The way into darkness is open –  (Leanne O’Sullivan)

A Creative Writing Retreat at Samhain with Anne F. O’Reilly

Traditionally Halloween or Samhain in the Celtic calendar was seen as a liminal space, a time when the veil between the worlds was thinner. Spirits and ghosts passed easily over thresholds. It was a time of darkness, a time for masks, tricks and bonfires. It was also a time to meet Ireland’s ancient Mother Goddess – the Cailleach in  her many manifestations as Hag, Crone, Midwife, Keening Woman.

Immersing ourselves in the wild beauty of Spanish Point and deep geological time we will pay attention to the Cailleach’s invitation to enter the darkness of the year.  We will meet her as she asks each of us to face the question of we who we are in this liminal space. 

The Cailleach also personified the landscape and the cosmic forces at work in that landscape wind, waves, storms, and fertility embracing the spheres of both womb and tomb. Through poetry, myth, stories and reflections we will drop into the personal and cultural unconsciousness, harness our dreams and explore the dark as a space of creativity and possibility.

 There will be time for walking, meditation, writing and deep imaginative sharing

Anne F O Reilly is an internationally respected Irish poet who explores the languages of the heart through poetry, creative writing and mindfulness practices. Its a great joy to welcome her back to us here in west Clare. 

‘Stranger, I can tell you no new thing.

The way into darkness is open    

~ Leanne O’Sullivan ~