( For My LJ Friends: http://adfcatprints.blogspot.com/ )
Showing posts with label Irish Culture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Irish Culture. Show all posts
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
The Secret of Kells - A Review
The story is about Brendan, a young brother in the Abbey of Kells in Ireland. His uncle, the Abbot, forbids Brendan from leaving the abbey and insists that he helps fortify the walls in preparation for the impending Viking raids. When the illuminator, Brother Aidan, arrives with his cat and unfinished manuscript, Brendan is suddenly encouraged to explore his more creative side and pay more attention to the natural world - which Aidan claims can teach more than any book. When asked to fetch an ingredient for ink, Brendan encounters the wolf spirit Aisling who befriends and helps him throughout the story.
Despite the presence of Christianity, the Pagan world is still alive in "The Secret of Kells." The Vikings are referred to as Pagans (which they were at this time). On some levels, the portrayal of the Vikings was unfortunate as they were shown as dark, almost infernal monsters. As they invade, one of them slashes through a cross - a scene that even made me sit up. One must remember, though, that the Irish probably saw the invaders as monstrous. Cromm Crúaich, a dubious Irish deity, is also in the film. There is mention of him in Irish lore - mostly in association with St. Patrick. Cromm is known for demanding the sacrifice of children for a good harvest. He is a very negative, demonic being in "The Secret of Kells." He's portrayed as a snake who, once dealt with, is drawn as an ouroboros - one of many spiraling symbols in the movie. What could be a negative portrayal of Paganism is balanced by the sidhe Aisling. She is the protector of the forest, a shape-shifter who, while friendly with Brendan, is also a hunter and a killer as a wolf. Aisling, to me, represents one of the best portrayals of a Pagan deity in modern culture. She is mischievous, powerful, and ageless yet benevolent to the deserving, and possessing of her own faults and weaknesses.
I highly recommend this movie to anyone who loves Ireland, mythology, or a good story. There are possibly some frightening scenes for children, so I recommend that parents watch it first if you're uncertain. If your child wasn't bothered by Disney's "The Princess and the Frog," he or she will probably love "The Secret of Kells." If you're concerned that your son or daughter will come away from the film with a poor impression of the Vikings, make sure to expose them to "How to Train Your Dragon" for a more positive representation.
( For My LJ Friends: http://adfcatprints.blogspot.com/ )
Thursday, September 9, 2010
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. They were herders, raiders, hunters, and fishermen.
They would probably have a hearty laugh at me! Yet I understand that their world was different from my own. They had to eat meat and other animal products to survive. Animals were often raised more sustainably than they are today on their giant factory farms. My ancestors in the northern climes just didn't have the choices that the Mediterranean Pythagoreans, the Hindus, or the Jains had. Not to mention, my ancestors did many things that probably should not be done today anyway...
I've been a meat-free vegetarian for about as long as I've been a Pagan*. For me, the two are hand in hand but I've never been able to exactly express why. I've always known that a part of it has to do with a deep respect for nature. But that is only part of it. Carnivores and omnivores are also part of nature and I do not deny their place or rights. My spirit guide is a carnivore. My animal companions are carnivores. They have never expressed a desire to give up meat and I don't think it would be healthy to force it on them anyway**. But I feel like I have a choice, and I don't feel like it furthers me from the food chain. I am basically an herbivore. If my spirit animal doesn't eat me first, then I will die and be eaten by smaller things and go back to the plants I ate. As long as I am not in a survival situation, I feel quite content eating as I do.
An lj friend and fellow ADFer*** recently posted this article entitled "I Was Wrong About Veganism" by George Monbiot. Basically the author, who once insisted that Veganism was the only ethical response to the environmental, health, and food dilemmas of this world, takes back the statement and gives his reasons based on new statistics. He argues that going local and returning to traditional feeding methods is the best for the environment and the animals. I totally agree, and the article made me feel better about my recent decision to consume dairy products again, albeit with a nearly strict preference for organic and/or local. The rare bit of cheese I eat must be rennet free. (On a side note, I feel like Brighid, my patroness who has very close ties with dairy, kept bugging me when I gave it up. So yes, in a way I do feel spiritually obligated to eat some of her essence.)
My friend is one of many Pagans I know who argue that eating meat and eating local is a moral act, to use her choice of words. By eating meat she is imitating the Gods. I get that, and I'm not about to say they are wrong, horrible people - especially if they are eating sustainably harvested meat. And yet... I still don't feel compelled to eat it myself. I've never felt spiritually motivated or pushed to. Quite the opposite.
I recently started to read more about Hinduism and Jainism in my quest to better articulate what, exactly, drives me to live the way I do. I could call myself an ethical vegetarian (someone who is a vegetarian for ethical reasons), but that implies that people who do eat sustainable meat are unethical...which isn't right or healthy to assume, in my opinion. I do what I feel is ethical for myself. In my studies, I came to the concept of ahimsa which is Sanskrit for the concept of doing no harm. It is an interesting and complicated subject but I rather enjoy learning about it because a lot of it is what I believe for myself. My friend Parallax first helped me begin this process of articulation when she mentioned a thought she had had when she was a vegetarian - there is a difficult to express hierarchy, which is why many of us are somehow okay eating plants. But even so, I try to be as respectful to plants as possible, thanking them for their nourishment, asking for permission before I harvest them, and leaving gifts of nuts or drink when I do. Even then, I try not to take everything - just enough for myself and for the plant to further flourish. Turns out, Jains believe in this hierarchy and have organized it. It is quite interesting, especially in light of recent arguments that "intelligent" animals like dolphins, whales, apes, octopuses, and squid should not be eaten at all.
So what does all of this mean to someone following a Druidic path? In Irish lore, some people are under geasa - magical bound to do or avoid something. Fate. One famous geis belonged to Cuchulainn. Because of his practically totemic connection to dogs, he was spiritually forbidden to eat of their flesh. As fate would have it, he ended up eating dog (due to other geasa in place) and this was part of his undoing. Perhaps not eating flesh period is my own personal geis - my spiritual fate? Perhaps it is merely this life's lesson. I have already learned much from my journey of fruit salads and lentil burgers - integrity, compassion, empathy, acceptance, patience, creativity... So much. Perhaps in this life, I am not meant to eat the salmon of knowledge - instead I am to share the hazelnuts of wisdom with the salmon themselves.
*I gave up red meat when I was 8 so I've been a flexitarian or vegetarian of some sort for a very long time.
** It would totally fail anyway. My cats like catching flies waaaay too much.
*** I don't know if she wants her username floating out in the virtual ether so unless she wants official credit, I will respect her privacy.
( For My LJ Friends: http://adfcatprints.blogspot.com/ )
They would probably have a hearty laugh at me! Yet I understand that their world was different from my own. They had to eat meat and other animal products to survive. Animals were often raised more sustainably than they are today on their giant factory farms. My ancestors in the northern climes just didn't have the choices that the Mediterranean Pythagoreans, the Hindus, or the Jains had. Not to mention, my ancestors did many things that probably should not be done today anyway...
I've been a meat-free vegetarian for about as long as I've been a Pagan*. For me, the two are hand in hand but I've never been able to exactly express why. I've always known that a part of it has to do with a deep respect for nature. But that is only part of it. Carnivores and omnivores are also part of nature and I do not deny their place or rights. My spirit guide is a carnivore. My animal companions are carnivores. They have never expressed a desire to give up meat and I don't think it would be healthy to force it on them anyway**. But I feel like I have a choice, and I don't feel like it furthers me from the food chain. I am basically an herbivore. If my spirit animal doesn't eat me first, then I will die and be eaten by smaller things and go back to the plants I ate. As long as I am not in a survival situation, I feel quite content eating as I do.
An lj friend and fellow ADFer*** recently posted this article entitled "I Was Wrong About Veganism" by George Monbiot. Basically the author, who once insisted that Veganism was the only ethical response to the environmental, health, and food dilemmas of this world, takes back the statement and gives his reasons based on new statistics. He argues that going local and returning to traditional feeding methods is the best for the environment and the animals. I totally agree, and the article made me feel better about my recent decision to consume dairy products again, albeit with a nearly strict preference for organic and/or local. The rare bit of cheese I eat must be rennet free. (On a side note, I feel like Brighid, my patroness who has very close ties with dairy, kept bugging me when I gave it up. So yes, in a way I do feel spiritually obligated to eat some of her essence.)
My friend is one of many Pagans I know who argue that eating meat and eating local is a moral act, to use her choice of words. By eating meat she is imitating the Gods. I get that, and I'm not about to say they are wrong, horrible people - especially if they are eating sustainably harvested meat. And yet... I still don't feel compelled to eat it myself. I've never felt spiritually motivated or pushed to. Quite the opposite.
I recently started to read more about Hinduism and Jainism in my quest to better articulate what, exactly, drives me to live the way I do. I could call myself an ethical vegetarian (someone who is a vegetarian for ethical reasons), but that implies that people who do eat sustainable meat are unethical...which isn't right or healthy to assume, in my opinion. I do what I feel is ethical for myself. In my studies, I came to the concept of ahimsa which is Sanskrit for the concept of doing no harm. It is an interesting and complicated subject but I rather enjoy learning about it because a lot of it is what I believe for myself. My friend Parallax first helped me begin this process of articulation when she mentioned a thought she had had when she was a vegetarian - there is a difficult to express hierarchy, which is why many of us are somehow okay eating plants. But even so, I try to be as respectful to plants as possible, thanking them for their nourishment, asking for permission before I harvest them, and leaving gifts of nuts or drink when I do. Even then, I try not to take everything - just enough for myself and for the plant to further flourish. Turns out, Jains believe in this hierarchy and have organized it. It is quite interesting, especially in light of recent arguments that "intelligent" animals like dolphins, whales, apes, octopuses, and squid should not be eaten at all.
So what does all of this mean to someone following a Druidic path? In Irish lore, some people are under geasa - magical bound to do or avoid something. Fate. One famous geis belonged to Cuchulainn. Because of his practically totemic connection to dogs, he was spiritually forbidden to eat of their flesh. As fate would have it, he ended up eating dog (due to other geasa in place) and this was part of his undoing. Perhaps not eating flesh period is my own personal geis - my spiritual fate? Perhaps it is merely this life's lesson. I have already learned much from my journey of fruit salads and lentil burgers - integrity, compassion, empathy, acceptance, patience, creativity... So much. Perhaps in this life, I am not meant to eat the salmon of knowledge - instead I am to share the hazelnuts of wisdom with the salmon themselves.
*I gave up red meat when I was 8 so I've been a flexitarian or vegetarian of some sort for a very long time.
** It would totally fail anyway. My cats like catching flies waaaay too much.
*** I don't know if she wants her username floating out in the virtual ether so unless she wants official credit, I will respect her privacy.
( For My LJ Friends: http://adfcatprints.blogspot.com/ )
Monday, September 6, 2010
Woman Power!
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/ )
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
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, and embed it on my blog. This is my first movie and is incredibly simple in that it's merely a picture of my altar, the title, and my audio. Be nice. :P
[ For my LJ friends, please visit me at: http://adfcatprints.blogspot.com/ ]
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Some information on Bláithíne
Bláithíne/Blathnat, the flower maiden and Goddess of the fields, is an apt deity to honor in May. The northern hemisphere is waking up and filling with flowers instead of snow. She leaves her husband (through arranged marriage) to be with the one she really loves, Cuchulain. In the end, she's killed by her husband's bard.
Bláithíne is the Irish counterpart of the Welsh Blodeuwedd. Although I have an Irish hearth culture, I'm more familiar with her story. In this version, she is actually created with magic (out of flowers) for the purpose of being Lleu's wife. I'm still not entirely sure how I feel about the Lugh=Lleu argument, but there's definitely similarities between the two. It's interesting how Blodeuwedd is forced to marry the Welsh Lleu, and in Ireland, Cuchulain is, in some stories, fathered by Lugh. I also think it's fascinating how, in the Welsh version, Blodeuwedd is punitively transformed into an owl. The contrast between flowers/light/day and owls/dark/night is interesting. It's the sort of duality that exists in Persephone.
* Image: "The Flower Maiden" by Henry John Stock.
[ For my LJ friends, please visit me at: http://adfcatprints.blogspot.com/ ]
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Looking for a good book for your Pagan child?
I came across a childrens' book today and, after flipping through it, I couldn't pass it up for my growing collection of young Pagan literature. Any parents/educators should be familiar with the hugely successful "Magic Tree House" books. I see second and third graders reading them all the time. This book, entitled Leprechauns and Irish Folklore, by Mary Pope Osborne and Natalie Pope Boyce, is "a nonfiction companion to" a fictional book they wrote called Leprechaun in Late Winter. I read all 109 pages of the companion in an hour or so.
What's so impressive about this book is how open-minded and scholarly it is. While the authors don't discuss the evolution of Lugh to leprechaun, they do briefly discuss the Tuatha De Danann. There's a whole chapter devoted to the modern history of Irish folklore. It features sections about Douglas Hyde and Lady Gregory, for example, and even introduces the subject of British occupation.
Different spirits are discussed, such as the trooping fairies, pookas, and clurichauns. The authors give examples of how people have/can befriend the good folk, as well as how to defend against them. All the examples are consistent with the lore and folklore studies I've been reading. The selkies have a section too but are called merrows (or múir ógh for sea maiden). Speaking of Gaelic, the Irish is pretty accurate as far as I can tell with my novice understanding. Children reading will learn about the filí and raths for instance. I love that the authors used actual Irish!
My only real complaint is that the Druids are presented only as "wise men" (73) rather than men and women. The book sometimes relies too heavily on the more modern idea of diminutive winged fairies but makes up for it by explaining that they can appear however they want. Otherwise I highly recommend it for Pagan parents, especially those with Irish hearth cultures. It's very well written, contains beautiful illustrations and photographs, and even includes a section with further reading and research tips for youngsters to follow! Rather than calling a belief in fairies nonsensical, the book leaves it up to the reader to decide for him or herself what to believe. I really appreciated that bit of spiritual tolerance / allowance for magic.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
It's that time of year again!
When I was a jaded high schooler, newly converted from Catholicism to "Wicca,"* I didn't have a good understanding of ancient or medieval history. I knew quite a bit about American history thanks to years and years of emphasis in school, but otherwise... I knew a bit about feudalism, I knew that the Egyptians were some sort of polytheists who built the pyramids and believed in an afterlife, and I had a vague idea that the Druids were from Ireland. For years after, even into my earliest Druidic studies, I was convinced that St. Patrick's Day was a crappy holiday because it celebrated how mean old St. Patrick kicked the Druids (aka The Snakes) out of Ireland.
Fast forward to the last ... oh, year and a half. My interest in Druidism has grown so that it's an incredibly important part of my life. I read about it a lot. Inspired by Celtic Reconstructionist methodologies, I read history book after history book, even the dry ones, to obtain a greater understanding of my ancestors and the culture I feel most inspired by. It is impossible for me to wag my finger at St. Patrick after reading as much as I have. I'm not alone in this revelation. Several Pagan bloggers have been discussing their feelings and understandings of the holiday. To make a long story short, St. Patrick has been framed. He's a scapegoat among the Pagan community - a largely innocent Christian victim to our community's "Waaaa, you stole my toy!" attitude.**
In other words, I have less of a "bah humbug" attitude about St. Patrick's Day. A couple years ago, a friend of mine (I swear, I think it was one of my sister-in-laws), who is neither Pagan nor Christian, told me that she prefers to celebrate St. Patrick's day in the spirit of her Irish ancestry. I've come to feel similarly, especially when considering what my immigrant ancestors went through. I come from a proud, strong, spiritual, creative, and tenacious people. I am honored to have Irish blood flowing through my veins.
That said, St. Patrick's Day cannot escape my criticism entirely. Although I don't get very "into" St. Patrick's Day,*** I'm not against celebrating my culture. I also recognize that many minority groups join in because the Irish are, more or less, a success story in America. Although they were persecuted and abused, they climbed the social ladder and many of us are successful and happy today thanks to their efforts****. However, the celebration is just way, way too commercial. There are too many crappy, plastic trinkets that end up in garbage limbo, too many styrofoam shamrocks, too many greasy attempts at Irish food, and too much ignorant debauchery. I use such language because it's true! I love a good drink and a reason to party, but on St. Patrick's Day, at least I know what the hell I'm celebrating. It's unfortunate how many Irish wannabes and, even worse, Irish descendants haven't a clue what their ancestors went through. Worse yet, most don't care. They just like the excuse to drink. The only reason St. Patrick's Day continues to thrive is, in my opinion, because of its association to booze. Why do you think St. Joseph's Day isn't a big deal in the States? Why is Cinco de Mayo a hit but Chinese New Year isn't? It's the booze. The ignorant masses just want to drink. Any excuse. If you asked them what they were celebrating and why, I bet they wouldn't be able to explain. Bah humbug to that!
So roll on my Irish loving friends! Have a fun (responsible) time but remember what the day is about. Sláinte!
*I put Wicca in quotations because I'm coming to the conclusion that, while I read about it and attempted to practice Wiccan liturgy, I wasn't really a Wiccan. This has nothing to do with initiation or anything. I simply wasn't living a Wiccan life. I called myself one, but I was more akin to a Catholic who rarely prays and only goes to church on Easter. I should expand on this in a future entry...
**It's obviously more complicated than this. There are other stories the Patrick myth has grown out of, and people do love to perpetuate falsities or hyperboles.
*** It's still a Catholic holiday and has a history of solemnity in Ireland. I'm not Catholic, don't care to celebrate the St. much, and prefer to let Catholics do their thing in peace.
**** Before anyone points this out, yes I'm aware this was facilitated by skin color.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Happy Sunday, readers! Did you remember to spring forward?
North Country Goes Green
I wanted to start off by apologizing if I sounded *really* negative about the Watertown Irish Festival. It really wasn't that bad. I was mostly annoyed by the difficulty we had finding parking and how crowded the building was. I tried to say this last night, but I must have been too tired to finish the thought. (Wow that really reflects well on my blogging, doesn't it?!) Utica, as I was saying, has their Irish Festival on some fairgrounds which offer ample space for vendors, performances, and various cultural activities. There's also a lot of parking. I understand that Watertown wants to have the event closer to St. Patrick's Day, but that means it's cold, possibly raining, and probably muddy out. Utica waits until around Lughnasadh, the traditional gathering of the Celtic tribes. This means it's usually pretty comfortable out and the fairgrounds make sense. So... either Watertown should plan their festival later in the year or find a larger building with better parking. Otherwise, do go! If you're a proud Irish descendant, it's always fun to celebrate your heritage, and the money is going to a good cause - Project Children, an organization that aims to promote peace between Protestant and Catholic Ireland.
So, back to my regularly scheduled blogging*.
Art Guild and Initiate Study Programs
As you know, I'm working on the above study programs. I've only just dipped my big toe in. I'm starting to sketch again. I'm thinking of making drawing my second medium. My friend Parallax encouraged me to look to something less three dimensional. A lot of the sewing I do, dolls and costumes, a lot like sculpting. While I still want to learn more about sculpting with materials such as porcelain, furthering my drawing skills could be very helpful in the design aspect of sewing. I studied drawing in high school and college but, unfortunately, a lot of my previous work has gone missing. It's the unfortunate side of frequently moving. I found some of my old supplies and have started to study things and sketch them. Last night my husband's Xbox controller graciously modeled for me. This morning I started to sketch my tea cup.
As far as sewing goes, I've been busying myself this morning by taking apart old garments that don't fit or are worn out. I'm going to repurpose the fabric in some other sewing projects eventually.
The book I've been reading, The Rites of Brigid Goddess and Saint, has given me a lot of ideas for my essay on her relationship to the arts. I've learned a lot already, especially in regards to the folk practices that existed throughout Celtic countries. I'm also inspired to learn more about Irish textiles. I know they used linen and wool most of the time. I've been researching their clothing and it's really fascinating.
In regards to the Initiate Study Program, I'm trying to figure out where to start. It's kind of daunting when you get right down to it! At the very least, I want to get back into a more regular meditation routine. As I was telling my mentee, I have an on-again-off-again relationship with meditation. I feel that it's vitally important to my health and spiritual relationship to the kindreds, but my dedication comes and goes in waves, usually interrupting by my stress and energy levels. Learning how to get past that so that my meditation is just as uninterrupted as my daily devotional: that is my goal for the ISP. I need to develop some sort of schedule.
ADF Store
In other news, the ADF store, despite the message on the home page, is once more opened for business! They have a large assortment of publications, jewelry, and clothing. I'm thinking about getting a hoodie. I've heard that Wellspring is cold at night, and I could use a nice warm sweatshirt.
* Actually, my blogging is not scheduled. It's sporadic and seems more frequent on the weekends.
North Country Goes Green
I wanted to start off by apologizing if I sounded *really* negative about the Watertown Irish Festival. It really wasn't that bad. I was mostly annoyed by the difficulty we had finding parking and how crowded the building was. I tried to say this last night, but I must have been too tired to finish the thought. (Wow that really reflects well on my blogging, doesn't it?!) Utica, as I was saying, has their Irish Festival on some fairgrounds which offer ample space for vendors, performances, and various cultural activities. There's also a lot of parking. I understand that Watertown wants to have the event closer to St. Patrick's Day, but that means it's cold, possibly raining, and probably muddy out. Utica waits until around Lughnasadh, the traditional gathering of the Celtic tribes. This means it's usually pretty comfortable out and the fairgrounds make sense. So... either Watertown should plan their festival later in the year or find a larger building with better parking. Otherwise, do go! If you're a proud Irish descendant, it's always fun to celebrate your heritage, and the money is going to a good cause - Project Children, an organization that aims to promote peace between Protestant and Catholic Ireland.
So, back to my regularly scheduled blogging*.
Art Guild and Initiate Study Programs
As you know, I'm working on the above study programs. I've only just dipped my big toe in. I'm starting to sketch again. I'm thinking of making drawing my second medium. My friend Parallax encouraged me to look to something less three dimensional. A lot of the sewing I do, dolls and costumes, a lot like sculpting. While I still want to learn more about sculpting with materials such as porcelain, furthering my drawing skills could be very helpful in the design aspect of sewing. I studied drawing in high school and college but, unfortunately, a lot of my previous work has gone missing. It's the unfortunate side of frequently moving. I found some of my old supplies and have started to study things and sketch them. Last night my husband's Xbox controller graciously modeled for me. This morning I started to sketch my tea cup.
As far as sewing goes, I've been busying myself this morning by taking apart old garments that don't fit or are worn out. I'm going to repurpose the fabric in some other sewing projects eventually.
The book I've been reading, The Rites of Brigid Goddess and Saint, has given me a lot of ideas for my essay on her relationship to the arts. I've learned a lot already, especially in regards to the folk practices that existed throughout Celtic countries. I'm also inspired to learn more about Irish textiles. I know they used linen and wool most of the time. I've been researching their clothing and it's really fascinating.
In regards to the Initiate Study Program, I'm trying to figure out where to start. It's kind of daunting when you get right down to it! At the very least, I want to get back into a more regular meditation routine. As I was telling my mentee, I have an on-again-off-again relationship with meditation. I feel that it's vitally important to my health and spiritual relationship to the kindreds, but my dedication comes and goes in waves, usually interrupting by my stress and energy levels. Learning how to get past that so that my meditation is just as uninterrupted as my daily devotional: that is my goal for the ISP. I need to develop some sort of schedule.
ADF Store
In other news, the ADF store, despite the message on the home page, is once more opened for business! They have a large assortment of publications, jewelry, and clothing. I'm thinking about getting a hoodie. I've heard that Wellspring is cold at night, and I could use a nice warm sweatshirt.
* Actually, my blogging is not scheduled. It's sporadic and seems more frequent on the weekends.
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