Show Notes
In this episode of Journeys with the Goddess, we travel back to the source of all things, connecting with the element of water through the story behind the Well of Wisdom and the creation of the Boyne River. We start the episode with a retelling of the story of Boann's origins as the Mother of the River Boyne, and then explore her through the history and lore, reflecting on how her story has been co-opted over the centuries to take away women's power. From there, we move inward, with a purifying and healing guided meditation where we travel back to the source to remember we are always connected to something much bigger than ourselves.
Further Reading & Sources The Making of an Irish River Goddess: https://medium.com/queen-s-children/the-making-of-an-irish-river-goddess-603b311b0a63 Excerpts from the relevant Dindshenchas :https://heelancoo.wordpress.com/tag/boann/ Save the Boyne campaign: https://www.savetheboyne.org/ Journal Prompts: In what ways have you disconnected with the natural forces of our Earth and how might you find ways to reconnect? How has your voice been silenced by what you were told was forbidden or how society might have conditioned you to be a certain way? What does the "Well of Wisdom" mean to you and how might you better access it in your own life? The Song: "The poetry of water, the poetry of sound. Deep down, braided deep way down in the ground.
Water dancing, surging, merging, tumbling, oh so clear Spirals, drips and drops and cycles and the changing of years Whispered secrets, all conspiring, caught in the flow Voices joining sing together its not so far to go..
To the waters, to the lakes the rapids, down to the sea, Waterfalls, and lakes and pools and puddles, rivers, and streams, Waves and movement, always trusting in the ebb and the flow, Well its not so far to go… Back to the source.
Ancient messaging down from clear and starry skies But you don’t even have to look so hard or far or even try For the source is always quiet and it comes from within If we all share it, well then why’s it called original sin…?
The well it keeps the wisdom locked up in one place, Whoe’er controls it, well its only its power that they taste, But Who shall break it? Who’ll forsake their life for one for all When Eve ate the apple didn’t she do it for us all? But Why’d they call it the Fall?..
Water flows and yet look closely, for its always the same When you look, outside, elsewhere, away, you’ve only got yourself to blame But in the water are the secrets of all life and death To Source eternal; now here then gone in one breath...
New episodes released on the last Friday of every month. Connect with Bronwyn: Website: www.bronwynclaireasha.com Instagram: @bronwynclaireasha Note: This podcast is made and always will be made entirely free of AI influences.
More from Journeys with the Goddess
In this month's episode, we journey into the realm of dreams with Elen of the Ways, worshiped since paleolithic times and very likely the most ancient Goddess of mainland Britain and northern Europe. The guardian of paths, roads and liminal spaces, we follow her as in an aisling (dream or vision poem), and hear the story from the Mabinogion of the Roman emperor finding her through his dreaming tracks. We learn of how we can honour her best and receive her guidance, in both waking life and in dream, and then continue the journey into a meditative internal labyrinth where you have the opportunity to receive guidance or let go of something no longer serving you. The episode concludes with an original song called "The Way", for it's ok if you don't know the way, for the way it knows the way! Further reading: Finding Elen: The Quest for Elen of the Ways by Carolyn Wise Shaman Pathways, Elen of the Ways: British Shamanism - Following the Deer Trods by Elen Sentier If Women Rose Rooted by Sharon Blackie The Mabinogion: The Dream of Macsen Wledig https://www.historyfiles.co.uk/FeaturesBritain/BritishMabinogionStory5.htm Journal Prompts: At this time of Equinox, how can I honour the cycles of my own life right now and where can I find a balance between dark and light, between knowing and not knowing? Where might you like to be or how might you like to feel in your body by the time of the longest night of the year, the Winter Solstice? What is your relationship to change and transition? Are there are any areas of your life right now where you could embrace change more and take bolder action? Travelling through the labyrinth, what did you experience? What did you let go of and what did you receive? How easy it is for me to trust and follow my inner compass? What could I do/support could I receive that would help me listen to this better and be able to make more aligned decisions in my life right now? Watch "The Way" video here: https://youtu.be/t-yR3RXZz4I?si=bH-xFO2kWHZzf-yx Connect with Bronwyn: Website: www.bronwynclaireasha.com Instagram: @bronwynclaireasha_ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bronwynclaireashamusic Email: [email protected]
This episode of the podcast explores the realms of the Fae (fairy or fair folk) of Ireland through the stories of Áine, radiant goddess of summer, of sovereignty and of love. We hear the stories of Áine as she protects the land and dethrones those kings unable to respect it. We hear of her duties as a goddess of the Summer solstice, celebrated on Knockaine in Ireland and of her role as one of the ban sidhe, singing souls along the river of death to new life again. We learn of her historical and mythological contexts (with a little excerpt included from Sharon Blackie's book "If Women Rose Rooted" about Irish sovereignty goddesses), and we also learn how we can honour Áine in our own lives as she encourages us to shine our own light boldly and brightly, We then journey into a guided meditation beginning in a forest clearing to connect with the spirits and healing energies of the trees, which are often portals to messages from the Otherworld. We then end with an original song written and performed by Bronwyn on vocals, handpan and synths called “Fae Fairy Fair Folk.”
In this episode, we journey with Macha, Irish Goddess of Sovereignty, Justice and Retribution. We meet a goddess who wants a simple life but gets tangled up in the lives of the Ulstermen when her boastful husband breaks his promise to her and she must race against the horses of King Cormac while heavily pregnant. She is a goddess of fury and power, a fierce protective mother not afraid to use her voice to speak against the injustices of men. She is the power and voice of the earth itself and as we hear her story, that nurturing but ruthless energy might remind us of our own power to create and destroy, and to use our own voices to speak out against the wrongs of the world while it burns around us. We'll also explore some of Macha's historical context and modern relevance, as well as ways to honour her at this time of year and for the Celtic harvest festival Lughnasa. We will then journey into meditation where we will be held in the embrace of the Mother and empowered to use our voices for healing and connection to the Earth. The episode concludes with an original fiddle tune, written and performed by Bronwyn, called Macha's Jig. Exploring Further: Read The Debility of the Ulster Men: https://www.maryjones.us/ctexts/debility.html Pagan Portals - Macha: Meeting the Great Queen of Ulster by Morgan Daimler Macha's Twins: A Spiritual Journey with the Celtic Horse Goddess by Kate Fitzpatrick: Journal Prompts: Where in my life might I be giving away my power just to keep the peace? Whose voices or opinions am I prioritizing over my own internal guidance? Where in my life or community do I see injustice or a lack of empathy, and what actions could I take to address it? How has it felt in my body when I’ve spoken up in the past and what could I do to speak out in a more aligned and embodied, empowered way in the future? Connect with Bronwyn: Website: www.bronwynclaireasha.com Instagram: @bronwynclaireasha_ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bronwynclaireashamusic Email: [email protected] Note: This podcast is and always will be made entirely free of generative-AI influences. Please consider supporting the creation of this podcast by becoming a Patreon member! https://www.patreon.com/c/JourneyswiththeGoddess
In this episode of “Journeys with the Goddess”, we travel to the ancient landscapes of western Wales to what was once the Kingdom of Dyfedd to meet with the fairy goddess of horses, the moon, endurance and forgiveness, Welsh goddess Rhiannon. Riding the green hills, she woos Prince Pwyll, a mortal and is treated with discrimination for her otherness by his people, which results in her being accused of infanticide and being brutally punished for her wrongful incrimination. But she bears her fate with her head held high and shows great grace, compassion and endurance despite this. We hear her tragic story and then learn some more context to her tale, as well as hear about some of my adventures through Wales and the lessons I have been learning myself along the way! The episode ends with a meditation where we journey to a sacred fairy mound to see what marvels have messages for us in them. The episode concludes with an original song inspired by Rhiannon’s story. Special track concluding the story thanks to the group Aislínn (Lunasa).
This month on “Journeys with the Goddess,” we travel to Dunscaith castle on the Isle of Skye in Scotland to meet the ruthless warrior queen of those lands, Sgáthach. Her story has been veiled in mystery in the lore, and we usually only hear of in her in reference to Cuchullin, the might warrior of Ulster who she is said to have trained. But her story has so much more to tell us about the powerful women of the Celtic world who were also warriors and leaders in their own right. This retelling of Sgáthach's story focuses on her academy of warriors and the three pillars of her school: mental focus, physical strength and second sight. We hear of her as a young woman, training herself by tapping into the ancient energies of past warriors and how she faced her own demons to become one of the most powerful and revered queens and warriors of her time. We find that her story carries its own potent medicine in a time of illusions and patriarchal collapse... And then journey into meditation to an ancient stone circle to be initiated as warriors ourselves, remembering our own power and strength when supported by other women and mentors. The song at the end of the episode is an original melody ("Enegeni Yalo or "Daughter of the Earth Prayer") and the lyrics are written in Proto- or Common Celtic. Their translation is below.