SHOW PROGRAM
Stars, Stones, and Shadows: A Heroine's Tale

I’ve always been a soul that has felt deeply connected to the animal, plant, and spiritual realm.  Today, as I immerse myself within ancient Irish culture (the wise, mystical, and matriarchal ways of being - in particular), I’ve begun to understand my intuitive gifts and my perspective on the world with more clarity and reverence.

 

Stars, Stones, and Shadows: A Heroine’s Tale is a weaving of my own embodied wisdom, Irish mythology, sprinkled with a spark of inspiration from the work of Maureen Murdock, with the desire to amplify the deep re-membering and reclamation of divine feminine wisdom and ways of being; which is vital during our current times.

 

Divine feminine wisdom being: the life force energy that (when in balance) encourages us to be: intuitive, creative, open, emotionally attuned, expressive, relational, intimate, nurturing, allowing, accommodating, etc.

 

The beauty of mythology, and the art of storytelling (or in the Irish tradition of seanchaí), is that it can be poetry and prophecy in motion.  Stars, Stones, and Shadows: A Heroine’s Tale blends time, space, and realms.  Where the past meets the present; and the physical, spiritual, celestial twirl together.  In this tale, some of Éire’s most prolific goddesses offer insights into the human experience and the wisdom that rests within our bodies and spirits.

 

Thank you for choosing to share your time with us at the Ottawa Fringe Festival.  Your support truly means the world.

 

Míle Buíochas, 

(A thousand thanks)

 

Erica

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Short Wisdom Share from Erica’s Personal Learnings on our Celtic Goddess Guides

 

Macha - In Irish mythology, Macha is an incredibly complex being.  In one tale, she’s said to have placed a nine-year curse on the men of Ulster to experience labour pains during the heat of battle.  In some, the birth of her twins is traced to the naming of the land Emain Machan.  In others, she’s said to be a divine counterpart of the triple goddess of war.  All of these stories have resonance with the Macha you will meet in our story.  However, when I asked what her message or offering was for this story, I received: Macha the Mighty Mother.  Within Saoirse’s journey, she is a guide to trusting the wisdom of her physical body - and how that connects to her spirit.

 

The Morrigan - In Irish mythology, The Morrigan is also an incredibly complex being.  In some tales, she’s known for her magical shape shifting abilities - sometimes in the form of a crow, a cow, a she-wolf, an eel, a beautiful maiden, or a crone.  In others, she’s known as a prophetess of death - appearing as a washerwoman by a river.  She, too, can be associated with the triple goddess of war.  Known to bring change, destruction, and initiations of death and rebirth, we see all of these aspects of the Morrigan in our story.  However, when I asked what her message or offering was for this story, I received: Let it crumble; to make space for the new.  Within Saoirse’s journey, the Morrigan is a guide to trusting the wisdom of her rage.  By giving herself permission to feel all the pain and anger that resides within her rage, Saoirse creates space to to begin to process and heal.

 

Brigid - In Irish mythology, Brigid is often known as the goddess of the arts (poetry, seers, and women of wisdom) and metal smithing; both linking her to the term imbas forosnai (inspiration that illuminates).   Brigid is also deeply connected to mothers, midwives, and childbirth.  She is said to have been the first keener of Ireland after her son, Ruadhán, dies in battle.  When I asked what her message or offering was for this story, I received: To grieve and be birthed anew.  Within Saoirse’s journey, Brigid offers Saoirse the invitation to allow her grief to flow - rather than denying or holding on to it.  Through her grief, Saoirse is offered the invitation to re-member the magic of her soul that has always lied within her.

The Cailleach Béare - In Irish mythology, the Cailleach Béare is said to be as old as the land of Éire - some tales say that Ireland was created by stones falling out of her apron.  Known as the crone, or hag, she is often associated with water, storms, winter, and Samhain.  She is a magical, wise woman, larger than life primordial being with shapeshifting abilities as well - including a she-wolf and a beautiful maiden.  The Cailleach is a goddess that I deeply resonate with.  Within Saoirse’s journey, the Cailleach’s calling was to walk Saoirse through the emotional terrain and initiations of her divine re-membering and reclaiming.  The Cailleach was my first connection to the Wise Woman, and matriarchal lineage, within an Irish context - so it felt fitting that this great, great, great grandmother would walk alongside her granddaughter during this magical, mystical and pivotal stage in her journey.