Even the most cynical among us may have found themselves questioning life in recent months, or looking for a sign that all will be well.
Could the universe perhaps give a gentle nod that things will get better, a hint as to how we move forward?
Well, the signs are very much there, if only you know where to look. We all have the ability to be guided by the universe, at least according to Avril Richer.
The former hat maker turned master spiritual healer believes her calling is more important than ever following the pandemic.
From helping people overcome depression to addiction, Avril thinks the universe is the way forward – or, rather, the energy which it can offer, when you are open to receiving it.
If you think this all sounds a bit hocus pocus, fear not because Avril is used to criticism.
She currently offers virtual healing sessions from her gorgeous home in Rothienorman, where she can normally be found pottering around the garden.
Avril’s services are very much in demand, with people getting in touch from all over the world in the hope of making a change.
“I’ve heard it all before, some people have even accused my work of being a scam,” said Avril.
“You get used to it. I just calmly explain to people what I do and even invite them to experience it for themselves.”
Avril was previously well known for her impressive millinery skills.
She soothed many an anxious mother of the bride from her shop in Aberdeen’s Rosemount area, and solved endless hat disasters.
But having trained to become a healer while running the shop, Avril realised she couldn’t do both.
“I made hats, designed them and altered anything that you can put on your head,” she said.
“I absolutely loved it, but I also trained to become a healer.
“It slowly dawned on me that I couldn’t give healing much attention, because the shop was just so busy.
“Healing was what I truly wanted to do, so I closed my doors in 2016.”
But what exactly is healing, and how does it work?
Avril believes it differs from person to person, with one vital ingredient. “You have to believe in it,” she said.
“Healing means I tap into energy and channel it to the person. You have to be open to receive the energy, you have to want it,” she said.
“It’s like putting fuel in the car, the energy will fire up the intention. There has to be trust and belief.
“The energy is real and some people feel really powerful waves of energy.
“It never ceases to amaze me, it’s fascinating how it works.
Unlike hypnotism, the person is not put into a trace-like state during the healing process.
Avril has been holding sessions virtually since lockdown commenced, and has helped people with a wide range of issues.
From the common cold to over-indulging in alcohol, and even more serious conditions such as sciatica and heart palpitations, Avril thinks healing is the way forward.
“I’ve done remote healing sessions with people all over the world,” she said.
“It’s not like a massage, you don’t just lie there and suddenly you’re healed.
“One of the biggest barriers is the fact that deep down, a person may not want to be healed.
“They have become their illness because they don’t know who they would be without it.
“Maybe they go to a support group and have made friends through that, so their entire life revolves around this illness.
“So to suddenly be healed seems quite a scary prospect.
“You have to want healing to happen on every single level and access how the mind operates.
“What the mind manifests, the body will express.”
Avril recommends leading a healthy lifestyle in order for healing to truly take effect, with clean eating and exercise such as yoga or swimming.
“I once healed someone who had an addiction to drinking Coca-Cola; he never touched the stuff after a 45-minute session,” she said.
“It amazes me what can be at the root of people’s problems, but it’s also why I can find healing quite tiring.
“The process can be exhausting and sometimes I need a couple of days just to recharge.
“I find out everything I possibly can about the person and look for negative patterning in the mind to prevent the problem from reoccurring.
“It’s very much a team effort.
“At the moment I’m finding that people lack energy and aren’t sure what they are doing with their life.
“Let the universe bring what is best for you. If you trust in it, it won’t let you down.”
