I do consider Samhain to be the beginning of my spiritual year, but I also cannot deny the status quo in regards to modern society. Generations have looked to the point between December and January as the threshold to a new year and the continual existence of all. I can’t deny the power associated withContinue reading “Looking Forward to the New Year”
Category Archives: Irish Culture
Personal Religion
Ireland has captured my imagination, for better or for worse. A few years earlier, I never would have believed that I would be seriously studying Irish lore, Irish history, considering learning the Irish language, and worshiping the Irish Gods. A few years ago, the Irish Gods were “the strange Gods with even stranger names.” In a society thatContinue reading “Personal Religion”
The Three Kindred
In my early days of Pagan study and worship, it was easiest for me to connect with and understand the Nature Spirits. I was raised to respect them and even taught by my mother to believe in fairies and unicorns, even if they were part of a different reality than our own. As time went by, IContinue reading “The Three Kindred”
My Home Shrine
Creating a shrine was not a difficult requirement for me as I’ve been making altars for a few years. The challenge, however, was making an altar in accordance with a hearth culture and within a Druidic framework. Having started on a Pagan path through Wicca, I was used to having certain articles on my altar. When I realizedContinue reading “My Home Shrine”
A Brief History of the Druids
Ellis, Peter Berresford. A Brief History of the Druids. New York: Carroll & Graf Publishers, 2003. Each Summer Solstice the news media releases a handful of articles on a modern group of Druids worshipping near Stonehenge. The photos are of regular looking people wearing long white robes and sometimes white head coverings that look more akin toContinue reading “A Brief History of the Druids”
A History of Pagan Europe
Jones, Prudence, and Nigel Pennick. A History of Pagan Europe. New York: Barnes & Noble, 1995. A side of history that has remained silent for many years is finally revealed in Prudence Jones and Nigel Pennick’s work A History of Pagan Europe. Through exploring the tomes of history, lore, and archaeology, the authors have put together an impeccableContinue reading “A History of Pagan Europe”
The Secret of Kells – A Review
I finally got around to watching “The Secret of Kells,” the animated feature from Cartoon Saloon. It was recently added to the Netflix Instant Queue and several Druid friends were recommending it on the ADF mailing list. The story is about Brendan, a young brother in the Abbey of Kells in Ireland. His uncle, theContinue reading “The Secret of Kells – A Review”
Ahimsa and Druidism?
The fact that I’m a Druidic vegetarian quietly amuses me. My ancestors were Irish, Scottish, and Germanic! They ate mutton, haggis, and sausage! My ancient Irish ancestors looked to Druids for spiritual guidance – which often involved blood. On Samhain, the herds were culled before the hard, cold months. My ancestors were from Northern Europe.Continue reading “Ahimsa and Druidism?”
Woman Power!
http://www.youtube.com/v/1LhT7rCC6O8&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xd0d0d0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1 Here’s an amusing if incredibly corny music video devoted to Boudicca. Supposedly it’s from a British show called Horrible Histories. I thought my fellow Celtophiles would appreciate it. 😉 ( For My LJ Friends: http://adfcatprints.blogspot.com/ )
In which I talk about a traditional Goddess chant and my Celtic version…
I did this yesterday after fooling around with iMovie for several hours. At first I just wanted to post an audio file I made using Garage Band, but that didn’t work out as I couldn’t figure out how to upload it to Blogger. I realized I could make a movie, post it on Youtube, andContinue reading “In which I talk about a traditional Goddess chant and my Celtic version…”
Author M. A. Phillips 