About

A Metaphoric Body

Multiple black squiggly lines on a white background resembling waves.

My name is Ellie. I am — in no particular order — a somatic coach, a massage therapist, a witch, a writer and lifetime student of the mysteries.

It is my deep honour and joy to assist people as they move towards greater happiness, greater pleasure and greater power. I believe that each and every one of us is capable of integrating our shadows and wounds, and that we are born to experience immense goodness.

For me, the body is absolutely key in negating our suffering and opening to pleasure and aliveness. In fact, I would also say that our body is the destination we're headed to — a body of ease, a body of capacity, a body which can hold magic, sensation, alongside agency and choice when life surprises us.

A woman with long curly reddish hair and tattoos on her arms, leaning on her hand, having a conversation with another person who has brown hair, wearing a hair clip, in a room with curtains.

I believe that our bodies are sites of magic, and that pleasure is a guiding light — capable of transforming us and awakening our deepest dreams. Yet I also know that we can struggle to experience the aliveness and ease we truly deserve, and that at times, our relationship to intimacy and our bodies can be complicated at best.

Having navigated this labyrinth myself, let me reassure you that it is indeed possible to find your way through the darkness. It is possible to live the beautiful life you want, and you already have what you need to get there.

A young woman with tattoos on her arms, wearing a tan short-sleeved shirt and blue jeans, standing in front of a glass display board with various posters, including one promoting an event 'The Convivial' and another about oil and cold wax painting workshops. She has curly hair and is smiling slightly.

My Approach

As someone who offers therapeutic services, and someone who has often needed the support of skilled practitioners myself, I know how vital it is to get a feel for someone before you work with them.

Finding out whether someone is the right fit for you is even more important when you are receiving touch and working together on topics such as pleasure, eroticism, shame and spirit.

All of this is trauma-informed: centred on your consent, your pace and your choice, whatever we are working on together.

Touch and being in my body has been transformative and necessary for me. By adopting this focus for healing, I have been able to soothe and tend deep wounds I could not reach through words.

I have discovered sensation and aliveness I did not know existed. Now I consider my body a primary centre of power and intuition.

It's my belief that, as the world becomes busier and more disembodying, our felt sense, touch and pleasure remind us of what we deserve: to feel alive.

My Training and Lineage

  • Priestess: Ceremonial Trauma Informed Yoni Massage (The Wild Fem)

  • Body Massage Level 3 Diploma

  • Anatomy & Physiology Level 3 Diploma

  • Integrative Somatic Parts Work Level 1, 2 & 3 (via The Embody Lab)

  • NeuroAffective Touch (Embodied Philosophy)

  • Reiki Level 1 & 2

  • Fundamentals of Psychosynthesis (via The Institute of Psychosynthesis)

  • Mental Health First Aid

  • Working with Bereavement, Loss & Trauma

  • Working with Survivors of Domestic & Sexual Violence

  • BA (Hons) in English Literature (1st Class)

  • Four years of teaching Creative Writing

  • Ten years of holding space for marginalised communities and those experiencing trauma

My work is also informed by the incredible teachings of Dr. Carolyn Elliott, in particular her course Battle Magick — a rigorous course in practical magic, Jungian dream work, desire and the shadow — which I have completed twice. Carolyn's wisdom and teachings have shaped the ways in which I understand consciousness, magic and individual liberation.

I am also indebted to the work of Colette Hartgill, who has been of profound influence upon me, especially her teachings in the Art and Science of Manifestation, which I have been a student of for three years.

I believe that good practice is built on rigorous training and continuous personal development. This is my lineage to date and I remain a devoted student.

My personal practice is rooted in sacred sexuality: a current within Western occultism that understands the erotic as a primary force of transformation and liberation. Ritual pleasure enables me to experience my power, to connect with the erotic and beautiful that is within me and within the universe. It is a rigorous, ancient and living tradition that I bring to my work with care, depth and complete respect for each person's own path and beliefs.

Earth worship and animism are also central aspects of my spiritual practice.

Beyond A Metaphoric Body

Outside of A Metaphoric Body, I try to live a life that brings real contentment. I love to spend time with the beloved people in my life. I like to keep grounded — being outdoors forms a huge part of that, whether I'm foraging, cycling the country roads or sea swimming. You can often find me listening to a good vinyl, or cosied up reading books.

I also write. You can find more of that on my Writing page.

Read my writing