AontachtVolume - ISSN 3, Issue2044-1339 2 Aontacht creating unity in community Volume 3 Issue 2 Aontacht • 1 Brought to you by Druidic Dawn (www.druidicdawn.org) aontachtcreating unity in community Volume 3, Issue 2 Z Autumn - Spring Equinox 2010 3 Alexei Kondratiev 3 Isaac Bonewits 40 Living With Honour Maya St. Clair (Cuardai) 41 Deep Ancestors 10 Sydney Lancaster (Sidhe) Maya St. Clair (Cuardai) Featured interview 44 A Passion for Justice Druidic Dawn community Maya St. Clair (Cuardai) 16 On the Nature of Sovereignty 4 Aontacht Contributors Earrach ADF From the community 26 Sovereignty at Avalon 7 From the Desk ... Morgaine ADO letter from the Aontacht Production Team 35 Sovereignty of the Land 8 Keeping Up With the Shaun Hayes OBOD Management Team latest news & updates at Druidic Dawn 46 Community Events Calendar 22 A Wildcrafted Spirituality find gatherings and rituals near you part two: in the bush of ghosts 50 Coming Next Dr. Kenneth Proefrock a peek at the succeeding issue & our submission guidelines 38 The Cooking Cauldron recipes from the community 29 The Motif of Sovereignty in Irish Poetry C.S. MacCath-Moran Cover photo: © Druidic Dawn CIC O Aontacht • 2 Volume 3, Issue 2 In Memoriam Phillip Emmons Isaac Bonewits Alexei Kondratiev 1949 - 2010 1949 - 2010 Reverend Isaac Bonewits passed over on August 12, Alexei Kondratiev passed over in May, 2010 of an ap- 2010 after a brief, but hard fought battle with Colon parent heart attack. Cancer. A noted scholar and linguist, Mr. Kondratiev taught Rev. Bonewits has authored many books on Paganism, Celtic languages at the Irish Arts Center in New York bringing about a better understanding of the practices from 1985 until his untimely death in May of 2010. and beliefs of Pagans and Druidism in specific. His In the course of his teachings and writings on the Celt- most prolific period was from 2003 through 2007, with ic languages, Mr. Kondratiev fostered the use of the such titles as Rites of Worship; Witchcraft, a Concise ancient languages as a way of connecting to the ances- Guide; The Pagan Man; Bonewits Essential Guide to tral roots of the practitioner. He also held to the belief Druidry, Bonewits Essential Guide to Witchcraft; Real that using language in practice and rite, practitioners Energy; Neopagan Rites. could become closer to the deities he/she worshipped. In 1976 he founded the New Reformed Druids of He wrote several books, most of which are very influ- North America (NRDNA), Berkeley, and a group that ential to Druidism practices worldwide. Such titles as is still practicing today. “The Apple Branch: A Path to Celtic Ritual”, “Celtic Rituals: A Guide to Ancient Celtic Spirituality” and In 1983, Rev. Bonewits founded Ár nDraíocht Féin even a comic book, “Dangerous Times (Featuring Be- ("Our Own Druidry" in Irish) as a completely new leagean Days and the Druid Vidorix)”, all of which are Druid form. He managed the organization through its still an inspiration to Pagans and Druids today. In first elections and the development of successful addition, Mr. Kondratiev was also an officer in the Groves. He later became the Archdruid for this body Celtic League American Branch, a board member of until his resignation in 1996. He was later bestowed the now-dormant group Imbas (which hosts many of with the title of Archdruid Emeritus, a position he his online writings), and co-led the Protean Mnemosy- held until his passing. nides Coven. Rev. Bonewits leaves behind his wife, Phaedra and son Mr. Kondratiev leaves behind his partner Len Rosen- Arthur. berg (Black Lotus), family members, close and extended, and friends. Aontacht • 3 Volume 3, Issue 2 aontacht Contributors creating unity in community Donald Drake: Domhnall has traveled ex- Sovereignty tensively, and it was during his tour of Eu- Editor rope that he had the opportunity to travel to Jenn MacCormack Scotland and Ireland. During this trip, he Co-Editor Richard Fox learned a great deal of his family tree and Druidic Dawn Rep. their practices and beliefs. While in Scotland Nigel Dailey in 1980, Domhnall came into contact with a family of Druids and Feature Editor - Poetry C.S. MacCath started down his path toward studying the Celts at that point. He Feature Editor - Recipes has not looked back, adopting the Celtic ways of life in his everyday Faye Boyd life and pursuits. Domhnall even adopted the old Scot’s Gaelic Feature Editor - Wild Earth spelling and pronunciation of his name. Vacant Graphic Designer Donald Drake Publisher Druidic Dawn, CIC Sidney Lancaster (Sidhe) is both an Ovate Original Layout Design Aestas Designs with OBOD and a member of the Druid Net- ( aestas.dieromantic.com ) work (Westview). She was involved in the General Inquiries All questions, comments and organizing of the first two Canadian Gaia etcetera can be sent to the fol- Gathering Conferences and assists in organiz- lowing address: [email protected] ing the Spirit of the West Gathering. For more Advertising than 25 years, she has been a champion of At the moment we are not human rights and poverty issues. Today she is offering ad space. However, this is subject to change. a unique artist and singer who works to integrate her spiritual practice Aontacht is published four times and artistic expression with all aspects of her life. Sydney loves music a year by Druidic Dawn, CIC. Aontacht, Volume 3, Issue 2 © of all types and is a transcendent singer who brings traditional Celtic 2010 Druidic Dawn, all rights re- songs and stories alive in her performances through a blend of using served. All contained content is copyright to its respective own- their original language and her knowledge of lore. ers, including art and photos. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the consent of the copyright owner. Environmental Benefits Earrach is a Neopagan Druid Priest, writer, or- Statement ganizer, musician, naturalist and astronomy en- Aontacht magazine is only available online as a free .pdf thusiast. He is also the Founder (1992) of download; thereby saving Sassafras Grove ADF., Pittsburgh's branch of the trees, water, solid waste and greenhouse gases. It is de- international Neopagan Druid organization Ár signed on an Energy Star rated nDraíocht Féin computer. Opinions and views expressed are not necessarily those of the editors, publisher or staff. Aontacht • 4 Volume 3, Issue 2 Editorial Notes Contributors You do not have to be a mem- ber of the Druidic Dawn com- Dr. Kenneth Proefrock has been a practicing munity to submit to the Naturopathic Physician since 1996 and currently newsletter. serves as Vice-President for the North American Please submit contributions Board of Naturopathic Examiners (NABNE) and directly to the editorial staff chairperson for the biochemistry portion of the via email to: Naturopathic Physician's Licensing Exam [email protected] (NPLEX). He is a member of the Council of El- ders and current President of the Order of Whit- Refer to the last page of this issue for writer’s guidelines eOak, a Celtic Reconstructionist Druid Order. He and even more information, has been a member of the Order of Bards, Ovates before you submit inquiries and Druids since 1994 and achieved the rank of Ovate in 2001. He is or contributions. also a member of the Ancient Order of Druids in America (AODA). He is happily married, living in the rural desert of the Southwest United Below are our upcoming issues. Be sure to specify to States with five children. which you are submitting. Morgaine is the Founder of Avalon Druid Order Volume 3, Issue 3, (ADO) and maintains a private healing and spiritual “Celtic Cosmos” Deadline Nov 15, 2010 practice through Avalon Sanctuary. Outside the The Celts viewed the Cos- ADO, she has served on the Councils of Nine at Three mos as an ensouled, relatio- Stones Abbey and at the Sisterhood of Avalon (SOA). nal universe; how do we She is an apprentice Celtic herbalist, a Tibetan & Usui observe and relate to the uni- verse in a participatory way? Reiki Master, a former professional Thespian, and a perpetual amateur musician and poet. Morgaine is honoured to contribute to Volume 3, Issue 4 this publication and to participate in explorations of Druid Unity “Hiraeth” with the Druidic Dawn community. She currently lives with her life Deadline Feb 15, 2011 partner, Myrddin, in southwestern Virginia. The Celts experienced long- ing as the desire for home- land, re-union, and C.S. MacCath graduated with Distinction from the belonging; how do we relate to and express our own long- University of Toronto in 2001 after earning a B.A. in ings? And for those of us not Celtic Studies and graduated with High Distinction living in Celtic lands, how hiraeth from the University of Maine in 2003 after earning a does play a part in our spirituality? M.A. in English. She is a Druid Grade fellow of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids and who can speak Academese and Paganese when she must, but likes stories, songs and drums better. Aontacht • 5 Volume 3, Issue 2 Contributors Shaun William Hayes (Phagos) has been aware of his path since the age of 18 and has studied healing and the Western mystery traditions off and on most of his life. His qualifications are in counselling and hypno-therapy and he has practised past life regression. For the past ten years he has been a member of OBOD and he is now studying in the Druid grade. Phagos co-founded the Sylvan Grove five years ago, and is (black & white) by Deborah Holman one of four facilitators. They meet regularly in the http://www.deborah.holman.btinternet.co.uk/ New Forest near the historic village of Burley, UK.