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unpublished findings on the cosmological relationship between several Brigit sites, and discuss the possible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
Women of Spirit: Inspiring Foremothers
Register Now for Whole Series or Individual Sessions
Women of Spirit
Inspiring Foremothers: Leading Change
The medieval mystics, according to historians, constituted, ‘the greatest intrusion of women in church history.” Long before the women’s liberation movements, inspired by social commitments, spiritual philosophies and theologies, our foremothers founded organizations, hospitals, schools, social services and movements that radically changed the lives of many. According to Mary T. Malone, “Circumstances are now right for another such intrusion.” This series aims to draw on the courage and commitment of our foremothers, to inspire the present, and forge the future. Each evening will comprise a full presentation, followed by discussion groups and a period of reflection/ meditation.
Eva Gore Booth
The sister of Constance Markievicz, Eva Gore Booth worked with prostitutes and flower sellers, and educated the early British suffragists. She also wrote a brilliant 323 page reflection on St. John’s Gospel. Monday, Feb. 28th
Presented by Mary Condren, Director of the Institute for Feminism and Religion. Series Coordinator Continue reading
Women of Spirit Inspiring Foremothers: Fighting for Change
The medieval mystics, according to male historians, constituted, ‘the greatest intrusion of women in church history.” Long before the women’s liberation movements, inspired by social commitments, spiritual philosophies and theologies, our foremothers founded organizations, hospitals, schools, social services and movements that radically changed the lives of many. According to Mary T. Malone, “Circumstances are now right for another such intrusion.” This series aims to draw on the courage and commitment of our foremothers, to inspire the present, and forge the future.
Each evening will comprise a full presentation, followed by discussion groups and a period of reflection/ meditation. Continue reading
Imbolc Brigit Celebration Jan 28 – 30th, Dublin
Imbolc: Stirring Into New Life
Brigit with her white wand is said to breathe life into the mouth of the dead Winter and to open our eyes to the tears and the smiles, the sighs and the laughter of Spring. (Alexander Carmichael).
In this weekend event, we will experience the quickening energy of Imbolc and nourish Brigit’s energy (the neart) in ourselves while we gather the seeds of our Spring dreams. Imbolc marks the beginning of Spring in the Celtic calendar, and is traditionally a time when Brigit is celebrated as goddess, saint, poet, healer, and smith worker.
Workshop Content
Awakening ancestral memories of Imbolc, by telling stories of Brigit, the feminine soul of Old Europe.
Drawing on their strength for our healing journeys, by connecting with our BodySouls through movement, art, voice work and ritual.
Exploring the relevance of Brigit’s traditions for this time of spiritual and global crisis. Continue reading