"More Information?"

“Can you send me more information?”

We get this question rather often, as do many people who have Pagan websites. Here's our answer.

The reason we have a website is to put out the information we currently feel like sharing. Right now, it's one of our main ways of interacting with the public. You can also find us online in some of the Celtic Reconstructionist fora, such as The Multicultural Polytheistic Hearth, the livejournal cr_r community and others listed in this Definition of Celtic Reconstructionist Paganism. Having recently participated in the composition of this milestone document, we strongly suggest that anyone interested in CR check it out. Since we had a 4,000 word limit, we could only make it very introductory. And as it was written by a group of us, from a variety of CR paths and flavors, compromises and generalizations were necessary. Still, it's the best inro/overview out there that I'm aware of, and we're proud to have been a part of it.

For the time being, any other information which we would feel comfortable distributing publicly, or which we would recommend to those seeking more information on our tradition, is already here, for the most part. The only exceptions to this are the materials we just haven't gotten around to posting yet, the articles we publish elsewhere, for which we are paid and, therefore, other copyright restrictions apply, and the books that are still being written. When the books are done, we'll let you know. And we'll get around to posting the other articles and links...well, when we get around to it.

What we don't have is a Moonstone / Nemed Art-Ré / Nigheanan nan Cailleachan / Pàganachd Bhandiaonline study plan, public rituals for seekers to attend, or the resources to send out piles of information for free. We're a small circle of friends and chosen family, living our lives and sometimes inspired to write stuff down about what we're doing. Right now we're very focused on building our tradition as a CR Household, and getting more materials written down that can be used by outsiders. We're very interested in having more members at some point, but as we're so small and intimate, it's rare that we find others that are meant to join the family. At other points in our history we've been more public, and may be again at some point in the future, but right now we don't have the time for it.

We love reading your letters, and we try to respond, but sometimes time and energy constraints prevent or delay responses. If you want a response and haven't heard from us, you can inquire again. Maybe we just misplaced your letter or forgot. Hint: Interesting, thoughtful, entertaining, and heartfelt letters that give us a good sense of who you are are much more likely to get a response than the standard "Can you send me information about your group?" queries. And please don't ask us for spells or info on Wicca. If you don't know the difference between CR and Wicca, read The CR Definition on Witchvox.

Currently, there is very little published on CR Paganism, and practically nothing on our version of it. We're working to change this, but what you need to do, if you're interested in this path, is read lots of old books and seek out the work of the dedicated people who are developing the various streams of the tradition. Most of us are on the internet now, and there are a few good websites (with lots of articles) and e-mail lists for the dedicated CR student. If you're lucky, there may be a group in your area. But whether you find a group or not, most of us wind up developing our own unique personal practice, based on a combination of research, inspiration and experience. IMHO, the important thing is your connection with the Goddesses, Ancestors, Nature Spirits, and Tribe. Tribe can be slow and hard to find, but the Goddesses and other Spirits are always there if you're willing to look for Them. And They can help you to find others, as well.

We have a few recommendations here on this site, such as information on Erynn's book. Keep your eyes open for Kathryn's occasional articles in Sagewoman and The Beltane Papers - available on newstands, or, preferably, from feminist bookstores or the publishers themselves (tell 'em we sent you!). Some new articles and invocations are in the works for this website, as well as things for the Pagan, Feminist, and alternative spirituality print media... we'll try to publicize these things when they appear.

After a hiatus, our friend Erynn is back online. You can find her in some of the Celtic fora, and on her new website. As one of the primary founders, thinkers and liturgists of the CR movement, her work has been, and continues to be, a profound influence on us.

Kym's website has a bookstore and reading list, including their infamous list of NOT RECOMMENDED books. Aisling Association of Celtic Tribes (AACT), which had the beginnings of a good study program, has dissolved, which Kym explains on the site, but perhaps at some point the study program will be revived in some form. Kym and I have collaborated on all sorts of bizarre ritual experiments over the years, and though they practice somewhat differently (more of an ADF influence, more Guy Stuff), there are certainly some similarities in our approaches. Just tell 'em we sent you. (Oh, by "Guy Stuff," I just mean they work with Gods as well as Goddesses, and definitely appeal to a mixed-gender membership. As compared with our Goddesses-focused trad, which, though we include some fey guys here and there, still bears the marked influence of my Dianic background.)

Our tradition is still being developed and the number of people practicing it is rather small. Eventually there will be more stuff in print --assuming I don't spend all my writing time playing with this website :-) We are definitely open to meeting new people, but we usually need to take it slow, to be sure we're on the right wavelength with each other.

Till then,

Beannachd Leibh,

Kathryn / Caitríona
for Moonstone Circle / Nemed Art-Ré
and The River House