Lora O'Brien

Updated and Revised 2nd Edition Irish Witchcraft from an Irish Witch is a delightful mixture of academia and accessibility; a book that explores Witchcraft in Ireland: how it was, is, and will be. It succeeds where many books have failed - fulfilling the longing for real Irish Witchcraft, while crafting the delicate balance between learning from the past and weaving a modern system based on truth and respect. Lora O'Brien is an Irish Drao (user of magic) working closely with her heritage and her native land, providing a contemporary guide to genuine practice.Irish Witchcraft from an Irish Witch explores the past: -- Providing an investigation of the Witches' place in Irish mythology.-- Looking at Witchcraft and magic by examining the customs connected with the Sidhe (the Irish Fairies).-- Examining historical evidence of the Witch trials that swept across the island of Ireland through the ages.And the present and beyond by: -- Working with Irish Gods and Goddesses, landscapes, and energies.-- Examining the wheel of the year, with its festivals, cycles, and seasons of Irish culture.-- Looking at ritual progression through a Witch's life: magical training, physical growth.-- Providing alternatives to the traditional stages of a child's life in modern Irish culture.When it was released in 2004, this was the first traditionally published Pagan book ever written by an Irish author. It was the book that this author had sought, for over a decade previously... The 2nd edition of this book continues to do now what it did for so many on first publication - it bridges the gap between 'Celtic' NeoPagan nonsense, and authentic Irish Pagan Practice.

An illuminating exploration of Ireland's ancient dark goddess--the beloved "phantom queen" of the Celtic world--with practices for modern-day devotees.The Morrigan is one of Pagan Ireland's most famous--and notorious--goddesses. Her name translated as "phantom queen" or "great queen," the Morrigan is famous for being a goddess of war, witchcraft and death, protection and retribution. This book also explores her patronage of motherhood, healing, shapeshifting, and the land. Classified among the Sidhe (fairies), the Morrigan dates back at least to Ireland's Iron Age, but she is as modern as she is ancient―enjoying a growing contemporary and global following. Author Courtney Weber provides a guide for the modern devotee of this complex, mysterious goddess that encompasses practical veneration with modern devotionals, entwined with traditional lore and Irish-Celtic history.

In Ireland, we have a wealth of old myths, legends, fairy tales and folk stories, which are presented here in an easy to read, authentic Irish storyteller's voice - retold for modern times. Our Tales of Old Ireland reach from the heroic warriors Fionn and the Fianna, to the curse of a Goddess, to an on-going battle of wits between the Connacht Queen Medb (Maeve) and her rival the King of Ulster. You'll see shape shifting sisters, fairy folk you'll want to watch out for, fights with monsters, and wise old women helping young maids.

The author's work as an Irish Heritage Professional is about connection; to Ireland's history, mythology, ancestry, sacred and everyday sites - all of this is communicated and passed on through Ireland's stories. This book is an expression of a deep connection to 13 archaeological sites of ancient Cruach n, and the creative and intuitional inspiration that tells a story from each of those sites. This is the Rathcroghan Royal Complex, in County Roscommon - home of Queen Medb and the Goddess M rr gan. Over 25 years of exploring Irish Spirituality, Lora O'Brien has learned to connect, and to find the story. Here she shares those stories with you - so join her, on a Rathcroghan Journey...