Danu: Rise of the Mother, a story by Laura Murphy | S4 Ep2

Our StoryLaura Murphy returns to KnotWork for the third time with a tale of the Irish goddess Danu that is part creation story and part initiation rite. Our GuestLaura Murphy is a poet, activist and healer from Ireland whose work centers around the ancient Irish poetic practice of Imbas Forosnai. The filí (seer-poets) of pre-Christian Ireland used this practice to bring healing to society and truth to power. Laura’s Imbas-infused work has been featured in the Abbey Theatre’s critically acclaimed "HOME: Part One," Herstory Light Shows, TG4’s "Imeall" and RTÉ documentary "Finding Brigid."Laura was the inaugural Poet in Residence at Herstory, the movement illuminating female role-models, she was a key player in the campaign to make Brigid’s Day a national holiday in Ireland. She is an advocate for Mother and Baby Home survivors. Follow Laura on Instagram: @everose Art for this episode, “Danu Rising” by Yuri Leitch of The Ogham Grove.The Danu Chant at  the end of Laura’s story is written by Jenny Ní Ruiséil; sung & recorded by Melanie Taylor.Our ConversationDánu gave her name to the people of the goddess Danu, the Tuatha De Dannan, the most celebrated divine beings, but she is mentioned only a couple of times in Irish mythology. Our relationship with gnosis and ‘the mystery”: our birthright is to hold the mystery, not to solve the mysteryThe role of the Grandmothers: in the story, across spiritual traditions, and in Irish society in recent generationsThe calling to be an elder in midlifeWhat it means to follow your dán: an Irish word that simultaneously means gift, skill, art, poem, soul and destinyWhen the English language replaced the Irish we lost a poetic way of speaking and expressing that was closer to the mysteriesThe alignment of stars (the constellation Casseopia), sacred sites, and features of the land (Paps of Anu in Killarney); Laura is inspired about these connections thanks to ideas brought forth by Yuri Leitch.<br/>More complete show notes will be available at the Myth Is Medicine Substack.Our MusicMusic at the start of the show is by Beth Sweeney and Billy Hardy: billyandbeth.comWork With Marisa1:1 Writing Coaching: If you are working on a spiritual memoir or wellness professional or a creative entrepreneur who wants to use stories to build your business, book a free consultation with Marisa. Learn more at writingcoachmarisa.comFind more of Marisa's writing and get a copy of her book, The Sovereignty Knot: www.marisagoudy.com<br/>Follow the show on Substack, Instagram, and