In Irish tradition, the King weds the land at Samhain, devoting his life to the land and the people, and tying his fate to theirs. Join Seán for an exploration of the lore of sacred kingship in the Irish tradition, and the relationship between the king and the health of the land.
In ancient Ireland, the role of the poet went beyond crafting words that stir the soul. The poet was one who ventured into the wilderness to connect with the Otherworld on behalf of the Tuatha, the tribe, through the cultivation of imbas, the "poetic frenzy" described as a "fire in the head." The poetry that emerged from this process revealed truths about the past, present, and future and had the power to change lives and worlds. In this class, Seán will share his own approach to reanimating this tradition, and the role that visionary plant (and fungal) allies play in helping him cultivate the fire in the head.
From Gods to sorcerers to werewolf warriors, Irish lore is full of shapeshifters. Join Seán for an exploration of the magic and spiritual ecology of shapeshifting in the Irish tradition.
We all need nourishment, support, and peace for our hearts in these times. Come learn about Hawthorn, Rose, Motherwort, Mistletoe, and other herbs that aid the emotional heart.
A single drop of water sends ripples across a pool. A single drop of a tincture sends ripples through your being. Herbal drop dosing exists in a space between homeopathy and pharmacological dosing. In homeopathy, a person receives only the energetic trace of a plant's presence – with drop dosing, a person's senses are experiencing the physical presence of the plant's constituents, but at a dose far lower than a pharmacologically active dose. Come learn about when, why, and how to work with herbal drop dosing.
Just as there are times of year when the Otherworld is close at hand, there are places where the boundaries between worlds are thin. Join Seán for a discussion of ancient tombs, enchanted lakes, "hungry grass," and other charmed and cursed places where people frequently encounter the dead and the Daoine Sidhe.
The fire at the root of our being is the source of our vitality. How can we help that fire blaze stronger and brighter? We will talk about strengthening herbs like Ashwagandha, Shatavari, and Rehmannia; gently stimulating herbs like Eleuthero and American Ginseng; and herbs like Red Sage and Damiana that help the mitochondria, the metabolic engines of our cells, operate more efficiently. Allies like these can help us build and maintain stamina for the work that needs to be done.
The Cailleach is as old as the hills of Ireland. Cold, dark, mysterious, and often terrifying, she is a keeper of memory, bringer of winter, woman of stone, and initiator of kings. Who dares to meet the Cailleach's gaze? Who dares to accept her kiss? Join Seán for a discussion of this ancient woman of power.
Trees root in dark soil, drawing ancient waters up from deep below. Their branches reach into the sky, drawing down rain and lightning, growing toward the stars. In the last class of the Samhain Season, will we explore the role of trees as bridges between worlds. We will also spend time with four trees commonly connected with the Otherworld in Irish tradition: Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Oak, and Yew.
The dark nights of November and December have long been a time for tales told by the fireside – and for speaking of uncanny and Otherworldly things. Join Seán each Thursday night between Samhain and the Winter Solstice as he explores lore best spoken of in the dark time of the year.
The Tuath Dé, the "Tribe of the Gods," the Shining Ones, were a mysterious people who "returned to Ireland on the black north wind." Their magic, their power, their beauty were unrivaled. Then, with the onslaught of civilization, the coming of the Gaels across the waters from Spain, they left this world for the Otherworld – becoming the Daoine Sidhe, the "People of the Mound," the Faerie people. Join Seán for an exploration of the nature of these mysterious ancestors.
As we enter into the dark season of the year, we will explore the medicine and magic of Black Cohosh, Solomon's Seal, Reishi, and other medicines that can help us navigate dark places. We will also look at what myth can teach us about the gifts of darkness, and simple rituals that can help us connect with these gifts.
