A special gift for prophetic knowledge or clairvoyance thought to be possessed by poets, especially the ollam as the highest rank of fili, in early Ireland. Scáthach makes prophecies through imbas forosnai, and in the Táin Bó Cuailnge Medb asks Fedelm whether she has acquired it. Of all Irish figures, Fionn mac Cumhaill demonstrates imbas forosnai most consistently. A person of dubious authenticity, St Patrick, was thought to have abolished imbas forosnai as a denial of baptism, but a counterpart in Christian contexts was known as córus cerda [the gift of poetry]. This power appears to be a combination of fios [occult power] and teinm laída.
A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology, James MacKillop
TEACHING
Through Ly de Angeles’ Patreon page you have the opportunity to challenge both your language and writing, to rewild yourselves and company. To erase religious and human-monetary terminology. As a student or apprentice you are invited to participate in conversation, and challenges to your current life outlook.
Prejudice, bigotry and exclusivity are off the table. All, of every culture, ancestry and clan are, therefore, invited. We understand that incalculable people’s predecessors were raped, erased as unique, had culture and language stolen, shamed or belittled and, usually for commercial reasons, always at the hidden hand of the arrogant mammals’ delusion that some were/are of lesser importance.
We know you have a right to explore this. If you find difficulty with the Irish, Celtic, Gallic or Scandinavian terminology please ask. Questions, to the bard, to the drui, to the poet and the dreamer, are nourishment.
We understand. language defines a culture. When we who are scattered and have been driven from ancestral soil, and who, therefore, speak the dialect and verbage of the conquerors; termed english (the ligua franca of the twentieth/twenty first centuries considered the current era by those of the ‘occidental west’ (a silly term, I know, I know) realise what we CAN do, we strip it of its inauthenticity. We remove the delusions of classism and elitism. We collectively embrace discovery of ancestral ecosystems and merge. We rise up.
Others will consider you pedantic. Do not fight them. Stay safe. Word it true.
IMBAS PRESS & WRITING COLLECTIVE (MYTHIC REALISM, GUTSY, GRITTY MEMOIR WRITING), PUBLISHING
Story writing, based on trauma (ongoing private group, limit 10 people)
RIVERS IN THE SKIN (EXPERIENTIAL)
IN BRIEF
RIVERS IN THE SKIN: a shamanic, initiatory, trance experience as harrowing as it is beautiful. Guided by indigenous Catuvellaun/Brigant and Celtic/Albanach elder, and attending traditional musicians.
Held twice annually in differing locations globally.
Image: Yannick Germain