Online Classes

Classes and workshops

Tales of the Old North: Hen Ogledd
Starts 15th October

As the Romans retreated from Britain, a new dynastic order (or perhaps disorder) rose up in what is now southern Scotland and northern England. Later known by the Welsh as Hen Ogledd: The Old North, its heroic and poetic remembrance is one of the most beautiful, and often overlooked flowerings of Celtic-speaking culture.

I love the legends of the Old North. Not the stories of Arthur, which arise later, but that tales of Urien of Rheged and his kin. The poetry of the historical Taliesin, of Aneirin and Llwyarch Hen. The confused tales of Merlin, Lailoken, and Kentigern, which in turn circle back to Owain ap Urien, and find a new native expression in the tales of Owain (and his cousin, Peredur) in the Mabinogion.

Dates: 15th & 22nd October; [break]; 12th, 19th & 26th November; 3rd December.
Click here for more information, or to register.

The Celtic Horse Goddesses

Registration opening soon!

This six week class explores the goddesses Epona, Macha, and Rhiannon in detail, as well as looking at the changing relationship between humans and horses.

You can find more information on the class page.

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.

Recreation of an Irish hedge school

Other classes

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 had a very successful first run in Jan/Feb 2022.

Shapeshifters and Magical Animals

Shapeshifters and Magical Animals is a six-week series looking at stories and texts from Ireland and Britain concerning the themes of transformation, wisdom, immortality, and time.

I hope to offer it again in the spring of 2023.

Manannán and Beyond

A new class for 2022, Manannán and Beyond will explore the Manannán Mac Lir of Irish mythology in some depth, as well as looking at Welsh texts concerning Manawydan fab Llŷr, and seeing what we can learn from comparing the two. We will also look at Manannán's varied role in Scotland and the Isle of Man.

Women and goddesses in the Mabinogi

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.

Mabon, Modron, and Maponos

Started on 27th August, 2022 - currently running

This class begins with an historical exploration of Maponos/Mabon and Matrona/Modron. We'll then move on to look at their possible reflexes in Britain, Ireland and beyond. This will include Rhiannon and Pryderi in the Mabinogi and the Irish Óengus Mac ind Óc.

Celtic Myths and Deities

What will you learn?

During the course we will take an overview of the main myths of Ireland and Wales, and their deities.
We will also study a few myths and deities in more detail.
My main goal is to give you the tools to study independently, with confidence, once the course has ended.
This is an enormous subject, so a ten-week course can’t cover everything!

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.