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.
Topics to be Covered
Cosmology and Celtic roots: connecting with heritage and place
The wisdom of the Cailleach at Samhain
Voices of women in Celtic mythology: Morrígain, Fedelm, Emer, Macha, Deirdre
Brigit: healer, poet and Soulsmith
Brigit in the cosmology of early Ireland
The triple Goddess of Duhallow with an emphasis on the Samhain Cailleach.
Early Irish saints and pilgrimages: the nature of the divine and the divine in nature.
Ita, Samthann, Monenna: Neglected women of Irish herstory
Presentation Title.
Resource persons
Nuala Ahern ‒ Green activist, former MEP, and co-founder of Mythic Links: (www.mythiclinks.com) Nellie Curtin ‒ Psychotherapist, social worker, with many years of experience resourcing Celtic rituals.
Eunice McCarthy: Former Professor of Psychology at UCD, and is well known for her contribution to social psychology and social activism.
Margaret MacCurtain: Longstanding activist on feminist and women’s issues, and author of many articles and books, Margaret MacCurtain is former lecturer in history at UCD, and a Dominican Sister.
Anthony Murphy, author of Island of the Setting Sun (with Richard Moore), currently working on the cosmology of Brigit sites.
Anne F. O’Reilly, author of Sacred Play:Soul Journeys in Contemporary Irish Theatre (Carysfort Press 2004), and Singing from the Belly of the Whale (2009), "Forge us anew": Brigit as healer, poet and soulsmith. (www.bluehorsemusings.com).
Series Co-ordinator: Mary Condren, Director of the Institute for Feminism and Religion; author of The Serpent and the Goddess: Women, Religion and Power in Celtic Ireland, and Brigit: Soulsmith for our Time (forthcoming). http://www.tcd.ie/cgws/staff/mcondren.php
Venue: Catherine McAuley Centre, 23 Lr. Herbert Street, Dublin 1. (Near Baggot Street Bridge).
Dates: Mondays 19:30 – 21:30, Starting October 3rd Ten weeks, (excluding the Bank Holiday, October 31st).
Regular Fee: €175:00 Deposit, €50.00
Concessions: €100:00: Deposit €30:00. Fees include tea/coffee, biscuits each evening
Limited number of concessions available to full students and SW recipients.
OR Please send registration fee to this address
WomanSpiritIreland 30A Parkhill Rise, Kilnamanagh, Dublin 24
