Kirk Thomas

Kirk Thomas is the Archdruid of Ar nDriaocht Fein (A Druid Fellowship) and an ordained priest in that tradition. He has an MA in Celtic Studies from the University of Wales, Lampeter, as well as a BFA in Theatre Arts from the University of New Mexico and a Certificate from the Webber-Douglas Academy of Dramatic Arts in London, UK.

He is also a past President and current member of the Board of Directors of Cherry Hill Seminary, a Pagan institution which exists to train folks in the skills of Pagan Ministry.

A resident of Washington State, USA, Kirk co-owns an organic farm and has built a stone circle and druidic sanctuary where he plans to open an ADF seminary and intentional community. He spends much of his time traveling for ADF, visiting groves, solitaries and festivals, presenting on various topics and participating in public, group ritual.

The Irish Sacred King

The office of the sacred king in late prehistoric and early medieval Ireland carried great significance in a religiously cosmological sense both for his people and his kingdom. Such a king would be considered sacred because he would be 'set apart' from all others. He would be seen as having both special powers and obligations, all of which determined the fate of his reign as an ideal and fruitful one, or as one marked by disaster, starvation, and death.

Before a man could become a sacred king he had to prove his worthiness and be accepted by Sovereignty, usually personified as a goddess or lady, who would only mate with the rightful king. He must be perfect in mind and body, uphold truth through justice, and be constrained by both taboos and prescriptions, for any deviations from these ideals would lead to his destruction.

This workshop will explore these themes through the folklore, tales, and selected monastic writings of early medieval Ireland, often contrasted with similar works from related Indo-European cultures.

The Nature of Sacrifice

When the ancients worshipped the Gods, they did so by creating relationships with the Spirits. "I give so that you may give" was the order of the day. A 'sacrifice' was the ritual they used to foster these relationships, and the word does not mean what modern folks assume it means. Come and hear how the ancients managed this, and how it can apply to our worship of the Gods today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back to Top