<![CDATA[Celtic Druid Temple

<![CDATA[Celtic Druid Temple - Blog]]>Mon, 10 Aug 2026 21:39:19 +0100Weebly<![CDATA[LUGHNASA ECLIPSE August 12th 2026]]>Mon, 10 Aug 2026 18:41:12 GMThttps://www.celticdruidtemple.com/blog/lughnasa-eclipse-august-12th-2026

August 12th 2026 and into Thursday 13th is a feast for watchers of the skies. In our online Homestudy Course we call this the skill of ‘An Nealadoir’. But before the Sun has even risen above the eastern horizon we get six planets - Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune in the eastern sky. Mars, Jupiter and Saturn can be easily visible to the naked eye, but Uranus and Neptune always require binoculars or a telescope, but all six gather.

What is happening for the actual eclipse is that the dark side of the Moon (the bit facing Earth) is between Earth and the Sun giving us an Earth-Moon-Sun alignment. This is the Moon blocking the Sunlight to Earth. The Moon is being illuminated by the Sun but this is not the side facing us here on Earth. In two weeks time after the Lughnasa Eclipse we get another partial eclipse with this 2nd alignment being the Moon-Earth-Sun. This is the Earth blocking the Sunlight to the Full Moon. It is one of those fantastic magic relationships in the skies - the size of the Moon and its distance from Earth means that in the exact circumstances the Moon can block out the light from the Sun 100% for a short while.

DO NOT LOOK AT THE SUN

Details of the Eclipse
On Wednesday 12th at 18:12 or 12 minutes past 6 in the evening we can watch the beginning of a near total solar eclipse.

The peak of the eclipse (95% occultation) is at 19:10 just under an hour later and it should get a bit darker like thick heavy clouds blocking the Sun when there are no clouds about.

The end of the eclipse is at 20:05. The Sun and Dark Moon are together in the west near the horizon and just after they set, the bright star Shalinnis in Cú (aka Regulus in Leo) may become a day time star briefly - this is the ancient timing for calculating Lughnasa.

DO NOT LOOK AT THE SUN

Venus may become visible (all depends on cloud cover) just after Sunset too but do not mistake its brilliant dazzle for a star - look closely and remember, planets shine and only stars twinkle. Look west, just where and after the Sun and Dark Moon and Shalinnis in Cú have all gone into the Otherworld. Some “experts” are claiming that Venus will be visible during peak eclipse but at only 95% occultation it may be that you’d need good equipment to see this extra event.

The Perseid Meteor Shower follows...
Later on, after the Sun, Moon Shallinnis, Venus have gone to the Otherworld, at 21:10 or 10 past nine , the blessing of shooting stars begins. Look 15* east of north and wait. The eclipse and Sun, Moon and Star set was in the west but the Perseids are to the north east. At 1 o’clock on Thursday, the 13th the center of the meteor shower radiant is at 45* east of north at an altitude of +41*. The Perseid meteor shower is active from 17 July to 24 August. It will peak overnight on on the night of the eclipse, 12-13 August. Because there is no Moonlight even more shooting stars than usual may be seen. Over a 100 shooting stars an hour are expected by many researchers / experts.

Never look directly at the Sun. Your eyes would not feel pain but your vision may be burned away. One of the safest and easiest ways to view the solar eclipse is with a pinhole projector: you can find detail of these safe methods at https://eclipse26.ie/activities/

Magically - the blocking of the Sun’s energy by the Moon causes a shift or increase in the Earth’s magnetic field - it may be understood as an on/off switch that happens every day to night and every night to new day. A time to let go of things and plans and people who are not on your Path by conscious choice. It is also the opportunity to call in (the carefully described) new energies by conscious choice. Simple powerful magic works best from the heart with spoken words and an image in the mind.

Happy Lughnasa, Sun and Moon Eclipse and watching shooting stars too, to everybody.

]]><![CDATA[Full Moon 29/07/2026]]>Tue, 28 Jul 2026 19:24:03 GMThttps://www.celticdruidtemple.com/blog/full-moon-29072026

The image above is of the south view of the stars that surround us on the night of the Full Moon in July. The red line marked HORIZON shows above and below the land we stand on. At 8pm or 20:00 the Moon is not visible to us and neither are the stars because the sun glare obscures the sky and the solidity of the Earth hides what is below the horizon. Moon rise is at 21:40 but sun glare still obscures the heavens... Happy Full Moon to all.

]]><![CDATA[Horizontal Ogham on Stone!]]>Tue, 28 Jul 2026 15:29:31 GMThttps://www.celticdruidtemple.com/blog/horizontal-ogham-on-stone

Clonmacnois Ogham Stone
Clonmacnois Monastic Site Co. OFFALY
This stone was found in 1822 by Petrie, then it got lost but now has now been found again.... Horizontal Ogham on stone example. First recorded in 1822, it features both Roman-alphabet script spelling "Colman" and a secondary Ogham inscription. It is safely housed and displayed within the site's visitor center.

Some have 'declared' that Thcob should be read as Bocht. No clarity as to why it should be read backwards but other written info on Ogham such as found in Auraicept na hÉces, a 12th century collection of older manuscripts disagrees. In Auraicept na hÉces we are told how to read Ogham: “Ogham is climbed (i.e. read) as a tree is climbed, i.e. treading (feet) on the root of the tree first with one’s right hand before and one’s left hand last. After that it is across it and against it and through it and around it". This 'root' we are to stand on is obviously the root of the tree and the trunk is the stem of the tree. We stand with our feet at the root to read Ogham.

The term “feather-mark” was coined by R. A. S. Macalister, an early twentieth-century ogham scholar. Macalister described the shape as resembling an arrow shot across the page, with the ᚛ symbol standing in for the fletching / feather at the tail end of the shaft, marking where reading should begin and in which direction. Mind you - the same man believed that Ogham originated in Cis Alpine Gaul!

In my book "OgamNua a seekers guide" I refer to the fletching feather as "roots or feet" as I was writing horizontally and from left to right.

If the person who carved Thcob was a stonemason without knowledge of Ogham: he would simply do as asked. To get paid. Thcob as Latin or old Irish means no thing at all. It would then only be recognised by regular users of Ogham as back to front words that tries to hide its meaning. Bocht in Irish translates to Poor in English. If the person who caused Bocht to be carved into a grave slab wanted people to know that Colman was poor then writing it in backwards Ogham really limits the readership... Ah shure who knows?

Get my book at https://www.celticdruidtemple.com/ogamnua-book.html

]]><![CDATA[Stone Age Jewelry - Co Galway]]>Tue, 28 Jul 2026 14:25:05 GMThttps://www.celticdruidtemple.com/blog/stone-age-jewelry-co-galwayQuote "The Irish Neolithic has just gotten a new star find... an amethyst pendant bead. Well done to Hugh and Sue at our Maree excavation!" NUIG on FB, 23rd July 2026. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057073796068 gives much much detail. This discovery shows the complexity of culture in Ireland's first farming communities. The Maree site features a court tomb, a burial monument with an open area where rituals or ceremonial activities took place, and a portal tomb, a stone-built burial chamber marked by a large capstone.

A small amethyst pendant found in the newly discovered portal tomb on Thursday is said to be unlike anything else discovered at similar sites across Ireland.

The excavation is being carried out by researchers and students from University of Galway, alongside community volunteers, and hosted by the local landowners, the Burke family. Led by Dr Michelle Comber and Dr Noel McCarthy of the Discipline of Archaeology at University of Galway, the excavation in the Maree area of Co Galway has revealed two different types of megalithic tombs dating back almost 6,000 years.The excavation uncovered stone tools, prehistoric pottery and cremated bone, including a small amethyst pendant from the portal tomb. While quartz beads are known from a few megalithic sites, nothing like this amethyst pendant is known from anywhere in Ireland.

More info at
https://www.galwaybayfm.ie/galway-bay-fm-news-desk/archaeologists-uncover-rare-neolithic-tombs-in-maree-oranmore-226521
The lady who found this piece of jewelry is called Sue. The whole team doing the excavation are all excited and Sue is 'just' another archaeologist... Her second name is hidden respecting the team... this is standard practice during discoveries at a dig.

The image above is of Quartz beads found at ancient temples in Ireland. It is the toughest stone in the land. The unanswered question is how did the Irish stone age people cut spiral / vortex groves and neat countersunk holes for turning such rocks into jewels? Only a harder stone can cut quartz...

]]><![CDATA[Congratulations to Jessica and Martin]]>Sat, 20 Jun 2026 11:57:28 GMThttps://www.celticdruidtemple.com/blog/congratulations-to-jessica-and-martin

Our congratulations and blessings go to Jessica and Martin on their Handfasting. Celebrated under tall Larch and high mountains by Ard Druí Karl in a quiet place in Nature in Austria. Such special moments of celebrating a couple's happiness as they vow to share a Path together is a very beautiful thing. May they enjoy every step of their Path together!
You can connect with Ard Druí Karl and look at his website at https://www.cdtviennagrove.at/

]]><![CDATA[New Video Updates]]>Fri, 19 Jun 2026 15:02:37 GMThttps://www.celticdruidtemple.com/blog/new-video-updates

Two native visitors to Temple Crom this evening, the Gas generator in the background doing a float charge and the birds protecting their territory. Watch them on youtube here.

This is Big Mama, the latest edition to our egg laying flock, she's lovely and we're so happy to have her on the team. Watch her on youtube here.

]]><![CDATA[Update on Activities at Temple Crom Woodland]]>Thu, 18 Jun 2026 20:00:08 GMThttps://www.celticdruidtemple.com/blog/the-flowers-at-the-gate

We planted a new flower bed at the entrance, some of the flowers come from our farm and some were gifted by our friend Irene, who along with Damian helped to create this new flower bed to welcome guests. It is important to us to plant visually colorful flowers as well as edibles so we planted a mix of fruit and pretty flowers and mulched them all with homemade woodchips.

Developments at the Urn Field
We have dedicated a space for the ancestors in our woodland. We call this place the Urn Field, it is a place where you can scatter or bury ashes of loved ones who have passed on. We have cleared around a beautiful big boulder made of sandstone and quartz and placed a Blessing Stone on top of this boulder for you to send blessings to loved ones on their journey from the Realm of Land back to Tír na nÓg. Pics in the next blog.

A Healing Meditation with Trees
We have found some beautiful places for you to sit and meditate in the woodlands. First we planted the trees, then we waited and provided help where needed, now the trees have grown and are creating their own shape and place of healing. We had a tree come down in a bad storm, we kept some of the wood for fire wood and with some of the wood we hand crafted meditation stools. These have been strategically placed at trees so that you can sit comfortably with your back against the trunk of a tree. This allows you to harmonise your energy field by connecting to the energy field of the tree. More on this project later with pictures...

Refurbishment of Temple Crom
With great thanks and appreciation to our friends, members and special donors and of course our wonderful volunteers we would like to announce that Temple Crom's refurbishment is now complete. Its even got new woodchips on the ground of Temple Crom and the Yew tress at the entrance have been pruned for safety and access reasons. This wooden circular temple is now 15 years old and has had its main structural timbers reinforced with buttresses. New tapestries of Crom agus Corra surround the great Tree of Life. Pictures in our next blog.

Woodland Tours and Healing Meditations
At Celtic Druid Temple we'd love to welcome you and show you around on a tour. The tour is styled as a Q&A, so feel free to ask as many questions as you like as we walk around the Temple and its woodlands. If you'd like to relax and recharge we are also here to help you. We have created safe spaces for you to sit with the Trees, Ard Druí Niamh will guide you on our special and unique form of meditation with trees. You can book your place here.

Ducks and ducklings in our Pond!
In Autumn 2024 we dug a new pond in the centre of the woodland and we've just spotted something amazing. Earlier on in the year we noticed a flock of ducks had been visiting and whilst Niamh was giving a tour during this week she and her guest spotted something truly beautiful....a mama duck and her 3 tiny ducklings swimming across the pond. We have, of course, set up the trail cam but haven't been successful as yet....watch this space!!

]]><![CDATA[Full Moon 30 June 2026]]>Thu, 18 Jun 2026 18:45:06 GMThttps://www.celticdruidtemple.com/blog/full-moon-30-june-2026

The Full Moon rises at 22:54 but this image is set for 8pm or 20:00 when ceremony begins on Tara. This tradition began on the Spring Equinox in 2003 and continues today - 23 years later. Ard Druí Sean Rua facilitates this ceremony on Tara. If you'd like to join this ceremony on Tara you can contact John directly at cdttaragrove@gmail.com

If you'd like to join this ceremony in Vienna, Austria you can contact the facilitator Ard Druí Karl at cdtviennagrove@gmx.at
and in Co. Roscommon, Ireland you can join Con and Niamh and contact them at cdtcromgrove@gmail.com

]]><![CDATA[Summer Solstice Sunrise 21 June 2026]]>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 18:36:32 GMThttps://www.celticdruidtemple.com/blog/summer-solstice-sunrise-21-june-2026This blog took a while to create - it will be in the book I'm writing. It shows images of the sky for sunrise, midday, sunset and true midnight. The Sun's glare is removed allowing viewers to see what is usually hidden to most. Many star groups have been renamed to give the Magic Beasts of our country's forgotten starlore new expression.
First Image is of the Sunrise

Note: the Dagda (Orion) carries the Sun in his upright arm / hand for the day and night. Dagda's hand and the sun are occulting the place where Bealach na Bó Finne (Milky Way) crosses the ecliptic (the path of the sun, moon and planets). Behind this is M35 a star cluster where new planets are born. Dagda reached his zenith here in 2012 on Dec 21st...

Midday on the longest day. Dagda standing tall preceded by Saturn, Mars, Uranus and the Eye of the Bull known as Aldebaran in Taurus (Tarbh). He is followed by Mercury, Jupiter, Venus Crom and the Heart of Cú aka the Hound (Regulus in Leo) and the rising Moon. What a skyscape.

Behind Dagda's upraised hand holding the Sun is the birthplace of galaxies M35. It is where the Ecliptic crosses the Galactic Equator in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere the equivalent location where the Ecliptic crosses the Galactic Equator we have An Láir Bhán (The White Mare aka Sagittarius). At true Midnight on the longest day/shortest night the White Mare takes the front and center - see picture below.

This is a twilight image with the Sun shine removed - it will still be bright with refracted light until maybe 11:30 or 23:30. Mercury, Jupiter and Venus follow Dagda into the otherworld while invisible to our eyes and so the cycle continues. Our ancestors never really went away - they are in the Realm of Sky above us.

At true midnight it is exactly 12 hours after true midday which is high noon. High Noon is when the Sun is exactly due south and at its highest point in the sky. Usually at 1:26 pm or at 13:26 on a 24 hour clock. At this time we see the star constellation of Sagittarius is due south. We call this constellation An Láir Bhán (the White Mare). It is the time of weaning foals, of beach racing and back in the day probably horse fights too.
The White Mare is one of Manannan's three totem animals...

Happy Summer Solstice to everyone everywhere - may this longest day bring extra love and light into your world.

]]><![CDATA[TALLAGHT HILL Summer Solstice Sunrise every year]]>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 17:26:22 GMThttps://www.celticdruidtemple.com/blog/tallaght-hill-summer-solstice-sunrise-every-year

Tallaght Hill has a long hidden and forgotten secret. It is home to a special Summer Solstice Sunrise, just like Newgrange with its Winter Solstice Sunrise: both events align up with Lambay Volcano (extinct) before the modified beam of Sunlight goes into an ancient temple. For Tallaght Hill - this temple is on private land and permission is required - do not park blocking a gate. We share some pics of the Sun Magic on Tallaght Hill...

The yellow shape of the Suns coverage reminds me of a Golden Lunala - can be seen in our National Museum.

The Magic Beast of Samhradh is An Láir Bhán or White Mare. During the protest at the destruction of Tara for Dick Cheneys toll road, one of the group found a wooden statue of the white mare in a skip. We added it to our ceremony that Full Moon night.

In the library in Tallaght's co-co offices there are maps and stories of Tallaght Hill showing ancient wells and temples. Just say you are doing "local history studies" when inquiring - it is a trigger phrase that gets help.

The Magic Beast in the Summer night sky.

Above is a map I sketched from walking the hill back in the early 90s. Don't block gates.

Malachi Horan's map from the book called "Malachi Horan Remembers" published in 1943 by Dr George A. Little. This book is in the National Library - also online at mad prices

Me and a crew in 1994 or 5. We are standing on Tallaght Hill watching the Sun rise over Lambay Volcano on the Summer Solstice.

If you get to this visual - you are west of the remains of a cairn (a cairn is a pile of stones over a Temple that the Archaeologists refer to as a grave) - physically this is all that is left. But the alignment - the quartz faced entrance stone, the pond on the top of the (we cleared it in '94 by hand) hill, the earth bank and the Lambay Volcano and the Sun. What a view - you can see Newgrange from here and all of Dublin too just as your ancestors did on the longest day sunrise thousands of years ago.

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