From Darkness and Isolation to Joy, Freedom and a Deep Connection with Nature

Join us for an inspiring and deeply personal interview with Catrine Emilie, who openly shares her powerful story of journeying from severe depression and anxiety to joy, freedom and empowerment. Through Yggdrasil Shamanic School and Pål-Esben’s unique approach, Cathrine Emilie rediscovered life through the healing power of nature and ancient wisdom. In this conversation, she reveals how small steps in nature became the beginning of a remarkable transformation, leading her to live a life she never imagined possible. Her experiences with the combination of modern psychology and shamanic practices serve as a powerful reminder that profound healing and lasting change are possible for all of us.

Be inspired by Cathrine Emilie’s journey, her insights, and the power of choosing your own path towards self-development and personal growth.

When Cathrine Emilie Kronen began her education at Yggdrasil Shamanic School, she was severely ill. She suffered from treatment-resistant depression, slept 20 hours a day, and experienced intense social anxiety – so severe that she wouldn’t even collect her mail for fear of encountering neighbors. The future seemed bleak, and hope was almost lost.

But then she began her journey with Pål-Esben – a journey that literally transformed her life.

Through small, secure steps and powerful tools, she began rediscovering nature’s healing wisdom, learning self-regulation, and developing the ability to meet life with awareness and choice. From barely daring to step outside her door, she progressed to sleeping alone in nature – in safety and trust. Today, Cathrine Emilie works part-time, gives lectures about her journey, and experiences joy, mastery, and a new sense of purpose.

In this inspiring interview, she openly shares about:

• How nature and education helped her overcome depression and anxiety
• The crucial insights that transformed her life – like the ability to make conscious choices and take responsibility for her own journey
• How old patterns such as overeating were replaced with new, healthy ways of facing challenges
• The profound power of shamanic tools including runes, the The 9 Pillars of the Heart’s Path, and connection with nature’s cycles
• The vital importance of online education combined with practical exercises in nature
• And how Pål-Esben’s teaching style, warmth, and integrity created a safe space for transformation

Cathrine’s story is living proof that there is a way back – even from deep suffering. With the right support, tools, and an inner willingness to grow, we can not only heal – we can flourish.

What are the most significant changes in your life from before you started at Yggdrasil Shamanic School to where you are today?

The most crucial change for me is that when I started with Pål-Esben, I was severely ill. I suffered from a serious, recurring depression that was resistant to traditional treatment. My condition was so severe that I spent most of the day, approximately 20 hours, in deep sleep. During the few hours I was awake, I was either on the couch or in bed, unable to do anything productive.

In addition to the depression, I struggled with overwhelming anxiety that affected even the most basic daily tasks. It was so bad that I didn’t even dare to go to the mailbox for fear of neighbors seeing me. This anxiety kept me trapped in my own home, isolated from the outside world.

Then I began working with Pål-Esben, and he presented me with a challenge that would become the turning point in my life – spending time in nature. It started with small, cautious steps. First, I ventured onto the porch, then into the garden. Gradually, I expanded my horizons with short walks around the house. What once seemed impossible slowly but surely became manageable.

The real breakthrough came when I managed to sleep outdoors in nature, completely alone. This was something I could never have imagined doing before, and it marked a significant victory over my anxiety. From this point forward, positive changes began to occur in rapid succession.

Today, I have a part-time job, something that would have been unthinkable before. Even more remarkable is that I now give lectures about my personal journey. If someone had told me five years ago that I would be standing in front of people sharing my story, I would have thought they were completely insane. It simply wouldn’t have been possible in my condition back then.

This transformation from being trapped in my own home to being able to inspire others through my experiences is a testament to the incredible journey I’ve been through. It truly shows how proper support and guidance can lead to profound changes in a person’s life.

This journey has been transformative in multiple ways. It has made me more confident and grounded in myself, and through the process, I’ve gradually discovered new aspects of my personality. The most fascinating aspect was my encounter with nature. When I started walking outside, I found answers to many of life’s questions along the paths I wandered. It was as if nature itself was guiding me, and with each passing day, week, and month, I discovered new insights that helped me progress further on my healing journey.

Being able to sleep outdoors in nature represented an enormous personal victory for me. Sitting quietly in the forest, recognizing all the different sounds – from the wind whispering through the trees to the birds’ songs – and truly feeling that nature embraced and protected me, was a profound experience. Through this process, I learned to synchronize with nature’s own rhythm and cycles, which has proven to be incredibly healing.

I am still in a continuous process of change, and this journey continues to evolve day by day. Looking back at where I started – so sick and isolated – to where I sit today, it feels almost magical. It’s as if I’ve undergone a complete transformation, both mentally and physically. This shift from being so deeply immersed in illness to being able to sit here today and share my story is nothing short of miraculous.

It’s truly amazing to reflect on this journey. Every time I think about it, I’m filled with gratitude and awe at how far I’ve come. It serves as a reminder that even in the darkest times, there is hope for healing and personal growth.

What are the most important insights you’ve gained along this path?

One of the most significant insights, which is also one of the 7 Golden Keys, revolves around consciousness. Through my personal journey, I gradually became more aware that I actually had the ability to make active choices in my own life. Instead of automatically falling back into old, destructive thought patterns, I discovered that I could choose a different path. It was like awakening to a new reality where I found myself at a crossroads – I could either continue down the familiar path that led to more pain and suffering, or I could choose a new direction that opened up possibilities for more joy and freedom. This gave me the opportunity to learn from situations that arose around me, rather than getting trapped in old, familiar pitfalls that I had fallen into time and time again.

Another profound insight that has shaped my journey is the realization that the only person I can truly change is myself and my own thought patterns. It took time to accept that I don’t have the power to change other people around me – the only thing I have control over is my own thoughts and actions. This awareness gave me a new form of freedom. It was like releasing a heavy burden I didn’t even know I was carrying. By becoming conscious of this truth, I learned to let go of things I couldn’t control, and instead focus on the choices that could set me free from the mental prison I had built around myself.

The discovery of my own free will has been one of the most powerful turning points in my journey. Although it’s not always easy to practice this insight in daily life, I have now developed the ability to stop and take a pause when I feel old patterns beginning to take over. This is about creating a conscious interruption in automatic reaction patterns, taking a step back, and truly examining what’s happening in my thoughts in the moment.

Realizing that I am the only one who can take responsibility for my own life and experiences has been both challenging and liberating. This principle is deeply rooted in the nine pillars of the heart’s path, which have become essential tools in my daily practice. Implementing these principles in everyday life has proven to be incredibly freeing and transformative.

It’s touching to hear that my journey has inspired others. However, the truth is that we all inspire each other through our individual journeys and experiences. There’s something special about the way we can learn from each other’s insights and experiences. When we share our stories and experiences, we create a collective wisdom that everyone can benefit from. This community of shared experiences and mutual support is one of the most valuable aspects of our healing process.

It’s fascinating to see how we are all connected in this process, how our individual journeys weave together into a larger picture of healing and transformation. By sharing our experiences and insights, we create a network of support and understanding that strengthens each of us on our path toward healing and personal growth. This community of shared experiences is one of the most precious gifts we can give each other on this journey toward increased consciousness and freedom.

What has meant the most to you?

What has had the greatest significance for me is probably the awareness around my compensatory behavioral patterns – how I react when life becomes challenging. During my depression, I developed a complicated relationship with food, where overeating became a way to handle difficult emotions. Through this journey, I have learned to recognize these patterns and gradually begun to break them down. This has not only led to positive changes in my relationship with food but also to a natural weight reduction when I finally began to understand the underlying mechanisms that governed my behavior.

The tools we’ve gained through our education have been invaluable in this transformative process. The 7 Golden Keys and the The 9 Pillars of the Heart’s Path have provided me with a robust framework for personal development and healing. However, what truly revolutionized my approach to healing was discovering the power of nature. Pål-Esben introduced me to nature’s healing potential in a way that deeply resonated with my soul. He supported every small step I took toward building a meaningful connection with nature, and this patient approach has led me to now view nature as my primary source of wisdom and healing.

The runes have also become a significant part of my healing journey. Without delving too deeply into their mysticism, I’ve created my own medicine bag with runes that serves as a powerful tool for guidance and support when needed. What’s fascinating is how nature and the runes together create a holistic approach to healing – nature often mirrors what resides within me, and the runes help me interpret and understand these messages on a deeper level.

What do you think about the teaching method?

The unique combination of online shamanic teaching and practical assignments has proven surprisingly effective. Many might question how shamanism can be conveyed through a digital platform, but my experience has been overwhelmingly positive. Especially considering my previous health condition, the online format has been a blessing.

The virtual classroom creates an inclusive and accessible learning environment. Even on days when energy is low, I can participate by simply opening my computer and connecting. We’ve established a dynamic community where we can see each other, share experiences, and ask questions just like in a physical classroom. Pål-Esben’s open and welcoming teaching style encourages active participation and dialogue.

One of the greatest strengths of this format is the accessibility of course materials. Everything is stored in the course portal, which means I can revisit and review the teachings whenever it suits me. This has been particularly valuable on days when my concentration might not be at its peak, or when I want to delve deeper into specific topics.

The practical exercises we receive are carefully designed and adapted for individual completion. What makes these exercises so valuable is that they are both practical and transformative – they provide tangible results that validate the effectiveness of what we’re learning. This creates a solid bridge between theory and practice, where each exercise becomes like a new “hook” to hang our understanding on.

For me personally, this combination of online theory and practical exercises has been optimal. It provides the flexibility I need to participate on my own terms while ensuring a deep and authentic learning of shamanic principles and practices. The knowledge that I can participate regardless of my daily condition has been crucial for my continuous development and healing.

This teaching method represents in many ways a modern approach to ancient wisdom, where technology is used as a tool to make this knowledge more accessible and practically applicable in today’s society. It demonstrates that shamanic practice can be adapted and remain relevant in a digital age without losing its essence or power.

What do you think about Pål-Esben as a teacher and his teaching style?

He is an incredible source of knowledge who consistently impresses with his profound insights and understanding. He possesses not only extensive theoretical knowledge but also has a unique ability to convey this wisdom in an engaging and comprehensible manner. He stays remarkably current, both in his scientific approach and modern methodology, while simultaneously holding an incredible depth of understanding of the ancient wisdom that has been passed down through generations.

I find his teaching structure to be exceptionally well-organized. Each session is carefully planned and thoughtfully constructed, with a natural progression that makes it easy to follow and absorb the knowledge. What’s particularly important to me is his strong emphasis on ethics, which sets a high standard for us to aspire to. His ethical compass is consistently oriented toward what’s best for his students and society as a whole. He’s a tremendous inspiration who genuinely burns with passion for what he teaches. Moreover, he has a sincere desire to see me succeed on my path, not just as a student, but as a complete human being. This journey allows me to reconnect with my core, my true essence and potential.

Another aspect I find particularly remarkable is his intuitive understanding of exactly how much to challenge me to progress on my path. He has an innate comprehension of each student’s needs and boundaries. After all, these courses are meaningless unless they resonate with my own inner growth and development. He approaches this with such respect and care, demonstrating tremendous empathy – he’s truly a fellow human being who sees and understands each individual student. While patient, he provides those essential gentle pushes we need to grow further, always carefully calibrated to where each person is in their own process.

He is very direct and clear in his communication. There’s no ambiguity about what he stands for and says. A high level of integrity permeates everything he does. He embodies what he teaches – living and breathing his principles and values. He serves as a beacon of light in the darkness. Having walked the path himself, we can follow confidently, knowing the trail has been explored and mapped.

For me, this has been a life-transforming journey from extensive suffering to rediscovering life’s purpose and finding deep, lasting joy. I can say with certainty that if I hadn’t started at Yggdrasil shamanic school, with Pål-Esben as my mentor and teacher through this transformative process, I might not be sitting here today – that’s how seriously ill I was at that time.

I want to share that during my healing process, I was also seeing a psychiatrist simultaneously. Interestingly, he had read Pål-Esben’s book about the 7 golden keys and was deeply impressed by its content and methodology. He was so convinced and adamant that I should continue with Pål-Esben, as he observed how these two approaches – traditional psychiatry and shamanic wisdom – could complement and strengthen each other.

What we learn from Pål-Esben, and what he represents, has a universal quality that resonates with modern treatment methods as well. In fact, some of the methods or exercises we practice at Yggdrasil shamanic school, I also shared in psychiatry. I had a psychiatrist who, in a way, championed and actively encouraged me to use the things I learned, especially about nature and its healing power, during group therapy sessions with him. This demonstrates how well these different approaches can work together to create wholeness and healing.

So yes, this might have been more extensive than expected, but it feels important to share. It’s been an incredible journey that has transformed my entire life and understanding of healing and personal growth.

What are your thoughts on the content taught at Yggdrasil shamanic school?

Pål-Esben possesses a unique ability to blend the best of two worlds – cutting-edge scientific research and ancient wisdom. He fuses these elements in a way that creates a deeper understanding of both human nature and the natural world. Nature has always held a special place in my heart, and the way it’s integrated into the teaching deeply resonates with me.

His teaching methodology is particularly remarkable because he conveys knowledge from multiple perspectives and viewpoints. This creates a holistic understanding that builds gradually. It’s like climbing a ladder of insight, where each step provides you with a deeper comprehension of the material. From understanding basic concepts, we progress toward a more comprehensive grasp of complex interconnections.

What makes the teaching especially valuable are the practical and useful tools we receive. These tools are invaluable for the personal development journey we’re all on. When I say “we,” I mean both myself and everyone else seeking this type of knowledge and growth. He has an exceptional ability to weave threads together and present complex knowledge in an accessible and applicable way.

As I mentioned earlier regarding the psychiatrist, this demonstrates how comprehensive and multifaceted this learning truly is. It’s almost overwhelming to articulate because it touches so many aspects of human life. He integrates the psychological, metaphysical, and physical realms in a way that creates a holistic understanding. He genuinely embraces all areas of life – the emotional, spiritual, practical, and theoretical. The most fascinating aspect is how he manages to make the illogical logical, building bridges between the rational and intuitive.

What particularly impresses me is how he weaves these different elements into a coherent whole. He creates a synthesis of knowledge that isn’t just theoretically interesting but also practically applicable in everyday life. This makes the learning both meaningful and transformative.