscape, we unearth the wisdom, compassion, and strength needed to make a positive impact in the world. We embrace the responsibility to stand up and contribute to the well-being of humanity and the Earth, recognizing that our actions ripple through the interconnected web of life.

At the core of our approach lies the value of authenticity. We believe in embracing our true selves, honoring our unique gifts and perspectives, and expressing them genuinely in service to others. By embodying authenticity, we create a ripple effect that inspires others to do the same, fostering a culture of genuine connection, empathy, and understanding.

Integrity is our guiding principle in all aspects of our service. We commit to acting with honesty, transparency, and ethical conduct, ensuring that our intentions align with the highest good for all. We hold ourselves accountable to a code of ethics that upholds respect, fairness, and compassion, recognizing the inherent worth and dignity of every individual and the Earth herself.

Here is our story:

In October 2003, Claudia Goncalves and Mark Halliday founded the The Edinburgh Shamanic Centre in Edinburgh.

In August 2004, The Edinburgh Shamanic Centre was a catalyst supporting and contributing to the start of the project A Roda do Sol in Brazil (in Paraiba) envisioned by Lilian Galvao. With the Edinburgh Shamanic Centre's first input and contribution the project was created to support children affected or infected by HIV/AIDS and poverty. A house was rented and the first Social Mum employed to care for the children arriving in the project. Today A Roda do Sol is an independent charity in Brazil, has its own house and is a centre for the children to go and receive support.

In February 2005, the Edinburgh Shamanic Centre was a catalyst supporting visionary Sara Beauregard to create Youth Vision in Scotland. Run under the Shamanic Centre and then under the Planetary Healing Centre for over 3 years at the very beginning, Youth Vision offers a unique programme of Rites of Passage for young people age 14 to 21 yrs old in Edinburgh who are experiencing difficulties at school and with society in general. Today Youth Vision in an independent charity with Sara Beauregard and Claudia Goncalves as the co-founders.

In October 2006, as the Shamanic Centre's work had expanded so much, Claudia and Mark decided that there was a need to have a name to represent everything they were doing. The name of the Charity then changed to Community Foundation for Planetary Healing . It was a call for the coming together of other members of the community in alignment with Mark and Claudia's vision and principle of philantropy awakening our collective capacity to be of service to another. Also known as the Planetary Healing Centre, the organisation then became the umbrella organisation holding the charitable status.

In October 2007, the Holistic Health Project was created. It is a unique project offering complementary therapies and shamanic healing for people going through challenging times with their health and wellbeing who are in an economical disadvantaged position.

In August 2008, 08.08.08 Claudia and Mark got married in a beatiful Celtic Shamanic Ceremony in the forest in Balerno in the presence of their shamanic community and friends. On their Honeymoon Claudia and Mark went to Brazil and volunteered helping to finish the house for the children from A Roda do Sol project. Love in action!

In August 2009, Youth Vision project applied for charitable status and was successfull. Youth Vision charity has, since then, gone from strenght to strength working in partnership with schools regularly supporting vulnerable young people in their transition into adulthood. Claudia Goncalves is co-founder and advisor for Youth Vision.

In April 2010, due to more growth and expansion, The Edinburgh Shamanic Centre physically moved to Balerno, where Claudia and Mark today concentrate on Training Shamanic Practitioners, Energy Healing workers amongst other works.

In February 2011, the Edinburgh Shamanic Centre and the Community Foundation for Planetary Healing legally became two independent organisations with the Planetary Healing retaining the charitble status. The Edinburgh Shamanic Centre is today a completely independent organisation operating from Balerno.

In April 2012, the Nature Connection Project started in Balerno by Claudia and Adele Clarke under the Planetary Healing Centre. Supporting families who are in an economical disadvantaged position, the project promotes and develops positive health and wellbeing through the provision of a wide range of educational activities in nature. For 2 years this work became a training, and most recently became Deepening our Nature Connection.

In Feb 2013, Claudia began to offer regular Goddess Empowerment for groups and individually, supporting women on their journey of self-empowerment.Today this work continues on a one-on-one basis.

In May 2014, Claudia began to offer Rites of Passage for women at the Shamanic Centre, in groups and individually, offering women a time for sacred ceremony, marking important transitions in their lives.Today this work continues on a one-on-one basis.

In June 2015, the Planetary Bee Project began in Balerno. The aim of this project was to raise awareness about be benefits for the bees and humanity on using a holistic approach to bee keeping. Another thing the project does is to plant bee-friendly flowers and be educational for the children and families who come to the Nature Programmes. This project is proud to be teaching the next generation to love and look after the Earth holistically. This project run for 4 years and transformed into the Wellbeing garden project.

In May 2016, Claudia and Mark began to offer Year 3 - Advanced Training in Shamanism at the Shamanic Centre. In May 2016 the Edinburgh Holistic Shop was opened as a social enterprise trading arm of the Planetary Healing charity, with the objective to support the Charity financially. Also in May 2016 Claudia, Adele Clarke and Dhyana Huggins began Deeping Our Nature Connection, a fantastic work to explore deeper connection with Nature. Today this project became the Intergenerational project.

In October 2016, The Carer's Project began at the Planetary Healing Centre. This project supported un-paid carers who were struggling with stress and needed to replenish in order to help others. This project lasted for 4 years and came to an end during COVID time.

In August 2017, the Indigneous People's project began under the Planetary Healing Centre. With this project we are having an immediate and direct impact on the survival of many indigenous cultures in Brazil. Each project and indigenous tribe is carefully selected by the co-founders Claudia Goncalves and Mark Halliday according to what their community needs are and occasionally they visit Scotland.

In October 2018, the Children's Wellbeing project began at the Planetary Healing Centre. This project began after a community consultation identified the need to also support children with therapies. For 4 years prior to that, we also run the Nature Connection for families project and that project came to an end. Today children are included in a lot of the work that happens at the Planetary Healing Centre community woodland specially the Wellbeing garden.

In May 2019, the Cancer Holistic Support project began at the Planetary Healing Centre. With our community consultation done in 2018, with so many people in our community having cancer and with the loss of trustee Anne Henderson to cancer, a need for a project to support those with cancer arose. This project lasted for 4 years and came to an end during COVID time.

In August 2019, after a process of training and grounding that started since 2010, Claudia and Mark began to offer Vision Quest and Earth Lodges, offering members of the community a time for sacred ceremony, marking important transitions in their lives. This work lasted for 2 years and after COVID came to an end.

In April 2021, Claudia and Mark opened the Edinburgh Holistic Shop, a fairtrade shop supporting Planetary Healing. By buying from their shop you are supporting their charitable projects and when you buy the indigenous crafts they sell you are supporting the indigenous people of the Amazon and other parts of Brazil. The Nature Connection training, a project in partnership with Adele Clarke, also started in April 2021.

In March 2022, the Edinburgh Holistic Shop, and The Planetary Healing Centre moved to Balerno and have a Hut at the Community Woodland.

In October 2022, Claudia published her book titled "Shamanism as Medicine" The book is a profound initiation into the world of Shamanism.