SOLAS NEMED

Solas Nemed (Grove of Light) was originally founded by Cáit Branigan (FOI priestess) in 2004, in Co. Wexford. It changed name in 2006 and has been a DCD grove since 2009.

Solas Nemed is currently facilitated by Luke Eastwood, the sole original member.

Meeting occur monthly and also at the solstices and equinoxes, working outside at various locations in Wexford and sometimes Wicklow. Focus is on healing the land and people, journeying and working with the sidhé and sharing experiences.

Contact Luke Eastwooby email at    info@lukeeastwood.com  
and visit his website 

NEW GROVE & LYCEUM AT THREE CASTLES

Olivia’s Visit 
to

NEW GROVE and LYCEUM
 in Ireland

1st June, 2012

Olivia

At

THREE CASTLES, CO. KILKENNY

Photos by Minette Quick (on the way to Three Castles)

Our new Grove

‘An a Cuallacht Dé Danaan’ 
(Fellowship of Danu)

And


 Lyceum‘An Neimheadh’

(Sacred Space – The Goddess Nemetona)

Three Castles is in one of the most ancient areas of Pre-Druidic remains.

The Centre is dominated by a lofty Norman Castle, the ruins of another Castle and strangest of all, The Old Rectory where Eimear Burke & Howard Campbell live is also part of a Norman Castle, one over each other in segments.

Druid Way

The River Nore runs nearby, and is dedicated to The Goddess Fόdhla.  The land here is connected with the defeat of the Danaans by the Milesians  and led to the retreat of the Danaans ‘underground’ to the psychic realm of Tír na nÓg.  A Milesian Gaelic invader Eremon has his grave there on the ‘Plain of the Silver Woods', near the banks of the river. It is good to have a connection with the land to balanceArachne’s World Wide Web! O.R.

(I took some photographs whilst we were on our visit to Three Castles. M.Q.)

Isis Tree

The Sycamore Tree is said to be the “Tree of Isis”, and a beautiful young one silently presides just to the left as you enter Her Temple which has recently been created within the smallest stone tower.  It is a delightful intimate space and its four walls are open to the skies beneath the green canopy of the Sycamore.

Root & Bole

Stepping out of the doorway of this first Temple, this is just one charming wild pathway of many which wind all round the Castles and garden. Turning to the right you meet this lovely Druid Shrine.  There is something of interest at every turn. 

Druid Shrine

The largest sacred space of the three Castles, also open to the skies, is entered via a short flight of stone steps and through an ancient stone doorway you step down into what was clearly used at one time as a Church with narrow windows and high walls.  Looking to your left as you enter, a triple branched spiral or triskele has been created on half of the floor space, and an iron gateway looks out over an ancient graveyard. 

DCD Grove

 This Temple has now been dedicated to the Irish Goddess of Sacred Space - ‘An Neimheadh’. This is a beautiful space for Ceremony and is enjoyed by all the members of the Grove and Lyceum.

Giving Thanks

   

Eimear & Howard run various courses at their Centre and welcome contact:

eimearbindigo@gmail.com  +353 56 7767142

Eimear &  Howard

---

New French Lyceum and Grove

The Fellowship of Isis in France

Report from the Most Reverend Dr Vivianne Crowley, Lyceum

Of Belisama and Grove of Ana:

"I am delighted to announce that Lady Olivia has inaugurated two new Fellowship of Isis groups in France – the Lyceum of Belisama and the Druid Grove of Ana.  Both groups are based in Brittany, France’s Celtic north-west.

Belisama was worshiped by the ancient Gauls and in northern Italy.  She is the ‘Most Powerful One’ and was associated in the Roman era with Minerva.  Ana is the Mother Goddess of Brittany.  She was incorporated into Breton Christian tradition as the Mother of Mary and therefore grandmother of Jesus.  Hers is the largest religious festival in Brittany.

The Lyceum will provide training in the Isian priesthood for men and women seeking ordination in France.  The Druid Grove will hold seasonal celebrations for those on the Druid path.

Olivia chartered the Lyceum on 15 August 2011.  This was followed by a ceremony at Clonegal Castle on 12 November 2011, where I was deeply honoured to be presented by Olivia’s niece Cressida Pryor and initiated as an Archdruidess of the Druid Clan of Dana by Olivia and ordained as a Priestess of Belisama.

The November day was bathed in golden sunshine as we processed from the Castle courtyard to the Old Abbey for invocations to invoke the energies of the Goddess in Nature.  We then proceeded to the Castle Temple for the initiation and ordination, followed by a seasonal celebration.  The same golden light permeated the indoor ceremonies, until a wonderful pure blue healing energy made itself felt, entwining itself with the gold as Isis, Belisama and Ana manifested their energies.

In December, we are holding a ceremony in our stone circle in Brittany to root the energies of the FOI in Breton soil.  We are also planning a small gathering in France for summer 2012.  Anyone wishing to participate is invited to contact the Lyceum and Grove through viviannecrowley@gmail.com"

Bulletin par la Révérendissime Dr Vivianne Crowley, Lyceum de Belisama et le Cercle Druidique du Bosquet Sacré d’Ana

J’ai le plaisir d’annoncer que Dame Olivia a inauguré, en France, deux nouveaux groupes affiliés à la Fellowship d’Isis – le Lyceum de Belisama et le Cercle Druidique du Bosquet Sacré d’Ana. Ces deux groupes ont été fondés en Bretagne.

Belisama était vénérée par les anciens Gaulois ainsi que dans le nord de l’Italie. Nommée “la Plus Puissante”, elle était associée du temps des Romains à Minerve. Ana est la Déesse Mère, patronne de la Bretagne. Elle fut intégrée à la tradition chrétienne bretonne en tant que Mère de la Vierge Marie, et donc grand-mère de Jésus. Sa fête donne lieu au plus important pèlerinage religieux de Bretagne.

Le Lyceum sera consacré à la prêtrise d’Isis, offrant une formation sacerdotale aux hommes et femmes souhaitant être ordonnés en France. Le Cercle Druidique organisera les fêtes saisonnières pour ceux suivant le chemin druidique. 

Dame Olivia a constitué le Lyceum le 15 août 2011. Cette événement fut suivi par une cérémonie en Irlande au Château de Clonegal le 12 novembre 2011, où j’eu le grand honneur d’être présentée par la nièce d’Olivia, Cressida Pryor, et initiée Archidruidesse du Clan Druidique de Dana par Olivia et ordonnée Prêtresse de Belisama.

Ce jour de novembre fut baigné de soleil, accompagnant notre procession de la court du Château à l’Ancienne Abbaye où nous nous rendions pour invoquer les énergies de la Déesse en la Nature. Nous nous sommes ensuite dirigés vers le temple du Château pour l’initiation et l’ordination, qui furent suivies par une fête saisonnière. La même lumière dorée baigna les cérémonies organisées en intérieur, jusqu’à ce qu’une merveilleuse énergie guérissante d’un bleu pur se fit ressentir, se mélangeant à l’or, alors qu’Isis, Belisama et Ana manifestaient leurs énergies.

En décembre, nous avons organisé une cérémonie au sein de notre cercle de pierres levées en Bretagne pour enraciner les énergies de la Fellowship d’Isis dans le sol Breton. Nous envisageons également un petit rassemblement en France pour l’été 2012. Toute personne souhaitant participer est priée de contacter le Lyceum et le Cercle à l’adresse suivante: viviannecrowley@gmail.com.

Druid Grove of Bega

This is the official site for Bega of the Gifts Iseum and The Druid Grove of Bega in North Cornwall, England. For more details, visit their Druid Network page.