Because I enjoy making in-depth connections between disciplines, I've collected, over the years, a broad portfolio of qualifications, both orthodox and alternative, which span mind, body and spirit. I am a pharmacist, naturopath, herbalist, psychotherapist and professional astrologer as well as a writer and lecturer in these subjects. My practice is in Edinburgh, where I'm also Principal of the Scottish School of Astrology. I am currently pursuing postgraduate studies in the School of History and Classics at Edinburgh University, researching astrology, medicine and natural philosophy in the intellectual life of 17th century Scotland. Below is a little information about some of the work that I do. At the moment I'm able to take on a limited number of new clients for astrological consultations but my caseload for medical work is now full and will be for the foreseeable future. Astrology The most frequent response of clients to an astrological reading is relief and pleasure that their own inner reality has been affirmed and validated and that there is indeed a reason for their feeling and acting the way they do. Astrology is like an X-ray of the psyche. It can describe how the individual sees and responds to the world. The less we understand our innate natures, the fewer choices we have when faced with life's challenges. Astrology is a powerful tool to gain insight into both physical and psychological processes that leads to greater freedom of choice through greater self-knowledge. Background/Training Trained by the Faculty of Astrological Studies. Fellow of the Association of Professional Astrologers International. Guest tutor for the Faculty of Astrological Studies. Counselling/Therapy The aim of therapy is to create a safe and respectful space, which enables the client to explore troublesome issues and to work towards living in a more satisfying, authentic and resourceful way. The approach used is determined by the individual client and can be either person-centred, transpersonal or astrological or a blend of all three. Background/Training Diploma in Counselling from Strathclyde University based on Person Centred (Rogerian) Therapy. 3-year training from the Centre for Transpersonal Psychology, London, in Transpersonal Psychology which focuses on the spiritual perspective of psychological growth. Pharmacy Background/Training BSc (Hons) from Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh. Post-graduate training at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. Still practising as a part-time locum in community pharmacy. Naturopathy Naturopathy teaches us how to live in harmony with nature in order to achieve high-level health. The approach is threefold. The first area is nutrition, looking at the quality and quantity of foodstuffs taken and presenting ways of enhancing the enjoyment of healthy eating, fine-tuned for the individual. The second is physical care, which includes exercise, breathing, skin care, hydrotherapy and gentle manipulation. The third is psychology - understanding ourselves and recognising the links between emotional states and behaviour patterns and specific diseases. Background/Training 3-year postgraduate training of the Incorporated Society of Registered Naturopaths based on the Nature Cure principles of the Kingston Clinic, Edinburgh. Herbal Medicine Herbal medicines are extracts from parts of whole plants used to restore the balance of the body thus enabling it to mobilise its own healing powers. They are used here in conjunction with the psychosomatic approach to illness, which focuses on understanding the connection between body symptoms and beliefs and emotions. Background/Training 4-year training from the School of Herbal Medicine (Phytotherapy) Tunbridge Wells, leading to membership of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists, the oldest body of practising medical herbalists in the world. Publications A Handbook of Medical Astrology (2nd edition, revised & expanded), CrabApple Press, Edinburgh, 2006 The Aries Enigma, Cracking the Code, Mainstream Publishing, Edinburgh, 2004 The Taurus Enigma, Cracking the Code, Mainstream Publishing, Edinburgh, 2004 The Gemini Enigma, Cracking the Code, Mainstream Publishing, Edinburgh, 2004 The Cancer Enigma, Cracking the Code, Mainstream Publishing, Edinburgh, 2004 The Leo Enigma, Cracking the Code, Mainstream Publishing, Edinburgh, 2004 The Virgo Enigma, Cracking the Code, Mainstream Publishing, Edinburgh, 2004 The Libra Enigma, Cracking the Code, Mainstream Publishing, Edinburgh, 2004 The Scorpio Enigma, Cracking the Code, Mainstream Publishing, Edinburgh, 2004 The Sagittarius Enigma, Cracking the Code, Mainstream Publishing, Edinburgh, 2004 The Capricorn Enigma, Cracking the Code, Mainstream Publishing, Edinburgh, 2004 The Aquarius Enigma, Cracking the Code, Mainstream Publishing, Edinburgh, 2004 The Pisces Enigma, Cracking the Code, Mainstream Publishing, Edinburgh, 2004 Shaping Your Relationships, (series of 12 minibooks), Brilliant Books for Tesco, 2000 Shaping Your Future, (series of 12 minibooks), Brilliant Books for Tesco, 1999 A Handbook of Medical Astrology, Penguin/Arkana, London, 1990