Celtic Otherworld

13/07/2021

Hi everyone! In light of my announcement earlier this week (check out my last post if you haven't seen it yet), Otherworld Retreats is now Celtic Otherworld 🌿

What will this account become? I hope to keep sharing the inspirational and educational posts that you love, with a focus on all things Celtica. I do plan to continue running circles for the wheel of the year, though I'm still determining what that will look like and they likely won't start until the autumn.

This change feels good, like a fresh start. And I'm looking forward to sharing everything I learn and discover with you. If there's anything specific you'd like to see from me, let me know in the comments!

I'm thankful for each and every one of you, and I'm excited for whatever the future holds 💖

Many blessings,
Kyra

07/07/2021

Hi everyone, this is Kyra. There have been some major changes here at Otherworld Retreats that I wanted to let you know about.

The first is that last week Elizabeth decided to step down from Otherworld Retreats permanently. This was a very sudden and unexpected decision, and I am deeply saddened to see her go. I sincerely wish her nothing but the best, and if you want to keep up with her work you can find her on Instagram and Youtube under the name Chrysalis Invictus.

So what does this mean for Otherworld Retreats? Unfortunately, I will be cancelling Gwydion's Crossing, our retreat that was to take place in Cornwall in early 2022. This retreat was very much a joint creation between Elizabeth and me, and it wouldn't feel right to do it without her. I also have no wish to run a full retreat on my own.

With that in mind, it is also pretty likely that there will be a name change for Otherworld Retreats since I won't be offering retreats. I've been playing around with a couple of ideas, and I plan to keep "Otherworld" in the name somehow. I will be shuttering the website as I am currently paying hosting fees for something that drastically changed from its original inception (and to be honest there's not much on there). I will keep running the Instagram account although I will probably take on a more relaxed posting schedule (but is here to stay!).

To be very honest, I'm not really sure what the future of Otherworld Retreats looks like. I am currently toying with the idea of continuing to run circles for the pagan holidays on my own. These would be focused on mythology, foklore & shamanic journeying, and there would not be a movement & meditation portion. As I am currently teaching my own workshop series this month, I will not be running anything for Lughnasadh/Lammas.

I know many of you will be saddened by the above news, but I want to finish on a positive note and thank each and every one of you for supporting Otherworld Retreats. Lughnasadh marks the 2nd anniversary of Otherworld Retreats, and I am deeply humbled by how much it has grown. Elizabeth and I started with a vision that seemed impossible, but somehow you found us and helped it to become a reality. I hope that you'll stick around as I figure out what the future looks like. If anything changes, I will be sure to let you know and if you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to me.

Many blessings,
Kyra

07/06/2021

"Often when we use terms like real or practical, we actually mean familiar. Whatever is normal, the experience of the majority, we call real; whatever is rare, especially in behaviour, is extreme. Whatever conforms to how we presently organize our lives is practical; whatever challenges that organization is not."

Daniel Taylor from "In Search of Sacred Places"

📷 Rob Mulholland 'Vistage' Scotland

01/02/2021

Wishing you all a blessed Imbolc!🕯️
Do you have anything special planned?

And to our friends in the southern hemisphere, we wish you a blessed Lughnasadh/Lammas 🔥

28/01/2021

Brigid is arguably one of the most popular and enigmatic goddesses to come from Celtic mythology. Unlike many other Irish goddesses, we only have brief mentions of Brigid in mythological texts. We know that she is said to have created the act of keening when her son was killed in battle. We know that she is the daughter of the Dagda, a prominent member of the Tuatha Dé Danaan. And we know that she is the patron goddess of poetry, healing, and smithcraft. Brigid is so much more than all of that however we don't find many answers in mythology.

When Brigid was turned into St. Brigid by the Christian church, many aspects of her changed but many stayed the same. St. Brigid had associations with fire and fertility, much like Brigid the goddess had. Somehow this pagan goddess endured within the Christian pantheon too and became incredibly popular. St. Brigid is now known as one of the patron saints of Ireland along with St. Patrick and St. Columba.

Even though she was under the mantle of Christianity for a very long time, Brigid has existed in the minds of many for over a thousand years and she continues to be one of the most well known Celtic goddesses today.

Join us on January 31st as we celebrate Imbolc and discover the many faces of Brigid through mythical exploration, shamanic journeying, movement and meditation. Find all the details and book your spot at www.otherworldretreats.com , only a few spaces are left!

23/01/2021

Slowly but surely, signs of life are returning in nature. Some of you may be lucky enough to see snowdrops and green shoots sprouting up from the Earth. For some of you, the changes may be more subtle: the days grow a little bit longer, the wind is gentler, the air starts to smell like growth instead of frost.

Though Imbolc marks the start of spring in the Celtic wheel of the year, the initial changes are often incredibly subtle. To notice them requires us to pay deep attention to the rhythms of the Earth. It is a practice that takes time and effort, but it is well worth it.

Whether this is your first time celebrating Imbolc or your tenth, we invite you to join us on January 31st to usher in the shift in seasons. You can find all the details and register at www.otherworldretreats.com , spaces are limited.

📷 Aaron Burden

18/01/2021

🌱🌱🌱
"No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn."
- Hal Borland

Join us for Imbolc on January 31st! Find all the details and book your spot www.otherworldretreats.com . Spaces are limited.

14/01/2021

Snowdrops are one of the first plants to make their presence known as we slowly make our way towards warmer weather - they are sometimes referred to as the first gift of spring. Their green stems will push their way up through the frozen ground, and are soon followed by bell-like white flowers. Because they are one of the first markers of spring time, they are commonly associated with the goddess Brigid and the pagan holiday of Imbolc.

There are several legends involving snowdrops. A German story involves God asking the flowers of the Earth to lend their colour to snow. All the flowers refuse except for the snowdrop and as a reward for it's generosity, it gets to bloom before all other flowers.

In folkloric beliefs, snowdrops are seen as symbols of purity and virtue. However, in Victorian times they were thought to be emblems of death. Because of this, snowdrops were rarely brought indoors as it was thought to welcome death into your home. Snowdrops would also be used in love sachets and in purificatory incenses which were commonly used at the advent of spring.

If you'd like to learn more about Imbolc and the folklore surrounding it, join us in circle on January 31st 12:30pm - 3:30pm EST. Find all the details and book your spot via the link in our bio 🌱

🎨 Cecily Mary Barker

11/01/2021

When was the last time you took a deep breath?

Inhale for 4

Hold for 2

Exhale for 8

Repeat.

If you want to add something to this practice, imagine yourself inhaling a specific positive feeling and exhaling a negative one. You can also give these feelings colours for a different experience. Or you can simply breathe 💖

📷 Kristaps Ungurs

10/01/2021

Imbolc is a tender time, much like the delicate green shoots pressing through the snow, it invites us to hang a light over our hearts. As one of the four great fire festivals in the Celtic calendar, Imbolc marks the return of life to the Earth. It is a time of hope, of new beginnings, and of gentle growth. With the early signs of spring, light and life slowly start to make themselves known and we can rejoice once more that winter is coming to an end. Imbolc also marks the holy day of the goddess and saint, Brigid, patroness of poetry, fertility, healing, smithwork and more. Together we will gather to honour Brigid and the changing of the seasons.

This circle will include a mythical exploration of Brigid and Imbolc, a shamanic journey, and a powerful movement and meditation practice dedicated to the triple aspects of Brigid.

When: January 31st 12:30pm - 3:30pm EST via Zoom
If you can't join us live, the circle will be recorded and available for replay until February 6th.

Cost: $45 CAD (approx. $30 USD, 28€, £25)

Book your spot at www.otherworldretreats.com , spaces are limited

Otherworld Retreats combines Celtic tradition with yoga & meditation to create transformative experiences in the UK & Ireland

08/01/2021

In moments of intense emotion, it can be difficult to feel grounded and connected. Here's a wonderful exercise from to help:

Sitting tall and comfortably, relaxing into this posture, bring your hands to your sides palms facing forward. Set an intention or say a word to yourself that represents something you would like to recieve i.e. love, connection, clarity...

With both your palms recieve this feeling and allow it to travel into your heart. Let the pulse and breath integrate this feeling into your body until you feel full with it.

Now imagine your loved ones or specific people you think could benefit from this energy too sitting in a circle with you. Recieving the energy in your right hand, it flows through you and you give with your left hand. Feel this energy flow through the circle from right to left.

You can also try this with a circle of people or in nature placing your hand on the earth, a tree, or a stone. Recognize that what comes in goes out but in the giving you are never depleated because as you give you recieve.

📷 Luca Cassani

03/01/2021

January is an incredibly liminal month. At this time of year, there is often a lot of pressure to make changes. If this works for you, then by all means go ahead! But if you are craving stillness at this time, embrace it. We are still in the depths of winter, it will be quite some time before we begin to see life returning.

📷 Valentin Salja

31/12/2020

Here are our
Well it has been quite the year! It's hard to believe that we were supposed to have held our first retreat this September 🙀 This year was challenging in so many ways, but a bright spot has been getting to interact with and teach so many of you! While this certainly wasn't the year we had planned, we learned so much and are looking forward to what the future brings.

Happy New Year!

Many blessings,
Elizabeth and Kyra

24/12/2020

Hi everyone! We're going to be taking a few days off. However and whatever you are celebrating this year, we wish you peace and relaxation 💖

If you're looking to explore the energies of December, our digital Yule Ritual Guide is still available. Grab your copy at www.otherworldretreats.com

See you all next week 😊

📷 Daniel Sessler

21/12/2020

Wishing all of you in the northern hemisphere a blessed Yule ❄️ And to those of you in the southern hemisphere a blessed Litha ☀️

Do you have anything special planned for today?

If you're looking to explore the energies of Yule, our digital Yule Ritual Guide is available for purchase until December 31st, you can grab your copy at www.otherworldretreats.com

13/12/2020

❄️❄️❄️
"Go out, go out, I beg of you
and taste the beauty of the wild.
Behold the miracle of the Earth.
With all the wonder of a child."
- Edna Jaques

Today is the last chance to pre-order the Yule Ritual Guide! Find all the details and get your copy at www.otherworldretreats.com

10/12/2020

If you celebrate Christmas, then you know that Santa Claus has a sleigh drawn by 8 magical flying reindeer - but where did this depiction come from?

Modern day Santa may be based on elements of Norse mythology, in particular Odin. Both Santa and Odin are known to be wintery gift givers, with long beards and robes. Odin also rides the eight-legged horse Sleipnir, which could have been an early stand-in for Santa’s reindeer.

Another theory has been proposed involving a red and white hallucinogenic mushroom - fly agaric. The Sami, a group of Indigenous people who reside across northern Scandinavia and Russia, are traditional reindeer herders. The Sami practice shamanism, and their shamans were known to drink the urine of the reindeer they cared for. These reindeer were either fed or naturally consumed fly agaric. Now fly agaric can be poisonous to humans, but the digestion process of the reindeer removed the poison and left only the hallucinogenic aspects of the mushroom.

Flying is synonymous with shamanic journeying (it is mentioned across many cultures and some refer to the shamanic journey as “soul flight”). Since the reindeer are integral to the Sami way of life, it is not too much of a stretch to connect the reindeer with flying in a shamanic sense which later got interpreted literally.

While the true origins of Santa Claus and his reindeer are unknown, it is interesting to look at all the different influences may have led to the modern version of this legend!

📷 Santa Claus Village

05/12/2020

Yule is typically a time of gathering together in celebration. This year, things are different. It might seem strange or saddening to celebrate the holiday season with no one or at least fewer people. Or you may be enjoying the extra peace and quiet that tends to elude us throughout December.

If you're feeling a bit lost on how to celebrate Yule this year or are completely new to working with the wheel of the year, we've got you covered. We created the Yule Ritual Guide as a way to help you reflect on and enjoy the season all within the comfort of your own home. We've included a look at the folklore and traditions surrounding Yule, ritual suggestions, journalling exercises, a festive tarot spread, and a special movement and meditation recorded class. You can explore the guide on your own time, and because it's digital, it's yours to keep forever.

The ritual guide is $25 CAD (approx. $20 USD, 17€, £15) and we're now accepting pre-orders to receive the guide on Dec. 14th.

❄️ Pre-order your copy at www.otherworldretreats.com ❄️

📷 Aaron Burden

03/12/2020

🎄Sir Gawain and the Green Knight🎄

King Arthur is celebrating Christmas at Camelot with all his knights. As the celebration peters out, Arthur demands a marvel to inspire him. At that moment, a giant green knight rides into the hall holding a giant axe and a bough of holly. The Green Knight issues a deadly challenge: whoever can chop off his head will get to keep the axe but only on the condition that the Green Knight can return the same blow in a year's time. To prevent Arthur from taking the challenge, Gawain steps in and swiftly chops off the Green Knight’s head. The Green Knight places his head back on his shoulders and merrily leaves the hall, reminding Gawain that he will see him at the Green Chapel in a year.

Just before the year is up, Gawain makes his way towards the Green Chapel. When Christmas arrives, he comes across a grand castle and is given welcome there by the castle’s lord, Bertilak, and his lady. They tell him that the Green Chapel is nearby, and offer Gawain shelter until the appointed day. Gawain and Bertilak agree to a Christmas game - each day Bertilak will go hunting and when he returns, he will exchange whatever he has captured on his hunt for whatever Gawain has found in the castle.

Three times Bertilak goes hunting, and each time the lady of the castle tries to seduce Gawain while he resists. For the first two days, Bertilak brings back the game he has caught and Gawain gives him one kiss, then two kisses in exchange. On the third day, the lady gives Gawain a green girdle that will protect the wearer from harm. Gawain does not give this to Bertilak, but instead gives him three kisses.

The day comes and Gawain travels to the Green Chapel to meet his fate. The Green Knight is waiting, and Gawain prepares to have his head cut off. The Green Knight makes three blows: the first Gawain flinches away from, the second the knight stops short, and the third he nicks Gawain’s neck. The Green Knight then explains the small cut is his punishment for not revealing that he had the magical girdle, and the Green Knight is actually Bertilak. Gawain is deeply ashamed for his lack of chivalrous behaviour even though Bertilak has forgiven him.

Gawain returns to Arthur’s court and is welcomed back enthusiastically. Despite Gawain’s shame, all of the Round Table wears a green sash in honour of Gawain’s adventure.

Art by Brian Froud

01/12/2020

As the holiday season approaches, we wanted to offer you something special in honour of Yule/Winter Solstice that you can do on your own time and in the comfort of your own home.

We are very excited to present to you our digital Yule Ritual guide! The guide will include:
🌲 A look at the folklore and traditions surrounding Yule
🌲 A selection of Yule rituals
🌲 Journal prompts to help you reflect and prepare for the year ahead
🌲 A festive tarot spread
🌲 A link to a special 1 hour yoga practice

The Yule Ritual Guide will be sent out as a printable PDF which is yours to keep forever.

❄️ Pre-orders open today to receive your guide on December 14th! Click on the link below to pre-order your copy ❄️
https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=19552649&appointmentType=18524489

If you order after December 14th, you will be able to download your ritual guide immediately after purchase. The guide will remain available for purchase until December 31st.

30/11/2020

Wishing you all a blessed full moon in Gemini and lunar eclipse! 🌕
Do you have anything special planned?
We have a couple of exciting announcements to make this week (one will be a giveaway!) so keep an eye out 👀

📷 Lavkush Gupta

26/11/2020

The Oak King and the Holly King are two figures who play out the changing of the seasons over and over again during the wheel of the year. The Oak King rules over the lighter half of the year, and the Holly King rules over the darker half. On Yule and Litha (the shortest and longest days of the year), both kings engage in battle to win favour with the Goddess or Sovereignty. Time and time again, each king falls in battle only to rise up again six months later to defeat the other.

The battles of these two kings are reflected by many different archetypal figures in Celtic myth and folklore including Llew Llaw Gyffes and Gronw Pebr, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, and Lugh and Balor. One must die for the other to triumph, although death is often only temporary in these legends. In Wiccan beliefs, the Holly King and the Oak King are commonly believed to be dual aspects of the same god.

The origins of these mythical kings are believed to be Celtic and pagan in origin, though there is no concrete evidence for this despite parallels in Celtic mythology. The story of the Oak King and the Holly King was first introduced into Wicca by Janet and Stewart Farrar in the late 1970s and that seems to be the first mention we have of this tale. Though it may not be an ancient myth, it has now become a part of modern folklore and helps many to deepen their understanding of the wheel of the year.

🎨 Yule King by Michael Kerbow

24/11/2020

"Teach the children... Show them daisies and the pale hepatica. Teach them the taste of sassafras and wintergreen. The lives of the blue sailors, mallow, sunbursts, the moccasin flowers. And the frisky ones—inkberry, lamb’s-quarters, blueberries. And the aromatic ones—rosemary, oregano. Give them peppermint to put in their pockets as they go to school. Give them the fields and the woods and the possibility of the world salvaged from the lords of profit. Stand them in the stream, head them upstream, rejoice as they learn to love this green space they live in, its sticks and leaves and then the silent, beautiful blossoms.

Attention is the beginning of devotion."
- Mary Oliver

📷 Vlad Zaytsev

22/11/2020

Hey friends, we have an important announcement to make!

With COVID-19 still very much affecting our lives, we've made the decision to postpone our 2021 retreat. With international travel in the spring being a big question mark, we would much rather hold the retreat when it is safe and possible for everyone to attend.

The good news is that our gorgeous venue, Caradoc, has been wonderfully accommodating and the retreat will still take place on their idyllic grounds in Cornwall.

The new dates for Gwydion's Crossing: Between Worlds Retreat are September 17th - 24th, 2021.

At the moment, we are planning to open registration in the spring of 2021. We truly hope that the third time is the charm, and that the pandemic slows down so that we can all safely meet together in Cornwall next year!

If you want to be the first to know when registration opens (and get the latest news here at Otherworld Retreats), you can sign up for our newsletter at www.otherworldretreats.com

19/11/2020

Blodeuwedd is a woman made of flowers to be the wife of Lleu Llaw Gyffes in the fourth branch of the Welsh Mabinogion. Lleu is placed under a tynged (a curse) by his mother Arianrhod that he shall never have a human wife. To counteract the curse, the great magicians Math and Gwydion create a bride for Lleu out of the flowers of broom, meadowsweet, and oak.

At first, Lleu and Blodeuwedd live happily together until one day Lleu must leave Blodeuwedd alone for a few days. While he is gone, Blodeuwedd is visited by a neighbouring lord, Gronw Pebr. The two begin a passionate affair and eventually plot to kill Lleu. Lleu cannot be killed easily, and by feigning concern, Blodeuwedd gets him to reveal how exactly he may be killed. Armed with this information, Gronw and Blodeuwedd prepare for a year and a day. When the time comes, Blodeuwedd tricks Lleu into showing her exactly how he may be killed, and Gronw is hiding in the bushes. Gronw throws a spear at Lleu, and Lleu transforms into an eagle and flies away.

For some time, the two lovers live happily together. However Gwydion, who is Lleu’s uncle (and some say his father), notices something is gravely wrong and goes in search of Lleu. Gwydion finds Lleu, restores him to health, and the two then take their revenge on Gronw and Blodeuwedd. Grown is killed by Lleu.

Blodeuwedd attempts to flee but is overtaken by Gwydion and he transforms her into an owl stating:
“You will not dare to show your face ever again in the light of day ever again, and that will be because of enmity between you and all other birds. It will be in their nature to harass you and despise you wherever they find you. And you will not lose your name – that will always be Blodeuwedd.” (translation by Will Parker)

🎨 Blodeuwedd by Christopher Williams

17/11/2020

As we continue our descent into darkness, our underworld journey, know that you are allowed to withdraw. Most animals slow down their activities during the winter months to preserve vital energy. Human beings often forget that we are animals too - we follow the same rules of Nature. So if you want to retreat, to withdraw, to hibernate, don't fight it. If you can, allow it, and see what arises in the quiet.

Initiation doesn't always need to be intense and chaotic. Sometimes it is beautifully simple.

📷 Bruno Kelzer

14/11/2020

"Deep listening is an art that Nature invites us to reclaim so we can live with greater presence, compassion, respect and belonging upon our animate Earth.

We practise deep listening by slowing down and using all our senses when we are in Nature. Deep listening increases our capacity to hear our inner wisdom and guidance, and inspires us to act in ways that respect and honour Nature.

There is an inherent call and response between us and the rest of Nature which gets activated when we practise the art of deep listening. We are in living conversation with the Earth, so listening with all our senses means we can be true allies.

What attracts our attention in Nature is inviting us to pay heed because it has resonance, meaning, messages or healing impulses for us to act upon in service to the Soul of the Earth.

By cultivating the art of deep listening when we are in Nature, we become more present, awake and available to all of Life. And we, in turn, become more fully alive."
The Art of Deep Listening by Jackie Stewart

📷 Vlad Sargu

12/11/2020

The triskele or triskelion (commonly referred to as the triple spiral) is an ancient Celtic symbol. It is thought to be one of the most ancient Celtic symbols in existence, as it adorns the kerb stones at Newgrange which dates back to 3200 BC. Though the triskele is far older than the Celts, it is now synonymous with Celtic culture and was adopted by the Celts for their own use. The symbol was widely adopted across what is now modern Europe, and was a common feature of Medieval architecture.

The exact meaning of the triskele is unfortunately lost to time, though there are many theories as to what the triple spiral means. Some theories link it to triadic gods and goddesses, others posit that it represents birth - death - rebirth or land - sea - sky. A more modern interpretation is that each spiral represents an iteration of the triple goddess - maiden, mother, and crone. The triskele was later adopted by Celtic Christianity and represented the Holy Trinity.

Regardless of what the triskele means, it’s prominence remains today as it has taken on new meaning through neo-paganism and Celtic reconstructionism. Though it is a symbol with many meanings, it remains open to personal interpretation.

📷 One of the triskelion at Newgrange

05/11/2020

Tales of changelings are incredibly common all across Europe. A changeling is believed to be a fairy child (or in some cases, an old fairy pretending to be an infant) that has been left in the place of a human child stolen by the fairies. Changelings, or fairy children, have a number of traits that make them identifiable. They are often small and sickly, sometimes described as having yellow skin and limbs that are too long. In Irish and Scottish folklore, a changeling may also exhibit strange behaviour when no one is watching. In some tales, changelings reject human food altogether, while other stories say that the fairy child needs human breast milk in order to survive.

There are many superstitions surrounding the identification and expelling of a changeling. Such tales often involve threatening the life of the child or treating it so poorly that it’s fairy mother will return for it and bring back the real child. Examples include threatening the changeling with fire, leaving it outside in harsh conditions, placing it on a hot shovel, poking it with a hot poker, and covering it with urine or dung.

In Ireland and Wales, a common folktale describes how to get a changeling to reveal it’s true nature. The mother of a suspected changeling would brew eggshells, a completely random act, in order to trick the infant into speaking. Once the fairy child is revealed, it runs up the chimney and is never seen again, while the human child is returned home safely.

Today, there are various beliefs that explain the existence of changeling tales. Most descriptions of changelings resemble medical birth defects that were unknown at the time. Boys were more likely to be stolen than girls, which lines up with this theory as male babies are more predisposed to certain birth defects than girls. It has been suggested that changeling stories were a way of normalizing infanticide or of dealing with infant loss.

While typically babies and toddlers were most likely to be stolen by the fairies, there are a few cases of older children and even adults being stolen. The real life case of Bridget Cleary in Ireland in 1895 is one of these. Bridget's husband believed she was a changeling and killed her. A trial was held in which he was found guilty for her murder and sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Art by Arthur Rackham