We are all natives of somewhere. Our spirit inheritance comes from ancient times, carried in the body's memory. Our ancestors knew that by creating sacred space and glorious celebrations and by using techniques to confer with the deities, they not only brought great joy and good food but also mystical power. Why now, in these times, have our longings for our Mother/land and the callings for our Ancestors become so strong? Do they have something to teach us? Patricia and Eclipse believe so and have created an inspiring program to honor your spirit's journey by way of your ancestors' path. This weekend will serve as a springboard and travel guide to the Mother/land. The insights you will gain are adaptable to any heritage and to the search for the "mother/lands" both within us and without. Our ancestors came to this land at various times, from the most ancient to the most recent, with spiritual knowledge; some brought old practices, practices that are not lost but whose meaning may be forgotten. Many of us are searching not only for our bloodlines and history but also for our spiritual heritage. We may have lost the connection to our ancestors and places of origin. We yearn to understand how that loss affects us and reconnect with our inner knowledge of our ancient path. We will focus on Irish/Celtic heritage as an example of how the "way back" can be rebuilt. Patricia's in depth knowledge will build a foundation for each of us to understand the cultures we carry in our ancestry. We'll delve into the significance of several ancient Irish goddesses, beliefs, and customs. This exploration will satisfy our hungry minds. And for the mystic within each of us, Eclipse draws on her priestess gifts to take us to other realms, where our ancestors await to show us the old ways in very new forms. Patricia will help us weave the historical with the mystical. During this weekend you will be invited to share the ancestor land that you have inherited either through bloodlines or through your spirit's sense of familiarity. Because our spirits are often drawn to the path of our ancient selves of another lifetime, we will honor whatever Mother/land has called you to return. Rowe land the Mother/land for many of us who come year after year is rich with diverse spirits. Eclipse has worked with energy grids in the old form for over 17 years at Rowe and will use these existing energy portals to help us access our mother/land's ancient secrets and gifts.
Patricia Monaghan (www.patriciamonaghan.com) is the author of the new memoir, The Red Haired Girl on the Bog: The Landscape of Celtic Myth, as well as the classic dictionary of goddesses, The Book of Goddesses and Heroines. One of the leaders of the contemporary earth spirituality movement, she has spent more than 20 years researching and writing on three continents. Raised in Alaska, Patricia holds dual Irish and American citizenship and travels to Ireland several times annually. For her "day job," Dr. Monaghan is a member of the resident faculty at DePaul University's School for New Learning in Chicago. An award winning poet whose work has been set to music and performed worldwide, Patricia is noted for combining scholarship, storytelling, and humor and we welcome her on her first visit to Rowe.
Eclipse Fey is an activist, a ritual and visual artist, wild drummer, and the author of The Moon in Hand. Her work draws on the ancient mysteries of the Goddess and 30 years of studying ritual in different cultures. Eclipse teaches old and new techniques for healing and visionary action. Her Magaian Apprenticeship program focuses on particular techniques for priestess pathwork that draw upon star wisdom and ancient dream work. She has co directed WomenCircles at Rowe for 16 years. Eclipse's enchanting artwork adorns the covers and pages of this catalogue. Learn more about her artistic self on page 52.