“Three wealths in barren places: a well in a mountain, fire out of a stone, wealth in the possession of a hard man.”
– Irish triad
Léithin Cluan (Naomi J.) City-based Gaelic polytheist and modern druid. I like disability rights, reading, drinking wine and being around cats.
I have Asperger’s and a physical condition that means I use a wheelchair and live with chronic pain. I’m a disability activist, LGBT activist, interfaith activist – basically there’s a lot of activism in my life. It keeps me focused on the bigger picture, even on days when I’m sure the biggest picture I can see is the four walls of the room I’m stuck in. There’s always a greater vantage point.
I’m working on creating my own path that balances modern druidry and Gaelic polytheism. I honour the gods and not-gods – especially the local gods and spirits of the Beara Peninsula in Ireland, where my family is from, and the local gods and spirits of my little corner of urban North London. I’m dedicated to Cailleach Bhearra. I’m interested in Irish and Scottish folk magic, Ogam (and other divination), hoodoo, and folklore. Writer for Gods and Radicals, book reviewer and writer for Pagan Dawn magazine, and I write in other places too. Member of the British Druid Order, Ár nDraíocht Féin and the Druid Network.
In other parts of my life, I’m married to my partner (woo equal marriage finally!), have two moody cats, and am doing a PhD in sociology of religion (also covers disability studies and biblical studies – I study too many things). Don’t ask me about Christianity and how it manages to worm its way back into my Very Pagan Life all the time. It just does.
I try not to ‘cross the streams’ between different parts of my life. You may come across my academic blogs/twitter, but I’d prefer it if these weren’t too closely linked to my Pagan blogging and work. Please see my Hospitality Policy for my FAQ on how I would like to be talked about online.
More info about me can be found at my website.
By the way, Léithin is pronounced lay-in. At least, that’s how I say it. :)
“For where your treasure is, there is your heart.”
– Matthew 6:21
Hi Leithin, glad I found your blog. I came to Druidry last year, via a turbulent course through poetry, philosophy (briefly Gnosticism) and shamanic experiences, finally leading to my personal deities and a deepening connection. A couple of months ago I decided to make the commitment to becoming a Bard, making this my path and Druidry my religion. It’s good to meet somebody in a similar situation.
Good to meet you, Lorna! Thanks for reading :)
Just about every blog I follow is written by someone who is an OBOD member. What has your OBOD experience been like? The thing I am most hesitant about with OBOD is the expense. Compared to ADF (at 25 USD annually), OBOD is insanely expensive. I wonder if it is right for an organization to charge so much for such training. However, I am thinking about joining OBOD when I have the money, as a lot of people seem to get a lot out of their programs.
Blessings,
Victoria
Yes, it is expensive – which is one of a couple of reasons why I’m not going straight onto the Ovate grade (just finished my Bardic). OBOD has good and bad points, like most training programmes. I recommend talking to members before spending the money (I can give you my Skype or AIM details!) It suits some people better than others. I’ve enjoyed it but also had problems with it. It’s VERY different from ADF. But there is a lot that I gained from doing the Bardic grade, and my OBOD grove is fantastic.
I’m on Skype! Send me your username on my email (which you can get from the mailing lists). :) I would like to discuss this more. Thanks!
I realize it might be easier if I just gave you my email address and Skype username. Emali: victoria.m.laughlin@gmail.com | Skype: ironicangelladyv
Done!
I;m also curious like Victoria, There seems to be an OBOD seed-grove (??) in my area, but no ADF groves. So i was wondering if OBOD is worth the expense, or if it would be wiser to start in ADF?
thanks in advance :)
I personally think OBOD is worth the expense, given the amount of materials they send you, the access to a mentor, etc. But it’s wise to start with their introductory package, as not everyone gets along with their style. You can order their intro package through theIr website.
thank you :)
Your blog is fantastic!
Aww, thank you so much!
Great blog, I love reading about different paths.
Welcome :)
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Hi, love! I’m not entirely sure that I didn’t already invite you on Tumblr (your name is familiar) but in case I didn’t: I help run The Gaelic Roundtable here on WordPress. It’s a new community building discussion group where we release one topic a month. Users / participants write posts based on that topic and submit them to us by the end of the month. Our aim is to encourage community discussion as well as resources for Gaelic Polytheists. If you’re interested, we’d love to see you participate! http://gaelicroundtable.wordpress.com
Hi Anna! Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. I haven’t seen a comment on tumblr from you, but I’m not there enough, so I may have missed it! I’m hoping to participate in TGR this month (and to back-write a post on ‘journeys’ just for me). I’m a little unclear how it works, even though I’ve read all the instructions (I am autistic and get confused!) but I’m going to read the instructions again and try and work out exactly when I should post my entry and link it to the tag. Apologies for being a bit dense! Looking forward to taking part this month.
No need to apologize! If you’d like some help understanding the instructions, i’m more than happy to help as best I can ^_^
Thanks! My main confusion is exactly when to publish. Can it be any time before the end of April, for the April roundtable? Or have I missed a specific date for the April one? If so, I will do the May one :) Thanks!
You can publish at any time, any month, between the 1st and the 29th!
Ah, OK! Thank you for the clarification :) Hopefully I can still get a post in for April – if I’m fast! :D
It’s not a problem- and good luck!!
Naomi, your blog will soon be added to our Actually Autistic Blogs List (anautismobserver.wordpress.com). Please click on the “How do you want your blog listed?” link at the top of that site to personalize your blog’s description.
Thank you.
Judy (An Autism Observer)
That’s wonderful – but more relevant would be my disability/neurodiversity blog at butlighthouse.wordpress.com . If you could list both, that would be amazing. And thank you!
I saw this comment after I sent you an email. Unless I hear otherwise, I will include butlighthouse.wordpress.com on the list with a link to this blog.
That is great. And thank you!