Sam MacLaren

Sam MacLaren is a practising animist of over 40 years, dedicated to living in deep relationship with the land, rhythms, and stories of the British Isles and Ireland. She is co-founder of Pretani Wisdom Traditions, her school of British Animism. A passionate teacher, healer and lifelong student of ancient wisdom; with a First-Class Honours degree in Celtic Studies from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, and further study in Ritual and Religion in Prehistory with the University of Oxford; her work bridges academic scholarship with lived spiritual experience.

Sam's first book The Medicine of the Four Directions - Ancient Signpost Modern Path, brings clarity and authenticity to subjects often clouded by romanticism and modern reinterpretation. Her work invites readers to rediscover the deep-rooted spiritual ecology of Britain and Ireland, and to live in conscious relationship with place, season, and spirit.

Sam has also had several articles published in Sacred Hoop Magazine, and has contributed a chapter on modern animism in a forthcoming Routledge publication on professional Outdoor Coaching.

She lives on the border of the Howardian Hills AONB, and the Vale of Pickering, in North Yorkshire, with her partner and the other co-founder of Pretani Wisdoms Traditions, Roger, and their two ferrets Ted and Dougal.