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Isla Macleod

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United Kingdom
Bruton
Isla Macleod

Isla is a celebrant, wedding officiant, ritual designer and Shamanic practitioner, devoted to creating meaningful ceremonies for life's transitions.

02/06/2025

Spirits of Hearth & Home

The spirits we live with in our home play a vital role in our sense of wellbeing, sanctuary and belonging, and they are woefully forgotten. Simple acts of recognition, offerings and communion can go a long way to restoring the balance and honouring these relationships as essential and sacred.

Through every day acts of reciprocity with the more-than-human worlds, we prime ourselves for feeling a deeper sense of kinship and being open to receive guidance, protection and inspiration, as well as experiencing real magic and serendipity in our day to day lives.

Our home is the perfect place to practice every day acts of reciprocity, and experience the beauty of tending these relationships with love and care.

I am in the process of moving house and feeling very present with all the beings who’ve shared this home with my son and I these past 7 years. What began with two altars - one for the hearth and one opposite that is my central altar that includes a shelf dedicated to my ancestors - has grown into an altar in each room and hallway where I have come to recognise spirits dwell. I leave offerings of food and drink, seeds and beauty to feed them and honour their presence as part of the family of life whom I live with.

We lit our final fire in our beloved hearth this weekend and gathered the ash from all the many fires that warmed this home, to kindle the first flame in our new home. Carrying the care forwards and blessing this space for the new residents…

* You can read the full article over on Substack. Link in my bio 🙏🏼

19/05/2025

An ongoing exploration throughout my life has been the inquiry of ‘what gives us meaning as humans’? There are times we may question our purpose here on earth and whether we really are a vital part of this ecosystem, or would this planet be better off without us?

As we face the crises of these times, it is important we consider and reimagine what is the meaning of life? Why are we here?

The answer has gradually become quite simple for me. Our purpose is to bear witness to and experience the miracle of life unfolding and from this place of wonder and gratitude, we give of ourselves and create an offering of our life to enrich the beauty and diversity of this world. These offerings of bundles, seeds, flowers, songs, prayers, presence, beauty and creative expression all feed this life in ways that ensures there is balance between the different dimensions of reality. That we feed that which feeds us. In so doing, we humans perform a vital role as a bridge between the seen and unseen as we recognise the animacy of all life and our place within it.

Receiving gifts from life and the earth comes with a sacred responsibility of sharing, respect, reciprocity and gratitude, in recognition of our dependency on all the relationships that enable us to be here.

A culture of gratitude is inherent in many indigenous cultures, when it is understood that being a part of the Web of Life involves the careful tending of our relationships -reinforced through gift-giving - to ensure the wellbeing of the whole community of human and more-than-human kin. In a gift economy the currency is gratitude and connection rather than goods and money, which reinforces abundance as a natural principle and invites reciprocity rather than accumulation. Wealth and security come from the quality of our relationships, where the interest of ‘we’ exceeds that of ‘I’ and the wellbeing of the community is recognised as the true measure of success.

Read more on ‘Sharing the Gift - Making an offering of your life’ over on Substack. Link in bio 🙏🏼💚

12/05/2025

We are sensual and wild beings by nature.

We may consider ourselves evolved and civilised since we moved into bricks and mortar, wore clothes to hide our flesh, put pen to paper and created societies with laws and order, but our basic human urges all point to our animal nature. Our hunger for food, desire for touch and warmth and the need to excrete, breathe and sleep remind us that we are not so far removed from our animal kin as we perhaps thought.

Inside of you is a feral twin who longs to curl up in a den wrapped in soft fur, drink water directly from the flowing stream, make sounds that are not wrapped in words and feel the warmth of the Summer sun on your bare skin. This wild one is a friend of the darkness. They know to live presently, responding to each moment without the precursor of thought. They relish in the challenge of the hunt; quietly stalking their prey through the dappled light of the forest and knowing the fulfilment of sufficiency in a wild landscape.

We are in great peril if we choose to ignore our feral twin. Without them, we forget the ways we are woven with nature, attuned to the rhythms of the cosmos - an intricate part of what keeps life in balance. We become cut off from our intuitive knowing and sensitivity to the more subtle and invisible dimensions of life that concoct the physical world. We are easily distracted, caught on the dopamine train, unable to be still or comfortable with silence. If our feral twin goes hungry, we feel cut off from our life-force, stuck in depression or riddled with anxiety, and suffer with feelings of loneliness and abandonment. Magic and wonder is drained from our perception as the world becomes less animate and we inhabit an unconscious and reactive state that is without meaning or beauty.

Read more on how to nourish your animal body in a mind-bent world over on Substack. Link in bio 🙏🏼

05/05/2025

Beltane blessings of bright wonder and creative fecundity! The fires are ablaze upon the hills, the hawthorn is blooming and bluebells sing upon the forest floor.

With the invitation of Summer, I have been called out of my deep dreaming cocoon. This weekend I was able to cross the threshold into my 40th year after 5 months gestating in the womb-tomb, and I feel lit up with all that life has been kindling in me.

A threshold will always demand transformation, and it has been a real gift to go slowly, attentively and allow the fullness of this death and rebirth process to work on me.

Held and witnessed by my community, I was guided on a magical journey through the forest to meet the threshold I was invited to adorn. Crossing over onto a golden pathway I lit the Beltane fire and ignited my prayers for this new beginning.

Upon a wild golden throne, I received the sweetest of blessings and was crowned with a resplendent top hat - weaving together past, present and future into the whole and holy woman I am 🙌🏼

Much has changed and continues to change, and although I will be here from time to time, you can now follow me on Substack where I will be sharing delicious content every week to support your ritual life, inspire the Sacred in the everyday and feed your soul.

You can find me there following this link;

https://islamacleod.substack.com/

I look forward to welcoming you there 💚

29/01/2025

Hey friends, this is going to me my last post here for a while…

From my experiences of Soulwork and curating ceremonies and sacred spaces to support others who are facing a Dark Night of the Soul, I have intimately come to know the vitality and meaning that comes from surrendering to this journey of initiation and allowing a dissolution of self.

2024 was a year of deep questioning, unravelling, composting, letting go of long-held dreams and embracing new textures of grief. I feel in throes of a Soul initiation and I have been teetering at the threshold for some time now, unable to fully let go into the process of dissolution while remaining so visible in this form, but my Soul has spoken - the time has come...

This initiation is asking for me to ‘go dark’ - to withdraw into the cave and retreat from the incessant clamour of a mobile phone and email inbox and the endless opportunities for diverting my attention and draining my capacity for presence, stillness, inner listening and being the mum I want to be for my son. It does feel a little like claiming maternity leave; to create a defined and held space wherein I can give birth to what is ripening and nurture this new being and my relationship with Self and the world.

The last few times I felt this call to go dark I wasn’t a mother, I didn’t own a computer or smart phone, and I wasn’t running my own business, so I am curious how to create a sense of sanctuary for the Soul that still enables me to bridge worlds and respond to the needs of my family, my community and my clients. I feel both excited by the prospect of this experiment and a little daunted! Playfulness, boundaries, curiosity, kindness and wonder all feel vital to cultivate.

What will emerge in this space is unknown, but there are several creative projects gestating that I would love to dedicate time and space towards bringing to life. What I do know is that I trust in my Soul and where they are guiding me.

Thank you for all your support and encouragement over the years. This web of connection and community continually inspires me to delve deeper into the ways I can be of service and bring forth the medicine most needed for these times. I’ve been encouraged to set up a GoFundMe to raise funds to resurrect my yurt and rebuild this temple as a sanctuary for healing and soul mending. Any contributions are greatly appreciated 🙏🏼https://www.gofundme.com/f/resurrect-the-yurt

If you feel curious about what comes next, I hope you will be patient with me until I return. Although I am reducing my working hours, I will still be facilitating 1:1 Soulmaking ceremonies here in Somerset and offering Soul Friend mentoring online.

In the meantime, go gently, with love and keep tending that inner flame 🙏🏼🔥💫🌑🐍

28/01/2025

As we approach Imbolc, now is the time to be stirring the seeds you hope to grow and thrive in this next creative cycle. What are they calling for…?

I am delighted to be a part of this constellation for Deepen your Roots , a generous and embodied programme that weaves together deep ecology with animist practices, cyclical living and creative invitations, resonant community and self-study, with an awesome circle of humans guiding you back to your roots.

If your seeds are hungry for kinship, inspiration, folklore, ancestral wisdom, community and soulful ways to explore your inner and outer landscapes, I wholeheartedly recommend this programme. After being part of the last year’s journey, I have experienced the breadth, depth and beauty of this offering and its calling for us to fully inhabit and belong to place. The journey has been exquistely crafted and tended, and has opened up so many new pathways with the practical and creative invitations to enhance our relationship with the more-than-human world.

As a participant you gain automatic, lifetime status as a bioregional guardian; a keeper of the wisdom, knowledge and forgotten secrets of the land on which you live.

If you feel the call you can use the code ISLA10 for a 10% discount to the course fee. Just follow the link in my bio to see all the details.
Hope to see some of you wondrous folk there! 🙏🏼🕸️

09/01/2025

Journey with Trees - Full Moon Meditation, Sunday 12th January 7:30pm GMT

This lunation we are voyaging to the Sacred Grove to hold council with the Spirit of Yew, Iaho. The final tree in the Celtic Wheel of the Year, Yew is a midwife to our transformation; holding open the gateway as we meet the threshold of a new beginning and another turn of the Wheel.

The Yew Clan are guardians of the ancestral realm, keepers of ancient wisdom and the sacred mystery of life, death and rebirth. They embody the medicine of eternity, the deep wisdom of cycles and vast and ancient roots of Natural Law.

At this time of Winter as we are being reshaped by our dreaming and dismembered by the process of dying to an old way of being, the realisation that death is a doorway and nothing to fear; that we are cyclical by nature, and birth, death and rebirth are continual phases of transformation that enable this life to regenerate to evolve - is a vital seed for us to nurture as Spring is on the horizon.

These sacred earth temples have taught me how to inhabit and embrace the darkness, to appreciate death as a doorway, overcoming fear and limited notions of time and space. I have been guided by them to meet my ancestors and relate with my ancient kin in a way that feeds the roots and blesses life.

What medicine does Yew offer YOU?

Register to join this journey via the link in my bio. a recording is sent out afterwards for those who can’t join live) £12-15 contribution. 🙏🏼🌕

08/01/2025

Lifting the veil to dream within this Wintry cocoon and listen to the Callieach’s whispers…

Our second Hearthcraft circle opened the way for this New Year with Willow as our guide. Her tenderness, flexibility and graceful spirit supports a deepening into the watery landscape of our dreams; going beneath the surface to find our flow and the path of least resistance as we tend to seeds that stir within.

Gathering together to craft dreaming sticks and connect with the spirit of Winter as we remember the wisdom of the darkness, the sanctuary of rest and the power of creating and making - giving form to the formless, life to the unborn. 🕸️🙏🏼❄️

06/01/2025

Feeling deeply entwined with root and soil, incubating seeds that sing of potential dreams and listening to the quiet embers that soften me to sleep.

Recovering from a nasty bout of flu since Christmas, I have been going very slowly and practicing the animal art of Wintering. I am tentatively peering above ground today as my son started a new term and I return to work.

I am noticing an aversion to screens, artificial light, lots of noise, multi-tasking, phone calls, social invitations, alarm clocks, diary planning… And reminding myself, this is really ok. It’s natural to want to hibernate and rest at this time of year, and I choose Nature’s Way 🙏🏼

25/12/2024

Bountiful blessings of magic, mirth & merriment this Yuletide 🎄🍄🕸️🌹

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19/12/2024

Last night, I facilitated the last ceremony for a client this year, beside the dancing flames of a generous hearth. It was quietly beautiful, tender and intimate, as we nourished soul, body and mind within the lap of Winter. Another journey through the Underworld to reclaim what has been forgotten and retrieve the gifts within the darkness.

Ceremony enables us to create a bridge between our mind and Soul, between the Sacred and the mundane. Once we enter a ceremonial space we are reminded that the line between our everyday world and the world of Spirit and our Soul is fine and easily crossed.

It is the most extraordinary privilege to be witness to the magic and grace that flows as hearts open to the wonder of being alive as ceremony rekindles the inherent sacredness of Life. To hold others as they courageously meet their shadows, speak their truth and share their dreams creates a bond of connection that lasts a lifetime. Being midwife to the transformation of another is both humbling and inspiring, expanding my capacity to love and bear witness to the full spectrum of human experience.

I am so grateful for all the people who have entrusted me to be guide and ally on their journey, and for the blessings of this Soulmaking work that keep on giving and growing me. Thank you for enabling me to offer these ways of ceremony and for revealing more of the Mystery of this Life through your unique expression of who you are.

Reflecting on the past year and the dozens of ceremonies and healing journeys I have curated, I feel wrapped up in the most exquisite tapestry of human stories, love, beauty and hope. Soft feathers of kinship binding it all together. Each thread woven with your courage to show up for this Life and remember what it means to be human.

Thank you for being here 🙏🏼

18/12/2024

We may be deep in the Earth element as we move towards Winter Solstice, and our bodies calling for rest, nourishment and stillness, yet the waters are still flowing strong and rituals of release and cleansing can help clear the inner pathways and prevent stagnation and depression.

In the darker months, we naturally turn inwards and meet the inner landscape of our soul. Here we may find unprocessed emotions, and experiences that have not been digested and understood.

In the Winter we metabolise and compost the past year so that we integrate the lessons we have learnt and grow strong roots to support us in weathering the storms of life.

Our roots are fed by our tears, our grief and what we are willing to let go of and let die. Nature shows us the way, inviting us to attune to the cyclical rhythms of growth, death and regeneration to find balance within and be well.

Look to the waters to remember how to flow, surrender, and trust in the greater current that moves through life, guiding you to the Source.

Address

Bruton
Bruton

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Website

https://islamacleod.com/

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My offering to life

I am a qualified celebrant and wedding officiant devoted to honouring and celebrating all facets of life and death. Whatever the occasion, I will help you to infuse your ceremony with meaning and magic, and enrich your connection to that which is sacred in your life. We will create an experience together that inspires wonder, gratitude, joy, reverence and love.

I create and hold bespoke ceremonies, rituals and adventures that reflect who you are and deepen your relationships with yourself and nature. We will undertake a journey together that will support and empower you through times of change and reveal the beauty and sanctity of the world around you.

My training has woven together various strands that support my work as a celebrant and enable me to offer something a little bit different. With my grounding in Buddhist practices, training in Shamanic healing and ongoing exploration of the feminine mysteries and Celtic mythology I am able to draw on various strands for inspiration and hold ceremonies in a deep and powerful way, working on all levels, seen and unseen.

Whatever your vision, dream or intention, let us explore it together and create an experience that is as unique as you are!