Weaving Creative Threads
RECLAIMING ANCESTRAL MAGIC
Scotland is a land with its own ancient magical traditions that evolved over time from the melting pot of Gaelic, Norse, Pictish, Angles, Norman, and Saxon influences. Using a variety of sources including archaeology, anthropology, mythology, folklore, and historical texts, through the process of reconstruction we can create a folk practice that is informed by these ancient beliefs and practices.
Reconstruction is a method that is often applied to ancient pagan faiths. However, the source material can be heavily influenced by the Christian period and by foreign and colonising influences. It requires a critical mind and lot of discernment of textual evidence to separate the wheat from the chaff. In addition it requires an understanding and deep connection to the native culture, to begin to move it from the arena of study to practice in a modern context. Although reconstructionism has a solid foundation, in my opinion, the magic itself is often lost in a world of academia and arguments.
I am not a reconstructionist, I am an animist and ritualist. My spiritual practice is informed by direct revelation and I have a devotional practice to the accused witches of Scotland. Until now, I have resisted the movement of online teaching but the lack of good quality training that is culturally appropriate is thin on the ground, so I am in the process of transitioning some of my workshops to create a series of self-study and online courses for those that are awakening to the ancestral magic and customs of this land.
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COURSE STRUCTURE
Once you purchase a self-study course you will receive all the materials for you to work through at your own pace. The comprehensive content will be structured in a module format, so you can build up your knowledge through teaching material that comes from credible sources. It will include folklore, stories, video and audio recordings of shamanic journeys along with rituals to deepen your spiritual practice and prompts for self-reflection to support your connection to the red-thread of ancestral traditions. All the materials will be subject to copyright and are for personal use only. In addition there will be a private Facebook page for those that wish to join a study group with others.
There will be an option to study any one of the elements or take an enchanted journey back in time to immerse your soul in ancient beliefs and customs. More details to follow soon.
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Self-Study Courses in Ancestral Magic
THE WISE WOMAN
(BEAN FEASA)
COURSE OUTLINE
Unwitching of the Wyse Wife
Protection Magic
Curse Unravelling
Traditional Prayers
Charms, and Cures
Stones, Bones, and Threads
Healing Plant Folklore
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THE SEER
(TAIBHSEAR)
COURSE OUTLINE
Gaelic Otherworld
Highland Seers
The Second Sight
Curse or Blessing
The Frith and Augury
Reading Omens
Traditional Divination
THE WYTCH
(BANA BUIDSEACH)
COURSE OUTLINE
Historical Persecution
Baneful Magic
Servants of the Devil
Fairies and Witches
Spirit Familiars
The Poisonous Path
Poppet Magic
THE KEENING WOMAN
(BEAN CHAIONTE)
COURSE OUTLINE
Scottish Death Customs
Wake and Winding Sheet
Bride as the Ancestral Keener
Role of the Bean Chaointe
Vocal Psychopomp
Lamenting the Dead
The Kenning Ritual
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THE ANCESTORS
(SINNSIEARN)
COURSE OUTLINE
Of Blood and Place
Ancestral Veneration
Sacred Sites
Sacred Days
Devotional Practice
Healing Ancestral Wounds
The Art of Ritual
MYTHICAL WOMEN
COURSE OUTLINE
Myth and Magic
The Cailleach
Bride as a Triple Goddess
Banshees as Death Messengers
Selkies and their Skins
Sirens of the Sea
Fairy Queens of Elfhame
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"Rowan's teachings are powerful, and she is a wonderful teacher that knows just how to convey her knowledge in an engaging way. I have learned so much not just about shamanism but so much about myself. Working with Rowan allowed me to discover and unravel my inner self. I highly recommend Rowan, she knows her stuff and her knowledge on Shamanism is vast, wonderful, and powerful. I can’t thank Rowan enough for her teachings as I know it has made me a better person both mentally and spiritually. Thank you, Rowan"
. (Gary Stevenson)