So much going on right now, leading up to the elections, the devastating news of the elections, and a trip to Houston. I am just now reading this. We could not find Oweynegat by ourselves. A Rathcrogan guide took us inside and he would not shut the hell up. Bart wanted to meditate in there, so I told the guide I needed to leave, and would he help me get out? We got out and the guy continued to talk on and on outside. It was wet, slippery, and cold plus loud with the water dripping. Not exactly a stellar visit. But I am thrilled it is a renewing experience for you. Thanks for writing about it so beautifully. Your writing has become poetic.
Hi Robin, let's not talk about the election. It's too depressing. I'm sad that your experience of the cave was so awful. You need a better guide, like Treasa. I think you would have enjoyed it then. I hope you guys are OK over there. Hugs xxx
Hi Noelle! It's a huge ritual site, isn't it? And spread out over a massive area, almost every field has a monument in it. I hope you get the opportunity to visit the cave next time you're over here, it certainly is quite an experience. 💕
Hi Colin, I'm really happy to see you here. I know this newsletter has diverged from the aliisaacstoryteller days, but I'm working on reintroducing some of that work in the new year. As to the cave, they used to be women only events when I first started going, but now include men who are respectful of the feminine aspect, and I've found it actually creates a nice balance and atmosphere. The Morrigan and Medb were not anti men, I don't believe true feminism is exclusionary or anti men, and I don't think maintaining barriers between the sexes is helpful. As we can see in the US right now, particularly since the election a few days ago, hateful misogynistic rhetoric is on the rise, and barriers are put in place by weak men who can only take power by oppressing others they fear can take the little power they have from them. Sometimes women need their own space, of course we do, men do too, but we need equal space with men too, and keeping to our own doesn't achieve that. Male and female should complement each other. I love going into the cave, but I'm not sure I'm ready to do that alone yet. Maybe one day. I enjoy sharing the experience and being part of the group. This group was particularly lovely, there was such a nice relaxed supportive atmosphere. I find it quite addictive, and I feel ready for winter when I come out. 😊 I hope you'll stick around... I'm thinking of doing some writing on Medb and the placed associated with her that you might like. Thanks for your lovely comment! I hope all is well with you and your family. 💕
Honestly, I don't think I would be one of the ones who would enter the mouth of Hell. I mean it -- I would worry about the copper birds. However, I enjoyed reading your account: was that Ogham on the walls of the cave? x
Yes it is, it says Fraech son of Medb, so was probably a grave marker stone originally that was repurposed at a later date. In the myths, Fraech was married to Queen Medb's daughter, so he was her son in law, rather than her actual son. There's no evidence that this inscription refers to that Fraech, or that Medb, but as it is found so close to the site of her fort, I think most people like to think that it is! Thanks for reading! 💕
I can't bear being enclosed, I don't even like doors being closed in my own home! 😄 I love wide open spaces generally, and high places. I was genuinely scared the first time I went in the cave, now it's more like butterflies. It still challenges me, but I really like being in there. Not on my own, though!
Appreciated the vision of visiting the cave & how it appears within & without. My soul needed this after the appearance of the darkness of our election in the USA. I am focused on finding the light now…my Irish citizzenship calls to me but so do my grandchildren who live nearby & need to be led through the dark✨
Hi Monica, we are all in shock here. I can't imagine how awful you must be feeling right now. The next few years will be tough, and we'll feel the effects all around the world, I'm sure, but I have hope that goodness is inherent in all of us and will prevail in the end. Love and light to you, and hugs for your grandchildren. 💕
Thanks for the invite and thanks to the group that accepted me. We spoke about our individual experiences afterwards; I hadn’t entered with any expectation other than to explore the cave, but I was lifted by the whole experience and emerged into the light with a clearer head. x
I'd love to experience that immersion in the dark and rebirth. I'm sure that it was never the mouth of Hell, since Hell was invented by the monks and had no place in what went before. But II bet it was a women's place, a holy place and as such, it was suspect.
Wonderful post.
Thank you for reading and commenting, much appreciated. 💚
So much going on right now, leading up to the elections, the devastating news of the elections, and a trip to Houston. I am just now reading this. We could not find Oweynegat by ourselves. A Rathcrogan guide took us inside and he would not shut the hell up. Bart wanted to meditate in there, so I told the guide I needed to leave, and would he help me get out? We got out and the guy continued to talk on and on outside. It was wet, slippery, and cold plus loud with the water dripping. Not exactly a stellar visit. But I am thrilled it is a renewing experience for you. Thanks for writing about it so beautifully. Your writing has become poetic.
Hi Robin, let's not talk about the election. It's too depressing. I'm sad that your experience of the cave was so awful. You need a better guide, like Treasa. I think you would have enjoyed it then. I hope you guys are OK over there. Hugs xxx
I'd really like that experience - not afraid of the dark or have claustrophobia. We visited the site of Rathcroghan when we were in Ireland.
Hi Noelle! It's a huge ritual site, isn't it? And spread out over a massive area, almost every field has a monument in it. I hope you get the opportunity to visit the cave next time you're over here, it certainly is quite an experience. 💕
Hi Colin, I'm really happy to see you here. I know this newsletter has diverged from the aliisaacstoryteller days, but I'm working on reintroducing some of that work in the new year. As to the cave, they used to be women only events when I first started going, but now include men who are respectful of the feminine aspect, and I've found it actually creates a nice balance and atmosphere. The Morrigan and Medb were not anti men, I don't believe true feminism is exclusionary or anti men, and I don't think maintaining barriers between the sexes is helpful. As we can see in the US right now, particularly since the election a few days ago, hateful misogynistic rhetoric is on the rise, and barriers are put in place by weak men who can only take power by oppressing others they fear can take the little power they have from them. Sometimes women need their own space, of course we do, men do too, but we need equal space with men too, and keeping to our own doesn't achieve that. Male and female should complement each other. I love going into the cave, but I'm not sure I'm ready to do that alone yet. Maybe one day. I enjoy sharing the experience and being part of the group. This group was particularly lovely, there was such a nice relaxed supportive atmosphere. I find it quite addictive, and I feel ready for winter when I come out. 😊 I hope you'll stick around... I'm thinking of doing some writing on Medb and the placed associated with her that you might like. Thanks for your lovely comment! I hope all is well with you and your family. 💕
Honestly, I don't think I would be one of the ones who would enter the mouth of Hell. I mean it -- I would worry about the copper birds. However, I enjoyed reading your account: was that Ogham on the walls of the cave? x
Yes it is, it says Fraech son of Medb, so was probably a grave marker stone originally that was repurposed at a later date. In the myths, Fraech was married to Queen Medb's daughter, so he was her son in law, rather than her actual son. There's no evidence that this inscription refers to that Fraech, or that Medb, but as it is found so close to the site of her fort, I think most people like to think that it is! Thanks for reading! 💕
Thanks Ali. You're so brave, too.😬
I can't bear being enclosed, I don't even like doors being closed in my own home! 😄 I love wide open spaces generally, and high places. I was genuinely scared the first time I went in the cave, now it's more like butterflies. It still challenges me, but I really like being in there. Not on my own, though!
Do you ever sense something follows you out?
My companions are in front and behind, so I've always felt safe, never had that feeling.
That would be my fear...the attachments
Appreciated the vision of visiting the cave & how it appears within & without. My soul needed this after the appearance of the darkness of our election in the USA. I am focused on finding the light now…my Irish citizzenship calls to me but so do my grandchildren who live nearby & need to be led through the dark✨
Hi Monica, we are all in shock here. I can't imagine how awful you must be feeling right now. The next few years will be tough, and we'll feel the effects all around the world, I'm sure, but I have hope that goodness is inherent in all of us and will prevail in the end. Love and light to you, and hugs for your grandchildren. 💕
Thanks for the invite and thanks to the group that accepted me. We spoke about our individual experiences afterwards; I hadn’t entered with any expectation other than to explore the cave, but I was lifted by the whole experience and emerged into the light with a clearer head. x
You found your answer. I'm glad. It was definitely an uplifting experience for everyone, I think, and all the better for you being there.
I'd love to experience that immersion in the dark and rebirth. I'm sure that it was never the mouth of Hell, since Hell was invented by the monks and had no place in what went before. But II bet it was a women's place, a holy place and as such, it was suspect.
Yes, I agree with that, that's how I imagine it too, a sacred space secret to women.