Reclaiming the Chalice of Grace, Passion and Power at the Wise Woman Weekend

Amantha Murphy at Wise Woman Weekend

Amantha Murphy will facilitate a workshop at the Wise Woman Weekend in Dromahair Co. Leitrim, May 25th -27th 2012.

“We are at a pivotal time in our story, as a people and as women,” Amantha says. “This is our opportunity to create anew what, and how, we want the world to continue and grow. What stories will our daughters and nieces tell of us? How do we want to be remembered? We will look to take on our mantle of Grace, Passion and Power through movement, song and silence, to be in our Power as women, Sisters to each other, to hold space and to live in our truth and authenticity. We are the Ones and theTime is NOW.”

Amantha’s main area of interest is in all things Ancestral - Celtic - Goddess and “womyn” focused - living in the now in passion, power, grace, beauty and creativity.  She first got involved with the Wise Woman Weekend when she was asked to give a shamanic workshop.  “What I love about the Wise Woman Weekend is women empowering each other and remembering the essence of sisterhood.  I hope that it will grow and continue to evolve. That, also, it would be based in a different Province each year.”

When asked what one gem of wisdom she would share with other women, Amantha said: “Remember you ARE all you are meant to be, you just need to live in the fullness of your wondrous and unique nature..”

According to Amantha, the greatest difficulty facing women today is “non-appreciation of our grace and ability to multitask and hold what is necessary to bring growth. We are a personification of the great Feminine, in whatever form you see/feel Her to be. As women, we have been programmed not to make noise, not to 'rock the boat', not to be seen as equals in the world. We are awaking from the great enforced sleep and taking our power fully again. As women, as sisters, as mothers, wives and daughters we need to be aware of the gifts we leave to our future generations of women. We were free and equal in every manner and we need our young ones to remember this again. Rites of Passage bring this back into our awareness - they allow us to honour our paths, obstacles and joys.”

“I have to say that I admire all the women who stand to be counted as ones who hold the flame and the chalice for other women to rekindle theirs. Each woman I have met, offering their gifts, at the Wise Woman Weekend is, for me, a great gift and I feel honoured to be a part of their weave in this.

Amantha is a Seabhean and shamanic healer.  For more details visit her website: www.celticsouljourneys.com  or to read her profile on the Wise Woman Website click here.

Energy Healing at Wise Woman Weekend: Interview with Amber Elderfield

Amber Elderfield at Wise Woman Weekend

Amber Elderfield and Róisín Ní Chéileachair will co-host an Introduction to Energy Healing workshop at the Wise Woman Weekend, May 25th – 27th 2012.

“This a workshop for anyone who has ever wondered about energy healing: What is it? How does it work? Can anyone do it? Does it exist at all? Well the good news is that it does exist, and with a little practice anyone can do it. This introductory 'hands on' workshop is aimed at those who would like to know more about energy healing and have direct personal experience of sensing and working with energy.  Participants will learn techniques for charging and clearing their own field; they will take part in a series of simple exercises exploring how to sense energy in different ways, and then learn how to do a basic whole body healing on themselves. This playful, interesting and thought provoking workshop will be held in a safe, sensitive and compassionate way by two experienced energy healing practitioners. Come explore!

“I have three great passions in my life, healing, world dance and nature, and I’m blessed to be able to work in them all.

“I have been involved with the Wise Woman Weekend since the very beginning when I was first invited by Pauline to give a dance workshop.  I love spending time with so many amazing and inspiring women.  The weekend is so nourishing and uplifting. Amantha Murphy’s workshop is always a special one at the weekend for me. I make sure that I don’t miss her workshops and have got so much out of them. I hope that the event will continue to grow, develop and flourish.”

When asked what one gem of wisdom she would share with other women, Amber replied: “Don’t miss the Wise Woman Weekend!”

The greatest difficulty she sees facing women today is: “Stepping into our power and really valuing ourselves, really honouring our unique knowledge, wisdom and gifts, and the positive impact that these have on our planet.”

Amber originally trained and worked for a number of years as a medical research scientist, both at university and as a post-doctoral research fellow running a research group at a major hospital, but she became increasingly disillusioned. Feeling that there was more to life and health than molecules, she eventually escaped. She spent a few years travelling the world exploring diverse careers as a fruit picker, conservationist, removal woman, artists’ model, organic gardener, historical costume maker and Egyptian Dancer, during which time she came across several healers, each of whom showed her something her scientific mind couldn’t explain. Eventually, very curious, but totally sceptical, she felt the only way to find out was to experience it first hand - and sign up for a 4 year course! Amber has spent the last 9 years exploring energy healing, is a graduate of the Barbara Brennan School of Healing, Europe, and runs a healing practice in Galway. She still indulges her other great passions: living and working closely with nature in a yurt in the countryside, and performing and teaching Egyptian Dance and Zaar healing trance dance in Galway City and throughout the country.

Life-Coaching through Story at the Wise Woman Weekend: Interview with Ruth Marshall

Ruth Marshal enthralls audience at Wise Woman Weekend

Ruth Marshall, storyteller and life coach, will facilitate a self development workshop entitled: Coming Down to Earth at the Wise WomanWeekend in Dromahair May 25^th -27^th 2012.

“This year my workshop at the Wise Woman Weekend is an exploration of an ancient story 'The Hymn of the Pearl' that tells of the soul's journey to earth. In the workshop we will look what gifts we brought with us into this life on earth; we'll notice the habits, foods, practices that encourage us to forget what we came here for; and we will hopefully discover what helps us to overcome these so that we can wake up again to who we are and strengthen our sense of purpose; and finally we can reclaim our 'robe of glory'.

“Overall, I'd have to say that my main area of interest and expertise is "creativity and personal transformation". Over the past 20 years my work has been about helping people - mostly women - empower themselves, find their creative voice and express themselves. This has been through creative writing groups, personal development groups, The Transformation Game, reiki and other energy healing, storytelling, Life Coaching and as editor of Network Ireland holistic magazine. This has of course been in parallel to my own growth: my own transformation through creativity - which is an on-going process, always a journey, never getting 'there'! For me this has largely been expressed through writing. Another strand in my colourful rope is my interest in the power of the voice and the spoken word. We have the power to heal and bless. As a poet and storyteller, I am conscious that I use my voice as an agent of healing. I believe we all can use our voices, how we speak, the words we choose, more consciously in our everyday conversation too. What a difference that would make! Imagine, speaking with kindness, compassion, not just to lovers, family, but also to those we do not care for much, or even to ourselves in our self-talk. And of course there is knitting.... my constant metaphor for a joined-up life, my mindful meditation, my way of connecting to the great web, of connecting heart and hands through the creation of those heart-shapes stitches - and the satisfaction of knowing that what I have made keeps someone warm... I'd hope that applies to my writing too - that my heart-words carry warmth to the reader/listener.


“Back in the 1980s I helped organise the first Women's Health Fair in the north of Scotland. What we did back was very similar to what the Wise Woman Weekend is about: a choice of empowering workshops for body, mind, spirit, and room for dialogue with other women about the issues relevant to the day. When Wise Woman Weekend started, Pauline (the founder) contacted me as editor of Network Ireland holistic magazine, wanting help to publicise the event. I found myself nostalgic for the 1980s and I offered free advertising for WWW. As each year passed, I wanted to attend the weekend, but it usually clashed with my work commitments. Pauline continued to invite me to give a workshop at the event, and eventually, 3 years ago, I managed to do this, with my "Knit the World Better" workshop (which initially I was going to call "knit your own Sheelagh-na-gig"). Last year I gave a workshop on building trust. This year, in response to the theme of 'growing deeper', my workshop is called "Coming Down to Earth".

“I love the  forethought, energy and commitment that goes into making the Wise Woman Weekend it happen. The way the vision group works together to create an event that nourishes women - and all voluntarily - that it is a gift, given in love. I love how, at the weekend, each woman present contributes to its success - whether as a volunteer, facilitator, participant, it doesn't matter.  We all benefit from coming together to share our wisdom.

“Now that Wise Woman Ireland has become a charitable organisation, I would hope that it goes from strength to strength; that it continue to thrive even in these times of belt-tightening. I also look forward to the great ship Wise Woman coming loose from its moorings in Sligo/Leitrim and setting sail. I think that the Wise Woman Weekend has had wonderful early years care in Dromahair, and is now ready to travel around the country, visiting each of the provinces, drawing on the strengths of women in each area, involving more women around the country”.

When asked what other workshops at the Wise Woman Weekend appealed to her, Ruth replied: “I'd like to go to Niamh's shamanic rattle-making workshop. I remember swapping a set of my home-made knitting needles for Niamh's instructions on how to weave raw fleece on a peg loom. I could see that we shared a passion for natural materials and craft. So to keep my hand in, I'd want to join her workshop on Saturday morning.
”I would join Meroveee's workshop on rooting our intentions, but it takes place at the same time as my workshop. The last time I joined her workshop, I went home with a painting that looked like a Monet - didn't know I had it in me! And similarly to Niamh's, I think this workshop involves using our hands to create something magical. And I'm also curious about Claire's Biodanza workshop. I'd like to experience a taste of this.”

”I spend too much time in my head, too much time online and I'd like to be capable of being more present in my body. I think we all need that essential balance of head, heart, hands. I think there is a danger these days of  getting lost in the virtual world, putting screens of one kind or another between us. I'm not a technophobe. I use the technology - but I think sometimes its too easy for people to get drawn out of themselves into an electronic fantasy and mistake it for something real. So my gem of wisdom might be: Be here now. Breathe. Practice presence. Use your hands: make clothes, grow food, do it yourself. Sing more, learn to laugh at yourself. Grow deeper. Come down to earth.”

Writing the Book of the Ancestors at Wise Woman Weekend: Interview with Monica Corish

Monica Corish Creative Writing at Wise Woman Weekend

Monica Corish will facilitate a Creative Writing Workshop at the Wise Woman Weekend in Dromahair, Co. Leitrim on the weekend of May 25th - 27th 2012.

“My idea for the Writing the Book of the Ancestors workshop is to offer writing prompts to evoke the stories of our ancestors, both our most immediate ancestors, and our aboriginal, first ancestors. I am aware that for some people the stories of their immediate family have been lost for a variety of reasons – but we can always imagine. Every family story is, in truth, a mixture of imagination and memory. At the workshop we will then combine our writing with images, and bind these together into handmade books. If participants wish to, they can bring along family photographs, and I will have a photocopier available so that they can integrate these images into their books without destroying precious originals. But, as in my own Book of the Ancestors, it is not necessary to use actual photographs of family members – sometimes it is more interesting to "tell all the truth, but tell it slant", to quote Emily Dickinson.

“My own writing draws inspiration from many sources, including my family history. Some of my poems and stories are based on my own memories of childhood (some good, some not so good); others are based on stories told to me by older members of my family; still others are inspired by snippets of information gathered by my sister Breda, in the course of her research into the family tree.

“The idea for my workshop at this year's Wise Woman Weekend, Writing the Book of the Ancestors, grew out of a commission which Breda gave me, to create images representing my four grandparents, and the four roots of our shared family tree.  This idea grew wings and took flight – I spent days searching for ways to represent each of my grandparents – I didn't want to use actual photographs of them, but rather images that represented them in some indirect but more accurate way. And I went on to write a short poem to accompany each of the four images that I had created. You can see the results of my efforts here.

“I imagine that the "books" that come out of the workshop will, for some women, be an endpoint; for others, the workshop will be the starting point of a longer journey into the book of their ancestors.

“My gem of wisdom for women is to Follow your bliss. Do the thing that you love most in all the world. If you're too busy or too pressured to do it all the time, do it just a little bit of time. And if you don't know what it is you love most in all the world, spend time doing whatever it is that makes you smile from deep down inside yourself."

Monica feels that the greatest challenge facing women today is worrying about money and the future, for themselves and for their children, and holding on to faith in the possibility of joy and a more joy full world.

“I am an artist and a writer, of poetry and short stories – my first collection of poetry, Slow Mysteries, will be published by Doghouse Books in June of this year. I also facilitate writing workshops (I am trained as an AWA Writing Group Leader) – and Goddess/creativity workshops for women ( I have trained as a facilitator with Jole Bortoli of Art to Heart)."

For more details of Monica’s art, writing and workshops log on to: www.monicacorish.ie

To attend the Wise Woman Weekend, contact www.wisewomanireland.org

Biodanza Workshop at Wise Woman Weekend: Interview with Claire Knifton

Claire Knifton Biodanza Workshop at Wise Woman Weekend

Claire Knifton will lead a Biodanza workshop at this year’s Wise Woman Weekend.  Biodanza is a profound system of healing, expression, connection and wellbeing, using movement, dance and inspirational music from around the world.  “It helps us feel in harmony with life itself by enabling us to dissolve blocks, fears and tensions in our body,” Claire says.  “By practising it gently and progressively, we can reduce the impact of psycho somatic traumas linked to the stress of a life focused on utility rather than on the gift of life.  It gives us the opportunity to deepen our relationship with ourselves, others and our planet. It makes us more fully open to spirit.”

“My main area of interest and growing expertise is the mind, body, spirit connection. My background is in counselling, reiki, mediumship and clairvoyance and 9 years ago I trained in Dancing the Rainbow which reignited my passion for dance and married it with my esoteric interests and experiences.  I am gaining more understanding and insight into how our minds can affect our bodies and how we can bring healing and passion for life into our everyday lives.  Transformation of old habits, beliefs, experiences and behaviours is possible for us all with commitment, courage and grace.”

Claire was born in London and moved to Sligo 12 years ago.  She lives with her three wonderful children in what she calls “the back of beyond”.  She loves music, colour, dance, nature, peace and wild places.

“I have attended the last two Wise Woman Weekends and love the gathering; I find it a powerful experience and the connection helps sustain, support and nurture me all year.

“My gems of wisdom are trust in the process of life, learn to see the funny side side of things and be able to laugh. There's always plenty of whatever is needed, the trick is to be open to receiving it!”

To book a place in Claire’s Biodanza workshop, visit www.wisewomanireland.org

Shamanic Rattle Making at Wise Woman Weekend: Interview with Niamh Dempsey

Niamh Dempsey, Shamanic Rattle Making Workshop

Niamh Dempsey will facilitate a shamanic rattle making workshop at this year’s Wise Woman Weekend.  A shamanic rattle is a tool that can be used to induce journey states, drum up energy or clear blockages. In this workshop participants will blend the energies of animal, tree, stone, nut and seed to produce a unique rattle imbued with their own energy and intention.  After assembling the various elements, they will paint their finished rattle with a symbol, power animal, or other ‘image energy’ received in a shamanic journey.  The rattles will then be welcomed, blessed and celebrated with song.

“I am a craft worker,” Niamh says.  “I weave the traditional crios and make Irish lace handfasting cords.  I also make shamanic drums and rattles and am currently dipping a toe into the world of filmmaking.  My main interests lie in Shamanic work, Permaculture and sustainability; all soulcraft of sorts!

“I first heard of the Wise Woman Weekend when a group of my friends travelled up from Cork to attend the event some years ago- the reports were good! When I moved to the North West I treated myself to a ticket.  It was a great introduction into the area, and I made wonderful connections with women.

“I love the fact that it is a women-only space: so rare in our society.  I also love the honouring and celebrating of the crone, also sadly amiss in everyday life.  The sense of fun and adventure is lovely too J

Among the facilitators whose workshops she has attended at the Wise Woman Weekend, Niamh admires Tracey Jean Yappa’s love of community art and her gardening and mushroom cultivating skills, Debbie Beirne’s dedication to her music, Merovee Guerin’s passion for art, Amantha Murphy’s way of holding space and Amber Elderfield’s special gift of dance, which she freely shares with the world! She admires Ruth Marshall’s passion for learning and firm belief in the power of knitting to make the world a better place J

“I hope that the new charity status allows Wise Woman Ireland to expand into different avenues and projects, which develop the scope of the group to reach more women and strengthen it through diversity.”

When asked what gem of wisdom she would share with other women, Niamh said: “It is time to expand our sense of community beyond the human and into the non-human… the plants and animals, the stones and soil and water, the fire and the air, the rain, the wind and the mountains too are part of our community, part of us.”

“I think there is great difficulty for women today finding a way towards wholeness and authenticity; finding a practice (and the time to practice), which assists the move to selfhood and to developing deep clarity and realisation of life’s beauty and purpose. I suppose I am referring to spirituality, which I believe is undervalued today.  It is difficult to access and develop one’s own spirituality without a framework of cultural meaning and support through authentic ritual and the marking, acknowledging and honouring of life’s landmarks. It may seem strange in the face of the huge problems facing millions to focus on the spiritual aspect of the human being, yet I believe this to be a deeper and fundamentally important aspect of self to develop. The greater problems we as a species are responsible for are, I believe, as a result of our disconnection from the sacred within and without.”

For more information about Niamh visit: www.niamhtrua.com

Places for Niamh’s Shamanic Rattle Making workshop can be booked at: www.wisewomanireland.org

Self Exploration and Self Expression through Art at Wise Woman Weekend: Interview with Tracey Jean Yappa

Tracey Jean Yappa workshop at Wise Woman  Weekend

At this year’s Wise Woman Weekend in Dromahair, Co. Leitrim, Tracey Jean Yappa will facilitate a workshop which looks at expressionism in art and teaches a simple and colourful technique for creating flamboyant expressive work. This is coupled with facilitation techniques that create meaningful interchange between participants. The workshop will conclude with an exhibition of women’s art.

Tracey lives in Dromahair and is a visual artist and experienced arts facilitator.  She has a National Diploma in Graphic Design and creates many wild and wonderful works for festivals and theatre. “My main areas of expertise are Art and Gardening,” she says.  “I have worked as a community artist with groups of all ages exploring many areas of creativity and art history for many years.  I also have a passion for the environment and grow many and varied plants from forest garden to mushrooms and organic veg and herbs.” She loves the natural world and its myriad exquisite forms.

“I first became involved with Wise Woman Weekend when I attended the very first weekend and then later became involved as a volunteer and facilitator.  What I love about the weekend is meeting women of all ages and sharing learning and celebrating with them.  I hope the Wise Woman Weekend will continue to grow and evolve to fulfil the needs of women of all ages.”

The gem of wisdom Tracey would share with other women is: “If you sow seeds in every month of the year, you can harvest in every month of the year.”

Tracey feels that the greatest challenge facing women today is the threat to our environment, clean air, soil and water. This of course threatens all life on Earth but she feels that women have a special role to play in protecting our beautiful planet.

The Wise Woman Weekend begins on Friday 25^th May 2012.  More details are available from www.wisewomanireland.org.

Dream Interpretation Workshop at Wise Woman Weekend: Interview with Suzanne M. O'Shea

Suzanne M. O'Shea hosts Dream Interpretation Workshop

Can’t figure out what your dreams mean?  Confused and bewildered by the symbolism behind your dreams?  Suzanne M. O’Shea will unlock the answers when she hosts a dream interpretation workshop at the Wise Woman Weekend, May 25th – 27th 2012.  She uses simple techniques and a dream journal to find the meanings of dreams.  Participants will learn how to easily record dreams; interpret their dreams; keep a dream journal and simplify and record dreams so they can be interpreted at a later time.

Suzanne believes that by interpreting your dreams you can enhance your daily life and your body/mind/spirit connection.  It has long been viewed as a way of relieving stress, a means to resolving emotional issues, increasing personal awareness and a direct connection to Divine energy.  She will provide take-home notes, a dream-time journal and a recommended reading list for each participant.

According to Suzanne, the greatest challenge facing women today is learning to trust themselves and other women.  Her gem of wisdom for women is: Let go and let Goddess!  She was drawn to the Wise Woman Weekend because she loves the solidarity of women in a group such as this.  Travelling from Ontario, Canada, she is attending the Irish Wise Woman Weekend for the first time.

Suzanne’s main area of expertise is in intuitive readings and assisting others to let go of their issues - on all levels.  She is a gifted clairvoyant who has been doing readings since she was 13. In 1999 she completed her doctorate in Metaphysical Counselling from the University of Metaphysics in the US.  She has worked as a social worker, addictions counsellor, sexual abuse counsellor and child & youth mental health worker.  Her experience led to her first book Letting Go - Stuck in the Muck!

Warmth, compassion, perception and honesty are the attributes that Suzanne brings to all her workshops, readings and counselling sessions. When she comes to Ireland for the Wise Woman Weekend, she is planning to make her home here permanently.  She will be setting up her business "Angel's Way" which includes hosting workshops, conducting readings and finishing her self-help series.  She also looks forward to getting involved with the organisation of Wise Woman Ireland so that the weekend can continue its success into the future. Suzanne can be contacted at suzannem.oshea@yahoo.ca 

For more details of this and the other workshops at the Wise Woman Weekend visit: www.wisewomanireland.org or email: info@wisewomanireland.org

Chakras and Angels at the Wise Woman Weekend: Interview With Marleen Duffy

Marleen Duffy facilitates a Chakra Workshop at the Wise Woman Weekend

Marleen Duffy is a Reiki Master and healer.  She is the proprietor of the Angelworld shop on Hyde Bridge, in Sligo town.  Her main area of expertise is healing, working with the angels, crystals, colour and the Chakras.  At Wise Woman Weekend 2012 she facilitates a workshop entitled: The Root Chakra and Wellbeing.

“My workshop focuses primarily on the root chakra, all about the root, what it means, how it functions, its attributes, how it affects us, how it gets blocked, how to clear it.”  Marleen will do meditations, mantras and affirmations all about the root chakra and healing.  “It starts with the root chakra and then moves on up through the rest of the chakras, finishing with the crown chakra - which ties in with the saying: parents must give their children two things - roots and wings.  Give them roots to keep them grounded through tough times.  Give them wings to soar above everything, explore new worlds and fly farther than their parents ever did.”

“I have always been very interested in the Wise Woman Weekend and, since I moved to Sligo and Dromahair is based close to here, it just made sense for me to get involved.  I have never been able to attend one before but I love the idea of 'wise' women coming together to share and explore and learn.  There is something very powerful in the energy of so many women together - and it’s also like a 'play date' for every woman - away from their normal every day lives.”

When asked what gem of wisdom she would offer to other women, Marleen replied: “Action, that would be my gem of wisdom.  Put action into anything you dream of - as Julia Cameron from the book, The Artists Way, says: 'Action has magic power and grace in it!’”

What does Marleen see as the greatest difficulty facing women today?

“I think that many women don’t yet realise the strength and wisdom they already have deep within and this may limit some women from reaching their true potential, when really every woman can do and achieve what ever they want as along as they believe in themselves.”

“I’m looking forward to the weekend,” she says. “It is all new to me.  I would hope that the Wise Woman Weekend continues to be successful and that more and more women learn about it and are able to attend.”

For more about Marleen visit: www.angelworld.ie

Wise Woman Weekend Photo Prizes Announced

The Prizes for the photo contributions from the Wise Woman’s Weekend have been announced.  Thanks to all who contributed their photographs of last year’s event.  Many of your photos have been used in our new website and are making a wonderful splash of colour there at: www.wisewomanireland.org.

As we didn’t want the contributions to be in the spirit of competition, we are awarding prizes to all who contributed.  The larger prizes were given to those who made the largest contribution (volume-wise) and the contributors chose the prize they would prefer.

A Weekend Pass for Wise WomanWeekend 2012 has been awarded to Laura Graham.

A piece of handmade rose quartz and silver jewellery (hand made by Julia Marafie) has been awarded to Edel Egan.

The Wise Woman Community painting from 2012 has been awarded to Siobhan McCarthy for her photograph and poem.

A voucher for two for Uisce Hour at Ard Nahoo Eco Retreat has been awarded to Tracey Jean Yappa.

A signed copy of Órfhlaith Ní Chonaill’s prizewinning novel, The Man With No Skin has been awarded to Niamh Dempsey.

A special prize of a signed copy of Órfhlaith Ní Chonaill’s novel, The Man With No Skin has been awarded to Edyta Bodnar who didn’t send an official entry, but who sent us on some beautiful photos.

Some of the Prize-Winning Photos in the Wise Woman Weekend Photographic Contribution

Sherrie by Laura Graham

See No Evil by Edel Egan

Maypole by Tracey Jean (Tatty) Yappa

Susie Minto Story by Niamh Dempsey

Susie and Rachel with Maypole by Edyta Bodnar

Pond at Ard Nahoo by Siobhan McCarthy

Wise Women

An inspiration from the Wise Woman Weekend

By Siobhán McCarthy

Wise women

Wise women

Oh come and see

The beauty within

You and me

The beauty is held

So close and so dear

There is trust and transition

With no need to fear

We love you

We love us

Through and through

And believe us Goddesses’

This is not new

It stems from the ancients

Their knowledge so wise

Who through the elders

Made us realise

We laughed, we sang

We drummed, we tried

We did open mic

It gave us great succour

We laughed ‘til we cried

The open, the gatherings

The workshops, the walks

Made us beauties

More eager to talk

The beauty, the silence

The pain, the grief

All lovingly shared

By Amantha the Chief

We thank the earth

From whence we all came

We’ll be back to Ard Nahoo

Again and again.

(Inspired by the most eclectic amazing women I have ever met, thank you)

Amantha Murphy Workshop June 23rd&24th, 2012

A Celtic Woman’s Path
The Way of the Seabhean
JUNE 23^RD & 24^TH 2012, KERRY
With International teacher and facilitator
Amantha Murphy www.celticsouljourneys.com

Our stories are alive with the richness of powerful Goddesses and women who held sacred their passion for life. Goddesses like Brigit, Maebh and Aine. Women like Grace O’Malley, Biddies Early and Catherine Hayes. Our land is called in honour of Éiru, one of the three Tuatha de Danann princesses. Our Sheela-na-gigs, reminding us of our connection to the other/inner worlds – our wombs/tombs, birth and death - and our ability to please ourselves. Our ancient memories remind us of our ability to move beyond and within. To live in the passion of our nature.

A weekend of experiencing Women’s Mysteries coupled with Shamanic journeying.

To sit in a circle of women awakening to the Sisterhood
An opportunity to immerse yourself in the Woman’s path
Re-claiming our Power, Passion and Grace as women Re-claiming our succulent natures
Connecting to our Goddesses as archetypes Connecting to the Grandmothers, the Keepers of the Lore
Opening to our ability to be the containers
Carrying the Chalice of life and creativity, Our Blood – Our Power Honouring Ritual and Rites of Passage

We will be drawing upon our Ancestresses to re-member, re-weave and integrate the mysteries that are held within our bones and ancient memories, through Journeying and Rites of Passage.

As womyn we are wild, passionate, feeling, grace-filled expressions of the Divine Feminine. In our deep act of re-membering, we will re-weave ourselves whole.

Join us for this weekend of chanting, moving, playing and holding Sacred Space.

VENUE: Faha, Killarney, Kerry, Ireland

EXCHANGE: 200-160 Euros

CONTACT: Amantha at: murphy.amantha@gmail.com phone no. 066 9767253

For more information, directions and local accommodation, please contact Amantha

Wise Woman Weekend New Website www.wisewomanireland.org

The Wise Woman Weekend has changed its email address to www.wisewomanireland.org. The new address reflects our brand new status as a registered charity – a decision that was taken to ensure the survival of the event that many women know and love. This year’s woman only gathering will take place on the weekend of May 25^th 2012, in the village of Dromahair, Co. Leitrim. As always the festival coincides with the full moon of Bealtaine.

This year’s programme and our wonderful array of workshops, ranging from personal development, through spiritual exploration to self expression through art and poetry, are displayed at the new web address. In the meantime we are beavering away behind the scenes in the new .org site, creating a beautiful new website that will be going live in March.

Our online booking form for the Wise Woman Ireland gathering will be available in March. In the meantime, you can book your place through our new email address: info@wisewomanireland.org (Please make a note of this, as our old .com contact address is now defunct).

Another piece of good news is that the cost of the weekend has been reduced from €140 to €125 and the Saturday night dinner and social evening still costs €15. We have a limited number of residential places available for women travelling alone and these are at the all-in price of €165, for the weekend, including accommodation.

Join us for a weekend of learning, discovery, celebration and fun, May 25th - 27th, 2012 in Dromahair, Co. Leitrim.

Irish Times Editorial for October 31st 2021

The Writers’ Group Homework was, “write something 800 words long with at least half of it untrue”, so I did.                                                                                                                  Judith Hoad   ©   2011 

“Editorial Leader Page.                                IRISH TIMES.                            October 31^st , 2021

Tomorrow will be a momentous day in the history of world economics.   At midnight tonight, Pierse Doherty TD will step down as Minister for Finance and his department, the Department of Finance will cease to exist.    It will be replaced by the Department of Transaction Compensation and Cooperation, in the care of Ming Flanigan TD, as announced by the Taoiseach, Richard Boyd Barrett, after his cabinet reshuffle last week.

This historic day arises from the ‘99% Movement’ that surged to prominence with world wide camps and marches that began in 2011.   When the Great Crash occurred and Wall Street and all other major stock exchanges failed on December 21^st 2012, (since known as 1% Friday), the new world order began to emerge.

The campus at Big Sur in California was a site of high security throughout 2013 and 2014  at the times when the Council for Economic Transformation, CET, was in session.   Our own ex-president Mary Robinson; Noam Chomsky, philosopher and linguist; Ngong nic, Native Australian and also a linguist; George Soros, financier; Dr. Vivien Camacho, campaigner for the Andean Ayllu and Huang Te, Chinese Confucian Scholar were the Core Group that discussed and set out the agenda for each of the subsequent Convergences that met every six months, with representatives from every nation in the world.

This apparently unwieldy volume of people was chaired with charismatic brilliance by the King of Bhutan.    His Majesty’s Kingdom has long ranked the success of its national economy by the standard of GDH – Great Domestic Happiness.   This, of course, over the years of Transition, since 2015, has become the standard of assessment throughout the world.

Tomorrow will also mark the demise of the United Nations which will be replaced by the World Congress of Cooperation Between Nations, which is expected to adopt the simpler title of Congress of Cooperation, COC.   The structure of the new organisation will only vaguely resemble the outdated UN.   What was known as the Security Council, on which the seven major armament manufacturing nations were represented, is to be abolished and the Cooperation Council will come into being, on which the seven representatives will come from the seven smallest nations of the world.   With five million of a population, Ireland is the most populous of the Seven Nations.   Our representative is Dr Martin McAleese, husband of ex-president, Mary McAleese.

With Ireland as well as Monaco, Samoa, Tahiti, Iceland, Bhutan and Luxembourg making up the CC, it is in Lichtenstein that the few remaining old economists and supporters of the outlawed WTO have sought refugee status.    Although Lichtenstein remains staunchly anti-reformist, it is thought unlikely that many of these applications will succeed, but Australia is anticipated to receive those that fail.   These people are likely to be located in the camps of the Northern Territory, formerly used to corral the Asian Boat people, when they attempted to migrate to Australia in the late 1990s and the early 20noughties.   The internees will be engaged in re-modelling the camps into comfortable, self-sufficient homes and will be required to attend self-improvement classes for two hours each day during which they will be taught how to grow food in the inclement conditions of the Territory and other skills, such as cooking, sewing, carpentry and the Arts.

Since the trial and conviction of the leaders of the IMF and the World Bank, the 99% Movement has appointed small groups, mostly comprised of women, on each continent.   They have been the trouble-menders who have assisted reforming governments in the establishment of various kinds of cooperative organisation to take the place of all the financial institutions in existence up to that time.

In a leaked memo from the Department of Justice, it would appear that the amnesty offered to criminals serving long sentences will include Charlie McCreevy and Bertie Ahern, disgraced former politicians and Sean Fitzpatrick, the surviving director of the discredited Anglo Irish Bank, wound up several years ago.   Their release on parole is expected to coincide with tomorrow’s Samhain Celebrations.

Local groups of the 99% Movement have undertaken to organise celebration parties in every major town throughout the thirty-two counties.   Pennants of orange and green, handmade by members of the ICA, have been sent to each local authority for distribution to all party areas.   New dances have been choreographed, which have been taught by all Irish Dance teachers over recent months.   U2 and Christie Moore have come out of retirement to perform music composed for the occasion.   They will appear live in the Phoenix Park tomorrow.   Large crowds are expected and everyone is asked to act as a Cherisher for the person on their right.

The Staff and I wish all our readers Happiness and Harmony in the Age of Cooperation about to be ushered in”.

Judith Hoad   ©   2011                                   

GOD AS GODDESS

Wise Woman Jan's inspiring poem and prayer- full of the truths we need to remember about loving ourselves just as we are -

MY GOD – by Jan

God is a woman – and on my side.

Anything that I really want to do is not frivolous. And spending lots of time doing it is what my Goddess wants me to do. She enjoys HER work and wants me to do the same.

My Goddess means me to do what I want to do.

My Goddess wants me to be fulfilled.

My Goddess wants me to fulfill my potential.

My Goddess is around all of the time and dwells within me. She isn’t living on high and looking down.

My Goddess is not a stern parent with rigid ideas on what is appropriate for me.

My Goddess is gleeful, fun-loving and creative. She loves life and wants me to love it too.

My Goddess is not sensible.

My Goddess does not want any more martyrs, thank you.

My Goddess is extravagant. She doesn’t recognise the concept of ‘enough and no more’ and doesn’t want me to, either. She didn’t make just one daffodil, after all – she made millions.

My Goddess is generous. She isn’t a cheapskate, or grudging, and doesn’t want me to be, either: with myself or with others.

My Goddess wants me to be good to myself.

My Goddess wants me to be powerful.

My Goddess will send me what I need. She will open doors and clear my path – even if not always in the way that I expect.

My Goddess will help me – all of the time.

My Goddess loves me and is kind.

MY GODDESS WANTS ME TO BE HAPPY.

© Jan McEvoy, 2011 .

MY PRAYER                     

O Goddess, please give me the strength to be kind to myself – and to others.

Help me to believe that I’m a precious being who deserves to be well-treated; and that there’s plenty out there for everyone – no need to stint, ever.

Help me to believe that I deserve good things to happen to me.

Help me to remember that time spent enjoying myself is not time wasted.

Please help me to stop procrastinating and to appreciate what I do achieve without pointing out all of its flaws and limitations. And help me to do the same for others.

Please help me to refrain from ‘raising the jumps’ on myself in my endeavours and so giving up.

Help me to remember that my childhood may not been great – but it’s over. And that it’s never too late to have a second, and better, one.

Help me to believe that it’s actually never too late to live the life that I deserve and to be really, truly creative and happy.

Help me to remember that the age I’ll be by the time I achieve what I want to achieve is exactly the same age as I’d be anyway.

Please help me to live the life that I want and not the life that other people sometimes try to hand me the dog-eared script for.

Help me to accept that both growth and healing take time and that I need not be impatient to do everything and be everything right now.

Yet please help me not to be frightened when I appear to be making progress.

Please help me to silence the Voice inside that tells me that I’m not so much when, actually,

I am an incredibly talented, productive and wonderful miracle.

Help me to realise, therefore, that, if I don’t speak out or put myself out there, then my unique voice will be lost forever.

Help me to remember that growing old beats dying young.

Help me to remember that my body is my temple – not my crack den.

Please help me to be grateful every day for everything that is wonderful in my life – and there is so much.

SO THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS BEING THERE. THANK YOU 

© Jan McEvoy, 2011 ..

Story Quilts

I recently attended a one-day ‘Quilt Making’ workshop in Boho Community Centre run by the 3 Cap Project – Three Communities Advancing through Peace. Roberta Bacic, a Chilean researcher in human rights & exhibition curator and Deborah Stockdale, textile artist facilitated it. The quilts in question were Arpilleras (pronounced ar-pee-air-as,) colourful 3D appliquéd South American textiles. These small tapestries of everyday life often have big messages, as Deborah puts it,

“Both domestic and universal, sometimes confrontational in message, they engage the viewer and the maker in a special journey “

During the Augusto Pinochet dictatorship in Chile (1973 – 1990), many Chilean women made tapestries depicting the harsh conditions of life and the pain resulting from the disappeared victims of Pinochet’s repression - the sons and husbands of the women themselves. Arpilleras came to symbolize ordinary women’s protest against the brutal dictatorship. Although these women worked quietly using a traditionally feminine method, their arpilleras had wide influence within Chile and internationally. The arpillera workshops brought about solidarity amongst the woman, empowering them to speak out and become politically active in opposing the regime.

I was quite unprepared for the profound depth of the experience that followed in the creation of my own story quilt. Having watched a short film about the history of the craft, and looking at a selection of works we were shown a newly created Arpillera by women who had been subject to Robert Mugabe’s campaign of ethnic violence. We were then let loose on Deborah’s large collection of fabric, beads, threads and embellishments.




Detail showing the burning of a church depicted
by the women who had witnessed it

 

My own creation was a personal look into my journey of grief that followed the deaths of my parents, both from cancer and both too young - in their early 50’s. The process of making the quilt was a gentle, healing and creative act – a way of symbolically portraying my story, and also a way of deepening my own understanding of where I am in that journey. The result is simultaneously a cosmology, a spiritual unfolding, an act of gratitude for and an acknowledgment of my parents and also the ancestral line which proceeded them, right back in time to the cosmic unfolding of the universe – a big story indeed for such a little quilt!

This is my finished Arpillera which includes beads, shells and some holy medals

Here you can find a list of current and future exhibitions curated by Roberta Bacic.
On the 13th of March 2012,  International Women's Day will be celebrated at the Verbal Arts Centre in Derry with a taster of all the exhibitions that have been there non stop since 8th March 2008.