Pilgrimage: Visiting the Oak King + Full Moon Ritual Invite
Invitation through the doors of the Otherworld
Inside: a quick update on my pilgrimage to Ireland, my thoughts on oak trees, and also, TLDR — don’t forget to come to my Full Moon ritual this Thursday, July 10th at 12pm PST / 3pm EST / 8pm GMT (please note the earlier time)…
Dear Ones,
It’s still light outside as I write you at 10pm here in County Carlow, Ireland. I spent the day visiting the oak groves on the ancestral estate of the McMorrough Kavanaghs, who’ve held these lands in their family since before the Norman invasions in the 12th century.
Ireland has 28 native trees. Seven of these were considered “nobles” by the Celts, the Oaks being one, and walking among them it’s easy to see why. They soar overhead, gathering as if in communion with one another. Gnarled, ancient elders. Illuminated in green. Over 284 insect species call these oaks home, and over 300 lichen. Birds sing in them, fauns nuzzle in their roots. They are personages. Green Men. One has a feeling they should bow before them. If there must be kings, let them be oak kings. Let our queens be wild apple trees. And our elders, let them be the wise, immortal yew.
It’s a gift to be with these trees. In these old woods, I find reassurance: animism isn’t just a concept. It’s not something to convince ourselves of. Animism is an experience. You can feel the aliveness here, the intelligence. Spirit.
While I do feel the aliveness of the world everywhere, cities do tend to run strong human interference. Being in these ancient woods is like being invited into the mind and heart of the oak tree.
The Irish Gaelic word for oak is dair, which some folklore says is the root of the word “door” — or dyrr in Old Norse. Of course, doors are often made of oak, but also trees are doors to the Otherworld, the realm of enchantment, where all things are connected, and where that intimate bond is felt, requiring no convincing. The old ones say the roots of these great trees inspired the famous Celtic knot, binding families, lovers, and the living world together.
Tomorrow I go to Cork, where I will meet up with my brother (and oracular assistant) Conor, and we will visit the sea together. And then Thursday I will be in Killarney, where I will visit the Muckross Yew, and of course host our FULL MOON CEREMONY. I can’t wait to see you there.
My cup is brimming over with imbas forosnai - the light of inspiration - and I want to share it with you!
So don’t forget to come to our Full Moon Ritual on Thursday, July 10th at 12pm PST / 3pm EST / 8pm GMT (please note the earlier time)…
At the full moon gathering will be identifying how the sacred flames of inspiration are calling us to tend them in these challenging times. We will practice working our ancestral tools to keep enchantment alive for future generations.
This will be a daytime ritual for those of you in the Americas. I hope you can join us!
Love,
Amanda
P.S. If you’re anywhere near the UK, please join me and the poet Rebecca Sharp for a 1-Day workshop on poetic inspiration on July 26th. Please come! It’s in Edinburgh - a great place to explore. And tell your friends! Find out more about it here.