Workshops for 2022
The Search for Imbas through the Fionn mac Cumhaill Story-- Eimer Burke
This ZOOM session will include a telling of the story, with a short meditation to engage with the magic of the tale, followed by a Q&A.
Eimear is the Chosen Chief of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids (OBOD) and lives in Kilkenny, Ireland.
Eimear has private practice as a Counselling Psychologist and her interests in Druidry and psychology have led her to act as a Celebrant, helping people to design and enact meaningful rites of passage. She is licensed to perform legal weddings in the Republic of Ireland and can also offer non legal ceremonies.
Holy Breath - the Origin and Function of Awen—Kristoffer Hughes
What is Awen? Where does the concept come from? What does the word actually mean? How can we access it and what does it mean to express one's Awen. In this interactive workshop we will explore the nature of Awen and how you can become the radiant brow.
The Journey of the Cauldron—Kristoffer Hughes
The journey in search of Awen is akin to the Hero's Quest, join Kristoffer Hughes on an epic, hilarious and sometimes traumatic ride to the very edge of Cerridwen's cauldron, wherein lies the three blessed drops. See the tale from a completely new angle.
Kristoffer Hughes is Chief of the Anglesey Druid Order, a Druid graduate of the OBOD and its 13th Mount Haemus Scholar. He is an award- winning author of several books. He worked professionally for Her Majesty's Coroner for over 30 years and is now a Welsh language television presenter and actor.
Musical Theatre & Awen--Tara McCormick-Hostash
The workshop will consider the history of bards and the similarities shared with modern actors and how they run along the same currents in Awen just in different times and spaces.
Each attendee will take a small step into the currents of Awen through theatre games, with a few simple improvisational exercises. In large groups and small random pairings we will play and explore with our imaginations to create a new-found ease in, or rediscover, “being in the moment.
Tara McCormick Hostash hails from Rensselaerville, New York, where she still resides surrounded by her family, friends, houseplants, guitar, and the Goddess. A proud storyteller and bard, her first endeavors were staged fairy tales, improv skits, and short plays produced and performed by herself and her (sometimes) willing siblings for her extended family in a hillside dining room, surrounded by fields of hay and forests of hemlock.
After studying vocal performance at Schenectady County Community College and musical theatre at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy's conservatory program in New York City, Tara returned to her hometown to build a family and local theatre community. She has performed in countless community theatre productions as well as produced and/or directed others. Tara also has been a member and soloist of The Village Voices, a small classical, baroque, and modern choir, for over 20 years, and currently sits on the boards of two local theatre companies.
Cauldrons-Kate McMahon
A survey of cauldrons and their significance. What is their meaning for us as druids? And ending in a discussion about the Three Cauldrons of Posey and how they relate.
Kate (Catherine Mary) McMahon began her OBOD journey later in life and progressed through the grades to receive her certificate in 2018. She is a member of the Silver Branch Grove in West Michigan and has ties to KDK Grove in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Kate is an avid gardener, camper, writes stories about anything “elf” and spends her time with her guide dog, Ash, her extensive network of grand and great-grandchildren and her cats (not particularly in that order)