My grandfather followed the sound of a banshee across a field the night his young son left the body, but on another occasion I was actually saved by the same woman of the Sidhe when I was bitten by a brown recluse spider five times on my leg in my sleep. Not only did she awaken me in a terrible dream but also gave me the remedy in the same dream. The ensuing sickness over two years caused me to write an Irish trilogy. A Native American explained to me that spider medicine has everything to do with writing and bring the old back into the new. Many ancient families in Ireland have the banshee, a portent that is not always death but can be a life changer. X
There are still keeners at wakes in Ireland and those who keep vigil staying awake and fasting by deceased relatives, turning mirrors to the wall and covering fire places. Thank you for your inspirational posts. Lamenting is very important in all cultures. Xx
Thank you Gabriela, your writing touches my soul, and opens my heart. You have reminded me how important it is to pay attention and grieve in this time of destruction. I am also struck by the sound of Keening, ancient gut wrenching, the Irish sounding so like Arabic (I don't speak either)
Thank you Gabriela, for spending your energy creating such nourishing stories in these times. It’s so hard to know where to put ourselves. Your voice is at once like a balm and a call to find our own, aligned action. Wailing with you.
I agree with you about Shift, but Mary is a good friend and she is well rooted and authentic person. Shift recently tried to interested me - I sent them away with a flea in their ear in such a way, they will not ask me again, I think!
Great post! Myself and Cáit Branigan have been restoring the mna chaointe (keening women) tradition with our students for some years. My colleague, Dr. Mary McLaughlin also teaches the tradition. You may find this interview with her very interesting: https://www.marymclaughlin.com/workshops/workshops.php
My grandfather followed the sound of a banshee across a field the night his young son left the body, but on another occasion I was actually saved by the same woman of the Sidhe when I was bitten by a brown recluse spider five times on my leg in my sleep. Not only did she awaken me in a terrible dream but also gave me the remedy in the same dream. The ensuing sickness over two years caused me to write an Irish trilogy. A Native American explained to me that spider medicine has everything to do with writing and bring the old back into the new. Many ancient families in Ireland have the banshee, a portent that is not always death but can be a life changer. X
There are still keeners at wakes in Ireland and those who keep vigil staying awake and fasting by deceased relatives, turning mirrors to the wall and covering fire places. Thank you for your inspirational posts. Lamenting is very important in all cultures. Xx
Thank you Gabriela, your writing touches my soul, and opens my heart. You have reminded me how important it is to pay attention and grieve in this time of destruction. I am also struck by the sound of Keening, ancient gut wrenching, the Irish sounding so like Arabic (I don't speak either)
Thank you Gabriela, for spending your energy creating such nourishing stories in these times. It’s so hard to know where to put ourselves. Your voice is at once like a balm and a call to find our own, aligned action. Wailing with you.
Oh I wish we could have a ceremony like that! How we need it so badly!
Can you imagine a huge one? A global one?
We set the time and women all around the world start together from whenever they are, can you imagine??? Thank you Gabriela!
I agree with you about Shift, but Mary is a good friend and she is well rooted and authentic person. Shift recently tried to interested me - I sent them away with a flea in their ear in such a way, they will not ask me again, I think!
Truly beautiful, Thankyou. 🙏🏻
Great post! Myself and Cáit Branigan have been restoring the mna chaointe (keening women) tradition with our students for some years. My colleague, Dr. Mary McLaughlin also teaches the tradition. You may find this interview with her very interesting: https://www.marymclaughlin.com/workshops/workshops.php