Journeys with the Goddess

In this month's episode, we journey into the realm of dreams with Elen of the Ways, worshiped since paleolithic times and very likely the most ancient Goddess of mainland Britain and northern Europe. The guardian of paths, roads and liminal spaces, we follow her as in an aisling (dream or vision poem), and hear the story from the Mabinogion of the Roman emperor finding her through his dreaming tracks. We learn of how we can honour her best and receive her guidance, in both waking life and in dream, and then continue the journey into a meditative internal labyrinth where you have the opportunity to receive guidance or let go of something no longer serving you. The episode concludes with an original song called "The Way", for it's ok if you don't know the way, for the way it knows the way!
Further reading:
Finding Elen: The Quest for Elen of the Ways by Carolyn Wise
Shaman Pathways, Elen of the Ways: British Shamanism - Following the Deer Trods by Elen Sentier
If Women Rose Rooted by Sharon Blackie
The Mabinogion: The Dream of Macsen Wledig https://www.historyfiles.co.uk/FeaturesBritain/BritishMabinogionStory5.htm
Journal Prompts:
At this time of Equinox, how can I honour the cycles of my own life right now and where can I find a balance between dark and light, between knowing and not knowing?
Where might you like to be or how might you like to feel in your body by the time of the longest night of the year, the Winter Solstice?
What is your relationship to change and transition? Are there are any areas of your life right now where you could embrace change more and take bolder action?
Travelling through the labyrinth, what did you experience? What did you let go of and what did you receive?
How easy it is for me to trust and follow my inner compass? What could I do/support could I receive that would help me listen to this better and be able to make more aligned decisions in my life right now?
Watch "The Way" video here: https://youtu.be/t-yR3RXZz4I?si=bH-xFO2kWHZzf-yx
Connect with Bronwyn:
Website: www.bronwynclaireasha.com
Instagram: @bronwynclaireasha_
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bronwynclaireashamusic
Email: bronwynclaireasha@gmail.com

Please consider supporting the creation of this podcast by becoming a Patreon member!
https://www.patreon.com/c/JourneyswiththeGoddess
Want to work with Bronwyn 1-on-1? Book a coaching discovery call today here: https://cal.com/ashka-healing/connectioncall

Note: This podcast is and always will be made entirely free of generative-AI influences.

This episode of the podcast explores the realms of the Fae (fairy or fair folk) of Ireland through the stories of Áine, radiant goddess of summer, of sovereignty and of love. We hear the stories of Áine as she protects the land and dethrones those kings unable to respect it. We hear of her duties as a goddess of the Summer solstice, celebrated on Knockaine in Ireland and of her role as one of the ban sidhe, singing souls along the river of death to new life again. We learn of her historical and mythological contexts (with a little excerpt included from Sharon Blackie's book "If Women Rose Rooted" about Irish sovereignty goddesses), and we also learn how we can honour Áine in our own lives as she encourages us to shine our own light boldly and brightly,
We then journey into a guided meditation beginning in a forest clearing to connect with the spirits and healing energies of the trees, which are often portals to messages from the Otherworld. We then end with an original song written and performed by Bronwyn on vocals, handpan and synths called “Fae Fairy Fair Folk.”

Further reading:
If Women Rose Rooted by Sharon Blackie
Pagan Portals: Fairy Queens by Morgan Daimler
Fairy Faith in Ireland by Lora O’Brien
Gods and Fighting Men by Lady Gregory (1904)

Journal Prompts:
What parts of me are seen easily by the world that I am proud of and happy to shine in?
What parts of myself do I not give myself permission to express fully or be seen in?
What do I admire in others (are likewise, find myself deeply jealous of) that might be a mirror of my own gifts that are not being shared in the world?
What’s one small step today I might take towards shining my light more brightly and taking up space more boldly in the world?
How could I find some time in my life to connect with the more-than-human beings (trees, animals, plants, insects. fairies, dryads. elements..) and what healing might occur if I could do so?
Connect with Bronwyn:
Website: www.bronwynclaireasha.com
Instagram: @bronwynclaireasha_
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bronwynclaireashamusic
Email: bronwynclaireasha@gmail.com

Please consider supporting the creation of this podcast by becoming a Patreon member!
https://www.patreon.com/c/JourneyswiththeGoddess

Note: This podcast is and always will be made entirely free of generative-AI influences.

In this episode, we journey with Macha, Irish Goddess of Sovereignty, Justice and Retribution. We meet a goddess who wants a simple life but gets tangled up in the lives of the Ulstermen when her boastful husband breaks his promise to her and she must race against the horses of King Cormac while heavily pregnant. She is a goddess of fury and power, a fierce protective mother not afraid to use her voice to speak against the injustices of men. She is the power and voice of the earth itself and as we hear her story, that nurturing but ruthless energy might remind us of our own power to create and destroy, and to use our own voices to speak out against the wrongs of the world while it burns around us.
We'll also explore some of Macha's historical context and modern relevance, as well as ways to honour her at this time of year and for the Celtic harvest festival Lughnasa. We will then journey into meditation where we will be held in the embrace of the Mother and empowered to use our voices for healing and connection to the Earth. The episode concludes with an original fiddle tune, written and performed by Bronwyn, called Macha's Jig.
Exploring Further:
Read The Debility of the Ulster Men: https://www.maryjones.us/ctexts/debility.html
Pagan Portals - Macha: Meeting the Great Queen of Ulster by Morgan Daimler
Macha's Twins: A Spiritual Journey with the Celtic Horse Goddess by Kate Fitzpatrick:
Journal Prompts:
Where in my life might I be giving away my power just to keep the peace?
Whose voices or opinions am I prioritizing over my own internal guidance?
Where in my life or community do I see injustice or a lack of empathy, and what actions could I take to address it?
How has it felt in my body when I’ve spoken up in the past and what could I do to speak out in a more aligned and embodied, empowered way in the future?
Connect with Bronwyn:
Website: www.bronwynclaireasha.com
Instagram: @bronwynclaireasha_
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bronwynclaireashamusic
Email: bronwynclaireasha@gmail.com
Note: This podcast is and always will be made entirely free of generative-AI influences.
Please consider supporting the creation of this podcast by becoming a Patreon member!
https://www.patreon.com/c/JourneyswiththeGoddess

In this episode of “Journeys with the Goddess”, we travel to the ancient landscapes of western Wales to what was once the Kingdom of Dyfedd to meet with the fairy goddess of horses, the moon, endurance and forgiveness, Welsh goddess Rhiannon. Riding the green hills, she woos Prince Pwyll, a mortal and is treated with discrimination for her otherness by his people, which results in her being accused of infanticide and being brutally punished for her wrongful incrimination. But she bears her fate with her head held high and shows great grace, compassion and endurance despite this.
We hear her tragic story and then learn some more context to her tale, as well as hear about some of my adventures through Wales and the lessons I have been learning myself along the way! The episode ends with a meditation where we journey to a sacred fairy mound to see what marvels have messages for us in them. The episode concludes with an original song inspired by Rhiannon’s story.
Special track concluding the story thanks to the group Aislínn (Lunasa).

Exploring Further:
The Mabinogi of Pwyll here: https://www.mabinogi.net/pwyll.htm
Pagan Portals: Rhiannon: Divine Queen of the Celtic Britons (Jenah Telyndru)

Journal Prompts:
Rhiannon never fully belongs to either world. Where do you exist between worlds, too much of one thing for some and not enough for others? What gifts live in that in-between place?
How do you carry others’ pain without losing yourself? Where is the edge of compassion and self-abandonment for you?
Rhiannon endured years of false accusation and punishment with her dignity intact. What is the difference between endurance that strengthens you and endurance that shrinks you? Which are you practicing right now?
What have you already survived that you haven’t fully honoured yourself for yet and how might you?
Connect with Bronwyn:
Website: www.bronwynclaireasha.com
Instagram: @bronwynclaireasha_
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bronwynclaireashamusic
Email: bronwynclaireasha@gmail.com
Note: This podcast is and always will be made entirely free of AI influences.Please consider supporting the creation of this podcast by becoming a Patreon member!
https://www.patreon.com/c/JourneyswiththeGoddess

This month on “Journeys with the Goddess,” we travel to Dunscaith castle on the Isle of Skye in Scotland to meet the ruthless warrior queen of those lands, Sgáthach. Her story has been veiled in mystery in the lore, and we usually only hear of in her in reference to Cuchullin, the might warrior of Ulster who she is said to have trained. But her story has so much more to tell us about the powerful women of the Celtic world who were also warriors and leaders in their own right. This retelling of Sgáthach's story focuses on her academy of warriors and the three pillars of her school: mental focus, physical strength and second sight. We hear of her as a young woman, training herself by tapping into the ancient energies of past warriors and how she faced her own demons to become one of the most powerful and revered queens and warriors of her time. We find that her story carries its own potent medicine in a time of illusions and patriarchal collapse... And then journey into meditation to an ancient stone circle to be initiated as warriors ourselves, remembering our own power and strength when supported by other women and mentors.
The song at the end of the episode is an original melody ("Enegeni Yalo or "Daughter of the Earth Prayer") and the lyrics are written in Proto- or Common Celtic. Their translation is below.

Exploring Further:
Books: Warrior Goddess Training by Heather Ash Amara
Women in Celtic Myth: Tales of Extraordinary Women from the Ancient Celtic Tradition by Moyra Caldecott.
Source text of “The Wooing of Emer”: https://celt.ucc.ie/published/T301021.html
Music from this episode composed by: OB-Lix

Journal Prompts:
What are the core values, passions, or people that I am fiercely dedicated to protecting?
What is your relationship with the Warrior? How much does it resonate inside of you?
If this feels like a strong archetype for you, what presence does the shadow side of Warrior have? How would you like to work with the shadow aspects, if they are present for you?
If you would like to cultivate more Warrior energy in your life and activism, what are some of the practices below you would like to try this week?

Practices to connect with your Warrior energy
Contemplative practices like tai chi, qigong, aikido, etc.
Yoga poses like Warrior or Mountain pose
Connecting with the Earth through gardening or long walks
Setting boundaries and practicing saying ‘no’
Doing something (small or large) you are afraid of every day!

Song:
Enegeni Yalo (Daughter of the Earth Prayer)
Aleyo Biwo (Nourish life)
Aleyo Korda (Nourish the sacred journey)
Tuwetsu (Guiding with wisdom)
Gigena genjo (Will be born bright)
Wela kuno (Become beautiful in wild ways)
Wela derwo (Become steady as oak)
Ati biwe mero (Awaken wild)
Ati bite togo (Awaken strength)
Kenyeyo, kenyeyo (Rise, rise).

Connect with Bronwyn: Website: www.bronwynclaireasha.com
Instagram: @bronwynclaireasha_
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bronwynclaireashamusic
Note: This podcast is made and always will be made entirely free of AI influences.