From Soldier to Sacred Craftsman: A Modern Maker's Journey

resilience and shaped his character. Like many veterans, the transition back to civilian life presented its own challenges, but also unexpected opportunities.

After leaving the Army, I found himself in the corporate world as an IT project manager for Sky TV. While the role was well-paid and prestigious, it offered something many high-earning jobs lack – genuine fulfilment. The corporate environment began impacting my mental health, creating a disconnect between my authentic self and daily work.

During this period, I discovered bushcraft and survival skills – practical knowledge that connected me to the older ways of living. Teaching these skills on weekends became both a passion and a lifeline, offering the authenticity missing from my corporate role. The name "Bushman Survival" emerged naturally from this work.

As a pagan who finds meaning in nature's interconnectedness rather than in deities, Paul began to understand something profound about the natural world. Recent scientific research has revealed that forests operate remarkably like the human brain – trees are linked through vast underground networks of mycorrhizal fungi that function like neural networks, sharing resources, information, and even warnings about threats. This "wood wide web" demonstrates the very interconnectedness that forms the foundation of his spiritual understanding.

The pivotal moment came through a simple gift: an axe from his wife. Instead of leaving it plain, Paul found himself drawn to carve intricate designs into the handle. When a friend saw the finished piece and wanted one of his own, Paul realized he'd found his calling.

This wasn't about mystical revelation – it was about recognizing a skill that brought both personal satisfaction and genuine value to others, while honouring the materials that nature provided.

When redundancy came from Sky TV, what could have been a setback became the universe's way of opening the door to authentic living. Last year, Paul made the leap to full-time crafting, leaving behind the corporate world that had been draining his spirit. The contrast couldn't be starker – from managing IT projects to creating functional art with his hands.

During the 2020 lockdowns, Paul's outdoor teaching became impossible, but his carving business flourished. His online community grew to over 20,000 followers, drawn by the authenticity of handmade work in an increasingly digital world. People were hungry for something real, something made with intention and care.

The craft gained serious recognition when I was commissioned to create pieces for "The Last Kingdom" television series. Working with historical drama productions validated both my skills and his commitment to authentic, period-appropriate craftsmanship. I have since provided items for the Globe Theatre, The National Berlin Museum, Warner Brothers, various TV shows and even The Traitors.

Paul's approach reflects his understanding of natural interconnectedness: everything is

hand-drawn and hand-carved. No CNC machines, no laser cutters, no mass production shortcuts. This isn't about rejecting technology for spiritual reasons – it's about maintaining the personal connection between craftsman, material, and finished piece that honours the natural world.

His most meaningful commissions include handfasting axes for pagan weddings, memorial urns for grieving families, and custom pieces that tell personal stories through carved imagery. Each piece carries the energy of its materials and the intention of its creation.

The choice of materials reflects both practical wisdom and spiritual understanding. Local woods carry the character of the region and the energy of the land where they grew, while bones and horns destined for waste are given new purpose. It's sustainable crafting that makes sense environmentally, economically, and spiritually.

What sets me Bushman apart is my ability to carve anything that matters to the customers. Norse mythology, family crests, beloved pets, favourite TV shows – if it's meaningful to the client, it's worth carving. This personal approach has resulted in some wonderfully unexpected pieces, including a memorable frog-and-strawberry carving that perfectly captured a customer's unique request.

Now in my first full year as a dedicated craftsman, I

continue creating functional art that serves both practical and personal purposes. All my pieces appeal to history enthusiasts, pagans, collectors, and anyone who appreciates handmade quality. The waiting list for custom work speaks to the value people place on authentic craftsmanship that honours both tradition and individual meaning.

In a world of mass production and digital everything, Bushman's work offers something increasingly rare: objects made by human hands with genuine care and attention. For those who follow earth-based spiritual paths, his pieces provide tangible connections to older traditions and the natural world. For everyone else, they're simply beautiful, functional art that carries the energy of authentic creation.

The story isn't about magical transformation – it's about finding your authentic path and having the courage to follow it, even when it leads somewhere unexpected. Sometimes redundancy isn't a setback; it's liberation. Sometimes leaving the well-paid corporate world isn't failure; it's finally coming home to yourself.