John Willmott: A Bard In the Woods • Episode 15 • Free •

Shonagh Home June 14, 2023

John Willmott: A Bard In the Woods • Episode 15 • Free •

by Shonagh

For two years in a row I had the great privilege and pleasure to pair up with poet and forest bard, John Willmott, to co-lead a tour on the northwest coast of Ireland through County Sligo, home to several megalithic sites, the lush forest of Hazelwood by Lough Gill, and abundant breathtaking scenery. John is a unique soul who as a child was dowsing maps and drawing astrology charts before the age of 8. He’s held a strong tie to the natural world that began as a wee boy and continues to this day.

In the first hour John discusses Ogham, popularly known as the Celtic tree alphabet. His approach centers on feeling rather than intellectualizing the symbols or “prompts” as he calls them. In an age where we are barraged with data, his approach invites us to turn on our natural senses and set aside linear language to better understand the potency of these symbols.

In the second hour John discusses Brighid’s origins and her powerful, inspiring influence on the Irish people, particularly women. The conversation turns to the Sidhe, (pronounced “shee,” which is the Irish word for faerie), and his take on that magical race is quite interesting.

I highly recommend giving a listen to this humble man who holds so much knowledge and life experience. He has much to teach us and he is part of a shrinking breed of storytellers and poets who were once cherished by people everywhere.

Subscribe to his Substack where you will learn SO much:

Substack.com@naturefolklore

Website: https://www.naturefolklore.com/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@NatureFolklore

To contact John: john@celticways.com

WATCH SECOND HOUR

VIEW ALL FREE EPISODES

0 recommendationsPublished in Free Episodes

Subscribe to Awake Events & Posts

Categories: Free Episodes

Shonagh Home

Playing Cards or Map of Life? • Episode 44 • Free •

I have been working with tarot and other cards for the past twenty years and have always appreciated the insight received. For the past ten years I’ve utilized cards with my retreat clients and online counseling clients when appropriate, as a way to cull from the deep psyche to reveal elements that can be addressed and explored, and to draw forth counsel and direction. It has been only in the last few years that I discovered a system that uses regular playing cards combined with one’s date of birth to provide the most astonishingly accurate information on the personality and life path – or quite literally – the cards we’ve been dealt for this incarnation. In addition, with this system one can see the themes along with certain people that will be coming over the course of the year, from birthday to birthday. That in itself can be extremely helpful for that important head’s up of what’s to come. You can find your birth card on the image above.

My first experience with this card system was with someone who accurately predicted these last 2 ½ years of my life. In all the years I’ve worked with astrologists I have never received that level of accuracy and detail. Needless to say, this subject has utterly captivated me and I have made an earnest study of what is actually an ancient mathematical system with a specific structure and formula that is in alignment with the laws of earth and sky. Everything in a regular deck of playing cards is mathematically connected to our calendar. Who would ever suspect that?

In the first hour of this episode, I explore the history of playing cards, touching on cartomancy, then delving into the rich symbolism of the cards in this ancient system, and there is a lot of symbolism to be gleaned, I assure you. The second hour covers examples of the planetary influences over the influences of the cards themselves in a number of real-life examples of people I’ve read for. And yes, I am officially opening my doors to offer readings for those interested in exploring the inner workings of their persona and life path, their yearlong forecast or an in-depth look at a relationship. These readings are comprehensive and will provide those interested with information that is hugely helpful and illuminating. This is my new Readings page: (Link Here)

I will hope for the privilege of sharing in your mystery. Enjoy this episode!

Sláinte!

Shonagh Home September 6, 2024

0 Comments

The Silver Branch and the Otherworld • Episode 42 • Free •

Seán Pádraig O’Donoghue joins me once again to discuss his new book, The Silver Branch and the Otherworld, which is a kind of user’s manual for real and profound connection to the spirits and cycles of nature, the ancestors, the trees and plants and the Otherworld inhabitants. That such a book would come forward at this time when the world is falling apart at the seams is notable. One might ask how such a book would have any relevance to us today. Thus, this episode where Seán speaks to how we, as people, possess the innate ability to communicate and perceive the ever-present subtle messages from the natural world, seen and unseen.

The first hour explores the body/mind system of the ancient Gaels – the Three Cauldrons – their function, and how to engage and support them. I asked Seán if an ally like psilocybin mushrooms would assist one to more fully embrace these body centers, and that initiated a fascinating weave of how to approach the mushroom, the dangers of psychiatric/medical establishment control of psychedelic experiences and much more.

The second hour explores the cross-quarter festivals on the Gaelic wheel of the year, trees as elders and memory keepers, a very interesting viewpoint on A.I. technologies, and more. Seán is steeped in the language, myth and culture of his Irish heritage, and his depth of knowledge is a great gift to those of us who are eager to be touched by that beauty. He will be teaching a class on the Silver Branch and the Otherworld beginning September 11th through October 30th and you can learn more about that here: https://otherworldwell.com/products/course-the-silver-branch-and-the-otherworld
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greenmansean

Shonagh Home August 9, 2024

0 Comments

BUYER BEWARE: Birch Boys’ Garrett Kopp On Medicinal Mushrooms • Episode 19 • Free •

The medicinal mushroom market is rife with fraudulently advertised products that contain little medicinal value due to certain growing methods and poor sourcing. Those dealing with cancer and other illnesses who are seeking to avail themselves of the many healing constituents these mushrooms contain are often deprived of receiving the extraordinary benefits found in properly sourced fungi. Enter Garrett Kopp, a learned and dedicated steward of the Adirondack forests in northern New York State whose heartfelt connection to that precious land enables him to hear what he calls, “the whisper in the wind.” He is a voice for Chaga sustainability and he speaks to the importance of sourcing wild-harvested medicinal mushrooms for their forest-given potency.

Shonagh Home August 18, 2023

Astrological Magic with Christopher Warnock • Episode 41 • Free •

Christopher Warnock is known as “the father of the traditional astrological magic revival” and the “elder statesman” of astrological magic.” In addition to his teaching and writing, he creates energetically potent talismans using precise election times based on the movements of the constellations, following the wisdom of the Picatrix, a tenth-century Arabic text on astrological magic. With John Michael Greer, Christopher translated the Latin text to English in 2010. Two of his astrological talismans now reside in the British Museum as part of their permanent collection. In addition, Christopher has been initiated in two Japanese Buddhist lineages as well as the Soto Zen lineage of Dainin Katagiri.

The magicians of the ancient world were scholars and philosophers and they understood the inner workings of Nature. In this fascinating interview Christopher brings his great wealth of knowledge to the table, beginning with the prevailing modern world view of “atheistic materialism” as opposed to traditional magic and astrology, which have a spiritual basis. He touches on horary astrology, which is ancient. Horary involves answering a querent’s question at the current time and place the question was asked. A chart is created and the practitioner then makes their determination. Chris has done a few thousand of these over the years and has created a course on his site for those interested. He also discusses traditional astrology and chart reading, and of course covers talismans in great detail. I plan to study under him this fall, as he is one of the foremost experts on Renaissance astrological magic and he is a superb teacher.

I hope you enjoy this episode!

Christopher’s Website:
https://renaissanceastrology.com/

Youtube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@renaissanceastrology

Shonagh Home July 26, 2024

0 Comments

Crowds, Propaganda, State Schooling, Oh MY! • Episode 24 • Free •

Shonagh Home November 22, 2023

The Trivium: A Timeless Gift from the Sages of the Past • Episode 43 • Free •

I have been wanting to do an episode on the Trivium for awhile and finally, here it is. The Trivium means, “where 3 roads meet.” It is the foundation of a true classical education that historically included character formation and development. It’s composed of 3 primary subjects, Grammar, Logic/Dialectic, and Rhetoric. The Trivium is a scientific method that serves as the preparation for learning that has been used from antiquity through the centuries to produce thoughtful individuals who can reason and think critically, speak eloquently and persuasively, and hold knowledge from numerous areas of study.

The Trivium and the Quadrivium, known as the 7 Liberal Arts, are not taught in public and most private schools and colleges, leaving the majority of people bereft of this great cultivation of the human mind. It is reserved primarily for the elite private schools that cater to the children the very wealthy and powerful, similar to ancient Greece, where it was taught only to the free. The good news is that we can avail ourselves of this study to improve our grasp of language, learn the art of logical assessment, and speak persuasively and eloquently.

In the first hour I discuss the basics of grammar and logic and end with a few Logical Fallacies, which are flaws in reasoning. The second hour continues with the Fallacies and flows into the study of Rhetoric, where I explain the basics of creating an effective presentation. I also cover tried and true rhetorical techniques for speaking and presenting both written and verbal communication in order to stand out from the crowd. In addition, I discuss Aristotle’s teachings on the virtues, to inspire the mind and spirit.
Learning the arts of the Trivium delivers true empowerment and as well, it is the ultimate anti-gaslighting tool!
Sláinte!

Shonagh Home August 23, 2024

0 Comments

Filter Results

John Willmott: A Bard In the Woods • Episode 15 • Free •

VIEW ALL FREE EPISODES

Related Articles