Woman Spirit Ireland
Celebrating the Festival of Bealtaine
A Study Day Reclaiming Stories,
Poetry, Music and Ritual
A Woman Spirit Ireland Event
Bealtaine, May 1st, is one of the four great Celtic cross quarter days. Celebrations traditionally begin on the eve of the feast and continue into May 1st. Bealtaine has undergone many transformations and this one-day event ‒ on April 21st ‒ will present some of the latest findings. We will reflect on our ancient cultural roots, contemporary manifestations of the festival, and imagine ways of reclaiming the festival for our times.
The overall aim of the Study Day is to offer resources to those who wish to celebrate Bealtaine in their homes, parishes, schools, and local communities.
The format will comprise lectures, music, dance, ritual, and sharing of traditions gathered from amongst participants.
Resource Persons
Sean Ó Duinn: Sean Ó Duinn is a monk of Glenstal Abbey, and author of many books on Celtic ritual, folklore, prayers and customs. His latest book is In Search of the Awesome Mystery, which explores the many faces of “Celtic” culture from the early megalithic period through to the present day. This work reflects and builds on the latest findings of archaeo-astronomy by Anthony Murphy and his colleagues (who presented at our Imbolc Study Day) and relates those findings to folklore and traditional seasonal ritual practices. Sean Ó Duinn’s previous books include The Rites of Brigid: Goddess and Saint, and Where Three Streams Meet, all published by Columba Press.
Nóirín Ní Ríain: Musician, singer and theologian, Nóirín Ní Riain is author of Theosony, a book which “proposes a rich imaginative, refreshing new way of listening for and interpreting the Divine ‘sound of sheer silence’. From Socrates, through Abraham, Jesus Christ, and Patrick, the most powerful connection between humanity and the Divine was and is through the ear”. Nóirín has performed all over the world; one of her latest engagements was on the occasion of the Dalai Lama’s visit to Ireland. Nóirín’s website: http://www.theosony.com/
Dr. Margaret MacCurtain, Chairperson: The distinguished historian and Dominican Sister, Dr. Margaret MacCurtain will chair the event, and host a discussion among all participants: What does all this mean for us today?
Event Co-ordinator: Mary Condren, director of Woman Spirit Ireland, and author of the Serpent and the Goddess: Women, Religion and Power in Celtic Ireland, as well as many articles and a forthcoming book on Brigit (New Island Books).
Date: Saturday, April 21st
Time: 9:30 for a 10:00 am start Ends: 5/6:00 pm
Venue: Catherine McAuley Centre, 23 Lr. Herbert Street, Dublin. (On the right, just past Baggot St. Bridge going into town).
Catering: Tea/coffee will be provided, but please bring a packed lunch.
Registration
Our fee structure aims to reflect the many different circumstances of people today.
Early Bird Option: Register by April 10th and you can use our Early Bird Option: €55.00 regular; €35 concession
Regular: €70:00. For registrations after April 10th
Supporter: €100. A supporter registration allows us to offer concessions to those on low income.
Concessions: €45:00 A limited number of concessions will be available to full-time students and those whose sole income is Social Welfare. Woman Spirit Ireland is a non-profit and self-supporting organisation. If possible, therefore, please first apply to your organisation or congregation.
Register Online: Please go to our webpage www.instituteforfeminismandreligion.org and use the “Donate” button on the right-hand side. Your payment will be accepted as registration, and confirmation will be sent to you by email.
By Post: Send your cheque or PO to: Woman Spirit Ireland, 30A Parkhill Rise, Kilnamanagh, Dublin 24. Please include your name, address, email and telephone numbers in any correspondence.
Further info: womanspiritireland@gmail.com
Woman Spirit Ireland is a new trading name for the Institute for Feminism and Religion, a feminist, non-profit, educational charitable company. Please see our website for further details, and join our email list for future notifications: www.womanspiritireland.com
Making Brigits Crosses
Making
Brigit’s Crosses
Merovee
Guerin
Tiny Crosses
The traditional cross is made from either
field or lake rushes.
Made from field rushes, it loses its
freshness as it dries.
The lake rushes are more sturdy, and the
cross a bit bigger.
I also found a way to make a cross which
looks from the front exactly like the traditional cross but has the advantage
to keep its shape when finished. it comes from the maori tradition.
Field Rushes
For the Brigit celebrations the rushes are pulled (not cut). One does not need a lot of rushes never more than 40). So I think it is worth pulling them with awareness.
Place your hand very low on the stem of the rush and pull steadily. When the rush does not break it has a beautiful white/cream/yellow part which contrasts nicely with the deep green. I often use this for effect in a cross.
Field rushes are the rushes one can see in any field. But in February it is difficult to find beautiful rushes as they are often burnt by the gales.
Sometimes one might be lucky and find rushes tucked in the hedge at the edge of a field, or in a low part away from the wind.
In general I go to the forest. It needs to be low lands forestry. There are often big ditches in the forestry and there, are the lush rushes which will be pliable.
Wear wellies and gloves.
Enjoy!
Harvesting Lake
Rushes
Lake rushes must be harvested in June or July. Do not leave too late as they lose
their pliability and get spotted.Find a lake with shallow water. The rushes grow in 2 feet the water. Cut the rush as low as possible.
I usually bring a rope which floats on the water and keep the cut rushes together. Dry rushes in a well aired area. Turn them from time to time. Keep away from direct
sun.
Store in a dry place.
Before using the rushes I usually lay them in water for a few minutes and wrap them in plastic to allow the water to soften the outside fibres and make the rush more pliable.
Go with someone. Someone stays on the shore.
Wear some kind of foot protection.
Have fun.
Brigit/Imbolc Study Day January 14th 2012
Imbolc/Brigit: Celebrating the circle of life. Saturday
January 14th 2012
A Woman Spirit Ireland Event
January 31st/ February 1st marks one
of the great ancient Irish feasts of Imbolc
and the feast day of Brigit: Goddess, Saint, and Holy Wise Woman. This one-day event ‒ on January 14th ‒ will present some of the latest findings on our ancient
cultural roots and offer resources to those who wish to celebrate Imbolc/Brigit in their homes and local
communities.
Professor Séamas Ó
Catháin: Author of many articles and the groundbreaking book: The Festival of Brigit: Celtic goddess and
Holy Woman. Séamas will present his latest findings on Brigit’s roots in
Old European ritual, myth, and symbol.
Anthony Murphy: Co-author of Island of the Setting Sun: In Search of Ireland’s Ancient Astronomers. Anthony will present his latest
unpublished findings on the cosmological relationship between several Brigit sites, and discuss the possible
implications for our understanding of the spirituality and religion of ancient
Ireland.
Meroveé Guerin: Community
artist, Meroveé Guerin, who has facilitated Brigit cross and crios/girdle making and
research with Woman Spirit Ireland for
almost twenty years, will facilitate
a crios making workshop in which
participants can make a crios to take home and use with their
families or community groups to celebrate rites of initiation, transition, and
seasonal changes. Materials will be supplied, but participants might wish to
bring precious cloths to weave into the girdle. The crios is one of Ireland’s most ancient ritual objects and was used
by Wise Women and Saint Brigit in her
healing ministry. Material for one crios is
included in registration. Extras may
be available at additional cost.
Chairperson: The
distinguished historian and Dominican Sister, Dr. Margaret MacCurtain will
chair the event, and host a discussion among all participants: What does all this mean for us today?
Event Co-ordinator: Mary
Condren, director of Woman Spirit Ireland,
and author of the Serpent and the
Goddess: Women, Religion and Power in Celtic Ireland, as well as many
articles and a forthcoming book on Brigit
(New Island Books). Mary has resourced Brigit Festivals in Ireland and abroad for over twenty years. In this event, she will outline the Old
European roots of the crios and its
use in celebrations throughout the world.
Date and Time: Saturday,
January 14th. 9:30 for a 10:00 am start. Ends:
5/6:00 pm
Venue: Catherine
McAuley Centre, 23 Lr. Herbert Street, Dublin. (On the right, just past Baggot St. Bridge going into town).
Catering: Tea/coffee
will be provided, but please bring a packed lunch.
Registration
Our fee structure aims
to reflect the many different circumstances of people today.
Regular: €70:00. Supporter:
€100. A supporter registration allows
us to offer concessions to those on low income. (Brigit’s main virtue was
generosity).
Concessions: €40:00 A
limited number of concessions available to full-time students and those whose
sole income is Social Welfare. Woman Spirit Ireland is a non-profit and self-supporting
organisation. If possible, therefore, please first apply to your organisation
or congregation.
Resource Packet: A
Resource Packet of background
material on Imbolc/Brigit may be available on the day for those who book them in
advance. Permissions are still being sought. Details/cost to come.
Register Online: Please
go to our webpage: www.instituteforfeminismandreligion.org.
(Please use the “Donate” button on the right hand side). Your payment will be
accepted as registration, and confirmation will be sent to you by email.
By Post: Send your
cheque or PO to: Woman Spirit Ireland, 30A Parkhill Rise, Kilnamanagh, Dublin 24.
Please include your name, address, email and telephone numbers in any
correspondence.
Further info: womanspiritireland@gmail.com
Woman Spirit Ireland is
a new trading name for the Institute for Feminism and Religion, a feminist, non-profit,
educational charitable company. Please see our website for further details, and
join our email list for future notifications: www.instituteforfeminismandreligion.org.
New Autumn Series 2011
Virgins, Mothers and Crones: Hope in a Time of Darkness
New Autumn Series, starting Monday, October 3rd
At this time of spiritual, economic and political crisis, where do we find hope?
What might ancient female wisdom sources have to teach us? How do we create new images, symbols, art forms and events that challenge the dominant worldview? How do we empower women to become agents of change, bridging the gap between the parental values of the home and the greedy values of the marketplace?
In this series, we will search some ancient Irish texts for sources of wisdom, specifically interrogating texts concerning the images of Virgins, Mothers and Crones. Our material will include Celtic myths, Celtic cosmology, ecology, Lives of saints, pilgrimage, laws, and wisdom literature.
Our hope is that both women and men might find more healthy ways of relating and contributing to new forms of spirituality, politics, and economics.
The series will include storytelling, role plays, films, talks, and group discussion. Material will be circulated in advance to facilitate discussion, especially for those unfamiliar with these sources. This series will be an ideal opportunity for those unfamiliar with the richness of our Celtic past to become familiar with the original sources, where to find them, how to interpret them, and how to use them creatively ‒ in community groups, classrooms, or in academic or therapeutic settings to address present day concerns.
Material will be made available in advance online. Extra photocopying may be made available at small extra charge. Continue reading