My Blog - Books, Rituals & Performances

My first Druid Handfasting

Iannin — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 17:39:08 GMT

Together with my grove-sister, Anne, we officiated at the first Druid handfasting that either of us had ever been invited to perform. We were contacted by the couple, who live in Washington, who had originally been handfasted this summer at Newgrange by Irish Druids at the summer solstice ritual. She surprised him with this ceremony, done for 13 of their friends and family living in Colorado, and they plan a third with friends and family again in Washington. We met at a park overlooking the Rockies outside of Denver on a sunny day. I saw tears on their cheeks as they received the blessings of the Divine and their family. Love grows in peace.

Yoga Rocks 8/08

Iannin — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 04:42:43 GMT

Today we played at this inaugural event at the beautiful Planet Bluegrass Ranch in Lyons, Colorado. We had a nice reception and some great food. The new music pavilion is a lovely place to play. Across the lawn, yoga classes were very well attended. We hope that this event continues to grow and spread its wonderful message of love and health.

The Druid King by Norman Spinrad

Iannin — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 21:51:37 GMT

I just finished reading this historical novel set in the 1st century BCE featuring Vercingetorix, King of Gaul and Gaius Julius Caesar, Proconsul of Gaul. There is some druid magic involved as Vercingetorix is raised and educated by Druids and has regular visions, clad in white robes, at times holding a staff. Most of the novel involves descriptions of battles and discussions of military strategy. There is an interesting relationship of mutual admiration yet hatred between the 2 main characters. There are also 2 love stories, with the 2 women that Vercingetorix loves. This was a pretty good novel, not the best or worst of its kind that I have read. I think the cover art is terrible, however.

Lughnassadh 2008

Iannin — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 21:18:35 GMT

This year's festival perhaps began with Tuatha's performance at Avo's, which was attended by many new faces, a chance to spread the musical message of universal understanding with new enthusiasts. Tiracai's birthday on August 1st was celebrated by attending a concert at the Lincoln Center seeing Celtic virtuoso Eileen Ivers. On Saturday August 2nd, my vision of having a "Pagans in the Park" Lughnassadh Festival at Treehenge became manifest. We had 5 different circles present a ritual or activity. CUUPS represented by Collea Devi started it off with good intentions for the harvest. Kelly and the Sun Tribe did a marvelous meditation laying on the grass in the full heat of the Sun, revering and learning. Greeley circles led us in some wonderful ritual setting intentions with a formula of herbs and trees. The Treehenge Druidic Circle did our formal ceremony with 37 in attendance. We had a wonderful potluck, followed by Sara Rain doing a large family friendly ritual which included the very fun Goddess Tag game. I was very proud of our community and this larger networking of the independent open circles. On Sunday we went to the Fort Collins IRish Festival and saw the Glengarry Bhoys and The Elders to top off the week.

Dreamtime 2008

Iannin — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:44:47 GMT

mmmmmm what loving gentle energy....heat of the day...cool of the night...Gillie rocking the world....wonderful open community... a solid Tuatha set...new friends...deeper connections...purple lotus...super double secret ninja pirate mission...peace dancing...naked swimming...ogham stick readings....spacey highs...howling at the moon...purple mountains majesty....dream....time.....

The Faiths of the Founding Fathers by David L. Holmes

Iannin — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 22:05:37 GMT

I just finished reading this very readable, concise, and scholarly work. Holmes answers the divisive question posed by evangelical Christians these days about whether the USA was founded on Christian principles, and by Christians in the negative. As a Professor of Religious Studies at William and Mary, the college attended by a few of the founding fathers, he writes a non-biased historical work and includes a very good discussion of Deism. Deists believe in God, but hold reason as superior to mystery, and thus question many tenets of orthodox Christianity, including the virgin birth, the divinity of Jesus, the doctrine of the Trinity, the resurrection, the importance of communion and confirmation, original sin, the depravity of humans, predestination, and irresistible grace. Instead, influenced largely by Thomas Paine's Common Sense, they emphasize empiricism, morality and ethics. They see God as the Creator, and refer to Providence and Nature's God. He describes Washington as a Deistic Episcopalian, Adams as a Unitarian Christian Deist, Jefferson as outwardly Episcopalian, but a moderate Unitarian Deist in belief, Madison as a moderate Deist, Monroe as a Masonic Deist, and Franklin as a prudent Deist, non of them, as an Orthodox Christian. He does find that most of the early First Ladies were Orthodox Christians, although Abigail Adams was a Unitarian. He does describe the Orthodox Christian beliefs of Samuel Adams, Elias Boudinot, and John Jay, three of the lesser Founding Fathers. I recommend it wholeheartedly.

The Forest House by Marion Zimmer Bradley

Iannin — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 19:52:10 GMT

I just finished reading this first book of a trilogy by Bradley ending in the popular Mists of Avalon, which I enjoyed immensely. This one is a good book, not quite as elegant and inspired as Mists, but still a good story of a High Priestess from a Druid family, who lives a celibate lifestyle but had loved, both physically and emotionally, a half Roman, half Briton man, beginning on Beltane. Their son from the union will play a major part in this rewrite of the Arthurian epic. I enjoyed the tension between the nascent Christian Church and the established Old Religion. I enjoyed the imagery of the sacred grove, the house of maidens, and the Tor, and am looking forward to the 2nd book in the series.

Midsummer Solstice Shows and Ritual

Iannin — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 03:52:26 GMT

Here, Tiracai starts off the weekend pre-show with Kan'Nal at Mishawaka. We played a rockin show, for the first time playing directly before Kan'Nal, to a very enthusiastic crowd of about 400. There was a cheer when Tiracai took the stage and the crowd surged up to the stage when we started playing. A wonderful dancing evening... Saturday found us opening SolFest in Berthoud ahead of a wonderful line-up including Tzol, Mountain Trance Band, Muse of Turiya, and Lunar Fire. We did a lengthy invocation of the directions and the Goddess, with the opening circle calling in the sacred space in front of the stage. I particularly enjoyed how my kick drum would shake the metal roof of the stage, it was the largest drum Ive ever played! Sunday, we were celebrating the Solstice, Druid style at Treehenge, with 10 good friends.

Timnath: Presented by the Columbine Club of Timnath

Iannin — Wed, 14 May 2008 19:02:48 GMT

I just finished reading this 390 page history of the tiny town where I live. It was published in 1996 and printed with lousy binding so it is totally falling apart. I found some good historic information and about our 1910 home, discovering the name of the man that probably built the house. He was a manager of a grain elevator, a justice of hte peace, and on the bank's board of directors. HTe town now has about 300 residents.

Beltane 2008

Iannin — Mon, 05 May 2008 22:05:47 GMT

I attended 2 rituals this Beltane amidst some very productive home and garden projects. The Treehenge open circle faciliated by Sara was held at the pavilion at Martinez Park on Thursday May 1st during an eening that was threatening rain and snow. 42 friendly pagans gathered with both well known and new faces, and many children. We sang, danced the maypole, celebrated fertility with the wonderful channelling of the God and Goddess by Steven and Aridawnia, then enjoyed an excellent potluck. The picture is of the maypole there. The Treehenge Seedgroup of OBOD celebrated on Sunday the 3rd at Treehenge on a very nice afternoon. We had 18 in attendance and performed the wordy but meaningful OBOD ritual including running between the 2 Beltane fires and being blessed by the God and Goddess, being embodied by Dave and Tree, the group's newest couple. The ceremony was augmented by 2 songs I brought and a meditation brought by Matrona.

Tuatha Show - Saturday April 5th - Owsley's Golden Road - Denver

Iannin — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 19:47:13 GMT

We were the very first band to play in the new venue, Owsley's Golden Road, named after an infamous member of the psychedelic undergroud in the 1960's, who tripped with Timothy Leary and Ken Kesey. The place was pretty cool, with an elaborate lay-out and a 20 year old paint job. Our set was fairly lackluster, as there were only about 8 people there when we began and they were sitting far off in the back, so, from the stage there was the impression of playing for nearly no-one. We did see some familiar faces show up to see us before and during our set. My Tribe friend Skott and his partner were there and that was really cool. We tend to play tighter with fewer mistakes when we are playing to a larger crowd, so we weren't at our best. Our album remains better quality than our live shows, but that is a standard we hope to approach someday soon. We were opening for the 12piece Afro-beat band Albino who put on a kick-ass show with their horn section and tight rhythm section, complete with dance vamps and elaborate costumes. They played to a fairly small crowd for them as this whole show had been scheduled in this new place just within the past week. All in all, another fun time was had by all. Peace, Iannin

Alban Eiler / Ostara / Vernal Equinox / Easter

Iannin — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 03:52:32 GMT

What a lovely celebration we had at Treehenge today to welcome Spring and to celebrate surviving the Winter. Bright sunshine and still cool air welcomed us to the Bright half of the year. Most of us wore cloaks, adding to the ritualistic and reverent quality of the ceremony. Thank you to all of you for being the wonderful people that you are. I am so blessed to be in the company of so learned and compassionate Druids. For those that we missed having, I hope that your equinox celebrations were joyous as well. 13 gathered at Treehenge this Alban Eiler. 6 members of the Order (OBOD) were joined, for the first time, by 3 folks from Witchvox, meetup.com, and Naropa connections, as well as 4 returning friends. We passed from the Darkness to the Light, planting the seeds of hope for growth in the coming season. Chants sung - In Between the pillars of the day and the night, Em We walk through the doorway, from the dark to the light, The light of renewal and the light of new birth, C The Light of the Earth, Light of the Earth. C D A I O A I O A I O A I O --------------------------- We are opening up in sweet surrender to the luminous lovelight of the Earth (One or Sun) Dm We are opening up in sweet surrender to the luminous lovelight of the Earth (One or Sun) We are opening, we are opening, we are opening, we are opening. --------------------------- I had the pleasure of having an extended equinox festival, attending 2 other rituals, one on Saturday in another public park in Fort Collins hosted by the Northern Colorado Covenent of the River meetup.com group led beautifully by Cher, and a ritual at the Happy Heart community-supported agriculture Farm, led wonderfully by Tara. Mostly new faces and new friends for me in both of the groups. Namaste & Peace, Iannin

Tuatha's Invocation CD now available on iTunes

Iannin — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 00:53:48 GMT

You can now sample some music and download songs for 99cents or the album for $9.99 at iTunes. Of course, if you would like the better audio quality of the CD itself, you can order that through our website at www.tuatha.net. Also check out our site at www.myspace.com/TuathaUS.

Bonewits's Essential Guide to Druidism

Iannin — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 18:45:56 GMT

I just finished reading this entry into the modern Druidic literature by the founder of ADF, who has been involved in North American Druidry since the 1960s. He presents a somewhat choppy and disjointed account of modern Druidry's different paths and approaches, his being reconstructionist Druidry that attempts to be historically accurate, and it too strictly polytheistic for my taste. He includes many long quotes from other authors that I have already read. This is the ninth book with the word Druid in the title, that I have read from cover to cover. He is quite humorous at times. I enjoyed his distinction between Druidism (what Druids believe), Druidry (what Druids do), and Draiocht (druidical magic). He does a nice review of paleopagan Druidism, a nice review of various druidic organizations, a useful panning of pseudo-druidism, and a good synopsis of what are the common beliefs of neopagans in general. A very good addition to the library from one of the seminal figures of our modern tradition.

Taliesin by Stephen Lawhead - Pagan Sacrelege?

Iannin — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 20:50:04 GMT

I had been excited to read a new Arthurian series. This started off real well with alternating chapters about a young princess during the fall of Atlantis in a massive earthquake and volcano, and the raising of young Taliesin, found at the salmon bier by Elphin and raised into the greatest bard of all time. Lawhead really lost me, however, when the christian priests showed up and successfully converted all the kings and Taliesin himself to their patriarchal faith. This is the closest to sacrilege I have ever felt as a pagan. All Arthurian fiction has a basic confrontation between the old and new religions as an important theme, but Lawhead, unabashedly portrays christianity as the only true religion and begins to demonize those that continue to follow the old religion. I am truly conflicted about moving on to read the Merlin, Arthur, and the Grail. Does anyone know if Lawhead continues to proselytize christianity?

Imbolc 2008

Iannin — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 20:31:05 GMT

We had 21 people for ritual, the weather cooperated, and we were able to have it outside at Treehenge. All dressed warmly, most in cozy cloaks, and celebrated the OBOD Imbolc Rite, complete with a visit from the Lady (embodied by CIndy) to bless us with the promise of Spring. I led 3chants including "We all come from the Goddess/She changes everthing,"" Anu Danu Dana Danaan", and "The river is flowing". We had a few poems read, wonderful comaraderie, a nice meal afterwards, and news of yet another new member of the Order, bringing the total to 14 members, along with our many loyal guests. I can feel the beginnings of the earth starting to stir with life, hooray!

Tuatha's CD release Party last night at Avo's

Iannin — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 21:06:23 GMT

We had a wonderful turn-out, SRO in Avo's stage room, many familiar faces and many, many new faces in the crowd. I think we played a very good show with many extended pieces to jam on and make spacy. Highlights including having Buddha Bomb spinning his psychedelic trance grooves before, between, and after our sets, new dancer Emily gracing us with her elegant tribal belly dance, and having Tierro, the guitarist form Kan'nal, and producer of our album, joining us on stage on two tunes to tear it up on lead. We sold a bunch of CD's and some t-shirts and stickers, all for the first time. This is proving to be quite a trippy rise to moderate success, as more people come to hear and enjoy our music. What a blessing to be able to share it!

Tuatha's Debut album "Invocation" now available!

Iannin — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 21:58:17 GMT

We recieved the album in the mail yesterday. We are so proud of it. We had a really fun show on KRFC 88.9 - Radio Fort Collins - Live at Lunch show today to begin the promotion of the album and our CD release party January 26th at Avo's. Thanks to Cindy and John at KRFC. Order yours today at www.tuatha.net !

The Making of a Druid - Christian Guyonvarch

Iannin — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 17:41:26 GMT

Wrttien by a Frenchman, who is a Celtic linquist, who examines in some tedious detail the Middle Irish manuscript "The Colloquy of Two Sages". It is an interesting story of Nede and Ferchertne who have a verbal dialogue to see who should have the seat of the Ollam or Doctor of Poetry, the highest druid seat next to the high king of Ireland. The earliest manuscript to contain it is from around 1150, but it may have originally wriiten down in the 5th century and the story itself is very likely from pre-christian times. With some unfortunatly stereotypical french pompousness, Guyanvarch uses language which at times is difficult to understand and quite esoteric. I would love to see an author take this dialogue and expand and flesh out the story into a more accessible piece of historical fiction.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Iannin — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 19:44:15 GMT

I finally finished the 7th and last of the Harry Potter series. What a wonderful saga it has been. I won't give away the ending to any who have not read it, but I found it fully satisfying. The series helped bring me back to reading, and has opened the eyes of many a muggle about the possibilities of Magic, and the knowledge that the greatest magic of all is Love.

Tuatha at the Mercury Cafe - Yule 2007

Iannin — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 19:32:01 GMT

What a magical evening! The place was full of Solstice stirrings, with the wonderful Aztec dance troupe named for the sacred circle, with the fantastic Akayate, bringing her shamanic dancing from Kan'Nal to our stage, with the soundmeister of Kan'Nal, Mateo doing a great job of mixing us, and the fabulous Sara Rain (www.trigoddess.org) facilitating a Solstice ritual with wonderful chants and dances, enabling to magic of intention to become fruitful. We felt really great about our performance, excited to give a preview of the songs from our first album "Invocation" as well as introducing some new trance-dance grooves and songs. We got some nice still shots from Willow and some video footage from Richard.

Yule 2007

Iannin — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 20:32:24 GMT

What a wonderful festival! We had 3 rituals, and a 3 parties! The Treehenge Open Circle in Fort Collins facilitated by Sara Rain on the Solstice itself, was celebrated by about 40 people, including many old friends and familiar faces with many. many children adding to the revelry. We sang "Let there be Peace", "It is the Great Mother giving birth to Him", "Firechild sing, firechild dance", and others... At the Dark Night Mysteries Solstice Celebration at the Mercury Cafe, Sara also facilitated a ritual between the 2 sets that Tuatha played. About 100 people participated in 3 circles singing and dancing and letting go of those things that no longer serve them. We sang, "Let there be Peace", and others... The Treehenge Seedgroup of the Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids, hosted 21 people on Sunday night for the Alban Arthan ritual. We were joined by familiar and many new faces to celebrate the return of the Sun and to again let go of those things that no longer serve us. We are so proud of the mature and educated sages that our group is attracting with at least 10 folks coming all the way from Boulder or the Denver area to participate. An extended cascading Awens was the musical treat of the evening.

The Druids by Peter Berresford Ellis - 1994

Iannin — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 18:53:24 GMT

I finished this book this morning, and it is my intention to log each book I read here. I have read many more spiritually oriented and archaeological books on Druidry, but this was the first truly scholarly work on the history of the history of the Druids. Ellis does a masterful job at a seemingly exhaustive review of all the written references to the Druids, from the Romans, to the Irish and Welsh Sagas, to the writers of the middle ages, renaissance, and classical periods up to some of the current day. Although thick at times, it is painstakingly researched and referenced. I found his premise of the Druids as the intellectual caste rather than a priesthood compelling, his discussion of the liberties of the Celtic women refreshing, and the discussion of Pelagius' beliefs to be confirming. I highly recommend it.

Beltane, Midsummer, Lughnassad, Mabon, Samhain

Iannin — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 21:53:49 GMT

All celebrated successfully! I've been kind of dormant her on Tribe for a while, but I hope to get active again, posting rituals, Tuatha performances, and book reviews. Tuatha played some great concerts this summer, including opening for Kan'nal at Mishawaka, headlining there ourselves, playing Gypsy Nation and opening for Lunar Fire on Samhain. We recorded our firdst full-length album entitled "Invocation" at Immersive Studios in Boulder and produced by Tierro! We will be doing presales at our Winter Solstice Show Dec 22nd at the Mercury Cafe in Denver, and will have our CD Release Party at Avo's in FOrt Collins on January 26th. Hope to see you all there! Peace!

Lughnassad, Yule, Imbolc, Ostara

Iannin — Sat, 05 May 2007 00:23:39 GMT

All celebrated successfully. The Treehenge seedgroup is growing! The last ritual had 8 members of the Order in attendance! check out www.treehenge.org for upcoming events