Dreaming the Ancestors

In this episode, we dive into the topic of Welsh spirituality and cultural appropriation. For anyone interested in honoring their Welsh or English heritage in heartfelt and respectful ways, this episode is for you as we talk about the importance of distinguishing these two distinct cultures.There's currently a lot of interest in the “Celtic” traditions, which often leads people to the Welsh traditions; a culture full of myth, tradition, and spiritual teachings that bring forth a meaningful sense of ancestral connection in the modern world. However, there's often a lack of understanding about “Celtic” spirituality that leads to cultural appropriation and misrepresentation.Gwilym offers a grounded and meaningful explanation of these topics, while uplifting Welsh spirituality in a modern context. We also talk about history, language, myth, and the importance of transforming ourselves through the wisdom of these ancestral teachings.

There's a lot of interest at the moment in connecting with our ancient past, and reviving the “Old Ways” of our earth-honoring ancestors. And while there's so much we can learn from the past, it can be all too easy to romanticize or misinterpret our ancestral history. In this episode Sam weaves together archeology, animism and academia to demystify Britain's ancient peoples, offering grounded insights into our native spirituality free from romantic projections. She shares beautiful wisdom about the nine elements that were honored in different Indo-European cultures, likely including the Pretanī people of ancient Britain. She also gives clear examples of how our ancestors honored these nine elements, and offers an overview of the Pretanī people as a whole; more commonly, and incorrectly, known as the “Celts”. If you're someone who enjoys learning about archaeology and history from an academic perspective, along with a good dash of spirituality and mysticism, this episode is for you.

In this episode, Niall is deeply vulnerable in sharing about his own mental health journey and his discovery of what it means to be a man. He discusses the significance of the Mother Wound for men, and men's deep longing to be initiated by the feminine. He also expresses the need for strong men who are committed to their inner healing, and becoming the men that the world needs.Niall recognizes the disconnection between men and “feminine” principles, such as compassion and emotion. This is something that's been programmed and bullied into men, locking down decades of fear, pain, and hurt. Many men don't know where or how to begin healing these wounds; wounds that have a profound ripple effect into their relationship with women. We have a really potent conversion about healing the divide between men and women, looking at heterosexual relationships in particular.

In this episode, Charlotte weaves together the story of alchemy and her journey to revive the folk medicine of her lineage. Her ancestors were apothecarists for many generations before being persecuted for their knowledge; a tradition that Charlotte has lovingly reclaimed.Although her lifelong interest in making medicines brought her to many different cultures around the world, it was in returning to the British Isles and rooting into her own heritage that she found her deepest calling.She passionately describes connecting to the consciousness of plants as a gateway to the ancestors, and how making medicines is an ancient alchemical process with a long history in the lands we now call England, and especially in Glastonbury. She also discusses how she came to tend wells and waterways in the city of London, and reminds us that everyone can work with the sacred waters, even in urban environments.

In this episode, Lucy Ní hAodhagáin (they/she) shares how living in conscious relationship with the land has the power to revive our innate wildness, our sense of belonging, and the wisdom of the ancestors. In Lucy's early life in Belfast, they would journey into the wild to feel a sense of safety and connection. Over time, their passion for the natural world and ancestral ways of life awakened them to the sacredness of the plants, animals, and even their own body.In recognizing that we are inseparable from nature, Lucy teaches that decolonization and ecological repair are possible. This conversation with Lucy will inspire you to create your own relationship with the land, our more than human kin, and the foods that nourish us. Through this deep ancestral remembering we can heal our Grandmother Earth, and by returning to the earth-honoring ways of our ancestors, we can also return to ourselves.

Send us a Text Message.In this episode, Laura Murphy shares wisdom about her sacred activism journey and the ways in which she harnesses the ancient Irish practice of imbas forosnai (divine inspiration) in her work to create social change. The Irish spirit is a revolutionary one, and Laura speaks about the intersection of spirituality and activism in Irish history, highlighting the lives of key figures from the Celtic Revival at the end of the 1800s and early 1900s.Laura's writing and poetry is at the forefront of her work, and she has become a powerful voice for Ireland's Mother and Baby Home and Magdalene Laundry survivors after writing a letter to the Taoiseach (Ireland's head of Parliament) which received national and international attention. She's also a strong advocate for Palestine, and we speak about the importance of speaking up in these times.This episode is both highly informative and deeply personal as Laura shares her initiatory experience of leaving the corporate world during a health crisis. This dark night of the soul changed her life in profound ways, setting her firmly on the path of imbas forosnai, sacred activism, and destiny.

In this episode, Carolyn Hillyer shares wisdom about living on the wild lands of Dartmoor and her process of reviving and reimagining the Proto-Celtic language; a language spoken by ancient ancestors across various parts of Europe, including the British Isles. Carolyn's work has awakened in me, and many others, a sense of what our Indigenous tongue might have been before the Anglo-Saxons came. There is a bone-deep ancestral remembering that happens in the presence of the Proto-Celtic language—in the speaking, singing and listening of it—that is difficult to put into words. During the episode Carolyn shares a song she has written in Proto-Celtic, an ancestral prayer, and ancient rememberings she's received from the ancestors.

Wales is a country full of legends and myths about the spiritual world; stories of sacred lakes, healing herbs, women of magic, and the mighty red dragon. The Land remembers these stories and the ancient ways of mystery and magic; traditions that have their roots in old Brythonic Britain.There are some fierce and magical women in Wales's ancient mythology who embody the archetype of the Witch in a variety of ways. In this episode, Mhara shares deep wisdom about some of these mythic women (such as Cerridwen, Rhiannon, and Arianrhod) and the Welsh magical traditions at large.

In the midst of rapid technological advancements, there is an ancient whisper that calls to many of us...a calling to return to the wisdom of the earth and the sacred technology of nature. A calling to reconnect with the land in the heartfelt ways of our ancestors. A calling to remember the medicine of the plants and trees, and how to heal ourselves as we heal the earth.In this episode, Aoife Ní hEochaidh Réamainn talks about working with trees and plants in sacred ways, her experiences of tending the land, and how being in intimate relationship with nature can support our return to wholeness. She also shares her reflections on the Irish people as "people of the trees" and healing Ireland's colonial past through the wisdom of the earth.

In this time of displacement, disconnection and overwhelm, so many people are longing for meaningful ways to belong. The questions that we hold close to our hearts are things like: What does it mean to belong to this earth? What does it mean to have roots? What does it mean to belong to my lineage, my ancestors, my cultural heritage?For those of you who feel this longing to belong, you know how deep it goes. In this podcast episode with Isla Macleod, we explore some of the pathways to courageously heal our sense of un-belonging. We talk about remembering our heritage and courting the sacred through earth reverence, altar spaces, ritual, and more.

In this podcast episode I speak with Eimear Burke, a Druid and Seanchaí (storyteller) as well as the Chosen Chief of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids (OBOD). We talk about the importance of Rites of Passage and how Druidry can help to inspire and inform rituals to mark moments of significance in our lives.In the Western world we sometimes lose track of the most important moments in our lives—transitional and transformational moments such as giving birth, menopause, divorce or breakups, marriage or commitment, death of a loved one, an important achievement, getting sober, menses, and so many other moments. We often don't give these Rites of Passage the true presence and meaning that they deserve, and in this episode we discuss how the earth-honoring pathway of Druidry can help us to uplift these moments as modern women.We also discuss what it means to walk the Druidic path in the modern world and how to create more meaning in our everyday lives through ritual and ceremony.

In this conversation, I talk with Nicola Goodall about the importance of midwives in the birthing process for mothers, and the ways that Scottish folk medicine weaves into the ancient tradition of midwifery. Nicola shares her wealth of wisdom about the sacredness of birthing, and ways to support this important rite of passage for mothers. She also shares wisdom about the persecution of midwives during the Witch Hunts and the ways that these atrocities have impacted women's medicine. Last but not least, we have a discussion about the importance of mothers being nourished and supported, especially in these times of overwhelm and isolation.

In this episode with Jen Murphy, we dive into the connection between mythology and the feminine body, with a special focus on the myths of ancient Ireland.As women, we are indoctrinated into so many false narratives about our bodies from a very young age...stories that can take us away from the true essence of who we are and our embodied wisdom.We are living in powerful times where we can re-write these stories and reclaim the power of living embodiment. Tales of the mythic feminine and her archetypal energies can help guide us back to buried and forgotten aspects of self...breathing life into a felt-sense of sacredness & sovereignty that sings in our blood and bones.In this conversation we  talk about ancient mythology, ancestral embodiment, the power of the mythic feminine, reclaiming the wisdom of our bodies, and re-wilding ourselves as women.

In this episode with Dr. Karen Ward, founder of Moon Mná, we talk about the sacred connection between women and water in the ancient Irish tradition.There's a vital connection between women, water and flow which is encoded into our bodies. We flow with the menstrual cycle, connecting us to the cycles of Grandmother Moon who holds sway over the tides. We flow with the rhythms of our sexual fluids. We carry sacred womb waters that hold our beloved babies in utero.These living connections are reflected back to us in nature. Lakes and wells are womblike in nature, representing the sacred waters of Great Mother, Mother Earth. The rivers are a flowing symbol of Life, just as the fluids flow from our sacred womb space. Within the Irish landscape, there are many bodies of water that carry the names of ancient goddesses and stories of the mythic feminine.In this podcast episode, Karen and I dive into some of the sacred myths and traditions of Ireland that have connected women and water since time immemorial...a conversation that will awaken you to your own connection with the sacred waters.

In this episode with Kathy Jones, founder of the Glastonbury Goddess Temple, we speak about reclaiming the wisdom of the Goddess.For too long the Goddess has been forgotten, degraded and denigrated as patriarchal thinking has dominated our world culture. This has occurred in parallel with the oppression of women through the control of women's bodies and physical expression, and the repression of women's spiritual, emotional and creative energies.In these transformational times of change the sacred feminine is rising. The Goddess is calling us to step into our power as an act of love and devotion; to ourselves, our communities, and the planet. As part of this conversation we'll also talk about the sacred lands of Avalon and some of the history, myth and tradition of Goddess reverence in Glastonbury. 

Imagine living in a time when there was no artificial light. When there was true darkness in the sky, when there were no high rise buildings blocking your view of the celestial realms. A time when you knew exactly where the sun would rise at different times of the year. When you could recognize the planets and the constellations, and you would sit outside during the night and watch their movements across the skies.In the modern world, so many of us have become disconnected with the skies. We've lost our bearings, so to speak. But Anthony is someone who has really reconnected to this wisdom in such a beautiful and meaningful way. In this episode, we'll dive into the topic of Ireland's ancient astronomers, and the archeological and literary evidence they left behind.P.S. Anthony talks quite a bit about the sacred site of Newgrange - if you're not familiar with this ancient monument, you can take a look and learn more about it here.

In this  episode with Mary McLaughlin we discuss Ireland's incredibly rich culture and heritage when it comes to traditional music and sacred song traditions.Sacred songs have been important to our ancestors throughout history from all around the world. They hold an important piece of culture and tradition as they are passed down through the generations. They have the ability to bring people together in community and connect with a shared sense of identity and belonging. They open our hearts to the stories of old and sacred currents of living wisdom.Mary is an Irish Singer, Songwriter, and Teacher with an incredible wealth of knowledge and expertise, specializing in Ulster sean-nós singing. She carries the sacred song traditions of Ireland with so much beauty and grace, which you will experience for yourself in this episode.

In this incredibly deep, informative episode I speak with Dr. Diana Quinn about Psychedelic Plant Medicines. We are currently living in what's often called the "Psychedelic Renaissance". Science is beginning to catch up with Indigenous wisdom of Sacred Plant Medicines and their ability to heal and restore balance through expanded states of consciousness.Unfortunately, amidst this great upswell of interest, capitalism and colonialism have found their way into this sacred and ancient tradition. The intention for this conversation is to offer education and awareness around Sacred Plant Medicines to promote deep care and respect.In this conversation Diana shares wisdom  about the basics of Psychedelic Plant Medicines (what they are and the kind of wisdom they carry), the multi-layered benefits of Plant Medicine Ceremonies, the importance of pre-ceremony preparation, post-ceremony integration work and community care, and ways of being in right relationship with Sacred Plant Medicine. Diana also talks about the intersection of Sacred Plant Medicine with racial justice, healing systems of oppression, and intergenerational healing.

In this episode I speak with Naomi Love, creator of Wise Womb Medicine Path. We talk about some of the ways that intergenerational womb trauma is passed down through the matriarchal lineage and how to identify some of these patterns. We also talk about how to discover our innate womb medicine, along with the importance of ritual and ancestral womb wisdom. Naomi also offers a short guided journey for you to connect with your womb, and insight about the impact of womb healing in your life and for future generations.To register for Naomi's free 3-day Wise Womb Healing Retreat (May 7th-May 9th, 2021) please visit: https://www.wisewombmedicinepath.com/wise-womb-virtual-retreatCONNECT WITH TARA• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tarawild​• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ms.tara.wild/​• Website: http://tara-wild.com/​• Online membership: https://tara-wild.com/wildandwise/• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbQD0HO2rq1xGA_enddgiwg

With all of the conveniences and pressures of modern life, it's so easy to get caught up in endless cycles of busyness and never ending to do lists. When we operate in this way, we override the natural cycles. We lose touch with our connection to the land and our own innate wildness. We forget how to live in balance and reciprocity with nature.For thousands of years, our ancestors depended on the cycles and seasons, and it feels more important than ever to come back into sacred communion with these natural rhythms. A rebalancing is needed on the planet and within ourselves.To receive Elena's free gifts, please make sure to register for the Dreaming the Ancestors mailing list here: https://tara-wild.com/dreaming-the-ancestors

In this episode with Sarah Drew, acclaimed author of the Gaia Codex, we'll be sharing personal reflections on what the priestess path means, the role of the sacred feminine in these transformational times, and the importance of sacred service. We'll also be speaking about the power of frequency, past lives, the difference between finding your purpose versus living purposefully, and bringing our dream seeds forward in these times of radical change.To receive Sarah's free gift code - as well as mailings, inspirations, and activations for your journey - visit https://www.gaiacodex.com/2021 (at the bottom of the page).To register for Tara's Songs of Solstice event happening on December 21st, 2020, head over to: https://tara-wild.com/songs-of-solstice

In this episode, I speak with Bethany Webster about healing the matriarchal lineage. Bethany is considered the global expert on healing the “Mother Wound,” something we inherit to varying degrees as women living in a patriarchal society...a wound that is passed down from generation to generation until someone is willing to feel it and heal it.In our conversation, we talk about what the Mother Wound is and the role of the patriarchy in understanding this inter-generational wound, why setting boundaries as women is important to healing our matriarchal lineage, and the importance of processing past pain as a pathway to healing.For this month's free gift - Bethany’s ebook ‘What is the Mother Wound?’ - make sure that you're on the mailing list here: https://tara-wild.com/dreaming-the-ancestorsFor more information about my Wild & Wise monthly membership, head over to: https://tara-wild.com/wildandwise/

In this episode, I'll be speaking with Sahar Paz about how our authentic voice can be a force for change in our lives and in the world at large. But with all of the external voices and conditioning that we receive in the modern world, how do we know what our authentic voice sounds like? How do we overcome the inner blocks we might feel around expressing our truth, setting boundaries, cultivating intimate relationships, and speaking up about the issues that matter most to us? How do we learn to trust ourselves and stand proudly in our feminine voice, like the spiritual leaders of pre-patriarchal societies?Sahar Paz is originally from Iran and came to the United States as a refugee of war when she was a child. She realized the immense privilege of having a voice and has made it her mission to unleash her voice and uplift the voices of others. She's a thought leader and entrepreneur, and has a beautiful method for understanding our inner voices, that can help us to express our outer voice.For this month's free gift - Sahar's 'Finding your Authentic Voice' ebook - make sure that you're on the mailing list here: https://tara-wild.com/dreaming-the-ancestorsFor more information about my Wild & Wise monthly membership, head over to: https://tara-wild.com/wildandwise/

In this episode I'll be speaking with Stacey Moxham who lives in a ramshackle old farmhouse in Northern New South Wales Australia. Her home is situated on a cosy little parcel of acreage that sits atop a powerful and magical ridgeline. She is a wife, a dog mama, a keeper of native bees, a mother hen, and calls herself a "modern day Cottage Wife". We'll be talking about the wildness and wisdom that can be unearthed from tending land, lineage, hearth and home, and the empowerment that comes from being self-sufficient and living more sustainably.To receive Stacey's free gift, please join the Dreaming the Ancestors mailing list here: https://tara-wild.com/dreaming-the-ancestors/

In this episode, I'll be speaking with Sarah Corbett, who is a Clinical Herbalist and Plant Witch with a passion for the magic and medicine of nature. We'll be diving into the connection between our ancestors and plant allies, and also relating to plants as ancestors themselves. We'll also be sharing about why so many of our lineages have become disconnected from the magic and medicine of the plant world, and why returning to this earth-based wisdom is so healing and powerful in the modern world. Sarah will also share some of her favorite herbs and plants to work with and will give practice advice on how to work with plants in an ethically grounded way.To receive Sarah's free gift - her ebook Echoes, a collection of herbal recipes for remembrance and personal healing - please join the Dreaming the Ancestors mailing list here: https://tara-wild.com/dreaming-the-ancestors/

In this episode, I'll be speaking with Dr. Anita Sanchez about reawakening our indigenous connection and what that means in the modern world. Anita is Aztec and Mexican-American, and the author of the best-selling book, “The Four Sacred Gifts: Indigenous Wisdom for Modern Times." She will share wisdom from the Eagle Hoop Prophecy, which contains four sacred gifts for humanity's evolution, and will speak about the indigenous concept and heartfelt-experience of Relations. We will also talk about the web of life, healing from the "illusion of separation", and bridging divides in these times of change.

In this episode, I'll be talking with Shauna Janz about why grief is sacred and how our ancestors might have related to the birth, death and rebirth cycle. We'll talk about the cultural stigma around grieving and how grief can be a doorway into soul initiations. Shauna will also share wisdom from the Old Norse seiðr tradition, and we'll talk about the importance of embodiment in navigating the journey of sacred grief.

In this episode, I'll be talking to Aysen Adelle Farag about ancestral remembering and indigenous ways of healing...plant medicine and ancestral homelands...white supremacy and Aysen's personal healing journey...the roots of colonialism and how we can heal both personally and collectively.I feel that this episode could not be more timely as we see major systems crumbling down around us. With colonialism lying at the center of so many of the multifaceted problems we face today, it's important that we are having cross-racial and cross-cultural conversations about how we heal from this.

In this episode, I'll be speaking with Karen Ward about our relationships with the gods and goddesses of Ireland, and why connecting to the deities of our lineage feels so powerful in modern life. We'll be dreaming into the kind of lives our ancient ancestors would have lived, how the gods and goddesses would have influenced their everyday lives, and how the shift away earth-based spirituality and indigenous wisdom has impacted our global community. We'll also be talking about the many faces of the goddess and how they can help us to embody and navigate different aspects of ourselves as womxn. And finally, we'll be sharing some practical ways to connect with the gods and goddesses of your lineage.

In this episode, I'll be talking to Talitha Joy about the sacredness of our womb space and the intrinsic connection She has with the cycles and seasons of the land. We'll be sharing stories about how to listen to our womb space (whether you have a physical womb space or not) as well as our inner cycles and seasons.We'll also be exploring the root medicine we can access when we create a relationship between our wombs and our ancestral lands, and why connecting to ourselves in this way can be so healing for our lineage.Our intention is for this episode to be enjoyed by many. If you don't have a physical womb space, we invite you to connect with your energetic womb space instead, your Life center.