Even as a youngster, I had a great love for nature. As I grew older, I discovered the Great Mother, Mother Nature. At twelve, I dedicated myself to Her. I don't really know why, but I knew I belonged to Her. I could surrender to the changes, both within myself and around me. From Her, I learned to understand the cycle of life-death-life.
 

During my adolescence, I completely lost that connection. I wandered the world like a seeker, searching for myself, my identity in this tangle, this jumble of impressions. Many others wandered and wandered with me. Completely preoccupied with my mind, thinking, knowledge, achievement, strength without vulnerability, rationality, analysis...and much more. I didn't find myself; on the contrary; I lost myself more and more, and besides profound lessons, I also underwent very unpleasant experiences.
 

Later, I delved into the mythology of these regions, of the Netherlands and northwestern Europe. I felt deeply that Mother Earth and the ancestors were calling me, first whispering, but later compellingly. Even as a young person, I felt supported and not alone.
 

A seed was planted in me on the eve of my father's death, and together we saw Venus shining in the sky, as bright as a beacon, as my father described it. When he died, something deep within me died too... And at the same time, I was reborn, that's how it felt; an intensely mystical experience that I've only been able to express somewhat through poetry. I was completely empty; it felt like a complete reset of who I was in a positive sense; I knew who I was again!

The years working within the shamanic tradition of Spirit of Wolf as a ritual guide and therapist/Applied Psychologist have given me many insights. The need for a good teacher in spirituality, for one-on-one rituals, contact with the local, the ancient European, good and personal help, and the profound need for re connection! Many people come to me who say they've exhausted their treatment options in conventional mental health care, yet thrive after trying holistic and shamanic approaches. I have great hope for many people who think they've been "given up on," often finding that a purely mental or one-sided approach simply doesn't seem to be enough.
 

And also, and very importantly: Mother Earth is currently suffering greatly because of our way of life. This cannot continue; we are causing her and her creatures great suffering, which must be called Ecocide. Furthermore, humanity has placed itself above nature (anthropocentrism) and therefore thinks it is more intelligent than Mother Earth and her creations. It places itself above creation, thus forgetting the gifts of Mother Earth, such as the healing power of her herbs, her elements, and so on. In my opinion, it's not either/or, but both/and can we collaborate with the knowledge we already have, and broaden it by incorporating ancient wisdom? Can we explore new methods based on ancient wisdom?
 

My mission is not only to help people cope with their life's challenges and learn to better tolerate them, to find balance in their two poles (minus/plus, light/dark) and to connect with each other, but also to help our Mother Earth. The message that we are one behind all forms, that there is a source from which we all originate, is something we desperately need at this time to realize that what we do to each other and the Earth, we also do to ourselves. I usually refer to this as "animistic living"; living with the conviction that all life is valuable and deserves respect.
 

It is my deepest wish that we relearn that we are all connected and part of nature, rather than above it. This might lay the foundation for more respectful choices regarding our environment and nature. I sincerely hope to contribute to the people around me becoming aware of the love that emanates from this unity and to reflect more deeply on their way of life in relation to others, themselves, the animals, and our beautiful planet, which holds so many secrets to balance and joy. I call this the path of the Heart. The heart is the place where deep connection with others around us occurs. I contribute to this in my role as head of the Dutch and international community and as a shamanka, Izih Deer Kam, the name given by my teacher Shaman Morsuk and his teacher Shaman Karagai in the lineage of the Spirit of Wolf tradition. I feel blessed that I am not alone in this, but rather a whole lineage of ancestors from this lineage who give me the wisdom and knowledge to do my work here in Europe, as do the community and all the other helping forces with whom I work. More and more people are stepping up to play a significant role in rediscovering our connection with nature, ancient archaic culture, and animism here in Europe, and integrating it into our current lives for a more respectful and balanced existence.

I want to help reintegrate our own traditions and ancient knowledge into the present, in a modern, realistic way, without compromising their origins: I call this "Dutch Shamanism."
 

We must learn to speak the language of nature again. Not just the language of the Lowlands traditions, but also of Europe and all our ancestors. The Spirit of Wolf tradition provides a beautiful foundation and roots for this.
 

We come from the same source of Origin, all people on earth; we are brothers and sisters, and we walk under the same heavens and on the same Earth. Let us celebrate unity in diversity. Let us embrace each other in love. This will bring us healing in all areas.
 

- Mirjam van Donselaar, 2026

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Other projects:

 

Books [in dutch]: www.mirjamvandonselaar.nl

Webshop owner of traditional and local shamanic products called "Seawolfshop" together with senior student and partner Chyltys Kam:
www.seawolfshop.com

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