Dreaming the Ancestors

Keening, the Cailleach, and Harnessing the Medicine of Grief ~ Sionnáin (Michelle Shannon)

In this episode, Sionnáin shares wisdom about the Irish caoine (keen), which is an old grief ritual performed at funerals by rural Irish women called the Mná Chaointe. This tradition reminds us that grief is a sacred, somatic, and communal experience that belongs to everyone. Although the tradition has largely died out in Ireland, it’s being remembered and revived by women like Sionnáin to help us move through personal and collective grief, so we can harness the medicine of grief in these times. Sionnáin also shares wisdom about the Cailleach, who’s an ancient crone Goddess from Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man. The Cailleach holds the wisdom of both life and death, creation and destruction. She often initiates us through loss and grief—but when we’re brave enough to surrender into her embrace, she offers precious gifts and blessings. Although the Cailleach can be fierce, Sionnáin also talks about her softness, honoring her as the loving grandmother we all need.

Reviving the Village, the Roundhouse, and the Ancestral Council ~ Veronica Stanwell

In this episode, Veronica Stanwell joins me to explore the importance of gathering in council and community to meet these increasingly chaotic times. Together, we dive into what it means to reconnect with the roundhouse—the circular dwelling of our British and Irish heritage—and the profound wisdom that emerges when we become receptive to the ancestors’ guidance. Veronica also talks about the ancestral immersions she hosts in the Welsh rainforest, where participants gather in a reconstructed roundhouse to experience ancestral village life. We explore what happens when we sit in council with both our human and non-human kin, as a way of remedying the isolation of modernity. Veronica offers grounded wisdom on creating meaningful community despite the demands of contemporary living, and we discuss the importance of right-relationship, reciprocity, and slowing down enough to truly listen.

Healing Intergenerational Legacies of Female Deprivation ~ Michaela from Rooted Feminine Wellness

In this episode, Michaela from Rooted Feminine Wellness talks about women’s bodies, women’s health, and matriarchal healing. Together, we dive into some of the stories and beliefs that have been passed down through the lineage about our bodies, and explore what it means to break free from legacies of female deprivation. To live in a way that truly honors and nourishes our bodies is revolutionary, and heals generations of patriarchal oppression and colonial wounding. Michaela talks about this in an Irish context, and encourages women to re-write the story of starvation and unwellness, to one where we are deeply nourished, fed, and sustained. If you’ve been struggling with burnout, chronic illness, or general feelings of fatigue and unwellness, this episode is for you. May this conversation empower you to prioritize feminine wellness and come home to your body.

Welsh Spirituality and Cultural Appropriation ~ Gwilym Morus-Baird

In this episode, we dive into the topic of Welsh spirituality and cultural appropriation. For anyone interested in honoring their Welsh or English heritage in heartfelt and respectful ways, this episode is for you as we talk about the importance of distinguishing these two distinct cultures. There’s currently a lot of interest in the “Celtic” traditions, which often leads people to the Welsh traditions; a culture full of myth, tradition, and spiritual teachings that bring forth a meaningful sense of ancestral connection in the modern world. However, there’s often a lack of understanding about “Celtic” spirituality that leads to cultural appropriation and misrepresentation. Gwilym offers a grounded and meaningful explanation of these topics, while uplifting Welsh spirituality in a modern context. We also talk about history, language, myth, and the importance of transforming ourselves through the wisdom of these ancestral teachings.

Animism, Archeology, and The Ancient Pretani People of Britain ~ Sam MacLaren

There’s a lot of interest at the moment in connecting with our ancient past, and reviving the “Old Ways” of our earth-honoring ancestors. And while there’s so much we can learn from the past, it can be all too easy to romanticize or misinterpret our ancestral history.  In this episode Sam weaves together archeology, animism and academia to demystify Britain’s ancient peoples, offering grounded insights into our native spirituality free from romantic projections. She shares beautiful wisdom about the nine elements that were honored in different Indo-European cultures, likely including the Pretanī people of ancient Britain. She also gives clear examples of how our ancestors honored these nine elements, and offers an overview of the Pretanī people as a whole; more commonly, and incorrectly, known as the “Celts”.  If you’re someone who enjoys learning about archaeology and history from an academic perspective, along with a good dash of spirituality and mysticism, this episode is for you.