Classes and workshops
The Trouble with Kings - starts November 6th
Registration is open!
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The Trouble with Kings is a five week course which will look at kingship, leadership, stewardship, and sovereignty figures from the many angles provided by Welsh and Irish myth.
Each week I will tell one or two stories from Welsh and Irish myth, followed by a moderated discussion of the story. There is no required reading, and mostly no "formal" teaching. The class meets on Saturdays
at 12 noon Pacific/3 pm Eastern/8 pm UK time You can visit the class page here. |
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The Celtic Horse Goddesses - starts 10th October
This class is currently running - registration closed!
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This six week class will explore the goddesses Epona, Macha, and Rhiannon in detail, as well as looking at the changing relationship between humans and horses. Like other classes I have taught, this series will feature a largely objective “academic” component, including some reading, and a talk from me each week, with time for questions.
In a departure from my usual approach, I will lead a short devotional to the horse goddesses and horse spirits at the end of each class session. I will do my best to create these in a way that should be comfortable for most anyone, but if students would like to excuse themselves from this part of the session, that is perfectly fine. |
Hedge teacher?I sometimes call myself a hedge teacher. That has nothing to do with hedge witches, or anything like that. Instead, it refers to the spirit of the hedge schools of 18th and 19th century Ireland. Schools for ordinary people who cared deeply about learning, but who either couldn’t access education through official channels, or preferred to avoid them. The standard of scholarship was often high, but the regulation was informal, and teachers were supported by the community.
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Recreation of an Irish hedge school
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Other classes
New! Meeting the Tuatha Dé Danann in the Cath Maige Tuired
The Cath Maige Tuired (The 2nd Battle of Moytura) is a classic and central part of the Irish "mythological cycle". It is useful for introducing many of the Tuatha Dé Danann in clear characterisations, and tells a good story in the process. The text is not particularly long or difficult, so we should be able to explore it at a relaxed pace.
This class is still at the planning stage, but I expect it to be a four (possibly three) week series starting in mid-January, 2022. If you would like to register your interest in the class now, email me and I'll let you know when registration is open, so you don't miss out.
This class is still at the planning stage, but I expect it to be a four (possibly three) week series starting in mid-January, 2022. If you would like to register your interest in the class now, email me and I'll let you know when registration is open, so you don't miss out.
Shapeshifters and Magical Animals
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Shapeshifters and Magical Animals is a three-week series of classes in which we will look at stories and texts from Ireland and Wales concerning the themes of transformation, wisdom, immortality, and time.
This class had a successful first run in April, 2021, and I would expect to offer it again early in 2022. If you are especially interested in this class, you can contact me to register your interest. More information here. New! I hope to offer Shapeshifters and Magical Animals Part 2 in spring 2022, which will be open to anyone who has taken this class. |
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Women and goddesses in the Mabinogi
Blodeuedd ... Branwen ... Aranrhod ... Rhiannon.
This is a deep dive into their stories.
This is a deep dive into their stories.
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A series exploring the treatment of women, the male/female balance of power, mythological background, symbolism, and the possible intent of the compilers of the medieval text.
Participants need to be familiar with the text of The Four Branches, however it is less than 100 pages, total, when printed in standard paperback form, so this should not be a huge burden of reading. Advice will be given ahead of time about good online and printed sources for reading the material. (Or you can check that out now, at this link.) |
Celtic Beginnings: An introduction
Are you interested in Celtic Paganism, but don’t know where to turn for good information? Maybe it feels like the topic is impossibly big, or like every time you ask a question you get sent in a different direction.
This course is designed with you in mind!
This course is designed with you in mind!
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Celtic Beginnings is a space where there are no stupid questions and no judgement.
We will cover the basics of different Celtic cultures, myths, gods and goddesses. A firm foundation for you to build on. |
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Mabon, Modron, and the Mabinogi
Currently running. Registration closed!
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In Mabon, Modron, and the Mabinogi we will focus on the deities Mabon and Modron, and the relationship between mothers and their sons in The Mabinogi. There is required reading for the later weeks, and this class will be a good fit for those who are already familiar with The Four Branches. (If you don’t know The Four Branches very well, you can still do the course, but expect to put in some extra reading time. I will offer guidance on how to approach that.)
For more information, and to register: Please visit the course page! |
Celtic Myths and Deities
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What will you learn?
I taught this ambitious ten week series several times in 2019 and 2020. It is a full-on "bootcamp" of a course, and I might need some convincing that it is really the best way forward, before I offer it again. Cost is $120 US. |
