Post by leithincluan on Mar 19, 2015 5:02:51 GMT -6
Hi all. I'm Leithin (or Naomi/Nay). I'm a Gaelic polytheist and modern British druid. I call my religious perspective 'reconnection', rather than reconstruction - which I would say is a strong theme in British polytheism at the moment. (We're quite different from North American polytheists, but that would take much longer to talk about.)
I'm a dedicant of Baoi, also known as Cailleach Bhearra, in her form as a tutelary deity of the Beara Peninsula. Her sister Duibhne (Dovinia), from across the county border in Dingle, is also very present in my life. Connected with them, I also honour Lasair, Inghean Buidhe and Latiaran as seasonal goddesses. Gobnait, a saint from north of that area who may once have been considered a goddess, is also a focus. I consider my work with these deities to be a localised cultic practice, and go back to the peninsula as often as I can (usually annually) to reconnect with Baoi, the land, and with my family and ancestors there. Most of my work with those deities has to be imbas-based (I dislike the term 'UPG' but that's essentially what I mean), because there's so little detail available on who they might have been. However, there are stories in the area about who they are now, and how modern Irish/Beara peninsula people relate to them. I try to do a lot of research into those stories and modern folk practices, and then I work on whether/how to incorporate that.
But I also do lots of local practice around the land where I live, which is London and its environs. I live near the River Brent, which may be associated with Brigantia, and she is very present in my life here. I also honour local spirits, including city spirits, and the Good Folk. My other household deities are mainly Gaelic. I met Manannan mac Lir very early in my journey, when I didn't believe in more than one god, and he's been a guide for me on my religious path. I also honour Macha, Lugh and Ogma, among other Gaelic deities. There are some saints in my life too, as a result of my background in Anglo-Catholicism and Gnosticism.
I'm involved in modern British druidry. I know that's controversial among some Celtic polytheists, but it is a very good context for my polytheistic work in my experience. Modern British druidry is currently changing very fast and becoming something new, for a new generation of (often polytheistic) land-focused British Pagans. Although I'm a member of both ADF and OBOD, my main focus is in the Druid Network, which is a respected new (if small) force in the UK religious world. I'm particularly involved in their interfaith work and their work in education. I am interested in the way that polytheists and Pagans engage with the rest of the world, and the view they have of us. (I'm studying sociology of religion - can you tell? )
ETA: I also do a bit of pop culture stuff (though I hate that term), including Narnia-focused things. Thanks to a friend who got me into that.
I am on a seer's path, and work with ogham, cartomancy and other forms of divination. I also practice magic - mostly bits and pieces of British and Gaelic folk magic, and also hoodoo (as I know some rootworkers who have introduced me to the basics of the practice). The former is part of my religious practice, but the latter sometimes is, sometimes isn't.
In my wider life, I'm working on a PhD in sociology of religion/disability studies, and I'm involved in the disability rights movement, interfaith work, LGBT rights (including trans rights, as an ally - I'm married to a non-binary person) and other human/civil rights work. I'm a fan of cult TV and classic science fiction books, and I like tea, wine and vodka.
Looking forward to getting to know you all.
- Leithin
I'm a dedicant of Baoi, also known as Cailleach Bhearra, in her form as a tutelary deity of the Beara Peninsula. Her sister Duibhne (Dovinia), from across the county border in Dingle, is also very present in my life. Connected with them, I also honour Lasair, Inghean Buidhe and Latiaran as seasonal goddesses. Gobnait, a saint from north of that area who may once have been considered a goddess, is also a focus. I consider my work with these deities to be a localised cultic practice, and go back to the peninsula as often as I can (usually annually) to reconnect with Baoi, the land, and with my family and ancestors there. Most of my work with those deities has to be imbas-based (I dislike the term 'UPG' but that's essentially what I mean), because there's so little detail available on who they might have been. However, there are stories in the area about who they are now, and how modern Irish/Beara peninsula people relate to them. I try to do a lot of research into those stories and modern folk practices, and then I work on whether/how to incorporate that.
But I also do lots of local practice around the land where I live, which is London and its environs. I live near the River Brent, which may be associated with Brigantia, and she is very present in my life here. I also honour local spirits, including city spirits, and the Good Folk. My other household deities are mainly Gaelic. I met Manannan mac Lir very early in my journey, when I didn't believe in more than one god, and he's been a guide for me on my religious path. I also honour Macha, Lugh and Ogma, among other Gaelic deities. There are some saints in my life too, as a result of my background in Anglo-Catholicism and Gnosticism.
I'm involved in modern British druidry. I know that's controversial among some Celtic polytheists, but it is a very good context for my polytheistic work in my experience. Modern British druidry is currently changing very fast and becoming something new, for a new generation of (often polytheistic) land-focused British Pagans. Although I'm a member of both ADF and OBOD, my main focus is in the Druid Network, which is a respected new (if small) force in the UK religious world. I'm particularly involved in their interfaith work and their work in education. I am interested in the way that polytheists and Pagans engage with the rest of the world, and the view they have of us. (I'm studying sociology of religion - can you tell? )
ETA: I also do a bit of pop culture stuff (though I hate that term), including Narnia-focused things. Thanks to a friend who got me into that.
I am on a seer's path, and work with ogham, cartomancy and other forms of divination. I also practice magic - mostly bits and pieces of British and Gaelic folk magic, and also hoodoo (as I know some rootworkers who have introduced me to the basics of the practice). The former is part of my religious practice, but the latter sometimes is, sometimes isn't.
In my wider life, I'm working on a PhD in sociology of religion/disability studies, and I'm involved in the disability rights movement, interfaith work, LGBT rights (including trans rights, as an ally - I'm married to a non-binary person) and other human/civil rights work. I'm a fan of cult TV and classic science fiction books, and I like tea, wine and vodka.
Looking forward to getting to know you all.
- Leithin