Celtic Reconstructionist Druid/Irish Teacher
Domi
O'Brien
Email: domiobrien@gmail.com
Had
my first Goddess experience in 1957, on a hot dry dusty Lughnasadh
day in San Antonio, Texas, when I walked into a cool green space
which was not there before or after and encountered a woman dressed
in greens and greys. It took me a long time to find out she was
Airmid. Second Goddess experience two years later at the Roman ruins
in Trier, Germany (I was a military brat), Brighidh. (Did not meet
the Morrigan until much later).
Lots
of reading, lots of ritual ot of books. Graduated from high school in
Virginia in 1964; went to college in NH and was given the name of
Ciarridhe Harvey in Framingham, MA. and initiated in Daughters of the
Triple Goddess in 1964; also had Cornelius R. Lyle as a professor,
and Frangcon Jones.
Third
Tepheaic Line of DTG. (allegedly Irish witchcraft, not Wicca; my HPS
told me I was the 37th priestess to bear my magical name, in an
unbroken line of 74 priestesses going back to the Babylonian
Captivity, when the first one was brought by the Prophet Jeremiah to
Ireland. )If you believe that, I have a bridge in Brooklyn I'd like
to sell you.)
Three
years later initiated in Celtic Wiccan Order (Wicca is of course not
Celtic; in 1967 I believed was). Ordained 1968 as clergy.
Cross-initiations
etc 60's and 70's numerous trads, while earning my BA and MEd and
doing another three years of grad school in Sociology but not getting
another degree, and learning some Irish with Nollaig Kilgallen of
Fermoy, County Cork, and being involved in the anti-war movement.
Did
legal weddings, ran various groups, got involved in left-libertarian
politics, worked in administration, social service, teaching,
counseling, draft counseling.
Met
Isaac Bonewits and became Preceptor for Ar nDraiocht Fein in 1989.
Studied Donegal Irish for three years with Deirdre MacFarland in
Philadelphia. Moved to Seattle; ran Garran Siorghlas (Evergreen
Grove), ADF for 3 years; taught Irish classes and counseling classes;
served as Acting Archdruid for 6 months when Isaac was on medical
leave of absence.
Moved
back to NH with my three homeschooled kids (now 37, 34, 24). Ordained
to the 3rd Circle of ADF, Clergy track, Wellspring 1995 along with
Fox. Resigned as Preceptor April 1, 2006. My oldest son, Ragnar
Arneson ran Garran Slat Glas, ADF 1993-1996 as youngest elected
Senior Druid, with me operating as clergy and hostess.
I
have run Druidic Association of North America grove Grove of the
Golden Leaves 1996 to present (Isaac was an honorary member.) I teach
Irish classes for Gaelic League of New England and am a retired state
of NH employee. Along the way I was a member of Keltria for a while,
and White Oak.
It's
hard to choose only three books, but I'd say Celtic
Heritage
(Rees & Rees), Carmina
Gadelica (Alexander),
and A
Guide to Early Irish Law
are things I consider ever-useful.
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