The Three Cauldrons: Celtic Myth and Spiritual Wisdom

Academic and historically based study and exploration of authentic Celtic religion, mythology, druidism, folklore, literature, languages, wisdom texts, archaeology, ethnography, ritual, poetry and visionary practices, as well as the anthropologically supported identification of shamanic elements in Celtic contexts.

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Reclaiming Ancient Celtic Music and Wisdom Traditions

Hello, and blessings to all!

It's been quite a few months since my last posting, as I was busy finishing up a new book, which should be out later this year. The working title is "Celtic Cosmology and the Otherworld: Mythic Origins, Sovereignty and Liminality," and it's on a small and wondrous academic press - McFarland (you can get on their mailing list to receive up to the moment notices).

It is a collection of academic research and writing I have done over the years pertaining to the Gods and Origin Myths, detailed in-depth studies of Goddesses (who have many attributes, including Sovereignty), and the ways in which human beings have interacted with the Otherworld in search of wisdom and magic.

Now that the manuscript is done, I am able to return to my regularly scheduled activities, like this blog! :)

Recently, I also released a new CD - it is a remastered version of the primordial recording that led to the creation of my previous music group, The Moors - which still has quite a cult following worldwide, especially amongst pagans. That CD is now a collector's item, but available for digital download through I-Tunes.

The new CD is called "Eldritch: Gothic Tales and Lost Fairy Legends," and is a unique blend of Celtic and medieval inspired art-folk/rock, which one reviewer described as 'Elizabethan music on acid' (and which the late Johnny Cunningham, famed Scottish fiddle player once described as 'F--king brrrrilliant'). The new CD is available for purchase through CD Baby and digital download through I-Tunes. It is primarily a solo recording I did with several talented guest musicians on electric guitar and bass; I played acoustic and electric guitar, keyboards, mandolin, woodwinds and percussion, and wrote and arranged all the tunes. 

Also of potential interest is an upcoming class, Part 2 of "Introduction to Scottish Gaelic Language, Prayers and Song," which starts on April 17th at Tintagel's Gate in Athol, Massachusetts. It runs for five Monday nights, from 7-9 pm. You can contact Tintagel's Gate for registration through their website or FB page. For those who missed Part 1, there will be a review at the start of the classes... good for beginners, and those who want to brush up or work on pronunciation!

Additionally, I've recently started a new private FB group which focuses specifically on authentic historical Celtic religion and mythology, with academic Celtic Studies as our guide, which I studied at Harvard (this approach recognized as separate from Celtic influenced Wicca or other NeoPagan paths, including CR). It's called Tuatha Imbais and you can read about it on the public Tuatha Imbais FB page. If interested, you can then message me to receive an application via email.

Finally, I had the time to respond to a really intriguing set of questions from Dr. Michael Newton (author of "Warriors of the Word," a superb book on Scottish Gaelic culture and history, including folklore), who got his PhD from the University of Edinburgh. He interviewed me for his new organization, GaelicUSA, and you can read this well-received and widely read interview through the following link (and please share!):

https://gaelicusa.org/interview-with-sharon-paice-macleod/

[You may need to cut and paste into your browser, or, just search Gaelic USA]

In addition, I have a chapter coming out in a new book by University of Wales Press on Celtic Mythology; I will post here when it's out - but you might also want to get on their mailing list :)

On Beltaine I am excited to be starting two new projects. The first is a book for another contract with McFarland. This one will focus on Early Irish Poetry and Wisdom Texts. I will be providing in-depth studies of the figure of Amairgen and his poetry, as well as the Three Cauldrons and other wisdom texts. The second project is a return to my research into Ancient (as in Iron Age and early medieval) Celtic music, song, poetic recitation and liturgy, which was originally funded by a research grant. 

In the meantime, if there are topics pertaining to authentic historical Celtic religion, mythology and folklore that you would like to see covered or discussed in this blog-space, do let me know!

Wishing everyone a blessed Spring!

 

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Born on the eve of Lugnasad, your guide and ban-fili/ban-druí is a published author, teacher, and Celtic singer and musician. She trained in Celtic Studies through Harvard University, and has taught Celtic mythology and folklore at the university level. Her research in Celtic myth and religion has been presented at the University of Edinburgh, University College Cork, the International Celtic Congress, the Harvard Graduate Study Group for Ancient Magic and Religion, and the Ford Foundation Lecture Series.

She has served as Faculty at the Celtic Institute of North America and the Omega Institute, and her books include: ‘Celtic Myth and Religion: A Study of Traditional Belief' (McFarland), ‘Celtic Cosmology and the Otherworld: Mythic Origins, Sovereignty and Liminality’ (McFarland), 'The Divine Feminine in Ancient Europe' (McFarland), ‘'Queen of the Night' (Weiser), ‘Early Celtic Poetry and Wisdom Texts: The Three Cauldrons, The Songs of Amairgen, and other Cultural Studies’ (forthcoming) and a chapter in the academic collection ‘Celtic Mythology in the 21st Century’ (University of Wales Press).

Currently she is Director of the Eolas ar Senchais research project, which received international grant funding to research and restore authentic ancient Celtic instrumental music and vocal art forms, and historically attested Celtic ritual in socio-religious context.

She sings in many of the modern and medieval Celtic languages and is a multi-instrumentalist. Her previous musical group, The Moors, has cult status in the pagan world. She leads workshops and distance training programs, with new books, CD's and research on the way.

Comments

  • Jamie
    Jamie Friday, 31 March 2017

    Ms. NicLeoid,

    That is some great stuff! I'll definitely get your CD. It's great that you have invested so much of yourself in preserving, and contributing to, one of Europe's oldest languages.

  • Síthearan NicLeòid
    Síthearan NicLeòid Friday, 31 March 2017

    Thank you very much! I'm glad you enjoyed the post and hope you enjoy The Moors music and Eldritch too! Wishing you many spring blessings!

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