Friday, June 08, 2012
ELLEN EVERT HOPMAN
Ellen Evert Hopman is an ArchDruidess of the Druid Clan of Dana. She is a homeopath and author as well. Her new book is Scottish Herbs and Fairy Lore. She also publishes a Druid's Blog.
DAUGHTERS OF QETESH
 |
| Qetesh |
ABOUT THE CASTLE
Alexander Durdin-Robertson, who now runs a year-round programme of attractive events open to the public, including guided tours of the Grounds and Castle and so on, has invited our Fellowship websites to include a link to the Castle's own website atwww.huntingtoncastle.com, so that visitors can get an overall picture of what is available at Clonegal nowadays and come along.
It might be an idea to make it clear that although the Fellowship refers to the Castle as 'Foundation Centre' or Clonegal Castle, which was its old name - and it is in the village of Clonegal on the borders of Counties Carlow and Wexford in Ireland - it is also known as Huntington Castle, and all general, non-FOI information, can only be found under that name.
There is no change to the usual 'Invitations' system for those wishing to attend any of the 8 annual festivals held by the FOI at the Castle by request via the Hon.Sec. of the Circle of Brigid which assists in running them.
(thank you to Minette Quick for this information.)
It might be an idea to make it clear that although the Fellowship refers to the Castle as 'Foundation Centre' or Clonegal Castle, which was its old name - and it is in the village of Clonegal on the borders of Counties Carlow and Wexford in Ireland - it is also known as Huntington Castle, and all general, non-FOI information, can only be found under that name.
There is no change to the usual 'Invitations' system for those wishing to attend any of the 8 annual festivals held by the FOI at the Castle by request via the Hon.Sec. of the Circle of Brigid which assists in running them.
(thank you to Minette Quick for this information.)
Wednesday, June 06, 2012
NEW GROVE & LYCEUM AT THREE CASTLES
Olivia’s Visit
to
to
NEW GROVE and LYCEUM
in Ireland
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)
(Fellowship of Danu)
And
Lyceum‘An Neimheadh’
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.
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| 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.
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| Giving Thanks |
Eimear & Howard run various courses at their Centre and welcome contact:
eimearbindigo@gmail.com +353 56 7767142
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| Eimear & Howard |
Monday, May 21, 2012
STRATHLOCH ARMS
CHANGING FACES OF THE TEMPLE
3rd April, 2012
 |
| Strathloch Arms |
PAINTING of THE ARMS
OF THE SCOTTISH BARONY of STRATHLOCH
Revived and bestowed
through the Irish Heraldic Office on
Laurence Durdin Robertson
Painted by his Daughter,
the Artist Anna Curry
BARBARA ST. LEGER
CHANGING FACES OF THE TEMPLE
3rd April, 2012
 |
| Barbara St. Leger |
Olivia Robertson's Great, Great, Great Ancestress,
BARBARA ST. LEGER 1748-1820,
married Alexander Durdin.
Her paternal grandmother was Helen Durdin.
Barbara’s cousin
ELIZABETH ST. LEGER
of Doneraile Court
Was famous as
the only Freemason
who practised the Craft
All her life.
ROBERT MANNING
CHANGING FACES OF THE TEMPLE
3rd April, 2012
Portrait of ROBERT MANNING 1771-1857
Ancestor of Olivia’s Father,
Manning Robertson
He published a book addressed as follows:
“Dear Friends, You millions of the human race –
Let us Love One Another”
He then listed all the genocidal atrocities
committed by world religions.
As this included Christianity,
The Manning Robertson family burnt every copy
save one.
Olivia found this in a secret drawer
as a young woman, and felt overwhelmed
at being addressed in this way
by her ancestor.
As she rightly says,
we have all been given this message
many times
But somehow, sadly,
we’ve never got round to it…..
She is honoured to finally pass on
his heartfelt message
“It’s taken a long, long time.” She says.
“But better late than never.”
His is the central message
of the Fellowship and of the Goddess
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
JUNO
CHANGING FACES OF THE TEMPLE
12th May, 2012
OLIVIA’s STUDIO, Clonegal Castle
Close up
of JUNO
before her mirrored reflection
In Her new portrait
by Olivia Robertson
SHRINE OF CANCER
CHANGING FACES OF THE TEMPLE
12th May, 2012
OLIVIA’s STUDIO, Clonegal Castle
TEMPLE OF ISIS
.jpg)
ZODIAC SHRINE of CANCER
by South Door to Garden
Statuette of the GODDESS JUNO
of the Midsummer Moon.
By Her is a ceramic figure
of Her Peacock.
Real peacock feathers
show their Starry Eyes of the Sky.
She stands on an appliquéd representation of
The Spider Goddess
Arachne
Who spins the Cosmic Web.
Peacock
CHANGING FACES OF THE TEMPLE
12th May, 2012
OLIVIA’s STUDIO, Clonegal Castle
Handsome Art Nouveau PEACOCK
hanging on screen
Circa 1912!
Saturday, May 05, 2012
1st EARL OF ROSSE
CHANGING FACES OF THE TEMPLE
3rd April, 2012
 |
| 1st Earl of Rosse |
Portrait of Ancestor
of Nora Parsons,
Olivia’s Mother,
The 1st Earl of Rosse,
head of the family
He introduced Freemasonry
to Ireland
BRIGID OF JOY
CHANGING FACES OF THE TEMPLE
3rd April, 2012
OLIVIA’s STUDIO, Clonegal Castle
 |
| Brigid of Joy |
Painting on fabric by Olivia Robertson
Of
GODDESS BRIGID of JOY
With Boy & Girl Sidhe
Why Egypt? Why Now?
Normandi Ellis and Nicki Scully of Shamanic Journeys of are discussing upcoming plans to travel to Egypt in October.
Register for the Egypt Teleconference on May 15, 6:00 Pacific / 9:00 Eastern.
You may also register by contacting our office by email (use the email form at bottom of screen) or by phone at (800) 937-2991 or (541) 484-1099
Register for the Egypt Teleconference on May 15, 6:00 Pacific / 9:00 Eastern.
You may also register by contacting our office by email (use the email form at bottom of screen) or by phone at (800) 937-2991 or (541) 484-1099
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Olivia's 95th Birthday
OLIVIA’S 95TH BIRTHDAY
Friday 13th April, 2012
by
Minette Quick
by
Minette Quick
A large gathering of people turned up at the Castle to celebrate Olivia’s 95th Birthday at the invitation of her family. Friends from the village joined a number of Fellowship members to meet many of Olivia’s extended family who had travelled over to Ireland to be with her on this special occasion from England, the Isle of Man, and Bavaria. All were entertained to a delightful concert in the Theatre, presented by Olivia’s niece, Cressida and her husband Bob who are wonderful entertainers, and various family members, including her sister Caroline, took the stage to sing and play. To give a taste of the occasion I include a couple of photographs. One is of Olivia’s nephew Patrick, playing a metal ‘didgeridoo ’constructed from a long vacuum cleaner tube!
This was a splendid sounding instrument, and he encouraged everyone to join in chanting ‘OM’ in rhythm with his spirited playing, which together with Lydia Lyte’s infectious drumming really got things going. The other photo is of Caroline playing her own delightful and accomplished composition on the tin whistle.
The concert was rounded out by the uproarious performance of an impromptu play, entitled “Space Mums” consisting of ‘Anonymous Confessions’ regarding the unusual and disturbing powers of their offspring, such as ‘levitating,’ and ‘getting their own way….’ Directed by Olivia with her customary panache, various members of the audience spontaneously engaged with great enthusiasm and wit, to much laughter and applause! Afterwards everyone enjoyed tea and cakes, served in the Castle Tea Rooms which adjoin the Theatre.
Despite the forecast of storms, thunder and overcast skies in the morning, and the fact that I drove up the Avenue with hail-stones bouncing violently off my windscreen just before 2pm, the weather cleared and the sun came out in perfect time for us all to set off after tea for a procession down to the Druid’s Grove of Dana for invocations amongst the great trees in the wilderness by the River Derry (Irish Daire-Druid river of the Oak) The swans have returned to breed on their island and four many-coloured donkeys are grazing beside it like Olivia’s ‘Four Holy Donkeys of the Zodiac.’
Next we processed to the ruins of the Abbey, home of the Noble Order of Tara, still in sunshine and blessed by the beautiful blossoms of the flowering cherry beside it, for further invocations from Members of the Order.
We then returned to the Temple entering from the gardens by Persephone’s gateway.
At Brigid’s Well we received the blessings of Her Healing Water and members of the priesthood who had travelled over from London, Glastonbury and France, contributed to the ceremony both at the Well and in a beautiful Oracle from Brigid, Goddess and Saint, and Olivia took us all on a trance journey to Tir Na Nog.
Afterwards members of the priesthood offered counselling and healing to any who wished to receive it, and we all went down to the village at 6pm to relax over tea and sandwiches. It was, as ever, a wonderful opportunity to share our experiences and to meet up with old and new friends. All in all it was a wonderful day which Olivia enjoyed to the full, and a very happy time was had by all!
Mirror Shrine
NEW SHRINE
in the NORTH EAST
of OLIVIA’s STUDIO
in the NORTH EAST
of OLIVIA’s STUDIO
THE MIRROR SHRINE
of
“ISIS OF THE FOLDED WINGS”
of
“ISIS OF THE FOLDED WINGS”
With close up
of the Goddess
of the Goddess
Isis of the Stars
THE SHRINE OF ISIS OF THE STARS
Beneath the fireplace
Painting of “ISIS OF THE STARS”
by Judith Page.
This was commissioned
by Caroline Wise
of Atlantis Publications
As a cover to her edition of
“The Call of Isis”
by Olivia Robertson.
Olivia’s mother, Nora Parsons,
gave her the two small portraits
on either side of the main picture
above the Winged Isis figure.
The carved fireplace
is by Laurence & Olivia’s Grandfather
Alexander Durdin, LLD,
a scholar, who built up the Library.
-----
Shrine of the Triple Goddess
THE SHRINE OF THE TRIPLE GODDESSES
Upon the mantelpiece is a figurine of
THE WINGED ISIS
On either side are Olivia Robertson’s paintings
of her visions of
THE GODDESS DANA
&
THE GODDESS TARA
2 New Shrines
CHANGING FACES OF THE TEMPLE
28th April, 2012
2 NEW SHRINES in the SOUTH EAST of OLIVIA’s STUDIO, Clonegal Castle
Tuesday, April 03, 2012
Joanne Astraea
Joanne Astraea is on the list of key FOI personnel, she in an Honorary Sister-Member of the Circle of Pelagia.
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