Podcasts about Newgrange

You're invited next September 20-26, 2026, to The Tender Harvest, a week-long retreat amidst the golden hues and organic bounty of the world-class Ballymaloe House in County Cork, Ireland. Each day will feature yoga, meditation, farm-to-table meals, and curated excursions—plus ample time for rest, self-nurturance, and imagination.The sound of flowing water soothes most nervous systems, but particularly those acclimatized to the desert, and particularly upon waking. I have struggled with sleep disturbances for most of my adult life, so it's rare for me to experience the weight and metabolic satisfaction of a good night's rest. But twice last month, I found myself receiving what we can call river medicine: first while visiting friends at their cabin in the Pecos Wilderness, and again east of Aspen, Colorado, while teaching at Beyul Retreat, a guest ranch along the Frying Pan River, a tributary of the Roaring Fork River.River medicine is like this: surrounded by tall, sappy pines, I found myself one early morning in the atmospheric valley between sleeping and waking, an integrative field of frequencies and forms. You know the place. Even now, I do not know for certain: did the river, by some charm of consciousness, stream into my dreamscape and stir me awake? Or was it the dream that pulsated forward into the matrix of a new day? What I can say is that I felt a bright, hydrous intelligence moving in ripples and waves through my body—clarifying and tonifying, calming neurons and glial cells in their watery beds, clearing layers of baked-in tension like grit loosened from a soaking pan. And for a time, I floated above the push of the day, appearing and disappearing and reappearing to myself.In the wake of hours that followed, to my delight, I noticed a quiet reverberation—an elemental answer quelling a wordless, needful thirst.Science offers a partial explanation for this. Water has a high dielectric constant, meaning it reduces the electrostatic attraction between charged particles, which helps substances like salt crystals separate and dissolve more easily. I would also propose that water's properties of solubility, absorption, and transmission apply to its natural ability to clean and balance the bioenergetic forces of being human.When a river twists and turns, it releases negative ions into the air. Microscopically, this process is dynamic—even violent. Molecules spill over rocks and tumble forward, rushing and colliding, breaking apart, and thereby transferring electrons and charging the surrounding air. But I find comfort in this science of fluid revitalization. New, more supportive structures can form when old ones give way, pointing to how, beyond turmoil and devastation, we too can hope for vital transformation.Years ago, I read a New York Times article called “Where Heaven and Earth Come Closer,” in which journalist Eric Weiner wrote about “thin places,” locations where the gap between the ordinary and extraordinary—or, better yet, transordinary—thins out.“Thin” seemed to me a strange choice to describe where the air thickens with meaning. But Celts and early Christians held that a small but distinct distance, like three feet, separates heaven and earth—and that distance dissolves in “places that beguile and inspire, sedate and stir, places where, for a few blissful moments [we] loosen [our] death grip on life, and can breathe again.”Many a thin place has been built by human hands. Early in my career, I worked for the United Nations Foundation in collaboration with UNESCO's World Heritage Centre, and developed the sensible habit of visiting the most treasured cathedrals, temples, and sanctuary sites wherever I found myself in the world. Jama Masjid in Delhi, Sacré-Cœur in Paris, Tirta Empul in Bali, Newgrange in Ireland, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem: each has a distinct energetic signature that lives in my memory, a resonance born of its purpose and the accumulation of countless prayers that infuse the surrounding air.But thin places are more often found than made. Mountains, canyons, coral palaces—they are organic monuments to mysticism and ready reminders of our humble size before nature. As Weiner writes, “Thin places relax us, yes, but they also transform us—or, more accurately, unmask us. In thin places, we become our more essential selves.”In this sense, thin places evoke qualities of alchemy and revelation. In traveling to Beyul Retreat, I recalled how the Vajrayana Buddhist term “beyul” refers to hidden valleys believed to be sanctuaries blessed by enlightened teachers, places where the land itself is animate. A beyul holds the wisdom that rivers, trees, and even rocks are not objects but mandalas — living altars, ineffable and intricate in their aliveness.Aptly named, Beyul Retreat is a place where the boundary between perception and imagination feels more permeable. The land electrifies with new growth as summer approaches: dandelion confetti bursts open in the meadows, aspen trees shimmy, and fresh sage scents the air. Each morning, as the river's murmur moves through the valley, calypso orchids bloom in the shade while the pointed ears of silver fox pups perk up from behind cool, wet stones.In the imaginal realm of childhood, there are many such beyuls, many thin places. There are fern groves and swallow lairs, stars nestled in apple cores and galaxies in lightning bugs, and lobe-handed sycamore leaves at the wild end of the yard.We tend to think of nature as speaking in symbols, but its directness transmits rather than approximates. “The world is not made of objects; it is a communion of subjects,” writes Stephen Harrod Buhner, author of Plant Intelligence and the Imaginal Realm. “To enter the imaginal realm is to give permission to the ineffable within us, to allow the world to speak through our senses, our dreams, our longings.”To commune is to listen with our whole body, to notice the most basic and vital exchange of breath and circumstance that underpins our existence. To allow for a metamorphosis of our attention. And when we realize the subjectivity of the world, we can discover strange and wonderful ways of joining the conversation. Like us, the aspens drink water and eat light. They have instincts and work to protect their lives. And did you know that the dark spots resembling eyes on the smooth, pale bark are scars left behind when the tree sheds lower branches that receive less sunlight? Look how this porous watchfulness is directed in our direction, how the forest offers us its attention.Together, we are making sense of being human in an era of radical change. Your presence here matters. Thank you for reading, sharing, ‘heart'ing, commenting, and subscribing to The Guest House. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shawnparell.substack.com/subscribe

An astonishing ancient tomb is Ireland's most famous prehistoric monument; Newgrange. Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Muiris O'Sullivan, an expert on the many Stone Age monuments of Ireland, including Newgrange, and they revel in the astonishing construction techniques used by ancient builders over 5,000 years ago and the intricate rock art such as the triple spiral, which has an intriguing backstory.Archeology is slowly revealing the people who built this fascinating structure, their use of sacred landscapes, and the DNA evidence linking them to other Stone Age communities.Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Nick Thomson, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.All music courtesy of Epidemic SoundsThe Ancients is a History Hit podcast.See the treasures of Newgrange in the new History Hit documentary; Prehistoric Ireland: Secrets of the Stone Age now. Sign up to History Hit for this and more original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can take part in our listener survey here: https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on

A new theory on the meaning of the spiral symbols at Newgrange might mean that the site is more of a “cosmic calendar” than we may have thought before.Joe Fenwick, Archeological Field Officer at the University of Galway, joins Seán to discuss.

A new theory on the meaning of the spiral symbols at Newgrange might mean that the site is more of a “cosmic calendar” than we may have thought before.Joe Fenwick, Archeological Field Officer at the University of Galway, joins Seán to discuss.

If you've been lucky enough to visit Newgrange, you can attest to the fact that it's a pretty impressive structure - so you can imagine just how impressive it was when first constructed over 5000 years ago.Accordingly, it has often been assumed that those who were buried there were part of some sort of ruling class, but new research from UCD suggests that rather than being a grave for an elite family, the tomb was a social hub for the people, frequented by travellers coming from as far away as Sligo.Dr Neil Carlin is a Lecturer in the School of Archaeology at UCD who was involved in the research. He joins guest host Tom Dunne to discuss.

If you've been lucky enough to visit Newgrange, you can attest to the fact that it's a pretty impressive structure - so you can imagine just how impressive it was when first constructed over 5000 years ago.Accordingly, it has often been assumed that those who were buried there were part of some sort of ruling class, but new research from UCD suggests that rather than being a grave for an elite family, the tomb was a social hub for the people, frequented by travellers coming from as far away as Sligo.Dr Neil Carlin is a Lecturer in the School of Archaeology at UCD who was involved in the research. He joins guest host Tom Dunne to discuss.

Jessica Smyth, Associate Professor at the UCD School of Archaeology on a new study which shows Newgrange tombs were not just burial places for the elite.

In Triratna, learning to understand what is truly beautiful is seen as a path to Enlightenment itself. In this episode we find ourselves exploring this in an unexpected and extraordinary way at the seat of all Buddhist paths and myths, Bodh Gaya in India. Not far from the bodhi tree, where the Buddha's great achievement is said to have taken place, you'll find us deep in conversation with visitiing leaders from the Dublin Buddhist Centre about their vision of building a Buddhist retreat centre in Eire: a realm of beauty and a fitting home for distinctively Irish Dharma practice in the heart of County Clare. We hear about the retreat centre's name Shubha Vihara—The Place of Beauty—and how it sits alongside the legendary mythic names, spaces and stories of Ireland, before and after St. Patrick. We meet Brigid, Cuchulain (Setanta), and Fionn mac Cumhail as he catches the Salmon of Knowledge; and visit in our imagination Lough Derg, the ancient passage tomb of Newgrange, and the Hill of Tara—crowning place for the High Kings of Ireland. All while exploring aspects of Christianity's impact on the country's pagan spiritual history, and the role of positive warrior culture as it manifests and is transformed in both Buddhist and Irish contexts.  It's hard work building magic spaces and the team give us a glimpse into what's involved on the ground trying to transmute spreadsheets and fundraising calls into the magic of genuine community, alive with deep possibilities, where practice is—somehow—palpably rooted in the native earth and energies of a specific land and a society ready for change. Join us for an inspiring episode for the ages about a distinctively Buddhist contirbution to Irish culture.  As a bonus, we close this conversation with a recitation of the traditional Buddhist ethical precepts rendered into Gaelic. Beautiful indeed! Show Notes Support the creation of Shubha Vihara, the Irish Triratna Retreat Centre Explore key stories from Irish mythology Dublin Buddhist Centre The Windhorse Trust FutureDharma Fund *** Visit The Buddhist Centre Live (events year-round on Buddhism, mindfulness, meditation, and culture) Come meditate with us online six days a week! Theme music by Ackport! Used with kind permission.

In this episode we look at the history behind how The Wooing of Étain was uncovered and then dive into the story itself — as the Dagda swindles a poor man out of his home in Newgrange.Imagery for the episode, used with permission, is Boann Bru Na Boinne by the iconic Jim FitzPatrick. You can view more of Jim's stunning work and purchase prints at jimfitzpatrick.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The North Clare Historical Society will host a talk on Monday, February 24th, at the Courthouse Gallery, Ennistymon. Martina McCarthy, a pioneering expert in archaeological geophysics, will present “The Story of Ireland's Past in 50 Shades of Grey”, exploring the early years of using geophysical surveys to uncover hidden history. The Liscannor native, has worked on major sites like the Hill of Tara, Newgrange, and the Battle of the Boyne. To find out more about her groundbreaking work, Alan Morrissey was joined by her on Morning Focus. Image (c) Michael McInerney

A listener challenges us to create a plan for evading capture as Ireland's most wanted men. It leads to a stunningly shambolic scheme that includes life on the run in Donegal, hiding out in Newgrange and laying low in Terry's sitting room, all while wasting your few quid on flights you didn't need, and a needless shopping trip in Derry.There's a debate over the complex boundary map of Dublin city centre, and frustration with a question about living life as a miniature version of yourself.Terence loses both a game of rock, paper, scissors and a bet about penalty taking in football – but despite accepting he's lost the bet he's still sure he's also correct.Send your questions, comments, dilemmas, conspiracies, complaints, queries, theories, bets, recipes, challenges, and everything else to talkingbollox@goloudnow.com

In this episode: how Newgrange and the winter solstice have captivated the imagination for centuries, and the monument's connections to Irish mythology. Featuring Jessica Smyth, Associate Professor at the School of Archaeology at UCD; Leontia Lenehan, Supervisor Guide at Brú na Bóinne; and Anthony Murphy, mythologist and author of ‘Newgrange - Monument to Immortality'.

On this weeks podcast excerpt on the 4th Sunday of Advent, John and Shane have a brief reflection on how embracing the darkness of Winter prepares us to welcome the Light of the World at Christmas.Embracing the darkness of Winter to welcome the Light of the WorldOn the weekend of the Winter Solstice here in Ireland, a time which has  been full of spiritual significance to Irish people for millennia due to the events at the neolithic passage tomb at Newgrange. But for Christian's it is a mirror to the celebration of the Incarnation at Christmas. On this important date in our calendars, let's look at the calendar more closely: The Church celebrates John the Baptist's birthday on June 24th – the longest day of the year, when the sun is at its brightest. You might recall that John said that he must decrease, and Jesus must increase. Well, every day since June 24th, the days have indeed been ‘decreasing'. They've been getting shorter, right up until today. But with the Saviour's birth, they become longer again, and so John's desire that he must decrease and Jesus must increase is mirrored in the beautiful rhythm of the Church's year.So, why did John the Baptist need to decrease? Because, as the Gospel says: he was not the light, but came to testify to the light. But we can't consign that role to the past: John the Baptist's mission is shared by all Christians: we are all called to bear witness to Jesus… to testify to the light. We are called to work and to pray that his Kingdom may come – on earth as it is in heaven. And so the beautiful season of Christmas, soon to dawn on us, is a lot more than carols, gifts, feasting and decorations. It is also a challenge to each of us. It is a challenge to live, speak and act in such a way that we truly are voices crying out in the wilderness of our culture, and bearing witness to Jesus, the Light of the World. It is a challenge to act with honesty, integrity and generosity, so that in the darkness of mid-winter, his light may shine ever more brightly.The Winter Solstice is a turning point in our planet's year. If we let it, it can be a turning point for each one of us too. How will you testify to the light this Christmas?Link to previous post.Text us at +353 874668950 or email at comeandseeinspirtaions@gmail.com

On this weeks podcast on the 4th Sunday of Advent, John and Shane have a brief reflection on how embracing the darkness of Winter prepares us to welcome the Light of the World at Christmas. We have a run through the up coming liturgical odds ends for the coming week with the obvious note that Christmas is on Wednesday and we enter into the Octave of Christmas. A reminder that the Holy Year begins with the  ceremony of the opening of the Holy Door in St Peter's Basilica during the Christmas Eve Mass and also that the Urbi et Orbi is on Christmas morning from Rome. We have our reflection on the Sunday gospel which is Luke's account of the Visitation by Mary to Elizabeth at Ein Kareen and the encounter of witness with the unborn Herald John the Baptist.Embracing the darkness of Winter to welcome the Light of the WorldOn the weekend of the Winter Solstice here in Ireland, a time which has  been full of spiritual significance to Irish people for millennia due to the events at the neolithic passage tomb at Newgrange. But for Christian's it is a mirror to the celebration of the Incarnation at Christmas.  On this important date in our calendars, let's look at the calendar more closely: The Church celebrates John the Baptist's birthday on June 24th – the longest day of the year, when the sun is at its brightest. You might recall that John said that he must decrease, and Jesus must increase. Well, every day since June 24th, the days have indeed been ‘decreasing'. They've been getting shorter, right up until today. But with the Saviour's birth, they become longer again, and so John's desire that he must decrease and Jesus must increase is mirrored in the beautiful rhythm of the Church's year.So, why did John the Baptist need to decrease? Because, as the Gospel says: he was not the light, but came to testify to the light. But we can't consign that role to the past: John the Baptist's mission is shared by all Christians: we are all called to bear witness to Jesus… to testify to the light. We are called to work and to pray that his Kingdom may come – on earth as it is in heaven. And so the beautiful season of Christmas, soon to dawn on us, is a lot more than carols, gifts, feasting and decorations. It is also a challenge to each of us. It is a challenge to live, speak and act in such a way that we truly are voices crying out in the wilderness of our culture, and bearing witness to Jesus, the Light of the World. It is a challenge to act with honesty, integrity and generosity, so that in the darkness of mid-winter, his light may shine ever more brightly.The Winter Solstice is a turning point in our planet's year. If we let it, it can be a turning point for each one of us too. How will you testify to the light this Christmas?Text us at +353 874668950 or email at comeandseeinspirtaions@gmail.com

En Irlande, le solstice d'hiver attire des milliers de curieux à Newgrange, un site néolithique où la lumière du soleil illumine une tombe millénaire pendant 17 minutes, offrant une expérience magique retransmise en direct.Au Liban, la politique évolue sous l'influence des bouleversements en Syrie. Le Hezbollah, changeant de posture, reconnaît au peuple syrien le droit de choisir ses dirigeants, ce qui pourrait influencer la présidentielle libanaise.Au Kenya, l'augmentation des accidents de la route, avec plus de 4 000 morts cette année, alarme les autorités, qui renforcent leurs appels à la vigilance.Notre équipe a utilisé un outil d'Intelligence artificielle via les technologies d'Audiomeans© pour accompagner la création de ce contenu écrit.

En Irlande, le solstice d'hiver attire des milliers de curieux à Newgrange, un site néolithique où la lumière du soleil illumine une tombe millénaire pendant 17 minutes, offrant une expérience magique retransmise en direct.Au Liban, la politique évolue sous l'influence des bouleversements en Syrie. Le Hezbollah, changeant de posture, reconnaît au peuple syrien le droit de choisir ses dirigeants, ce qui pourrait influencer la présidentielle libanaise.Au Kenya, l'augmentation des accidents de la route, avec plus de 4 000 morts cette année, alarme les autorités, qui renforcent leurs appels à la vigilance.Notre équipe a utilisé un outil d'Intelligence artificielle via les technologies d'Audiomeans© pour accompagner la création de ce contenu écrit.

Tomorrow marks the shortest day of the year and with that comes the Winter Solstice at Newgrange.We spoke to Anthony Murphy, Mythical Ireland founder and author about what people can expect.

Tomorrow marks the shortest day of the year and with that comes the Winter Solstice at Newgrange.We spoke to Anthony Murphy, Mythical Ireland founder and author about what people can expect.

A brief history of Christmas carols and a surprising discovery - from ancient pagan Yuletide traditions to Winter Solstice at Newgrange, onto wassailing, Waits and Good King Wenceslas, we find our way to a surprising discovery that will jingle your bells and leave you passing time in wonder. Support the PodcastShare your thoughts on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There is a lot to do in Ireland.Castles, prehistoric sites, distilleries, beautiful landscapes and seascapes, pubs.Not to mention some vibrant cities and charming towns.So I want to offer up some of my favorite under the radar sites in Ireland.These are amazing places to visit that see fewer people than Blarney Castle or Newgrange.So get your Irish list ready!Want to chat more about these sites in Ireland?Send me a note at lynne@wanderyourway.com.In this episode:1:42:  Intro4:54: Hill of Tara8:25: Loughcrew Cairns12:47: Clonmacnoise16:37: Céide Fields21:25: Beltany Stone Circle26:58: Other sites29:32: Wrapping it upImportant links: Clonmacnoise: One of Ireland's Amazing Monastic TreasuresWhy You Need to Visit the Amazing Céide Fields IrelandThe Ancient Mystery of Beltany Stone Circle5 Reasons Loughcrew Cairns Is One of the Best Sites in IrelandMy 15 Favorite Amazing Historical Sites in IrelandCounty Donegal • IrelandHeritage IrelandWander Your Way AdventuresWander Your WaySupport the showThanks to Callisa Mickle who edits the audio.Follow Wander Your Way:InstagramFacebookPinterest

Anthony Murphy Author and curator of ‘Mythical Ireland'

This week Mark speaks to Scottish comedian and History Channels go-to-guy for all things folklore and Scottish paranormal Billy Kirkwood.The witch? Maggie Wall an innocent or a witch?,the Lochness monster and weird goings on at Glasgow's legendary Ballroom Barrowland are explored.Hugh de Gifford was a  feudal baron but why did he build Yester Castle with its mysterious caverns…some say he did it by magic.Billy himself says he thinks his own house is haunted!ALSO from county Kerry in Ireland Mark chats with PJ SULLIVAN a veteran OF 400 Irish paranormal investigations.His Killarney based Puca Vogue team have investigated many  old Irish stately homes and castles such as Kinnity and Leap castle (often described as Europe's most haunted castle).EVPs and investigation dos and dont's are  discussed as well as PJ's own terrifying experience at Wicklow Gaol.As always the wise counsel of David McGlynn aka The Squire is present to bring life to harsh Irish historical fact.SCARY EIRE is presented and produced by Mark Manning Irish broadcaster and voiceover artist. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/paranormal-uk-radio-network--4541473/support.

This week, I talk about water, and tell you the story of Boann, Ireland's river Goddess who created the River Boyne which nurtures the land around the site of the Battle of the Boyne, Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's a whole new season and we're doing something a little different – diving into the rich tapestry of Irish mythology. But before we jump into tales of gods and heroes, we need to set the stage. In this episode, we're exploring the uniquely Irish concept of the Sidhe looking at everything from Newgrange's Neolithic passage tombs to the arrival of the Celts, unpacking how these ancient structures shaped Ireland's mythological landscape. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us a textTriskelion: Spiral of Irish Paganism: https://irishpagan.school/triskelion/In this video, Jon O'Sullivan from the Irish Pagan School explores the significance of the triskelion in Irish Paganism. He explains what a triskelion is and its historical and cultural context, particularly in relation to the Neolithic period and its prominent presence at Newgrange. Jon discusses the various interpretations and personal meanings associated with the triskelion, while emphasizing the importance of personal exploration and understanding.✨ FREE LEARNING RESOURCES FOR A YEAR! - https://irishpagan.school/free✨ Irish Pagan Resources Checklist available NOW - https://irishpagan.school/checklist/

The ancient Irish site of Newgrange is a neolithic tomb and a mythic womb. featuring at the heart of stories which have been told for thousands of years. These two stories of Newgrange, also called Brú na Bóinne, and its inhabitants, the Tuatha Dé Danann or old gods the Dagda, Boanne, Aengus, and Cáer, demonstrate the ancient Irish view of nature as cyclical, and offer us a glimpse at something more, in the times when we are closest to the mysterious Celtic Otherworld. Mythos & Logos are two ancient words that can be roughly translated as “Story & Meaning.” Support the channel by subscribing, liking, and commenting to join the conversation! Support the channel financially through your generous Patreon donation: patreon.com/mythosandlogos This channel is a collection of thoughts of one person on the important stories that we humans have shared with each other. I believe that, in respectfully approaching storytelling traditions, we can find timeless wisdom and beauty that apply to modern life. I do my best to find and share that wisdom. I encourage you to share your thoughts and stories as well. The stories presented here have all been freely shared by their original tellers. I encourage you to study each story directly and consult traditional sources whenever possible.

[caption id="attachment_5359" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] "Dolmen de Menga entrance: Massive stone portal of 6,000-year-old Neolithic tomb in Antequera, Spain."[/caption][caption id="attachment_5354" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] "La Peña de los Enamorados: Distinctive mountain face aligned with Dolmen de Menga, resembling human profile."[/caption] Key Ideas: The invention of architecture during the Neolithic period marked a significant shift in human psychology and religion, creating a division between natural and man-made spaces and giving rise to new concepts of ownership, territoriality, and sacred spaces. The relationship between architecture and the awareness of death is explored, with the idea that built structures allowed humans to create a sense of permanence and continuity in the face of mortality. Neolithic dolmens and their alignment with the summer solstice may have played a crucial role in rituals related to death, the afterlife, and the cyclical nature of the cosmos. The astronomical alignment of the Dolmen de Menga is part of a larger pattern of archaeoastronomical significance in Neolithic monuments across Europe, suggesting a shared cosmological understanding among ancient societies. Neolithic art and architecture, including the use of red ochre and iron oxide paintings, may be linked to shamanic practices and altered states of consciousness. Peter Sloterdijk's theory of spheres is applied to understand the evolution of human spatial awareness and the desire to recreate protected, womb-like spaces through architecture. The fundamental nature of architecture and its role in human life is explored through various philosophical, psychological, and sociological perspectives. Adventure Time with My Daughter My daughter Violet likes the show Adventure Time. She loves mythology, creepy tombs, long dead civilizations and getting to be the first to explore and discover new things. I took my 6-year-old daughter to the Neolithic portal Tomb, or Dolmen, Dolmen de Menga in Antequera, while on a trip to Spain. This ancient megalithic monument, believed to be one of the oldest and largest in Europe, dates back to the 3rd millennium BCE. It is made of 8 ton slabs of stone that archaeologists have a passing idea of how ancient people moved. It has a well drilled through 20 meters of bedrock at the back of it and it is oriented so that the entrance faces a mountain that looks like a sleeping giant the ancient builders might have worshiped. All of this delighted my daughter. The dolmen's impressive architecture features massive stone slabs, some weighing up to 180 tons, forming a 25-meter-long corridor and a spacious chamber. Inside, a well adds to the mystery, possibly used for rituals or as a symbol of the underworld. What's truly fascinating is the dolmen's alignment with the nearby La Peña de los Enamorados mountain. During the summer solstice, the sun rises directly over the mountain, casting its first rays into the dolmen's entrance, illuminating the depths of the chamber. This astronomical alignment suggests the ancient builders had a sophisticated understanding of the cosmos. According to archaeoastronomical studies, the Dolmen de Menga might have served as a symbolic bridge between life and death, connecting the world of the living with the realm of the ancestors. The solstice alignment could have held great spiritual significance, marking a time of renewal, rebirth, and the eternal cycle of existence. Sharing this incredible experience with my daughter and witnessing her awe and curiosity as she felt the weight of boulders that men had moved by hand, is a moment I'll treasure forever.  I reminded her that every time she has seen a building, be it a school or a sky-scraper, it all started here with the birth of architecture, and maybe the birth of something else too. Thinking about prehistory is weird because thinking about the limits of our human understanding is trippy and prehistory is, by definition, before history and therefore written language, meaning we cant really know the subjective experience of anyone who was a part of it. Talking to a child about the limits of what we as a species do or can know are some of my favorite moments as a parent because they are opportunities to teach children the importance of curiosity, intuition and intellectual humility than many adults never learn. Watching Violet contemplate a time when mankind didn't have to tools or advanced scientific knowledge was a powerful moment when I saw her think so deeply about the humanity she was a part of. What the Invention of Architecture did to Psychology Anecdote of the Jar by Wallace Stevens I placed a jar in Tennessee, And round it was, upon a hill. It made the slovenly wilderness Surround that hill.   The wilderness rose up to it, And sprawled around, no longer wild. The jar was round upon the ground And tall and of a port in air.   It took dominion everywhere. The jar was gray and bare. It did not give of bird or bush, Like nothing else in Tennessee. Prior to the advent of architecture, the world was an undivided, seamless entity, with no clear boundaries between human habitation and the natural environment. The construction of dolmens and other architectural structures shattered this unified perception, creating a new paradigm in which humans actively shaped and claimed portions of the earth for their own purposes. This act of claiming space and erecting structures upon it represented a profound psychological shift, as humans began to assert their agency and control over their surroundings. The division of the world into natural and man-made spaces had far-reaching implications for human psychology. It fostered a sense of ownership and territoriality, as individuals and communities began to identify with and attach meaning to the spaces they created. This attachment to claimed spaces gave rise to new concepts of home, belonging, and identity, which were intimately tied to the built environment. Simultaneously, the unclaimed, natural world began to be perceived as a separate entity, one that existed beyond the boundaries of human control and understanding. The impact of this division on religion was equally profound. The creation of man-made spaces, such as dolmens, provided a tangible manifestation of human agency and the ability to shape the world according to human beliefs and desires. These structures became sacred spaces, imbued with religious and spiritual significance, where rituals and ceremonies could be performed. The separation of natural and man-made spaces also gave rise to new religious concepts, such as the idea of sacred and profane spaces, and the belief in the ability of humans to create and manipulate the divine through architectural means. The significance of this division between natural and man-made spaces is beautifully captured in Wallace Stevens' anecdote of the jar. In this short poem, Stevens describes placing a jar in a wilderness, which "took dominion everywhere." The jar, a man-made object, transforms the natural landscape around it, asserting human presence and control over the untamed wilderness. This simple act of placing a jar in the wild encapsulates the profound psychological and religious implications of the invention of architecture. The jar represents the human impulse to claim and shape space, to impose order and meaning upon the chaos of the natural world. It symbolizes the division between the natural and the man-made, and the way in which human creations can alter our perception and understanding of the world around us. Just as the jar takes dominion over the wilderness, the invention of architecture during the Neolithic period forever changed the way humans perceive and interact with their environment, shaping our psychology and religious beliefs in ways that continue to resonate to this day. The Relationship of Architecture to the Awareness of Death Robert Pogue Harrison, a professor of Italian literature and cultural history, has written extensively about the relationship between architecture, human psychology, and our understanding of death. In his book "The Dominion of the Dead," Harrison explores how the invention of architecture fundamentally altered human consciousness and our attitude towards mortality. According to Harrison, the creation of built structures marked a significant shift in human psychology. Before architecture, early humans lived in a world where the natural environment was dominant, and death was an ever-present reality. The invention of architecture allowed humans to create a sense of permanence and stability in the face of the transient nature of life. By constructing buildings and monuments, humans could create a physical manifestation of their existence that would outlast their individual lives. This allowed for a sense of continuity and the ability to leave a lasting mark on the world. Harrison argues that architecture became a way for humans to assert their presence and create a symbolic defense against the inevitability of death. Moreover, Harrison suggests that the invention of architecture gave rise to the concept of the "afterlife." By creating tombs, pyramids, and other burial structures, humans could imagine a realm where the dead continued to exist in some form. These architectural spaces served as a bridge between the world of the living and the world of the dead, providing a sense of connection and continuity. Harrison also argues that architecture played a crucial role in the development of human culture and collective memory. Buildings and monuments became repositories for shared histories, myths, and values. They served as physical anchors for cultural identity and helped to create a sense of belonging and shared purpose among communities. However, Harrison also notes that architecture can have a complex relationship with death. While it can provide a sense of permanence and a symbolic defense against mortality, it can also serve as a reminder of our own impermanence. The ruins of ancient civilizations and the decay of once-great buildings can evoke a sense of melancholy and serve as a testament to the ultimate transience of human existence. Death and Ritual through Architecture Recent archaeological findings have shed light on the potential significance of the alignment of Neolithic dolmens with the summer solstice. These ancient stone structures, found throughout Europe and beyond, have long been shrouded in mystery. However, the precise positioning of these megalithic tombs suggests that they may have played a crucial role in Stone Age rituals related to death, the afterlife, and the cyclical nature of the cosmos. On the day of the summer solstice, when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky and casts its longest rays, a remarkable phenomenon occurs within certain dolmens. The light penetrates through the narrow entrance, illuminating the interior chamber and reaching the furthest recesses of the tomb. This alignment, achieved with great intentionality and skill, has led archaeologists to speculate about the beliefs and practices of the Neolithic people who constructed these monumental structures. One theory suggests that the dolmens served as portals for the souls of the deceased to ascend to the heavenly bodies. The sun, often revered as a divine entity in ancient cultures, may have been seen as the ultimate destination for the spirits of the dead. By aligning the dolmen with the solstice, the Neolithic people perhaps believed that they were creating a direct pathway for the souls to reach the sun and achieve a form of celestial immortality. Another interpretation posits that the solstice alignment was a way to honor and commemorate the dead. The penetrating light, reaching the innermost chamber of the dolmen, could have been seen as a symbolic reunion between the living and the deceased. This annual event may have served as a time for the community to gather, pay respects to their ancestors, and reaffirm the enduring bond between the generations. Furthermore, the cyclical nature of the solstice, marking the longest day of the year and the subsequent return of shorter days, may have held profound symbolic meaning for the Neolithic people. The alignment of the dolmen with this celestial event could have been interpreted as a representation of the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. Just as the sun reaches its peak and then begins its descent, the dolmen's illumination on the solstice may have symbolized the passage from life to death and the promise of eventual renewal. While we may never know with certainty the exact beliefs and rituals associated with the Neolithic dolmens and their solstice alignment, the structures themselves stand as testaments to the ingenuity, astronomical knowledge, and spiritual convictions of our ancient ancestors. The precision and effort required to construct these megalithic tombs and align them with the heavens suggest a deep reverence for the dead and a belief in the interconnectedness of life, death, and the cosmos. The Astronomical Alignment of the Dolmen de Menga and Its Broader Significance The astronomical alignment of the Dolmen de Menga with the summer solstice sunrise is not an isolated phenomenon, but rather part of a larger pattern of archaeoastronomical significance in Neolithic monuments across Europe and beyond. Many megalithic structures, such as Newgrange in Ireland and Maeshowe in Scotland, have been found to have precise alignments with solar and lunar events, suggesting that the ancient builders had a sophisticated understanding of the movements of celestial bodies and incorporated this knowledge into their architectural designs. The alignment of the Dolmen de Menga with the summer solstice sunrise may have held profound symbolic and ritual significance for the Neolithic community that built and used the structure. The solstice, as a moment of transition and renewal in the natural cycle of the year, could have been associated with themes of rebirth, fertility, and the regeneration of life. The penetration of the sun's first rays into the inner chamber of the dolmen on this date may have been seen as a sacred union between the celestial and terrestrial realms, a moment of cosmic alignment and heightened spiritual potency. The incorporation of astronomical alignments into Neolithic monuments across Europe suggests that these ancient societies had a shared cosmological understanding and a deep reverence for the cycles of the sun, moon, and stars. The construction of megalithic structures like the Dolmen de Menga can be seen as an attempt to harmonize human activity with the larger rhythms of the cosmos, creating a sense of unity and connection between people and the natural and celestial worlds they inhabited. Originally these structures were probably lovingly adorned with paint and patterns. This paint was usually made of red ochre and iron oxide.  We know that because the paintings that are left in Iberia are made of these materials and the extremely few neolithic portal tombs that were protected from the elements still have geographic markings.   [caption id="attachment_5367" align="aligncenter" width="715"] Here is me hiking up to look at some iron oxide neolithic paintings[/caption][caption id="attachment_5365" align="aligncenter" width="605"] Here is a little guy made out of iron oxide who is about six thousand years old[/caption][caption id="attachment_5372" align="aligncenter" width="466"] The 4th millennium BC painting inside the Dolmen Anta de Antelas in Iberia[/caption]   Some researchers, such as David Lewis-Williams and Thomas Dowson, have proposed that the geometric patterns and designs found in Neolithic art and architecture may represent the visions experienced by shamans during altered states of consciousness. Other scholars, like Michael Winkelman, argue that shamanism played a crucial role in the development of early human cognition and social organization. According to this theory, the construction of sacred spaces like the Dolmen de Menga may have been closely tied to the practices and beliefs of shaman cults, who served as intermediaries between the physical and spiritual realms. What is Architecture: Why did we invent it? Philosopher, Peter Sloterdijk's theory of spheres, particularly his concept of the first primal globe and its subsequent splitting, offers an intriguing framework for understanding the evolution of human spatial awareness and its manifestations in art and architecture. Sloterdijk's "spherology" posits that human existence is fundamentally about creating and inhabiting spheres - protected, intimate spaces that provide both physical and psychological shelter. The "first primal globe" in his theory refers to the womb, the original protected space that humans experience. According to Sloterdijk, the trauma of birth represents a splitting of this primal sphere, leading humans to constantly seek to recreate similar protective environments throughout their lives and cultures. This concept of sphere-creation and inhabitation can be seen as a driving force behind much of human culture and architecture. Applying this framework to Neolithic architecture like dolmens and portal tombs, we might interpret these structures as attempts to recreate protected, womb-like spaces on a larger scale. These stone structures, with their enclosed spaces and narrow entrances, could be seen as physical manifestations of the desire to recreate the security and intimacy of the "primal sphere" and our universal interaction with it through the archetype of birth. In the Neolithic period, the world was perceived as an undifferentiated sphere, where the sacred and the secular were intimately intertwined. The concept of separate realms for the divine and the mundane had not yet emerged, and the universe was experienced as a single, all-encompassing reality. In this context, the creation of the earliest permanent architecture, such as portal tombs, represents a significant milestone in human history, marking the beginning of a fundamental shift in how humans understood and organized their environment. Portal tombs, also known as dolmens, are among the most enigmatic and captivating architectural structures of the Neolithic era. These megalithic monuments, consisting of large upright stones supporting a massive horizontal capstone, have puzzled and intrigued researchers and visitors alike for centuries. While their exact purpose remains a subject of debate, many scholars believe that portal tombs played a crucial role in the emergence of the concept of sacred space and the demarcation of the secular and the divine. Mircea Eliade. In his seminal work, "The Sacred and the Profane," Eliade argues that the creation of sacred space is a fundamental aspect of human religiosity, serving to distinguish the realm of the divine from the ordinary world of everyday existence. He suggests that the construction of portal tombs and other megalithic structures in the Neolithic period represents an early attempt to create a liminal space between the sacred and the secular, a threshold where humans could encounter the numinous and connect with the spiritual realm. Remember that this was the advent of the most basic technology, or as Slotedijik might label it, anthropotechnics. The idea that sacred and secular space could even be separated was itself a technological invention, or rather made possible because of one. Anthropotechnics refers to the various practices, techniques, and systems humans use to shape, train, and improve themselves. It encompasses the methods by which humans attempt to modify their biological, psychological, and social conditions. The Nature of Architecture and Its Fundamental Role in Human Life Architecture, at its core, is more than merely the design and construction of buildings. It is a profound expression of human creativity, culture, and our relationship with the world around us. Throughout history, scholars and theorists have sought to unravel the fundamental nature of architecture and its impact on the human experience. By examining various theories and perspectives, we can gain a deeper understanding of the role that architecture plays in shaping our lives and the societies in which we live. One of the most influential thinkers to explore the essence of architecture was the philosopher Hannah Arendt. In her work, Arendt emphasized the importance of the built environment in creating a sense of stability, permanence, and shared experience in human life. She argued that architecture serves as a tangible manifestation of the human capacity for creation and the desire to establish a lasting presence in the world. Arendt's ideas highlight the fundamental role that architecture plays in providing a physical framework for human existence. By creating spaces that endure over time, architecture allows us to anchor ourselves in the world and develop a sense of belonging and continuity. It serves as a backdrop against which the drama of human life unfolds, shaping our experiences, memories, and interactions with others. Other theorists, such as Martin Heidegger and Gaston Bachelard, have explored the philosophical and psychological dimensions of architecture. Heidegger, in his essay "Building Dwelling Thinking," argued that the act of building is intimately connected to the human experience of dwelling in the world. He suggested that architecture is not merely a matter of creating functional structures, but rather a means of establishing a meaningful relationship between individuals and their environment. Bachelard, in his book "The Poetics of Space," delved into the emotional and imaginative aspects of architecture. He explored how different spaces, such as homes, attics, and basements, evoke specific feelings and memories, shaping our inner lives and sense of self. Bachelard's ideas highlight the powerful psychological impact that architecture can have on individuals, serving as a catalyst for introspection, creativity, and self-discovery. From a sociological perspective, theorists like Henri Lefebvre and Michel Foucault have examined the ways in which architecture reflects and reinforces power structures and social hierarchies. Lefebvre, in his book "The Production of Space," argued that architecture is not merely a neutral container for human activity, but rather a product of social, political, and economic forces. He suggested that the design and organization of space can perpetuate inequality, segregation, and control, shaping the way individuals and communities interact with one another. Foucault, in his work on disciplinary institutions such as prisons and hospitals, explored how architecture can be used as a tool for surveillance, regulation, and the exercise of power. His ideas highlight the potential for architecture to serve as an instrument of social control, influencing behavior and shaping the lives of those who inhabit or interact with the built environment. By engaging with the diverse theories and perspectives on architecture, we can develop a more nuanced understanding of its role in shaping the human experience. From the philosophical insights of Arendt and Heidegger to the psychological explorations of Bachelard and the sociological critiques of Lefebvre and Foucault, each perspective offers a unique lens through which to examine the essence of architecture and its impact on our lives. As we continue to grapple with the challenges of an increasingly urbanized and globalized world, the study of architecture and its fundamental nature becomes more important than ever. By unlocking the secrets of this ancient and enduring art form, we may find new ways to create spaces that nurture the human spirit, foster connection and belonging, and shape a built environment that truly reflects our highest values and aspirations. Violet's Encounter with the Dolmen It is a common misconception to think of children as blank slates, mere tabula rasas upon which culture and experience inscribe themselves. In truth, children are born with the same primal unconscious that has been part of the human psyche since prehistory. They are simply closer to this wellspring of archetypes, instincts, and imaginative potentials than most adults, who have learned to distance themselves from it through the construction of a rational, bounded ego. While I talked to the archaeologist on site of the Dolmen de Menga, I saw the that these rituals and symbols are still alive in the unconscious of modern children just as they were in the stone age. I looked at the ground to see that Violet was instinctually making a little Dolmen out of dirt. My daughter Violet's recent fear of the dark illustrates this innate connection to the primal unconscious. When she wakes up afraid in the middle of the night, I try to reassure her by explaining that the shadows that loom in the darkness are nothing more than parts of herself that she does not yet know how to understand yet or integrate. They are manifestations of the unknown, the numinous, the archetypal - all those aspects of the psyche that can be terrifying in their raw power and otherness, but that also hold the keys to creativity, transformation, and growth. Violet intuitively understands this link between fear and creativity. She has begun using the very things that frighten her as inspiration for her storytelling and artwork, transmuting her nighttime terrors into imaginative narratives and symbols. This process of turning the raw materials of the unconscious into concrete expressions is a perfect microcosm of the way in which art and architecture have always functioned for humans - as ways of both channeling and containing the primal energies that surge within us. When Violet walked through the Dolmen de Menga and listened to the archaeologist's explanations of how it was built, something in her immediately responded with recognition and understanding. The dolmen's construction - the careful arrangement of massive stones to create an enduring sacred space - made intuitive sense to her in a way that it might not for an adult more removed from the primal architect within. I see this same impulse in Violet whenever we go to the park and she asks me where she can build something that will last forever. Her structures made of sticks and stones by the riverbank, where the groundskeepers will not disturb them, are her way of creating something permanent and visible - her own small monuments to the human drive to make a mark on the world and to shape our environment into a reflection of our inner reality. By exploring the origins of architecture in monuments like the Dolmen de Menga, we can gain insight into the universal human impulse to create meaning, order, and beauty in the built environment. The megalithic structures of the Neolithic period represent some of the earliest and most impressive examples of human creativity and ingenuity applied to the shaping of space and the creation of enduring cultural landmarks. Moreover, studying the astronomical alignments and symbolic significance of ancient monuments can shed light on the fundamental human desire to connect with the larger cosmos and to find our place within the grand cycles of nature and the universe. The incorporation of celestial events into the design and use of structures like the Dolmen de Menga reflects a profound awareness of the interconnectedness of human life with the wider world, a theme that continues to resonate in the art and architecture of cultures throughout history. [caption id="attachment_5361" align="alignnone" width="2560"] Here is my explorer buddy[/caption] Bibliography Arendt, H. (1958). The Human Condition. University of Chicago Press. Bachelard, G. (1994). The Poetics of Space. Beacon Press. Belmonte, J. A., & Hoskin, M. (2002). Reflejo del cosmos: atlas de arqueoastronomía del Mediterráneo antiguo. Equipo Sirius. Criado-Boado, F., & Villoch-Vázquez, V. (2000). Monumentalizing landscape: from present perception to the past meaning of Galician megalithism (north-west Iberian Peninsula). European Journal of Archaeology, 3(2), 188-216. Edinger, E. F. (1984). The Creation of Consciousness: Jung's Myth for Modern Man. Inner City Books. Eliade, M. (1959). The Sacred and the Profane: The Nature of Religion. Harcourt, Brace & World. Foucault, M. (1975). Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison. Vintage Books. Heidegger, M. (1971). Building Dwelling Thinking. In Poetry, Language, Thought. Harper & Row. Jung, C. G. (1968). The Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious. Princeton University Press. Lefebvre, H. (1991). The Production of Space. Blackwell. Lewis-Williams, D., & Dowson, T. A. (1988). The signs of all times: entoptic phenomena in Upper Palaeolithic art. Current Anthropology, 29(2), 201-245. Márquez-Romero, J. E., & Jiménez-Jáimez, V. (2010). Prehistoric Enclosures in Southern Iberia (Andalusia): La Loma Del Real Tesoro (Seville, Spain) and Its Resources. Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society, 76, 357-374. Neumann, E. (1954). The Origins and History of Consciousness. Princeton University Press. Rappenglueck, M. A. (1998). Palaeolithic Shamanistic Cosmography: How Is the Famous Rock Picture in the Shaft of the Lascaux Grotto to be Decoded?. Artepreistorica, 5, 43-75. Ruggles, C. L. (2015). Handbook of Archaeoastronomy and Ethnoastronomy. Springer. Sloterdijk, P. (2011). Bubbles: Spheres Volume I: Microspherology. Semiotext(e). Sloterdijk, P. (2014). Globes: Spheres Volume II: Macrospherology. Semiotext(e). Sloterdijk, P. (2016). Foams: Spheres Volume III: Plural Spherology. Semiotext(e). Turner, V. (1969). The Ritual Process: Structure and Anti-Structure. Aldine Publishing Company. Winkelman, M. (2010). Shamanism: A Biopsychosocial Paradigm of Consciousness and Healing. Praeger. Further Reading: Belmonte, J. A. (1999). Las leyes del cielo: astronomía y civilizaciones antiguas. Temas de Hoy. Bradley, R. (1998). The Significance of Monuments: On the Shaping of Human Experience in Neolithic and Bronze Age Europe. Routledge. Devereux, P. (2001). The Sacred Place: The Ancient Origins of Holy and Mystical Sites. Cassell & Co. Gimbutas, M. (1989). The Language of the Goddess. Harper & Row. Harding, A. F. (2003). European Societies in the Bronze Age. Cambridge University Press. Hoskin, M. (2001). Tombs, Temples and Their Orientations: A New Perspective on Mediterranean Prehistory. Ocarina Books. Ingold, T. (2000). The Perception of the Environment: Essays on Livelihood, Dwelling and Skill. Routledge. Norberg-Schulz, C. (1980). Genius Loci: Towards a Phenomenology of Architecture. Rizzoli. Renfrew, C., & Bahn, P. (2016). Archaeology: Theories, Methods, and Practice. Thames & Hudson. Scarre, C. (2002). Monuments and Landscape in Atlantic Europe: Perception and Society During the Neolithic and Early Bronze Age. Routledge. Sherratt, A. (1995). Instruments of Conversion? The Role of Megaliths in the Mesolithic/Neolithic Transition in Northwest Europe. Oxford Journal of Archaeology, 14(3), 245-260. Tilley, C. (1994). A Phenomenology of Landscape: Places, Paths and Monuments. Berg. Tilley, C. (2010). Interpreting Landscapes: Geologies, Topographies, Identities. Left Coast Press. Twohig, E. S. (1981). The Megalithic Art of Western Europe. Clarendon Press. Watkins, A. (1925). The Old Straight Track: Its Mounds, Beacons, Moats, Sites, and Mark Stones. Methuen. Whittle, A. (1996). Europe in the Neolithic: The Creation of New Worlds. Cambridge University Press. Wilson, P. J. (1988). The Domestication of the Human Species. Yale University Press. Zubrow, E. B. W. (1994). Cognitive Archaeology Reconsidered. In The Ancient Mind: Elements of Cognitive Archaeology. Cambridge University Press. Zvelebil, M. (1986). Hunters in Transition: Mesolithic Societies of Temperate Eurasia and Their Transition to Farming. Cambridge University Press. Zvelebil, M., & Jordan, P. (1999). Hunter-Fisher-Gatherer Ritual Landscapes: Spatial Organisation, Social Structure and Ideology Among Hunter-Gatherers of Northern Europe and Western Siberia. Archaeopress.

While much attention focuses on Newgrange over the summer solstice this week, a unique event will happen tomorrow night when a moon standstill will occur over a Bronze Age altar in Kerry. Joining Seán to discuss is Stephen O'Sullivan, Chairperson of Bonane Community Council.

Embark on a celestial journey with today's episode of Astronomy Daily - The Podcast, where your host, Anna, brings you the latest cosmic updates. We'll explore the first major lunar standstill in 18 years, unveiling a breathtaking celestial moment you won't want to miss. Next, we'll dive into the rich, metallic landscapes of Mars, painting a vivid picture of the red planet's geological marvels. We'll also tackle the unsettling reality of space junk and its impact on Earth's ozone layer, a concern growing with the expansion of satellite mega constellations. Shifting our gaze to Saturn's moon Titan, we'll uncover how wave activity might be shaping its mysterious coastlines. Finally, we'll explore how cosmic winds driven by supermassive black holes can alter the very fabric of galaxies. And to round it all off, we'll get an update on the latest developments at SpaceX's Starbase. So let's dive right in.This year marks a truly remarkable celestial event, the first major lunar standstill since 2006. This fascinating phenomenon will see the moon rising and setting at its most extreme points on the horizon. For sky watchers, this is a rare treat, occurring only once every 18.6 years. During a major lunar standstill, the tilts of both the Earth and the moon are at their maximum, causing the moon to rise and set at its highest and lowest points in its orbital cycle. To fully appreciate the grandeur of this event, consider the ancient sites of Stonehenge, Kalanish, and Newgrange. These prehistoric monuments are thought to be aligned with the points of moonrise and moonset during such standstills, indicating the historical significance and awe that this event has invoked in humanity for millennia. The next standstill, at its most extreme, will be around the equinoxes in September 2024 and March 2025. For those eager to witness this spectacle, the best times include moonrise at sunset and moonset at sunrise, especially during a full moon. No need for elaborate equipment, just a clear view of the horizon will suffice to observe the moon's dramatic paths. So mark your calendars and be sure to look up. The lunar sky is about to put on a show you won't want to miss.The European Space Agency has recently unveiled a breathtaking image of Mars' Marth Vallis region, highlighting the planet's complex and metallic beauty. This newly captured scene showcases landscapes rich in iron, magnesium, and aluminum, creating a vibrant and rust-colored spectacle that tells a story billions of years in the making. Marth Vallis is particularly significant because it bears evidence of ancient water flow. The region's deeply eroded valleys and mineral-rich layers suggest that liquid water once roamed these Martian plains, potentially creating habitable conditions. This discovery continues to intrigue scientists as understanding the history of water on Mars is crucial for piecing together the planet's potential for supporting life. With ongoing studies and future missions focused on similar areas, we inch closer to unlocking the mysteries of the red planet's wet past and its capacity to host life.A new study has quantified the alarming extent of pollution caused by defunct Internet satellites. Thousands of satellites have been deployed into mega constellations to meet the growing global demand for Internet services. However, when these satellites reach the end of their operational life and re-enter Earth's atmosphere, they disintegrate and release aluminum oxide particles that erode the ozone layer. This phenomenon poses a significant threat to the years of progress made in ozone recovery. The 1987 Montreal Protocol successfully curbed the emission of ozone-depleting substances like CFCs, leading to a shrinking ozone hole over Antarctica, with full recovery expected within the next few decades. But now the unexpected increase in aluminum oxide pollution could derail this positive trend. The study, published in Geophysical Research Letters, shows that aluminum oxide particles initiate chemical reactions between ozone and chlorine, leading to sustained ozone depletion. Alarmingly, the number of aluminum oxide particles in the atmosphere has surged eightfold from 2016 to 2022. This spike is set to continue as companies like SpaceX and Amazon plan to launch thousands more satellites. The ongoing and upcoming mega constellations are estimated to significantly elevate aluminum levels in the mesosphere, thereby posing a long-term threat to the stratospheric ozone layer, which shields us from harmful UV radiation. The researchers emphasize the need for immediate attention to this growing issue, advocating for sustainable practices to limit satellite-driven ozone depletion. The results underline the importance of balancing technological advancement with environmental stewardship to ensure our atmosphere remains protective for generations to come.Titan, Saturn's largest moon, features active lakes and seas filled with liquid methane and ethane. These otherworldly bodies of liquid are not only visually compelling but also tell a story of relentless geological activity. Recent simulations by MIT researchers have shed light on how waves might be eroding Titan's coastlines, radically altering our understanding of this mysterious moon. By modeling terrestrial erosion processes and applying them to Titan's unique environment, the researchers determined that wave activity is likely responsible for shaping the moon's shores. This means that shorelines on Titan resemble those formed by waves here on Earth, suggesting a dynamic interplay between the liquid bodies and the wind-driven waves. These discoveries offer invaluable insights into Titan's climate, helping scientists better understand its geological history and atmospheric conditions. If winds are strong enough to drive these waves, they could reveal secrets about Titan's weather patterns and even its potential to support some form of prebiotic chemistry.A groundbreaking study reveals that supermassive black holes are generating powerful cosmic winds, capable of accelerating gas to astonishing speeds of over 10,000 miles/second. These black hole-induced winds don't just ripple through their galaxies, they fundamentally reshape them by either fueling or stifling star formation. These powerful winds can have a dramatic effect on the galaxy's evolution. Imagine a quasar, a supermassive black hole surrounded by a disk of matter being pulled in by the black hole's gravitational force. The friction created as this matter spirals inward heats the disk, emitting intense radiation that can propel gas at unimaginable speeds. This process isn't merely a cosmic spectacle; it serves a critical function in the galactic environment. Depending on the circumstances, these winds can compress gas, leading to the birth of new stars or expel the gas, preventing star formation altogether. Researchers now have a clearer understanding of how these fascinating mechanisms work, thanks to long-term observational data that captured these accelerating gases in action. This transformational insight adds another piece to the puzzle of how black holes interact with and shape their host galaxies, emphasizing the profound impact these cosmic phenomena have on the universe.SpaceX is busy at Starbase preparing for its fifth flight by upgrading its infrastructure, including new office buildings and the construction of a second tower. Recently, Ship 26 conducted its first multi-engine static fire test at the site, marking a significant milestone. These enhancements, which also involve a new test stand, improved tank farms, and the development of Megabay Two, are designed to expedite vehicle testing and future launches. With a new parking garage and updated launch mount systems in place, SpaceX aims to ensure quicker turnarounds and increased safety for its employees and operations. These ongoing upgrades showcase SpaceX's unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of space exploration and innovation.For an astronomical experience, visit our website at astronomydaily.io for the latest news, sign up for our free newsletter, and check out exclusive sponsor deals. Connect with us on YouTube, TikTok, X, and Facebook via @AstroDailyPod for engaging discussions with fellow space aficionados. This is Anna, reminding you to keep your gaze fixed on the heavens. Until our next stellar episode, let the cosmos ignite your curiosity and wonder. Clear skies and cosmic discoveries to all!Support:This podcast is better with your support:https://www.bitesz.com/show/astronomy-daily-the-podcast/support/www.bitesz.comSponsors:www.bitesz.com/nordpasshttps://www.bitesz.com/show/astronomy-daily-the-podcast/sponsors/

From early myths to the latest LEDs, light has been "the magician of the cosmos." But what is light? Is it God? Truth? Particle or wave? This "radiant history" sees light through the eyes of mystics, sages, artists, poets, and scientists. Like the Nobel-winning physicist who studied light "because it's so much fun," Bruce Watson enjoys taking readers along in search of this eternal force of nature.  Light: A Radiant History from Creation to the Quantum Age (Bloombury, 2016) explores ancient observatories and Gothic cathedrals, Galileo's workshop and Isaac Newton's "darken'd chamber." Readers will visit Rembrandt's studio and watch stunning sunrises at Stonehenge and at Newgrange in Ireland. The story follows light as it is captured by cameras, framed by Impressionists, and electrified by Edison. Finally, Light brings us to a world remade by lasers, making ours truly the Age of Light. Garima Garg is a New Delhi based journalist and author. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/science

Spirals began appearing in the Boyne Valley. First, in a dream when I was rounding cobblestoned streets searching for a place I vaguely remembered. Then, indelibly, among the neolithic moons carved into the mother stones at Newgrange in County Meath, where an invisible hand was believed to gesture to the dead on the briefest day of the year.The fiddle ferns seemed eager to converse at Ballymaloe, their shoulders smiling atop their green, springtime spines; and a cream-colored nautilus curled perfectly in my palm on a windswept beach in Ardmore. An acupuncturist friend explained how Chi travels through the body's meridians in spiral patterns. Spirals began opening in the intervals between musical harmonies and along the wooden banister in my father's home. And then, in meditation — massive, breathing spirals emanated like forest vines behind my eyes.“The spiral is a spiritualized circle. In the spiral form, the circle, uncoiled, has ceased to be vicious; it has been set free,” said the Russian American author and poet Vladimir Nabokov.Vedic people sensed this spiritualized circle moving through all creation — and reflected in the physical shape of the galaxies — as the interweaving power of creation itself. The universe does not manifest randomly but is expressed through an intricate matrix they gave the nomenclature Ṛta, a Sanskrit word that means “that which is joined together, order, truth, or architecture.”Ṛta is closely allied to the injunctions and ordinances thought to uphold it, collectively referred to as dharma, and the action of the individual in relation to those ordinances, referred to as karma (two terms that eventually eclipsed Ṛta in framing a sense of moral and religious order). Josh Schrei and I recently spoke about Ṛta with respect to its etymological connection to the words harmony, rite, art, order, rhythm, and ritual.But some facts do not square tidily with our notions of sacred geometry. Words and actions can unfurl in conscious or unconscious directions. We get caught in tired eddies of protection, maelstroms of othering, devastating tornadoes of forgetting.The beauty, the horror. We find ourselves asking — what vastness can contain all this?Scholar William Mahony explains Ṛta, this concept that encapsulates the centripetal and centrifugal movement of time and evolution, of energy and light, as follows: “Vedic thought holds that a true vision of a divine universe must necessarily include the brokenness of the world and that, in fact, it is precisely the imagination that is able to see the way the whole fits together despite the often disjointed nature of the parts.”So an uncoiling, integrative comprehension of reality must stretch to encompass the world's brokenness, Mahony counsels.Joanna Macy, an elder in environmental activism and deep ecology, is the visionary teacher of the Work that Reconnects, a roadmap for staying present to painful truths — the brokenness — while opening to the joy that comes with a renewed commitment to acting on behalf of a more just and humane world.The Spiral of the Work that Reconnects progresses through four stages as follows:(1) Gratitude. First, we must touch the ground. Gratitude resources our nervous systems. It links us to a flow of empathy and the inspiration to engage in the present moment and the world around us.(2) Grief. Here, we stop trying to bypass suffering with protection and privilege. “This world, in which we are born and take our being, is alive. It is … our larger body” (Coming Back to Life, Macy & Brown). We feel our interconnectedness. With support, we allow for the movement of sorrow, the broken-heartedness through which we can access vulnerability and courage toward change.(3) Seeing with New Eyes. “When we reconnect with life, by willingly enduring our pain for it, the mind retrieves its natural clarity” (Coming Back to Life, Macy & Brown). Opening to knowledge that has been suppressed and making room for our natural emotional responses can evoke greater equilibrium and clarity of thought. No longer unconsciously driven by aversion or grasping, sobriety can emerge — and with it, a more accurate understanding.(4) Going Forth. Awareness and reconnection naturally inspire a desire to be the change. Our personal mandate to contribute can awaken as we re-sensitize ourselves to the web of life. This is a creative process. It's about paying attention to how we can participate in the emergence of healing.Ken Wilber famously spent three years inventorying every known system worldwide—biological, medical, political, cultural, religious, psychological, spiritual, and philosophical—and arranging them into an integral theory. Wilber thus popularized Spiral Dynamics, based on the emergent cyclical theory of adult human development by Professor Clare Graves. As Graves explained: “Briefly, what I am proposing is that the psychology of the mature human being is an unfolding, emergent, oscillating, spiraling process marked by progressive subordination of older, lower-order behavior systems to newer, higher-order systems as man's existential problems change. These systems alternate between focus upon the external world, and attempts to change it, and focus upon the inner world, and attempts to come to peace with it, with the means to each end changing in each alternatively prognostic system. Thus, man tends, normally, to change his psychology as the conditions of his existence change. Each successive state, or level of existence, is a state through which people pass on the way to other states of equilibrium. When a person is centralized in one state of existence, he has a total psychology which is particular to that state.”We don't always have the vantage point to know where we stand in the great turning. But uncertainty, even ominous apprehension of what could be around the next bend, can nevertheless be a starting point. There are days when the light seems to bend back and shine on everything. There are mornings after storms when perspective can return.I want to believe in nature's underlying architecture of good and our capacity for deep remembrance. I want to believe that we are held in a gorgeous persistence. When I touch your crown, soft hair whorls upward into my palm. Spirals name your fingertips. Surely, these, too, are glimpses of an ancient vision.  Get full access to The Guest House at shawnparell.substack.com/subscribe

Join Julia and guest Eimear Stassin on this enchanting journey through Ireland's emerald landscape, deeply ingrained with stories, spells and myths of ancient times past. From ancient tales to modern legends, discover how storytelling has shaped Irish culture and connected generations through the spoken word. Prepare to be spellbound as Eimear transports you to the heart of Ireland's World Heritage Site Newgrange through a magical activation. Listen now and let the magic unfold, as we explore: The Quest to the Belly Button of IrelandAncient myths of Irish culture woven through the art of sacred storytellingTraveling and Storytelling as a gateway to realms beyond the veil The sacred site medicine of Newgrange through a guided activation by Eimear Join Eimear's upcoming Sacred Storytelling Ireland Retreat 02-04 August 2024.  About Eimear:Eimear is a Seanachaí / an Irish sacred storyteller. A spoken word orator, the likes of which we have not seen in a long time! Through her evolving work, she carries on the traditions of both her matrilineal and patrilineal Irish lineages as story weaver, poet and crafter of the true lore. With her hypnotic voice, her words cast healing spells infused with elemental Irish gold.  Her sacred stories are activated and animated through her own healing journey. She guides you on your healing journey home. Her mission is to walk the sacred lands to which she feels called;  to activate the true stories rooted in the landscape and equally as important, to share these stories. She invites people to journey deep into their inner landscape to remember the story of their precious soul. Her mission is to heal the rift that keeps humanity separated from each other and from our inner truth. To heal the trauma out with and within in order to access divine truth. She supports the ascension of humanity into and back home to new earth. She holds the torch for divine peace, equilibrium and harmony to reign as our ancient gifts come back online. She leads the way for you to come home as a voice for Ireland / Éiriú. Eimear is from Dublin, Ireland and lives in Falkirk, Scotland with her husband, 3 children and Border Collie pup Riley.Connect with Eimear via her Website, Youtube or on Instagram If you like the show, please do me a favor and like, follow and leave me a review or tag me on your socials #thesacredtravelpodcast. Thank you so much!  Ready to embark on your own expansion journey?Check out upcoming Conscious Travel and Sacred Site Pilgrimages with me. Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soul_wisdom_by_julia For more information and to subscribe to my newsletter, visit www.soulwisdom.ch.

Newgrange at Twilight ~ Anthony Murphy Anthony Murphy, is an author, journalist, astronomer and photographer. He also curates the wondeful Mythical Ireland website. Join Chris and Anthony as they explore how Irish mythological stories, supported by recent evidence from genertics, seem to reflect the remarkable story of both neolithic and bronze age Ireland. This is a slightly longer 'Conversation in the Landscape' than usual but why not? There is so much to explore in this fascinating topic . Links for this episode First and foremost here is the link to Anthony's impressive webite Mythical Ireland 'New Light on the Distant Past'. There is so much to discover and learn on this site. This is the link to the article that inspired me to contact Anthony and invite him to share this conversation. The Beaker People and their Replacement of Neolithic DNA. ~ Is this remembered in Irish Myth? The new henge of Newgrange ~ A once-in-a-lifetime discovery. Read Anthony's blog article on the implications of the 2020 A-DNA discoveries Explore Books by Anthony Murphy Links to other books, talks and articles referenced in our conversation Professor J.P Mallory : Talk: Genetic Geneology Ireland (Belfast 18) Book: In Search of the Irish Dreamtime Professor Mallory on The Beaker People arrival in Ireland Lara Cassidy, (2020). Ancient DNA in Ireland: Isolation, immigration and elite incest. British Archaeology The Horse, The Wheel and Language by David Anthony (PDF format) Story Archaeology Links Chris Ramble 6: Just how old are the Irish stories? Brú na Bóinne and Cnogba - the Boyne Valley in the Metrical Dindshenchas: (Isolde's translations) The Dindshenchas of Knowth - Cnogba: (Isolde's translations) The Dindshenchas of Brug na Bóinde And for conversations, articles and translations based on a wide variety of Irish myths and stories, some of which we discussed in this conversation, explore the Archive through the page top navigation or, of course explore 'Mythical Ireland' for more Irish stories and their settings.

NEWS: We have just launched our new community ‘CIRCLE' - A Private Community for Ethically Conscious Designers and Changemakers / https://www.thisishcd.com/landing/circle-a-community-for-ethically-conscious-designers-changemakers Fast-track your career with our 12-week training programme: https://www.thisishcd.com/coaching-mentoring-for-innovators-change-makers We have an absolutely incredible treat for you on the show. Let me tell you a bit of a background. So when I'm travelling, or when I lived in Australia, and I get asked where I'm from, I say I'm from Ireland. But when I'm in Ireland, I say I live in Dublin, I'm from a place called Drogheda. And when I'm in Drogheda, I tell them where I grew up. Well the location is not only the place of my birth, but it's really, really historic. It's on the banks of the River Boyne, a hugely historic location in Irish history for various reasons but this river is known internationally as the Brú na Bóinne, which refers to the mansion or the palace of the Boyne. And from the age of about 8 or 9, I remember going on a school tour and I became somewhat obsessed with this area of the river because on the bend of that river is a Neolithic tomb that predates the pyramids and is approximately 3,200 years old, Before Christ. It's a World Heritage Site and it's quite simply a remarkable and a spiritual location, for me particularly, that I believe offers us a really rich connection to the past. In this episode, I speak with Anthony Murphy of Mythical Ireland. Now Anthony is also from where I'm from in Drogheda and over the last 30 or so years, he has really explored the surrounding areas of Newgrange and has become a well of knowledge about that area. Together with local artist Richard Moore, who coincidentally was instrumental in encouraging me as a teenager to pursue my love of design, well they've explored and uncovered knowledge that offers us new perspectives into what it might have been like at the time of Newgrange. Now of course, a lot of this is speculation, but we discuss nevertheless, what we believe we do know. There's an unbelievable revelation for me in this conversation, about things like, how they transported these huge boulders that are engraved from over 120km away to the site at Newgrange, how do they do that? Back and forth from the UK and further afield using boats? I'm keen to learn more about the potential of the social structures at that time to try and get a peek of what it was like. Anthony was happy for me to get a clearer picture on what that might have looked like at the time. So from a Human Centered Design perspective, I'm really curious what we can learn and derive from the Neolithic period and where we are today. linkedin.com/in/anthony-murphy-42018622 https://mythicalireland.com/

Good Sunday morning to you,We have a pot pourri of offerings for you today. First, I posted the above sketch on Twitter yesterday and it struck a nerve. I thought you might also enjoy it on here. It's eight years since I recorded it, but it is still as apposite as ever.In other, more serious news, I met with Campbell Smyth, Chairman of Fitzroy Minerals (FTZ.V), yesterday, and we have a long old chinwag about the state of the mining and metals markets. You can listen to that interview here or on your podcast app:Trees of LifeAnd, finally, my buddy Mark O'Byrne, formerly of Irish bullion dealer, Goldcore, got in touch about his new and rather beautiful coins: Trees of Life, they are known as, and they are available in both gold (0.1 oz and 1 oz) and silver (silver 1 oz). He sent me a couple of the silver ounce coins to review and they are really rather beautiful. Here is a pic:Let me help out a mate and give them a little plug.On one side is the Tree of Life, a symbol, common to many religions and mythologies, not least Celtic and Nordic, of balance, fertility, wisdom and strength. On the other side is the Rising Sun, symbolising dawn, a new day, new beginnings and the end of darkness. There is the Harp, Éire's sacred musical instrument and national emblem. (Ireland is the only nation in the world that has a musical instrument as its national emblem - bet you didn't know that). And there is the Tri Spiral. This spiral is carved onto a large stone at the back of the tomb of Newgrange, one of Ireland (and indeed the Earth's) oldest and most sacred places, thought to pre-date both Stonehenge and the Pyramids.You can find out more about these coins, likely, I would have thought, to become collectors' items at Tara Coins. With St Patrick's Day little more than a week away, these should make lovely gifts. Order yours at any of:* GoldBank in Ireland* Merrion Gold in Ireland* Bullion By Post in the UK* APMEX in the US* Bullion By Post in the US  * Celtic Gold in Germany: Enjoy your Sunday,Dominic This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.theflyingfrisby.com/subscribe

Grianstad an Gheimhridh, the winter solstice is that special moment when the year turns and the hours of daylight, begin slowly to increase. This time of year has long been a cause for reflection and celebration. So, join Chris on yet another ramble, as she explores an Irish Winter Solstice journey. Links for this episode Links on Story Archaeology The Craneskin Bag A Christmas card from the Archaeologists. Extolling the Holly A Satirical Tale of Extreme Gastronomy Fair's Fair The Dagda's Cauldron The Dagda's Cauldron ~ A home-brew supplemental Some Questions answered by the Story Archaeologists This one covers both a discussion of poets' grades and titles as well as , 'Who were the Celts?' A Conversation with Patrick Nunn Edge of Memory and Worlds in Shadow, (information On Patrick Nunn's books.) Read Candles in the Window an anthology of Longford Christmas memories An Archdruid in his Judicial Habit from Costume of the Original Inhabitants of the British Isles (1815) by Samuel Rush Meyrick and Charles Hamilton Smith. Useful External Links Images of Newgrange in the past, before the excavations Mythical Ireland website Newgrange: The Winter Solstice reports, image and videos of Winter Solstice sunrises over the last twenty years. Information about Iron age burials in earlier tomb structures.

  The Spark in the Dark – from which necessary miracles be born… Winter Solstice. Caroline & bard wizard, Seán Pádraig O'Donoghue proffering astro*mytho narrative to magnetize*animate all of our participatory skills … Inviting ancestral support, Mythic allies, that the desirable story of Kindom be born into incarnational actuality born from the spark in the dark…. this Sacred Night… https://otherworldwell.com/ From Seán Pádraig O'Donoghue, Dawn at Newgrange will be 8 am there 3 am east coast US: https://www.gov.ie/en/news/dda54-live-streaming-link-winter-solstice-at-newgrange-2023/     Tonight – Caroline animates the Winter Solstice with Amikaeyla Gaston via Zoom Council Ritual: https://coyotenetworknews.com/schedule/winter-solstice-2023/ The post The Visionary Activist Show – Solstice Spark in the Dark appeared first on KPFA.

The word solstice means 'sun standstill:' a time to pause, gifting ourselves with a deep inner peace found in the Universal present. Winter solstice is a great time to reflect on the passing year, enjoy some quiet time & welcome the new year by lighting candles. During the podcast, we'll imagine ourselves deep within the passage tomb/womb of Newgrange, allowing the solstice rays of sunrise to reveal our true light, illuminating our new path ahead. 

Laura Hogan reports from Newgrange as the Winter Solstice happens.

Neal Boyle dicusses his documentary on Newgrange, Rún na Bóinne.

Narrator: Jessika Downes-Gössl

Ever since Newgrange was first excavated in the 1960s, it has long been suspected that there may be a second chamber in the mound. Now a new documentary on TG4 explores this theory.Sean was joined by Seán Mac an tSíthigh, Journalist, folklorist and presenter of Rún na Bóinne...

In this episode of Talking History: the remarkable life of Mary-Jane O'Donovan Rossa and how she helped to secure the legacy of her Fenian husband; the mysterious logic of the world's first writing systems; and we'll explore Newgrange and why it was built and whether there might be a second chamber still to be discovered.

A special broadcast of Autumn and Adrienne Maree Brown's interview with Claire Davey, an apothecarist, distiller, and spiritual leader from County Galway: We found Claire Davey on the summer solstice and bring her to you this Samhain week. Claire shares sacred Celtic Cosmology teachings about moving into the sacred delicious darkness of this phase of our (northern hemisphere) year.Dyed Green is a project of Bog & Thunder, whose mission is to highlight the best of Irish food and culture, through food tours, events, and media. Find out more at www.bogandthunder.com.Dyed Green is Powered by Simplecast.

To cap off Haunting Season, Eleanor and Martin reach back through time to explore the ancient roots of Samhain, Halloween, and Allhallows.From Celtic megalithic tombs like Newgrange and the remnants of pagan rites discovered by archaeologists to widespread European traditions of guising, souling, 'need-fires', divination, demons and deities, they chat about everything from the early seasonal guidance of Hywel Dda and decrees for seasonal worship passed down by the Roman senate, to Pope Gregory III's edicts about All Saints and All Souls, and much more besides - all before they tell their take on the old legend, "The Tale of Jack O' Lantern." The Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...With Bonus Episodes released on Thursdays (Magic and Medicines about folk remedies and arcane spells, Three Ravens Bestiary about cryptids and mythical creatures, Dying Arts about endangered heritage crafts, and Something Wicked about folkloric true crime from across history) plus a range of exclusive content on Patreon, audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcast Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Topics covered : Celtic calendar, Autumn equinox, Loughcrew cairns, equinox stone, Megalithic Ireland, Newgrange, An Chailleach. Historian and artist Shelly Mooney is back on the pod once again, this time to tell us all about the Autumn equinox. Shelly lives in County Wexford with her husband Kev, their son Ferdia and Lola their dog and she runs the brilliant Instagram page ‘Tales from the Wood' which explores the history and mythology of Ireland.This year, the Autumn equinox will begin tomorrow, September 23rd, and will last until the winter solstice on the 21st of December.And in this bite-sized episode she talks to us about the significance of the Autumn equinox, the Loughcrew cairns in county Meath, Newgrange and the powerful and ancient Irish goddess, An Chailleach. For more :Loughcrew Cairns | Heritage Ireland Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

REPLAY: The Outer Realm Welcomes Dennis Stone Discussion: America's Stonehenge!! Dennis Stone, owner of the enigmatic America's Stonehenge, located in southeastern New Hampshire. Dennis Stone is the president of America's Stonehenge. He graduated from Daniel Webster College in 1977 with a degree in Aviation Management, and was a full-time commercial pilot for over 35 years before his retirement in 2016. America's Stonehenge was opened to the public in 1958 by Dennis's father, Robert Stone. Dennis has been involved with America's Stonehenge for most of his life and has always had a fascination with archaeology and archaeoastronomy. Since retiring, Dennis has found many serpentine walls and spirit windows throughout the site, among other new discoveries. He has taken numerous courses and traveled extensively to ancient sites both in the U.S. and internationally. His family includes his wife Pat, his son Kelsey, and his daughter-in-law Katherine. His hobbies include traveling, boating, and classic cars The Site: Was this about the first place in the Americas where Native peoples engineered stone chambers and walls, or were they built by people from the Old World? Radiocarbon dating and students from Harvard and Penn State's astronomy depts confirm that the ceremonial centre and alignments were built about 2000 BC. This is long before Columbus so were people from the Old World sailing to America? There is evidence: the ibex petroglyph looks more like an African antelope than a North American white tailed deer. The corbelled ceiling is similar to Ireland's Newgrange and Scotland's Maes Howe tumuli. Why does it seem like the site was suddenly abandoned? There is almost no evidence of it being used as a necropolis. What was its function? What role do the alpacas play at the site? This site was featured on the inaugural season of Scott Wolter's "America Unearthed." Since then, it was covered by "Ancient Aliens" and on "The Holtzer Files."

#booklovers #bestseller #interview https://www.amazon.com/stores/Tom-Richards/author/B001HPISGA?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true Tom Richards is a #1 Global Bestselling Novelist and screenwriter of produced feature films. His bestselling novels include Dolphin Song (the Feature Film is now in pre-production), Lost Lovers (the Feature Film is also in pre-production), Always Come Home, The Dazzling Helen Fox (soon to be released as Tom is writing this in late April 2023); YA books including Hotfoot! and the Lost Scrolls of Newgrange; short stories with Poolbeg Press and in our current Anthology Heartbreak & Happiness, and many other novels, short-stories and films (including Merlin, the Magic Begins produced by Seagull Entertainment and starring Jason Connery, Gotcha, produced by RTE, Ireland's major Television station; and Missing, produced by RAI, Italy's national television station). Tom's Global Book Publishing and Feature Film Company, Storylines Entertainment Ltd, have also started production on 2 Feature films: Dolphin Song and Lost Lovers. Tom started writing when he was in college and continues to this day. He is now a full-time writer, living in stunning Eyeries, County Cork, Ireland. He is currently single but lives with his wonder-dog Bluebell. Tom worked as a Marketing consultant and owner of a Marketing Communications for many years. He is inspired by what he sees near his wonderful village and on the Beara Peninsula. Readers and followers always seem to enjoy a bit of personal information, so here you go: Tom loves to golf, garden, do Yoga, fly light aircraft, write (of course!), dinner by candlelight, good books and feature films, snorkling, bowling, baseball, GAA football and hurley, soccer, and so much more. To contact Tom: Email: tomrichards141@gmail.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carmel.murray1963 (our Personal Page) Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/dolphinsongthenovel/ TikTok (where you'll find many Videos on How to Write a Novel): @tomrichardsdolphin2021 So many thanks to all of you who spread the word about our Novels or purchase one of our books.

On the latest episode I'm joined by Glenys Livingstone, a pioneering researcher and thought leader who's been walking the Goddess path since 1979. Glenys is the author of "PaGaian Cosmology: Re-inventing Earth-based Goddess Religion, which fuses the indigenous traditions of Old Europe with scientific theory, feminism, and a poetic relationship with place." This book was an outcome of her doctoral work in Social Ecology. Her newest book is "A Poiesis of the Creative Cosmos: Celebrating Her within PaGaian Sacred Ceremony," which synthesizes much of her work over the years.On today's episode we discuss:* Glenys' spiritual background, including her conversion to Catholicism in her teens, as well as her growing disillusionment with Christianity*  The "a-ha" moment that occurred when she realized, pregnant and unmarried, that knowing a female deity would allow her to view her situation without shame* What "PaGaian cosmology" means, including how it combines pagan spirituality with scientific theory to give us a new way to recognize and honor Her (the Goddess) as creative life force* Why it's important that we recognize the inherent power in language and the naming of things and life experiences  * How honoring the equinoxes, solstice and cross-quarter days found on the pagan Wheel of the Year can bring us closer to the Sacred Feminine and provides an opportunity to consciously participate in the creative dance of the cosmosShow Notes If you'd like to know whose ancestral tribal lands you currently reside on, you can look up your address here: https://native-land.ca/My book, “Home to Her: Walking the Transformative Path of the Sacred Feminine,” is now available Womancraft Publishing! To learn more, read endorsements and purchase, please visit  https://womancraftpublishing.com/product/home-to-her/. It is also available for sale via Amazon, Bookshop.org, and you can order it from your favorite local bookstore, too.Please – if you love this podcast and/or have read my book, please consider leaving me a review! For the podcast, reviews on iTunes are extremely helpful, and for the book, reviews on Amazon and Goodreads are equally helpful. Thank you for supporting my work!You can watch this and other podcast episodes at the Home to Her YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@hometoherYou can learn more about Glenys and her work at http://pagaian.org. You can also find her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PagaianCosmology, and join her PaGaian Cosmology Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/257877322873Glenys referenced so many excellent resources during our conversation! I've done my best to capture them all for you below: Helen Reddy's ("I Am Woman" singer) Grammy acceptance speech, in which she referred to God as "she": https://youtu.be/HWkk9rKZyZUThe work of feminist theologians Rosemary Radford Ruether and Mary DalyStarhawk, whose book "The Spiral Dance," was instrumental in launching the modern witchcraft movementWorks/groups that influenced her early on included Lux Madriana;  "Children of the Dream;" and "Immaculate Deception," by Suzanne ArmsThe works of Sonia Johnson and Miriam Robbins DexterMonique Wittig's "Les Guerilles"Caitlin Matthews is an expert in Celtic lore; Glenys referenced her work while we were discussing the triskele, or Triple Spiral seen at the entrance of Newgrange in Ireland. the work of feminist Charlene SpretnakGaia Theory, developed by James Lovelock and Lynn Margulis Brian Swimme, who together with Thomas Berry, wrote "The Universe Story," which Glenys references in her most recent bookMiriam Robbins Dexter and her book, "Whence the Goddesses: A Source Book"The wonderful poet/writer Adrienne Rich, and her book "Of Woman Born: Motherhood as Experience and Institution"  Similar/relevant Home to Her episodes include: I referenced my discussion with poet Joy Ladin during this conversation. You can listen here: https://hometoher.simplecast.com/episodes/shekhinah-speaks-with-joy-ladinReclaiming Women's Histories with Max Dashu:  https://hometoher.simplecast.com/episodes/reclaiming-womens-histories-with-max-dashuThe Legacy of Marija Gimbutas with Joan Marler: https://hometoher.simplecast.com/episodes/the-legacy-of-marija-gimbutas-with-joan-marler-v2vWO3gAMaking Matriarchy Great Again with Vicki Noble and Dawn Alden: https://hometoher.simplecast.com/episodes/making-matriarchy-great-again-with-dawn-alden-and-vicki-noble Telling the Stories of the Sacred Feminine with Trista Hendren: https://hometoher.simplecast.com/episodes/telling-the-stories-of-the-sacred-feminine-with-trista-hendren